My SteerPlanet handle started out as an insult, about 11 years ago, at Tyson Foods, Inc., Berryville AR plant. Just like the young man from Virginia, I didn't have a job (or a Cattle Operation, like so many of my peers) waiting on me when I graduated from the University. So, to pass the time, I went back to my old stand-by: The Chicken Plant. Northwest Arkansas was in the midst of a transition from Mayberry to Metropolitan, and, "lucky Me", I had a snooty California-girl ( Valley-girl lingo, etc.) for a Supervisor.
The job I had, was the "Grinder Operator", for Lines 5 and 6. This was a new experience, as I hadn't worked in "Preparation" of Fully Cooked Product before. If I remember correctly, I was responsible for ginding Breast Filets, in order to transform them into the "BK Broiler" sandwich patty. In fact, those two lines together produced about 2/3 of all the Chicken Sandwich patties sold in the Continental USA at any/all Burger King Franchises.Worked 6 and 7-day weeks. The job involved a lot of heavy lifting, as each "tub" of raw Breast Meat weighed 70lbs, and a "Batch" was 1700 pounds, counting Marination & all. Me& Gayle Schupenheymer had to ''wash down'' at each Break-period, too. And, being fresh outta school, pressed Wranglers or Cinch Jeans was about all I had. So, I hopped it on down to Race Bros. and bought 6pairs of Big Smith Overalls.
Back to Valley Girl and my nickname.
My Supervisor was passing out paychecks one week, but kept passing me by. In disgust, She said, "I don't see a'Billy Bob's' check in here", when I asked for mine. My 'Lead', Jeff Siverly, said, "Oh, that's Gary! He worked here as a teenager. Now, He's just a sorry, ol' taxpayer like Us!'', and kinda diffused the situation a little bit.
Somehow, or another, "GaryBob" kind of evolved from that conversation. In fact, many people to this day (the ones I didn't go to High School with), in Berryville and Green Forest don't even know my middle name is "Allen".
I still wear Overalls when I'm working a "work" kind of job. Just like my Daddy,and both Grandfathers.
Long story, but, that's how "GaryBob" came into existence.
GB
