Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
It's a Man's Man's Man's World (1966)
Since Labor Day was introduced to celebrate the American worker, we are highlighting the hardest working man in show business: James Brown. Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Before he was able to support himself as a musician, James Brown shined shoes, boxed, picked peanuts and delivered groceries. He admitted he didn't enjoy any of those jobs. What was your least favorite job?

(Can you imagine James Brown shining your shoes?! Talk about tamping down the personality to nil!)
I was not a big fan of babysitting as a kid. Didn't know what to do with the kids, couldn't wait for bedtime when I could read and watch TV till parents came home. It was boring. Kinda the same way I felt about the whole SAHM gig, to be honest. I mean, I love kids, but they do learn by repetition and I do get bored.

2) What job have you enjoyed the most?

I like my job now: NEVER boring! OK, sometimes it's repetitive--"The printer is right over there." "Those are due September 24th." "Keep the noise down, guys."--but I love the variety of things I get to do all day.

3) James loved performing and in the mid-60s, played 335-350 dates/year. Do you have time off this weekend? Or will you be working?

I am not working for pay this weekend. We are cleaning up the house and packing for vacation and all that goes with that. Plenty busy.

4) With that grueling schedule, James spent a lot of time on the road. Do you enjoy traveling and staying in hotels? Or are you a homebody who prefers to sleep in your own bed?

I love traveling! I'm so excited about this upcoming trip. But as an adult, I am far more aware of the things that could go wrong. And frankly, my last two vacations have had problems based on another person's overall behavior. I really don't want this one to crater for the same reason, since it's a family wedding we're there for.
Disclaimer: I also like coming home and sleeping in my own bed and wearing different clothes than what I took on the trip.

5) While Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce, millions of Baby Boomers are still part of American labor. Do you think it's easy or hard for people of different generations to work together? Or don't you think age matters?

I think it only matters if you let it. I mean, yes there are a few topics that don't come into play for me when the 30-year-olds talk to each other. There are things that the 65-year-olds talk about that I don't care about either. That's true of any "group"--I'm sure the two guys at work get real tired of hearing women's shit all day!--but it only gets to be a problem when people are assholes about things.

6) 72% of employers report that they give their employees sick days. Tell us about a time when you called in sick, but weren't.

I call these days "mental health" days to myself; there are just times when I just don't feel like going to work. I take damned few of them, but sometimes it's better not to infect my coworkers with my bad attitude, just as it's better not to infect them with germs. Of course, when I call myself in, I usually say I'm physically ill--cough, stomachache, etc.--because "I got up on the wrong side of the bed" sounds ridiculous to me. Can one call in Pissed Off? 😜

7) According to the 2010 Census, 5.9 million Americans regularly work from home. Is working from home something you have/you would enjoy? Or do you benefit from interaction with coworkers?

I would love it, but I'd also hate it. Part of my job is dealing with people and while I hate to admit that I enjoy the crazies, I kinda do enjoy interacting with others. Also, if I were home all day, I would EAT ALL DAY. Beast works from home; his office is right off the kitchen. I do not know how he doesn't spend the day in front of the fridge....

8) 12% of workers report they prefer to report for work early -- before 7:00 AM -- so they can get more done. Are you a morning person?

Yes. And I would truly love to go back to doing this! Unfortunately, the time we are shortest-staffed at work is the dinner hour (5-6), so someone has to be around to cover that meal break. I used to go in when the school bus picked up Sparky at 7:10. Now I rarely arrive before 9. I'd rather get home earlier....sigh.

9) The NFL season starts on September 8. How do you think your team will do this year?

I have no idea. I haven't seen one pre-season game! And we're leaving the country so I will have to "watch" online the first two games. :(