life back on track
quite some years back, i was a bit of a trainwreck.
i was on ludicrous amounts of drugs (no heroin/crack thank god) and drunk all the time. i lost my job as a bike mechanic, i was on the rocks. my friedns had crumbled to almost nothing, my folks barely knew me and i did my best to avoid them.. i was on the verge of homelessness and utter self-destruction, self harming, depressed etc.
i finally started to clean myself up, stopped the drugs and was working where i could find work.

my old boss from the bike shop called me, we'd spoken recently (we were friends despite his firing me) he'd heard i was sorting myself out, and he'd also fired the guy who was rinsing the shop for money daily, who i then learned had blamed me, hence the firing (i'm many things but a thief i am NOT )
he apologised and offered me a chance to work there again. i took it.
he over the following 2 years, helped me with wage advances, even helped me move my stuff into a new place after my housemates csrewed me over.
then one day we were talking about uni and how i was so angry that i'd fucked up and dropped out.
the next week he presented me with a ucas form, a written reference, and a cheque for the application fee, which he refused to take back. despite knowing he'd lose me as a mechanic, he told me he wanted me to succeed and that this was no business to make money in.
he didn't have to do that, and i fuckin love the old guy for it. i'm now a qualified graphic designer working in networking (i know i know.. ) with a decent wage, and if it wasn't for him, i'd never have believed in myself enough to give it a try.
so, richard howes, step up and take a bow, because you did somethign i will never be able to repay as long as i live. you beluieved in me when no-one else even me did.
(UppityDamnPrimate LET'S OPEN THIS F*CKING PIT UP, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 22:26, 2 replies)

crack
is really moreish
(papa bouba slap your face, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 22:35, closed)

*click*
This has actually brought a lump to my throat. I work in the bike trade and have worked with several bike mechanics who have "ended up" doing their job because it's the only thing they have a remaining passion for after becoming disillusioned with everything else. Drink, drugs, relationships, family: lots of things have left them stuck in a badly paid job ignoring their dreams because they're working in a trade they once enjoyed even if it is so low paid.

Well done Richard Howes and well done you for making good on an opportunity. Bless you.
( sanityclause is waiting until, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 23:43, closed)