Ok, so if you don't know already, I am a lowly Air Conditioning Mechanic / Installer. It's a pretty cool job at times…but lately it really sucks. I don't really enjoy doing installations, I like to challenge my mind by troubleshooting broken stuff.

While I take pride in doing installations, it just gets to me after a while. We have been doing piping (kind of like plumbers do) for about 4 weeks now at St. John's University in Queens, NY. Firstly, they have their own in house service guys….so we get evil looks for doing an installation on their…"turf". We got to know a few of the guys and pretty much got accepted as their own…for the time being.

Picture these guys as ex-AC guys who found a cozy job where they walk around doing nothing all day. Cant argue with the logic there….

Anyways, I have been doing this for over 6 years now. July will be the start of my 7th season….(ack, gasp, cough….get me out of here).

This one older gentleman (Nicklas) has named me "Torch". While this can be pretty nifty nickname…it really annoys me. I look young, and I happen to be working with another mechanic from our company, John. John and I pretty much split the work load 50/50. But it seems this clown is always around when I am either handing John copper or other materials or up on a ladder TORCH in hand.

He says some snide remarks like…"Ah what are you good for torch", or "He gives you all the easy stuff" and "You better not get any leaks there kid".

The best he has said so far was….."Are you sure you know what you are doing kid",

I stopped, turned off my torch and looked at him…..I said listen POPS….I have been doing this for 6 years. I am not a helper, not a junior mechanic and certainly not John's bitch. I know EXACTLY what I am doing…..

Well, thats not really what I said…but I felt like it.

What I really said was…."I hope I know what I am doing after 6 and a half years". I tend to just ignore his dumb old ass…..

But it really bothers me….John thinks its funny….but he thinks everything is funny LOL