Back to Normal

My peaceful backyard

Today was my first day getting back to my normal routine. The last six weeks has been a series of doctors' appointments, procedures and filling in for sick and vacationing co-workers. The doctors' appointments continue (of course) but my ever changing work schedule is now back to two nights a week, Mondays and Thursdays. I was asked yesterday by one of my co-workers to take her shift tomorrow (Wednesday) but I declined. Now I can get back to my regular rhythm. 

I need to get back to my regular rhythm so as to plan my week. It's not much a life when you're on constant call to rush into work to fill in for the latest crises of one of my co-workers. As I have said many times before and made my boss aware, I don't mind coming in occasionally to fill in but I do not want to be a substitute worker. I am a part-time employee. 

Now I can prepare my meals (dinner) ahead of time.  I can spend time with Bill, who as he ages is needing me more.  And, I can plan my life. After all, I am retired working part-time. I don't like to say "No" but sometimes it is necessary. 

This is nice.

More Work Marathon Redux

Yep, I'm on a work marathon again. My co-worker (the one who got married last weekend on the beach and I worked her shift) was off this weekend to attend her niece's graduation. Thus I worked yesterday day shift and will work today night shift and then my regular shift tomorrow evening. 

I like working but I don't like working full-time at this time of my life. 

I like working part-time but I don't like working as a substitute work, like the fireman sleeping by the pole ready to slide down and hit the fire engine to fill in for a co-workers' latest family crises or migraine headache. But that is life . . . . I guess.

When I began this job at the hotel ten years ago I said I would be willing to fill in OCCASIONALLY as needed.  But what I find, as I found at my previous job at the Hampton Inn in Pennsylvania, I am the go to worker to fill in for others.  Now granted my co-workers are filling in for me when I go away four times a year with my Travel Buddy Pat.  

So I have to be fair and reasonable but sometimes I think I'm being taking advantage of my goodwill.  In fact I am. That was brought to my attention when I worked at the Hampton Inn when the manager forbade the assistant manager from calling me as often to fill in for my other co-workers during their issues ranging from family emergencies to just simple oversleeping (I worked with a lot of young workers) and not feeling like coming to work. More than once I was called while I was cooking to come in "right away" there was forty-five hotel guests in line waiting to check in. I left Bill with instructions on how to finish stirring my beef stew on the stove while I rushed to get into my work drag and beat a hasty path to the hotel.  

Hopefully I can get back to my regular schedule next week for the rest of the summer as an elder gentleman who works part-time at the hotel. Do you think?

Marathon Work Schedule

Well, here I am working full-time again folks. Me, the part-time hotel front desk clerk working full-time.  I guess I shouldn't complain because I can certainly use the extra money to fund my quarterly trips with my Canadian Travel Buddy, Pat. 

This week I worked Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, last night and again today. I was scheduled to work Sunday but former co-worker took pity on my and offered to work my shift Sunday that I was filling in for another co-worker is took off this weekend to get married . . . . on the beach.  




Next weekend I'm working during the days.  All this work during the height of the summer season.  

Last night the hotel was PACKED.

A group had taken over the hotel (many with their children) for their annual get together for one of our senators.  The hotel where I work has twenty-one rooms and three VIP suites. The hotel where I used to work in Pennsylvania had ninety-two rooms.  I frequently had to check in 45 rooms all by myself.  At the hotel where I work now I rarely have to check in more than five rooms.  Not last night, all twenty-one rooms and three suites I had to check in.  All the while the phones were ringing for reservations and folks stopping in to by tickets to the local garden tour which is taking place today as I type this blog.  Talk about multi-tasking.  At the Hampton Inn I was used to juggling all those balls at once. 

At the hotel where I work now I've become acclimated to a more relaxed work experience.  Not last night though.  While one of the owners was standing behind me watching me and my octopus arms attempting to keep the flow going, I wondered "How much longer can I do this?"  Then to top everything else off I had to deal with a Chatty Cathy housekeeper who came in for turndown.  It's all a challenge folks. The sacrifices I make for those four times a year carefree trips to Philly, Los Angeles and Toronto.  It's worth it folks!

Pat and me in Palm Springs, California this past February. The ONLY place to spend February!

Have a great day!

Renovations Complete!

Happy at work last night - like the new curtain?

Regular followers of this blog know that I work part-time as a front desk agent at a boutique hotel in Lewes, Delaware.

For the past two months the hotel where I work has been undergoing total (ceilings - no more popcorn ceilings - to floors to toilets) renovations.  

To say working at the hotel during the renovations has been an inconvenience would be an understatement.  But you know me, I'm easily inconvenienced (fussbudget that I am). 

Yesterday, when I returned to work was welcomed by the final phase, the renovation of the front desk area.  Ah, the smell of new carpets, manna from Heaven. 

Newly renovated hotel lobby at the hotel where I work

I am SO LUCKY to still be able to work, albeit part-time.  And the icing on the cake is that I work at this top-notch hotel in thee visitor destination, Lewes, Delaware.  

As I had stated earlier in this posting, I am a fuss budget.  I'm a clean freak.  I am a PAIN IN THE YOU KNOW WHERE.  I wouldn't work at a hotel that I wouldn't stay myself.  Of course I can't afford to stay at the hotel where I work.  The only exception being when I'm snowed in and that has happened twice, and believe me I luxuriated in that king sized bed with the fantastic water view.

So folks, with all the bad that is happening in the world.  With all my aging issues. With all my constant battles fighting tent worms in my wild cherry tree and starlings building nests in my Purple Martin house. I am happy to report that I work at a fabulous place.  

Good things happen to good people hotels.  

Spring is Here!

The calendar says Spring doesn't arrive until Palm Sunday, March 20th.  But folks, I'm telling you Spring is here!  

Yesterday the temps were up to 77 degrees.  I took sought to take advantage of the spring like temperatures and began laying flagstone around my compost pile.  I had to quit after about an hour of that hard labor, I was sweating.  I had to quit folks.  I am of that age that if I get overheated there may be serious consequences.  Bill said even he got dizzy working outside.  We both came inside to the cooler climes of Casa Tipton-Kelly.

Me yesterday putting a border of leftover flagstones around my compost pile

Note the picture at the header. It is of the double wide where my late friend Bob McC. lived with his husband Jim D.  That photo was taken last week a day after our last snow (I hope).  That place, scene of many a good times is now abandoned.  Now only a sad reminder of what was and will never be again.

These days I have new friends and new "good times."  One day too Casa Tipton-Kelly will be no more, only a faint reminder of the happy and contented life that Bill and I enjoy now.

Today I go to work for my regular 3 to ll PM shift at the hotel.  The hotel is undergoing complete renovations thus creating some discombobulation of everyone's regular routine.  But all that will be well worth it because I'm telling you folks, that hotel is absolutely fabulous now.  I am so proud to work there. I don't work in any dumps. Oh okay, I'll admit it.  I am a hotel snob. 




I'm back on my regular shift.  I don't like switching around every week.  I lose track of when I'm supposed to work plus I can't plan my "other" life.  Right now I have a balance that works for me.  Part-time work and retirement doing what I want and enjoying doing.  If I'm working all the time, especially filling in on short notice, then I feel like one of those firemen who sleep at the firehouse waiting for a call to slid down the pole and fight the latest fire.  I don't mind filling in occasionally folks, but not all the time, on a regular basis. I work part-time.  I'm not a substitute worker. 

I'm posting two videos to You Tube I took.  One of the renovations at the hotel and the other of the new daffodils that have arrived this Spring at Casa Tipton-Kelly.  Hopefully I'm not infringing on anyone's copyright status.  Most of my last videos that I posted to You Tube were blocked by You Tube because I dared to have background music in them.  God forbid I would prevent one of these overpaid entertainers from getting a few more pennies for their "art."  It's not like I have ads on my blog and I'm making money from posting those videos.  What a time we live in folks, every one is so hyper about political correctness and copy right infringement but yet we're bombarded every day with incessant ads from all angles.  Thank God I got rid of my land line which I DON'T MISS AT ALL.  At least I stopped that one form of ad harassment. Should've done that a LONG TIME AGO.

Okay, I'm ranting now and I shouldn't be.  Such a beautiful day outside.  Think nice things Ron.

Me at work with my "Barney" sweater

Musings on a Gray Cold February Sunday

A couple of Valentine guests for the weekend at the hotel last night - nice to see happiness

Only a few more weeks to go folks until the onset of Spring.  Oh yes, this year especially I will appreciate the entry of warmer temperatures and longer days.

Last night I worked at the hotel.  Hotel was full because of Valentine's Day weekend.  I usually don't work weekends so it took a little adjustment to the wants and needs of a hotel full of guests.  My normal shifts are Mondays and Thursdays, 3 PM to 11 PM.  Light workload (usually) folks.  It always takes  little bit of adjustment for me to cope with the weekend crowd and their needs and requests for the best restaurants to dine in town, which most of them are closed for the season. After all, this is Slower Lower Delaware (LSD).

Won't be long now until the crocus bloom and the green spring buds will sprout out on the dormant tree twigs and branches.  And another season begins.  Tell you what folks, I'm thankful I'm still around to enjoy yet another fabulous season.  Especially this time of year when my memories are of my departed friends Wayne and Ed who died this time last year.  

And I continue The Journey . . . . . alone.

"You're Going to Go to Work"

Me at work now this past Monday evening

When I was ten years old my Mom told me "You're going to get a job."  I was ten years old and about as dumb as a bag of doorknobs. "A job? What job?"

She told me that "No child of mine is going to do NOTHING.  You're getting a job." Then she told me that Mrs. Lindermann, the Paper Lady would be by our 2nd floor apartment on Washington Avenue that night.  The job my Mother secured for me was as a paper boy.  

Mrs. Lindermann making her weekly collection of my nickles, dimes and quarters in our 50's kitchen - my Mother is to the left and my brother Isaac is to the right of Mrs. Lindermann - my leftover papers are on the kitchen chair - this is the only picture I have from my Paper Boy Days - selfies were not taken in the Fifties - I took this picture with my Kodak Brownie

Mrs. Linderman brought her little black three ring notebook with the names of about fifty paper route customers. I would be delivering the (afternoon) Philadelphia Bulletin to those customers seven days a week.  Five days a week after school, on Saturday and the Sunday morning (the worst) paper.  I would earn about $5.00 a week which I almost always squandered on candy and comic books.  I was a paper boy until I entered ninth grade, four years (I think, my friend Larry will correct me if I'm wrong because he took over my paper boy job).  Unfortunately I don't have any "paperboy" photos of myself, which is a shame.  There are so many photos I've missed over the years.  I wish I could have a do over on those lost opportunities.

Me in my Paperboy days with my bicycle with the basket for my newspapers - the only known photo I have of myself during those days - note the festive (gay) steamers on my handler bars - gay early

Fast forward from that date sixty-four years ago and I'm still working.  Here are just some of the job I've had over the years:

• Office cleaner (took over the job from my Mother)
• Mowed lawns
• Ran errands to the local grocery store (actually my very first job when I was five years old - relatives used to give me a nickel to run to the local corner grocer and pick up milk, bread, etc.
• Dishwasher
• Meat market clerk (get you mind out of the gutter)
• U.S. Army (after I graduated from high school, three years in Army Security Agency - NSA)
• Hotel night auditor (where this blog is going)
• Accounts payable clerk at junk steel yard
• Banking trust operations career (37 years until job eliminated)
• Estate gardner (a swift fall from grace)
• Hotel night auditor (again, what goes round come round)
• Hotel front desk agent (where I work today)

For the past seventeen years I've been working (again) as a hotel front desk clerk.  

Me taking a reservation - wish I had a series of photos like this during my paper boy days

I will probably work as long as I can walk and my health holds up.  I love my job.  I work at a wonderful hotel with great folks.  I'm not paid a lot (you'll never get rich working at a hotel) but I earn enough to enable me to indulge myself (occasionally) in trips to California, Canada and Philadelphia.  The extra income from my job enables me to buy just about every Apple product that comes on the market. The extra income allows me to keep up with the ever increasing prices of our household (electric, heating, taxes) and insurance bills.  

I'm pretty sure I was the first in my class to get a job (or have one dropped on me). And I think now I am the last one of my school classmates who is still working.  My friend Stuart still works but he certainly didn't have a job thrust on him by his well off pharmacist doctor father when he was ten years old.  Oh no, many of my school classmates had that college fund waiting for them when they graduated from high school.  And I have a confession to make here folks, I've always resented those folks who had their Life Path cleared for them.  Maybe I shouldn't feel that way but I've never had much sympathy for folks who wanted more tax breaks so they could "send the kids to college."  I managed to live my life quite successfully in spite of not having a path cleared for me.  Would I have liked to go to college?  Oh sure?  That was one of the most painful things I've ever had to endure.  But I did get to go to college eventually, on the G.I. Bill.

Pierce College, Philadelphia, PA

 

I earned that one folks. I never had the parents who encouraged me, told me I could do well, and who supported me financially.  In retrospect I think that was a good thing because I've never taken anything for granted in my life.  Anything I have I have earned.  Nothing was given to me.  And again, that's why I also have a deep resentment of all those telemarketing calls I now receive in my senior years, that whole industry out there who is devoted to parting me from my hard earned (small) nest egg and depriving me of a comfortable and dignified exit from this world.

Since I have returned from California

Me and Travel Buddy Pat in California last month

(and that free and easy lifestyle) thoughts have gone through my head how my life could have been so much different if I had chosen to take a different path.  But where I am is the path I have chosen and I am quite happy as I coast out of this life.  

This time last year two of my friends departed this life.  Ed Cage died January 27th and Wayne Juneau died February 16th.  Hard to believe it's been almost a year since both of these fellows, who were so much a part of my life, have died.  

Ed me and Wayne a few years ago when we were all alive

One day I too will no longer be here.  This blog and this posting will live on long past my demise.  To all who read this blog now and in the future, know this.  I have lived a good life.  Do I have regrets?  Oh sure, plenty but they were all learning experiences.  Would I live a do-over on some of those regrets?  Oh sure.  Maybe in my next life.  See you then!

I Miss Work

Selfie taken on moments before my fall on the ice that changed my life

One question that has been resolved since my accident of February 18th, did I still want to continue working?  

Now since I haven't been back to work on that fateful day I have the answer . . . YES!

The picture at the beginning of this blog was taken only minutes before I left work.  I took a selfie in the men's room.  About five minutes later I was closing up the Inn by locking the doors.  When I rounded the corner my foot stepped on a frozen mound of ice from the rain spout and, after trying to catch my balance, I went down on my left knee severing my quadricep ligaments.  

In the Beebe Hospital Emergency room after my fall

The damage done to my leg after the fall

My leg after surgery to repair the quadricep ligaments - my home health care cleaning procedure

The physical therapist introducing me my new friend - The Walker

Never in a million years did I think I would meet a walker so soon in my life.

Physical therapist showing me how to walk on stairs

Like my little flowered frock?

These pictures were taken the day after my surgery on March 10th, before I was discharged from the hospital to be on my own at home.  Thank goodness they didn't send me to a rehab center which they would have if I didn't have Bill at home.

I'm a quick learner

I have my cane, my crutches and my walker at home.  No wheelchair, I left that at the hospital thank you.  I did bring the port-potty home but haven't had to use it.  I can traverse quite well to the bathroom (thank goodness again).

Trying to maneuver my straight leg back into the wheelchair

Well, I'm still hobbling around on my walker. My left leg below the knee has been swollen in various stages since my fall on February 18th, that's a long time.  Sometimes before I go to bed it's throbbing so much I can hardly stand it.  Red, hot, and numb.  But when I elevate my leg, like I'm doing now as I type this post at my computer, I get some relief.  My very best relief is when darkness and nothingness overcomes me at night when I drift off to sleep.  I awaken in the morning and almost all of the swelling and throbbing is gone.  However, it returns once I get up and start moving around, which I have to.  For recovery I have to balance exercise with rest.  And I have to be very patient because it takes long time for tissue to heal, longer than a broken bone, which surprised me when I asked my home health care worker and she gave me that answer.

But folks, each day I'm a little better.  Still can't life my lower leg but I'm feeling "something" going on below the knee.  I hope it's not just my wishful imagination.

Anyway, I started out this blog by stating I miss work.  I do miss work especially on a Wednesdays and Thursdays, my regular shift from 3 PM to 11 PM.  And especially springtime when the days are longer.

There were times in the past when I wondered "Do I still want to work?"  Well, that question has been answered now since my forced immobility . . . . . 
YES!

Working Weekend

For those of you who follow this blog regularly, you'll notice there's been a blip in my usual daily posting.  That's because I worked the day shift at the hotel this weekend.  My regular hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3 pm to 11 pm.  Occasionally I am asked to work for one (or two) of the regular full time front desk agents (we don't call them "hotel front desk CLERKS these days don't you know).  This weekend was one of those weekends.  

Wasn't so bad although I do have to get up before the birds (5 am) in order to get to work in time to set out the breakfast by 7:30 am.  Usually I like to sleep in until about 7 am or later.  But as I said, working this weekend wasn't so bad, helped a lot I'm sure by a hotel almost full of very pleasant guests.  

Our guests are usually retirees for a weekend getaway, or soon to be retirees looking to move to Delaware and the occasional newlyweds (which we had this weekend).  These folks are almost always pleasant, non-demanding and a pleasure to be of service to.  Plus, it helped that this weekend we had almost perfect weather.  Clear blue skies and a brisk bite in the air.  We could've used maybe ten degrees warmer but brisk air felt good.

My daffodils in full bloom today!

Bill misses me terribly when I'm gone from the house all day, even though when I am at our house I'm either on my computer, eating or taking a nap. At least I'm in the house which seems to give him some comfort.  I have to admit it is nice to be wanted and cared for and to care for someone.  

The only problem I have with working these irregular hours is that it throws off my digestive system (I get constipated because I can't go to the bathroom at work - yeah, I said it).  Other than that, and missing my daily blog entries, not a bad weekend of work at all.

Now I do it all over again in two weeks.  Then I work the night shift (3 pm to 11 pm) for my other full time co-worker.  Don't cry for me (Argentina) though, I'm taking off two weeks at the end of August to visit…….guess where?  Yep, Canada (read prior blog post for context).  

Time to watch more episodes of "The Good Wife" now (oh I am addicted to this show, it is SOOO GOOD).

Have a good night!

Here We Go Again

Me at BJ's stocking up at the beginning of the last Major Winter Snowstorm

Another major winter storm is forecast for the eastern seaboard.  That means the Delmarva peninsula, that jut of earth that is the location of Casa Tipton-Kelly.

Our backyard after the last snowstorm

I'm scheduled to go into work at the hotel today.  I'm also scheduled to work tomorrow.  You know what that means folks, I may be staying at the luxurious accommodations that our hotel offers our fortunate guests.  While I am fortunate and happy that I have a place to stay when snowed in, I still would rather be at home in my comfy nest.

January and February are months I "just get through."  I wish I was rich like some of my gay brethren who have two or three homes that they can choose from when Old Man Winter puts his hammer down.  Alas, I am one of those gay men who isn't rich but just eking out survival, trying to keep up with my supplemental insurance and propane gas bill ever increasing bills.  Ironically my gas company is called "Poore's."  Appropriate.

Every day is an adventure folks.  

Time for a nap before the latest round of winter weather.  Here we go.

What I Do For A Living

Mrs. Lindermann, "The Paper Lady"  collecting my paper boy take for the week with my Mom and brother Isaac looking on

In 1951, when I was ten years old and in third grade my Mother decided that I was going to get a job.  She didn't ask me, she TOLD me.  She said to me (as her oldest son, i.e. #1 Son) "No son of mine is going to NOT have a job."  Of course at that time I wasn't too thrilled about getting a job but you know what?  That was the best thing she could of done for my developing sense of responsibility. She arranged for me to have a paper boy job and I've been working ever since.  

The only picture I have of me on my Paper Boy Bike - I delivered papers for six years and only have ONE picture

Over the years I have had many jobs (in chronological order):

• Paper boy
• Office cleaner
• Mowed lawns
• Worked in a butcher shop
• Dishwasher
• Shoe store salesman
• Menswear salesman
• Soldier
• Hotel night auditor
• Accounts payable clerk in a steel yard
• Bank remittance clerk
• Bank trust operations manager
• Gardner
• Bank operations consultant
• Hotel front desk agent
• Hotel sales agent

Me (on the left) with friends Bill Allen and Dick Egan at Ft. Devens, ASA training school Massachusetts - another one of my favorite jobs!

And now I work part-time as a hotel front desk agent again.  I will work at this job as long as I am physically able to work.  I LOVE my job.  Does it have it's "moments?"  Of course, what job doesn't?  But I love going into work, working with a great group of people, and meeting new people as guests of the hotel.  Every day is different.  Perhaps the greatest satisfaction I get from my job is seeing the smile on the faces of guests who have enjoyed their stay at our hotel.  Even better when a guest tells me that they enjoyed their stay.  And after all folks, isn't that what life is all about?  Having a pleasant time?

How can anyone not have a pleasant time seeing this "pleasant" face at check in?  I ask you now.

We have so much drama, turmoil and friction in this world.  My greatest sense of satisfaction is making a difference in someone's life, even if it is a small "thing" like making their stay at our hotel a pleasant and memorable experience. 

 

And that's what I do folks and why I like my job.  Perhaps the best job I've ever had since being a paper boy.  While I would never make a lot of money at either job, I derive my riches from a different souce....satisfaction of a job well done.

Taking a reservation - serious business 

Vacation Week

This was the week Bill and I were going to take our trip south to visit my ancestors' graves up there in the hillbilly mountains of western North Carolina.  However we decided last Friday (we were to pick up the van rental from Enterprise on Saturday) not to go.  We usually go in the spring, when the days are warmer and longer.  I thought it would be a good idea to go this year for the fall color in those glorious mountains.  But when we checked the weather (rain and showers) and knowing that the days would be shorter, we both decided to stay here at Casa Tipton-Kelly.  Well, I'm here to tell you I'm having a grand old time!

Even though I only work part-time (Monday and Tuesdays 3 to 11 pm) I'm still working.  Two of my days are taken, thus interrupting the smooth flow of JUST DOING NOTHING ALL WEEK.  And the past month or so I've had a series of doctors' appointments sprinkled in my weekdays also just to spice things up.

Don't get me wrong, I love my job at the hotel but it sure is nice to go a whole week without a guest asking me any or all of the following questions:

• "Where is the best place to eat?"-The Buttery
• "When is breakfast?" - 8 am to 10 am
• "Where do I park?" - outside where it says HOTEL PARKING
• "How much are your rooms?" - depends, what kind of room? They're all expensive
• "What are you rooms like?" - nice, what else do you expect me to say? Crappy?
• "Can I get an AAA and AARP discount at the same time?" - Uh....NO
• "How do I connect to the Internet?" - choose "Internet connection" duh
• "Can I have two more towels?" - gladly, I'll be up in a moment
• "I'm allergic to feather pillows, can I have a foam pillow?" - do you want the stained one?
• "Do you have a wine bottle opener?" - booze hound
• "Where is the ice machine?" - where it says "ICE MACHINE" to your right
• "How does the TV work?" - by remote control...hockey puck
• "Can I check in early?" - depends if previous occupant isn't checking out late
• "Can I check out late?" - usually asked by the same guest who asked to check in early
• "What time do you get off?" - 11, got something in mind?

No folks, I didn't miss THE QUESTIONS this week.  Oh don't worry, Dependable Ron will be back at the front desk, sincere smile and all ready to field the SAME questions with aplomb.

So where was I going with this posting?  Oh yes, talking about how much I'm enjoying my vacation this week.  I - AM - HAVING - A - BALL!  Yes folks, this is what freedom is all about.  

Back to the grind next week.  I wonder if anyone missed me?  

Why I Love Peggy

Sure, Jon Hamm as Don Draper gets all the buzz on the popular TV series about Sixties advertising men called "Mad Men."  But you know who has transfixed me since the first time I saw her?  Yep!  It's Peggy as in Peggy Olsen, the New Girl In The Office.

Elisabeth Moss is the actress who portrays Peggy Olsen.  I think she is great!  In fact, I think her story line is much more interesting than the hottie Don Draper (Jon Hamm).  I think Peggy represents something that all of us (or most of us anyway) can identify with.  While she isn't not drop dead gorgeous, she is attractive enough to generate interest from some of the more sleazy men.  Oh can I ever identify with Peggy!

The series started with Peggy's first day in the office.  How many of us can remember our First Day In The Office? I know I can.  Even though I'm a man I can identify with being the innocent, naive newbie in the office like Peggy just trying to fit in and perhaps get ahead with what my modest physical attractiveness d and whatever small talents I had.  However, one thing that I had in abundance just like Peggy, was an unbridled eagerness to please and willingness to work hard to get ahead.  And just like Peggy, little did I realize that the get ahead in those times (the Sixties) sometimes required more than working hard and an expectation that my work ethic would be rewarded.  Oh how wrong I was.

My first job after I got out of the Army after serving our country for three years (January 1960 to January 1963) was as a hotel night auditor at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  As regular readers of this blog know, I came out early as a gay man including my five male co-workers who worked my 11 PM to 7 AM shift as hotel night auditors, BIG MISTAKE.  I'm sorry to say this but my co-workers took that admission as an invitation to be "serviced" as they proved one Saturday night they invited themselves to my small, one room efficiency apartment on Roup Avenue in Shadyside Pittsburgh.  My workplace was never the same after this"encounter." Nothing happened of course because I didn't cooperate in my co-workers' expectations.  I left that job after three months and returned to my hometown of Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Shortly after I returned home I got job as an accounts payable clerk at a local scrapyard.  Me being me, I didn't hide my sexuality when questioned about my "girlfriends."  And right on cue one of my married so called straight co-workers showed up at my new efficiency apartment one Saturday night. Yep, he was expecting to be serviced.  Some things never change.  He didn't get serviced and, of course, never spoke of the incident again.  When I returned to work that Monday it was as if nothing happened but our relationship always had that strain.  Back in those days some people could only handle having a gay men in this workplace as a lesser human being.  He was one of them.  This time I didn't quit my job.  I worked in the office as an accounts payable clerk at that metal scrapyard for another two and half years before I applied for a job at a big bank in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  I  began my new job at Girard Trust Bank March 1, 1965 and believe me, I was just like Peggy on her first day at her job at the ad agency.

Still innocent (sort of) 

For the next thirty years I worked in center city Philadelphia at two major banks as an out gay man.  Those years folks would make one interesting TV series to rival any "Mad Men" series.  Believe me.

Me at Mellon Bank 1982 - not so innocent anymore

Note:

While I am known to have thousands of photographs, I have none of my time at the Pittsburgh Hotel or Lipsett Steel Products.  None.