2020
Skill Set (c)
By
Michael
Casey
Ok,
so tomorrow is another day, and God I really know the meaning of that
at the moment. So what’s this got to do with skills? Well you never
know how your Yellow Brick Road life leads you, and what Rolling
Stone material sticks to your shoes. The used to say have a boring a
predictable CV, but for some jobs they like “Oddballs”, yes
you’ve guested it I’m going to work at No.10 for Boris.
I
did have my working life in reverse, as my lawyer sister in law
observed, as she stopped me from having 3rds or was it 4ths at her
house. I’ve worked in computers when people used to be impressed by
the very notion, 40 plus years ago. I’ve carried tons of heavy
paper, continuous stuff not the 500 page A4 stuff you are used to,
that’s for girls. Though if Ang is reading this, she’ll say crawl
away out the way, let a Woman deal with it, but that’s another
story. Paper is heavy.
I’ve
been a Trainee Betting shop manager, a Life Insurance Underwriter,
non medical. A lost adjuster note taker. Hotel General Manager,
that’s what guests thought, though in reality I did 10 other role
almost daily. You learn a hell of a lot in a hotel, the job, the
guests, the people. Best job I ever had, though it was the hardest
work physically. My chest grew 2 inches and my neck 1 inch, due to
the carrying and non-stop talking for 3 years. I only gave it up
because the hotel went one step too far regarding my shifts, so I
wouldn’t see my toddlers as much, so I left that job.
One
moment I’d be cleaning toilets with Vicky, then I’d put my jacket
back on and straighten my tie and be holding my own talking to
millionaires, it was a business hotel after all. Great fun and very
hard work, but I loved it. I had tried out the new uniform, which
actually fitted me, instead of my own DIY suit, that’s why folks
thought I was the General Manager, I did have the looks then too. But
then I left, 15 years ago now.
Who
you mix with, and what you pick up does add to your skill set. I’ve
always watched workmen, 50 to 55 years worth, so I can see their
skill and know how to do such and such a job. But obviously not be
able to do it myself. So when I hear BS, I just smile, if only
inwardly. Me and Roger used to hear a fair bit of BS, then Roger
would turn to me and whisper BS.
So
I’ve had all my working life, adding to my knowledge, I am heavier
than I look, both in intellect and weight, I was 120kilos yesterday
fully clothed, the shop assistant in the store insisted I keep my
clothes on. I could have Life Posed on the counter for her, me and my
quadruple heart bypass scars, up my chest and down both legs, they
harvest your veins after all.
If
you listen actively to Radio for 50 years you can learn a lot too, I
don’t just mean the Chart Show, though my dance steps are
impressive, BBC Radio4, the best radio station in the world, period,
as the Americans say. All your Life at every moment you are growing
and learning, not directly, but subliminally. Then when the occasion
arises you can jump into action. You did First Aid training, on the
Annie doll, so save a life in the street. In my brother’s case he
saved our dad’s life long enough to get dad to hospital. Though 8
bare weeks earlier he was not so lucky, as mum died in his arms as
he held her in the marriage bed, with dad looking on.
So
life goes on and you learn stuff, or you lie on a CV, until a Czech
trucker arrives at the factory and your Czech does not exist, the
Trumps are ½ Czech you know. As for me I learnt French and Spanish
at school, but never Chinese, though my kids are bilingual, Shanghai
wife and all that. Though now my small daughter says she hears more
Korean than anything as I watch all my Kdramas on tv.
So
life goes on and you accumulate knowledge, or 50 years worth of tv
and radio news, one of my addictions. My daughter did a quiz and only
she knew the answers because, she heard it all from me and the BBC.
The other teenagers looked at hear in disbelief, who is Robin Day
anyway? As my life has gone on, and could have ended too, I’ve
morphed into a writer, I try and be humorous but on other occasions
you get what you are getting today.
So
33 years ago I started writing, I can remember writing in pencil on
paper, now its direct Brain to Screen and nothing in between. Leap
Years Day 1988 was when I first finished The Butcher The Baker and
The Undertaker, so in 2 weeks or so it’s another Leap Year, I
forgot we were having one, so 2020 Leap Year’s Day means its 32
years old. Then you have the other 18books, all on Amazon. I also
have stuff on my sites, just in case I die, so at least somebody
reads my rubbish.
All
in all what does this mean, as I have to finish as I’m expecting a
man at my door soon, it means I may look like a stupid fat silly man
with brilliant silver hair, ok dandruff man 2020. However I have
lived a life, and I did it my way, and I always analyse even if at
the moment you think you have won, for I will come back and bite you
on the bum. Which may be a kinky way to start a relationship, but
whatever gets you through the night, enjoy it and do it.
