Heavy Lifting and Monty Python…by Deb Eileen

As a part of my day job I visit the various worksites of my clients so that I can better understand what they do and if they’ll be able to go back to work at some point in the future. It’s a great way to get the behind the scenes view of different occupations. Some of the more interesting jobs I’ve researched and visited include:

  • fire fighter
  • surgical instrument sterilizer (you don’t want to know what gets caught in those things)
  • orthotics lab tech (the people who make prosthetic legs etc.)
  • sausage factory worker (you don’t even want to imagine this one)
  • tug boat driver
  • demolition diver (blowing stuff up under water)
  • chicken de-beaker in a slaughter house (this one gave me nightmares)
  • lumberjack (I kept singing the Monty Python song in my head when I was there “I’m a lumberjack and I’m okay. I cut down trees, I wear high heels suspenders and a bra….”)

There are hundreds of jobs that you wouldn’t even imagine existed. Many of them I would never want to do. They involve a lot of heavy lifting or working with icky substances. I am not a fan of icky. This is why, even on days when I want to pound my head on my desk, I realize that writing is a pretty good gig. Sure, there are the downsides, endless waiting to sell, reviews that break your heart and book signings where the only people who show up are looking for the bathroom. There are days when my “imaginary friends” are kicking my butt. They refuse to show up and play nice on the page. There are days when I wonder why in the world I would pick such a random business- but trust me I’ve looked around, writing is still pretty good.

Now if only writers had a good Monty Python song….

7 Replies to “Heavy Lifting and Monty Python…by Deb Eileen”

  1. You’re so right, Eileen. There are a lot of not-so-glamorous jobs out there – and for those of us not exposed to other occupations like you are, it only takes one episode of Dirty Jobs to learn that (I am always humbled when I watch that show). Not that writing in pjs is always glamorous ( see my guest post!), but yeah, it’s better than removing chicken beaks.

  2. I find it have to believe that anyone would show up to your book signing just because they are looking for the bathroom. The demolition diver sounds like it would be cool though.

    I have Unpredictable on my tbr list.

  3. Joanne- plus while PJs might not be glamourous they are comfy.

    Cheryl- the demolition diver was pretty cool- in a getting to pretend you are James Bond kind of way. I hope you like Unpredictable and thanks for adding it to your list!

  4. Yikes, Eileen! Blowing things up underwater would be VERY low on my list–I have a low risk tolerance. Interesting window into your “other” life!

  5. I have authority issues so thank God I’m a comic. Although I’ve gotten in trouble there too. Yeah, writing is the best. And as to heartbreaking reviews? Imagine standing in front of an audience and they heckle you to DEATH. Makes a heartbreaking review sound almost civilized.

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