Ever just want a simple job?

Today for breakfast, I spent a couple hours fiddling with SQL2005, writing query after query trying to modify an employee-wide status for our payrol system. We have around 1,000 employees. For lunch, I worked with my PM to build reports for over 30,000 patients. Another couple hours of SQL queries, and brain-busting over ERD's.

So I ask, do you ever want to do somethign less-complex for a period of time? I went to get a drink during lunch today, and I saw that Blockbuster is Hiring. I would be making less than 1/3 what I'm making at my current job, but I would only seek to work evenings, and not every night if possible.

During the day, hard stuff, during the evening, unwind with easy stuff. It sounds really appealing - maybe it's just me.

I think I will apply next week, and work a few hours every other evening or something if I get the job.

Am I the only one who thinks it's appealing to do something less intelligence-demanding after a long day doing complex work?

EDIT:
I do alot of handy-man work for my mother-in-law. Just last week I was hanging lights around her oddly-shaped roof-top, and then a couple days later I was taring her roof. I feel pretty good doing that kind of work. When the Hurricanes came through Florida, I spent weeks doing physical-labor. Chopping down trees, dragging trees out of swimming pools, carrying logs out to the road. It felt great. Maybe it's just me - but simple jobs are so enjoyable after a complex one.

I don't mean simple things, either. Rotting infront of a TV after a day of work sucks...I mean, being productive in a simple way - that is awesome.

You could try it out over the next few weeks to see how you like it.  I'd bet that most retailers are looking for people to handle the increased traffic.  Then, if you like it, you can keep doing it and if you don't, they'll be happy to let you go in january.

I used to drive pizzas in college, and if it weren't for the lack of money (and the stale pizza smell on your uphostery) I'd still be doing it today.

Ever just want a simple job?-No!
less stress?- Yes!

I like jobs that challenge me.
My current job and some of the tasks I am given, bore me to death.  Its just not a challenge.

unless its something i am pationate about i get board and whant something ells to do.

do you like movies? If you do, then i see you taking a position at the movie stoor as more of a hobby than i do a "job". you seem to be am inteligent motivated person. I have thought the same thing about maybe taking a job at the local bike shop. just so i can learn more about the mechanics of a bike and to be around the things i enjoy and to talk with people who like the things i like.

i like this coment.

jsampsonPC wrote:

...I mean, being productive in a simple way - that is awesome.

It's a good idea because it can increase your happiness.

I am happiest working hard, whether it is complex or simple, and I can see how letting the mind relax while still working hard can increase self-content and self-image.

My kids have already objected to that idea (working nights) and the one where I contract and travel 95% of the time...

When they leave for college? I'm all over it.

jsampsonPC wrote:

I don't mean simple things, either. Rotting infront of a TV after a day of work sucks...

In the old days, after a long day of hunting, cavemen would sit in their cave and stare into the light of the fire for a few hours, which helped them meditate and relax their minds. I feel a lot better when I think of it that way.

But anyway, I feel similar, but not exactly. I'd like to have a simple job full-time. A friend of mine drove around soldiers on an army base for three days a week, making more than I did for a full working week. I'd trade right away, and just code for fun in my 4-day weekend. That sounds like bliss. I've been thinking of driving a cab at night, or working in a bar. Sure, maybe it'll become less satisfying over time, but until then? Definitely.

I've thought for a while that a job in Subway might be a bit more relaxing than trying to build client-server systems.

Since reading Mostly Harmless I've found the idea just making sandwiches all day quite appealing.

But you'd probably get stuck with a nasty boss who is trying to make a career out of it and is pissed off that their "passion" is what you do for light relief.

Code less, love more.

eddwo wrote:



I've thought for a while that a job in Subway might be a bit more relaxing than trying to build client-server systems.

Since reading Mostly Harmless I've found the idea just making sandwiches all day quite appealing.

But you'd probably get stuck with a nasty boss who is trying to make a career out of it and is pissed off that their "passion" is what you do for light relief.

I've got the best of both worlds then, though. I'm not looking for a replacement job, I love my day job. I love solving problems and learning more about software.

I'm just talking about an evening job. I can see myself getting a job at most any place that doesn't require one to instantly guess the results of multiple inner joins compiled into a View object. I mean, I can see my interview at Blockbuster going something like this.

Manager: "Hey, dude, so uh, why would you wanna work here...the pay sucks."
Me: "Well, I'm not really looking for a high-paying job. I'm only interested in working nights and weekends. Just something to pass time, really."
Manager: "Uh, you cannot work days? Why not?"
Me: "Oh, I'm sorry, I am a Senior Software Architect responsible for tracking and maintaining entity-related databases over a cluster of virtual-servers. When I'm not indulging in Transact Structured Query Language, or DDL, or DML, I'm compiling .NET applications to assist our employees in Data-manipulation and patient-tracking."
Manager: "......uh....whatever dude, can you type fast?"
Me: "Yeah, I guess..."
Manager: "Okay...pick up a shirt on the way out."

This sounds a lot like the movie Office Space.

Sorry to tell you but more likely than not you will receive the reply "I'm sorry you are over qualified" or something to that effect if you actually mention what you "really" do  for a living.

It's not a dig against you (think of it as a compliment). I personally heard it a lot a few years ago after the telecom industry locally pretty much collapsed. (that is a longer story of corporate failure) I made the mistake of submitting my complete resume when applying for positions at Compusa, BestBuy and the like. Their main fear is that something better will come along soon or in your case that you don't actually need the job (which you don't) which means that you will up and quit at some unknown time.

Now if its just a seasonal job maybe..... but i doubt that some manager at Blockbuster really wants to hire someone to work for them that THEY feel makes more at their first job they they do. Wouldn't you rather someone in NEED of the job actually apply and get it?

Now to answer the question.... NO, I honestly can't imagine wanting to do anything else.

Edit:
Since you like manual labor, I assume you find it gratifying, you might consider volunteering some time to give back and do some work for others during the holiday season. As its no secret your a proud christian I say... head on over to your church and look for someone to help..... some manual labor to help someone else out with. It's work you can do on your own time and you have to admit there is no better feeling. (its not like you need the money after all)

Ang3lFir3 wrote:

...Since you like manual labor, I assume you find it gratifying, you might consider volunteering some time to give back and do some work for others during the holiday season. As its no secret your a proud christian I say... head on over to your church and look for someone to help..... some manual labor to help someone else out with. It's work you can do on your own time and you have to admit there is no better feeling. (its not like you need the money after all)

Too late I'm actually going to be building onto a house this weekend - free of charge. I find construction self-gratifying But you're right, I could look for more jobs like that to do around here. Another good point brought up was the 'over-qualified', and 'we want somebody who needs this job' situation. I would never be the type to vanish over-night at any job. I would always put in my 2-3 weeks notice. But, I think if I do apply for a job at Blockbuster, or some place similar, I'm going to use the "I'm a student" line...technically, it's true

jsampsonPC wrote:


So I ask, do you ever want to do somethign less-complex for a period of time?

I've often fancied being a gardener. Outdoors, not mentally taxing, growing things.
Unfortunately, at this time of year it's dark when I leave for work and dark when I return, so getting out into the garden is off the menu until March sometime. Maybe one day I can take a horticulture course and semi-retire to gardening.
We moved to a new house this spring so I spent most of my spare time working on the house.  Next spring I'll be working on the garden -- mainly shifting the rubble that's one inch under the soil in half of the garden [C] so we can grow vegetables.  I've been negelcting my Bonsai too.


When I was s teenager, I was told that in a neighbouring town there was a road sweeper who had a degree in philosophy.  He chose an outdoor job with plenty of time to think.

jsampsonPC wrote:


Rotting infront of a TV after a day of work sucks...I mean, being productive in a simple way - that is awesome.

I need to rot for an hour or two to relax before bed -- otherwise I can't sleep 'cos there's too much going on in my head.

Herbie

Ahh the simple life. At a previous job we used to imagine living it - soem kind fo medieval village... I made wheels, one of my collegues made barrels, and another collected herbs. In this imaginary world we'd do an honest days work then retire to the local inn on an evening to wax lyrical about it.

 

Theni t started gettign out of hand. My job moved to that of Witch Finder General. It all went down hill from there.

Dr Herbie wrote:

 
I've been negelcting my Bonsai too.

I finally got around to repotting mine.  What a giant PITA, but it's so freaking cool to look at.

jsampsonPC wrote:

...
Am I the only one who thinks it's appealing to do something less intelligence-demanding after a long day doing complex work?
...

No, I don't think you are the only one.  You may be the only one who wants to fill that time with another job, though.

Granted I have children so my evening time is full, but there plenty of other things to do like reading, coding my own projects, artistic endeavors, housework, playing, etc..

AdamKinney wrote:



jsampsonPC wrote: ... Am I the only one who thinks it's appealing to do something less intelligence-demanding after a long day doing complex work? ...

No, I don't think you are the only one.  You may be the only one who wants to fill that time with another job, though.

Granted I have children so my evening time is full, but there plenty of other things to do like reading, coding my own projects, artistic endeavors, housework, playing, etc..

Reading...coding...those are both things I do at work, which I'm trying to get away from in the evenings It doesn't seem to be working though. I've got to meet with a side-client monday, and hopefully finish up that evening-project. And this weekend I have to start coding another application in the evenings for another client...oh to escape the madness, what I would give!