Contributed by: ejim_shan
we were in bed by 3am. I fell fast asleep (thanks to the Cooler) by 3:30am and woke up around 6 and went back to bed for an hour. Up at 7 to do the cbi thing and I read a little until just after 8am then back to bed. Other then a stiff neck and all I slept fair.
Looks overcast out there but the Sun is poking through cloud. The Church crowd is just coming home. I’m glad I saw the light and gave up on religion. I used to hate getting up every Sunday morning. If I was working at Xl 1996-97-98, this would give me no time to sleep in.
So yesterday after work was nearly the finale notch in the Xl coffin. The only thing that stops me from getting out of this telemarketing game altogether and getting the Security guard’s job is security clearance. But according to what I’ve read it looks pretty good that I could get one. I want security clearance first before I apply.
Hindered by this small obstacle is about the only thing stopping me from getting out of Xl all together. I’ve got ten years left in the work force and I don’t want to spend it doing telemarketing anymore and I want to take advantage of the good economy while I can.
The process for security clearance is to book the appointment and a $55 fee. I bring 2 pieces of ID and the fee. I’ve already been fingerprinted. 1980 and again in 1999. In 1980 I met all the conditions of my 6 month probation. By February 1981 I was done. When I went for the guards license in 1989 after 7 years my misnomeaner should have been removed. But I applied just on the eve of the file being removed from the books. I assume here. A security check for employment isn’t the same as security clearance. This is why this week I’m going to work some extra hours. But in the meantime I can get my Alberta ID. This is $20 and takes 2 weeks to get here. If I go in say Tuesday morning to get my test strips, while I’m waiting for the order to be filled, I can run across the street to the registry and apply for my Alberta ID. That should be here by the 25th. Then once I have that I can call the Cop shop and book an appointment for security clearance. I think the process is that you have to have a job as a security guard first and then they check you. That doesn’t make sense some how. You need to be bonded first then you can go get the job. Or the guard company accepts your application then you go and apply for the security clearance. That doesn’t mean that I’m out Xl. “Before I start any position, let me see if I can get a guards license first.” They may agree to that based upon my security clearance uncertainty. It’s not like I’m out of a job or anything. If I cant clear security clearance then I’m sol as far as getting a job in security. At least I’ll know one way or the other. This is a case by case decision based upon the whim of the Solicitor General’s Office. I’ve dealt with the SGO before back in 1989 when the books weren’t cleared off. At that time getting a pardon was really difficult. Now it’s a $30 fee and another visit to the Cop Shop. But I won’t need to go the route of a pardon just yet.
Let me say this: I’ve never been in in jail. I’ve never had to appear before a court except that one time back in 1980. I’ve never been in trouble with the Police. I don’t do drugs I mind my own business and stay out of peoples way.
Note: just previous to this (it’s now 2:20pm) my wife went to Superstore across the street to get ass wipe and to pick me up some duo tang folders. (Do a Google Earth search for 137th Ave and 50th street Edmonton) She came home all shaken up because she just about got hit leaving out of there. My wife was in the right of way and in the middle there was no way she could have exited and the car stopped then sped up stopping inches from her. She had to do some quick dance moves to get out of the way from being hit and that almost threw her back out. I don’t think the guy would have hit her or anything but have these people that are on the road shouldn’t be driving. She was too shaken up to get his driver’s license. If she did I would have reported him. People are so much in a hurry. She got me the duo tang folders but no ass wipe and shaken up in the process. So She’s on her way over to Walmart. Fucking kids driving.
Anne left out of here an hour ago after that scare. I worry for her when she’s out and about because she goes out so often shopping for things we need to run this household. The traffic out here on a weekend is so heavy.
Another thing she forgot to take her cell phone with her. I’ve been charging up over the last hour or so for a full charge and I tried to call her number but I heard her ring tone in the apartment. I forgot to remind her to take her phone along when she went up to Walmart. Looks like a late brunch for us today, if at all. All I’ve had since 7 is a bit of oatmeal. I think she’s probably getting MacDonald’s or something. Realizing it’s late and I haven’t had anything in my system.
My blood sugar at this hour (3pm) is 8.9 and of course hearing about what happened with Anne out there brought my stress level up. That can have an affect as well. The thing is Anne has been going to that Superstore almost on a daily basis and other then being mugged that one time has had very little difficulty.
So if everything works out for me and I can get security clearance, I will accept the job. If that is I can get the guard position I want. Ie a body in a building, on an LRT run, graveyard shift, 4 on 3 off. “Stay awake.” $12+ an hour maybe a 20 min patrol and sit down for the rest, all inside work. Mostly unsupervised. Now if I can pass security clearance and they have just such a position in mind for me, “Yes you can start next week.” I will see Rob in his office and drop the bomb on him. He won’t like it but “I don’t want to burn my bridges here and I don’t think you can pay me $12 an hour etc.” Ideally I’d like to talk with Rob on a Friday night and say how Saturday is my last day. “I’m starting my new job next Thursday night so I will drop by and pick up my last pay cheaque on the Friday.” Shake hands and get back to the dialer. Come in and work Saturday and then have 4 days off before I start on a Thursday night. I wouldn’t mind the Pacific Rim Mall location.
The whole part about doing this security guard job is that it would leave me with more time to write and read. I do a 20 minute patrol and sit on my butt for 40 min. That would suit me fine. Actually, I’d like to work Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This way I’d have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off. That would work out perfect. I should ask Amad what days are paydays. I’ll ask him that when I see him tomorrow. According to Amad he’s been there for less then 6 months. I’d really like this if the position is what I described above. 20/40 and 4/3. It’s not that much more money that what I’m currently getting but according to Amad the graveyard shift pays more money. I imagine $14/hr. If I can get that kind of money that’d be $896 every two weeks. After taxes I’d say about $700 clear. That’s $350 week at talking intensive Xl and most likely 40+ hours/week to get it and that’s not even clear.
It’s not that I don’t mind working in a call center and I don’t mind Xl, it’s just I need a change. Of course if I can’t get security clearance then I’m resigned to that kind of work.
Anyway that’s all for now
e. Jim
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Jim Shannon
http://www.jim-shannon.com/article.php/20070812150807909