My J.O.B.

Finally, I am going to talk about my work. This will probably be a long post since so much has happened to me since I first started working. I haven't worked for someone else in two years until a few months ago. I had no idea working could be so enjoyable. In hindsight, I have been grooming myself for this position by following my passion of learning about fixing and building stuff. I am very quick to pick up on new skills. And working for a painting company has been no different. I painted every room in both houses I've had. Although I guess now I am considered a professional painter (because I am paid for it), I don't consider myself at the experience level of some of my co-workers.
I started off with this job as a lowly laborer. After working two days the owner, Rob, asked me to go to Gastonia with him to help out with that store. He gave me a small raise and money for diesel fuel. After a week he gave me another raise and put me in charge of the Gastonia store under his guidance. A week after that he offered me another raise and made me Crew manager/Foreman and wanted me to kick off a new project in Sparta, TN. During this time I was required to do little or no painting (although I do because I enjoy learning new skills), just supervising, hiring a crew from scratch and firing those who didn't cut it. He gave me credit cards to make supply purchases. From very early on Rob trusted me and my decision making ability. I am humbled by his faith in me. In the beginning it was tough telling 5-15 year veterans how to do their job when I had only been doing it for weeks. I realized that I had a knack for learning the strengths and weaknesses of each of my crew members and utilizing them the best way possible for the task at hand. Each experienced person has taught me something new. And for the first time in my life I really, truly enjoy work. The only time I watch the clock is when I am making sure we have enough time and manpower to finish a portion of the project by the end of the shift. Every payday is incredible, I am being paid generously more than I need to do something that I find immensely challenging and satisfying.
Currently I am in Johnson City, TN running the painting crew here for the last week and a half. I miss my last store in Sparta, it has been my favorite because of the people and the rural setting. Plus it was my first Solo store. At this moment it looks like my next stop will be Savannah, Ga in a month or so. Of course the whole traveling thing agrees with me.
One of the larger aspects of my jobs involves my hidden talents of diplomacy and relationship building. Every new store has it's own management teams and the individual personalities involved. Walmart has its remodel Managers, the General Contractor has its Supervisors, and I have my employees. Then there are the drywall guys, the electricians, the data guys, the plumbers and clean up crew. Each site has certain restrictions and rules to abide by. In addition, every event has to be choreographed each day. The General Contractor has to do demo and rebuild walls and such, my team has to prep and paint the walls (among other duties) and the Walmart team is putting up shelves on the walls. It seems like it would be simple but there is chaos and deadlines that conflict, problems arise. I thrive on these problem solving situations. The biggest thing I have learned in hiring people is that I look for energy and enthusiasm ahead of experience. Experience alone seems to breed mediocrity. My best employees typically are more youthful and energetic, able to keep up with the brisk pace of the ever changing needs of the job.
I never ask my guys never to do anything I wouldn't do. Often I lead by example, especially with less desirable jobs like prepping, pressure washing or cleaning up. My crew size ranges from 4 to 10 people depending on which week of construction we are in. (The larger crews leave me little time to get my hands dirty, which is the fun part) I have had to hire 3 people to find one keeper, but when I do find that one they are worth it. It's funny, most of my guys are very into body art. My one little tattoo, under my shirt sleeve seems pitiful in comparison.
Here are a few photos. Next time I will post a couple of videos.

My boss, the owner of 3CG, doing his best chef impersonation with a 5 gallon paint filter
Jesus and Rob

Ron enjoys his job too, best painter we have in Sparta.
Rene and Rich busy at work
Michael, enthusiastic young laborer, and my temporary chaffeur

Eric and Chris putting paint on the walls
Two scissor lifts, one on right is dusting beams off for paint sprayer on lift on the left.
Allen and Ron rolling and back rolling

Michael and Chris painting Grocery a bright Goldenrod
Ron rolling high Grocery

Chris operating snorkle lift in tight places to get the job done

Freshly painted exterior, from cold gray to warm camel and clay.


Michael after a fire extinguisher fell on his headRight behind the Sparta store was a barn and a field of cattle. We heard constant mooing around sunrise. It was the coolest thing having that field right there. It smelled like the livestock area at the State Fair.

A handful of the cows, there were over 50 at times



Sunset overlooking the Walmart in Sparta while I am spraying the exterior from Snorkle lift
For two weeks, around Memorial day weekend, I lived at a campground. My 50 Amp setup kept both A/C's and all appliances running perfectly.



My latest ID badge and only pic of my new haircut
Scott and James stripping glue off columns after removing carpet covering

My new used truck

I bought an truck today. It might not win in beauty prizes. The only thing that matters to me is that it runs. I have been shopping craigslist for sometime and finally bit the bullet. It has become more than inconvenient to drive the bus to get fast food or go do laundry. Now when I am in town I can zip around and take care of minor errands easily. You won't catch me cruisin' any beach streets in this thing but I really like the country charm and character of this little pickup truck.
This is a picture of it's good side, the other side has some cosmetic blemishes and the rear only has a mesh fence tailgate.
Maybe I will fix it up. I can see it now...Midnight black with painted flames rolling back from the hood. Just so long as they are 'painted' flames...

Our Hotel Drama

This morning we came back to our hotel after a productive night of working to find 3 police cars in front of our hotel rooms. No big deal, right?
Then I saw the three officers with weapons drawn pointing to the 2nd floor balcony. I stop the bus, which caused the cops to look over their shoulders at me. I got a very weird feeling in my belly. So I grinded the gears into reverse and crept back a few feet to watch the drama unfold.


Closeup

A total of 8 cop cars showed up. 4 people were arrested. The last one came out only after the K-9 unit was sent in.
It was a very surreal morning.
The hotel manager said he had called the police because of drugs and fighting.
Here is some video from the events

Blow Out

A few weeks ago I was driving on I-40 between Sparta and Nashville for work. I have written many times before that I had concerns about my dry rotted tires. Well I pushed them to the breaking point. I had a front steering wheel blow out doing about 65mph. It was driver's side tire. It immediately yanked me into the left lane, luckily nobody was driving beside me. I quickly assessed the situation and decelerated as fast as I safely could, careful not to hit the brakes hard. I pulled off the highway.
I spent the next two hours calling 411 and various tow companies finding nobody able to change a bus tire. Even the Tennessee Highway Patrolman who stopped to check on me got on the phone and even had dispatch searching for someone in the area that had the capability to help me.
Finally after all the calls I found someone that could and would come out and help me. I ended up paying $200 to get a tire changed.
When I got to Nashville I found a place that sold used bus tires and replaced all 6 tires. It set me back another $800. But now I am driving on Michelin tires that don't have a single crack in them anywhere.




I am currently residing in Johnson City, TN. I am now Crew Manager/Foreman. I go to projects, hire a crew, train them and manage them. A crew is around 8-10 people. Once it is up and running I go start a new project. And the cycle continues. Right now on the horizon it looks like my next destination will be Jackson, TN. Halfway between Nashville and Memphis.
I will post pictures from work stuff on my next posting.