"NA na na na na na, you say it's your birthday."

Today is my son's first birthday. I cannot believe that he is one year old today. Just yesterday Pixie and I were pacing around the house waiting for the hospital to call and let us know we could come in and start the process. I don't think I ever smoked so much or slept so little. Just yesterday I was pacing the hospital floor drinking coffee, reassuring Pixie, massaging, talking, doing whatever I could for her, and trying not to fall asleep on my feet as Pixie rocked through nineteen plus hours of labor before she finally agreed on taking the epidural and having labor induced (you stubborn little shit G-man). Just yesterday I saw my wife laying on the operating table splayed open like a fish and twitching uncontrollably; my son being pulled from the womb; my eyes teary with a love I had never known. Just yesterday we stayed awake all night—too afraid to sleep— holding each other and staring at our beautiful son.
I can't believe it has been a year already. So much has happened in the past 365 days. Far too much to recap all in one post. All I can say is that being a father has changed my life; I am a better man because of you G-man. Thank you.
I could say that I can't wait to watch you grow up, but I can. I don't want you to grow up too fast. I want to be selfish and have you stay my little buddy forever. I know that won't happen, though you'll always be my little buddy. I love you so much. Happy birthday sweetie.

Working class hero

Today was the first day of my new job. Not exactly what I envisioned it being— no naked women serving free beer— but I think it will be a good thing for me. Coming from my old job, this place is a complete 180.

For starters, everything is accounted for, organized and put in its proper location. We are talking cages for hand tools, cages for chemicals, bays for trucks, sheds for misc. equipment and so on. Sign-in sheets for all equipment. Think of that really anal guy with the peg board in his garage, every tool outlined in white paint....that's this company.
At my old job we just threw whatever tool we were using nearby and tried to remembered where it was for the next time. Our equipment had a bay, but it was every item for itself; things stacked on top of things—chaos.

At my new job there is an electronic time clock. Everyone gets a magnetic card (like a credit card) with your name and employee I.D number on the back. You have to swipe the card through what looks like a credit card machine to clock in and out; precise time stamps down to the minute.
At my old job the time sheet was a piece of paper with a basic grid; the employee had to write their name in one box, the time in and out (rounded to the nearest quarter-hour) went in another box and then total their own hours at the end of the week which went in the final box.

The new company is taking the time to train us on not only proper techniques in what we do, but why it is done that way and the particular effects of both properly and improperly executing that particular service. Time spent on a job is less important than doing the job properly.
At my old job it was: "hurry the f@%$ up so we can get to the next job and make the money."

The new company offers: benefits, 401(k), annual bonus incentives, full uniforms, paid training, continuing education reimbursements, and travel expenses (when applicable).
At my old job, after eight plus years of dedicated employment I finally got a credit card for business expenses. There was also a summer bonus, Christmas bonus and miscellaneous small cash bonuses on certain cash only jobs. I will miss my old company for that reason.

The new company is 3.3 miles from my house. I will spend an average of $4.50 on gasoline (at current prices) traveling to and from work every week.
My old job was 17 miles away. I would spend an average of $23 dollars on gasoline (at current prices) a week going to and from work.

At the new company I am already a crew leader. I don't even know if anyone else works in this division; my name is the only one listed.
At my old job I was one of the only employees besides the owners. We did most jobs together.

These are just a few of the many contrasts between old and new. It's quite a shock for me. I feel like the dumb country mouse going to the big city.
I was telling Pixie that every gripe about poor planning or good idea I ever had about how to improve my last job has floated through time and space and morphed into this well-oiled machine of lawn care and landscape management.

I just have to talk to them about their beer and babe deficiency.

"Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes...."

Okay, another "stop-gap" post.

I am currently in negotiation with several reputable Lawn and Landscape companies in the Toledo area. One is encouraging me to get all sorts of certification and is willing to pay for said certification and everything that becoming certified entails.

How many times can I use the word certified?

The hours are great, the pay would start at slightly more than I make now, with a pay raise dolled out via salary ( I haven't worked hourly in so long that this is a huge plus for me), benefits, and 401(k) after my ninety day probation period. The company is literally five minutes away from my house which is a bonus as I could ride my bicycle there (if I had a bicycle). The people are friendly and I get a good vibe from them and the company.

It is not at all what I expected myself to be accepting when I resigned from my other job— I had delusions of grandeur about becoming a working artist—but I can roll with the punches. Besides I can still pursue my creative side in my spare time.

I feel that I will not just be some schlub cutting peoples grass, but really be able to advance and grow with this company. A real professional. And this will do until I can finally record my songs, write my book and make my million.

I just have to stay focused.

Addendum:
I have decided to take the job that I described above. It was really a hard decision choosing between this company and the other. Both made great offers, and both would be excellent companies to work for. I chose the above because it is so close to home and the hours are way better than the 8-6:30 (that is the average time) the other company offered; although I would have been the only person hired in as a foreman and the only other person besides management with a salary. My new job starts on Monday at 7:15 a.m. WOHOOOOOOOO!