I had a dream that I was accused of stealing $200 from my job, because security footage showed me opening my drawer, counting money, putting it back, then putting my hands in my pockets. A "footage analyst" said she could see that I actually put cash in my pockets. Apparently I was being charged with "3rd degree theft," and there was pretty much nothing I could do about it, despite it being obvious to me that the footage showed me putting the money back, and putting my empty hands in my pockets.
See, in reality I do that all the time, with the counting money, putting it away, then putting my hands in my pockets. I count to check to see if I have enough for a drop, put it back when I don't, then, as an idle gesture, put my hands in my pockets to wait for something to happen, like a phone call or a customer, or...SOMETHING. And while I wait, I've wondered just how clear our cameras are, and what sort of seedy activity someone could "see" me doing.
Also, I watch too many crime shows. The Mentalist, Castle, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Numbers, The Forgotten...apparently it's to the point where I'm making up my own charges. Third degree theft...wtf, mate? XD
Anyway, other than that I (re)stocked our Halloween candy supply and bought a book from the thrift shop in town for a friend's birthday. It's a pretty awesome book.
1. As I was navigating the crowded basement where I found it, I bumped a shelf, and it came tumbling down at me. It literally threw itself at me.
2. It has some awesome vintage cover art.
3. It's by a dude named Rex Beach. Anyone named Rex Beach has to be cool.
4. It has no synopsis with it, so I've no idea what it could possibly be about. (Google is cheating.)
5. On the last page, Rex Beach randomly refers to one of his characters by his full name, middle initial included. As in, "'[Insert character quote here],' exclaimed Darwin K. Anthony." Then, a few lines later, in the same paragraph, he refers to the same character as simply "old man Anthony." That is, to me anyway, so far across the line of Ridiculous Things to Put in Your Novel, that it's come full circle and is back at Entirely Awesome Things to Put in Your Novel.
After that I was boring all day. BUT! I sort of stuck to the plan, so that's someting I guess.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $18
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Step 40: Plan to Stick to The Plan
Once again I managed to NOT do what I wanted to do today. I got up at an hour that left me enough time for a shower before I had to go to work.
The problem with me staying up most of the night and sleeping most of the day isn't the hours themselves, it's the hours in relation to where I live. When you live in a small town, everything closes early. Nothing here is open past midnight, except one dingy little 24-hour gas station on the edge of town. I can't do anything when everything is closed, ne?
SO! My plan for the day is to stick to the plan. Sleepiness or no, I wanna DO something! Worth blogging about! Maybe even something worth taking pictures of!
In the meantime, here is a picture of a chicken with a fro:
It's an old favorite. XD
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Spent Today: $0
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
The problem with me staying up most of the night and sleeping most of the day isn't the hours themselves, it's the hours in relation to where I live. When you live in a small town, everything closes early. Nothing here is open past midnight, except one dingy little 24-hour gas station on the edge of town. I can't do anything when everything is closed, ne?
SO! My plan for the day is to stick to the plan. Sleepiness or no, I wanna DO something! Worth blogging about! Maybe even something worth taking pictures of!
In the meantime, here is a picture of a chicken with a fro:
It's an old favorite. XD
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Spent Today: $0
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Step 39: Freak Out a Little
I slept in much later than I had planned on today. MUCH later. Like, I got up a 2 when I meant to get up at 10 later (in all fairness I didn't getto sleep until around 7 am, but that was also my own fault, heh). Anyway, I woke up at 1, saw what time it was and decided "What the heck? I'll just doze until it's time for my shift!" And then there was a really loud THUNK! from upstairs, and I started to panic a little.
I knew it wasn't my mom, because I was awake to hear her leave, and if she'd come home, she'd have gotten me up. My first thought, then was "Someone is in my house, uninvited, oh jeez! What do I do?!" I decided to sneak up on whoever it was.
So, I slid out of bed, put my slippers on, and began creeping up the stairs, I got about 4 steps up when I heard another THUNK! that made me jump. I froze for a minute and waited, but I didn't hear any other movment, so I decided to be brave, and rush upstairs to see what was going on.
Not a thing. I was alone in my house, and I didn't know what to think, because the next thing on my list was "ghost" and after Saturday's movie I'm not ready to go there yet. Then, for the third time I heard THUNK! and realized it was coming from the wall in the guest room. The other side of that wall is our patio, so I went outthere to see what was going on.
Turns out my intruder/ghost was just the sprayer nozzle from our hose hitting the side of the house in the WICKED windstorm we had today. Heh. I'm a sissy, I know it. I am not ashamed.
At least being scard this time didn't cost me $80? 8D
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Spent Today: $0
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
I knew it wasn't my mom, because I was awake to hear her leave, and if she'd come home, she'd have gotten me up. My first thought, then was "Someone is in my house, uninvited, oh jeez! What do I do?!" I decided to sneak up on whoever it was.
So, I slid out of bed, put my slippers on, and began creeping up the stairs, I got about 4 steps up when I heard another THUNK! that made me jump. I froze for a minute and waited, but I didn't hear any other movment, so I decided to be brave, and rush upstairs to see what was going on.
Not a thing. I was alone in my house, and I didn't know what to think, because the next thing on my list was "ghost" and after Saturday's movie I'm not ready to go there yet. Then, for the third time I heard THUNK! and realized it was coming from the wall in the guest room. The other side of that wall is our patio, so I went outthere to see what was going on.
Turns out my intruder/ghost was just the sprayer nozzle from our hose hitting the side of the house in the WICKED windstorm we had today. Heh. I'm a sissy, I know it. I am not ashamed.
At least being scard this time didn't cost me $80? 8D
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Spent Today: $0
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Step 38: Recap Your Weekend, Because it was Boring
So yeah, my weekends are never entertaining, so I'm not going to post on them anymore. But! Here's a recap:
I went and saw Paranormal Activity with two friends. It was good, except that the girl behind me did not know how to SHUT HER MOUTH, and I wasn't able to really get into it like I would have preferred. I made loud comments I knew she could hear when it was over. Probably not the nicest thing for me to do, but I felt better, and perhaps she'll learn to shut it in theaters. (Probably not.)
Other than that I just stayed home and was boring.
Today I had to call McAfee and have them reverse the Auto-Renew charges I forgot were coming. It was $85 they charged, and while I get that it was my fault for both forgetting it was coming and for not turning off the auto-renew in the first place, I also think it's shady for them to default to having it on. I mean, Auto-Renewing an $85 charge should be something you have to specifically seek out and confirm you definitely want ON, not something you can just forget to turn off, you know?
Anyway, it worked out fine, because I had 60 days from the renewal to have them refund me. All it cost me was a phone call to customer service and having to say "No, thanks." about a thousand times to all the various things they tried to sell me instead. (ALSO an OBNOXIOUS business practice, if you ask me.)
Generally speaking, I don't like to be sales-pitched at. Once in a while there's a funny commercial, but it's usually for beer which I don't drink/buy. I do a lot of things to avoid being sold things, actually. I feel like listing them.
1. I no longer listen to the radio. It's free music, sure, but it seems like everytime I try to listen, it's on a 15 minute commercial break, and I end up getting irritated and turning it off.
2. DVR. Whenever possible I record the shows I want to watch, then fast forward through the commercials.
3. I refuse to "monetize" this or any other Me on the Internet thing I have, because it means selling things to people who don't want to be sold things.
4. The guy in the mall that comes at you with lotion? I have stopped and said to him, "I know you're doing your job. However, you should know that approaching me with whatever it is you're selling in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable is a really great way to get me to kick you in your manbits and scream 'RAPE! NO! NO! NO!' but it is NOT a good way to get me to buy something. I don't want it, no matter how great you've been told to tell me it is. Now back off." I haven't had to try it since then (despite that being YEARS ago at the Mall of America), but it worked the one time I did do it!
Anyway, I'm not invulnerable to marketing. I mean, I have an iPod, I buy some name brand products... I just don't like marketing strategies. Let ME look at your product and decide for MYSELF if it's any good. If it is, I'll buy it. Let the products sell themselves.
RIGHT, SO THERE WAS THAT SOAPBOX. I'm going to bed now.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned This Weekend: $0
Money Spent This Weekend: $80
I went and saw Paranormal Activity with two friends. It was good, except that the girl behind me did not know how to SHUT HER MOUTH, and I wasn't able to really get into it like I would have preferred. I made loud comments I knew she could hear when it was over. Probably not the nicest thing for me to do, but I felt better, and perhaps she'll learn to shut it in theaters. (Probably not.)
Other than that I just stayed home and was boring.
Today I had to call McAfee and have them reverse the Auto-Renew charges I forgot were coming. It was $85 they charged, and while I get that it was my fault for both forgetting it was coming and for not turning off the auto-renew in the first place, I also think it's shady for them to default to having it on. I mean, Auto-Renewing an $85 charge should be something you have to specifically seek out and confirm you definitely want ON, not something you can just forget to turn off, you know?
Anyway, it worked out fine, because I had 60 days from the renewal to have them refund me. All it cost me was a phone call to customer service and having to say "No, thanks." about a thousand times to all the various things they tried to sell me instead. (ALSO an OBNOXIOUS business practice, if you ask me.)
Generally speaking, I don't like to be sales-pitched at. Once in a while there's a funny commercial, but it's usually for beer which I don't drink/buy. I do a lot of things to avoid being sold things, actually. I feel like listing them.
1. I no longer listen to the radio. It's free music, sure, but it seems like everytime I try to listen, it's on a 15 minute commercial break, and I end up getting irritated and turning it off.
2. DVR. Whenever possible I record the shows I want to watch, then fast forward through the commercials.
3. I refuse to "monetize" this or any other Me on the Internet thing I have, because it means selling things to people who don't want to be sold things.
4. The guy in the mall that comes at you with lotion? I have stopped and said to him, "I know you're doing your job. However, you should know that approaching me with whatever it is you're selling in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable is a really great way to get me to kick you in your manbits and scream 'RAPE! NO! NO! NO!' but it is NOT a good way to get me to buy something. I don't want it, no matter how great you've been told to tell me it is. Now back off." I haven't had to try it since then (despite that being YEARS ago at the Mall of America), but it worked the one time I did do it!
Anyway, I'm not invulnerable to marketing. I mean, I have an iPod, I buy some name brand products... I just don't like marketing strategies. Let ME look at your product and decide for MYSELF if it's any good. If it is, I'll buy it. Let the products sell themselves.
RIGHT, SO THERE WAS THAT SOAPBOX. I'm going to bed now.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned This Weekend: $0
Money Spent This Weekend: $80
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Step 37: Have Another Day
I had my piano lesson, I went to work.
That was about the extent of my day. Exciting, no?
No.
I'm going to go see Paranormal Activity with a friend tomorrow. That should be awesome.
Being that I worked and had piano, I spent a little money, but nothing big.
I'm sleepy, can you tell?
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52-50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $22.11
That was about the extent of my day. Exciting, no?
No.
I'm going to go see Paranormal Activity with a friend tomorrow. That should be awesome.
Being that I worked and had piano, I spent a little money, but nothing big.
I'm sleepy, can you tell?
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52-50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $22.11
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Step 36: Meet an Interesting Young Man
I was really worried that I was going to have to come up with something philosophical to hide that once again I didn't do anything of interest or merit today (beyond scooping litter boxes, which is boring and gross). But then, I ran out of toilet paper.
...This is not going where you might think it is. All it means was I went to the grocery store. Once I got there, I realized that I was hungry for something crunchy. Chips. So I went over to the chip aisle, and started trying to pin down which flavor I wanted, when I encountered a guy a little younger than me, I thought about 20, but he was convinced he was at least 21, seeing as he later grabbed a 6-pack of beer. He said hi, I smiled and said hello. Then we had a conversation. Here's how it went.
Him: You know, there are just so many choices here...
Me: Yeah, I know, sometimes it's hard to pick.
Him: Exactly, I don't know what to pick.
Me: Well, what are you in the mood for?
Him: I don't know! I mean, when you're a student on a budget, it's hard to get what you want and can afford.
Me: Yeah, I suppose so.
Him: You don't want to get the cheap stuff, because you don't know how it's going to be...
Me: Yeah, it's always oily and really salty. But, I think I'm gonna go with the cheddar and sour cream.
Him: That sounds good. Ruffles is a brand you can trust.
Me: I like it.
Him: What about this puffcorn? Have you tried it?
Me: I haven't, but we sell a lot of it where I work.
Him: Where do you work?
Me: I work at C's.
Him: Oh, cool. And people buy a lot of this?
Me: Yep, we have a hard time keeping it in stock.
Him: You've convinced me, I'm gonna go with it. My hands are gonna be oily...
Me: You could grab some napkins, too.
Him: Yeah, but again...budget...
Me: You can get free napkins at any gas station!
Him: I didn't even think of that! Good idea! Thanks!
Me: You bet, have a good night.
Then he went and grabbed the beer, and was behind me in the checkout, but we exchanged no further dialogue.
For some reason, two thought occured to me when I saw him with the beer and puffcorn.
1.) I hope he's just a nice, outgoing kid. Maybe being intentionally outgoing as an important life skill for whatever his major is.
2.) I hope the cashier cards him.
Which is when I learned that while I really want to trust people who will randomly chat with you about chips, I'm also wary of them. Probably because it goes against the social norms I've grown comfortable with and accustomed to following.
In any case, I hope he really was just a nice kid, and that he has a nice evening.
...This is not going where you might think it is. All it means was I went to the grocery store. Once I got there, I realized that I was hungry for something crunchy. Chips. So I went over to the chip aisle, and started trying to pin down which flavor I wanted, when I encountered a guy a little younger than me, I thought about 20, but he was convinced he was at least 21, seeing as he later grabbed a 6-pack of beer. He said hi, I smiled and said hello. Then we had a conversation. Here's how it went.
Him: You know, there are just so many choices here...
Me: Yeah, I know, sometimes it's hard to pick.
Him: Exactly, I don't know what to pick.
Me: Well, what are you in the mood for?
Him: I don't know! I mean, when you're a student on a budget, it's hard to get what you want and can afford.
Me: Yeah, I suppose so.
Him: You don't want to get the cheap stuff, because you don't know how it's going to be...
Me: Yeah, it's always oily and really salty. But, I think I'm gonna go with the cheddar and sour cream.
Him: That sounds good. Ruffles is a brand you can trust.
Me: I like it.
Him: What about this puffcorn? Have you tried it?
Me: I haven't, but we sell a lot of it where I work.
Him: Where do you work?
Me: I work at C's.
Him: Oh, cool. And people buy a lot of this?
Me: Yep, we have a hard time keeping it in stock.
Him: You've convinced me, I'm gonna go with it. My hands are gonna be oily...
Me: You could grab some napkins, too.
Him: Yeah, but again...budget...
Me: You can get free napkins at any gas station!
Him: I didn't even think of that! Good idea! Thanks!
Me: You bet, have a good night.
Then he went and grabbed the beer, and was behind me in the checkout, but we exchanged no further dialogue.
For some reason, two thought occured to me when I saw him with the beer and puffcorn.
1.) I hope he's just a nice, outgoing kid. Maybe being intentionally outgoing as an important life skill for whatever his major is.
2.) I hope the cashier cards him.
Which is when I learned that while I really want to trust people who will randomly chat with you about chips, I'm also wary of them. Probably because it goes against the social norms I've grown comfortable with and accustomed to following.
In any case, I hope he really was just a nice kid, and that he has a nice evening.
Step 35: Witness the Selling of a Soul
Today was boring, except for this one quick story.
Guy came in while I was working and wanted a pack of Marlboro Reds and a $1 scratch off ticket.
This guy comes in ALL the time, and he is always completely drunk. Usually stumbling, slurring, slightly belligerent. The general rule of the store is "get him in and out as quickly as possble."
Tonight, he wasn't the angry drunk, he was the overly emotional, saying things that don't make sense drunk.
As I'm handing him his scratch ticket, he goes "If I don't win, the Devil owes me my soul back...but if I win, ha ha! (singing) The Devil, he owns my soulll..."
Me: "Heh. Your total is $6.66."
Him: O_O
Me: :)
Him: O______O
Me: Did you need anything else?
Him: Uh-uh. O_________O *hands cash*
I gave him his change, and he walked out of the store. He called the store a few minutes later.
"Hey, I just bought the scratch ticket...I haven't scratched it yet...ANYWAY, I might have scared you in there, sorry about that."
"That's okay. Have a good evening."
"Thanks. You too, be good."
Dude, -I- don't have any reason to be scared. YOU just sold your soul for a scratch ticket.
I hope it was a loser, for his sake.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36
Guy came in while I was working and wanted a pack of Marlboro Reds and a $1 scratch off ticket.
This guy comes in ALL the time, and he is always completely drunk. Usually stumbling, slurring, slightly belligerent. The general rule of the store is "get him in and out as quickly as possble."
Tonight, he wasn't the angry drunk, he was the overly emotional, saying things that don't make sense drunk.
As I'm handing him his scratch ticket, he goes "If I don't win, the Devil owes me my soul back...but if I win, ha ha! (singing) The Devil, he owns my soulll..."
Me: "Heh. Your total is $6.66."
Him: O_O
Me: :)
Him: O______O
Me: Did you need anything else?
Him: Uh-uh. O_________O *hands cash*
I gave him his change, and he walked out of the store. He called the store a few minutes later.
"Hey, I just bought the scratch ticket...I haven't scratched it yet...ANYWAY, I might have scared you in there, sorry about that."
"That's okay. Have a good evening."
"Thanks. You too, be good."
Dude, -I- don't have any reason to be scared. YOU just sold your soul for a scratch ticket.
I hope it was a loser, for his sake.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Step 34: Share Your Thoughts Before the Day is Done.
I decided to write this entry early today, because what I want to write about struck me early, and it really hasn't anything to do with how much money I spent today, which hasn't occurred so far (though it might, depending on if we go shopping after the Sprint Store this evening, but I'm gonna go with probably not, since I get paid Friday, and it would be better to wait untl then to buy anything new). /telling myself more than anything
So, my idea was in regards to charity, and how I want to be charitable. Now, usually my level of charity is to tap the $1 button when I swipe my check card at PetSmart. But I don't feel like I'm doing enough. I mean, yay vaccinated, sterilized and uneuthanized shelter pets and all, but what about people? I should maybe help people as well.
So I got to thinking about what kinds of things I think are important, the things I like to do, and what kinds of charities I can afford to contribute to. I was surprised at how long it didn't take me to come up with an idea.
I'm going to buy some toys and give them to Toys for Tots. Several reasons, I shall list them.
1. Kids need toys. Beyond keeping them engaged in some sort of activity, which is good for their development, toys are fun, and every kid should have a life that is almost entirely one fun moment after the another. It's how you grow a happy, well-adjusted human.
2. I like shopping for toys. I know I'm much too old to buy toys to play with myself (video games don't count, okay?), but there is something about a shiny new toy still in it's pristine packaging that makes my inner child go "YAY! 8D 8D"
3. While I do know families with kids, I can't afford to buy toys for them, being that there are so many of them, and only one of me, and buying for one family, or one child might lead to some awkward "Well...it's nothing personal..." conversations I'd just rather not have.
So, Toys for Tots it is. I'm thinking three toys. One for boys, one for girls, and one gender-neutral (possibly an infant toy for that last one, since those are easiest to find gender-neutral versions of, without them also being lame.)
I think, in terms of Karma or the Law of Attraction, or God's Good Will, or the Power of Positive Thinking, doing something for charity, despite it's financial cost to me, will no doubt be a beneficial thing in the long run. If nothing else it's something to feel good about, right?
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $0
So, my idea was in regards to charity, and how I want to be charitable. Now, usually my level of charity is to tap the $1 button when I swipe my check card at PetSmart. But I don't feel like I'm doing enough. I mean, yay vaccinated, sterilized and uneuthanized shelter pets and all, but what about people? I should maybe help people as well.
So I got to thinking about what kinds of things I think are important, the things I like to do, and what kinds of charities I can afford to contribute to. I was surprised at how long it didn't take me to come up with an idea.
I'm going to buy some toys and give them to Toys for Tots. Several reasons, I shall list them.
1. Kids need toys. Beyond keeping them engaged in some sort of activity, which is good for their development, toys are fun, and every kid should have a life that is almost entirely one fun moment after the another. It's how you grow a happy, well-adjusted human.
2. I like shopping for toys. I know I'm much too old to buy toys to play with myself (video games don't count, okay?), but there is something about a shiny new toy still in it's pristine packaging that makes my inner child go "YAY! 8D 8D"
3. While I do know families with kids, I can't afford to buy toys for them, being that there are so many of them, and only one of me, and buying for one family, or one child might lead to some awkward "Well...it's nothing personal..." conversations I'd just rather not have.
So, Toys for Tots it is. I'm thinking three toys. One for boys, one for girls, and one gender-neutral (possibly an infant toy for that last one, since those are easiest to find gender-neutral versions of, without them also being lame.)
I think, in terms of Karma or the Law of Attraction, or God's Good Will, or the Power of Positive Thinking, doing something for charity, despite it's financial cost to me, will no doubt be a beneficial thing in the long run. If nothing else it's something to feel good about, right?
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $0
Step 33: Deal With Customer Service.
I just got off the phone with Sprint customer service. After following the first dude's instructions, he told me he'd have to ask his supervisor what to do, and he'd call me back in five minutes.
An hour later, I called them back, and was told that there was nothing they could do, I'd have to take the phone to a Sprint Store, to either get a new handset, or have them try a "hard reset" whatever that means.
Now, I know that customer service can only do so much over the phone. And I know that it's not the individual's fault that he or she doesn't already know what's going on, and therefore needs me to explain it. Again. However, I still have complaints.
First, when I call and talk to Tom*, and he says he'll call me back, I feel like it is Tom's responsibility to call me back, instead of having me wait an hour and then having to call him back.
Second, if I talked to Tom, and told him the issue, he should have a computer in front of him, with my customer file opened, where he is giving it all the information I am giving him, so that if he needs to transfer me, or if I need to call back later, they already know what my problem is, and I don't have to repeat myself 700 times. It gets old, on my end, even if it's new to them.
Third, if I called once and talked to Tom, then I call back and talk to Amy*, and tell her that I just talked to Tom, she should be able to transfer me back to him, should I so desire it. Apparently this is not the case, however, because Amy had never even heard of Tom, let alone knew him well enough to transfer me back to him.
And finally, if, after I follow your step-by-step instructions, the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, don't make me re-try everything once, twice, thrice more just to be SURE. I promise I paid attention and did exactly as you asked the first time. It didn't work, and the next step is An Outing. I can handle this. It's okay. I won't be mad at you for telling me that. I will be slightly annoyed at you making me do the same thing 7 times, just to find out I OMG actually do have a broken phone.
In the end, I stayed polite. I get that they're just trying to do their jobs, and that less patient people than me have made them wary of saying anything similar to "My hands are tied. You gotta leave your house and seek help for this one."
Though they really ought to implement a better customer logging system, and also Tom should have called me back. >:\
In other news, I shopped a little today. Nothing big, but nothing I needed either. Except the cat food. The cats do need to eat. And, in my snobbish opinion, they need to eat All Natural, Holistic Food, that can only be bought at Pet Specialty Stores for A High But Fair for What You Get Fee. I can't help it. I was educated on the importance and benefits of feeding premium foods to your pets, and so I do. I'd go into it, but...I don't wanna. /nearly soapboxy
*Names were changed...because...it felt like a thing I ought to do.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $50
An hour later, I called them back, and was told that there was nothing they could do, I'd have to take the phone to a Sprint Store, to either get a new handset, or have them try a "hard reset" whatever that means.
Now, I know that customer service can only do so much over the phone. And I know that it's not the individual's fault that he or she doesn't already know what's going on, and therefore needs me to explain it. Again. However, I still have complaints.
First, when I call and talk to Tom*, and he says he'll call me back, I feel like it is Tom's responsibility to call me back, instead of having me wait an hour and then having to call him back.
Second, if I talked to Tom, and told him the issue, he should have a computer in front of him, with my customer file opened, where he is giving it all the information I am giving him, so that if he needs to transfer me, or if I need to call back later, they already know what my problem is, and I don't have to repeat myself 700 times. It gets old, on my end, even if it's new to them.
Third, if I called once and talked to Tom, then I call back and talk to Amy*, and tell her that I just talked to Tom, she should be able to transfer me back to him, should I so desire it. Apparently this is not the case, however, because Amy had never even heard of Tom, let alone knew him well enough to transfer me back to him.
And finally, if, after I follow your step-by-step instructions, the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, don't make me re-try everything once, twice, thrice more just to be SURE. I promise I paid attention and did exactly as you asked the first time. It didn't work, and the next step is An Outing. I can handle this. It's okay. I won't be mad at you for telling me that. I will be slightly annoyed at you making me do the same thing 7 times, just to find out I OMG actually do have a broken phone.
In the end, I stayed polite. I get that they're just trying to do their jobs, and that less patient people than me have made them wary of saying anything similar to "My hands are tied. You gotta leave your house and seek help for this one."
Though they really ought to implement a better customer logging system, and also Tom should have called me back. >:\
In other news, I shopped a little today. Nothing big, but nothing I needed either. Except the cat food. The cats do need to eat. And, in my snobbish opinion, they need to eat All Natural, Holistic Food, that can only be bought at Pet Specialty Stores for A High But Fair for What You Get Fee. I can't help it. I was educated on the importance and benefits of feeding premium foods to your pets, and so I do. I'd go into it, but...I don't wanna. /nearly soapboxy
*Names were changed...because...it felt like a thing I ought to do.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $50
Monday, October 19, 2009
Steps 31 and 32: Continue to Be Uninteresting on the Weekends.
That's pretty much how yesterday and today went. I sat around being boring, then I went to work. Riveting, I assure you.
The good news is that I managed to again not spend any money. The bad news is it's because I was having no life. Well, not NO life, I mean, I did watch part of the Vikings game. I slept through the part where they won by two points in the last two seconds, but to be fair, I fell asleep when they were ahead by 14!
So, yeah. Kind of leaning toward making this a five-day-a-week blog, being that every weekend fails to bring anything new or interesting for me to talk about. Or I could try leaving the house on weekends...
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today(& Yesterday): $105 - taxes
Money Spent Today (& Yesterday) $0
The good news is that I managed to again not spend any money. The bad news is it's because I was having no life. Well, not NO life, I mean, I did watch part of the Vikings game. I slept through the part where they won by two points in the last two seconds, but to be fair, I fell asleep when they were ahead by 14!
So, yeah. Kind of leaning toward making this a five-day-a-week blog, being that every weekend fails to bring anything new or interesting for me to talk about. Or I could try leaving the house on weekends...
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today(& Yesterday): $105 - taxes
Money Spent Today (& Yesterday) $0
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Step 30: Eat Some Amazing Donuts
For reasons that aren't important, I stayed up all night. Mostly I was playing the Sims 2, chatting, and bumming around the internet...actually that's entirely what I was doing, heh. Anyway, around about 5:30 am I heard shufflings from upstairs that let me know my mom was awake. I went up to say hello.
She, having not had her coffee yet, wasn't especially chatty. I sat quietly on the couch for about a half hour, and then it dawned on me that my Place of Employment makes fresh donuts every morning, and that they were opening right at that moment, and if I went right then, I would get to finally taste one of these legendary Fresh Donuts.
So I went. When I got there, asdide from both G and M being OMGSHOCKED to see me at that hour, until they learned that rather than being up really early, I was up really late. (I am notoriously NOT a morning person.) M was making donuts, and made up three for my mom and me, mine cake donuts with chocolate icing and peanuts, Mom's cake donuts with cream cheese icing. She put them in a box. I paid for them. I took them home.
I setthe box down in front of my mom, opened it, and took out a donut. It was still warm to the touch. And the icing was a little gooey still.
I took a bite.
It was the single most amazing confectionary treat I have ever had in my entire existence. The warmth, and the flavor, and the crispy then soft texture...just. Wow.
And that was my day. Because I went to bed. And slept until Mom got home from work.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $0 (the amazing breakfast of amazingness was Mom's treat!)
She, having not had her coffee yet, wasn't especially chatty. I sat quietly on the couch for about a half hour, and then it dawned on me that my Place of Employment makes fresh donuts every morning, and that they were opening right at that moment, and if I went right then, I would get to finally taste one of these legendary Fresh Donuts.
So I went. When I got there, asdide from both G and M being OMGSHOCKED to see me at that hour, until they learned that rather than being up really early, I was up really late. (I am notoriously NOT a morning person.) M was making donuts, and made up three for my mom and me, mine cake donuts with chocolate icing and peanuts, Mom's cake donuts with cream cheese icing. She put them in a box. I paid for them. I took them home.
I setthe box down in front of my mom, opened it, and took out a donut. It was still warm to the touch. And the icing was a little gooey still.
I took a bite.
It was the single most amazing confectionary treat I have ever had in my entire existence. The warmth, and the flavor, and the crispy then soft texture...just. Wow.
And that was my day. Because I went to bed. And slept until Mom got home from work.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $0 (the amazing breakfast of amazingness was Mom's treat!)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Step 29: Begin to Suspect Your House is Haunted
This morning when I woke up, I noticed my slippers were placed neatly on the foot of my bed. I'd noticed them there last night, too, but it didn't occur to me that this was odd until this morning when, despite a rough night of tossing and turning and at one point thinking I head the slippers hit the floor, they were still on the bed, albeit just slightly askew, presumably from being kicked.
Alone, it would mean nothing. I could have put them there and forgotten. I mean, I can't imagine any circumstance under which I would put them there, but it could happen. However, it is one more thing on a growing list of peculiar things that have happened in this house, all since I moved down to the basement. So, here we go, from the first thing to the slippers:
1. WHen I first moved down here, I needed to clean the bathroom. The toilet, in particular, needed attention, as most of the water had evaporated out of it, and what was left was really yellow. I scrubbed it down, then went to flush it and...nothing happened. Awesome. I pulled the lid off the back to investigate the issue, and discovered that the whole gut system of the toilet needed to be replaced, beginning with the plastic arm that attaches to the chain that pulls the rubber stopper, and thus, flushes the toilet. Turns out the plastic was cracked, and so the screw, rather than grabbing hold of the lever and pulling it up, was just twisting in the cracked casing. Cool. I pulled the broken lever off and leaned it against the...floaty ball thing...put the lid back on, and bought a new gut-kit. (These are technical terms, by the way.) Anyway, a few days transpired between the initial assessment and the installing of the new innards, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. Until I pulled the lid off the back of the toilet again. Instead of seeing the plastic lever either still propped against the ball float, or perhaps lying on the bottom of the tank, it was back up, reattached to the screw on the flusher. I didn't put it there, my mom didn't put it there, and no one else was in my house to have put it there (and besides, who goes into a house, attempts to fix a basement toilet, then leaves, leaving everything else untouched?)
2. A few days later, my mom and I were unpacking some boxes, and we decided to hang up my Grandmother's painting. We had it in a closet with the curtains the house came with (we took them down in favor of something more contemporary, but kept them in case the people who own this house like them...), and a cat toy we have to hide, otherwise Missy (the cat I don't think I've mentioned before, as she's my mom's) gets beaten up over it (Toes is not a nice cat, I know this). We opened the door, and there was...something..on top of the curtains. We inspected it, and it was a rusted spring form pan. Two things: We have never owned a spring form pan and even if we hadn' we would have put it in the closet on top of the curtains.
3. I've been taking piano lessons from one of our land...people...for several months. Part of taking these lessons is practicing. I have my keyboard set up in the basement, and it plugs in. Usually when I sit down to play, it's unplugged, but I chalk that up to the adapter is heavy and just falls out of the wall, HOWEVER. One day, when I was practicing, the plug not only "fell" out of the wall, but managed to land about two feet from the wall, and it came out rather suddenly. To me, it appeared to have been yanked out of the wall.
4. Again with the piano. One day, I sat down, turned the keyboard on, and tried to start my warm-ups, but no sound would play. I tried turning it off and back on, adjusting the volume (which was almost all the way up when I turned it on), nothing. Finally, out of sheer desperation and desire for my keyboard to NOT be broken, I said "Aww, c'mon! I need to practice!" and suddenly, the notes began to sound perfectly.
5. The slippers.
Also, more often than not (usually once or twice a night) there is shuffling coming from what I have deemed the "tinkering room." The guy that lived here before us, who I assume is alive and well, and living in a nursing home in town, was known to be a miser and a tinkerer, and the room the sound comes from still has little bits and pieces of his hobby strewn about. I assumed it was one of my cats, but know I'm not so certain.
Either way, it was probably a bad idea to write about all this at this time of night. I know it's all just little things that TAPS would explain away and debunk in two seconds (probably), but for me it's adding up to some very suspicious circumstances.
Also, I was right about not getting any days off anymore. I DID get called to work, but I did NOT return the call. I get to have a day off! >:| (It wasn't T this time, it was C, but it was a call to work just the same.)
I stayed home and watched DVR'd episodes of shows I like, so no money spent!
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $0
Alone, it would mean nothing. I could have put them there and forgotten. I mean, I can't imagine any circumstance under which I would put them there, but it could happen. However, it is one more thing on a growing list of peculiar things that have happened in this house, all since I moved down to the basement. So, here we go, from the first thing to the slippers:
1. WHen I first moved down here, I needed to clean the bathroom. The toilet, in particular, needed attention, as most of the water had evaporated out of it, and what was left was really yellow. I scrubbed it down, then went to flush it and...nothing happened. Awesome. I pulled the lid off the back to investigate the issue, and discovered that the whole gut system of the toilet needed to be replaced, beginning with the plastic arm that attaches to the chain that pulls the rubber stopper, and thus, flushes the toilet. Turns out the plastic was cracked, and so the screw, rather than grabbing hold of the lever and pulling it up, was just twisting in the cracked casing. Cool. I pulled the broken lever off and leaned it against the...floaty ball thing...put the lid back on, and bought a new gut-kit. (These are technical terms, by the way.) Anyway, a few days transpired between the initial assessment and the installing of the new innards, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. Until I pulled the lid off the back of the toilet again. Instead of seeing the plastic lever either still propped against the ball float, or perhaps lying on the bottom of the tank, it was back up, reattached to the screw on the flusher. I didn't put it there, my mom didn't put it there, and no one else was in my house to have put it there (and besides, who goes into a house, attempts to fix a basement toilet, then leaves, leaving everything else untouched?)
2. A few days later, my mom and I were unpacking some boxes, and we decided to hang up my Grandmother's painting. We had it in a closet with the curtains the house came with (we took them down in favor of something more contemporary, but kept them in case the people who own this house like them...), and a cat toy we have to hide, otherwise Missy (the cat I don't think I've mentioned before, as she's my mom's) gets beaten up over it (Toes is not a nice cat, I know this). We opened the door, and there was...something..on top of the curtains. We inspected it, and it was a rusted spring form pan. Two things: We have never owned a spring form pan and even if we hadn' we would have put it in the closet on top of the curtains.
3. I've been taking piano lessons from one of our land...people...for several months. Part of taking these lessons is practicing. I have my keyboard set up in the basement, and it plugs in. Usually when I sit down to play, it's unplugged, but I chalk that up to the adapter is heavy and just falls out of the wall, HOWEVER. One day, when I was practicing, the plug not only "fell" out of the wall, but managed to land about two feet from the wall, and it came out rather suddenly. To me, it appeared to have been yanked out of the wall.
4. Again with the piano. One day, I sat down, turned the keyboard on, and tried to start my warm-ups, but no sound would play. I tried turning it off and back on, adjusting the volume (which was almost all the way up when I turned it on), nothing. Finally, out of sheer desperation and desire for my keyboard to NOT be broken, I said "Aww, c'mon! I need to practice!" and suddenly, the notes began to sound perfectly.
5. The slippers.
Also, more often than not (usually once or twice a night) there is shuffling coming from what I have deemed the "tinkering room." The guy that lived here before us, who I assume is alive and well, and living in a nursing home in town, was known to be a miser and a tinkerer, and the room the sound comes from still has little bits and pieces of his hobby strewn about. I assumed it was one of my cats, but know I'm not so certain.
Either way, it was probably a bad idea to write about all this at this time of night. I know it's all just little things that TAPS would explain away and debunk in two seconds (probably), but for me it's adding up to some very suspicious circumstances.
Also, I was right about not getting any days off anymore. I DID get called to work, but I did NOT return the call. I get to have a day off! >:| (It wasn't T this time, it was C, but it was a call to work just the same.)
I stayed home and watched DVR'd episodes of shows I like, so no money spent!
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $0
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Step 28: Vow to Screen Your Calls
Tonight was a fairly blase night, I mean, I worked and that was fun because it was with R, and we were once again quite silly, but it was nothing out of the ordinary.
Before work I played the Sims 2 and then took a shower. I AM SO INTERESTING, HUH?
Tomorrow, however, is supposed to be my day off, and I have sworn to screen all my calls. I might even put my car in the garage, so if anyone drives by, it looks like I've left town. I will NOT be called in to work. I /will/ /not/.
Besides, the knee I tweaked in the middle of the night ended up REALLY sore during my shift, so I think it'd be a good idea to give it a rest. Can't work, sore knee. Yep. That's my excuse. Not that anyone will be able to find me.
I spent nothing today! Always good news, ne?
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $0
Before work I played the Sims 2 and then took a shower. I AM SO INTERESTING, HUH?
Tomorrow, however, is supposed to be my day off, and I have sworn to screen all my calls. I might even put my car in the garage, so if anyone drives by, it looks like I've left town. I will NOT be called in to work. I /will/ /not/.
Besides, the knee I tweaked in the middle of the night ended up REALLY sore during my shift, so I think it'd be a good idea to give it a rest. Can't work, sore knee. Yep. That's my excuse. Not that anyone will be able to find me.
I spent nothing today! Always good news, ne?
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $0
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Step 27: Nearly Pass Out
Right now, it is the morning after "today," but I could not possibly have posted this last night, because last night, I got inexplicably drowsy almost as soon as I got home, and therefore went straight to bed.
It was so hard to stay awake, that I got as far as getting my work clothes off before I fell into bed. Heh, oops? Anyway, I remember falling into bed, flipping my electric blanket on (it's COLD here, especially in the basement) and then...nothing. Until 5 am, when I woke up to go to the bathroom (something ELSE I skipped because I was just so heavy-lidded).
When I woke up, the only thought I really had was "pee." So, I sat up, grabbed my glasses and sung my feet to the floor. At this point I noted that I had no feeling in my right leg, it was asleep (still?). Vaguely I recalled that numb legs don't traditionally support any weight at all very well, but I shoved that little factiod away in favor of "pee." I got as far as the end of my bed, before the numbed leg slipped and gave out, and THEN there was feeling in it. From the knee, specfically. Mind you, at this point I was still mostly asleep, so I thought "bad...pee." Anyway, I got up, wentto the bathroom, then climbed back in bed, checked the time (thus how I knew it was 5 am), and then was dead to the world until 10:30 this morning.
My knee is pretty much okay. It's a little sore, and might get worse once I go standing on it at work tonight, but for now it's not too bad.
SPEAKING OF WORK! I had to work yesterday. Not because I was scheduled or because I really wanted to, but because T called in. He claimed he was so sick he was on his way to the hospital, but T has a tendency to dramatise EVERYTHING, so I doubt that. He probably sneezed once due to dust and was like "I'M CALLING IN!" Or, being that he tried to get me to work for him this weekend, he just decided that he didn't want to go to work, and he didn't want to call anyone to work FOR him, so he called G and told him that he was going to the hospital, so G would call around finding someone to cover his shift. Until I have trustworthy confirmation that T was, in fact, so ill he had to seek emergency medical assistance, T is on My List.
Because now, as it was when J worked there, I will never again have a true day off, because I'll have to wonder all day whether or not I'm going to get called in because T doesn't know what DayQuil is. Once again I have to screen my calls to AVOID getting called in on days when I really just can't be there (because they know I'm susceptible to guilt trips, so if they can just get ahold of me, I'll probably go in. >:|)
On the bright side, however, it was a night with C, which is always a blast, even though we spend all evening chatting, and then get sweaty hurrying to get everything done by closing time, heh.
It was also nice to be available when C's bank account went wonky for Reasons as Yet Unknown, so I could loan her a couple dollars until she got it figured out. Overall, it was a good day. T's still on the list though.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $20.36
It was so hard to stay awake, that I got as far as getting my work clothes off before I fell into bed. Heh, oops? Anyway, I remember falling into bed, flipping my electric blanket on (it's COLD here, especially in the basement) and then...nothing. Until 5 am, when I woke up to go to the bathroom (something ELSE I skipped because I was just so heavy-lidded).
When I woke up, the only thought I really had was "pee." So, I sat up, grabbed my glasses and sung my feet to the floor. At this point I noted that I had no feeling in my right leg, it was asleep (still?). Vaguely I recalled that numb legs don't traditionally support any weight at all very well, but I shoved that little factiod away in favor of "pee." I got as far as the end of my bed, before the numbed leg slipped and gave out, and THEN there was feeling in it. From the knee, specfically. Mind you, at this point I was still mostly asleep, so I thought "bad...pee." Anyway, I got up, wentto the bathroom, then climbed back in bed, checked the time (thus how I knew it was 5 am), and then was dead to the world until 10:30 this morning.
My knee is pretty much okay. It's a little sore, and might get worse once I go standing on it at work tonight, but for now it's not too bad.
SPEAKING OF WORK! I had to work yesterday. Not because I was scheduled or because I really wanted to, but because T called in. He claimed he was so sick he was on his way to the hospital, but T has a tendency to dramatise EVERYTHING, so I doubt that. He probably sneezed once due to dust and was like "I'M CALLING IN!" Or, being that he tried to get me to work for him this weekend, he just decided that he didn't want to go to work, and he didn't want to call anyone to work FOR him, so he called G and told him that he was going to the hospital, so G would call around finding someone to cover his shift. Until I have trustworthy confirmation that T was, in fact, so ill he had to seek emergency medical assistance, T is on My List.
Because now, as it was when J worked there, I will never again have a true day off, because I'll have to wonder all day whether or not I'm going to get called in because T doesn't know what DayQuil is. Once again I have to screen my calls to AVOID getting called in on days when I really just can't be there (because they know I'm susceptible to guilt trips, so if they can just get ahold of me, I'll probably go in. >:|)
On the bright side, however, it was a night with C, which is always a blast, even though we spend all evening chatting, and then get sweaty hurrying to get everything done by closing time, heh.
It was also nice to be available when C's bank account went wonky for Reasons as Yet Unknown, so I could loan her a couple dollars until she got it figured out. Overall, it was a good day. T's still on the list though.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $20.36
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Step 26: Be Completely Silly
I think the bizarre sleep schedule I'd had recently, coupled with the bizarre weather we've had recently and working a shift with two people who are also prone to giggling has made me a little delirious and silly.
It started when I took my vampire fangs to work with me, just to show them off a little (because they look awesome). I went back to the kitchen wearing them, and just smiled at L, who was like "Hi...oh my God, those are awesome! *giggling begins*" Then R had to see them, and then we were all giggling.
By the time the night was over, there were naked hand puppets, a "beef and bacon pizza, with cheddar as well as mozzarella," a need for Depends, and new lyrics to the song "Johanna" from Sweeney Todd. It was all very silly, and very fun, and I'd love to be in the room if someone happens to watch the soundless security footage of us. They would be so confused.
Then I came home and played the Sims 2, wherein one of my legacy spares had twins, and one of the twins has his father's human skintone, but his mother's alien eyes! /NERD Yeah, I play it. Yeah, I love it. No, I'm not sorry.
Today was mostly just silliness and laughing, so it was a good day fiscally and mentally. 8D
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36 (Donuts, man, they get me every time.)
It started when I took my vampire fangs to work with me, just to show them off a little (because they look awesome). I went back to the kitchen wearing them, and just smiled at L, who was like "Hi...oh my God, those are awesome! *giggling begins*" Then R had to see them, and then we were all giggling.
By the time the night was over, there were naked hand puppets, a "beef and bacon pizza, with cheddar as well as mozzarella," a need for Depends, and new lyrics to the song "Johanna" from Sweeney Todd. It was all very silly, and very fun, and I'd love to be in the room if someone happens to watch the soundless security footage of us. They would be so confused.
Then I came home and played the Sims 2, wherein one of my legacy spares had twins, and one of the twins has his father's human skintone, but his mother's alien eyes! /NERD Yeah, I play it. Yeah, I love it. No, I'm not sorry.
Today was mostly just silliness and laughing, so it was a good day fiscally and mentally. 8D
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36 (Donuts, man, they get me every time.)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Steps 24 and 25: Sleep All Day, Then Go Shopping
That is precisely what I did both today AND yesterday, which is why I've decided to combine the posts about them.
I don't know what it is, but something about having the weekend off makes me really very sleepy. My mom is the same way, though, so it works out well for us. Yesterday, after our naps, we decided we needed to go have dinner, then browse around a shopping center of some sort. It ended up being Perkin's for dinner, and Wal-Mart for shopping.
I did really well, though! I spent just under $20, and it was on things I'd intended to buy long before the spontaneous trip. I got new makeup brushes, since mine are either worn out or missing. I got some pink hair clips, since I want to wear them in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And finally, I got a set of eyeshadows in different shades of gray, because smoky eyes will look good with my fangs on Halloween, and also on other occassions that warrant makeup. So there.
Today's post-nap activity was grocery shopping. I spent nothing on this trip, which is unusual, since I usually buy the groceries for the house. Not that I'm complaining! It was very nice of my mom to pick up this tab.
So...that's all I got, not too shabby for having just been paid, methinks.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today(s): $0
Money Spent Today(s): $20
I don't know what it is, but something about having the weekend off makes me really very sleepy. My mom is the same way, though, so it works out well for us. Yesterday, after our naps, we decided we needed to go have dinner, then browse around a shopping center of some sort. It ended up being Perkin's for dinner, and Wal-Mart for shopping.
I did really well, though! I spent just under $20, and it was on things I'd intended to buy long before the spontaneous trip. I got new makeup brushes, since mine are either worn out or missing. I got some pink hair clips, since I want to wear them in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And finally, I got a set of eyeshadows in different shades of gray, because smoky eyes will look good with my fangs on Halloween, and also on other occassions that warrant makeup. So there.
Today's post-nap activity was grocery shopping. I spent nothing on this trip, which is unusual, since I usually buy the groceries for the house. Not that I'm complaining! It was very nice of my mom to pick up this tab.
So...that's all I got, not too shabby for having just been paid, methinks.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today(s): $0
Money Spent Today(s): $20
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Step 24: Reluctantly Use Your Snowbrush
I had to work a shift this evening. It was a trial of patience.
Okay, let me first say I know I'm lucky. A lot of people would LOVE to be in my shoes, where a 20-25 hour a week job was all they needed to have, and that even with so few hours, 75% of their income was disposable. I get that. I am thankful for that. HOWEVER, even the most thankful person in the world is still apt to get exasperated with their piddly little job. And tonight, it happened to me.
I was scheduled to be on the till, but when I got there and saw that I was working with T, I knew I'd be in the kitchen. T hates the kitchen, and as a result does a terrible job in it. So whoever works the next day is left to deal with the aftermath of his misery. It isn't fair to that person, and I don't really mind the kitchen all that much, so I might as well take it and do a good job to help out whoever works tomorrow. So, I go in with a positive attitude: It's Going to Be an Easy Night. The first order I get is at 3:55pm. The kitchen doesn't even technically open until 4, but eh, close enough. I make that pizza, then set to doing some other tasks, in hopes of getting a little ahead and being able to wrap things up early to get a few "If you get the chance you should..." chores done. I made a batch of dough. Typically, you only need to make one batch of dough per night, sometimes a double batch. Then the phone started ringing.
And ringing.
And ringing.
And RINGING.
And RINGING.
And frickin' RINGING. >:|
When I got to work, I needed to make a batch of dough, make pizzas for whoever called, then clean up the kitchen. Easy. EXCEPT that we got a snowstorm out of nowhere, and for some unknown reason, inclement weather makes the people in this town think, "YES. I DO want to go out in this to pick up a gas station pizza. Best. Idea. EVER." Except it isn't. For me. Our store is staffed so that ONE person works in the kitchen on Fridays, and therefore is left to make each and every pizza, one at a time, alone. No help. No help answering the phone, no help making the pizzas, no help cutting the pizzas and boxing them up, no help cleaning up the mess of a kerfillion pizzas, no help preparing fresh ingredients when you run out, no help at all. And yet, when you politely explain this to YET ANOTHER person who wants pizza NOW, they have the nerve to be annoyed when you tell them it'll be about 30 minutes instead of the 20 they're used to hearing.
And I do mean politely explain. "Okay, I have just a couple orders ahead of yours, so I'll need about half an hour, is that okay?"
"*scoff* It's usually 20 minutes."
"I know, I'm really sorry, but I just got a whole bunch of orders right in a row, and I have to make them in call order. I can call you if I'm done sooner..."
"Fine."
Then they show up 20 minutes later, and glare at me until their pizza is done. And when I say, "Thanks for waiting, have a good night!" as I hand them their Meal They Didn't Have to Cook, they roll their eyes and stalk away like they've been severely injusticed. Over a gas station pizza.
It is exasperating. BUT! I am proud to say that despite being ready to tell the next person who called that the kitchen was closed because we "ran out of cheese," I maintained my politeness. I did not let the Entitled get to me. At least not outwardly.
Anyway, once that was over (all 23 pizza orders came in from 5:30 to 7:45) I found myself in an "Aww, maaan." sort of position. My easy night of dough, pizzas, chores had just become: dough, pizzas, dough, chop veggies, more cheese, more meat, more sauce, chores. Oh, and you only have an hour and a half to get it all done. Good luck!
I got it done, but only because T offered to change the outside garbages and bring in the washer fluid buckets for me, and I only restocked the soda and beer sections of the cooler, completly ignoring the juice, water and enrgy drink sections. Heh. (Oh, those things don't sell very quickly anyway, don't judge me!)
THEN! And this is the absolute WORST PART of my night, once I survived the busy night and locked the store up, I went around the building to my car and it was COVERED IN SNOW. D8<
I hate snow. And ice. And everything to do with Winter. It's only October, okay? Fall has just barely begun, and here comes stupid lame winter muscling in on it. Unnecessary! I had to get into my car, turn the defrosters on, then dig through my trunk for my snowbrush. And then I had to brush an inch of snow off my car. And I was NOT polite about it. Snow does not deserve manners. It deserves viscious swipes with stiff black bristles and mumblings about how it better be melted by tomorrow or else. (Or else what it doesn't matter, it just better be gone.)
In all my exasperation with my Very Busy Night at work, I forgot to buy anything for dinner, and it was a full shift, so...good news for the bottom line! Though that is the last time I volunteer to take the kitchen when it's my turn to be on till. T's just going to have to suck it up and do better, or G will find someone else. (That's the gossip anyway, and I imagine it's true.)
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire (Oh, yeah! It was also payday today.)
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $120 (Electric bill was due again.)
Okay, let me first say I know I'm lucky. A lot of people would LOVE to be in my shoes, where a 20-25 hour a week job was all they needed to have, and that even with so few hours, 75% of their income was disposable. I get that. I am thankful for that. HOWEVER, even the most thankful person in the world is still apt to get exasperated with their piddly little job. And tonight, it happened to me.
I was scheduled to be on the till, but when I got there and saw that I was working with T, I knew I'd be in the kitchen. T hates the kitchen, and as a result does a terrible job in it. So whoever works the next day is left to deal with the aftermath of his misery. It isn't fair to that person, and I don't really mind the kitchen all that much, so I might as well take it and do a good job to help out whoever works tomorrow. So, I go in with a positive attitude: It's Going to Be an Easy Night. The first order I get is at 3:55pm. The kitchen doesn't even technically open until 4, but eh, close enough. I make that pizza, then set to doing some other tasks, in hopes of getting a little ahead and being able to wrap things up early to get a few "If you get the chance you should..." chores done. I made a batch of dough. Typically, you only need to make one batch of dough per night, sometimes a double batch. Then the phone started ringing.
And ringing.
And ringing.
And RINGING.
And RINGING.
And frickin' RINGING. >:|
When I got to work, I needed to make a batch of dough, make pizzas for whoever called, then clean up the kitchen. Easy. EXCEPT that we got a snowstorm out of nowhere, and for some unknown reason, inclement weather makes the people in this town think, "YES. I DO want to go out in this to pick up a gas station pizza. Best. Idea. EVER." Except it isn't. For me. Our store is staffed so that ONE person works in the kitchen on Fridays, and therefore is left to make each and every pizza, one at a time, alone. No help. No help answering the phone, no help making the pizzas, no help cutting the pizzas and boxing them up, no help cleaning up the mess of a kerfillion pizzas, no help preparing fresh ingredients when you run out, no help at all. And yet, when you politely explain this to YET ANOTHER person who wants pizza NOW, they have the nerve to be annoyed when you tell them it'll be about 30 minutes instead of the 20 they're used to hearing.
And I do mean politely explain. "Okay, I have just a couple orders ahead of yours, so I'll need about half an hour, is that okay?"
"*scoff* It's usually 20 minutes."
"I know, I'm really sorry, but I just got a whole bunch of orders right in a row, and I have to make them in call order. I can call you if I'm done sooner..."
"Fine."
Then they show up 20 minutes later, and glare at me until their pizza is done. And when I say, "Thanks for waiting, have a good night!" as I hand them their Meal They Didn't Have to Cook, they roll their eyes and stalk away like they've been severely injusticed. Over a gas station pizza.
It is exasperating. BUT! I am proud to say that despite being ready to tell the next person who called that the kitchen was closed because we "ran out of cheese," I maintained my politeness. I did not let the Entitled get to me. At least not outwardly.
Anyway, once that was over (all 23 pizza orders came in from 5:30 to 7:45) I found myself in an "Aww, maaan." sort of position. My easy night of dough, pizzas, chores had just become: dough, pizzas, dough, chop veggies, more cheese, more meat, more sauce, chores. Oh, and you only have an hour and a half to get it all done. Good luck!
I got it done, but only because T offered to change the outside garbages and bring in the washer fluid buckets for me, and I only restocked the soda and beer sections of the cooler, completly ignoring the juice, water and enrgy drink sections. Heh. (Oh, those things don't sell very quickly anyway, don't judge me!)
THEN! And this is the absolute WORST PART of my night, once I survived the busy night and locked the store up, I went around the building to my car and it was COVERED IN SNOW. D8<
I hate snow. And ice. And everything to do with Winter. It's only October, okay? Fall has just barely begun, and here comes stupid lame winter muscling in on it. Unnecessary! I had to get into my car, turn the defrosters on, then dig through my trunk for my snowbrush. And then I had to brush an inch of snow off my car. And I was NOT polite about it. Snow does not deserve manners. It deserves viscious swipes with stiff black bristles and mumblings about how it better be melted by tomorrow or else. (Or else what it doesn't matter, it just better be gone.)
In all my exasperation with my Very Busy Night at work, I forgot to buy anything for dinner, and it was a full shift, so...good news for the bottom line! Though that is the last time I volunteer to take the kitchen when it's my turn to be on till. T's just going to have to suck it up and do better, or G will find someone else. (That's the gossip anyway, and I imagine it's true.)
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire (Oh, yeah! It was also payday today.)
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $120 (Electric bill was due again.)
Friday, October 09, 2009
Step 23: Learn a Life Skill
Today, I woke up at the crack of 1, and was immediately suspicious at the lack of cat near my head. Usually that means something good's going down somewhere else in the house. I waited a few seconds, and then I heard the distinct sounds of Someone Upstairs. Oddly enough, I was not alarmed. But the sounds were of someone going from the upstairs desk, to the kitchen, running water, then to the bathroom. These are not Burglar sounds these are Mom Stayed Home From Work sounds. Turns out she was feeling poorly today, so she stayed home. We spent the day watching TV.
I did, however, sneak down stairs for a little bit while she played MarioKart (I don't know, don't ask, she digs it) and watched MelissaJenna's most recent YouTube video (and also the new episode of Glee on Hulu, but that's irrelevant). Anyway, in MJ's video, she talked about politeness, and how, even if you can't control how polite other people are, you can control how polite you are to them. I long ago decided that whoever MJ is in real life doesn't matter, I like who she is On the Internet, and that I'd do well to try and take some of her...serenity? Yeah, serenity, to heart. So I took her words about politeness and applied them when I went to the grocery store.
When I first got there, I saw a good parking spot and was about to pull into it, when some teenage girl on a cell phone whipped into it without a glance at me. I was miffed. I mean, I waited patiently on the old woman in the crosswalk, I saw it first, I had the good sense NOT to drive while on a cell phone...I deserved that spot. But then MJ's words came back to me, and I decided, you know what? I don't know her whole story, and it's rude of me to mentally berate her based on my own assumptions. I let it go, and decided to stick with the politeness lesson. Somehow, when I turned to go down the aisle with the Stolen Space, the one right across from it, just as excellent, was free. I hadn't noticed it before, but there it was, free and clear of anyone waiting patiently for it.
Once I got into the store, I walked close to one side or the other of each aisle, allowing people to pass me if needed, and when a gentleman was blocking my path, I smiled and said "Excuse me, please." When he looked up, said "Sorry!" and moved out of the way, I said "It's okay! Thank you." I continued this all the way to the checkout when I thanked the cashier.
As I was getting into my car, I realized that instead of feeling tired and a little cranky, and stressed like I normally do after a trip to the grocery store, I felt fine. Like myself. Calm and unperturbed and just GOOD about life. So I think this politeness thing is a good idea, and I'm going to continue to practice it. I'm not saying I'll be perfect at it, but that's why I said "practice."
I think the important life skill I started practicing today helped my long term goal, as it's never a bad idea to be polite, regardless of what you're trying to achieve.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Speant Today: $0
I did, however, sneak down stairs for a little bit while she played MarioKart (I don't know, don't ask, she digs it) and watched MelissaJenna's most recent YouTube video (and also the new episode of Glee on Hulu, but that's irrelevant). Anyway, in MJ's video, she talked about politeness, and how, even if you can't control how polite other people are, you can control how polite you are to them. I long ago decided that whoever MJ is in real life doesn't matter, I like who she is On the Internet, and that I'd do well to try and take some of her...serenity? Yeah, serenity, to heart. So I took her words about politeness and applied them when I went to the grocery store.
When I first got there, I saw a good parking spot and was about to pull into it, when some teenage girl on a cell phone whipped into it without a glance at me. I was miffed. I mean, I waited patiently on the old woman in the crosswalk, I saw it first, I had the good sense NOT to drive while on a cell phone...I deserved that spot. But then MJ's words came back to me, and I decided, you know what? I don't know her whole story, and it's rude of me to mentally berate her based on my own assumptions. I let it go, and decided to stick with the politeness lesson. Somehow, when I turned to go down the aisle with the Stolen Space, the one right across from it, just as excellent, was free. I hadn't noticed it before, but there it was, free and clear of anyone waiting patiently for it.
Once I got into the store, I walked close to one side or the other of each aisle, allowing people to pass me if needed, and when a gentleman was blocking my path, I smiled and said "Excuse me, please." When he looked up, said "Sorry!" and moved out of the way, I said "It's okay! Thank you." I continued this all the way to the checkout when I thanked the cashier.
As I was getting into my car, I realized that instead of feeling tired and a little cranky, and stressed like I normally do after a trip to the grocery store, I felt fine. Like myself. Calm and unperturbed and just GOOD about life. So I think this politeness thing is a good idea, and I'm going to continue to practice it. I'm not saying I'll be perfect at it, but that's why I said "practice."
I think the important life skill I started practicing today helped my long term goal, as it's never a bad idea to be polite, regardless of what you're trying to achieve.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Speant Today: $0
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Step 22: Sleep All Day
That's a song. "Sleep All Day" It's by Jason Mraz. I love him. Also, that's pretty much what I did today. Aside from another uneventful shift at work, I mean.
When I -did- finally get up, I worked on my Story That Will Make Me Millions But Even if It Doesn't Just Having It Published WIll Be a Dream Come True. It's actual title is Solitaire, and I've been "working" on it for...a Very Long Time. It's a good story about a dude named Joe. (...and he works...in a button factory... ONE DAY... Okay not really, but it was funny, ne?) Mostly I leave it set for long periods of time, then go back to it at random, or when I feel like it's "calling to me." I've got other stories that are the same way, all of them are set in a made up little town I decided to call Reuben's Valley. It was Harper Valley, but then I heard that Harper Valley is apparently the name of a town in a ridculous song, so I changed it...RIGHT. MOVING ON.
So, because I slept all day and then went to work, I didn't get much of a chance to work on Solitaire earlier, so I'm going to work on it tonight. It's the scene at Bill's wedding. In order to work on it properly, however, I needed munchie foods. We'll call them an investment.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $10 (Remember: investment.)
When I -did- finally get up, I worked on my Story That Will Make Me Millions But Even if It Doesn't Just Having It Published WIll Be a Dream Come True. It's actual title is Solitaire, and I've been "working" on it for...a Very Long Time. It's a good story about a dude named Joe. (...and he works...in a button factory... ONE DAY... Okay not really, but it was funny, ne?) Mostly I leave it set for long periods of time, then go back to it at random, or when I feel like it's "calling to me." I've got other stories that are the same way, all of them are set in a made up little town I decided to call Reuben's Valley. It was Harper Valley, but then I heard that Harper Valley is apparently the name of a town in a ridculous song, so I changed it...RIGHT. MOVING ON.
So, because I slept all day and then went to work, I didn't get much of a chance to work on Solitaire earlier, so I'm going to work on it tonight. It's the scene at Bill's wedding. In order to work on it properly, however, I needed munchie foods. We'll call them an investment.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $10 (Remember: investment.)
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Step 21: Get Up Early to Go Shopping
I set my alarm and actually got out of bed by 8:30 this morning. I'm not entirely sure why I decided to do that, but I did. I was dressed and out the door by 9, and shopping by a quarter after 10.
I think I gave the girl at Torrid a moment's pause, however, when I shuffled into her store at 10:15. I was still yawning, obviously not used to being awake at that time of day, but I walked straight in, grabbed a set of prosthetic fangs, took a lap around the store to browse, then took just the fangs to the register. She sort of laughed, then said "Did you just wake up this moring and decide you needed some fangs?" Yep. That's pretty much exactly what happened. Sometimes you just need ot get up early to buy a pair of vampire teeth. (NO, I will NOT be using body glitter at any point whilst wearing the teeth. Just...no.)
After that I went shopping for the bits and pieces I'd need to make special treat bags for C's kids. There are five of them, plus C's husband's teenaged brother that lives with them. I got a bunch of stuff, but I'm really sleepy right now, so I can't remember what all was there.
I also ate Taco Bell for lunch. It was delicious, and it's good thing there isn't one in my town, because I'd eat it all the time if there was.
When I got home, I started to take a nap, but then C called and asked if I'd come work for her for a couple hours so she could go to a parent-teacher thing, so I agreed. I was there for two hours, and all I really had to do was stand there while the new girl ran the till. She's training, so she just needed someone to be there in case something new came up. Nothing did, but I'll take the $15 boost in my paycheck, thank you.
Between the shopping and the short shift, I'm slightly in the red today, but less than if I'd refused to answer the phone when C called.
Current Status: Hundredaire (C'mon, payday!)
Money Earned Today: $15 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $60
I think I gave the girl at Torrid a moment's pause, however, when I shuffled into her store at 10:15. I was still yawning, obviously not used to being awake at that time of day, but I walked straight in, grabbed a set of prosthetic fangs, took a lap around the store to browse, then took just the fangs to the register. She sort of laughed, then said "Did you just wake up this moring and decide you needed some fangs?" Yep. That's pretty much exactly what happened. Sometimes you just need ot get up early to buy a pair of vampire teeth. (NO, I will NOT be using body glitter at any point whilst wearing the teeth. Just...no.)
After that I went shopping for the bits and pieces I'd need to make special treat bags for C's kids. There are five of them, plus C's husband's teenaged brother that lives with them. I got a bunch of stuff, but I'm really sleepy right now, so I can't remember what all was there.
I also ate Taco Bell for lunch. It was delicious, and it's good thing there isn't one in my town, because I'd eat it all the time if there was.
When I got home, I started to take a nap, but then C called and asked if I'd come work for her for a couple hours so she could go to a parent-teacher thing, so I agreed. I was there for two hours, and all I really had to do was stand there while the new girl ran the till. She's training, so she just needed someone to be there in case something new came up. Nothing did, but I'll take the $15 boost in my paycheck, thank you.
Between the shopping and the short shift, I'm slightly in the red today, but less than if I'd refused to answer the phone when C called.
Current Status: Hundredaire (C'mon, payday!)
Money Earned Today: $15 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $60
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Step 20: Have a Very Chilly Day
I was cold today. Well, sort of. It wasn't a particularly cold day, but it did rain all day. And when I went out to bring the garbage bin back into the garage, I got rained on, and it gave me a chill. I've been trying to shake it all day, but mostly it's just lingered and made me feel feverish and such.
Maybe I have thehiney H1N1 flu.
I watched football today. You know, as much as I'd like to be stereotypically girly and say that I -don't- like football, that's a lie. I kind of do. I mean, I don't watch every game, and I certainly don't know the names of many players. And I know only one stat for one player, and that I'll likely forget. (Brett Favre is the only player in NFL history to defeat all 32 NFL Teams. He set that record this evening when the Vikings beat the Packers.) I only know that because, as I said, it happened tonight, and they made kind of a big deal about it. Anyway, being that my mom is a Vikings fan, I tend to watch their games every weekend, and I find myself surprisingly UNbored. It's a casual interest, though, as I wouldn't go out of my way to watch any game...except the Super Bowl, but really I'm just there for the food.
Hopefully tomorrow will have an interesting anecdote or two, as I'm going shopping.
Today I stayed home and was cold, so it was neutral.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $30, but that wasn't today. I just forgot about buying gas for my car and a Powerball ticket the other day until just this moment. /fessing up
Maybe I have the
I watched football today. You know, as much as I'd like to be stereotypically girly and say that I -don't- like football, that's a lie. I kind of do. I mean, I don't watch every game, and I certainly don't know the names of many players. And I know only one stat for one player, and that I'll likely forget. (Brett Favre is the only player in NFL history to defeat all 32 NFL Teams. He set that record this evening when the Vikings beat the Packers.) I only know that because, as I said, it happened tonight, and they made kind of a big deal about it. Anyway, being that my mom is a Vikings fan, I tend to watch their games every weekend, and I find myself surprisingly UNbored. It's a casual interest, though, as I wouldn't go out of my way to watch any game...except the Super Bowl, but really I'm just there for the food.
Hopefully tomorrow will have an interesting anecdote or two, as I'm going shopping.
Today I stayed home and was cold, so it was neutral.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $0
Money Spent Today: $30, but that wasn't today. I just forgot about buying gas for my car and a Powerball ticket the other day until just this moment. /fessing up
Monday, October 05, 2009
Step 19: Be Mad at Blogger
>:\ This post WAS all done, until Blogger decided to EAT IT.
I had a good lunch, I worked. /summary of what was a much more interesting post
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $60 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36 again
I had a good lunch, I worked. /summary of what was a much more interesting post
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $60 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36 again
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Step 18: Have a Typical Night at Work
You know, my daily life really isn't particularly interesting. I do normal people boring things. I wake up, I get dressed, I eat food, I nap, I go to work...usually in that order actually. ANYWAY. I was at work tonight and it struck me that sometimes some really bizarre things happen to or around me, and I blow them off as "typical." So, tonight, I kept track of the more lol-worthy moments, and have decided to share them here.
1. It's Saturday (or was, at the time), which means the lottery drawing was tonight. Drawing nights are always busy, but especially when the jackpot is over $100 million. There are people who just play twice a week and that's that, there are people who play when the jackpot is super huge and that's that, and then there are the CRAZIES that play because they genuinely believe they are destined to make their fortunes via a random drawing. For example, a guy came in and bought a quick pick Powerball, with the Powerplay Mulitplier. He proceeded to say, WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING FROM ME, mind you, "Yeah, I figure if I'm gonna win, I'm gonna win big." I am a trained professional in dealing with Lottery Hopefuls, so I smile benignly and say, "Haha! There you go, that's the right attitude."
"Yep, and when I do, I'm taking my kids away from my wife...or my ex-wife now. That's what she gets for leaving me for another guy."
...Okaaaay... your total is $3.58 [he bought a bottle of pop, too]. Overshare, dude. If you wanna tell me that you're going to build a house for you and your kids, cool. Tell me you're not giving your ex any of the cash, fine. But to tell me something like that with the expectation of seeing me agree with you plan? NOT COOL. (Especially because I DON'T agree with it, as children should never be used as weapons of revenge. EVER. /opinion)
Moving on, we had Lottery Crazy #2: "Quick Pick" Does Not Mean the Same as "Spearate Tickets" Lady.
This woman came in apparently flustered and in some sort of rush. Whatever, you're the 50th person today who's been in a hurry. This conversation ensues:
"Do you have Powerball here?"
"Yep! How many would you like?"
"I need four quick picks."
"Sure!" I proceed to hit the $4 button, "No" for the Powerplay, then "Send" to print the ticket. I hand her the ticket.
"Anything else?"
"No, that's all."
"Okay, $4 is your total."
"Don't I need three more tickets?" I've run into this question before, mostly in old people who don't understand that multiple draws will print on one ticket. I explain this.
"*snotty tone* Well, I wanted four separate tickets. That's why I said QUICK PICK." At this point, her tone and overall attitude, along with just being tired has worn my patience thin.
"Okay, 'quick pick' doesn't mean you want separate tickets, it just means you don't care what numbers show up in each draw. If you wanted separate tickets, you needed to tell me that before I printed them off. I'll print you new ones, but now I get to try and sell this one or pay for it myself, so thanks for that."
"I hope you can sell it, sweetie." (She was still condescending.)
"Yeah, next time make sure you say what you want beforehand, so you DON'T screw up my night."
She left, but I was still miffed. I HATE when people come in and act like, since I work at a gas station, I must be stupid and therefore they have some sort superiority. A NORMAL person would have apologised for not specifying until it was too late, and might even have offered to buy the misprint. Even if they hadn't, in acknowledging their mistake, I'd have been way less pissy about having to try and sell the misprint. As it was, she had an "I am the customer, I can do no wrong." complex, and it's obnoxious and entitled and UGH! Anyway, I did manage to sell the misprint to an understanding regular and that was the end of the Lottery hijinks.
Speaking of regular customers! Tonight I realized that I do value them over other customers. The one I jsut mentioned that bought the besotted ticket? I allowed him to leave the store without paying for his gas or lottery tickets because he left his checkcard in his (locked) office, and the only credit card he had on him had just expired in September. He came in, explained the mishap, and that he'd be right back with his checkbook. Did I question his motives or morals? Did I ask to keep his ID? Did I give a moments pause before saying, "Okay, see you in a few minutes, then!" NOPE. He's a regular! He works at the car dealership! He orders a taco pizza every Friday night! I don't need to question him. He is a regular. So there, if there was ever any question as to whether being a "regular" had any real benefits, the answer is yes. You get to leave a gas station without paying for anything, and the clerk will trust that you will indeed be right back.
Anyway, the final note for Things That I Wrote Off as Typical, is another overshare. A lady came in after fueling her car. She wandered around the store for a few minutes, then came up to the counter and discreetly placed a box of Tampax tampons on the counter. I didn't really register what she'd set up there other than "box, barcode on side" until she felt the need to whisper and...animatedly? mouth "I REALLY NEED THESE" to me. As she did so, the brain clicked on and I realized what she was telling me she REALLY NEEDED. Okay, first? I could have gathered that you needed them, otherwise you wouldn't be buying them. Second? Do I absolutely need to know that you REALLY NEED them? Or is there just something about me that says, "Yep. She needs to know all about my girly business. She will enjoy knowing about it, and I will feel better having told her about it."? Because if there is, tell me so I can stop sending out that vibe.
She also asked me if I could put the box in a bag, because she had her neighbor with her. Okay, so HE gets spared the gory details, but I don't? Gee, thanks. Have a great night.
In short: my typical day would be a lot of people's WEIRDEST. DAY. EVER.
Other than being sort of "Meh." the day was beneficial. I worked, therefore I earned.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36 (What? We have delicious donuts where I work, and I get them half price.)
1. It's Saturday (or was, at the time), which means the lottery drawing was tonight. Drawing nights are always busy, but especially when the jackpot is over $100 million. There are people who just play twice a week and that's that, there are people who play when the jackpot is super huge and that's that, and then there are the CRAZIES that play because they genuinely believe they are destined to make their fortunes via a random drawing. For example, a guy came in and bought a quick pick Powerball, with the Powerplay Mulitplier. He proceeded to say, WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING FROM ME, mind you, "Yeah, I figure if I'm gonna win, I'm gonna win big." I am a trained professional in dealing with Lottery Hopefuls, so I smile benignly and say, "Haha! There you go, that's the right attitude."
"Yep, and when I do, I'm taking my kids away from my wife...or my ex-wife now. That's what she gets for leaving me for another guy."
...Okaaaay... your total is $3.58 [he bought a bottle of pop, too]. Overshare, dude. If you wanna tell me that you're going to build a house for you and your kids, cool. Tell me you're not giving your ex any of the cash, fine. But to tell me something like that with the expectation of seeing me agree with you plan? NOT COOL. (Especially because I DON'T agree with it, as children should never be used as weapons of revenge. EVER. /opinion)
Moving on, we had Lottery Crazy #2: "Quick Pick" Does Not Mean the Same as "Spearate Tickets" Lady.
This woman came in apparently flustered and in some sort of rush. Whatever, you're the 50th person today who's been in a hurry. This conversation ensues:
"Do you have Powerball here?"
"Yep! How many would you like?"
"I need four quick picks."
"Sure!" I proceed to hit the $4 button, "No" for the Powerplay, then "Send" to print the ticket. I hand her the ticket.
"Anything else?"
"No, that's all."
"Okay, $4 is your total."
"Don't I need three more tickets?" I've run into this question before, mostly in old people who don't understand that multiple draws will print on one ticket. I explain this.
"*snotty tone* Well, I wanted four separate tickets. That's why I said QUICK PICK." At this point, her tone and overall attitude, along with just being tired has worn my patience thin.
"Okay, 'quick pick' doesn't mean you want separate tickets, it just means you don't care what numbers show up in each draw. If you wanted separate tickets, you needed to tell me that before I printed them off. I'll print you new ones, but now I get to try and sell this one or pay for it myself, so thanks for that."
"I hope you can sell it, sweetie." (She was still condescending.)
"Yeah, next time make sure you say what you want beforehand, so you DON'T screw up my night."
She left, but I was still miffed. I HATE when people come in and act like, since I work at a gas station, I must be stupid and therefore they have some sort superiority. A NORMAL person would have apologised for not specifying until it was too late, and might even have offered to buy the misprint. Even if they hadn't, in acknowledging their mistake, I'd have been way less pissy about having to try and sell the misprint. As it was, she had an "I am the customer, I can do no wrong." complex, and it's obnoxious and entitled and UGH! Anyway, I did manage to sell the misprint to an understanding regular and that was the end of the Lottery hijinks.
Speaking of regular customers! Tonight I realized that I do value them over other customers. The one I jsut mentioned that bought the besotted ticket? I allowed him to leave the store without paying for his gas or lottery tickets because he left his checkcard in his (locked) office, and the only credit card he had on him had just expired in September. He came in, explained the mishap, and that he'd be right back with his checkbook. Did I question his motives or morals? Did I ask to keep his ID? Did I give a moments pause before saying, "Okay, see you in a few minutes, then!" NOPE. He's a regular! He works at the car dealership! He orders a taco pizza every Friday night! I don't need to question him. He is a regular. So there, if there was ever any question as to whether being a "regular" had any real benefits, the answer is yes. You get to leave a gas station without paying for anything, and the clerk will trust that you will indeed be right back.
Anyway, the final note for Things That I Wrote Off as Typical, is another overshare. A lady came in after fueling her car. She wandered around the store for a few minutes, then came up to the counter and discreetly placed a box of Tampax tampons on the counter. I didn't really register what she'd set up there other than "box, barcode on side" until she felt the need to whisper and...animatedly? mouth "I REALLY NEED THESE" to me. As she did so, the brain clicked on and I realized what she was telling me she REALLY NEEDED. Okay, first? I could have gathered that you needed them, otherwise you wouldn't be buying them. Second? Do I absolutely need to know that you REALLY NEED them? Or is there just something about me that says, "Yep. She needs to know all about my girly business. She will enjoy knowing about it, and I will feel better having told her about it."? Because if there is, tell me so I can stop sending out that vibe.
She also asked me if I could put the box in a bag, because she had her neighbor with her. Okay, so HE gets spared the gory details, but I don't? Gee, thanks. Have a great night.
In short: my typical day would be a lot of people's WEIRDEST. DAY. EVER.
Other than being sort of "Meh." the day was beneficial. I worked, therefore I earned.
Current Status: Multi-Hundredaire
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Money Spent Today: $.36 (What? We have delicious donuts where I work, and I get them half price.)
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Step 17: Have a Fun Night at Work
Today was the second time I worked with T. I still think he's okay, and tonight I learned that he is "one of us," in that you can joke around and be silly with him, and he doesn't go all emo about it. *coughlikeJdidcough* I really hope he stays one of the cool kids.
Also, I met the new girl, A, who is taking Frank's spot. She is C's cousin, so she should be fine, as C wouldn't hire her cousin if she were an idiot, family tie or not.
I had my piano lesson today. I love my piano lessons. I'm not very good at playing yet, but what I lack in skill I make up for in "OMG YAY!" Also, my piano teacher happens to be one of my landlords...which seems an odd thing to call them because they're the nicest, sweetest little old couple EVER, and the label "Landlord" seems...crude, somehow. ANYWAY, at the end of my lesson I invited them to Thanksgiving dinner at our house, and they accepted! I am excited. They are awesome people.
Uh...what else...OH! It's October, guys! That means TWO things: I have to remember to wear a bit of pink each day in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AND Halloween! I haven't gotten to putting up the doecorations yet because it's been raining the past two days, but the first chance I get, I will have a gravesite just outside my front door, among other things. Eee!
Overall, today was a help to my bottom line, as I worked a full shift, and spent less than a dollar.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Spent Today: $.36 (Yep, that's CENTS!)
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Also, I met the new girl, A, who is taking Frank's spot. She is C's cousin, so she should be fine, as C wouldn't hire her cousin if she were an idiot, family tie or not.
I had my piano lesson today. I love my piano lessons. I'm not very good at playing yet, but what I lack in skill I make up for in "OMG YAY!" Also, my piano teacher happens to be one of my landlords...which seems an odd thing to call them because they're the nicest, sweetest little old couple EVER, and the label "Landlord" seems...crude, somehow. ANYWAY, at the end of my lesson I invited them to Thanksgiving dinner at our house, and they accepted! I am excited. They are awesome people.
Uh...what else...OH! It's October, guys! That means TWO things: I have to remember to wear a bit of pink each day in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AND Halloween! I haven't gotten to putting up the doecorations yet because it's been raining the past two days, but the first chance I get, I will have a gravesite just outside my front door, among other things. Eee!
Overall, today was a help to my bottom line, as I worked a full shift, and spent less than a dollar.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Spent Today: $.36 (Yep, that's CENTS!)
Money Earned Today: $52.50 - taxes
Friday, October 02, 2009
Step 16: Fail Hard at Daily Updates, Vow to Remedy the Sitch
(Use Outdated Slang)
Okay. See. What had happened was...there was this thing...this this person...and some stuff happened...and I don't even know about all that, I'm just saying about right here...I'm just trying to tell you...what it is that I know...*longsufferingsigh* Fiiiiine. I just suck. Figuratively, I mean.
I forgot to post one day. And I thought "I'll do it tomorrow." then tomorrow came and went and I forgot again. Until it snowballed and now I'm like...forever behind and I don't remember what all happened each day. SO! What we're going to do is give a brief recap of what I do remember, and essentially Start Fresh.
Here's what I remember: I failed at keeping track of my bank account, and for a few days I had less than $10 in my account. Fortunately payday came, and I'm back to being a hundredaire. It's not multi, but it's better than only tens.
I rejoined the workforce and all was pretty mundane, until last Friday when, less than 10 minutes before we closed, disaster struck. Well, not for me, but I witnessed it. Also: I think I am becoming the Black Widow of my job or something. This marks the SECOND person who lost their job while working with me. Through irreparable means. Oh, right! The story.
As I said, it was less than 10 minutes before we closed. Actually, it was four minutes before we could turn the lights off, six minutes before the official close. I was working with F. Me on kitchen duty, him on till. A college kid walked into the store and grabbed a big can of Busch Light. He brought it to the register and F rang it up. They exchanged a brief conversation ("Hey, how're you?" "Good, how about you?" "Good, what's going on tonight." "Not much.") that led me to believe that F was at the very least familiar with this gentleman. I check the clock, 10:56. I can hit the lights in two minutes. 10:57, a cop walks in the door.
"I've got some bad news for ya. You sold alcohol to a minor. The person that purchased this alcohol was only 20 years old, and no ID was asked for."
What? My heart starts pounding, and I'm immediately wondering was it while I covered till? No...who was just here...that college kid...did he ask for ID? He didn't! Oh my God... Now what? Poor F, he's just lost his job... wait, F himself is only 20, is he allowed to sell alcohol at all? If he isn't, what does that mean? Was I supposed to sell it for him? Am I in trouble, too? The cop's talking to me...
Cop: "Are you the manager?"
Me: "No."
Cop: "Do you work here?"
Me: "I do."
That was it? He didn't ask for my ID...do I have my ID? Someone needs to call Manager, or at least C [asst. manager]. I'm not in legal trouble, but am I in trouble with corporate? I thought F knew the guy! I'd have carded him, or told F to if I didn't think they knew each other...The cops gone. Do I say anything?
F: "Do you have any idea how bad I want to kill myself right now?"
Me: "You'll be alright. Eventually."
I hope he didn't mean that...okay, time to go. I'll give it 20 minutes then call C. Poor F!
So yeah, as it turns out F DID lose his job, he's got a court date and whatnot set up. I really hope everything turns out okay for him, as he was a really nice kid.
I, on the other hand, wasn't in any trouble. I feel kind of bad about worrying for myself at the time, but I guess I just knew that I couldn't help F, what was done was done. I dunno. Best wishes to him all the same.
I push enter a lot when I blog. We'll call it a trademark. Or something.
Let's see, other than my store being caught in a sting, what else has happened...not much. I probably bought some things I didn't really need, but did really want.
I met the guy that took J's place finally. He's...not what I expected...but he seems okay so far. I work with him again tonight (it's 5:30 am) so we'll see what happens.
My sleep schedule has gotten completely wonky. Between staying up late on Polyvore and not sleeping very well when I do go to bed, I've become basically nocturnal. I don't like it, to be honest. I like getting up before noon, as it turns out. I mean, maybe not before 10, but before noon for sure. Maybe I'll be able to get it swapped back around this weekend.
Anyway, as unhappy as it was, the sting has helped my bottom line because I've been given several of F's shifts to cover.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Since I Posted Last: $262.50 - taxes
Money Spent Since I Last Posted: I don't remember. At least $200 though. (One was the electric bill, okay?! You HAVE to pay those!)
Okay. See. What had happened was...there was this thing...this this person...and some stuff happened...and I don't even know about all that, I'm just saying about right here...I'm just trying to tell you...what it is that I know...*longsufferingsigh* Fiiiiine. I just suck. Figuratively, I mean.
I forgot to post one day. And I thought "I'll do it tomorrow." then tomorrow came and went and I forgot again. Until it snowballed and now I'm like...forever behind and I don't remember what all happened each day. SO! What we're going to do is give a brief recap of what I do remember, and essentially Start Fresh.
Here's what I remember: I failed at keeping track of my bank account, and for a few days I had less than $10 in my account. Fortunately payday came, and I'm back to being a hundredaire. It's not multi, but it's better than only tens.
I rejoined the workforce and all was pretty mundane, until last Friday when, less than 10 minutes before we closed, disaster struck. Well, not for me, but I witnessed it. Also: I think I am becoming the Black Widow of my job or something. This marks the SECOND person who lost their job while working with me. Through irreparable means. Oh, right! The story.
As I said, it was less than 10 minutes before we closed. Actually, it was four minutes before we could turn the lights off, six minutes before the official close. I was working with F. Me on kitchen duty, him on till. A college kid walked into the store and grabbed a big can of Busch Light. He brought it to the register and F rang it up. They exchanged a brief conversation ("Hey, how're you?" "Good, how about you?" "Good, what's going on tonight." "Not much.") that led me to believe that F was at the very least familiar with this gentleman. I check the clock, 10:56. I can hit the lights in two minutes. 10:57, a cop walks in the door.
"I've got some bad news for ya. You sold alcohol to a minor. The person that purchased this alcohol was only 20 years old, and no ID was asked for."
What? My heart starts pounding, and I'm immediately wondering was it while I covered till? No...who was just here...that college kid...did he ask for ID? He didn't! Oh my God... Now what? Poor F, he's just lost his job... wait, F himself is only 20, is he allowed to sell alcohol at all? If he isn't, what does that mean? Was I supposed to sell it for him? Am I in trouble, too? The cop's talking to me...
Cop: "Are you the manager?"
Me: "No."
Cop: "Do you work here?"
Me: "I do."
That was it? He didn't ask for my ID...do I have my ID? Someone needs to call Manager, or at least C [asst. manager]. I'm not in legal trouble, but am I in trouble with corporate? I thought F knew the guy! I'd have carded him, or told F to if I didn't think they knew each other...The cops gone. Do I say anything?
F: "Do you have any idea how bad I want to kill myself right now?"
Me: "You'll be alright. Eventually."
I hope he didn't mean that...okay, time to go. I'll give it 20 minutes then call C. Poor F!
So yeah, as it turns out F DID lose his job, he's got a court date and whatnot set up. I really hope everything turns out okay for him, as he was a really nice kid.
I, on the other hand, wasn't in any trouble. I feel kind of bad about worrying for myself at the time, but I guess I just knew that I couldn't help F, what was done was done. I dunno. Best wishes to him all the same.
I push enter a lot when I blog. We'll call it a trademark. Or something.
Let's see, other than my store being caught in a sting, what else has happened...not much. I probably bought some things I didn't really need, but did really want.
I met the guy that took J's place finally. He's...not what I expected...but he seems okay so far. I work with him again tonight (it's 5:30 am) so we'll see what happens.
My sleep schedule has gotten completely wonky. Between staying up late on Polyvore and not sleeping very well when I do go to bed, I've become basically nocturnal. I don't like it, to be honest. I like getting up before noon, as it turns out. I mean, maybe not before 10, but before noon for sure. Maybe I'll be able to get it swapped back around this weekend.
Anyway, as unhappy as it was, the sting has helped my bottom line because I've been given several of F's shifts to cover.
Current Status: Hundredaire
Money Earned Since I Posted Last: $262.50 - taxes
Money Spent Since I Last Posted: I don't remember. At least $200 though. (One was the electric bill, okay?! You HAVE to pay those!)
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