First Week At Amazon

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Orientation

I reported to Amazon on Saturday 10/19 for orientation. I have been through this twice before so I am familiar with the procedure. Saw some of the same movies I had seen before, but portions of it had been updated.

In the afternoon it was off to Safety School. Then we got off work at 5:30. I headed straight home and Chica was right their to greet me. It had been a long day for her as well and she was very excited to see me.

My Shift

Sunday is the first day of my shift and I work through Wednesday. They start us right out on 10 hour days from 7:00am to 5:30pm. The first week they gave us a break and Monday and Tuesday we only worked 5 hours.

My Job

This year they made me a Stower. I get the products from receiving and stow it in the bins. It will be much less walking then last year when I was a picker and picked the items out of the bins. Pickers usually walk between 12 – 14 miles per day. However a stower does not walk nearly as much, as we can put the items in any bin that has space.

It is a bit difficult this time of the year for a stower as the bins are very full and sometimes difficult to find some open space. However, once the customers start their Holiday shopping everything will change and I will have lots of open bins to stow the merchandise.

Sore Muscles

Your find out the muscles you don’t normally use as much as usual. I take two Aleve in the morning and it cures the soreness most of the day. I have done that every year I have worked at Amazon and believe me it really works.

Seniority

This is the third year I have worked at the Fernley, NV Fulfillment Center. I have had different jobs each year. The first year I was a Packer, the second year I was a Picker and this year I am a Stower. They always ask you to specify what job you would prefer, but I don’t think they pay much attention to it as each year I have had different jobs then what I stated that I preferred. Oh well, it is nice to be able to do other jobs as well. After going on my third year I am familiar with the layout of the building. It is a massive building and finding your way around it can be very difficult for new people. Most of them get very stressed out not even knowing where all the bathrooms and break rooms are let alone the many different production lines and storage areas.

Home Sweet Home

My home this year as it was the past 2 years is the Desert Rose RV Park. This year I have the same space as I did last year as I was able to reserve it when I departed last year.

Here I am in good ‘ole space #140. It is close to the front and the office.

A few things have changed since my last season at Amazon. I now have a vehicle and satellite TV. Both of those were thanks to the money I made last year working.

Another thing that has changed is Chica. She and I have been together since February 25. It has now been 8 months and 8,658 miles since we have been so lucky to meet each other. She is is her favorite spot on the couch with the sun coming through the window.

She also likes to get on top of the nice warm clothes after I bring them back from the laundromat.

She loves to crawl under them and go to sleep.

Friends

This year I have many friends both here at the RV Park and Amazon as well. I have run into many of the same people that I knew last year. I encouraged some of my friends at Quartzsite to work here this year. However, they all have different shifts so I don’t see them too often.

Weather

The weather during the day is really nice in the low 70’s but gets down into the low 30’s at night. I keep my catalytic heater going all night and turn on my furnace in the morning for a cycle just to warm up. However it is forecast to go down into the low 20’s next week at night. BRRRRRRRRR! I also have a small electric heater I will run once it gets really cold.

I also have a dog walker that I pay $5 per walk to come and walk Chica on the days when I am working. There is another person in the park that cooks really great meals and I can schedule them on a couple of my days off. YUUUUUUM! After 10 hours of work on your feet you don’t really feel like cooking.

I cannot post every day but will try to post as much as I can on my days off.

Dancing at the Cowboy Bar

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Changed departure date

I had made plans to leave Gros Ventre on Wed 8/21. But as any RV’er will attest to, plans are made in Jello. Jane had just returned from a hike with Dave and Celeste and mentioned they had run into Shannon on the trail. They invited me to go with them to Dornan’s to meet up with Shannon for dinner. I couldn’t turn them down so went with them.

I had a good time at Dornan’s and the food was good as usual. Then when we were leaving I mentioned to Shannon that I was going to be leaving the next morning and probably wouldn’t see her until the Amazon stint. She mentioned that she wanted to invite me to go dancing with her and Tony and his wife Susan at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Let me reassure you – I am not a dancer by any means. I can’t even remember the last time I went dancing.

But I couldn’t turn Shannon down since I never did get over to see her campground where she is hosting. So I agreed and she told me to meet her at the Merry Piglets restaurant in town. The Merry Piglets is a Mexican Grille. It doesn’t sound like Mexican to me but it was good.

Then off to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. My old ski partner years ago had told me about this place and said I had to go to it while I was in Jackson. I couldn’t turn both Shannon and Randy (my ski partner) down. Besides the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is world famous.

I found out once we got there that Thursday night is dance lessons night and if you get there before the crowds you don’t have to pay an admission fee. Sounds good to me. So after dinner we headed to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Back in the saddle again

The bar stools are actual saddles that you sit on. Very cool. I got the following pics of us sitting in the saddles.

It was fun sitting at the bar, but then all four of us sat at a table near the dance floor. Then the instructions started. The first dance was the swing. The instructors were very good dancers and very patient with all of us, especially the ones with two left feet like me. We learned quite a few moves and surprised ourselves that we could actually dance although not the most fluent.

Then took a break for some adult refreshment and came back to the dance floor to learn the two step. Slow slow fast fast fast. Holy cow what are they doing to me. After practicing our newly learned steps they introduced the band. They said that we could dance either the swing or the two step to any of the music they played. That’s what they think!!! HA!

Once the band starts all of the people who really know how to dance well hit the dance floor. I felt like a real clod! It was all I could do to not stay out of their way. We didn’t do too badly though. It was a lot of fun.

I would not have even gotten out on the dance floor for the lessons had it not been for the encouragement of Shannon and also the beers and wine I had before even attempting such a feat.

I will not bore you with any pics of us dancing as I don’t have any. Thank God! It was a very fun time and I even mentioned to Shannon that we must find a cowboy bar in Fernly, NV while we are working for Amazon to perfect our steps that we learned. HA!

I had a good time even though it is against my better judgement to ever go dancing. We said our goodbyes and down the road back to the campground. I was really glad I went and didn’t feel too badly in the morning despite my wine and multiple beers. I was all packed and ready to go so it was just a matter of hooking up the car. Thanks Shannon for a GREAT time!

Love Trader Joe’s and the Apple Store

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Off to the Apple Store…

I entered the Apple Store on my Garmin and it said it was about 16 miles from the Enchanted Trails RV Park. I had scheduled my appointment online for 2:00pm. I got to the store at 1:00pm so I went to the Genius Bar hoping they could take me sooner. No such luck. They are very busy and told me to come back closer to the time I had scheduled.

The Apple Store is located in a very high class shopping area know as Uptown. Lots of very expensive stores. I did find a Starbuck’s and stopped in there for a coffee and “Very Berry” coffee cake. Then I just walked around until my appointment.

The Apple Store is really a very friendly environment. I walked to the back where they checked me in and then they found a seat where I could sit until they could wait on me. They had all my information regarding my speaker problem with the phone. Within a few minutes I was showing another guy my phone and he was writing all the information into an IPad. Stuff like what I had done to see if the speaker would work, etc.

He took my phone and said they would check it out in the back and replace the speaker if needed. He mentioned it could take about 25 minutes. Within 10 minutes he was back with my phone and demonstrated that the speaker now worked. GREAT!! I can now hear when someone is calling me. That is what a phone is for, isn’t it?

They were very professional and when I asked if there was any charge he said absolutely nothing.

Trader Joe’s in the same shopping center….

I walked out to my car and happened to notice a Trader Joe’s on the other side of the parking lot. I haven’t shopped at a Trader Joe’s for a long time and had to go.

I usually buy my groceries from a list that I create on my IPhone. Whenever I think of something I immediately write it down. I usually don’t buy anything else unless it is on the list. It usually keeps me from overspending.

However I only had a couple items on my list when I entered Trader Joe’s, but went ahead and shopped the entire store and bought my items that weren’t on my list. I love eating seafood and if you check out the seafood in Walmart it is rather bleak. Most times I usually buy any seafood from a good grocery store instead.

However, I did see some great seafood items at Trader Joe’s that I just had to have. That and a packet of sushi that I used to enjoy many years ago. I had the sushi for dinner that night. YUM! YUM!

I also bought my favorite Italian Roast coffee. I used to drink this coffee for many years before fulltiming.

Very windy…

The rest of the day was very uneventful. I was glad to get home after shopping as the wind was blowing very hard. New Mexico winds can get rather gusty at times.

Billy as in Billy Goat…

When Jim and I went 4 wheeling in Rockhound State Park he suggested a name for my Suzuki Samurai. He said it was just like a Billy goat since it could go just about anywhere. So Billy it is!

My Lazy Daze “The Breeze” as in the song by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Billy. That sounds cool. They make a great pair.

Will leave here on Saturday…

Saturday we will be heading north. I didn’t want to travel on Friday because Amazon will be calling for my interview. I missed the last time they called because my IPhone speaker wasn’t working and didn’t even here the call. So they rescheduled it and I really need to get it right today.

I am leaving in the morning and found a Harvest Host winery that I can stay at for the night just north of Albuquerque. Harvest Host offers many great places to stay like wineries, farms, and orchards and it doesn’t cost anything. These places are located in every state even Canada and Mexico. They don’t have hookups but with solar panels who cares anyway. Besides I need to try a different wine for a change.

Chica’s New Friends

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Chica loves to meet new friends…

When we arrived at Rockhound SP Chica was very anxious to meet her new friends. I had been telling her all about them so she was really happy when she actually got to meet them.

There was Sophie and Elvis the kittens we had heard so much about from Jim and Gayle’s blog Life’s Little Adventures. Chica only got a chance to meet Sophie when Jim brought her out one day. She only got to see Elvis through the screen door. Here is a pic of Jim and Sophie.

Chica was very excited about meeting her new “cat friend”.

Lots of new friends…

Besides Sophie and Elvis she also go to meet Debbie’s very fun loving dogs Elliot and Rupert. She had lots of fun going on walks with them. In this pic she and Elliot are discussing their favorite dog food.

Plus don’t forget Katie owned by Barbara of Me and My Dog and My RV fame Katie is also a Chihuahua just like Chica, but she is larger and Chica has to look up to her (just like everyone else). Here are a couple of pics of all the gang including Elliot, Rupert, Katie, Sophie and Chica.

We have now moved to Elephant Butte where we will spend the next couple of days. Chica misses her friends as you can see from the next couple of pics.

She is going to miss all her friends, but soon she will be meeting up with Sadie when Jimbo meets up with John and Linda to head north to Canada. This is a pic of Sadie at Quartzsite.

Chica and I would like to thank all our friends we camped with at Rockhound State Park. We both had a wonderful time. We are both looking forward to seeing you again.

One last hike before heading north

The day prior to leaving Jim, Gayle and myself all want on a hike out in the desert. It was a couple miles past where we hiked the first time. It was a neat spot. We even found some flowers. It is amazing how beautiful plants grow where there is absolutely NO water.

Jim and Gayle led the way as we climbed next to a wash. They are very experienced hikers and it took a lot to keep up with them.

We didn’t make it to the top but had some terrific views nevertheless.

This next rock formation looked like an elephant.

Off to Elephant Butte State Park

We took off Monday and stopped at Elephant Butte State Park at the South Monticello campground. I have been here many times in the past and never tire of the beautiful here. I took a couple of pics to show you.

I was only going to stay there one night but changed my mind and stayed two instead. I am glad I did as the wind was blowing pretty good and wouldn’t really have wanted to drive in it.

Next stop Albuquerque

I will be heading to Albuquerque tomorrow and staying at the Enchanted Trails RV Park just west of the city. I have an appointment at the Apple Store on Thursday and I hope they can fix my phone at that time. On Friday I will have my interview with Amazon for next winters job.

Working at Amazon

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Jim Melvin

On 10/17 I started my first day at Amazon. Work started at 6:30am (OUCH) and there was orientation and training all day. Last year the first week on the job consisted of 4 eight hour days. This year they started us right off with 4 ten hour days.

I also received my work assignment. Last year I was a packer and this year I am a picker. I walk around with a scanner in hand and pick the items from bins that then go to the packers. We were told that pickers walk an average of 8-10 miles per day, but I am happy with that job. I don’t have to stand in one place all day, but move all around the fulfillment center.

My work days are Wednesday through Saturday and I get Sunday through Tuesday off. I just finished my second week here and believe me I am really happy to get those three days off. It gives your body a chance to recover, especially your hands.

I had some excitement over this past weekend. As you probably know I decided to work this past summer and winter to save up for a small vehicle. I would then have more freedom of movement while camped at different places rather then unhook my rig each time I had to go to the store. I have been following craigslist for some time trying to get an idea what was available on the market and what it would cost.

I saw a Geo Tracker listed in Fernley, NV (how ironic) which looked really nice and was pretty much what I was looking for, however he wanted more then I thought I could afford ($4,300). What was really ironic was that I saw it parked at the entrance to the Desert Rose RV Park where I am staying while I work at Amazon. In fact I could look out my window and see it from my rig. A few days later the price had come down to $3,900. I decided to take a look at it up close. I really liked what I saw as the owner had put a new convertible top, dash cover, seat covers and added a new tow bar. I again looked in craigslist and the price had been reduced to $3,800 so I knew the owner really wanted to get rid of it. I then called him up and offered $3,500 and he accepted. I met him at the car and took it for a test drive and it ran really well so I gave him a check to hold the car until I got the remaining money from my investment account. I am very excited and wish it could happen right now. This is a pic of the car. It is very clean inside and out and I can tell it has been taken very good care of.

I called my investment adviser on Monday to have them sell some shares in my account so I could pay him the balance. However the Stock Markets are closed both Monday and Tuesday due to Hurricane Sandy so I won’t be able to get the car until next Monday when the money will be in my account.

Getting back to working at Amazon, the hands get very sore from using a scanner and the feet get sore from walking so much. I do have good shoes so my feet aren’t too bad. I try to switch the scanner to my left hand, but I still seem to favor my right hand. But I am getting better with my left hand.

There was a cold front that went through here and it got down into the 20’s at night, but right now the weather is great. It is 74 high and low 30’s at night. I have both electric and propane heaters and have finally figured out a good balance between the two.

Saturday my neighbor and friend from last year Steve and I went to a local casino and everyone was decked out in their Halloween costumes. What a riot. It was a great time. If you drink at the bar the drinks don’t cost anything (except for a tip) if you tell them you are gambling. I had two Corona’s and only put $6 in the slot machine. It was a really fun time.

Tomorrow starts my third week on the job with eight more to go. Actually the time is going by pretty fast. Before long I will be with all my friends at Quartzsite, AZ.

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