Lifestyles of the Millennial Elder Part I

I want to share my experiences as a "Millennial Elder", a term coined by Iliza Schlesinger. This first part is about my life until I graduated High School (1982-2000). This is about the generation that shaped me into the person I am today. I learned very important lessons in this time frame that most people learn as adults. One of the most important lessons is that mom is always right.

Single Moms Get the Short End of the Stick

I was raised in Atlanta, Georgia by a single mother. She never received a penny of child support. She made just enough to cover the necessities and barely too much to collect government assistance. She had an okay paying job for a single mother with no college degree. There weren't many women in banking back then and having a child was widely considered a liability for any employment. There was no calling out because your kid was sick or coming in late because your kid missed the bus. There certainly wasn't any possibility of her showing up at the school in the middle of the day if something happened. There was no room for error.

Despite all of that, I was extremely well cared for. I had a roof over my head, a warm bed to sleep in, nice clothes, shoes, and school supplies. I was always clean and well put together. And I certainly never missed a meal.

It Takes A Village

I have a very small family. My aunt and uncle lived up the street. My aunt was a beautician and my uncle was a plumber. They had two daughters who were about 15 years my senior. They worked with my uncle throughout high school. My oldest cousin got her plumbing license right out of high school (she was the youngest female licensed plumber in the southeast) and my uncle started a plumbing company named M. Cary & Daughters Plumbing. My aunt ran the books. Since they all basically worked out of the house, there was always someplace I could be when my mom was out working or somebody to pick me up from school if needed. I had great neighbors that would watch all of the neighborhood kids in the afternoons and weekends too.

Kicking Rocks

Summer break, I remember my mother scraping together money to send me to summer camp at the YMCA. They would bus us to the Grist Mill in Stone Mountain park every day and I loved it. At some point, several YMCA's bought a piece of property called Rock Chapel. It was basically the site of an old granite quarry. I hated it there. Luckily, my uncle had started purchasing foreclosed houses. He bought a couple of houses on my street and a house right behind my apartment building. He would do all the work on his own and then rent them out.

"Arithmetic"

After school, the school bus would drop me off in front of my aunt's house. If somebody was home, I would stop by. Sometimes my uncle would be at the kitchen table with an envelope and a pencil and would ask me to help him with his "arithmetic". He would say, "I had to drop out of school in 7th grade to work, so I need your help figuring out these numbers." I always thought he was kidding. He was not, although he certainly doesn't need any help with numbers.

That's How It's Done

This one particular day my uncle wanted to build a deck on the back of one of his properties. He had never built a deck before, let alone one that was three stories off the ground. He had three people come out and give him a quote to build the deck. He reviewed their material lists and then we called local hardware stores to get pricing on materials and tools to do the job. Then I would help him with the math. Obviously, we determined it would be much cheaper to build the deck himself. He built his first one on his own house. For the first few years, I wasn't allowed on the deck. He was afraid that it wasn't structurally sound. He built a second one right below that one and along the way, he learned more and more about the dos and don'ts of building a deck. Once he was satisfied that he knew what he was doing, he built several on almost all of his properties.

You Get What You Ask For

After school, if my uncle wasn't home, I would walk up to his properties to see where he was working. He would give me a broom and ask me to sweep up the sawdust. After a while, I got the idea that instead of going to an expensive summer camp that I hated, I would ask my uncle if I could work with him over the summer. The next day, I brought my proposal to my uncle. I said, for a dollar a day, I will come by and help you with your properties during the summer. He agreed. My mother, on the other hand, was harder to convince. She told me that a dollar a day was not enough. I said if I asked for more he probably would say no. Eventually, she said "whatever".

Working For The Man

The next summer, I started working with my uncle. First I was sweeping the floors and handing him tools. Then I was demolishing plaster walls and dumping construction debris into dumpsters. Once the plumbing and electrical were done, we would hang sheetrock and I would mud, sand, and paint. My uncle would put up molding and I would caulk and paint it. By the time I turned 12, his properties were fully renovated and rented. Since there was nothing else for me to work on, I started working with my oldest cousin on her plumbing truck.

You Laughin' at Me?

I knew absolutely nothing about plumbing. I drove my cousin crazy. She sent me out to her truck for a pipe cutter. I was gone over a half an hour when she came out mad as hell. "HOW HARD IS IT TO FIND A (EXPLETIVE) PIPE CUTTER?" I said I couldn't find it. She reached into her tool bucket and pulled out three and asked me very angrily, "WHAT ARE THESE?!" I yelled back, "CLAMPS!" She was literally in tears laughing. Once she composed herself she showed me that although they look like clamps, they have a little wheel on the front that would cut through the pipe and then demonstrated how it was used.

Know Your Worth

I had many learning moments that summer. One day we went for lunch and my cousin said, you're getting paid, why am I buying your lunch every day? My uncle always bought me lunch or we would make sandwiches at the house. I told her I only made a dollar a day and that I couldn't afford it but I would bring a sandwich from now on. She got very upset and told me that I wasn't allowed to work with her until I re-negotiated my pay to something reasonable. I was afraid that if I asked for more money my uncle would say that he couldn't afford it and I wouldn't have any money. She said, "I have been working you like a full grown man, you need to be paid like one." It turns out, my uncle likes to negotiate. I should have listed to my mom.

Who Needs A Computer When You Have A Typewriter?

It was around this time that my mother decided we needed a computer. I remember sitting in that damn Best Buy for what felt like hours (it probably was) as my mom started working numbers in her head trying to find a way to buy this computer. They offered financing at 0% APR for 6 months on the new Compaq Presario desktop computer. We needed to be able to pay off this computer in less than 6 months because the interest would have crushed us. She created a budget and came up with a plan to afford it. I tried to tell her that we didn't need it. I had just bought myself a spiffy new electric typewriter with spell checker and correction tape. I thought I was hot stuff. She was adamant that she was not leaving without that computer. It was as if our lives depended on it. Once again, mom is always right.

That's Just Old "Hack"

While she learned everything about how the computer worked and all of the important stuff, I picked up a few things along the way myself. For legal purposes, I will leave it at that. I remember coming across a cool website building tool by a company called Arachnophobia. Playing around with this software, I learned basic HTTP. It was like what we know now as a text editor. You would type out what you wanted, highlight it and then click a button for a color, or bold, or font size and it would wrap your text with the appropriate code. You couldn't help but learn the code because it was so simple. This MS-DOS based software was cunningly named Dreamweaver (yep, the one and only; now owned by Adobe). It had a little web with a spider on it. I had also learned that you can go into .ini files and customize software. I would go in and rebrand everything with my name or give myself unlimited lives in games. Ah, simpler times.

Early Retirement

I continued to work with my cousin or answer the phones at the house during the summers and my mom continued to learn more and more about computers. By the time I was 15, my uncle's plumbing company had outgrown the family kitchen and the small shop where he stored his materials. He bought a building in downtown Decatur. We renovated it to have office space with a parking lot and a garage. From then on, at the ripe old age of 15, I retired to working in the office. I answered phones, got deposits ready for the bank, calculated payroll, ordered and received warehouse inventory and would go out on trucks as a plumbers helper when needed. My mom had finally left her crappy job at the bank and started working for a banking software company. I started tinkering with IRC bots and scripts for chat rooms.

We've Got an ID10T Situation Over Here

By the time I graduated high school my mom was a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. She tried to talk me into getting my certification but I honestly couldn't wrap my head around why people would pay so much for something so simple. Such a trend would surely die off now that "plug and play" was all the rage.  I was a fool.

My high school graduation present from my mom was a trip to Rome, Italy.

Part II is going to discuss the next chapters of my life. How I used my experiences to go out in the world and the new experiences that brought me to where I am today. Part III will breakdown the major takeaways and compare all of these things with today's society.

Comments

  1. I liked your work and the way in which you have shared this article here about Lifestyle . It is a beneficial and helpful article for us. Thanks for sharing an article like this.
    Luxury Lifestyle Magazine

    ReplyDelete
  2. After a long time, I read a very beautiful and very important article that I enjoyed reading. I have found that this article has many important points, I sincerely thank the admin of this website for sharing it. Best plumber durham service provider.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you Best plumber chapel hill service provider.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I generally want quality content and I found that in your post. The information you have shared about unblock drain gold coast is beneficial and significant for us. Keep sharing these kinds of articles here. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It’s actually a great and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing! Best Foam Insulation Frisco Texas service provider.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for publishing such great information. You are doing such a great job. This information is very helpful for everyone. Keep it up. Thanks. Plumber Burleigh

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an interesting story you shared here! It is really very cool that you learned a lot of real-world problem-solving skills while helping elders in your family. No matter what one does for earning the basic skills like plumbing, little electrical fault repair, paint, etc, everyone must learn. I know many people got crazy over little things because they do not know either how to fix or what to do. In fact, I call Handyman Plumbing Services for any plumbing issues but I too know how to fix any fuse, change a bulb, and painting and all credit goes to my father who always taught me these smaller but helpful things. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm sure you had great knowledge about Lead Pipe Replacement Cumbria. You gave us much information. This information is really good and commentable. Thanks for sharing your things with us.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. Read more info about Aquamax hot water system repairs

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is truly a well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so engaged in this material that I couldn’t wait to read. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thanks. Read more info about Hot water repairs

    ReplyDelete
  11. Installing the pipelines for the gas supply of the house is called gas plumbing. The people who do this job are known as a gas plumbers. If you want to hire gas plumbers in National City then you can contact John Padilla Plumbing, Inc. Gas plumbers near me

    ReplyDelete
  12. For house owners in Chula Vista, boosting the effectiveness of a plumbing service can help save water and also energy. A functioning pipes system ensures that your home is cozy and healthy and balanced at all times. Improving the efficiency of plumbing components helps prevent facing a pipes emergency that may be expensive. Property owners need to purchase a contractor that will certainly provide professional plumbing solutions on a routine.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is truly a well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so engaged in this material that I couldn’t wait to read. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thanks. Read more info about water damage service

    ReplyDelete
  14. The information you've provided here is fantastic because it provides a wealth of information that is really useful to me. Thank you for sharing that. Business Intelligence

    ReplyDelete
  15. The information which you have provided is very good and essential for everyone. Keep sharing this kind of information. Thank you. Cost Effective Plumbing Services Sydney

    ReplyDelete
  16. I read your post and got it quite informative. I couldn't find any knowledge on this matter prior to. I would like to thanks for sharing this article here.deck builders san antonio

    ReplyDelete
  17. The information in the post you posted here is useful because it contains some of the best information available. basement insulation. Thanks for sharing it. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your blog contains lots of valuable data. It is a factual and beneficial article for us.high mineral water Thankful to you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The information in the post you posted here is useful because it contains some of the best information available. Thanks for sharing it. Keep up the good work Vapor Mitigation Systems.

    ReplyDelete
  20. A very delightful article that you have shared here. Your blog is a valuable and engaging article for us, and also I will share it with my companions who need this info about Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures Inverness Thankful to you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's a nice article, Which you have shared here about the Gambling. Your article is very informative and I really liked the way you expressed your views in this post. Thank you.Mixer Tap Replacement Western Australia site.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Today's youth waste hours on their mobile phones and tablets, which will neither benefit them today nor benefit them in the future. I wish young people would look at Assignment Writing Services and know what can be beneficial for them today and tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Men discover that they can plan, launch, and run the highly lucrative house and apartment cleaning enterprises just as effectively as women. It's a perfect enterprise for anyone who is genuinely motivated and wants to start their own company, You can get the small office cleaning handy because of its affordable rate.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This article provided me with a wealth of information. The article is both educational and helpful. Thank you for providing this information. Keep up the good work. Customer Training Learning Management System

    ReplyDelete
  25. The delightful article you have posted here. This is a good way to increase our knowledge.Spot Free Water System Continue sharing this kind of articles, Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  26. You have done a good job by publishing this article about roofing contractors st george utah I appreciate your efforts which you have put into this article, It is a beneficial article for us. Thanks for sharing such informative thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  27. The Business Solutions Network provides its clients with useful data and information on international markets and supports them to successfully enter new markets and increase their efficiency and productivity at present. One of the best network platform Boardsi that provides a web-based network that connects executives and companies looking for leading candidates for open advisory roles providing the largest curated collection of Compensation Board work in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I appreciate the work and effort that went into this article. This paragraph provides you with a clear picture. Without a question, it is an insightful piece that may assist us in expanding our understanding. deck builders Vancouver

    ReplyDelete
  29. As newer hardwood is surface sealed with polyurethane, it doesn’t need water to keep it clean. Sweep away dirt and dust to help maintain its durability. Discount Flooring Nashville

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great job for publishing such a nice article. Your article is not only useful but it is additionally really informative. As we provide Best Plumbers in Gold Coast at affordable prices. For more info visit our website.

    ReplyDelete
  31. The name says it all. We are the best plumbing crew in Fort Worth. From the humblest of beginnings, we currently boast a team of qualified and experienced plumbers proudly serving Fort Worth.2003 8th Ave #1037 Fort Worth, TX 76110
    fort worth water leak detector

    ReplyDelete
  32. This article you've just presented is appealing. I'd like to learn more about these types of blogs. Thank you so much for sharing this blog. plumber knightsbridge

    ReplyDelete
  33. I couldn't agree more with your recommendation to perform regular maintenance on our water pump . Neglecting to do so can lead to clogs, leaks, and other issues that can compromise the effectiveness of our irrigation systems. Thanks for reminding us of this important step!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Drain blockage is a complete nightmare and you know that there’s nothing much you can do on your own, simply call Leak Detection Solution LLC.
    Drain Cleaning

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts