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.