Not Beating the Summertime Blues by Motte Brown on 05/13/2009 at 2:03 PM

Today's Boundless article, "Beating the Summertime Blues," by John Thomas brought back some painful memories for me, particularly the summer between my freshmen and sophomore years of college. That was the summer I worked the third shift in a textile mill as a yarn-boy.

In case you don't know, the sole purpose of a yarn-boy is to deliver full bobbins of yarn to the workers feeding the spinning and weaving machines.

Working through the night in that hot factory for 10 weeks took a toll on me. I still remember how awful it feels to be drenched with sweat from head to toe in jeans and a t-shirt, which was standard yarn-boy attire. When I arrived back on campus, I had lost about 17 pounds. Not exactly the career launching internship one hopes for during summer break.

But I did learn from the experience. Mainly, I learned I didn't want to be a yarn-boy (or work the third shift for that matter). And that gave me a new appreciation for the value of higher education.

That summer, I didn't beat the blues, I embodied it. Sometimes though, that can be a good thing.

Not Beating the Summertime Blues by Motte Brown on 05/13/2009 at 2:03 PM

Today's Boundless article, "Beating the Summertime Blues," by John Thomas brought back some painful memories for me, particularly the summer between my freshmen and sophomore years of college. That was the summer I worked the third shift in a textile mill as a yarn-boy.

In case you don't know, the sole purpose of a yarn-boy is to deliver full bobbins of yarn to the workers feeding the spinning and weaving machines.

Working through the night in that hot factory for 10 weeks took a toll on me. I still remember how awful it feels to be drenched with sweat from head to toe in jeans and a t-shirt, which was standard yarn-boy attire. When I arrived back on campus, I had lost about 17 pounds. Not exactly the career launching internship one hopes for during summer break.

But I did learn from the experience. Mainly, I learned I didn't want to be a yarn-boy (or work the third shift for that matter). And that gave me a new appreciation for the value of higher education.

That summer, I didn't beat the blues, I embodied it. Sometimes though, that can be a good thing.

Comments

[1. obewan said the following at 2:19 PM on May 13:]

1

I can relate to the factory blues. I spent the summer as a laborer in a tube mill making stainless nuclear steam condenser tubing. There was a 2000-degree heat treat process, and the plant routinely was about 120 degrees. I went through 2 quarts of iced tea and several salt tablets for every shift. I had to do about 5 production jobs, and some of them were the hardest of hard labor. The only good thing was I got some weld inspection experience related to my engineering degree. But, I did not see how people could do it for a lifetime at $8 and hour and survive and support a family on those wages.

[2. Dan Gill said the following at 2:41 PM on May 13:]

2

We must remember that there are people who work in such conditions for such wages. And their lot is very rosy compared to how most people of the world earn their wages.

[3. Marie said the following at 3:27 PM on May 13:]

3

I am in a somewhat similar situation. For the fourth summer in a row, I will be working a job at my school that I don't enjoy much at all. The people I work with are the only source of enjoyment I get. I try not to be bitter when I think about how close I was to getting my dream summer job. One thing that I have heard multiple times, though, is how blessed I am to have a job, because many do not. Helps to keep things in perspective, as long as the summer may be.

[4. Louise from Chicago said the following at 3:35 PM on May 13:]

4

Yup, those summertime college jobs!

I worked in a cable factory the summer of 1984.

The shift was 7-3:30, but it was easier to get up during the summer months, the location was close to my parents' house and no dress up was required.

That was my first full time job...the first time I made some REAL money (I had only worked part time in high school and the summer afterwards.)

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Brown.

[5. Mo said the following at 4:17 PM on May 13:]

5

I'd be happy with ANY job right now.

[6. Sarah P. said the following at 7:19 AM on May 14:]

6

I always worked for my parents. I was very spoiled -- no job hunt required. Just stepped in and started writing, researching, and answering phones. :P

[7. Cory said the following at 10:19 PM on May 17:]

7

My dad worked in an auto factory for a summer or two sometime in high school or college - I don't remember when exactly. He did QC on the cylinders. He told me mainly what he learned is that you can do almost anything for 10 weeks. Helped me through a few of my jobs.

[1. obewan said the following at 2:19 PM on May 13:]

1

I can relate to the factory blues. I spent the summer as a laborer in a tube mill making stainless nuclear steam condenser tubing. There was a 2000-degree heat treat process, and the plant routinely was about 120 degrees. I went through 2 quarts of iced tea and several salt tablets for every shift. I had to do about 5 production jobs, and some of them were the hardest of hard labor. The only good thing was I got some weld inspection experience related to my engineering degree. But, I did not see how people could do it for a lifetime at $8 and hour and survive and support a family on those wages.

[2. Dan Gill said the following at 2:41 PM on May 13:]

2

We must remember that there are people who work in such conditions for such wages. And their lot is very rosy compared to how most people of the world earn their wages.

[3. Marie said the following at 3:27 PM on May 13:]

3

I am in a somewhat similar situation. For the fourth summer in a row, I will be working a job at my school that I don't enjoy much at all. The people I work with are the only source of enjoyment I get. I try not to be bitter when I think about how close I was to getting my dream summer job. One thing that I have heard multiple times, though, is how blessed I am to have a job, because many do not. Helps to keep things in perspective, as long as the summer may be.

[4. Louise from Chicago said the following at 3:35 PM on May 13:]

4

Yup, those summertime college jobs!

I worked in a cable factory the summer of 1984.

The shift was 7-3:30, but it was easier to get up during the summer months, the location was close to my parents' house and no dress up was required.

That was my first full time job...the first time I made some REAL money (I had only worked part time in high school and the summer afterwards.)

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Brown.

[5. Mo said the following at 4:17 PM on May 13:]

5

I'd be happy with ANY job right now.

[6. Sarah P. said the following at 7:19 AM on May 14:]

6

I always worked for my parents. I was very spoiled -- no job hunt required. Just stepped in and started writing, researching, and answering phones. :P

[7. Cory said the following at 10:19 PM on May 17:]

7

My dad worked in an auto factory for a summer or two sometime in high school or college - I don't remember when exactly. He did QC on the cylinders. He told me mainly what he learned is that you can do almost anything for 10 weeks. Helped me through a few of my jobs.