Your job.

Questions, answers, tips & tricks for newbies and veterans alike
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sunn
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:22 pm
Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Post by sunn » Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:13 pm

Today is my last day with the stressful high pressure job....turned in my two weeks notice and start a new less stressful (and less money but oh well, worth it) job on Monday....
I told them in my interview that I HAD to have the week off around labor day, they said that's fine, no problem! It was one of my criteria for job hunting.....!

Now I can go to BM this year being more carefree.
Sunn

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Badger
Posts: 3322
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2003 2:43 pm
Location: San Francisco

Post by Badger » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:11 pm

I am a slave to the atom.

My work is a bit esoteric.

I just do my job like (hopefully) everyone else.

With integrity and (fill in the blank).
Desert dogs drink deep.

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diane o'thirst
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Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 5:04 pm
Location: Eugene, OR
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Post by diane o'thirst » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:28 pm

I'm self-employed, a crafts vendor, and I will be missing two Saturday Markets to go to the Burn. So yes, I'll be missing out on those income sources.

However, I describe artists as "economic bottom-feeders:" we get the dollars that nobody else snaps up. And occasionally, I go spend ten hours at Market and come away with nothing, or a negative cash flow. It depends on the crowd that particular day. I do know from experience that the first of the month is always a thin time because everyone just paid their rent or mortgage and don't have disposable income to give to the artisans of the community. So in truth, I'm not losing much anyway.

I offset that by acknowledging that those two weeks I'm away will be thin times, so I respond by stockpiling supplies throughout the year. Make hay while the sun shines, basically. When I have money, I go get something and stick it in a Burning Man box. If I have a little extra money left over or a windfall comes my way, it goes into the Burn stash. That way when the annual migration comes around, I just pack the car and we're off to the races.
[url=http://tinyurl.com/245sagf][img]http://tinyurl.com/2bbr28j/.gif[/img][/url][url=http://tinyurl.com/23753ws][img]http://tinyurl.com/2auqebj/.gif[/img][/url][url=http://tinyurl.com/m4y82q][img]http://tinyurl.com/l56rdn/.gif[/img][/url]

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BAS
Posts: 4257
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 7:46 pm
Burning Since: 2006
Location: Wisconsin

Post by BAS » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:26 pm

Well, I switched jobs this year from grocery bagger to employee of the State of Wisconsin, DOT/DMV. Early on I was told that there was no chance I could get the time off I wanted (August being extremely popular, and the first week of September also being popular). Then, too my extreme surprise, I got the vactation time approved around mid-July, and have been wondering how I can afford to go ever since!

Anyway, one of the benefits of working for the State of Wisconsin is generous vacation time. One of the drawbacks is low pay (people don't want to pay for the benefits the state provides them-- part of the American Way, I guess :roll: ). Anyway, the job pays better than grocery bagging-- both in dollars and vacation time. Also, the possibilities for advancement and the work are better than when I was working at the hospital before I got canned and took up bagging groceries as a temporary arrangement which lasted almost three years!

For more specifics on my job, I am either a worker on the "Frontlines In The War Against Terrorism" or a "Glorified Cashier" depending upon whether the government is giving us more work or talking about paying us for the work. (If a terrorist comes into the Racine County DMV office, I plan on hiding undneath the counter and hoping someone with a cell phone can call in the police/FBI/US Army/Boy Scouts/whatever.)

More realistically, I get to review people's documents, give eye screenings, and all the other fun sort of things which go into issuing Driver Licenses and/or state I.D. cards, and/or vehicle titles and/or registration. I also get to try to find records of that car which has spent the last 30 years in someone's barn out back, for which the title has long since been lost, and, just now, the owner has decided to sell or get running. Or maybe there never was a title (I didn't even KNOW that Norton was still in business in 1973, or that, in some states, titles weren't required until 1975....)

Anyhow, for some reason they seem to actually like me at the DMV, so I am hoping to stay here for a while-- and just recently (deciding my life is NOT dangerous enough) I have applied to advance to Examiner-- and get to take people out on the road and see if they actually DO know how to drive!

B.

P.S.: I think I have GOT to go this year! I've been telling everyone at work about wanting to go to BM! Almost none of them have even heard of it! Although at least some of our customers have.
"Nothing is withheld from us which we have conceived to do.
Do things that have never been done."
--Russell Kirsch

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PlayaPetal
Posts: 196
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:25 pm

Post by PlayaPetal » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:16 am

I am a Human Resources Director for a company in Sacramento.
Don't worry; it only seems kinky the first time.

robotland
Posts: 3778
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 8:29 am
Location: Kalamazoo

Post by robotland » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:51 am

I'm a professional sculptor, which pays the bills about negative-five percent of the time. Just getting ready to quit my current dayjob on Monday- Screenprinting huge banners for a local sign and display company. THEY think that a skilled tradesman should also be their janitor, and tell us that they won't hire a real janitor because they'd rather save the money to give to us as raises, which nobody has gotten in years. Clean your own damn toilets, wankers! I'm gonna go play in the dust!
Howdy From Kalamazoo

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unjonharley
Posts: 10434
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 11:05 am
Burning Since: 2001
Camp Name: Elliot's naked bycycel repair
Location: Salem Or.

Post by unjonharley » Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:53 am

robotland wrote:I'm a professional sculptor, which pays the bills about negative-five percent of the time. Just getting ready to quit my current dayjob on Monday- Screenprinting huge banners for a local sign and display company. THEY think that a skilled tradesman should also be their janitor, and tell us that they won't hire a real janitor because they'd rather save the money to give to us as raises, which nobody has gotten in years. Clean your own damn toilets, wankers! I'm gonna go play in the dust!


/
temperamental little bitch. see ya in the dust.
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

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Das Bus
Posts: 396
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 1:17 am
Location: Bullhead City, AZ.

Post by Das Bus » Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:45 am

Dr. Pyro wrote:It doesn't suck to be me. I manage a major stock brokerage firm in Sacramento, can take as much vacation as I please, earn more money than I can spend, and can live as lavishly as I please, even in an environment such as Burning Man. And I do. Caviar anyone?
Hey Doc! Can I borrow $5?
Medicated and Motivated!

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EB
Posts: 492
Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:36 pm
Burning Since: 2000
Camp Name: Camp Obelix (2:45 & A)
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Post by EB » Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:42 am

I'm a TV writer -- one-hour dramas (Law & Order, et al.) I've got a cool gig coming up about the '77 Yankees.

The only time I was completely free to attend BM was after I quit a show. Otherwise, I'm completely at the mercy of the writing gods (script due dates, production deadlines, etc.) which makes serious planning/emotional investment almost impossible. In this industry, everyone's scrambling to get shows written in the summer (now) because they need to get shot and ready for the fall tv season.

Each January I buy five or six tickets with grand designs of getting a crew together and by each August four of those tickets get posted on the "Tickets" thread.

I'm on assignment right now, hoping to turn it in EARLY (?!) so that I might get a jump start on the notes so that I might be able to go this year(what's a man without dreams...)
Irony. You're soaking in it.

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Fat SAM
Posts: 694
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Location: PDX
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Post by Fat SAM » Sun Aug 06, 2006 11:52 am

I'm a tree climber/arborist. I tell my boss sometime in January that he needs to think ahead to August about what he's going to do without me for a week and he never does until...mmm...sometime in late August. He always lays two weeks of twelve hour days on us (it's only he and I) right before I get to leave, then says 'happy birthday (August 27, if you guys want to get me anything - especially Doc Pyro [I need $1000 for a truck>hint hint>]), have a good yuppy-pagan fest' and off I go.

There's no question about whether I'm going or not. He knows I'll quit to go. Tree climbing is a helluva specialized trade and there aren't that many of us and as it happens, I'm a kick ass worker. I'm not in too much danger...
Thanks to Addis, I had more free time.

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AntiM
Moderator
Posts: 20301
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
Burning Since: 2001
Camp Name: Anti M's Home for Wayward Art
Location: Wild, Wild West

Post by AntiM » Sun Aug 06, 2006 1:26 pm

Larry would love your job. I sit with my thumb on the 911 when he's up in a tree, free climbs like a freakin' monkey.

Beltane
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:36 am
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Contact:

Post by Beltane » Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:57 pm

I've taken a 6 week sickie from my job with the Scottish govt to come to the US and Burning Man but don't tell anyone!!!

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unjonharley
Posts: 10434
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 11:05 am
Burning Since: 2001
Camp Name: Elliot's naked bycycel repair
Location: Salem Or.

Post by unjonharley » Sun Aug 06, 2006 3:04 pm

Beltane wrote:I've taken a 6 week sickie from my job with the Scottish govt to come to the US and Burning Man but don't tell anyone!!!


/ Now, that's sick
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

ChiChe
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 8:38 pm

I'm extremely lucky....

Post by ChiChe » Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:56 pm

Fortunately I work at Google and management not only attends but they are extremely supportive of those that take off to go. No need to make up a bogus excuse.

raspberrymeeegs
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 11:32 pm

Post by raspberrymeeegs » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:55 am

i'm a legal secretary who only works contract...........work 5 months take 2 off and start again........plus i have to come over for longer....its all about life/work balance.........20 hours on a plane........two months to recover from jetlag.

someone's gotta do it

oFZo
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 5:25 am
Location: All over Yurp

Post by oFZo » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:40 am

I'm a salesperson in lumber and the like (Plywood anyone? :lol: )
and just like CapJBadger I told them I needed at least that one week off during the first interview. They gave me the week plus the ones before and after :D
Too many puppies
with guns in their hands.

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BAS
Posts: 4257
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 7:46 pm
Burning Since: 2006
Location: Wisconsin

Post by BAS » Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:24 am

I'm a salesperson in lumber and the like (Plywood anyone? Laughing )


Maybe next year! No time for a project this year. :wink:


B.
"Nothing is withheld from us which we have conceived to do.
Do things that have never been done."
--Russell Kirsch

oFZo
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 5:25 am
Location: All over Yurp

Post by oFZo » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:16 am

BAS wrote:
I'm a salesperson in lumber and the like (Plywood anyone? Laughing )


Maybe next year! No time for a project this year. :wink:


B.
Unfortunately the shipping costs from Holland to the US might be more than the employee-discount I can arrange :lol:
Too many puppies
with guns in their hands.

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joel the ornery
Posts: 2657
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2003 3:28 pm
Burning Since: 1998
Location: i'm the snarky one in your worst fucking nightmares
Contact:

Post by joel the ornery » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:39 am

i work for a telecommunications billing software company.
this is my first REAL vacation since Labor Day 2004, Hurricane Francis in FL.

a great vacation if you can get it.


explain why? didn't have to, they want me to go get some rest.

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felony
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:03 pm
Burning Since: 2002
Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp
Location: around

Post by felony » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:13 pm

I'm a pencil wielding BAD ASS!

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theCryptofishist
Posts: 40312
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
Burning Since: 2017
Location: In Exile

Post by theCryptofishist » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:20 pm

*fishy looks nervously over her shoulder while "psycho" music echoes in her head*
The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

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felony
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:03 pm
Burning Since: 2002
Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp
Location: around

Post by felony » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:24 pm

Some people just " push" pencils. I "wield" mine. It's a personal choice.

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theCryptofishist
Posts: 40312
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
Burning Since: 2017
Location: In Exile

Post by theCryptofishist » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:55 pm

I am very sensitive to language and I know that wielding is a lot more dangerous than pushing.
The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

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felony
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:03 pm
Burning Since: 2002
Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp
Location: around

Post by felony » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:00 pm

So picture this....I'm multi-tasking.....driving my desk while I dangerously wield my pencil! GOD I LOVE MY JOB!

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unjonharley
Posts: 10434
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 11:05 am
Burning Since: 2001
Camp Name: Elliot's naked bycycel repair
Location: Salem Or.

Post by unjonharley » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:05 pm

felony wrote:So picture this....I'm multi-tasking.....driving my desk while I dangerously wield my pencil! GOD I LOVE MY JOB!


/
Here, have a heart and slow down
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

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Dr. Pyro
Posts: 4808
Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2003 8:11 am
Burning Since: 1999
Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro
Location: Meadow Vista, CA
Contact:

Post by Dr. Pyro » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:45 pm

Oh shit, Felony is a Barbiebarian, so you know she's out of control. The very least she could do is hook the ol' Doc up with some absinthe.

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BAS
Posts: 4257
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 7:46 pm
Burning Since: 2006
Location: Wisconsin

Post by BAS » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:57 pm

oFZo wrote:
BAS wrote:
I'm a salesperson in lumber and the like (Plywood anyone? Laughing )


Maybe next year! No time for a project this year. :wink:


B.
Unfortunately the shipping costs from Holland to the US might be more than the employee-discount I can arrange :lol:
Not if you use the wood to build a sailboat and sail over! Hey, and you could put wheels on the boat and use the wind to get out to the playa! :wink:


B.
"Nothing is withheld from us which we have conceived to do.
Do things that have never been done."
--Russell Kirsch

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felony
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:03 pm
Burning Since: 2002
Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp
Location: around

Post by felony » Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:38 am

Doc, if only I had some ..... you know that my absinthe is your absinthe. Why don't you pick me up a bottle. I'd be glad to share!

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Lorgasm
Posts: 2233
Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2003 4:44 pm
Location: to be announced

Post by Lorgasm » Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:46 am

I recently graduated from college with a degree in Paralegal Studies. During my studies I've been, waitress, figure model, errand runner. Now I'm just working on getting to the Playa in one piece. Upon my return to the default world I will be a Paralegal and studying for the CLA: Paralegal version of the Bar exam.

Things are slow at the resturaunt biz. However, been able to save just about enough pesos to make the journey "home".
BOOBIES!!!

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Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 1:42 am

Post by Abraham Lincoln » Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:43 am

I attend the University of California. Coincidentally (or maybe not...) the semester conveniently begins a few weeks after Burning Man ends. I’ve caught a few of my professors with playa dust on their shoes at the beginning of the academic year.

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