Shift work means never sleeping again

Well thats how it seems to be for me lately. I'm coming off a graveyard shift with 1 day off. A friend of mine told me the other day that i've worked 13-14 days straight. and I just finished telling her that she needs make her life less busy. and that she is too busy.

I estimate in about a month, i'll be laid off for a at least a few months. I've always prepared for this kind of situation because it happens pretty much every year where I work. I'm not as prepared has i have been in the past, but that is only because I bought a place in the last half year or so. My savings isn't as big as it normally would be and I have a few (ok way more) expenses than i have had in the past. But I am stable and prepared.

I have even prepared a new resume. something i haven't written up in years. and you know what? I have lots of volunteer experience, but i have very little actual work experience in any area of the job world. I know how to make bricks, burn bricks and throw bricks. whoa! that will go far ;) but the pay is above normal and right now i have a very slack job. the hours are the only downside.

I've been thinking about some of the jobs that some of my friends have as well as my sister and brother-in-law. I've been missing the people factor i once had when I would volunteer and lead at street church (a meal program with New Heights Church). I liked the authority power I had. i liked encouraging other volunteers to work as a team. I liked interacting with the people who came down for some food. I miss people.

I really enjoyed all the setup and planning when I helped neil with their wedding reception. I am a hands on person. I would die if i sat in front of a computer day in and day out. I want to keep them as a hobby.

in some ways I am kind of looking forward to getting laid off so that I can once again help neil and susy out at their work if they need help. call me crazy or whatever you like. cloverdale rodeo has been on my mind too haha.

I know I have a lot of potential. I know I am very quiet. but i am not always quiet. I have a side of me that loves to take charge in my own way. if i know how something has to be done, i have no problem explaining it to others or doing it myself. as long as i have done it personally myself.

When I first switched departments at my work, i was overwhelmed and nervious by all the stuff i needed to know. but you know what? its pretty simple now and I even do extras to make life easier at work. When stuff breaks at work, i try to fix it myself and then if i can't get it i'll ask for help. once i know the solution, i'll be fine when it happens again. as long as it isn't way over my head and requiring a maintence guy. I find myself fixing chains, repairing leaks, tweaking machinary, adding oil to equipment or anything to make things run smoothly for my shift.

I just have to have a problem happen to me face to face, then i know exactly how to deal with it the next time. hands on learning. thats me.

I want a job that I am more involved with people. a job where I can get my hands dirty but also allows me to stay clean and professional looking at times. A job with flexible hours on occasions. A job that I can make my own, within reason. I want a job where I have some control over how things work. I want to show myself that I can be more than I think i can be.

so in the ideal world: i want to still be a "guy" (playing in the dirt), but feel like I have a job that stands out. I wonder if a job exists that meets the criteria i am looking for. The only problem factor I will run into is that I have absolutely no experience or training. just work ethic.

I'll find where i am going sooner or later. I have more than work on my mind, but that can come at a later date. I just wanted to write to write again. Life can be a crazy time, but its what we make of it that matters. God will provide doors for me to open. I just have to take the step.