23 Comments
Sep 8Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

I was late reading this but want you to know I enjoyed it. Hope your Labor Day weekend was wonderful! Thanks for another positive take on even your worst job - and for the reminder to think about the true laborers out there.

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It’s nice that you took time to read it at all. Thanks so much. I’m really glad you liked it!

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Sep 5Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Sir Andrew Hill,

As always, it’s a pleasure to read/hear Jazprose Diaries. This particular article truly caught me off guard. For a moment, I was transported back to those “contact center” days you spoke of… oh, the memories you resurfaced are as fresh as yesterday. I’m so glad that what I once considered my worst job became one of the best experiences of my life, too – for all the reasons you mentioned. Thanks for this perspective, My friend❤️

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Ah Tara,

How very good to see you here. Thanks so much for reading and commenting on this particular piece. You were certainly in my mind as I wrote it. As were the other trainers and friends who became like family to me. I'm really glad your worst job became a positive experience for you, too. I certainly admired your personal and professional growth during the time we worked together as you moved into training and management. I don't miss that job, but I do miss good souls like you, who helped make my time there worthwhile. Thanks again, my friend, for letting me know you saw this one and for taking the time to share your reaction.

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Sep 4·edited Sep 4Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Thank you for that tribute to the day-to-day laborers!! Your words ring true for me because several years ago, I experienced discrimination and mental/emotional harassment in the workplace. Fortunately, my cousin and your brother, Keith Hill (Attorney-at-Law), gave me some redeeming advice/steps of how to proceed. And, even though I've been retired many years, I'm still grateful to him for that!🤗

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I’m so sorry you went through that ordeal. The stress of experiences like that can be overwhelming. It’s good to know you found trusted help in someone close to us both. Rumor has it he’s a pretty good guy!

Thanks for taking the time to read and share your experience in this thoughtful response. Glad you were able to retire and leave all the bad stuff behind. Now you can spend as much time as you’d like making your delicious gumbo! Just let me know when it’s ready ;)

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Sep 4Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Lovely words and informative insights as always

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Thanks so much, David, for taking the time to read and respond. I really appreciate it.

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Sep 2Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Yes, it does, and that is fascinating. Thanks for sharing your experience. We are off and running, though we already took an entire week off because we got sick! But thank you so very much, I appreciate you and your kind encouragement ❤️. Cheers to you, and thanks again!

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Sep 2Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

So good. Thank you for honoring those who labor. That story of the psychic is wild, who could have known she was right!? This was a wonderful read, thank you.

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Makes you wonder about psychic abilities, doesn’t it? I’m so glad you enjoyed my Labor Day post, Jenn. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your encouraging response. It means a lot to me. Hope you’re off to a wonderful school year with your kids. I really admire your parenting and your art. Cheers!

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Sep 2Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

As always, great piece and a great perspective by you. Timely reminder of the ways that some people find to make other people suffer for little if any legitimate reason. I marvel at your ability to link something said at an encounter to your work experience years later. Sadly, I wouldn't recall words said let alone be able to knit a meaningful story to then. If I ever met a psychic, she likely predicted "you will forget this encounter". In any event, thanks as always, for providing great perspective so that tomorrow's holiday will be more meaningful for me.

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Funny thing about that, Biz. My brother and I were just talking about how long it takes to retrieve stuff from the past these days, especially things we used to be able to spout off in an instant. We were talking about Jeopardy! in particular. But it applies to other areas too. So you're definitely not alone. Though I really enjoyed your take on what a psychic might have said to you. That was hilarious!

For the time being, I still have strong memories of some encounters. Like that psychic's prediction back in the day. Although I remain skeptical, I do wonder if these predictions plant a seed in the unconscious, which we are always looking and maybe calling forth without realizing it.

Anyway, it's always good to hear from you. I'm really glad you enjoyed this piece. Hope you're keeping well. Have a wonderful holiday.

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We record Jeopardy and then watch together and doing that for years. I have the same comment about the time to retrieve info is lengthening. I believe there is little rhyme or reason for what I remember or what I forget. The info decides I suppose.

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A perfect piece for labor day. It's heartbreaking how much low-wage workers (especially) are exploited. One of my hardest but most consequential jobs was organizing a union for part-time college teachers, who the colleges depended upon but treated like second-class citizens. We won and negotiated a contract that improved our lives and working conditions, but by then I was so disenchanted with Higher Education, I left it for the nonprofit sector--still low wages but filled with people with principles who really cared about others.

On another note, I sympathize with your writing journey, landing that coveted A-List agent, who, alas, wasn't able to get a contract for your stories. I had a similar experience with my first novel. Were you able to get the stories turned into a novel? I'd love to hear more about your jouney.

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What a coincidence. Last night I read an essay on Medium by another former college teacher who expressed the same disappointment about the education system. I’m glad you found a better situation working with people who share your values.

I noticed two things while working as an interviewer, which seem to exist within many organizations. 1) Hierarchism is the new racism. 2) Contempt for rank-and-file employees permeates corporate culture, regardless of HR claims to the contrary. It’s tough for the individual to navigate a system that cares more about profit than people. Really tough, but that’s the way it is. Those who realize this, as you did, must look for other options.

I did covert my story collection to a novel, Deborah. But at 750 pages, it was too long. It has gone through several iterations since then and remains a work in progress. More about all that later.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response, Deborah. I really appreciate it.

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Aug 31Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Oh...oh....oh....and yes, Andrew!! The factory workers I was responsible for during COVID when we were forced to shut the factory down--knowing that if I didn't find a way to pay them--they too could be out on the street.....(And thankfully, we did.)

But also...the psychic. I have my own version of that story which led me to be exactly where I am now...maybe one day I'll write about it too...

1 Million Bad Words...it's possible, I might almost be there...which means those good ones are right around the corner...Loved this...as always....D

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So glad you found a way to get those factory workers paid, Diana. Not surprised to learn you went to bat for them. About those million bad words: Long after he won the Nobel Prize, Samuel Beckett was still uncertain about the quality of some of his stories. He was surprised when Paul Auster told him he liked one of them. Maybe the definition of "bad" is a moving target?

As for psychics, there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy. (Would you believe I just came up with that line on my own? If so, there's a bridge in New York I'd like to sell you!)

Thanks so much for reading and for taking the time to share your encouraging response. Always good to hear from you.

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Aug 31Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

As I often remind myself.....,"What The Bleep Do We Know?!"

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Aug 31Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

A poignant tribute to honor all workers. Bravo!

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author

Thank you very much, sir!

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Aug 31Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

An excellent piece to help us remember the real meaning of Labor Day.

It made me think back to my brothers and sisters in the lamp factory in 1964, who really opened my eyes to workplace conditions and the plight of the undocumented. I bet their stories and the same stories persist. Thanks for helping me to remember them.

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Thanks for reading and sharing what you witnessed in that lamp factory back in the day. I think you’re right. Those stories and stories like them probably persist to this very day. Good to hear from you!

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