My five hour shift stretched to seven plus on this surprising day
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
Eugene, Oregon
December 18, 2016 12:52am CST
I was scheduled to work an easy 10 AM to 3 PM shift at the bird seed and feeder store, but people who had been cooped up for three days by our icy storm decided to brave the 30 degree weather and come out to buy bird seed, feeders, gifts for their bird loving friends, humming bird feeders and all manner of merchandise we carry.
One of my co-workers and good friends needed to leave at three. There had been four of us to sell and cashier until then. I agreed to say a while and that became over two hours on this record setting sales day. I finally left a half hour before closing, having sat down for maybe ten minutes to eat a sandwich I brought from home.
We are only open from 11 to 4 tomorrow. I hope we have more than two people working, since I am one of them! 
Photo is mine
Photo is mine24 people like this
23 responses
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
18 Dec 16
Sounds like you were quite busy. What ever happened with your shoe selling job?
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Dec 16
I bagged it after a few days that made me remember how much I did not like selling shoes.
2 people like this
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
19 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic It's funny you didn't remember that before you got started. A good thing you didn't give up your job at the bird seed store.
1 person likes this
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
19 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic I guess I missed your discussion or I'm getting very forgetful. I know I wouldn't want to work for commission alone. I couldn't sell a bottle of water to someone dying of thirst in the middle of the desert. I'm not one of those guys that can sell ice to an Eskimo in the middle of winter.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325333)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic In situations like this, I usually say 'think of the money'. 
I hope you don't have heaps of things to do to get ready for Christmas. And it's sad that someone has lost a loved one so close to Christmas.
I hope you don't have heaps of things to do to get ready for Christmas. And it's sad that someone has lost a loved one so close to Christmas.1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Dec 16
@JudyEv Yes, it is too bad that happened at this time. I guess he had a 13 year old son, was only 50 and was an ICU nurse. The money will be nice.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Dec 16
Funny how people wait until so close to Christmas to get their gifts. You will have a nice check this time.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic ......Sounds like a back ache in the making.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Dec 16
@celticeagle Doing okay so far after my five hours today.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
Yes, there were many gifts purchased and many, many 20 pound bags of seed.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
Maybe most of the shoppers came out early and today will be more normal.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
This is the time of year that people think about bird feeders. The weather is turning wintry and we remember our feathered friends who are looking for food.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
Yesterday was really crazy. The cold weather really made people aware of the birds' plight. There were lots of gift seekers too.
1 person likes this
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
2 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic as long as you got work, and you are not too tired at the end of the day.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Jan 17
That was a crazy, record setting day. I won't be working nearly as much in January.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
18 Dec 16
what a pretty birdfeeder, made prettier by the icicles. what is that tiny bird called?
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
20 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic i had a feeling it was a hummingbird. i'm glad it found a home with you.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
That is an Anna's hummingbird, one that stays around here all winter.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Dec 16
@hereandthere There are several around and they do not share well at all. I have two feeders and they are guarded fiercely by one bird each.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
Thank you @LadyDuck! I had had a good night's sleep and will eat heartily before I go to work today, so should be fine.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457298)
• Switzerland
18 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic Good luck for your day, it was not very cold here today and sunny.
@kevinakash (2084)
• Sri Lanka
18 Dec 16
seems it is a busy day. why do they open only from 11-4? tomorrow is a weekday know?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
Saturday was the day I wrote about and today is Sunday, the 11 to 4 day. We are a day behind you.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Dec 16
Well, at least you should be happy that the bird seed business is booming for you! I can't believe that so many people have bird feeders and take the time to care about the local birds! I think that's great, and I'm excited that you guys had a record sales day! Hmmm...maybe I should get into the bird business here in Florida! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic Sounds like Mr. Gleason has found a passion that he can make a good living off of! Good for him! It's really nice when people can follow their passions and make a career out of it!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Dec 16
@moffittjc Yes, the franchised branch has been great for him.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Dec 16
Yes, it was great for the owners of the store. We employees are glad to see it too. The owners are good people and know a whole lot about birds. Dan Gleason taught Ornithology for 35 years at the University of Oregon.
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3341)
• Bournemouth, England
18 Dec 16
As a very enthusiastic feeder of birds myself it's good to know that there is such a demand. Perhaps after this record day, any future combination of bad weather and Christmas shopping might make it easier for the company to predict how long workers' shifts should be.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
That would be good. We are the only store in town dedicated to birds only and have a high quality seed and suet, so it is always interesting.
2 people like this
@asfarasiknow (3341)
• Bournemouth, England
18 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic What a great-sounding store! The sort of part-time job I would love (although I am sure it must have its negative aspects).
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
@asfarasiknow Not too many really, I am glad to say.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
18 Dec 16
I would love to work part-time in a store like that but the standing would bother my hip- perhaps too they were buying things for the birders on their Christmas list! That's the problem with retail- you always are asked to do extra hours!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
It is pretty hard on my legs after four or five hours, but I recover quickly.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
19 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic Yes for me it would be my legs, and my poor old feet 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157481)
• United States
19 Dec 16
People shop a lot before storms, and then when the weather breaks again. I do hope you have help when you need it as well.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Dec 16
We had adequate help today, though it was quite busy.
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
22 Dec 16
Having a small staff always makes the day too busy. Hope you don't get that many hours tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
22 Dec 16
They did call today, but I was only there for two hours to help with a two ton delivery of seed, quite a workout.
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Dec 16
Yes, Saturday was crazy. Today was extra busy too with sales at least double what usually happens on Sunday.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
22 Dec 16
hope you got some rest afterward. i bet you have a couple more busy days!! last minute shoppers are out in full force. well, my working days are now "done" unless they get some big parties which is rare come january... I really am going to have to hunt for something a little more steady darn it.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
22 Dec 16
I wish you well with that! January will slow down and I will be working very little, I'm sure.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Dec 16
Great photo with those icicles. The "juice" for the hummer wasn't frozen?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Dec 16
No, somehow it had not frozen yet. I am bringing the feeders in at night and replacing them early each morning.
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Dec 16
The extra money is always nice!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29233)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Dec 16
Yes, it really is, especially during the holidays.
1 person likes this
