This is a very somber update. You have been forewarned. This song has been finding its way to my ipod since the weekend. It really seems like the thing is psychic or knows whats going on in my life sometimes I swear. It also happens to be one of my all time favorite songs and one of the few I will actually sing along with.
First off, I turned down the job offer from Subaru. The negatives were too big for me to overcome and money really isnt everything for me. I have worked my fair share of jobs where I was making money hand over fist that I absolutely hated because of people I worked with to realize what a good thing I got going for me now. I have been here for almost 2 and a half years, and I still genuinely like everyone I have to directly work with. My decision has been further solidified as evidenced by my ex potential managers unprofessionalism.
Went to work Saturday, things going abnormally smooth and calm untill around 10:30, then the shit storm began. Solid 5 hours of insane customers with ridiculous expectations and constant bullshit. Here is where it really gets bad.
One of the guys in the detail shop is from Haiti, he is in his late 40's and is a really cool and awesome guy. Despite the language barrier, we crack each other up every single time we pass each other. He is one of those people that make going to work enjoyable. He had been having trouble contacting his family as it seems was the case with many people with family over there. He told me on Friday that he was told it would be another 3 days until phone capabilities would be restored. That alone, I could not even begin to imagine. Your friends, family and loved ones are somewhere you cannot go, cannot contact via any of todays technologies, and you can't do anything but wait ... must be the most agonizing feeling ever.
Somewhere in the middle of the 5 hour parade of morons to come to the dealership, one of the detail guys comes over to me and asks if I had heard what happened. My heart sank to my stomach from the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice. "Pradel's family has been killed" I nearly collapsed. He said something else that I dont remember or didnt hear. I asked, "What do you mean his FAMILY?" He says, "None of them survived" I damn near broke down right there. I cannot really remember much of the rest of that work day, seemed before I knew it, I was in my car going home and that Alice in Chains song up there came on.
Saturday and Sunday were a bit of a blur as well. Somewhere in there my choke job Cowboys got the ass kicking I expected 5 weeks ago, but quite honestly I could care less about at the present moment.
Heavy hearted, I returned to work today. Somewhat good news came that it was not in fact his entire family. Only his daughter. Girl had just recently turned 21. Was in the families home, and one of the concrete walls collapsed on her and crushed her to death. The rest of the family it seems was ok and just missing for some time. To my complete astonishment, shortly after hearing this bit of relieving news, I saw him in the detail shop cleaning a car, obviously not looking himself. I started walking around to the managers asking if anyone had a card or was taking up a collection as seems to be the norm there when this type of thing happens. My inquiry was blown off and I was told that the owners had to be informed of this first ...... I nearly lost my mind. The poor guy lost his son a year before to a car accident, his daughter is killed in an earthquake and we cant get a fucking card going for him? 2 of the managers got much more after their children OD'ed without anyone beating an eyelash or worrying what owners thought of the situation. Thats not even talking about the time off each took after their personal tragedies. The guy was cleaning cars and being a pretty upstanding employee and besides the point his children died in freak accidents, not some self induced variety. 2 days of agony just to hear any word, then getting the worst possible news, before finding out it wasnt everybody but he had lost his other child. And now he is at work busting his ass, and we have to get approval for a card? FUCK YOU!
I told the other advisors I was leaving and was going to CVS to get a card, asked if anyone had issues with it, and thankfully none of them did and each threw a dollar for it. I had everyone BUT the people who told me that I should wait for the owners sign the card. Collected nearly $200.00 for him as well. Didnt expect people to give as much as they did, but it made me glad the scumbags are only in managerial positions in a department other then my own. My immediate co-workers get mad props for watching my work while I was out getting autographs and donations. Waited until 5 to walk over with the detail manager to give him the card. The detail guys all gathered around and the manager told him how I got pissed off and took off to get the card. Just seeing him perk up a little bit when he was told what had gone on made me happy for him to know I consider him my friend. Thats really all the recognition I wanted, for him to know through all the sillyness and clowning around that there were people who had him and his family in their thoughts. To see a little bit of life come back to his face before going back to work was all the thanks that is needed. The only reason why I have written about it here, is to pass along the message. Family can be annoying as hell and piss you off to no end, but you will more then likely miss them when they are gone.
First off, I turned down the job offer from Subaru. The negatives were too big for me to overcome and money really isnt everything for me. I have worked my fair share of jobs where I was making money hand over fist that I absolutely hated because of people I worked with to realize what a good thing I got going for me now. I have been here for almost 2 and a half years, and I still genuinely like everyone I have to directly work with. My decision has been further solidified as evidenced by my ex potential managers unprofessionalism.
Went to work Saturday, things going abnormally smooth and calm untill around 10:30, then the shit storm began. Solid 5 hours of insane customers with ridiculous expectations and constant bullshit. Here is where it really gets bad.
One of the guys in the detail shop is from Haiti, he is in his late 40's and is a really cool and awesome guy. Despite the language barrier, we crack each other up every single time we pass each other. He is one of those people that make going to work enjoyable. He had been having trouble contacting his family as it seems was the case with many people with family over there. He told me on Friday that he was told it would be another 3 days until phone capabilities would be restored. That alone, I could not even begin to imagine. Your friends, family and loved ones are somewhere you cannot go, cannot contact via any of todays technologies, and you can't do anything but wait ... must be the most agonizing feeling ever.
Somewhere in the middle of the 5 hour parade of morons to come to the dealership, one of the detail guys comes over to me and asks if I had heard what happened. My heart sank to my stomach from the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice. "Pradel's family has been killed" I nearly collapsed. He said something else that I dont remember or didnt hear. I asked, "What do you mean his FAMILY?" He says, "None of them survived" I damn near broke down right there. I cannot really remember much of the rest of that work day, seemed before I knew it, I was in my car going home and that Alice in Chains song up there came on.
Saturday and Sunday were a bit of a blur as well. Somewhere in there my choke job Cowboys got the ass kicking I expected 5 weeks ago, but quite honestly I could care less about at the present moment.
Heavy hearted, I returned to work today. Somewhat good news came that it was not in fact his entire family. Only his daughter. Girl had just recently turned 21. Was in the families home, and one of the concrete walls collapsed on her and crushed her to death. The rest of the family it seems was ok and just missing for some time. To my complete astonishment, shortly after hearing this bit of relieving news, I saw him in the detail shop cleaning a car, obviously not looking himself. I started walking around to the managers asking if anyone had a card or was taking up a collection as seems to be the norm there when this type of thing happens. My inquiry was blown off and I was told that the owners had to be informed of this first ...... I nearly lost my mind. The poor guy lost his son a year before to a car accident, his daughter is killed in an earthquake and we cant get a fucking card going for him? 2 of the managers got much more after their children OD'ed without anyone beating an eyelash or worrying what owners thought of the situation. Thats not even talking about the time off each took after their personal tragedies. The guy was cleaning cars and being a pretty upstanding employee and besides the point his children died in freak accidents, not some self induced variety. 2 days of agony just to hear any word, then getting the worst possible news, before finding out it wasnt everybody but he had lost his other child. And now he is at work busting his ass, and we have to get approval for a card? FUCK YOU!
I told the other advisors I was leaving and was going to CVS to get a card, asked if anyone had issues with it, and thankfully none of them did and each threw a dollar for it. I had everyone BUT the people who told me that I should wait for the owners sign the card. Collected nearly $200.00 for him as well. Didnt expect people to give as much as they did, but it made me glad the scumbags are only in managerial positions in a department other then my own. My immediate co-workers get mad props for watching my work while I was out getting autographs and donations. Waited until 5 to walk over with the detail manager to give him the card. The detail guys all gathered around and the manager told him how I got pissed off and took off to get the card. Just seeing him perk up a little bit when he was told what had gone on made me happy for him to know I consider him my friend. Thats really all the recognition I wanted, for him to know through all the sillyness and clowning around that there were people who had him and his family in their thoughts. To see a little bit of life come back to his face before going back to work was all the thanks that is needed. The only reason why I have written about it here, is to pass along the message. Family can be annoying as hell and piss you off to no end, but you will more then likely miss them when they are gone.
VIEW 15 of 15 COMMENTS
khoos:
Nope, just MDFs 
imspectr:
That is almost exactly what happened to us! She's home safe now. And in kitty jail. lol