Big problem

Hi guys,

Well I have ran into quite a problem this year. As most know I am a policeman by trade, but a struggling seasonal weenie man at heart. I feel safe talking about this on this forum because my wife is not aware of it. Recently my boss came in and asked me if I would like to become our "Part-time" detective. This would pay a little more, not enough to worry about, but I would still basically be a patrolman/detective. I did not have a problem with it till he stated that I would have to give up my coveted third shift slot and go to second trick.

Now the problem (s). I love working thirds, I work by myself. I like thirds, I have worked night shift for the past twenty years for the most part. My biggest problem is that I will basically have to give up my little hot dog cart efforts this year. I really love to do the hot dog cart, and can't imagine giving it up.

Now to muddy the waters further. My wife is on a kick to push me into taking the P/T detective slot. She thinks it would be a good move for the future. I am not sure how she thinks this. It is a very small Police Dept. I am going nowhere. The move would really benefit us nothing. If I do not take it, they are going to give it to the new guy.

What do you think? I love the shift I am on. I love my hot dog cart, and all Vs. passing up on what others believe is a good opportunity. Am I seeing this upside down?

I would appreciate your opinions,
thanks

I met a man( a fellow roadfooder)who explained to me that hot dogs were his passion, and that he was lucky enough to be able to have a lucrative job, but also fulfill his "passion"That man is ChicagoStyleDog.I was impressed with his dedication.My opinion is to continue to do both as they are if you can.it doesnt sound to me like passing up that promotion would be all that detrimental to your career.

Unless you are broke or in desperate need of additional money, almost never give up something you love for money, no matter how much it is.

It sounds like it could be a good opportunity for someone, but not you. If you like what you do, when you do it, I don't see the reason to give it up for someone else. You're the one who has to deal with it, not them.

Detective Myway.. Sort of has a nice ring to it!

Follow your heart or you'll be one miserable sumbich.

And then your wife would be miserable too!

You gotta do,
What you gotta do,
And it's gotta to be
The right thing for you.

-Mark Reitman

Ann, thanks for the kind words. I found my passion and discovered it was my calling. Who ever would have thought it all started with a hot dog?

CSD PhD-Professor of Hot Dogs

take the job!! you wont be working 7 days a week, so you can sell the weiners, on your days off, and maybe for lunch.... but dont confuse your passion with you priorities.
thats my nickel
peace!

You gotta keep the money comin' in. No doubt about that.

Keep your shift and your happy hot-dog life. That is, if you can convince the wife that's what is best.

Hey MyWay... My hubby is on the job too... midnights... for the last 20 years. My take on this is that YOU have to be satisfied with your job(s). If you love what you are presently doing (which is what it sounds like to me), then taking a "promotion" that throws a monkey-wrench into your present situation may be a mistake.

Others may say "take the promotion" and "keep your priorities straight" (define "priorities"... not always MONEY), but if it makes you miserable (NOTHING worse than a miserable cop... this is the voice of experience), and the job can do that to you anyway, then let the new guy get a leg-up... and keep your good deal going (as long as you are OK with your finances and not hurting the family by it).

It sounds like this is only a promotion of title... not necessarily a decent pay raise (not unusual).

As far as "not working 7 days"... you also don't work 5 days on and 2 days off like everyone else (most cops don't), so working around the day-shift with the dog cart will be more difficult... if not darn near impossible.

In my husband's case, he's turned down the "promotion" to days a few times, because it would cost him seniority and first dibs on vacation time... which is of more value to him.

Maybe think of this.... Once you are eligible for your pension, would you stay on the job or would you keep doing the dogs?? If the PD is just your source of medical coverage and retirement investments etc... and NOT your "passion"... then do what you have to, put your time in where you are serving the community effectively, and keep your dog cart which you "can't imagine giving up"

If I were in your shoes, and I could stay on top of my financial commitments (and maybe then some), I would take the life where I have a sense of contentment and satisfaction. There are people in this world who never have the opportunity to achieve that... and there really isn't a dollar amount that compares to it.

Just my humble opinion... best of luck to you in this decision.

Thanks everyone,

Sure is a hard decision to make. Life is just full of curve balls isn't it. I am going to take a week and figure it out. Appreciate it.