How do you feel today?

[lorin]

I had a dumpster delivered. And I am dumping and dumping and dumping. Sort of like a fast. Once you get past that scary empty feeling the lightness feels kinda good.

[Cameraman Jenn]

Nice, ritual purging can be very cathartic. I was perusing places over in the East Bay last night and I came across this gorgeous bungalow and it's dog friendly with a wood burning fireplace and wood floors and a yard and all new appliances and newly remodeled bathroom for about 2/3 rds of what I am paying for my dingy studio. I want to move on it but my old store, Sorus's store is still up in the air as to final management decisions and there is a good possibility there will be an opening there so I don't want to move to the East Bay only to start working in the city again. There is also a big part of me that doesn't want to move out of the city anyway because I've been feeling cut off from my friends a bit due to my hours and scheduling anyway and to move to the EB would only enhance that, but still. The place could not have been more perfect for me and my Mooseman.

Guess I need to change my title and tag lines since I am not sporting an assatar for the first time in a year...

[Sorus]

I considered moving out of SF when I was working out of the city... glad I didn't for many reasons. At the same time, don't know how much longer I can afford to live here.

We got... introduced to our new manager yesterday. I don't know how I feel. Spent the whole week preparing for a major audit that never came. Tired of miscommunication and lack of communication and being at the bottom of the food chain. At the same time, zero interest in moving up the ladder. Tired of not knowing what will happen to me when the new boss starts, since I have no official job description and my position was basically created by the last manager. I am hoping it won't change; though the company has been pulling away from admin-type jobs over the last few years, several locations have recently failed state audits and been hit with major fines. At the same time, a lot of the work I do is behind the scenes, and gets taken for granted because people (even management people) don't really understand what I do, how much time it takes to do it, and how crucial it is that I have time before the store opens to complete tasks. If they change my schedule so I can 'provide coverage', I can't do my job. If they stick me on a register for hours because 'everyone else is busy', I can't do my job. If we fail a Weights and Measures audit, it's on my head and I'm probably out of a job. Eight years of experience as an auditor and I'm making a little over minimum wage and quite a bit less money than I was making ten years ago. I know, it's the way things are right now and I should count myself lucky to have a job at all. And there's always the thought that no matter how bad things get, it will never be as bad as my last job. Meh... I am tired, frustrated, and depressed. Thanks for listening to my rant.

[Cameraman Jenn]

Well, if the world works as it should, I should be coming back to SF which would make your life easier because I know what job you do. There is going to be a transition time in which the new person has to agree to their management team so that's why it is up in the air. To quote our regional manager, "I don't force a management team on anyone, I support them in their right to choose and to help move out anyone they do not feel fits their team." Therefore we have to give the new person some new time to assess and decide before any changes are made. It's frustrating, I know. I do understand, and I can relate. I am making quite a bit less dollars an hour than I used to make. When I signed on with our company I was actually making about 1/3rd what I used to make and that was starting above the normal starting wages by several dollars. Unfortunately, our company has wage guidelines and job descriptions that are national and are not easy to flex on. However, if I do end up coming back then there is a window for me to help redefine your job and classification etc. I need to be in it to work it though.

[Cameraman Jenn]

I had a pretty good day today. I even got my very serious store manager to join in the fun today. I sold the first PPP of the day with full attachments of memory, camera case etc. on a digital camera today and so I got on the walkie and said, "I am in it to WIN it today people, I just got full marks so I truly have my groove on and if anyone needs help jumping on my bandwagon just come see me because I am ready to be your cheerleader." She thanked me on the walkie and said she really liked that attitude. Then later when i made one of the hourly copy center announcements I used my best radio commercial announcer voice, tempo and slightly sing song rhythm and I could hear her laughing down one of the aisles. Then later we got busy in the copy center and we still don't have a replacement for Crystal on weekends so I taught Cheng a bunch of stuff and she really likes learning it. Later when I went to break Cheng was on break too so we went outside and talked a bit and I asked her if she liked the copy center and she said she really did. Before I went home I made a point of going to see Tina and telling her first, how quickly Cheng picked up the things I taught her, specifically what I taught her and that she likes the copy center and she's good at multitasking. Tina agreed and was grateful for me volunteering the information about Cheng liking the copy center. Then Tina and I were leaving at the same time and she came up to the copy center to put her walkie away and said to Cheng, "I heard you are good at cpd and that you like it." Cheng said, "Yeah." Tina said, "Work on your available hours for your night schedule and for now we will put you in there on weekends if you want that." Cheng said, "Ok." Then Tina walked off and Cheng was all happy about it. I told her, "You KNOW I got your back." She laughed. At some point in the end of the day I found out that the new guy is MAC friendly too! I am no longer alone in that. That made me very happy. I gave him the lowdown on what products that say Mac friendly ARE actually Mac friendly and then announced that we had another Mac person on board over the walkies. On ewky notes, Phil called me over to help him since he was with three customers and I ended up with the guy looking at printers. He was totally leching on me with lines such as, "You are a firecracker and if I was twenty years younger I would be all over you." and standing way too close and telling me he could tell I had great energy and giving me suggestive looks.... ewww.... I was very tempted to look him straight in the eye and say, "You know I'm a lesbian, right?" just to see if that would make him back off but I restrained myself, smiled and laughed and claimed to be evil instead and then kept holding up my finger for him to shush and responding to walkie chatter even when they weren't talking to me so that he would hopefully get the hint that I was too busy for his games. It sort of worked. Oh well, I guess that's taking one for the team. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

[Shuram Gudatetris]

Tomorrow is the first day of my vacation that I can't afford to take. I shall do nothing during my week off, no plans. Just sit at home, and not be at work. But I was too burned out, had to escape.

I am going to spend all my money that I can't afford on buying food and creating weird foods that I have always wanted to try. I already made a mixed-vegetable pie, and it turned out excellent. (like a pumpkin pie, but made with a medley of green beans, pees, corn, carrots, and potatoes).

Cameraman Jenn, do you know Stephen King's Misery? Your sig reminded me of the story within the story. I always wished that was a whole book, so that I could read it. Seemed very interesting.

[aliantha]

Staycations are quite the thing these days, Shuram. I'm going to be doing one myself in about a week and a half. After I take Magickmaker back to college, I'm going to come home and enjoy having the apartment to myself for a week. I actually saw a suggestion in the paper to design yourself a "spa staycation", which sounded mildly amusing, so I may do something along those lines. At least I'll get out and do some urban hiking in my new-ish neighborhood, and see if I can find an indoor pool nearby. I've been such a couch potato since last winter.

[Krazy Kat]

Did some job-hunting today and will try out for two job vacancies advertised within the same company, both with excellent rate of pay. I'll just have approach it positively and tell myself I'm the best person for either position. Then somehow weave it into the covering letter.

At last some warm sunny weather. As a matter of fact, this has to be the best day's weather this year. Not only was it hot, hot, hot, but actually felt invigorating and kind on the eyes to the point of real healthiness.
The town center was busy like a Saturday afternoon, rather than a Monday morning. It was good to see the young kids in their bathing costumes playing in the Market Square fountains.

Also received a credit card from my bank, which I'd been refused about a year ago. I'll be able to do some shopping on line now...well, as soon as I've got some money to spend!!!

Better late than never, I suppose.

[Damelon]

Arrgh. I came home to find out that Mani, my dog, dragged one of my pillows out into the living room and tore half the stuffing out of it. His way of restoring chaos. He must have figured I tidied things up too nice in the living room this weekend.

In other news, the weather has been so much better the last couple of days. The humidity is gone, it is actually great to be outside again.

[Sorus]

I need a vacation.

It's usually next-to-impossible for anything to get under my skin, but I've been irritable for the last few months. I don't like feeling this way. I recognize that I've changed a lot in the last couple of years, and mostly for the worse, but this isn't me. I'm tired of being tired and stressed out.

[Cameraman Jenn]

I'm sorry Sorus, that totally sucks.

I had another relaxing day. I hung out at the cafe again, doing sudoku puzzles and chatting a bit with the regulars. Then Heatherly picked me up and we went to Chris's house and hung out and played several cut throat rounds of "go fish" with the new "Ladies of Star Wars" playing cards I gave him. They are awesome and yes there is even a sexy card pic of the singing alien from Jabba's barge. They included them all, young and old. The cards are fabulous. Anyway, then Heatherly dropped Moose and I back off at my place and I had another Keith Richards sighting. Today Keith was sporting low black and white converse sneakers with white lace top ankle socks, black leggings, a black leather miniskirt, a white fitted short sleeve button up blouse with a black tank top underneath and wrists full of madonna style eighties bling with matching Madonna style chunky chains and crosses neckwear and a generous portion of bright royal purple eye shadow. The most interesting part was that Keith was exchanging rapid fire but friendly spanish with two of the guys from Chunky's Taqueria. Tomorrow it's back to the night shift grind.

[lorin]

I need a vacation.

I have some comp rooms at Atlantic City casinos you can have.

[Cagliostro]

I need a vacation.

It's usually next-to-impossible for anything to get under my skin, but I've been irritable for the last few months. I don't like feeling this way. I recognize that I've changed a lot in the last couple of years, and mostly for the worse, but this isn't me. I'm tired of being tired and stressed out.

I'm with you there. I'm exactly in the same boat with this sentiment. I think more than anything, I just need a new job. Yesterday was the second time I was questioned by HR because of things going missing in the building. I work one weekend day, and that's when it happens. I actually suspect one of my coworkers because 3 people in our department have had food go missing and noticed the wrappers in his trash. He's one of the big problems I have here with not doing his work and showing up and hour or two late, and I know that if I said anything, my boss would just take it as me gunning for him again. So since these things rarely ever end up in a conviction, there is really no point in me sticking my neck out to add those extra bits, honestly. I've already become the complainer of the office, and I never wanted to become that. And every time I point the finger at someone else and particularly this guy, my boss feels like it is necessary to point out the few honest mistakes I have ever made, or the tickets that this guy wrote up saying that I did the same thing he regularly does in a much more public manner. Ugh. Sorry, I try hard not to vent about it anymore.

[Cameraman Jenn]

Sorry about all the work frustrations. I know it totally sucks and I am still struggling because my paychecks barely cover my basics so if I have any added expenses I am screwed. I didn't budget the best this past month and so I actually ended making my old assistant store manager give me $20 bucks today so I could make it to work and back and get smokes. I really need to quit smoking. Ugh.

On the other hand, I seemed to be on a comedic roll today. I got everyone being playful again which was cool and Ed was eagerly joining in today. At one point he had said something serious and I responded with, "On that note and based on your bulldog tenacity on the sales floor, you are henceforth renamed by me. Your new name is "Tenacious E." I called him that the rest of the night. He found it hysterical and loves his new moniker. I also had a customer comment that my "Need Ink" button should read, "Got Ink?" like the milk commercials and without hesitation I responded, "OH HECK NO, the uniforms are bad enough, there is NO WAY I am walking around the OD with an ink moustache."

Then I got home and there was a check from my Dad, FINALLY reimbursing me for half the plane tix for my trip as agreed months ago when I bought them. Too bad it didn't show up yesterday. That would have been helpful. Oh well, it will cover my transportation for work for a month so that takes a big burden off my weak finances and he included something super cool in the envelope. Not extra money but a few printouts from his motion night stealth wildlife cameras he has on his farm. One of the shots was of a Wolfote! I had no IDEA such a thing existed. This one had a total wolf head with a coyote body. I want one. Not really, Moose is enough for me but kinda, sorta cuz they look so cool.

It reminded me of Mark and Beast. Many many years ago, when I still lived back east, my friend Mark made a cross country trip in his van. On his way back through Arizona he found a stray "dog." He brought him home, loved him and called him beast. I was the only one to be able to teach Beast any discipline or tricks. Beast had to be at least 3/4 coyote and probably 1/4 of some type of herding dog. We were hanging out the first night I met Beast and I took one look at Mark and said something like, "You know this isn't really a dog, he's almost all coyote, right?" and Mark was like, "NO S--T!" and was honestly shocked. Turns out he was driving through a huge unpopulated stretch of desert, saw Beast and thought someone must have dumped him out there. Mark pulled over and coaxed him close with food and then after some tentative don't touch me song and dance, Mark was able to get Beast in the van. Beast took to domestic life well. I'm very sure that Beast was born in the wild and just old enough to be kicked out of the pack by the dominant male and was probably confused and starving and unsure of how to fend for himself when Mark came along and gave him food. Bingo, instant new pack of two to Beast's dog/coyote brain. He was a good pet though.

[aliantha]

That's a great story about Beast, Jenn. And I'm glad your dad came through with the cash.

Cag, I dunno, if you have a half-decent HR department, I think it would be worth talking to them about this guy. But go in with documentation of all the days he's been late, the food wrappers you've seen in his trash, etc. It's not that you're ratting out a co-worker, it's that you want to make the office run more smoothly and be more productive, y'know?

I'm anticipating being cranky this morning. Gotta go for my every-three-months bloodwork, so I can't eat breakfast 'til it's done. I've got an appointment with the lab but sometimes that doesn't mean anything with these guys. I'm hoping I have time to stop and get something before I have to be at work....

[lorin]

I'm anticipating being cranky this morning. Gotta go for my every-three-months bloodwork, so I can't eat breakfast 'til it's done. I've got an appointment with the lab but sometimes that doesn't mean anything with these guys. I'm hoping I have time to stop and get something before I have to be at work....

I hate those fasting bloodworks. I am so furiously hungry when I get out of the appointment. Bring an apple or peach with you so you won't chew off your fingers.

[Phantasm]

At last, some progress at work. Got in today and checked my e-mails and had one from the prison service college saying I'd been accepted on the Institute of line managers course starting next month. It's a nationally recognised qualification that should help me progress up the career ladder.
Here's hoping. Just need to set my nose to the grindstone and study like hell for the next year.

[aliantha]

I'm anticipating being cranky this morning. Gotta go for my every-three-months bloodwork, so I can't eat breakfast 'til it's done. I've got an appointment with the lab but sometimes that doesn't mean anything with these guys. I'm hoping I have time to stop and get something before I have to be at work....

I hate those fasting bloodworks. I am so furiously hungry when I get out of the appointment. Bring an apple or peach with you so you won't chew off your fingers.

I had some yogurt with me, and even got to work in time to get some nearly-cold scrambled eggs from the cafeteria. So it all worked out.

[Savor Dam]

The phrases "nearly-cold scrambled eggs" and "it all worked out" should not occur in adjacent sentences. Ever!

Eewwww!

Glad your testing worked out OK, Ali, but still....tepid or worse scrams are a distinctly unpleasant thought.

[Cameraman Jenn]

Glad your appointment went well, Ali. Congrats Phantasm. Nice advice Lorin. I'm worried about my Mooseman. A few weeks ago when he stayed at my friend's house he got a bath with new soap and had a bad reaction. I washed him down but he had worried himself raw in a spot and was still worrying it a bit and I think it was because the fur was growing back in. I washed him in his regular soap and it calmed his itching down but then he spent the weekend at my friend's house again and came home itching like a maniac all over again. I washed him and his itching was less but he was still itching and scratched himself bruised in several places. I washed him again tonight and put vaseline on the spots and he seems to not be itching right now but I am worried and will need to keep an eye on him. I feel so bad for my little scratchy monkey.

On other notes, I've been closing with the gal I had the teamwork issues with last week on these past few nights and she's been right there working with me every day and I feel like she has earned my trust back. That makes me happy. So tonight we had a few extra things that needed to be done and I know she watched me work my butt off and we stayed a bit late after the crew had left to get the things out of the way for tomorrow. At the end of the night I said to her, "I wanted to say thanks for working with me this week and I know we had miscommunications/" and she interrupted me and said, "That's under the bridge we don't need to rehash that. It's done, it's over."in a very defensive manner and I said, "I wasn't bringing it up, just listen, I was just trying to tell you that I think we have come together in our work styles and it's working well, I was giving you a compliment." and she was like, "OH, sorry, yeah, I think so too." Then I said, "Ok so tomorrow, when we both come in, let's walk the store together, assess what needs to be done, divvy it up and then hit it til we quit it, OK?" and she said, "Sounds like a good plan."