I Do Windows

Everyone complains about their job. Well that may be too much of a blanket statement. That guy on the Food Network who goes around the country tasting the best food doesn't have too much complain about: "I have to eat the best tasting BBQ ribs today, darn I wanted the best tasting donuts, oh wait that's tomorrow" yeah that's a tough job. Let me revise my initial statement. On occasion I complain about my job.

Working for Capital One has its ups and downs, but one thing they do right is to encourage their employees to volunteer. Not only encourage, but bring opportunities into the workplace and also provide opportunities in the community outside the workplace. That is how I found myself one sunny morning last week not at my cubical, but outside two Habitat for Humanity houses along with a few coworkers. The guy overseeing the project (foreman is too generous a term; more like......babysitter) came up to me and started talking. I would like to believe he chose me because I looked capable and at home on a construction site, but it was probably because I was the oldest and all the other guys were horsing around.

Him: "Do you know how to install windows?"
Me: "Yes"

Ok I've never installed windows from scratch before. I've reinstalled it after we replaced our hard drive and I had to upgrade our browser just to start this blog so I figured I could handle it. Then it hit me-he wasn't after my mad computer skills.
Ok I've never installed windows from scratch before. I've looked out of and washed them before and installed doors, so I figured I can handle it.

Him: "The windows are in the garage next door, tools in the trailer out back, shims are over in the corner."
Me: "I'll get the shims."

Not too long ago I would have considered that lazy, but after 50 this can be considered "wise". Like it is "wise" to dance in your living room at 2:00 pm not in a club at 2:00 am. Let the youngsters go get the windows and root around the trailer to find the hammers and dance in the clubs. I'll get the shims. I was also "wise" to let the guys climb the scaffold and hammer the windows in while I stayed inside and installed the shims.

Three hours and eight windows later it was a job well done. Whoever lives in these houses can rest assured, those windows are shimmed to perfection. Even though I got paid, I'm still going to consider this volunteering and signed up to do it again next week. Maybe they will want me to help frame, I've seen every episode of Dancing With The Stars so I know a good frame.