After much thought, a few ginger ales, and some severe head trauma, I've decided to move again. For now I'll be in Guelph, living off the land. In an apartment with Jeff Kenney, off the ground. Get the joke I made? As you can see, the months in Alberta have been formative. I now have a perfect sense of humour. Ideally I can continue to crack wise without it constantly being at the expense of someone else.
I could get all dramatic and talk about how hopefully living out west really did change me, or how things need to be different this time in Guelph, buut I'm not that open. Basically we'll see how things unravel.
November 23, 2009
November 4, 2009
The pocket Dangerous book for boys: Things to Do.
At the end of my vacation I'm left with some burning questions:
1. Just how many amazing Simpson's Halloween costumes could I come up with?
2. As great as Alberta is, should I consider moving back to where all my best friends live?
3. Just how many amazing Simpson's aliases are there?
The first and third questions are answered only by my current therapy of cartoon marathons. If you read a guest book entry from Armin Tamzarian, its possible it was me. I can only begin to imagine the great costumes there are, Milhouse comes to mind for sure.
That being said, this trip to Ontario served the exact opposite of its purpose. My intention was that while enjoying my trip, I would return home to the mountains with a confirmed belief that it was where I wanted to live. After being here for five full days I feel that I moved hastily from Guelph. There are an abundance of things I had not appreciated while living here, and assumed that outdoor adventures could only happen somewhere else. Its hard to elaborate on something fully when I don't know what my next step will be. Its entirely potential I'll move back to Ontario. Its also entirely possible that the world will cease to exist. The only thing not possible is the leafs winning the Stanley cup.
Basically, I'm continuing the theme of being unsure. I'll decide on the spot what my course of action is, and whether or not I regret it, I'll be able to live with it.
1. Just how many amazing Simpson's Halloween costumes could I come up with?
2. As great as Alberta is, should I consider moving back to where all my best friends live?
3. Just how many amazing Simpson's aliases are there?
The first and third questions are answered only by my current therapy of cartoon marathons. If you read a guest book entry from Armin Tamzarian, its possible it was me. I can only begin to imagine the great costumes there are, Milhouse comes to mind for sure.
That being said, this trip to Ontario served the exact opposite of its purpose. My intention was that while enjoying my trip, I would return home to the mountains with a confirmed belief that it was where I wanted to live. After being here for five full days I feel that I moved hastily from Guelph. There are an abundance of things I had not appreciated while living here, and assumed that outdoor adventures could only happen somewhere else. Its hard to elaborate on something fully when I don't know what my next step will be. Its entirely potential I'll move back to Ontario. Its also entirely possible that the world will cease to exist. The only thing not possible is the leafs winning the Stanley cup.
Basically, I'm continuing the theme of being unsure. I'll decide on the spot what my course of action is, and whether or not I regret it, I'll be able to live with it.
September 20, 2009
Captain's log, Day 43:
The view alone is worth the price of admission.
Although it was a high cost, moving away from close friends and family, and giving up the band that has meant my life for five years, I'm starting to feel more and more like Alberta is my home. Once I visit I'm sure I'll miss living in Guelph, but that part of my life: those friends, the memories, will always be accessible.
Not a whole lot has been going on, aside from working endless hours. I applied for a loan to buy a 2007 Ford Focus, I'll find out about it Wednesday. Normally I'd be chattier, or typier, but I'm way too tired.
Football fever, catch it.
Although it was a high cost, moving away from close friends and family, and giving up the band that has meant my life for five years, I'm starting to feel more and more like Alberta is my home. Once I visit I'm sure I'll miss living in Guelph, but that part of my life: those friends, the memories, will always be accessible.
Not a whole lot has been going on, aside from working endless hours. I applied for a loan to buy a 2007 Ford Focus, I'll find out about it Wednesday. Normally I'd be chattier, or typier, but I'm way too tired.
Football fever, catch it.
August 20, 2009
I actually went through with it? I'm as surprised as you are.
Whoa!
A bit delayed on posting, and not in the usual self deprecating manner, but still I'm back on the world wide web. After three days on a bus, a breakdown an hour away from Calgary, a missing bicycle, and too many other occurrences to mention I'm finally set up in Alberta! I have a new phone number and its in the crazy 403 area code. I don't have too many things interesting to write about, I only seem to be able to write in odd tired or crazy moods and so far I've been levelheaded. I miss my close friends and family but I'm still having a great time!
Reading lots of books, getting my ass kicked riding in the mountains, and almost hitting cows, this is the life.
Some cool pics:
A cake I baked today for Claire's birthday. Its the first cake I've made and easily the most work I've put into anything food related ever.
This is driving home, and crazy weather patterns.
August 3, 2009
July 28, 2009
The never ending goodbyes continue
My everything hurts.
I have a wife beater shaped sunburn.
I'm tired as hell.
But I'm a few "see ya"s closer to leaving for Alberta.
I drove to Bancroft with my older brother this weekend to hang out with my uncle, aunt, and two cousins. We drank a garbage bag full of beer cans, went tubing and water skiing, fished, and all other things required of a cottage visit. I came to some pretty substantial conclusions over the course of this trip and the ensuing visit:
-My younger cousin Dylan is going to be covered in tattoos
-I can't water ski, and learning that hurt. Physically.
-Peet is not a word, and therefore my brother won the scrabble game.
-The cd player in my mother's car seems to hate punk o' rama 4.
I'm 6 days away from a life changing move.
I have a wife beater shaped sunburn.
I'm tired as hell.
But I'm a few "see ya"s closer to leaving for Alberta.
I drove to Bancroft with my older brother this weekend to hang out with my uncle, aunt, and two cousins. We drank a garbage bag full of beer cans, went tubing and water skiing, fished, and all other things required of a cottage visit. I came to some pretty substantial conclusions over the course of this trip and the ensuing visit:
-My younger cousin Dylan is going to be covered in tattoos
-I can't water ski, and learning that hurt. Physically.
-Peet is not a word, and therefore my brother won the scrabble game.
-The cd player in my mother's car seems to hate punk o' rama 4.
I'm 6 days away from a life changing move.
July 22, 2009
My enemy has a first names its spelled J-a-s-o-n
Stuck at the Greyhound station with so many forced goodbyes and teary exits I'm reminded of two things: my ever nearing move to the vast mountains and skies of Alberta, and my agonizing defeat in the highly anticipated rematch of Whitney v. Brake. Since I'm sure I'll discuss Alberta significantly in the future, other topics to discuss come at a premium, and must be exploited. My defeat was agonizing not only because of my failings in reaching a fourteenth hot dog consumed, but also due largely to the extreme pain in my stomach. To confirm, this is the type of pain that is only relieved by an equal level of flatulence, which simply isn't an option at a Greyhound terminal, what with all the upstanding citizens who use their services. To those not in the know I will issue a recap of the first battle of the bottomless stomachs.
A time set, a weapon selected, an age-old enemy challenged. Hot dogs and Dr.pepper would be our measuring sticks. Not being vegetarian I obviously selected all beef dogs while Jason went with the far more morally sound veggie option. For eight dogs there was clear skies, smooth sailing, and a veritable feast for easy consumption. But like so many triathletes and marathon runners we eventually hit the wall. The point where every step becomes a battle not only against the clock, but yourself as well. The two of us struggled on, using sit ups, belching, removing clothes, and a few tears to aid as a helping hand. Eventually, reaching a dozen dogs each, we ran out of food and moved on to drinking Dr.pepper as the tiebreaker option. Reaching as high as six sodas consumed I was stung with the need to use the washroom, and this is where debate was born: was using the washroom outside of the rules? No such law being established I fought in my defense and in the end a stalemate was reached, and the contest was to be rescheduled. I stood strongly in my conviction that the singular reason Jason remained in contention was his selection of veggie dogs, as they wreak far less havoc on the internal systems. This brings us to the current date, somewhat.
Throughout the weeks and months following the contest there had been large speculation amongst people who did not attend the event. Word spread and a legend grew of our exploits and the scars left in the kitchen that very day. As anticipated, many expectations were set for a follow up bout, and this was simply not something that could be left unfinished when I head west. So on my lengthy farewell tour I clearly needed to set aside a date in Kitchener.
Three steps up the stairs and my palms are sweating. We needed to take a trip to the grocery store to buy hot dogs and pop. We elected to both select vegetarian dogs and once again our valiant chef Kevin Dent prepared the hot dogs to be consumed in large volume. The first six hot dogs came and went without much attention, and at a frightening pace. For the second set of six I opted to add some taste enhancers. I saw bacon salt and sprinkled it on all my dogs. What I anticipated as a bonus quickly soured. My mouth dried up after one bite of the first dog. With a dried out mouth I fought through six more hot dogs. At this point Jason was fighting the pains, but was still one dog in the lead. Beginning my thirteenth dog we were both in trouble. I took a large bite to finish my hot dog and decided to attempt another strategy. I took a sip of root beer to break down the buns and dog. The bun quickly evaporated and I ate it without hesitation. The dog itself had mutated into a compound the likes of which man has never seen. Attempting to chew multiple times I succumbed and spit out the dog. I had lost to Jason for realzies this time, and had to accept it...
After such an exhilarating evening I think I might elect to sleep in tomorrow. Then again, perhaps I could use an extended bicycle ride.
A time set, a weapon selected, an age-old enemy challenged. Hot dogs and Dr.pepper would be our measuring sticks. Not being vegetarian I obviously selected all beef dogs while Jason went with the far more morally sound veggie option. For eight dogs there was clear skies, smooth sailing, and a veritable feast for easy consumption. But like so many triathletes and marathon runners we eventually hit the wall. The point where every step becomes a battle not only against the clock, but yourself as well. The two of us struggled on, using sit ups, belching, removing clothes, and a few tears to aid as a helping hand. Eventually, reaching a dozen dogs each, we ran out of food and moved on to drinking Dr.pepper as the tiebreaker option. Reaching as high as six sodas consumed I was stung with the need to use the washroom, and this is where debate was born: was using the washroom outside of the rules? No such law being established I fought in my defense and in the end a stalemate was reached, and the contest was to be rescheduled. I stood strongly in my conviction that the singular reason Jason remained in contention was his selection of veggie dogs, as they wreak far less havoc on the internal systems. This brings us to the current date, somewhat.
Throughout the weeks and months following the contest there had been large speculation amongst people who did not attend the event. Word spread and a legend grew of our exploits and the scars left in the kitchen that very day. As anticipated, many expectations were set for a follow up bout, and this was simply not something that could be left unfinished when I head west. So on my lengthy farewell tour I clearly needed to set aside a date in Kitchener.
Three steps up the stairs and my palms are sweating. We needed to take a trip to the grocery store to buy hot dogs and pop. We elected to both select vegetarian dogs and once again our valiant chef Kevin Dent prepared the hot dogs to be consumed in large volume. The first six hot dogs came and went without much attention, and at a frightening pace. For the second set of six I opted to add some taste enhancers. I saw bacon salt and sprinkled it on all my dogs. What I anticipated as a bonus quickly soured. My mouth dried up after one bite of the first dog. With a dried out mouth I fought through six more hot dogs. At this point Jason was fighting the pains, but was still one dog in the lead. Beginning my thirteenth dog we were both in trouble. I took a large bite to finish my hot dog and decided to attempt another strategy. I took a sip of root beer to break down the buns and dog. The bun quickly evaporated and I ate it without hesitation. The dog itself had mutated into a compound the likes of which man has never seen. Attempting to chew multiple times I succumbed and spit out the dog. I had lost to Jason for realzies this time, and had to accept it...
After such an exhilarating evening I think I might elect to sleep in tomorrow. Then again, perhaps I could use an extended bicycle ride.
July 21, 2009
Brave New World
Depart:Guelph, Ontario
-A 2250 mile drive.
-A 58 hour bus ride.
-Layovers in cities, rural towns, and a metropolis.
-Bad food, good sights, and a lot of nothing.
-A lot.
-One window to rest my head on.
-Six am drive from the station.
Arrive: Bragg Creek, Alberta
I've had choices to run, chances to leave, and opportunities to go. This is the reckless decision I finally decided on. I'm moving across the country to work in a camp kitchen. To spend my days off cycling in the foothills, and hiking mountains. To spend hours wrapped up in a book, not smog, not traffic, and not attitudes.
That being said there are tons of things I'll miss, not limited to:
- The ability to go visit my best friend at work and get free ice cream.
- Staying up all night playing video games and debating the most effective use of a chainsaw gun.
- Pronunciation, spelling, and the proper use of the word durp.
- Loading, unloading, loading, and unloading instruments for 25 minutes of playing time.
- Driving 20 total hours for one deep dish pizza and seeing a hero.
- Buzzer beaters, full counts, and shootouts with my polish comrade.
I plan on writing in this at the very least every Sunday, to recap my failures, injuries, and social miscues. Between this and The Decay blog, you should be able to get your fill in of self-deprecating humour.
I leave August 3rd at 10:30pm EST
I arrive August 6th at 6:30 am EST
Bon voyage.
-A 2250 mile drive.
-A 58 hour bus ride.
-Layovers in cities, rural towns, and a metropolis.
-Bad food, good sights, and a lot of nothing.
-A lot.
-One window to rest my head on.
-Six am drive from the station.
Arrive: Bragg Creek, Alberta
I've had choices to run, chances to leave, and opportunities to go. This is the reckless decision I finally decided on. I'm moving across the country to work in a camp kitchen. To spend my days off cycling in the foothills, and hiking mountains. To spend hours wrapped up in a book, not smog, not traffic, and not attitudes.
That being said there are tons of things I'll miss, not limited to:
- The ability to go visit my best friend at work and get free ice cream.
- Staying up all night playing video games and debating the most effective use of a chainsaw gun.
- Pronunciation, spelling, and the proper use of the word durp.
- Loading, unloading, loading, and unloading instruments for 25 minutes of playing time.
- Driving 20 total hours for one deep dish pizza and seeing a hero.
- Buzzer beaters, full counts, and shootouts with my polish comrade.
I plan on writing in this at the very least every Sunday, to recap my failures, injuries, and social miscues. Between this and The Decay blog, you should be able to get your fill in of self-deprecating humour.
I leave August 3rd at 10:30pm EST
I arrive August 6th at 6:30 am EST
Bon voyage.
February 10, 2009
January 26, 2009
The new social networking
About two weeks ago I was in Chapters with Rebecca, and I bumped into a Chef I worked with at the Aberfoyle Mill. Steve was actually the person who mainly got me into punk music. So I saw him and he asked what I was up to, and I told him I was spending my days playing video games. He asked if I was looking for work and I told him I wasn't so much looking as applying to one online job a day, and then returning to my fight against Ganondorf.
After much inner protest, I started working last Thursday. I forgot how awesome working in a kitchen was. Firstly, an actual physical job is great. Second, I came to the conclusion that owning tools and having cuts and burns on your hands was the essence of being a man.
In other news, Skate 2 just came out and I've been playing it non stop. Also books are cool and I don't sleep anymore.
After much inner protest, I started working last Thursday. I forgot how awesome working in a kitchen was. Firstly, an actual physical job is great. Second, I came to the conclusion that owning tools and having cuts and burns on your hands was the essence of being a man.
In other news, Skate 2 just came out and I've been playing it non stop. Also books are cool and I don't sleep anymore.
January 13, 2009
Eating garbage puts hair on your chest.
Jesse Sam JeffA couple days ago we did some shots in an attempt to find the cover for the CD we recorded. All the pictures were shot by Rebecca Fullan and they were all amazing, gigantic thanks to her. I think the idea was pretty spectacular but we could get it better with some fine tuning. Most of the hilarity/energy was coming from Sam.
About three hours before we were going to do it We got a message saying Sam had cut 90% of his finger off. We thought that he wouldn't be able to make it so we started looking into finding another person. With time running out we got a call from Sam asking us to pick him up from the Hospital, because he was still coming. Obviously, with Sam having a giant bandage, a gross beard and "stained" underwear (he spilled water over himself, not pee I promise) it was amazing. I think we may do another shoot with just Sam. Basically it would be the same idea, but with three Sam's.If you want to download the CD its right here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/
Outside of band news, I finally found a job as a cook at Bobby O'Brien's in Guelph. Back to the kitchen for me I guess. My other band is recording again, this time we just might get things right.
Also, I tracked down my Nintendo 64 and a copy of Ocarina of time, so I'm playing that every waking moment until I start work on Saturday.
Barrie sucks.
May 3, 2008
July 4, 2007
Thou shalt not partake of decaf
I forgot that full-time employment meant "don't waste your time having friends or plans."
I recently got a job working at Moore's rental warehouse in Cambridge about three weeks ago. In those three weeks I gained serious seniority, which says something about the turnaround ratio here. I spend my days looking out the window longingly while I restock suits, build boxes, and make fun of how stupid some names are.
This, aside from being the time of year when people tour and have fun, is when people decide to let god and the state unite them by a piece of gold. To us, this may be called "the busy season." In other words, I've worked 50+ hours each week since beginning.
Other than that, I got two kittens and gained 3 pounds, then lost 4
I recently got a job working at Moore's rental warehouse in Cambridge about three weeks ago. In those three weeks I gained serious seniority, which says something about the turnaround ratio here. I spend my days looking out the window longingly while I restock suits, build boxes, and make fun of how stupid some names are.
This, aside from being the time of year when people tour and have fun, is when people decide to let god and the state unite them by a piece of gold. To us, this may be called "the busy season." In other words, I've worked 50+ hours each week since beginning.
Other than that, I got two kittens and gained 3 pounds, then lost 4
June 8, 2007
How to Make a Living without earning money
So many things can constitute "making a living." I don't think that term relates exclusively to money. I think that its more so about what keeps you going, alive, and ambitious. Everyone has probably three or four of these things but there is always one in specific that they truly could not live without. I wish I could say I could not live without the support of my family, but that's been proven untrue, although I once again have great support from my father and stepmother. But I know what the one thing in my life that without I would struggle to find reason for continuing.
Through my life there have not been a lot of constants. However, for the last four years I have had the privilege of playing drums in a band with three people who have become three of my closest friends. One of which was already a close friend to me when we began this endeavor, the other two became such. I still remember the days I met Tyler and Erik respectively: Erik I met in the lineup to a punk show, I was actually talking about his band at the time, and we started talking. Tyler was not a proud moment for me. At a party at an old friends house I fell down the stairs, drunk, and knocked into Tyler, who was with two of my friends. Interrupting him asking if I was alright, I wanted to know if he played guitar.
So that reveals the past, to a degree. Essentially, I've gotten to spend the last four years of my life driving in a beaten up van to cities I probably would've had no motivation to visit, and meet the most amazing people alive. The amount of friendships I have forged I will never forget. I'm beginning to jump from topic to topic so I should probably rap this up. I love each of the members of my band and those who have been close to us, the bands we've played with, and everyone I've met, and I hope I can continue to do this for a long time.
-Ben Brake
Through my life there have not been a lot of constants. However, for the last four years I have had the privilege of playing drums in a band with three people who have become three of my closest friends. One of which was already a close friend to me when we began this endeavor, the other two became such. I still remember the days I met Tyler and Erik respectively: Erik I met in the lineup to a punk show, I was actually talking about his band at the time, and we started talking. Tyler was not a proud moment for me. At a party at an old friends house I fell down the stairs, drunk, and knocked into Tyler, who was with two of my friends. Interrupting him asking if I was alright, I wanted to know if he played guitar.
So that reveals the past, to a degree. Essentially, I've gotten to spend the last four years of my life driving in a beaten up van to cities I probably would've had no motivation to visit, and meet the most amazing people alive. The amount of friendships I have forged I will never forget. I'm beginning to jump from topic to topic so I should probably rap this up. I love each of the members of my band and those who have been close to us, the bands we've played with, and everyone I've met, and I hope I can continue to do this for a long time.
-Ben Brake
June 5, 2007
Further proof that the Toronto Maple Leafs aren't actually Canadian
All of Canada is behind the Sens right now...
You probably expected me to say something cliche, like "that is everyone but the Leafs fans." I, however stand by my statement, because the Leafs aren't Canadian... Toronto fans are just bitter crybabies about their team's inability to succeed at anything. The cup hasn't been in Toronto in over thirty years, and it's not coming anytime soon. For this reason the Leafs hate everyone, especially their rivals who are playing in the Stanley Cup final. Every Leafs fan I've met has been a total prick about the Senators trip to the cup. "Oh, well we beat them in the playoffs all the time." Unfortunately you can't brag about beating someone in the past, especially when they are in the finals and you're playing golf.
The Leafs suck, however if the Leafs were playing better, the Senators fans would welcome it because it would facilitate a great rivalry. The Leafs fans inability to deal with their rivals success makes them suck.
Ballard was a dickhead anyways
-Ben Brake
(Go Cavaliers)
You probably expected me to say something cliche, like "that is everyone but the Leafs fans." I, however stand by my statement, because the Leafs aren't Canadian... Toronto fans are just bitter crybabies about their team's inability to succeed at anything. The cup hasn't been in Toronto in over thirty years, and it's not coming anytime soon. For this reason the Leafs hate everyone, especially their rivals who are playing in the Stanley Cup final. Every Leafs fan I've met has been a total prick about the Senators trip to the cup. "Oh, well we beat them in the playoffs all the time." Unfortunately you can't brag about beating someone in the past, especially when they are in the finals and you're playing golf.
The Leafs suck, however if the Leafs were playing better, the Senators fans would welcome it because it would facilitate a great rivalry. The Leafs fans inability to deal with their rivals success makes them suck.
Ballard was a dickhead anyways
-Ben Brake
(Go Cavaliers)
May 31, 2007
Job Hunt: A true story of failure
Arriving home from school in mid April, I was incredibly optimistic for the prospect of employment. I assured myself that within a week I would have a solid, full time job. June first is tomorrow, and I'm unemployed for the third time.
After taking a week off to relax and get settled back into Guelph I decided to hit the town with my resumes. I printed off twenty or so of them and took off towards the west end. I got many good receptions and was quite pleased with myself. Heading home, I was expectant of a call back within a few days. A week later I realized that wasn't happening. So I hit the north end of town, then the south, and ended with the east. All the success that garnered was about as real as my chance of making the NBA. By then I had become a very bitter man. After all the hard work, I had nothing to show for it, so I got desperate. A temp agency on the north end got me work at a meat packing plant called Watson foods, and thus ended my first tenure of unemployment.
Watson foods and my employment there made for the two most depressing days of my life. The evening before my first shift I prepared myself, as I was due in for work at 6:30 am. I did not have any food, so packing a lunch was out of the question. The next morning I awoke at 6:15 am, in my bed, at the opposite end of town. Being a fan of bus transportation this left me in a terrible situation. When I arrived there, at 7:00 am I found out that first, in order to arrive to work in time I would have to walk downtown to take the very first bus of the day, and secondly I would need warmer clothes because the work was in a fridge. I was employed in the receiving end on the first day, in the colder area of the facility. Frozen is not a stimulating enough word. I went home at 3:30 pm (late because no one told me you just leave when your shift is done) frozen, hungry, tired, and very hateful. The second day was much worse... I was stationed at the start of the line, slicing open the meat packages and sending them to the cutter. This included a copious amount of blood. Fans of the band "3 Inches of Blood" might enjoy this. After four hours of this it was my lunch, so I went to the foreman and asked about relocation. My answer was as prompt as it was blunt, "if you don't like blood then go home." I was allowed to finish the day after much pleading. Total earnings: $151.23. This is the beginning of my second string of unemployment.
The next day meant a call to my temp agency. I was told to sit tight, as there was currently no work for me. After three more days of playing NBA 2007 and eating Swanson TV dinners I was told there was work with a company called A.W.S. irrigation. This job was listed as full summer employment. I was offered this job and took it without breathing. My excitement knew no end at this moment. I found out that the job entailed digging holes, and laying pvc pipe for front yard sprinkler systems. My first day was possibly the best day in employment history. I showed up half an hour early and sat around until it was time with the remainder of the crew, about five people. The whole day was warm and I equated the job to digging and playing with lego, but on a much larger scale. I went home feeling great and was finally content with every aspect of a job. The second day was essentially the same. At lunch the foreman took us to Wendy's and I ate a good meal and went home happy. On the third day I woke up again at 5:00 am , like the other days, and went to work. Once I arrived I was informed that there was no more work for me, and thanked me for my hard work for the two days...
Now I just arrived home from the temp agency, and the only work they have right now is at a place called Watson foods. In other words: I hate my life.
-Ben Brake
After taking a week off to relax and get settled back into Guelph I decided to hit the town with my resumes. I printed off twenty or so of them and took off towards the west end. I got many good receptions and was quite pleased with myself. Heading home, I was expectant of a call back within a few days. A week later I realized that wasn't happening. So I hit the north end of town, then the south, and ended with the east. All the success that garnered was about as real as my chance of making the NBA. By then I had become a very bitter man. After all the hard work, I had nothing to show for it, so I got desperate. A temp agency on the north end got me work at a meat packing plant called Watson foods, and thus ended my first tenure of unemployment.
Watson foods and my employment there made for the two most depressing days of my life. The evening before my first shift I prepared myself, as I was due in for work at 6:30 am. I did not have any food, so packing a lunch was out of the question. The next morning I awoke at 6:15 am, in my bed, at the opposite end of town. Being a fan of bus transportation this left me in a terrible situation. When I arrived there, at 7:00 am I found out that first, in order to arrive to work in time I would have to walk downtown to take the very first bus of the day, and secondly I would need warmer clothes because the work was in a fridge. I was employed in the receiving end on the first day, in the colder area of the facility. Frozen is not a stimulating enough word. I went home at 3:30 pm (late because no one told me you just leave when your shift is done) frozen, hungry, tired, and very hateful. The second day was much worse... I was stationed at the start of the line, slicing open the meat packages and sending them to the cutter. This included a copious amount of blood. Fans of the band "3 Inches of Blood" might enjoy this. After four hours of this it was my lunch, so I went to the foreman and asked about relocation. My answer was as prompt as it was blunt, "if you don't like blood then go home." I was allowed to finish the day after much pleading. Total earnings: $151.23. This is the beginning of my second string of unemployment.
The next day meant a call to my temp agency. I was told to sit tight, as there was currently no work for me. After three more days of playing NBA 2007 and eating Swanson TV dinners I was told there was work with a company called A.W.S. irrigation. This job was listed as full summer employment. I was offered this job and took it without breathing. My excitement knew no end at this moment. I found out that the job entailed digging holes, and laying pvc pipe for front yard sprinkler systems. My first day was possibly the best day in employment history. I showed up half an hour early and sat around until it was time with the remainder of the crew, about five people. The whole day was warm and I equated the job to digging and playing with lego, but on a much larger scale. I went home feeling great and was finally content with every aspect of a job. The second day was essentially the same. At lunch the foreman took us to Wendy's and I ate a good meal and went home happy. On the third day I woke up again at 5:00 am , like the other days, and went to work. Once I arrived I was informed that there was no more work for me, and thanked me for my hard work for the two days...
Now I just arrived home from the temp agency, and the only work they have right now is at a place called Watson foods. In other words: I hate my life.
-Ben Brake
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