gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (Default)
Douglas Berry ([personal profile] gridlore) wrote2002-02-06 07:30 am

11 hours

More joy on the job



Monday, I went to work as usual. Over the weekend, we had bought me a knee brace that was supposed to help retain heat. Since my knee pain seems to be associated with temperature, this seemed to be a good thing.

It was a beautiful day, warm enough that I did a couple of rounds without my jacket. Lots of friendly folks, and my phone didn't ring once.

Comes 1645, and I'm back at our shack waiting for my relief. 1700, and he doesn't show. At 1715, I call in, and they say they'll try and call him.

1745. Call again. They can't locate *anyone* who works at this site.

1815. I'm told that I'm probably going to be there until 2100. Try to call Kirsten, get the machine.

1900. (roughly) Call Rose at work, have her page Kirsten. She calls David, he gets on IRC, tells Kiri of my plight. Kirsten calls me, tells me she is on her way.

Of course, that's when The Avenue has a shoplifter. So I go over there and loom until the losers leave.

Now, I'm still patrolling. I have this horrible sense of duty. As long as I am on the job, I'm going to do the job! It is now getting cold since the sun has set, and my knee is screaming at me.

Come back to the shack, and Kiri is there with a tied-dyed comforter. I knew I loved her for a reason. Spend about 45 minutes sitting in the car. Finally the 2100 guard comes on duty. We go to Sizzler and inhale steaks.

When I get home, I can barely climb the stairs. When I get the Ace of, my knee swells to the size of a grapefruit. In the morning when Kirsten gets up, it is still huge. At 0600, I try to stand on it. No dice. So I call in sick.

Today, I can actually walk. I am going into work, but like hell am I doing much patrolling!

I can't believe that they couldn't get somebody to come sit on this post! That is so damn unprofessional, I can't believe it. Grrrr...

[identity profile] tsjafo.livejournal.com 2002-02-06 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
I admire your commitment to duty. If someone else was in that situation I wouldn't hesitate to advise them to head for home, yet I wouldn't dream of leaving a post unmanned myself. I think we come from a different era.

[identity profile] eleri.livejournal.com 2002-02-06 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
There has gotta be some way you can gripe at the local labor division or something.

My first general order is...

[identity profile] gridlore.livejournal.com 2002-02-07 09:09 am (UTC)(link)
I think we come from a different era.

Or from a different background. I was taught both at home and in the service that you do your duty, whatever it is, to the best of your ability. If you are standing guard, you guard your area until you are relieved.

I am constantly told by store managers that it is so nice to actually see a guard doing rounds. The maitenence supervisor has gone to Sentinel and asked that I be made full time on day shift. I have to wonder what the hell the other guards do all day!