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I did it! I made $600 in one day!!! I’m a natural? No. That was so much sleazier than I could have imagined. Here my initial reactions as I vent and try to explain what happened on my 14 hour first day. Ugh… I need a hug. MUSIC "Five Armies/Spyglass” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Today, I officially sign the papers as training is completed. I’m an official private contractor! Also, I meet the Business Owner personally. He came in to class for a motivational speech to let us all know that WE TOO are primed to make the big bucks $$$. I also find out from people who’ve been in the business for a while that working 100 hour weeks for 5 months in a row is the key to success. Is this the type of “temporary” job I’m looking for? What did I sign up for? MUSIC "Adrenaline/Spyglass” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

On my ride home from day two of training, I’ll keep letting you know how things progress. Today, one of the “big dogs” pulled me aside to let me know just how much potential people were seeing in me. The funny thing is I haven’t showed them anything yet… Music by me.

For my entire drive home from work, I’m venting on what it was like on day one of vacuum salesman training! Would you like to guess how I’m feeling? Not too excited. Should be the other way around for day 1, right? Music by me.

I got a job! As I'm driving into work for day one of (unpaid) training, I share what the “hiring process” was like. I’ll give you a glimpse of what I think this will be all about. Spoiler… I’m not too optimistic so far! Music by me.

Let’s wrap this thing up. In the final episode I get some more texts from the Business Owner that don’t make any sense. I’m realizing more and more that I’m probably not getting paid at all for the time (approximately 34 hours) that I put into this. He quit texting. I think he got the hint that I’m no longer interested. When I started training I was thinking that if it didn’t work out, that at least it would be a good story. I hope it’s been a decent story! If you’ve made it to this episode of the “Vacuum” season, thanks for joining me! MUSIC "Greta Sting/Spy Glass" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Stock media provided by Pond5 “Indie Rock Energy”

So I think the Business Owner forgot that he fired me… Maybe he’s super forgiving. Maybe he’s forgetful. In this episode, we talk on the phone for a while as he makes a last ditch effort to “promote me” and fly me to the Midwest for training on his dime. I couldn’t make this up, right? Stock media provided by Pond5 “Indie Rock Energy”

We fast forward… It’s been a few days since my first day on the job! I haven’t gone back. I’m just sorting things out. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll even get paid for the work I did. I talk to the Business Owner a few times, but he’s a horrible communicator. But this is my fault. I get fired via text message. My career is going down in flames! MUSIC "Adrenaline" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Stock media provided by Pond5 “Indie Rock Energy”

For the last 2 plus years I've been traveling across the country with my travel nurse girlfriend. Living in different cities for just a few months at a time, it can be interesting finding work for such short periods. Living in Eugene, OR is no different. Well, it's a little different actually. I'm having trouble finding work as quickly as usual. So when the phone finally rings, I accept an interview for a job that I should probably disregard. But I don't. I take the job and I report back to you (the listener) on what it's like to be a vacuum salesman. I'm planning on making this last for the 3 months that I'm in Oregon, but my conscience is telling me no. Join me as I spend time pursuing a short lived career as a vacuum salesman! - Music By Me...

This episode features Tony Palermo, a life coach who says shifting your negativity to positive thoughts is key to building a happy life. He was sad and depressed for years, and after searching and searching for the answer, he finally found it and is now hoping to help others find positive change in their lives! Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

Tara has a great message! She's come a long way from where she used to be. She's evolved as a person and reinvented herself! We have a great talk about the pursuit of happiness, living in the moment, and how she got to be where she is today. Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

Kristin's motto is "it's time to tell". She's helping people realize that it's ok to speak up about sexual abuse. It's a tough subject to talk about, but Kristin tackles it and has grown into a strong woman who's helping children who are exposed to unfortunate situations. She's showing to be a great role model! Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

Actavist, not advocate... I misspoke in the intro. I hate when that happens. Here's part II with Phillip! This was an engaging conversation for me as I love hearing Phililp's takes on society, government polocies in relation to the pharma industry, and so on. We pick right up where we left off in this sequel to episode 6. Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

I speak with a young lady who's basically turned her passion of travelling into her job. She's a writer and You-tuber among other things with a knack for adventure! She went through some hard times growing up, and it's a blessing that she's come so far in order to be able to live out her dream! We talk about what it's like to travel the world and how she makes it work on a budget. Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

Meet Imad! He's the most motivational dude I've come across yet on the podcast. At only 22 years old, Imad's story includes plenty of adversity. He's always been a hard working individual, but his perspective wasn't always as positive as it is now. We learn exactly how and when that shift happened. Imad also talks about his exact purpose in life and his specific goals. It's a refreshing and inspiring take on life from a young guy who's wise beyond his years! Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

John Paul Fay is a creative type. He's a writer, and a good one at that! What's interesting is, that he had a four year correspondence/relationship with serial killer and admitted cannibal, Arthur Shawcross. In this episode we explore how this became. We get stories of John's interactions with Mr. Shawcross; a very sick human being with no remorse. - Stock media provided by SWEETWAVEAUDIO, Pond5, NickPerrinMusic, and AudioJungle.

Here's Phillip! A great conversation that really goes in depth. From his early teenage years growing up in suburban Illinois, to coming into his prime and having to spend those years tied up by the legal system as they defined him to be a "criminal". It was fun hearing his unique, but very logical perspective of how the legal system and pharmaceutical industry act as a cartel in order to keep their profits soaring. Our conversation went so well and had enough depth, that we'll have a part II coming soon in order to finish! Eventually after prison, Phillip finds something he can lobby for that he's passionate about. I've got a feeling he's damn good at it, too! Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

When Kevin Driscoll talks with his friends, he keeps his mouth shut. As I talk with Kevin, we get a peek inside the life of a ventriloquist! Pretty cool, right?? Kevin gets to entertain regularly. He fulfills his passion in life by putting smiles on peoples faces of all ages. I couldn't help but have a smile on my face after getting the opportunity to talk with him! MUSIC "Christmas Rap" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Stock media provided by SWEETWAVE AUDIO/Pond5

Talking with Damien Horne was a pleasure! He's a very kind and down to earth guy. Growing up, he started out in the projects (1 of 12 kids), was homeless in LA and Nashville before becoming a full-time artist and speaker. Damien has a vision to help others believe that they can fulfill their own purpose in this world. MUSIC "Cipher" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In episode 4, I have a great conversation with Jimmy Dasher. He's a gifted musician and singer-songwriter from San Antonio, and now living in Nashville. He works in the music industry in multiple capacities and we even hear a bit of his music and his thoughts behind writing it. Jimmy's a great guy and fun to talk to!