I didn’t even remember it this year, and the significance of April 23rd. To be more specific, April 23, 1994. No, it wasn’t a near death experience or anything like that; my brother just called me and told me he almost choked to death last night… that ain’t good. Thankfully, he’s OK; I’m already going to one funeral today… No, it wasn’t anything like that. But it is one of those days, like my birthday, like New Year’s Eve, where I try to take a step back, and evaluate my life… fun stuff. April 23, 1994 was my first day of work, at the job I’m currently still at.
I did have other jobs before this one. My first one was at the Boys Club, the one I attended for many years of my youth. I got a summer gig there, between my freshman and sophomore year of high school; I was 14 years old. My job was to watch the gym; basically, I made sure the kids played nice and didn’t get into any fights. I made sure nobody went outside on the fire escape; I swept the gym floor before closing. It was a good first job I guess… I do remember once I got my first check, I went to Nike Town on Michigan Avenue and bought my first pair of Air Jordans; it was already well worth it. That only lasted for the summer…
I got my 2nd gig soon after that, I believe that fall, at an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. My buddy that I met way back when we were 5 years old, hooked me up, and I started my bus boy career. That was a fun job, other than when one of the bosses was yelling at us, or me to be specific; trying to sneak a bite in the back when I was making salads or preparing desserts… or when I broke a plate in the middle of a full restaurant; he didn’t even yell that time… just looked at me. Yeah, lots of good times there; nice to have a little scratch in your pocket. It helped bankroll the start of my card playing “career”; another dream job that never came true. I did eat really good, taking home any leftovers each night; that was needed to soak up all the Captain and Coke I had begun to drink. I worked there for a few years.
That’s it… that’s my job history. Then I got my job here. I was only 17 years old; I showed up to my “job interview” in shorts and a t-shirt. My dad fixed machines for the bank, so I had an “in” for my entry level Saturday-Sunday weekend shift part time job. Little did I know I’d still be here all this time later. Of course, “here” has changed… 1, 2, 3, 4… the 5th different company name now. Of course what I do has changed as well… from part time weekend shift, to full time getting my college paid for, to 24/7 manager, to Los Angeles site manager, to now, the manager over it all. The job has its ups and downs, just like anything else. One of the “downs” prompted me to start writing this, 7 years ago: here was my first entry if interested:
I love writing; they say Shakespeare was born on this day in 1564. I love my Chicago teams; Wrigley Field opened on this day in 1914. It made sense; it still does on this day, April 23, 2021; it’s kind of like my other birthday. I guess I’ll celebrate. Shit, I had forgotten it was even today. OK, I will ask for one gift; a Cubs victory… OK, two… a Blackhawks win. OK, three…
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