Job Stress? And That Would Be?

Articles

Michael John McCrae

Job Stress? And That Would Be?
Oct 24, 2003

I love my new job. My first career was great. It netted me a comfortable retirement and actually qualified me for the job I now hold. My job demands only two things from me. I must be ready to travel, and I must be prepared to teach.

A short month ago I was in Japan for a forty-five day session of mostly work with a little fun thrown in. This week I began a four week session on the island of Oahau in Hawaii. I love my new job.

Now the dilemma.

Do I write about the dining and the entertainment available at my hotel? Do I write about the first cup of hotel coffee that cost me $2.85, (serves me right for not checking a menu)when the local MacDonald's was right across the street? Do I write about the three page wine list; the twilight torch lighting tradition; the $5.75 cup of beer tradition? I just don't know where to begin. Oh, wait. This is sort of a beginning, eh?

The very minute I sat down to get this article posted, fireworks started blasting on the beach next door (8:30 P.M.), but my balcony faces away from that beach, so I'm sitting here writing about something I'm missing because, except for the jogging shorts I'm wearing, I'm not wearing anything else and I'm just too lazy at the moment to get dressed! So there! I missed the fireworks! Are you happy now!

I did see the sunset though. I do enjoy a good sunset. Don't you?

The next few weeks I will find things to tell you about from wonderful Hawaii. I will tell you now that Hawaiians do know how to throw a rush hour that could rival the best New York City has to offer. The drivers here are just as non-turn- signal-using as any New Jersey left-lane-dick. There are quite a few homeless here. Not only is housing very expensive (emphasis on VERY) but, I think the mainland ships homeless people here, knowing it is a long swim back and no one will be able to afford the return air fare.

I will try to describe the various odors that come from the piers next to the Nimitz Highway too. Between the various fish smells, oil spills, natural gas transfers and diesel engine beltch that mixes with the local resturant cooking odors, no one would ever be able to tell if you accidently let go in the public arena. "Guess That Odor" is quickly becoming a traditional game among the locals. I tried to smell a pretty flower yesterday in the hotel lobby. No luck there. I got a nose full of cigar smoke from the poolside bar out the open back door (so much for the "No Smoking" sign next to the potted flower).

Although this visit is mostly work (Heh!, Heh!) I will try to squeeze some fun out of my weekend time. I would really like to go para-sailing, and climb Diamondhead. Oh! Did I mention my hotel was on Waikiki Beach? Aloha for now. I love my new job.

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About the Author: Independent, Conservative, Christian. Married 29 years this month with five children raised and one grandson being raised. 30 year Army Veteran and published poet with www.poetry.com for the past 3 years. Email Michael John McCrae: michael.mccrae@us.army.mil

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