Soundings

“Mike” LifeMoves by Crystal Escolero [Introduction] Hi my name’s Mike. Grew up in Santa Clara. Good neighborhood. Decent anyway. Not rich. Not exactly poor. Depends who you ask. I went straight to work, in a machine shop. That’s when IBM used to give all their jobs to all the little teeny companies in the bay area. So, I had a great job for six months. Next thing I know everyone got laid off and everybody was out of work. So, then getting a job after that was...you know, I just turned 18. When you turn 18, it’s like “Oh you’re not trying hard enough. Get a job you bum.” And there were no jobs to get. All you can do is find little part time jobs. So, you never make a dime to do anything. Except feed yourself, buy your cigarettes, and drink your beer. I just got stuck in that realm...