Well, here it is. I am taking my first 2 week vacation ever. I have never been in a position to take 2 consecutive weeks off of work. When I was younger, it never occurred to me and I took my holidays whenever I could. A day here and a day there. Then I started working in computer sales. Then I was terrified to take even a single day off. You're so worried that the second you spent any time off the sales floor, one of the customers you had spoken to previously would come in and be "scooped" by another salesperson. I remember Boxing Days where I considered wearing a catheter to prevent having a return customer (we called them "be backs", as in "I'll be back after I talk to my wife") stolen by another salesperson. Now that I think back, I remember how much of my fantasy time was spent thinking about the busload of "be backs" that I was waiting for.
I was particularly worried about 2 other salespeople; Terry and a girl we called "B.R.".
Terry was an exceptional salesman. Extremely aggressive and very smooth. A formidable combination. On a slow day with no customers, we would all hang out together and wait for the next customer. As we watch the next few people come into the department, I would often be shocked by Terry's choice of "prospect". He would often pick the most unlikely of candidates. Like guys carrying motorcycle helmets. Now I'm not saying that a guy who rides a motorcycle is not likely to own a computer. I'm just saying that the likelihood of him taking one home on the back of a motorcycle is fairly remote.
But Terry had vision. See, these biker types are a loyal demographic. Not only would he have harvested a good client and likely made the sale eventually, bikers tend to be a tight knit group. Once you have a trust with one biker, you have an assumed trust with ALL bikers. And as far as carrying the computer home? Well guess what a biker drives in the winter? That's right...a half ton. You can fit a LOT of computers in a half ton.
Terry was often fond of Hutterites. If you think bikers are loyal, try Hutterites. I bet you there are STILL Waldners and Geisbrechts pulling up to Future Shop looking for Terry. And one more thing; Hutterites drive 5-Tons. You can get a poop load of computers in a 5-Ton!
B.R. on the other hand had a different advantage. Tits. Now before you get all "high and mighty" let me say that she was also a good salesperson. But not great. Just good. But combine that with the other...fugeddaboutit. Don't forget, this was computer sales...in the early 90's. The typical client was, shall we say, not likely to avoid the salesperson with tits. So this worked for her. And I'm fine with that.
After that, I went to my current position where I was, and still am, the only on-site IT support in the province. It was simply impossible to expect to relax on holidays. Something was always broken. Always something to fix. Eventually over the past 10 years I have gone from taking NO time off (the first 5 years), to taking a day or two (the next 3 years), and then finally taking as much as 4 days at a time(the past year and a half).
I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks. Even though I can't go away anywhere, I hope I am able to get some R&R. It is getting overwhelming at work. I am constantly thinking of tasks that need to be done and priorizing helpdesk tickets. It will be nice to finally take a break from that. Today I went Geocaching for a couple of hours and then I went to Clay's office and set up RAS for them. That was fun.
Then I came home and made glazed salmon and shrimp canneloni with salad for the family. It was good. Tomorrow I will be heading to Home Depot to price out light fixture parts for the kitchen. Maybe more Geocaching....we'll see.
