I never liked the work itself of my many service jobs but Iiked and loved many of my co-workers. I love being a full-time writer. It's a ridiculous privilege.
But also yes, thinking of some of the fun restaurants I worked at in high school and college. Didn’t like waiting tables or working the desk but loved the people. I miss that camaraderie
The best job I had I didn't get paid for. Just a place to live. When I turned 18 , at the height of the Vietnam War I applied for CO status and was rejected by the draft board. Some friends of mine from the peace movement were starting a Summerhill type free scool/community school so I volunteered as a teachers aide. Figuring that me and tge draft board were even because of that I sent them the ashes of my draft card, failed to show up for my indunction, and didn't send them my change of address. The community school had this one little kid that was terrorizing the others because of his hyperactivity and generally agitated state. Some of the parents wanted him expelled. By my solution was based on love and acceptance. I said, instead of expelling him, I'll make him my primary job. I'll keep him from hurting others. I would hold him when he acted up and say I love you but I won't let you do that until he calmed down. Everything else I did that was positive is fine. But taking care of Tony was my best job. Far better that helping the War machine would have been.
I never liked the work itself of my many service jobs but Iiked and loved many of my co-workers. I love being a full-time writer. It's a ridiculous privilege.
Ridiculous.
But also yes, thinking of some of the fun restaurants I worked at in high school and college. Didn’t like waiting tables or working the desk but loved the people. I miss that camaraderie
The best job I had I didn't get paid for. Just a place to live. When I turned 18 , at the height of the Vietnam War I applied for CO status and was rejected by the draft board. Some friends of mine from the peace movement were starting a Summerhill type free scool/community school so I volunteered as a teachers aide. Figuring that me and tge draft board were even because of that I sent them the ashes of my draft card, failed to show up for my indunction, and didn't send them my change of address. The community school had this one little kid that was terrorizing the others because of his hyperactivity and generally agitated state. Some of the parents wanted him expelled. By my solution was based on love and acceptance. I said, instead of expelling him, I'll make him my primary job. I'll keep him from hurting others. I would hold him when he acted up and say I love you but I won't let you do that until he calmed down. Everything else I did that was positive is fine. But taking care of Tony was my best job. Far better that helping the War machine would have been.
Joseph this was wonderful. Sounds like you need to write even more about this experience!