Just in passing

[aadler]

Recently I started easing back into an exercise routine, generally aiming for as soon as I get up in the morning. The push-ups have been gradually increasing (enough for me to pass the APFT if I was still in the Army), and just in the past few days I’ve added jogging to the mix. Tried to do it on my treadmill … but it’s around ten years old now, and unreliable, and the speed will kick up unexpectedly just when I’m struggling to hold my own. (Today I tried turning it down from the already-slow setting while I was running, and it got faster.) As it happens, the weather is warm enough now that I can do my stuff outside, so that’s the plan now.

I got a distressed call from Susan a few days ago: she’d gone into San Francisco for something during the day, got her car towed, needed the license plate number to track who had it, and her phone battery was at 29% and dropping fast. Then the call faded out and I couldn’t get it back. I tried to look through stuff at home to find the plate number but had nothing; eventually she got back to me, said she’d located the car but knew she wouldn’t be able to drive it out because she didn’t have her driver’s license available. She’d put in a call to her landlady, but had to leave a message because the woman works from home and was on the phone at the time. I called her myself, let her know Susan really needed to speak with her, and eventually got word back from Susan that it had all worked out (except for a $500-plus charge for parking in the wrong place). Good that she’s okay, but it was no fun at all to know that my wife was having an immediate, physical problem and my ability to provide immediate physical help was essentially nonexistent.

One of my co-workers, who maybe 18 months ago I trained as a cashier, has just been promoted to assistant store manager. That’s two promotions while I continue in my own slot. There’s no unfairness or favoritism involved: she’s really good with people, and hustles to get the job done. Even if I have no reason to protest, though, you notice that kind of thing.

And that’s all for now.

Comments

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'm glad Susan is okay!
That sounds like it would be a scary experience though.

[aadler]

More upsetting than scary for her, and mostly frustrating/helplessness for me. Settled now, though.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

I've only ever managed to exercise first thing in the morning. If I try for afternoon or evening it just never happens.

Being too far away to help has to really suck. I hate feeling helpless. The call to the landlord probably did some good though.

Unfortunately, age discrimination is a very real thing. And it's hitting earlier and earlier as we go. I couldn't get a job right now, my resume would be thrown out the instant they saw how old I am and I'm in my 50s.

[aadler]

> Unfortunately, age discrimination is a very real thing.

In this case, the young woman really is personable and energetic; she’s been leapfrogged over others who were already in management, and twice has been kept in the store (even though policy has always been to transfer someone upon promotion) because two different managers wanted to keep her where she is.

I’m where I am partly because of my own attributes, and partly from my own choices. (I’ve seen how hard the management people have to work, plus that they have to accept whatever transfers are dropped on them, and to me it’s not worth the hassle even if anyone wanted to move me up.) None of that changes that I’m … aware … of holding in place while others advance.