by Suzannah Gilman
Ah, Labor Day, a day to pay tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
What have I contributed? A whole lotta stuff, in little bits.
Like the places in the Johnny Cash song, “I’ve Been Everywhere, Man,” the places I’ve worked comprise quite the list. Here are the ones I remember:
- Country Style Donuts – cashier, waitress
- Yesteryear’s at Winter Park Mall – waitress
- The Shirt Farm – silkscreener making Panama Jack t-shirts
- Waffle House – waitress (I was fired; “You’re not Waffle House material” was meant to be an insult, but it’s a quote I remember when I’m feeling down.)
- Lee’s Famous Fried Chicken – cashier
- Treasure Chest Marketing – phone solicitor selling coupon books
- The Sodfather – laying sod (in Florida! in the summer!) (That’s not really the name of the business. I can’t remember it.)
- Northgate Theater – concession worker
- JC Penny – catalog department associate, inventory staff, floater
- Irvin B. Green & Associates – receptionist
- Central Florida Lighting – secretary
- Food truck – the food truck driver, cashier, whatever
- Car dealership – marketing assistant for special promotions
- I was a Tupperware lady!
- American Arbitration Association – case administrator
- Starlight International – independent rep selling ephedra products
- Three separate daycares – daycare worker
- Puff n’Stuff Catering – holiday server & supervisor
- Crafter – sold my crafts in a shop in Oviedo
- Oviedo Barber Shop – weekly cleaning
- Babysitter – from the time I was 7
- Lawyer – commercial real estate, domestic violence, family law, general litigation
- Freelance writer – for Scouting Magazine and CharismaLife Publishers
- Personal assistant
- Angel’s Diner in Kissimmee – waitress to hordes of tourists
- Orange Co. Convention Center – banquet server
- Pinnacle Printing and Marketing – staff editor and writer for natural health products
- Art Services – inventoried at an art gallery
- Piggly Wiggly – cashier and deli worker
What jobs did you have? I’d love to read your lists in the comments.
Categories: Suzannah's Voice
The Gloria Sirens 
Reblogged this on Lisa Lanser Rose and commented:
“You’re not Waffle House material.” How has your career evolved?
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I once sorted corn seeds for a corn research company in central Illinois (of course). It was so boring, I lasted 2 weeks.
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It’s funny that this should be the title of your blog. I too have worked at a multitude of different places. Recently I applied to Waffle House as a server, The restaurant manager loved me and hired me on the spot. However, the district manager, who had the final say in my future, told me “You’re just not Waffle House material.”
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It is a great compliment, isn’t it? And you’re so right that it should have been the title! Maybe I’ll change it. Great suggestion.
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