I've got to say, again, that I'm really enjoying my job.  My co-workers all love bikes and we can talk shop all day.  The folks who come into the door all love bikes and many of them know a lot more than I do about cycling.  I'm finding the sweet spot when someone comes in who's new to the sport.  Then, my limited knowledge of the intricacies of cycling is no longer a problem.  I don't have to look around hopelessly for my more knowledgeable co-workers who can have the higher level discussion with them (I'll get there, I swear!)    I can relate my own experiences with learning about the sport.  I can do it with authority and make my customers feel good about what I'm telling them.  I can feel good about what I'm telling people who're trusting me for good advice.

I've learned a lot.  I can throw off some lines and sound knowledgeable.    Most of these lines I've stolen form my co-workers, but knowledge gained is ....knowledge gained.   ..."Yes..this Joe Blow pump is great, but we've got that door buster for less and it's got a universal head..."...."Yes...this bike comes with Shimano 105 gruppo...it's the workhorse that's been consistent for years.."

And...this next bit I'm going to say...is going to make me sound like an old fuck. 

I'm really enjoying working with a bunch of 20-somethings.  They're outrageous and outrageously funny.  Sarcastic, funny, witty, teasing, bitingly direct and just plain stupid sometimes.  One of my co-workers, Andrew,  had me in stitches tonight.  Listening to these guys just spout off outrageous shit makes me remember my high school/college/early work years.  Back before life dealt too many blows (as it does for most, eventually)  But again, to me, it's just so weird to be having a good time at work.  Who would have thought of it.???

I'm working with a great group of folks.  I feel really grateful that I got this job.  

The two opening weekends are over tomorrow, and I'll be working fewer hours, so I can get back on my bike and ride.  Only doing one or two rides a week has been hard.

OK..enough for now dear open diary.

I was churning these posts out on a semi regular basis, then I found Facebook.  Talk about a time suck.

Thank goodness I no longer feel the need to read every single post, every day.  But I do feel like I'm missing out on stuff when I don't.  And damn, Words With Friends and Scrabble have become almost a burden.  I've got way too many games going on each.  I enjoy it so much but also think it's a time suck.

I'm no longer on PCFH (Postcardfromhell.com) regularly.  That's the music list that I've been on for the past 12 years.  I've learned more about music, I've had more fun on line and have made friendships on that list.  I just wish there were more hours in the day. I miss it horribly.

So, I have a new job that I actually like.  I'd like to use the word love, but I'm far too laid back to be that enthusiastic about anything.  (Bwaahaahha)

Backstory:  We've needed a new TV for months.  Our old one used to buzz (loudly) when you turned it on and then the buzz would fade after a few minutes.  Then it buzzed (loudly) for ten minutes or so.  Then it buzzed (loudly) for the entire time it was on.  The TV was close to 15 years old, so it was time for a new one.  If you've read anything I've written before, you know I'm a tightwad (you can call me, charitably, thrifty.)  Every purchase is carefully considered and big ticket items are even more thoroughly scrutinized.  However, I have a neighbor who's even more..uh...thrifty than me.  She can make a dollar bill scream, cry, and beg for mercy.  We were chatting and she mentioned that she'd just bought some new TVs from Tiger Direct on Dale Mabry.  Well, that's all I needed to know.  I dug out their flyer from the Sunday paper and headed down with Justen.

We parked the car and I looked up and saw a sign in the next plaza that said 'PERFORMANCE BIKES'.  I  grabbed Justen and drug him over, saying:  "Performance Bikes!  In Tampa!  Finally!"

We got to the store and there was a table set up outside and a man and woman at the table.  There were doing a job fair.  We chatted Performance for awhile since I've been a customer since I've been riding bikes. I hit it off with the woman, Bonnie, really well.  She's the new store manager.  She asked if I'd want to come work for them.  The man, Clayton, the District Manager, emphasized the employee discount.  It had been in the back of my head to get a job, but I thought if I did it'd be a lot closer to home.  I took the application and told them I'd think about it. But we had a love fest talking about bikes, and I left feeling good about the conversation.

Justen picked out the new TV and we came home and I thought about it and thought about it.  And realized that there is no down side.  The manager said she'd work around my schedule, I could work just a few hours a week, I'd be working in a bike shop with other folks who loved bikes like I do, and I'd get that great employee discount.  What's to think about?

I got my application to Bonnie and she said yes, she'd hire me subject to a reference check, which was no problem.  I've been at work around the 3rd week of February, and I'm having a blast.

First we had to set the store up. I've never put fixtures and shelving and plastic display cases before but it was all a learning process.  Next was stocking the store: hanging clothing, setting out all the rest of the merch.  They are corporate so they wants things just so...And there's the on line training.  I know a little bit about bikes.  I need to know A LOT about bikes, and I'm at a disadvantage, as a salesperson, because I don't know all the nuts and bolts of the bike, gear, components, nutrition,  etc.  A lot of my co-workers know a lot more than I do, so I'm trying to shut up and listen and learn. A lot of my customers know a lot more than I do about the world of cycling, but I'm trying not to appear too ignorant to them.  (A question I had today..."Is this jersey club cut or racing cut?"  Like I know the fucking difference!!)

OK...this is getting long.  I'll have more to add soon.