Dishwashing Pete hails from San Francisco, and presents himself as a guy with no ambition, just trying to get by in the world by working as little as possible. After stumbling into a few dishwashing gigs, he starts his own zine featuring tales of dishwashers around the country, and embarks on his goal to wash dishes for pay in all 50 states - something I found kind of ambitious. Pete tells his readers about the states he washes in, his quests for The Sign (Help Wanted), and his evolution from guy who washes dishes to Dishmaster. As you might imagine, there is only so much you can talk about when it comes to dishes. Pete does meet colorful characters along the way and work in many different types of establishments. There are interesting factoids about past dishwashers and the dishwashing culture. But, I did find that the book dragged on. Despite having a semblance of a plan, Pete did not really have a plan, and he was quite haphazard in reaching his 50 state goal. Of course, this is kind of the point. Pete is not the ambitous guy with the plan. He is the guy with some ideas, that after years of meandering sometimes pan out. Yet, Pete does develop somewhat of a cult following, and he does manage to live for years just washing dishes when the mood strikes. He now lives in Amsterdam and is writing a book about riding his bike around that city. I think Pete might be a very frustrating and unreliable employee, but this book does make one think about their own jobs and the point of life. He seems to have figured out a way that works for him, but nothing I can imagine too many people will be emulating any time soon. Which, I'm sure, is just fine by Pete.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Dishwasher - Pete Jordan
Dishwashing Pete hails from San Francisco, and presents himself as a guy with no ambition, just trying to get by in the world by working as little as possible. After stumbling into a few dishwashing gigs, he starts his own zine featuring tales of dishwashers around the country, and embarks on his goal to wash dishes for pay in all 50 states - something I found kind of ambitious. Pete tells his readers about the states he washes in, his quests for The Sign (Help Wanted), and his evolution from guy who washes dishes to Dishmaster. As you might imagine, there is only so much you can talk about when it comes to dishes. Pete does meet colorful characters along the way and work in many different types of establishments. There are interesting factoids about past dishwashers and the dishwashing culture. But, I did find that the book dragged on. Despite having a semblance of a plan, Pete did not really have a plan, and he was quite haphazard in reaching his 50 state goal. Of course, this is kind of the point. Pete is not the ambitous guy with the plan. He is the guy with some ideas, that after years of meandering sometimes pan out. Yet, Pete does develop somewhat of a cult following, and he does manage to live for years just washing dishes when the mood strikes. He now lives in Amsterdam and is writing a book about riding his bike around that city. I think Pete might be a very frustrating and unreliable employee, but this book does make one think about their own jobs and the point of life. He seems to have figured out a way that works for him, but nothing I can imagine too many people will be emulating any time soon. Which, I'm sure, is just fine by Pete.
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1 comment:
Read this book on Saturday, on my day off from dishwashing (I also work as a Systems Analyst when not washing dishes).
It was a pretty light read, and I'd recommend it if your are in the market for a light read.
His lack of work ethic annoyed me, and up and quitting on those who were good to him bothered me too.
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