Guys in Trade / Scott Ferguson / Recreation / SGA

Day 93, 7th Vocational Trade Day-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I think I'm starting to bond pretty well with the guys. I stay away from the two other girls in trade, I could care less about them. But the guys, well they're the people I need to get along with if I'm going to move up or survive in HER. I get along with all these guys outside of trade but in the workplace it's a totally different atmosphere. You have to be able to crack the right jokes and mess around at the right time and be serious when it's time to work. Ask questions, but not too many. Stand your ground, but know your place. I can tell that I've been doing pretty well. They're starting open up more and more and take me under their wing. When I say they I mean Kevin. He's the foreman. He helped me get into HER. He's kind of like a big brother thing to me. His girlfriend, Karlee, has turned out to be one of my best and loyal friends here also, but that's another story.

Anyway, Kevin has been telling me the dos and don'ts in trade. Everything from safety, to how each instructor works and how to get on their good side. His biggest rule is "Don't act like a dumbass" (his words not mine). Kevin is a very nice guy. He's funny, sensible, caring, and honest. The fact that he's honest is probably why I've put my faith and my position in HER in his hands. I used to rely on him because I really didn't have a choice, but now it's because I trust him.

Another guy is Neuroth. I really don't know him too well outside of trade, but he really knows his stuff, and he's very non judgemental. He's very patient and he takes time to explain to me the projects he's working on, as long as I don't get in the way.

And then of course, there's Jamie. Since there were so many rumors flying after we got back from Thanksgiving, I was afraid to talk to him during trade. I didn't want the instructors to catch wind of anything and start reconsidering whether or not they had made a good decision letting me into trade. But after Jamie and I talked and lots of reassuring from Kevin, I've been able to act normal. It's nice not to feel like I'm walking on thin ice. The instructors haven't said anything and Jamie and I can be friends all the time, instead of just when I think it's safe. Things are starting to flow smoothly and fall into place.




Scott Ferguson, as many of you may already know, is my instructor. When we went off center yesterday, I got to be in his rig with Kevin, Neuroth and some of the other guys in trade. I think Scott learned quite a bit about me and my ability to handle the vulgarity and brutishness that the guys sometimes portray. I think he was impressed with the way I pretty much went right along with it and fit right in. He even let me and another guy, Michael, wrestle in the back seat until he could see that I was losing badly and called it off. After I sulked for a little bit because it was certainly an unmatched fight, I shook it off because I realized that moping is for children and girls. Nobody likes a sore loser.

On the way back I got to ride up front with my instructor. Scott and I talked about hometowns and work, basic small talk. I used to be scared and intimidated by him. I used to tell Jamie he was like God; if he didn't like me and I couldn't win his approval, he was sure to smite me. That more or less means that if he decided that I wasn't worth the effort, he would give me one hell of a hard time and make it difficult for me to graduate from Job Corps with an HER certification. But then I built the confidence and asked him why he called off the fight with me and Cain. He said that he wanted to see if I could hold my own and once he could see I was getting close to boiling point he called it off. Curious, I asked him if I passed. Scott then said that he could see I was stubborn and headstrong and that by the time I got out to with HER I'd stand a chance. Well... not exactly the review I was looking for but I guess I deserved it. I haven't seriously worked out since wrestling season and I'm not as muscle-y or in shape as I was. The good thing is, I'm pretty sure I heard a tone of approval in his voice. I think I'm starting to like this Scott Ferguson guy.




I resigned from the position of Recreation President today. I decided that I really just didn't want to put up with the bull crap anymore. I hated being the bad guy and I got tired of being there everyday. There weren't any rewards for this leadership position and I wasn't helping or building a good bond with any of the students. Besides, I want time to relax and I have a lot of catching up to do in trade, now that I have the opportunity since I got my GED. I'm going to miss Rec and I'll miss feeling important, but in the long run, I'm going to have a whole lot less gray hairs on my head. It was hard being in Rec and not correcting people for swearing or chewing, but it's not my job anymore. And you know what, I feel a hundred times lighter.




From one leadership to another, SGA (Student Government Association) elections are tomorrow. My name is on the ballet under "Vice President". I'm running against Jamie's roommate, David. He's older, been here longer, a male, a top leader in Dorm 4, and he's friends with a lot of people. He'll probably win. And I kind of hope he does. Not sure if I'm quite ready for Vice President of the whole student body. I've only been here three months and I'm just starting to settle. I guess we'll just have to see how things go...


Wish me luck!