So I’m sitting at dispatch at work and Seth walks into my office singing “Teardrops on my Guitar” by Taylor Swift. Probably the highlight of my day! Nothing like working and then all of a sudden hearing “Drew looks, at me…” coming from a man who you would expect to listen to rock, possibly rap and maybe some top 40’s. He actually did a decent job of singing it.
I only have 10 days left at Airco!!!! This is such a crazy thought for me, since I’ve been working there for going on 6 years full-time, and a total of 10 years if you include all my time spent working during high school summers and vacations. The last couple of years have been rough, with all kinds of ups and downs; it’s been like a crazy rollercoaster that goes all over the place. People have come and gone, the building has changed, positions have changed, people have changed. Airco became a part of my routine so long ago and while aspects of that routine have changed, the basics haven’t. While over the past few years I’ve never thought I would really say this, I’m going to miss Airco, several things about it. So here’s my list, my top ten;
10. Late nights – Okay I know this sounds crazy because I complain about the late nights a lot, and while they do frustrate me and get old and wear on my personal life, some great memories have come out of them. Arlo and I have played Battleship online, created our own version of stickball using rulers and rubber band balls. You can actually create a lot of very fun games with a rubber band ball. I could probably write a book with all of them.
9. Random projects/problem solving – I’m often referred to as the “extra hand in the pot” this is because a lot of the time something will need to be done and instead of giving it to the people who normally take care of it or the ones who have already been involved it will typically land in front of me. I actually enjoy the projects because it’s a change of pace from my normal routine and love the problem solving because it tends to be a game for me with my competitive nature, being able to finish or solve something before someone else.
8. Helping customers – One of my favorite things to do is to talk to an upset or irate customer, no kidding. I love to calm them down and help them work out whatever is going on. Customer service makes me happy, I’m weird I know.
7. Serious convos/teaching convos –These typically happen with Rick, but sometimes Kenny, my dad, or one of the older techs will get in on it too. I love listening to Rick talk about current news and issues, the economy, and even random stuff. He has such a vast knowledge; he would totally be my phone a friend on game shows. Then there are the conversations Rick, Dad, and others have where they teach me about heat & air, electric, plumbing, cars, anything mechanical or how something works, I really like these.
6. My heat and air technicians – Most are so much like brothers to me, they drive me absolutely crazy at times, but I still love them. I’ll miss their antagonizing ways and the many nicknames they give me. It was actually here that I got the nickname Deno, several years ago from one of my favorites, Dano!
5. “Arguing” with Rick – Dad always says, “Arguing with Rick is like wrestling with a pig, when will you realize he loves it.” This is the most accurate statement ever.
4. Playing with Mikey – Rubber band fights, marker wars, boxing matches, and tickling fights have made for some great memories. I promise we actually do work most of the time.
3. Donna – From our random lunches we started my junior year of high school, to all of our hilarious conversations, arguments, and adventures online. She has been a constant in my life since I was 5, a friend, mother, sister, boss, co-worker. She is my OAO!
2. Seth & Matt – These two along with a few others are some of my favorite guys in the world. Both have seen me through my fair share of issues up here and have always had my back and been an ear to listen to me go crazy. They also never fail at making me laugh or smile; I owe what is left of my sanity in part to them.
1. Dad – I know it sounds weird, but the relationship that I have with my dad at work is different then what I have at home, mainly because it’s something we share in common that no one else in our family does. A lot of the time I’ll get off and just go chill in his office and talk, watch funny e-mails, or help him with something. And then sometimes I just sit, if I added up all of the hours I’ve spent sitting across from him I think it could equal close to 2 of the years that I’ve worked here.
