Sunday, August 28, 2022, was my last night as a part-time driver for Domino’s.
This job was the second time I’ve worked for them. The first was from 1991 to 1995 to keep me busy on Friday and Saturday nights while going through my first divorce.
This job’s low-stress level enticed me to go back to fill some scheduling downtime. I only had to show up, drive, oven tend, and help clean.
In late 2019, I decided to retire from timing and event management and approached Domino’s to drive again in my slow winter period for about two months. While in the racing season, I would work as hours permitted.
Soon after starting, Arsenal Events offered to buy Race Timing Unlimited’s equipment, and we signed an agreement in early 2020 to close in April 2020.
We timed a few races in early 2020 before COVID.
With businesses closing and races going virtual, demand for food delivery skyrocketed, and nobody wanted to drive. Somebody had to do it. I stuck around and delivered as the COVID shutdowns continued.
Once COVID lockdowns started lifting, drivers were still challenging to find. I reduced to working four nights a week in the summer of 2021.
In early 2022, I decided it was time to stop work. My recent health issues may be a result of living an inconsistent schedule. I ate three meals on work nights between 7 am and 3:30 pm. Work nights lasted until 9 pm, with one night per week past midnight.
Making hay while the sun shined, I decided to work through the end of the summer.
As I told my boss last Friday, “this was the longest two-month job I’ve ever had.” As, two months stretched into 32.
I’m happy to report that in my second tour, I had no accidents, never got pulled over, never called in sick or with car issues, and was always on time or a little early to work.
With over 45,000 miles and 4000 deliveries, I probably did a few things that irked fellow motorists. After all, the car topper carried a stereotype.
For the first time since 1961, when I entered kindergarten, I don’t have a scheduled life. For those 61 years, I’ve been in school, working, or looking for work. I may lose track of time without a weekly pattern.
But, I’ll be able to eat meals at the same time each day and get a constant sleep pattern. I’ll be able to run later in the day in the winter and keep the early morning summer runs.
Working did extend my retirement savings time, and I did not start making withdrawals and continued Roth IRA deposits. I should have enough not to have to move in with my daughters.
I’ll still measure courses for USATF certification and work as a USATF and USAT official. And, of course, continue to write.
You won’t see me on the roadways.
BTW, for those needing money to pay off their student loans, Domino’s has a dire need of responsible drivers.