Back from the dead

I wasn't dead just really tired most nights when I got home from work. Alas, my time at the boat shop is over. I never liked working as a boat mechanic, but we needed the money, so I sucked it up and turned the wrenches. That time is over now; not because we have any more money, but for the fact that I was being cheated at work. I refuse to let people take advantage of me, even if those people are my supposed friends.

My pay had gotten leaner and leaner as the summer moved along, even though I was doing more work. I was confused. I trusted my boss, who was a personal friend of mine since junior high. I mean friends do not cheat each other, especially good friends! I work between 40-50 hours a week, but my last payment was only $150, it just dosn't make sense. I made $$ at 20% labor hour on the jobs I did. Labor was $97 an hour, I should make decent money. Last Saturday he was not in, and I was trying to determine how much I was owed. One job in particular stood out as odd. It was an engine swap and conversion to a long shaft outboard motor, to do this you have to replace the shift shaft that is located under the powerhead. That means the whole motor has to come apart. I did the job. On my pay sheet it said labor of .75 hours. WTF! I consulted the master mechanic about how much he would charge for the job, and he came up with about 2.5 hours. Paying me less than 1/3 was just crazy, so even in this ecconomy I had to leave. Fuck my life!

Now my hands are finally clean for the first time this summer, festival season is next week, but I don't know how we are going to pay the rent, or any other bills for that matter. I will try and be more dedicated to updating, at least once a week.

Alex