Believe it or not some of the convicts have a pretty good funny bone. Besides that, I came to the point with all the bad things I saw and dealt with that nothing would upset me. They tried though.
Roofing. Working with hot tar on top of hot roofs was no fun. Also had a job unloading trucks - back breaking labor.
I saw that ‘back breaking’ labor as being useful exercise. It’s why I didn’t mind the heavy lifting. Carrying 200lb+ was normal and expected. That job taught me the importance of being strong and physically fit.
Weekend janitor at a 24-hour fast food joint. Saturday and Sunday morning cleanup of the bathrooms was a real education. Men's room: No different from the rest of the week. Women's room: Mother of Satan. What drunk women do to public restrooms has to be seen to be believed. And you don't want those images in your head. Couldn't complain though. I volunteered. I was making $2.35 an hour slinging burgers and frying chicken. The boss offered me $2.55 an hour to come in early Saturday and Sunday to clean up the parking lot, lobby and bathroom damage done the night before. The drunk female brain is a twisted thing.
Black mold removal. $10 hr under the table when I was unemployed for a minute. I’m proud I am willing to do anything to make money when it comes down to it. Most would sit at home
I'll credit it as making me take a look at my life and getting my shit together so I wouldn't have to keep doing that kind of work.
Our high school friend who was a corrections officer just killed himself. It’s like being in prison everyday for 30 years.
But you got to go everyday. Plus those guys wanted to be cops. They are former jocks who in high school were the most popular guys. Now they work in a prison and see other people doing much better. It’s like a strip club. They get to go home too but they take that shit home with them.