We have lost another workamper, this time my working partner. I check the people in and he escorted them to their sites. We had a great working relationship and I am going to miss him.
This is a new experience for me, so many people leaving, and not on good terms. Maybe the owners are starting to wonder as well....
The count now stands at 5 workampers gone, 4 still remain.
The Aspect Of My Life
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Changes
The park started to change the day I came back from Human Nature. My favorite workamping couple was pulling out the next day.
I have had my issues with management, which I have since resolved, but my favorite couple couldn't get past some of their discontent and had planned on leaving the end of July. When they talked to the managers and voiced their concerns they were asked to leave, only given three days to do so.
I was so sad to see them leave as they were very social and I could always count on having a good time while they were around. Next thing I knew another workamper had accepted a full time assistant manager job in California and will be leaving this week. That makes a total of four workampers no longer working in the park. What once felt like an over abundance of workampers now feels like an empty nest. Management seems to think this is a normal process during the summer but this is my first experience of workampers leaving mid-season and I don't like how it feels.
They have asked if I want more hours, my answer being NO, as there are no plans to hire on more workampers this late in the season and few workampers to take up the slack. I am usually a team player, but the problem has been there has never been a sense of team at play. That has been the big problem and why my favorite couple wanted to leave. They wanted to feel valued and that they were part of a family, if only for the summer. The reality has been that we all keep to ourselves.
It may be because it is a small park and there are two managers on site. I feel they are watching my every move so I keep a low profile. Another factor has been that the managers have a workamping couple they are very close to and the four of them have excluded everyone else in all their gatherings and outings. When it is so obvious that can cause some hurt feelings. Remember junior high and that feeling of exclusion? Kinda like that.
Management is now trying to correct those earlier missteps and we are all being invited out to dinner and they have been particularly friendly.
I'm just thinking it is a little late for this season but maybe next season things will be different.
I have had my issues with management, which I have since resolved, but my favorite couple couldn't get past some of their discontent and had planned on leaving the end of July. When they talked to the managers and voiced their concerns they were asked to leave, only given three days to do so.
I was so sad to see them leave as they were very social and I could always count on having a good time while they were around. Next thing I knew another workamper had accepted a full time assistant manager job in California and will be leaving this week. That makes a total of four workampers no longer working in the park. What once felt like an over abundance of workampers now feels like an empty nest. Management seems to think this is a normal process during the summer but this is my first experience of workampers leaving mid-season and I don't like how it feels.
They have asked if I want more hours, my answer being NO, as there are no plans to hire on more workampers this late in the season and few workampers to take up the slack. I am usually a team player, but the problem has been there has never been a sense of team at play. That has been the big problem and why my favorite couple wanted to leave. They wanted to feel valued and that they were part of a family, if only for the summer. The reality has been that we all keep to ourselves.
It may be because it is a small park and there are two managers on site. I feel they are watching my every move so I keep a low profile. Another factor has been that the managers have a workamping couple they are very close to and the four of them have excluded everyone else in all their gatherings and outings. When it is so obvious that can cause some hurt feelings. Remember junior high and that feeling of exclusion? Kinda like that.
Management is now trying to correct those earlier missteps and we are all being invited out to dinner and they have been particularly friendly.
I'm just thinking it is a little late for this season but maybe next season things will be different.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Re-Entry
Back from Human Nature Festival. It was rainy, muddy, buggy and unbelievably HUMID, but I had a wonderful time and watching my son play on the main stage was the absolute highlight. These young people are passionate about their music, their lives and raising their consciousness. I love watching them, listening to them and had some amazing conversations. I want to take them all home with me.
I was parked very near the main stage and with non-stop music, I slept when I could. I soon realized I had no ear plugs on board so when it got really bad I balled up some cotton balls and stuck them in my ears. It helped, a little. Ralph slept with me two of the nights and eventually we were both so exhausted we made good bed mates.
All I can say is.....I Wanna Go Again!
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| Main Stage During the Day |
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| Main Stage at Night |
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| Benny In the Booth |
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| Ben Spinning at Quiet Camp |
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| Marisa Spinning an LED Hula Hoop |
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| Three Stages, Non-Stop Music |
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| Three Tired Campers (Ben, Marisa and Ralph) |
All I can say is.....I Wanna Go Again!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Human Nature Festival
"This festival asks its attendees to stop, pause, and praise the land of which surrounds them. As it states on the festival’s main page, “Human Nature is an exploration into the human psyche through sound and light. Multiple stages meander throughout the creek, creating the setting for mystical journeys that transcend genre and category. Time and space converge each night to meld reality and sense with sensibility and in one of the most beautiful coastal properties in the Northwest! Human Nature is an event that leaves nothing desired, and everyone fulfilled.” This sense of fulfillment derives from the festivals emphasis on community and insight. For example, there is an opening ceremony, a segment in which the music is not playing, where one will speak of the power of gathering."
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Sharp Dressed Man
Maria ran away from home and I ended up with a surprise visitor for the night. I was exhausted from three very busy work days and glad Maria showed up for conversation and our usual laugh fest.
We decided to go for dinner at the Roadhouse, an easy walk down the hill. I certainly didn't plan on meeting or talking to anyone other than Maria so threw on my oldest sweatshirt and gave my hair free rein to be as wild as it wanted to be.
I should have known better. Isn't it always when you look your worst that you run into people you know or meet someone new? So, yep, that is what happened. Enter the sharp dressed man.
Maria and I were sitting at the bar and he took the chair one down from Maria. The last time we were at the Roadhouse Maria struck up a conversation with a cowboy so no surprise that she was soon conversing with the sharp dressed man. I liked the sharp dressed man and it seems he liked me as well. But it was quite evident that this well groomed man was not a "full-timer". Everything about him seemed too meticulous. He was not wearing shorts, or tennis shoes, a ball cap or T-shirt. His nails were perfectly manicured (although he assured me he had never in his life had a manicure). This was a man still working in corporate America.
I have been full timing for almost three years. I live in RV parks or out on the desert. I shower in whatever facility is available, sometimes going longer than I will ever admit. I try to get my laundry done once a week and the last time I got a hair cut I cut it myself (braided my hair into two pigtails and chopped off the ends). Every now and then I get a manicure or pedicure, but it is still a rare occurrence. I do my best to keep up some type of beauty routine for my face, massage lotion into my hands and feet each night and try to keep an assortment of clothes that can be worn for any occasion. But I don't often get an occasion to wear those clothes. I live in a 25' motor home, sleep alone and there is not much need for too much grooming.
And this new man I met has got me thinking about the effort it would take to be a little more groomed. Would I really have to shave my legs more frequently and take a shower more often? Do something more to my hair, pluck my eyebrows? I am not sure I am up to the task.
So I am not sure if this man will call me again or not, but he sure got me thinking about this easier lifestyle of mine and if a full-timing woman and a corporate man even have much in common.
We decided to go for dinner at the Roadhouse, an easy walk down the hill. I certainly didn't plan on meeting or talking to anyone other than Maria so threw on my oldest sweatshirt and gave my hair free rein to be as wild as it wanted to be.
I should have known better. Isn't it always when you look your worst that you run into people you know or meet someone new? So, yep, that is what happened. Enter the sharp dressed man.
Maria and I were sitting at the bar and he took the chair one down from Maria. The last time we were at the Roadhouse Maria struck up a conversation with a cowboy so no surprise that she was soon conversing with the sharp dressed man. I liked the sharp dressed man and it seems he liked me as well. But it was quite evident that this well groomed man was not a "full-timer". Everything about him seemed too meticulous. He was not wearing shorts, or tennis shoes, a ball cap or T-shirt. His nails were perfectly manicured (although he assured me he had never in his life had a manicure). This was a man still working in corporate America.
I have been full timing for almost three years. I live in RV parks or out on the desert. I shower in whatever facility is available, sometimes going longer than I will ever admit. I try to get my laundry done once a week and the last time I got a hair cut I cut it myself (braided my hair into two pigtails and chopped off the ends). Every now and then I get a manicure or pedicure, but it is still a rare occurrence. I do my best to keep up some type of beauty routine for my face, massage lotion into my hands and feet each night and try to keep an assortment of clothes that can be worn for any occasion. But I don't often get an occasion to wear those clothes. I live in a 25' motor home, sleep alone and there is not much need for too much grooming.
And this new man I met has got me thinking about the effort it would take to be a little more groomed. Would I really have to shave my legs more frequently and take a shower more often? Do something more to my hair, pluck my eyebrows? I am not sure I am up to the task.
So I am not sure if this man will call me again or not, but he sure got me thinking about this easier lifestyle of mine and if a full-timing woman and a corporate man even have much in common.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
More Surprises
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| Donlyna and Becca |
Another total surprise when they came for a short visit. I enjoy them so much I want to live with them in a commune, on a piece of land with some other beautiful people.
This seems to be a dream for so many people and I am hoping some day it will be realized.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Surprises
The month of May flew by and June seems to be moving just as quickly. I work my three days a week and on the four days off I do all my chores and try to get to the ocean as much as possible.
I love walking the beach and never seem to get enough. I have a tide table but have never used it which means I am constantly surprised. Surprised by the strength of the waves, the shoreline and what that shoreline has to offer. My pockets are bulging by the time I return home because there are so many beach treasures that beckon and make me believe I can make jewelry from some of those finds. Ahhh...it is such a love affair.
I also continue to have visitors. Jan and Peter from the Hood dropped by for dinner one evening and Bri stopped by for coffee on his way to Vancouver. I met Bri at the mini rally at City of Rocks, New Mexico and continue to enjoy his company and conversations.
Just never know who is going to show up next!
I love walking the beach and never seem to get enough. I have a tide table but have never used it which means I am constantly surprised. Surprised by the strength of the waves, the shoreline and what that shoreline has to offer. My pockets are bulging by the time I return home because there are so many beach treasures that beckon and make me believe I can make jewelry from some of those finds. Ahhh...it is such a love affair.
I also continue to have visitors. Jan and Peter from the Hood dropped by for dinner one evening and Bri stopped by for coffee on his way to Vancouver. I met Bri at the mini rally at City of Rocks, New Mexico and continue to enjoy his company and conversations.
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| How Bri Does His Traveling |
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