1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name)
Kaita Lindeke (I don't actually live there, I did for all of three weeks, but my current street is numbered and those don't work)
2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your mother's side, your favorite candy)
Esther Rolo
3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your last name
K Er
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal, favorite color)
Horse Black . . . I don't think that one works
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Marie George
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name)
Erimc'bMad . . . that one makes no sense.
7. JEDI NAME (first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name, first two of your mother's maiden name, first three of the town you were born in)
Erika McGeo
8. PORN STAR NAME: (middle name, street you grew up on)
Marie Robin
A blog about a girl who speaks her mind and talks about whatever she wants. So its a blog about everything, and absolutely nothing, all at the same time. . .
3.31.2006
3.29.2006
Dating Services
A couple weeks ago, my mom, sisters and I had planned to take a road trip. However, due to weather, we changed our minds about that weekend.
Instead, they were having a woman's convention downtown. With nothing really better to do, so we all went there and looked around, and I was bored out of my mind.
Well, while we were there, I had to make due with my time, and so I signed up for this MatchFinders dating service thing, and low and behold, I got a call saying I won their runner up thing, which was actually a Consultation.
So I went into the Consultation and momentarily lost my mind and signed up. Fortunately, the service cuts through the freaks and sets you up with compatible people who are half way normal. I'm not sure how normal a person can be to be compatible with me however.
Anyway, they called with my first match today. He sounds like a nice guy. These dates might be a fun thing to blog about.
Instead, they were having a woman's convention downtown. With nothing really better to do, so we all went there and looked around, and I was bored out of my mind.
Well, while we were there, I had to make due with my time, and so I signed up for this MatchFinders dating service thing, and low and behold, I got a call saying I won their runner up thing, which was actually a Consultation.
So I went into the Consultation and momentarily lost my mind and signed up. Fortunately, the service cuts through the freaks and sets you up with compatible people who are half way normal. I'm not sure how normal a person can be to be compatible with me however.
Anyway, they called with my first match today. He sounds like a nice guy. These dates might be a fun thing to blog about.
3.28.2006
Viva La Raza???
An Ironic thing happened while we were in Pasco Washington. My dad and I were in the car at the emergency room and listening to Rush Limbaugh. The subject today was the current issue with Bush and his Immigration policy and the stink its currently causing in Washington. Now, I'll admit, I'm not exactly sure how I stand on this issue, especially concerning illegal immigration as I'm sort of confused on how Bush is standing on it. I'm not sure I entirely agree with him for one. If people want to come to America to work and make a better life for themselves, I'm all for that. As long as they aren't looking for a free hand out of course, and they go about the right way of gaining citizenship.
Anyway, low and behold, in the middle of the conversation on Rush, about 300 kids marched by, waving Mexican flags, honking their horns, holding signs in spanish and basically protesting HR-4437. I'm listening to this on the Radio, I'm watching it pass by, and I'm hearing all sorts of points of views on the topic and it occurred to me that I really didn't know anything about this.
Hearing about it, and seeing it occur right before my eyes, I decided to get my trusty camera out and document it. As I soon discovered that this was occuring all over the nation.
I noticed these were all high school kids. Before I took pictures, I made sure it was ok to take their picture. These kids didn't seem to mind, they were all over it, glad to pose and show off their mexican spirit.
So I did my research on this Immigration Reform Bill HR 4437.
From all appearances, it appears to be a Bill cracking down on Illegal Immigration. Now, this to me sounds like a good thing, as I've lived in California and have witnessed first hand how illegal immigrants come into our country and take advantage of the system without giving anything back in return. I do have a lot of respect for immigrants who come here who are hard workers looking for a way to support their families and live the American dream.
But what baffled me is that this propisition seems to crack down on illegal immigrants, so as to toughen our borders and protect our country. Immigration is a good thing, as long as its done properly.
That being said, I couldn't help but think 'what's with the mexican flags?' These kids are trying to encourage immigration, the point of immigration is to leave one country and enter another. If they are so bent on displaying Mexican pride, why don't they go back to Mexico? Why are they waving a Mexican Flag in their protest to being able to live and get the benefits of being in America? You are in America now. Embrace the fact that you want to be American and you are demonstrating your rights to gain citizenship in America, or whatever your demonstrating. If you are so proud of being Mexican, waving your Mexican flag, you need to make a decision on which country you want to call home.
It seems to be a bit of an oxymoron. Of course, their excuse seems to be that America took this land away from them to begin with, so we're occupying their land.
In regards to that, for some reason, a quote from Buffy the Vampire Slayer seems to say it best, said by none other then Spike.
Granted, he was discussing Indians in that episode, and being a Vampire, his language is a bit blunt but it kind of says the same thing. Honestly, who has rights to any place based on what happened a century ago anymore? Laws change, boundaries change, and right now, a bunch of Illegal Immigrants want to claim that we are taking advantage of their homeland (though most Hispanics also have Spanish Origins, and you want to hear something about conquering nations taking over lands). I'm sorry, it doesn't cut with me. The USA is not the United States of Mexico. This is America now, Mexico lost, America gained a bunch of land. Deal with it.
I did see one Mexican, standing on a corner, waving an American flag and wearing a Navy Uniform. Right on, Dude. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of him.
I wanted to get a better idea of other opinions, so I did a search on what the blogs are saying about the subject, preferably from a well rounded view point.
I appear to be behind on the issue, as its been in discussion for a few days now. Where've I been?
Latino Issues voiced similar concerns as my own on the subject, especially considering that this is a Hispanic American.
Michelle Malkin
Ankle Biting Pundits has this to say
I must say I agree with Gaypatriot on this whole matter
Riehl World View
Blogbat
Jimmy Akin
Kind of a commentary featuring various points of view from Nashville is Talking
Blogs for Bush Offers this Explanation. Followed up by what Bush has to say on the circumstances here. Further explored here.
Guess I'm a racist too
Lorie Byrd over on Polipundit makes a clarification on what about the 'Jobs that nobody wants' makes them so appealing to Immigrant workers. Its not that Americans don't want them, they just can't work them at the wages Immigrants work for.
An interesting Map dealing with Net Immigration
MySpace seems to have had a huge impact on what's going on, but this doesn't exactly tell me the whole issue. It just makes a kid who was involved look woefully ignorant of the facts. And he appears to be very uneducated by this rant of his.
It's a hot topic over in LiveJournal, I found a few various opinions on the whole matter from different viewpoints. A lot were kids, about the same age group that appears to be demonstrating.
In Texas, another viewpoint on the whole School Walk out.
One student has mixed opinions
So, cut in dry, what are my viewpoints on immigration and this whole issue? America is made up of Immigrants. I have no problem with Immigration, done Legally! You are on American Soil. If you are so proud of Mexico, go back to Mexico. I don't want anybody in America that wishes this country were still a part of another. Don't dwell on the past and think of what is supposed to be right.
Do people honestly believe that California would be a better place if it was still under Mexico anyway? Though honestly, its getting to a point where I would soon as say Mexico can have it back.
I think I'm kind of into the whole blogging thing again. . . though this rant seems a bit incoherant on my part.
Anyway, low and behold, in the middle of the conversation on Rush, about 300 kids marched by, waving Mexican flags, honking their horns, holding signs in spanish and basically protesting HR-4437. I'm listening to this on the Radio, I'm watching it pass by, and I'm hearing all sorts of points of views on the topic and it occurred to me that I really didn't know anything about this.
Hearing about it, and seeing it occur right before my eyes, I decided to get my trusty camera out and document it. As I soon discovered that this was occuring all over the nation.
I noticed these were all high school kids. Before I took pictures, I made sure it was ok to take their picture. These kids didn't seem to mind, they were all over it, glad to pose and show off their mexican spirit.
So I did my research on this Immigration Reform Bill HR 4437.
From all appearances, it appears to be a Bill cracking down on Illegal Immigration. Now, this to me sounds like a good thing, as I've lived in California and have witnessed first hand how illegal immigrants come into our country and take advantage of the system without giving anything back in return. I do have a lot of respect for immigrants who come here who are hard workers looking for a way to support their families and live the American dream.
But what baffled me is that this propisition seems to crack down on illegal immigrants, so as to toughen our borders and protect our country. Immigration is a good thing, as long as its done properly.
That being said, I couldn't help but think 'what's with the mexican flags?' These kids are trying to encourage immigration, the point of immigration is to leave one country and enter another. If they are so bent on displaying Mexican pride, why don't they go back to Mexico? Why are they waving a Mexican Flag in their protest to being able to live and get the benefits of being in America? You are in America now. Embrace the fact that you want to be American and you are demonstrating your rights to gain citizenship in America, or whatever your demonstrating. If you are so proud of being Mexican, waving your Mexican flag, you need to make a decision on which country you want to call home.
It seems to be a bit of an oxymoron. Of course, their excuse seems to be that America took this land away from them to begin with, so we're occupying their land.
In regards to that, for some reason, a quote from Buffy the Vampire Slayer seems to say it best, said by none other then Spike.
"You won, alright? You came, you killed them, you took their land. That's what conquering nations do. That's what Ceaser did, and he's not going around saying 'I came, I conquered, I felt really bad about it.'
"The history of the world is not people making friends. You had better weapons, and you massacred them, end of story"
-Episode 4.8 Pangs
Granted, he was discussing Indians in that episode, and being a Vampire, his language is a bit blunt but it kind of says the same thing. Honestly, who has rights to any place based on what happened a century ago anymore? Laws change, boundaries change, and right now, a bunch of Illegal Immigrants want to claim that we are taking advantage of their homeland (though most Hispanics also have Spanish Origins, and you want to hear something about conquering nations taking over lands). I'm sorry, it doesn't cut with me. The USA is not the United States of Mexico. This is America now, Mexico lost, America gained a bunch of land. Deal with it.
I did see one Mexican, standing on a corner, waving an American flag and wearing a Navy Uniform. Right on, Dude. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of him.
I wanted to get a better idea of other opinions, so I did a search on what the blogs are saying about the subject, preferably from a well rounded view point.
I appear to be behind on the issue, as its been in discussion for a few days now. Where've I been?
Latino Issues voiced similar concerns as my own on the subject, especially considering that this is a Hispanic American.
Michelle Malkin
Ankle Biting Pundits has this to say
I must say I agree with Gaypatriot on this whole matter
Riehl World View
Blogbat
Jimmy Akin
Kind of a commentary featuring various points of view from Nashville is Talking
Blogs for Bush Offers this Explanation. Followed up by what Bush has to say on the circumstances here. Further explored here.
Guess I'm a racist too
Lorie Byrd over on Polipundit makes a clarification on what about the 'Jobs that nobody wants' makes them so appealing to Immigrant workers. Its not that Americans don't want them, they just can't work them at the wages Immigrants work for.
An interesting Map dealing with Net Immigration
MySpace seems to have had a huge impact on what's going on, but this doesn't exactly tell me the whole issue. It just makes a kid who was involved look woefully ignorant of the facts. And he appears to be very uneducated by this rant of his.
It's a hot topic over in LiveJournal, I found a few various opinions on the whole matter from different viewpoints. A lot were kids, about the same age group that appears to be demonstrating.
In Texas, another viewpoint on the whole School Walk out.
One student has mixed opinions
So, cut in dry, what are my viewpoints on immigration and this whole issue? America is made up of Immigrants. I have no problem with Immigration, done Legally! You are on American Soil. If you are so proud of Mexico, go back to Mexico. I don't want anybody in America that wishes this country were still a part of another. Don't dwell on the past and think of what is supposed to be right.
Do people honestly believe that California would be a better place if it was still under Mexico anyway? Though honestly, its getting to a point where I would soon as say Mexico can have it back.
I think I'm kind of into the whole blogging thing again. . . though this rant seems a bit incoherant on my part.
Job Hazards
Got a call this morning around 4 am. One of those weird calls where you know there is something that isn't right. I kind of slept through it at first, but was woken by my parents who asked me if I wanted to drive down to Pasco with them.
My brother, who's a trucker, got into an accident and was admitted into the emergency room.
News like that wakes you up pretty fast.
So we got our stuff together, called some of the family to alert them on what happened, and headed down to the tricities to check up on my brother and give him morale support.
On the way down, we got to see the accident first hand. We are very fortunate that the bodily damage wasn't worse. To my brother that is. The truck was totaled.
He had suffered a concussion and had difficulty remembering exactly what had happened. That was kind of surreal talking to him, as I had a similar situation happen to me where my short term memory was gone. Seeing it from this point of view was actually rather interesting, and brought back a few memories of the time when I had no memory, if that makes any sense at all. He would repeat questions, couldn't remember where he was or how he got there, and fortunately he didn't remember the accident at all.
Fortunately, his boss was very understanding.
He gave me permission to post the picture of the accident on my blog. Fortunately, the wood chips won't be an entire waste. The tow company said they had a use for them, since they can't be considered for their intended purpose.
Spending the morning in Pasco brought on some other interesting situations, that brings up current events going on now. But that likely deserves its own post.
My brother, who's a trucker, got into an accident and was admitted into the emergency room.
News like that wakes you up pretty fast.
So we got our stuff together, called some of the family to alert them on what happened, and headed down to the tricities to check up on my brother and give him morale support.
On the way down, we got to see the accident first hand. We are very fortunate that the bodily damage wasn't worse. To my brother that is. The truck was totaled.
He had suffered a concussion and had difficulty remembering exactly what had happened. That was kind of surreal talking to him, as I had a similar situation happen to me where my short term memory was gone. Seeing it from this point of view was actually rather interesting, and brought back a few memories of the time when I had no memory, if that makes any sense at all. He would repeat questions, couldn't remember where he was or how he got there, and fortunately he didn't remember the accident at all.
Fortunately, his boss was very understanding.
He gave me permission to post the picture of the accident on my blog. Fortunately, the wood chips won't be an entire waste. The tow company said they had a use for them, since they can't be considered for their intended purpose.
Spending the morning in Pasco brought on some other interesting situations, that brings up current events going on now. But that likely deserves its own post.
Week Hiatus Over
Everything's back up, including all the wonderful things I had hidden during my deployment.
I'm still working on the format, this will change.
Something I've come to note about myself is sometimes to take a breather, reassess things and I've felt this blog had come to a point where I just, well, needed to focus myself until I was in a position to say what I wanted to say.
It only took a week, I think that time by and large came. But I didn't get to format my site like I wanted to. I was to busy working on other business areas.
Anyway, it helped a lot to just sit back and relax. I think I'm ready to start blogging again.
I'm still working on the format, this will change.
Something I've come to note about myself is sometimes to take a breather, reassess things and I've felt this blog had come to a point where I just, well, needed to focus myself until I was in a position to say what I wanted to say.
It only took a week, I think that time by and large came. But I didn't get to format my site like I wanted to. I was to busy working on other business areas.
Anyway, it helped a lot to just sit back and relax. I think I'm ready to start blogging again.
3.21.2006
Small Break
Hi,
I'm taking a break from blogging for a few weeks or so. The current status of the blog is to reinforce this idea of a break from blogging. This is mostly due to a personal belief that right now I'm not really blogging about anything, I just want to refresh my thoughts, get into a new state of mind, and just concentrate on where I am right now.
That, and I really want to take a break and reformat my site.
That is all. . . later
I'm taking a break from blogging for a few weeks or so. The current status of the blog is to reinforce this idea of a break from blogging. This is mostly due to a personal belief that right now I'm not really blogging about anything, I just want to refresh my thoughts, get into a new state of mind, and just concentrate on where I am right now.
That, and I really want to take a break and reformat my site.
That is all. . . later
3.16.2006
Four Things
Four Things
Four jobs I've had:
1. Newspaper Delivery Person
2. Cashier (at multiple locations including a fast food restaurant, Movie Theater, and multiple retail joints)
3. Paper Filer (work study gig)
4. Preventive Medicine Specialist for the US Army (that one's debateable)
Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Office Space
2. Donnie Darko
3. Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail
4. Tie between Memento and Best in Show
Four places I've lived:
1. Vernal Utah
2. Winnemucca Nevada
3. Colusa California
4. San Antonio Texas
Four TV shows I love:
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel
2. Smallville
3. Freaks and Geeks
4. For kicks and giggles, I'll say Star Trek, The Next Generation.
Ten highly regarded and recommended TV shows that I've never watched a single minute of:
1. Ally McBeal
2. Desperate Housewives
3. The Shield
4. The West Wing
5. Lost
6. 24
7. Gray's Anatomy
8. Sex and the City
9. Survivor
10. The Great Race
Four places I've vacationed:
1. Phillipi Greece
2. San Francisco California
3. Seaside Oregon
4. Venice Italy
Four of my favorite dishes:
1. Shredded Beef Chimichanga
2. Mom's Roast Beef and Mashed Potatos
3. Thai Food (specific noodle dish I can't think of at the moment)
4.
Four sites I visit daily:
1. http://creature.comicgenesis.com (to check for feedback and whatnot)
2. http://risawn.livejournal.com/friends (see what my buddies are up to)
3. http://www.ebay.com (check my feedback score, and when I have stuff for auction, check its status)
4. http://www.risawn.com/blogger.html (you are here. . .)
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. In my own place
2. Down in Utah visiting friends and family
3. on a Mountain boarding (preferably with a friend, as I could have done more of that today)
4. In bed. . . hmm, this one I can solve right now.
Dude, I'm boring!
Four jobs I've had:
1. Newspaper Delivery Person
2. Cashier (at multiple locations including a fast food restaurant, Movie Theater, and multiple retail joints)
3. Paper Filer (work study gig)
4. Preventive Medicine Specialist for the US Army (that one's debateable)
Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Office Space
2. Donnie Darko
3. Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail
4. Tie between Memento and Best in Show
Four places I've lived:
1. Vernal Utah
2. Winnemucca Nevada
3. Colusa California
4. San Antonio Texas
Four TV shows I love:
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel
2. Smallville
3. Freaks and Geeks
4. For kicks and giggles, I'll say Star Trek, The Next Generation.
Ten highly regarded and recommended TV shows that I've never watched a single minute of:
1. Ally McBeal
2. Desperate Housewives
3. The Shield
4. The West Wing
5. Lost
6. 24
7. Gray's Anatomy
8. Sex and the City
9. Survivor
10. The Great Race
Four places I've vacationed:
1. Phillipi Greece
2. San Francisco California
3. Seaside Oregon
4. Venice Italy
Four of my favorite dishes:
1. Shredded Beef Chimichanga
2. Mom's Roast Beef and Mashed Potatos
3. Thai Food (specific noodle dish I can't think of at the moment)
4.
Four sites I visit daily:
1. http://creature.comicgenesis.com (to check for feedback and whatnot)
2. http://risawn.livejournal.com/friends (see what my buddies are up to)
3. http://www.ebay.com (check my feedback score, and when I have stuff for auction, check its status)
4. http://www.risawn.com/blogger.html (you are here. . .)
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. In my own place
2. Down in Utah visiting friends and family
3. on a Mountain boarding (preferably with a friend, as I could have done more of that today)
4. In bed. . . hmm, this one I can solve right now.
Dude, I'm boring!
Sweet Bliss
Season Passes are great. I can drive up for a morning and take a few runs and not feel like I wasted a bunch of money if for some reason I decide to leave early.
Though I've discovered that I enjoy boarding by myself, I don't enjoy it nearly as much as when I'm riding with someone else.
Today was rather humorous however. I throw my gear on, get on the lift, and as I get off I note that my boot isn't on as tight as I would like. So I get to the top of the mountain and undo my bindings so I can tighten my boots.
My leash somehow slides off my leg.
The board starts taking off without me.
It was probably funny to watch me as I crawl after the board in a panic, jump after it and flop on my belly (missing it) and stumble to my feet chasing after it. Fortunately the mountain was slow this morning. And it cut across the mountain as opposed to straight down. It got caught up in some trees and I was able to rescue it.
Meanwhile, my mountain has redone its terrain park, making it a great terrain park for people wanting to learn how to jump and so on. I've always wanted to do more but have never gotten enough guts because either A) the mountain is super icy and once you take a bad fall on ice, you are done and it kind of kills your courage to do crazy things or B) you pick up to much speed coming onto a jump and you chicken out last minute.
Fortunately, they have this terrain park set up on a Beginner hill, so its flat, you can't pick up a lot of speed, so you get an opportunity to just feel what its like to get airborne. You would think, after doing this for six years, that I would be past this level, but for someone who averages snowboarding 5 times a year, mostly on ice, I haven't had a lot of opportunities.
Sweet bliss, conditions right now are GREAT! March madness, wooHOO!
I'm going to try to get up there a couple more times this week. See if I can drag another poor unwitting soul while i'm at it.
Though I've discovered that I enjoy boarding by myself, I don't enjoy it nearly as much as when I'm riding with someone else.
Today was rather humorous however. I throw my gear on, get on the lift, and as I get off I note that my boot isn't on as tight as I would like. So I get to the top of the mountain and undo my bindings so I can tighten my boots.
My leash somehow slides off my leg.
The board starts taking off without me.
It was probably funny to watch me as I crawl after the board in a panic, jump after it and flop on my belly (missing it) and stumble to my feet chasing after it. Fortunately the mountain was slow this morning. And it cut across the mountain as opposed to straight down. It got caught up in some trees and I was able to rescue it.
Meanwhile, my mountain has redone its terrain park, making it a great terrain park for people wanting to learn how to jump and so on. I've always wanted to do more but have never gotten enough guts because either A) the mountain is super icy and once you take a bad fall on ice, you are done and it kind of kills your courage to do crazy things or B) you pick up to much speed coming onto a jump and you chicken out last minute.
Fortunately, they have this terrain park set up on a Beginner hill, so its flat, you can't pick up a lot of speed, so you get an opportunity to just feel what its like to get airborne. You would think, after doing this for six years, that I would be past this level, but for someone who averages snowboarding 5 times a year, mostly on ice, I haven't had a lot of opportunities.
Sweet bliss, conditions right now are GREAT! March madness, wooHOO!
I'm going to try to get up there a couple more times this week. See if I can drag another poor unwitting soul while i'm at it.
3.15.2006
Work Issues Resume
Well, cleared the air with my boss, I gave her my two week notice, we had a conversation straightening out misunderstandings, I gave her some observations that I had witnessed over the last five weeks, and now we're on good terms. I felt for the most part that I needed to quit, I had moved on from that work environment truthfully. It's time for me to move on to other things.
I've also discovered that, yeah, I have gotten a lot better at communicating. I just need to take a breather sometimes, clear my mind and think about what I need to say.
Now I'm working on finding another job for this summer, which I have mentioned a couple times. This is something I've wanted to do soully for the experience mostly. I'm looking at employment opportunities through various employers such as Dude Ranches and/or National Parks. I want to get a job as a wrangler. Hard work, a lot of labor involved, I have no idea what kind of access to the internet I'll have and quite truthfully, that's all right. I think I can do something like this, grow from it, and have fun. Mostly I just want to work with horses out in nature. I need something like that. Let me rephrase this, I really need something like that. Something that's physically demanding, give me a task that gives me time to think.
For now, the rest of my life seems to be pretty ho-hum. I'm taking a CPR class tonight, which I need to leave for here in a few minutes. I think I'm starting to get a clearer view of what I want to do now.
Maybe I've got a track on what I want to do with life afterall?
I've also discovered that, yeah, I have gotten a lot better at communicating. I just need to take a breather sometimes, clear my mind and think about what I need to say.
Now I'm working on finding another job for this summer, which I have mentioned a couple times. This is something I've wanted to do soully for the experience mostly. I'm looking at employment opportunities through various employers such as Dude Ranches and/or National Parks. I want to get a job as a wrangler. Hard work, a lot of labor involved, I have no idea what kind of access to the internet I'll have and quite truthfully, that's all right. I think I can do something like this, grow from it, and have fun. Mostly I just want to work with horses out in nature. I need something like that. Let me rephrase this, I really need something like that. Something that's physically demanding, give me a task that gives me time to think.
For now, the rest of my life seems to be pretty ho-hum. I'm taking a CPR class tonight, which I need to leave for here in a few minutes. I think I'm starting to get a clearer view of what I want to do now.
Maybe I've got a track on what I want to do with life afterall?
CPR and Karate
Hmm, my blog is once again living up to its name, I'm ranting.
Once upon a time, this blog was full of rants all the time.
Right now I'm job hunting. Actually, I'm job hunting for this summer, which I think I may have mentioned in my last full blown rant. For tonight, I have to take a CPR class so I have a certificate telling everybody that I know how to do it. Because you know nothing unless you have something telling everybody you know it.
Anyway, for the job I want, I have to know CPR and First Aid with proof that I know it. So, yippy for me, this week I've got a CPR class and next week I go in for the first Aid class through the American Red Cross. I'm actually looking forward to it, it should be lots of fun.
Tomorrow I'm checking out a Kenpo Karate studio to see if this is the form of martial art to take. Somebody from work suggested it. So far I like it better then the other martial art class I was looking at.
So basically, with life I'm falling back into a routine. I had several road trips planned, but those might have to wait until the spring. For some reason, March = Snow this year.
Which I'm not complaining about! I think I'll hit the mountain tomorrow if the roads clear up!
Once upon a time, this blog was full of rants all the time.
Right now I'm job hunting. Actually, I'm job hunting for this summer, which I think I may have mentioned in my last full blown rant. For tonight, I have to take a CPR class so I have a certificate telling everybody that I know how to do it. Because you know nothing unless you have something telling everybody you know it.
Anyway, for the job I want, I have to know CPR and First Aid with proof that I know it. So, yippy for me, this week I've got a CPR class and next week I go in for the first Aid class through the American Red Cross. I'm actually looking forward to it, it should be lots of fun.
Tomorrow I'm checking out a Kenpo Karate studio to see if this is the form of martial art to take. Somebody from work suggested it. So far I like it better then the other martial art class I was looking at.
So basically, with life I'm falling back into a routine. I had several road trips planned, but those might have to wait until the spring. For some reason, March = Snow this year.
Which I'm not complaining about! I think I'll hit the mountain tomorrow if the roads clear up!
3.14.2006
Work Sucks
A lot can happen in 15 months. Things change, people change, and I certainly know that I've changed.
Well, a lot has changed at my place of employment. I've been working on getting accustomed to these changes, sometimes with a lot of frustration, though I've come to note that things have not necessarily changed for the better.
For one, the new Vice President, or somebody way up there in the chain, used to run a dollar store. So now they are trying to run our store like a dollar store because apparently its very efficient.
Well, there is a problem with that scenerio. A Dollar Store's selling point is its cheap. People shop there because everything's a dollar.
My store has competition. You can rent movies from Blockbuster, Hollywood or Safeway for crying out loud. You can also buy books and stuff from Borders and Barnes & Noble. Buy movies and CDs at Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, all within a driving distance from my employer. Our rates are relatively the same in comparison. People come to us because we have selection and service. However, if you give somebody crappy service, long lines and what not, they aren't going to keep shopping at your store.
And dollar stores are not known for their quality service. Our mantra is Best Service in Town. Yeah, right.
Lately we've been severely understaffed and what not. Policies have changed and I'm trying to figure them all out. Meanwhile, I'm not having a very fun time, because Hey! I remember the good old days. Now I'm jumping in the middle of things and I'm seeing changes all over the place.
Well, I tried to adapt and get along with everything, but a couple of times I slip up and do something wrong. A couple of the people above me keep reeming me out and chewing me out and what not and I'm fed up with it. So I mentioned this to my boss, who wasn't there in an email, just asking her not to have me working under them anymore.
I also got rid of my shifts for the rest of this week because honestly, I wasn't feeling very good and I needed a break.
Well, the boss calls me telling me that I can't switch out those shifts like that without her approval. I'm listening to this and trying to explain the circumstances, and then she brings up this other issue of me not wanting to work under these two people. She tells me I have to deal with it, and then decides to take that moment to tell me that I have no place complaining about people since she's had seven people complain about me and ask not to work with me because of my attitude and what not.
Wow, that's news to me. Ok, how am I supposed to fix this situation if I don't know about it? Ok, people have been irritated by me being a heinous bitch because I'm still trying to figure out the policy but aren't telling me that I'm being a heinous bitch. Sometimes you act a way you don't realize you act like that. If I knew I was bothering people, I would have made an effort to correct it. Apparently my boss decided to correct it by not working me with these people without telling me that there's a problem. But then she tells me to 'Deal with it.'
I told her that I'm putting in my two week notice and included a one finger salute. I probably would have worked with them today and tomorrow in regards to the shifts I switched out if she hadn't chosen that moment to throw the news in my face.
My year in Kosovo has probably not made me a better person in that regard. Anyway, I guess I've come up with an attitude problem because I really don't put up with a lot of crap these days and, heck, sometimes I likely come off as a heinous bitch without realizing I do that.
Although, without sounding too hypocritical, communication has never been a strong suit of mine when dealing with problems I have with people.
Now I'm looking for another job. I'll probably not go back to work here for a month or so, I'll do eBay or work on my comic and trying to make a few bucks doing that. I'm thinking of getting employment at a national park, like Yellowstone or something.
More news on that later. . .
Well, a lot has changed at my place of employment. I've been working on getting accustomed to these changes, sometimes with a lot of frustration, though I've come to note that things have not necessarily changed for the better.
For one, the new Vice President, or somebody way up there in the chain, used to run a dollar store. So now they are trying to run our store like a dollar store because apparently its very efficient.
Well, there is a problem with that scenerio. A Dollar Store's selling point is its cheap. People shop there because everything's a dollar.
My store has competition. You can rent movies from Blockbuster, Hollywood or Safeway for crying out loud. You can also buy books and stuff from Borders and Barnes & Noble. Buy movies and CDs at Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, all within a driving distance from my employer. Our rates are relatively the same in comparison. People come to us because we have selection and service. However, if you give somebody crappy service, long lines and what not, they aren't going to keep shopping at your store.
And dollar stores are not known for their quality service. Our mantra is Best Service in Town. Yeah, right.
Lately we've been severely understaffed and what not. Policies have changed and I'm trying to figure them all out. Meanwhile, I'm not having a very fun time, because Hey! I remember the good old days. Now I'm jumping in the middle of things and I'm seeing changes all over the place.
Well, I tried to adapt and get along with everything, but a couple of times I slip up and do something wrong. A couple of the people above me keep reeming me out and chewing me out and what not and I'm fed up with it. So I mentioned this to my boss, who wasn't there in an email, just asking her not to have me working under them anymore.
I also got rid of my shifts for the rest of this week because honestly, I wasn't feeling very good and I needed a break.
Well, the boss calls me telling me that I can't switch out those shifts like that without her approval. I'm listening to this and trying to explain the circumstances, and then she brings up this other issue of me not wanting to work under these two people. She tells me I have to deal with it, and then decides to take that moment to tell me that I have no place complaining about people since she's had seven people complain about me and ask not to work with me because of my attitude and what not.
Wow, that's news to me. Ok, how am I supposed to fix this situation if I don't know about it? Ok, people have been irritated by me being a heinous bitch because I'm still trying to figure out the policy but aren't telling me that I'm being a heinous bitch. Sometimes you act a way you don't realize you act like that. If I knew I was bothering people, I would have made an effort to correct it. Apparently my boss decided to correct it by not working me with these people without telling me that there's a problem. But then she tells me to 'Deal with it.'
I told her that I'm putting in my two week notice and included a one finger salute. I probably would have worked with them today and tomorrow in regards to the shifts I switched out if she hadn't chosen that moment to throw the news in my face.
My year in Kosovo has probably not made me a better person in that regard. Anyway, I guess I've come up with an attitude problem because I really don't put up with a lot of crap these days and, heck, sometimes I likely come off as a heinous bitch without realizing I do that.
Although, without sounding too hypocritical, communication has never been a strong suit of mine when dealing with problems I have with people.
Now I'm looking for another job. I'll probably not go back to work here for a month or so, I'll do eBay or work on my comic and trying to make a few bucks doing that. I'm thinking of getting employment at a national park, like Yellowstone or something.
More news on that later. . .
3.13.2006
Shoot it!
Oh man, how i could have used THIS a few months back. Oh well, its providing the needed relief now. Mwahahahaha!!!
Hat Tip - Rooster Cashews
(which I've been surfing for the last little while)
Hat Tip - Rooster Cashews
(which I've been surfing for the last little while)
3.12.2006
Obligatory Snowboard Pics
I just realized I haven't posted many pictures since, well, since I was ordered not to. Then I got that order revoked and didn't really follow up on posting a lot of pictures afterward.
Well, I've been boarding twice this season, and will be hitting the mountain at least a couple more times this season to make up for lost time and take advantage of excellent conditions. Unless another kid pushes me on purpose and I'm imprisoned for child abuse because I kicked the crap out of a minor.
If he didn't get lost in the crowd, I would gotten that little fart too.
That, right there, is one of my primary motivations for boarding.
Just, check out that view! It's incredible!
Different day, different mountain, same basic effect.
Its snowed a bit here recently, as is evident by the pile on that ski lodge. . .
. . . and those trees. . .
I've decided I need more action poses.
The problem is, getting people to take them.
I'll be riding at least a couple more times these season, as previously mentioned.
Yay for me! Now I have to find victims to ride with.
Well, I've been boarding twice this season, and will be hitting the mountain at least a couple more times this season to make up for lost time and take advantage of excellent conditions. Unless another kid pushes me on purpose and I'm imprisoned for child abuse because I kicked the crap out of a minor.
If he didn't get lost in the crowd, I would gotten that little fart too.
That, right there, is one of my primary motivations for boarding.
Just, check out that view! It's incredible!
Different day, different mountain, same basic effect.
Its snowed a bit here recently, as is evident by the pile on that ski lodge. . .
. . . and those trees. . .
I've decided I need more action poses.
The problem is, getting people to take them.
I'll be riding at least a couple more times these season, as previously mentioned.
Yay for me! Now I have to find victims to ride with.
3.11.2006
Server Status and Mountains
Operation Move Websites To New Servers is moving along without much of a hitch, except for the fact that because my laptop is in the shop, I'm having to use the old desk top to do this, and I've been working on it quite a bit for the last few days.
Unfortunately, everybody else wants to use the desk top too. From eBay to Spider Solitare or just checking email. I can say that I have claim to the computer, as it was originally mine, however I can't be greedy. Besides, I gave up claims to it when I deployed (it went to the folks like my former car, may god rest its soul)
Meanwhile, somewhat spontaniously, I bought a Pass and a Half from the local mountain. I don't know how many Kodak moments I'll get out of it, but I'm going to get the pass all organized tomorrow and maybe hit a few runs, try to be home in time for church. Fortunately, my church doesn't start until three in the afternoon. Truthfully, I don't like church starting that late, but in situations such as wanting to do something like snowboard in the morning, it works.
I've only boarded once this season so far (i thought I would go up a lot more then that, but finances and a desire to curb myself, as well as gas prices have kept me in check) so I'm going to hit the mountain as often as I can for the rest of this month. In April, another mountain has free skiing for the end of its season, I think I'll hit up on that, as my mountain will be closed by then *sob*.
Its such a great season so far, its a pity they're planning on closing so early. They got dumped with snow these last few days I know.
Unfortunately, everybody else wants to use the desk top too. From eBay to Spider Solitare or just checking email. I can say that I have claim to the computer, as it was originally mine, however I can't be greedy. Besides, I gave up claims to it when I deployed (it went to the folks like my former car, may god rest its soul)
Meanwhile, somewhat spontaniously, I bought a Pass and a Half from the local mountain. I don't know how many Kodak moments I'll get out of it, but I'm going to get the pass all organized tomorrow and maybe hit a few runs, try to be home in time for church. Fortunately, my church doesn't start until three in the afternoon. Truthfully, I don't like church starting that late, but in situations such as wanting to do something like snowboard in the morning, it works.
I've only boarded once this season so far (i thought I would go up a lot more then that, but finances and a desire to curb myself, as well as gas prices have kept me in check) so I'm going to hit the mountain as often as I can for the rest of this month. In April, another mountain has free skiing for the end of its season, I think I'll hit up on that, as my mountain will be closed by then *sob*.
Its such a great season so far, its a pity they're planning on closing so early. They got dumped with snow these last few days I know.
3.10.2006
This is a Test
I just moved my entire website to another server. You may have noticed this if you visited it yesterday, it was down for all of a couple hours.
In the meantime, I'm also looking at ways to make money off of another one of my passions, my webcomic Creature. Two fold reasons, because its former host Comic Genesis sucks and I would like to find a way to make money at something I plan to do long term.
That is all.
*this post is a test to make sure my new server allows me to post to my blog*
In the meantime, I'm also looking at ways to make money off of another one of my passions, my webcomic Creature. Two fold reasons, because its former host Comic Genesis sucks and I would like to find a way to make money at something I plan to do long term.
That is all.
*this post is a test to make sure my new server allows me to post to my blog*
3.09.2006
Activity needs to be Upped a few Notches
This week so far has been a week of bleh, between me going through my mountains of stuff and working. And also going on some sort of diet.
Actually, rather then a diet, I just need to get active again. We were marching around on Sunday at a pace greater then a thirty inch step and my shins felt it the next day. I've never had prepatory shin splints from marching. So I've been taking it fairly easy these last couple of days so that my shins can recover, and then my plan was to run. or do DDR or jump around on the trampoline or something.
Actually, one of my plans was to hit a pawn shop and buy a bicycle. I want to start biking more, low strain on the knees and a way to get into shape. Also, I could handle running more. My main concern is my knees. They aren't in the shape they once were.
The other plan was to get into some kind of martial arts. They don't have a lot of offerings here in Spokane at the moment. I have one class I know of that I can get into that has two classes a week for an hour a piece, but I would rather get into a longer class thats more frequent.
Meanwhile, I've been busy sorting through things with the television playing in the background. I'm finally through Season 2 of Smallville. I've been doing it a bit differently then other shows, instead of buying the season, I've been renting it a disk at a time. But Smallville is a keeper, I promised myself to buy the series if it ever came into the store used. Sure enough, Seasons 1 and 4 came in yesterday. Along with Season 1 of Charmed. Several people mentioned Charmed as well, so I picked that up too.
I've cleared out a ton of my books and movies, btw. Which gave me a lot of in store credit at my employer to buy things like boxed sets of Smallville and Charmed.
Unfortunately, one generally isn't active when they watch the TV. That's why i should incorporate sit ups during my viewing entertainment.
Actually, rather then a diet, I just need to get active again. We were marching around on Sunday at a pace greater then a thirty inch step and my shins felt it the next day. I've never had prepatory shin splints from marching. So I've been taking it fairly easy these last couple of days so that my shins can recover, and then my plan was to run. or do DDR or jump around on the trampoline or something.
Actually, one of my plans was to hit a pawn shop and buy a bicycle. I want to start biking more, low strain on the knees and a way to get into shape. Also, I could handle running more. My main concern is my knees. They aren't in the shape they once were.
The other plan was to get into some kind of martial arts. They don't have a lot of offerings here in Spokane at the moment. I have one class I know of that I can get into that has two classes a week for an hour a piece, but I would rather get into a longer class thats more frequent.
Meanwhile, I've been busy sorting through things with the television playing in the background. I'm finally through Season 2 of Smallville. I've been doing it a bit differently then other shows, instead of buying the season, I've been renting it a disk at a time. But Smallville is a keeper, I promised myself to buy the series if it ever came into the store used. Sure enough, Seasons 1 and 4 came in yesterday. Along with Season 1 of Charmed. Several people mentioned Charmed as well, so I picked that up too.
I've cleared out a ton of my books and movies, btw. Which gave me a lot of in store credit at my employer to buy things like boxed sets of Smallville and Charmed.
Unfortunately, one generally isn't active when they watch the TV. That's why i should incorporate sit ups during my viewing entertainment.
3.05.2006
Drill Weekend
This weekend was drill weekend for me.
It also confirmed some facts for me as well. One, I discovered that I don't like working in an Army Hospital at all. Well, I knew this to be true, but this weekend all but confirmed it. I just sat there in formation wondering what I was doing. See, technically, I don't have to drill for 90 days. I just came to drill today because I have to drill out my contract and I felt the need to find something to do on those weekends.
So this weekend's mission for me? Find a home. However, keep in mind that unless I stay a 91S, wherever I find a home at is expecting me to commit to their unit by doing the training necessary to qualify in the needed job skill.
Which = possible reenlistment.
So I'm looking for a home that fits my perameters and I can drill with for a while until I get the knack for what they want and I can reenlist or maybe just drill out the remaining contract.
I went to the hospital yesterday seeing how things were back there and noticed it hadn't changed much. Now, don't get me wrong, I like a lot of people in the hospital here. I just don't like being in a hospital. It doesn't fit me.
I knew of another unit however that had always seemed to catch my interest. So I checked them out. And I really liked what I saw. And if I reenlisted with them, I don't think it would be that bad.
I'm still within my 90 days however, so I might not be able to switch over to them by next month, but there is a good chance I'll be a part of them by May.
Now I have to put in some hours of my own time, commit a lot of stuff to memory, and relearn everything I learned in basic. Next month I get to help run a range. Good times!
Today I got dropped for anticipating a command. I hate it when I do that. But in the meantime, I also think that I'll have fun with this assignment.
It also confirmed some facts for me as well. One, I discovered that I don't like working in an Army Hospital at all. Well, I knew this to be true, but this weekend all but confirmed it. I just sat there in formation wondering what I was doing. See, technically, I don't have to drill for 90 days. I just came to drill today because I have to drill out my contract and I felt the need to find something to do on those weekends.
So this weekend's mission for me? Find a home. However, keep in mind that unless I stay a 91S, wherever I find a home at is expecting me to commit to their unit by doing the training necessary to qualify in the needed job skill.
Which = possible reenlistment.
So I'm looking for a home that fits my perameters and I can drill with for a while until I get the knack for what they want and I can reenlist or maybe just drill out the remaining contract.
I went to the hospital yesterday seeing how things were back there and noticed it hadn't changed much. Now, don't get me wrong, I like a lot of people in the hospital here. I just don't like being in a hospital. It doesn't fit me.
I knew of another unit however that had always seemed to catch my interest. So I checked them out. And I really liked what I saw. And if I reenlisted with them, I don't think it would be that bad.
I'm still within my 90 days however, so I might not be able to switch over to them by next month, but there is a good chance I'll be a part of them by May.
Now I have to put in some hours of my own time, commit a lot of stuff to memory, and relearn everything I learned in basic. Next month I get to help run a range. Good times!
Today I got dropped for anticipating a command. I hate it when I do that. But in the meantime, I also think that I'll have fun with this assignment.
3.03.2006
The last Three Weeks have Signaled Career Change
In relation to the last post, I've come to discover that my current job is not right for me. There is a handful of reasons why I went back there.
I need just enough money income right now to maintain my current lifestyle, which includes a car payment, insurance, rent and that kind of stuff, and I just want to do something I enjoy, while getting a nice little employee incentive on the side (in this case, kick ass discounts!)
Well, since coming back, I've found myself working there more then I want to, and after a couple weeks of work, I got paid today.
For the last year, I've been getting a pretty comfortable paycheck. I took one look at this one, realizing I was dealing with idiots that were making me highly frustrated, and thought to myself 'what am I doing here?'
I guess one of the reasons for me to come back and work at this place is to help me realize that I need to move on and find something better. That will, you know, actually make me happy. In other words, I need to find something I actually enjoy doing as opposed to doing something that is moderately enjoying at times and other times makes me want to bash skulls. This paycheck isn't worth the stress.
I think I'm going to say no to anybody who asks me to work more hours, while I focus on doing several things, such as A) find a better job and B) go back to school.
I'm thinking of hitting the community college for Spring Quarter, pick up a few extra credits on the side while I fine tune some of my skills. My parents have told me I may have a knack for free lance journalism. Hey, I've maintained a blog with some readership for over a year. It might work.
I just have to sharpen my skills a bit.
I need just enough money income right now to maintain my current lifestyle, which includes a car payment, insurance, rent and that kind of stuff, and I just want to do something I enjoy, while getting a nice little employee incentive on the side (in this case, kick ass discounts!)
Well, since coming back, I've found myself working there more then I want to, and after a couple weeks of work, I got paid today.
For the last year, I've been getting a pretty comfortable paycheck. I took one look at this one, realizing I was dealing with idiots that were making me highly frustrated, and thought to myself 'what am I doing here?'
I guess one of the reasons for me to come back and work at this place is to help me realize that I need to move on and find something better. That will, you know, actually make me happy. In other words, I need to find something I actually enjoy doing as opposed to doing something that is moderately enjoying at times and other times makes me want to bash skulls. This paycheck isn't worth the stress.
I think I'm going to say no to anybody who asks me to work more hours, while I focus on doing several things, such as A) find a better job and B) go back to school.
I'm thinking of hitting the community college for Spring Quarter, pick up a few extra credits on the side while I fine tune some of my skills. My parents have told me I may have a knack for free lance journalism. Hey, I've maintained a blog with some readership for over a year. It might work.
I just have to sharpen my skills a bit.
6 Degrees of Adam Morrison
I graduated in '99 from Mead High School.
While I was at Mead, for three years I did stats for the men's varsity Basketball team. Being short, I think I was largely invisible to most of them.
A couple of years after I graduated, a kid named Adam Morrison came to Mead.
From what I hear, he helped take the team to state, which is more then can be said for the three years I was doing stats for them.
He got a scholarship to Gonzaga University.
He's currently on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a consideration for player of the year.
When a local kid makes the cover of Sports Illustrated, this is undoubtedly big news. We got a huge shipment of Sports illustrateds in to meet the demand. And how we did the wait list was retarded.
We kind of got a late shipment in, so we started taking down people's names and told them to call us back. Now, when you just take down people's names for a magazine that can be bought just about anywhere with a newstand, there is a good chance that these people may end up getting this magazine somewhere else.
Unfortunately for me, I looked at this issue with logic, and a thought about Customer Service, as opposed to the brilliant item at hand that would undoubtedly leave a couple people pissed.
We took down the names of about 12 people, when the first shipment of magazines came in. It was our regular shipment, and totaled about nine magazines. We were expecting more, we just didn't know when they would come in.
One gentlemen came in looking for the magazine and put his name down on the list, at number 13 or something. He said he would be back around noon, though of course, there was no guarantees that we would get more magazines by that time. He mentioned that he lived kind of far away and it would be inconveniant for him to come back after he was done with his class.
Well, luck be have it, we hadn't gotten our second shipment in yet, and out of the nine people on the list, one person had claimed the magazine.
Statistics would show that of the original nine people that put their name down, some will not come back to get it. Especially when we took down their names and expected them to contact us. I even told the GSM (Guest Service Manager) on duty that I would bet him money that those people would not come back.
The gentlemen came back to get the magazine, he was number 13 on a list when we were expecting more magazines in, and the GSM refused to give him one. That customer knew we had magazines and left very irritable. I would wager that he was at a point where he wouldn't come back to the store. So we lost a sale and potentially we also lost a customer.
So, here is where Kami Logic comes in. We have 9 magazines. We have a list of over thirteen people on a list. We are expecting more magazines, one gentlement not in the nines comes back before we get the shipment. So far, of the nine magazines, we've only had one person come back to claim it.
This is the gamble. Do I guarantee to piss this customer off in favor of 8 customers that may or may not show up, or do I make the effort to please the customer that is right here in the store at the risk of pissing off one of those eight customers that I sold the magazine to? Now, keep in mind, this is to assume that all eight of these customers will be back in the store before we get another shipment in.
Does my logic make sense? I would rather take a risk and please a customer that is right there with money in hand wanting to make the purchase rather then slap him to the side in favor of making sure 8 out of 8 customers have their magazine in case all 8 people make it before the next shipment arrives.
Guess what? My odds were correct. Within an hour of that customer leaving, I think 2 people came and picked up the magazine before the next shipment arrived. So we lost the customer, in favor of pleasing 6 other customers that never showed up before the shipment.
I wasn't suggesting we do that for every customer, I've just known in my experience in retail that you often have to deal with your customers on a case by case basis. Some customers need to be treated differently then others. And seeing that this man came in the store, put his name down, left, and then came back makes him a special case.
When I left, our shipment of over 50 magazines came in. Overall, about 15 people vouched to put their name on a waiting list. Five or six came back before the rest of the shipment came in. We denied at least one the sale.
I discovered, after getting really irritated with this whole process, that maybe I need to get out of the customer service business.
Becuase I discovered that I don't deal well when I'm working under somebody I disagree with. Especially since technically we are actually in the same position (I'm a GSM too, I just wasn't working in the capacity of the GSM at the time, and I've held the position longer then this other guy has).
When other people came in, he started ranting about the problem to them.
I'm beginning to suspect that I might not be working there much longer. I have several reasons to quit.
While I was at Mead, for three years I did stats for the men's varsity Basketball team. Being short, I think I was largely invisible to most of them.
A couple of years after I graduated, a kid named Adam Morrison came to Mead.
From what I hear, he helped take the team to state, which is more then can be said for the three years I was doing stats for them.
He got a scholarship to Gonzaga University.
He's currently on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a consideration for player of the year.
When a local kid makes the cover of Sports Illustrated, this is undoubtedly big news. We got a huge shipment of Sports illustrateds in to meet the demand. And how we did the wait list was retarded.
We kind of got a late shipment in, so we started taking down people's names and told them to call us back. Now, when you just take down people's names for a magazine that can be bought just about anywhere with a newstand, there is a good chance that these people may end up getting this magazine somewhere else.
Unfortunately for me, I looked at this issue with logic, and a thought about Customer Service, as opposed to the brilliant item at hand that would undoubtedly leave a couple people pissed.
We took down the names of about 12 people, when the first shipment of magazines came in. It was our regular shipment, and totaled about nine magazines. We were expecting more, we just didn't know when they would come in.
One gentlemen came in looking for the magazine and put his name down on the list, at number 13 or something. He said he would be back around noon, though of course, there was no guarantees that we would get more magazines by that time. He mentioned that he lived kind of far away and it would be inconveniant for him to come back after he was done with his class.
Well, luck be have it, we hadn't gotten our second shipment in yet, and out of the nine people on the list, one person had claimed the magazine.
Statistics would show that of the original nine people that put their name down, some will not come back to get it. Especially when we took down their names and expected them to contact us. I even told the GSM (Guest Service Manager) on duty that I would bet him money that those people would not come back.
The gentlemen came back to get the magazine, he was number 13 on a list when we were expecting more magazines in, and the GSM refused to give him one. That customer knew we had magazines and left very irritable. I would wager that he was at a point where he wouldn't come back to the store. So we lost a sale and potentially we also lost a customer.
So, here is where Kami Logic comes in. We have 9 magazines. We have a list of over thirteen people on a list. We are expecting more magazines, one gentlement not in the nines comes back before we get the shipment. So far, of the nine magazines, we've only had one person come back to claim it.
This is the gamble. Do I guarantee to piss this customer off in favor of 8 customers that may or may not show up, or do I make the effort to please the customer that is right here in the store at the risk of pissing off one of those eight customers that I sold the magazine to? Now, keep in mind, this is to assume that all eight of these customers will be back in the store before we get another shipment in.
Does my logic make sense? I would rather take a risk and please a customer that is right there with money in hand wanting to make the purchase rather then slap him to the side in favor of making sure 8 out of 8 customers have their magazine in case all 8 people make it before the next shipment arrives.
Guess what? My odds were correct. Within an hour of that customer leaving, I think 2 people came and picked up the magazine before the next shipment arrived. So we lost the customer, in favor of pleasing 6 other customers that never showed up before the shipment.
I wasn't suggesting we do that for every customer, I've just known in my experience in retail that you often have to deal with your customers on a case by case basis. Some customers need to be treated differently then others. And seeing that this man came in the store, put his name down, left, and then came back makes him a special case.
When I left, our shipment of over 50 magazines came in. Overall, about 15 people vouched to put their name on a waiting list. Five or six came back before the rest of the shipment came in. We denied at least one the sale.
I discovered, after getting really irritated with this whole process, that maybe I need to get out of the customer service business.
Becuase I discovered that I don't deal well when I'm working under somebody I disagree with. Especially since technically we are actually in the same position (I'm a GSM too, I just wasn't working in the capacity of the GSM at the time, and I've held the position longer then this other guy has).
When other people came in, he started ranting about the problem to them.
I'm beginning to suspect that I might not be working there much longer. I have several reasons to quit.
3.02.2006
Clutter
Well, it took me long enough, but I finally got my computer into the shop. They say I'll get it back in 45 days, but maybe as soon as 2 to 3 weeks. I'm ok with that, got everything backed up and now I have to depend on Pyro, my old Desk top that is on its last leg. But I think it will be ok. I just have to go easy on the old thing. Like I need to go easy on those USB ports on my laptop.
Currently, I have a goal in mind. Just one goal I'm working on accomplishing, outside the going back to school. This is kind of a short term goal, but in accomplishing this goal, I have to make a few steps to get there. And its the journey to the goal that is important.
That goal? I'm going to get a Ferret.
You may look at this and say to yourself, 'huh?' Well, I want a ferret. But a ferret is a high maintenance pet. You have to be prepared to take care of them or they are apt to stink up your place. I don't want my ferret getting all stinky.
What's more, while currenly living with the parents once more, they have told me that I cannot own an animal while I'm here (and expect it to live here at least). Which gives me an incentive to get out of here. But even if I do get out of here, I've got this enormous clutter problem I need to deal with. See, being an artistic type, I tend to hang onto a lot of things. Like clutter. Anything really. I've got an enourmous amount of crap.
Ferrets don't do well with clutter. In fact, they tend to make it worse. Which gives me an incentive to get organized.
Whether or not I ever end up owning a ferret is the big question. I might not. But my goal is to try to get to a point where I can own one with no problems.
Now the question is can I get there?
Currently, I have a goal in mind. Just one goal I'm working on accomplishing, outside the going back to school. This is kind of a short term goal, but in accomplishing this goal, I have to make a few steps to get there. And its the journey to the goal that is important.
That goal? I'm going to get a Ferret.
You may look at this and say to yourself, 'huh?' Well, I want a ferret. But a ferret is a high maintenance pet. You have to be prepared to take care of them or they are apt to stink up your place. I don't want my ferret getting all stinky.
What's more, while currenly living with the parents once more, they have told me that I cannot own an animal while I'm here (and expect it to live here at least). Which gives me an incentive to get out of here. But even if I do get out of here, I've got this enormous clutter problem I need to deal with. See, being an artistic type, I tend to hang onto a lot of things. Like clutter. Anything really. I've got an enourmous amount of crap.
Ferrets don't do well with clutter. In fact, they tend to make it worse. Which gives me an incentive to get organized.
Whether or not I ever end up owning a ferret is the big question. I might not. But my goal is to try to get to a point where I can own one with no problems.
Now the question is can I get there?
3.01.2006
We Bloggers Must Stick Together
A Blogger's Disclaimer. Now THIS is something I could have used in my year in Kosovo. Why didn't I think of this? Instead of putting a disclaimer up every other week. It would have been easier.
Meanwhile, found a girl who seems to have shared my pain, except she did it in the sand box. Or, perhaps more appropriately, she found me.
Female Soldier Bloggers unite!
Boy, this girl thinks like I do. Most of the time :)
At this point, i don't think I'll ever experience the Sand Box, especially if I take the career path I'm looking at (I'll tell you more about it when I find out more about it). I'll consider this a good thing, as nobody really wants to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan or whatever. But honestly, I was more then willing to go if they wanted to send me.
What's funny, how much I've come to discover about the government and how wasteful it is while working for it. This tends to make a person annoyed, especially when you know that the government is funded by your money. I could say that I pay my own salary in a way, but the crap one sees happen with the government and contractors and so on makes a person want to throttle their representatives. Grr. . .
I should get back to blogging about issues. Every so often I do that, but usually they just turn into rants.
Meanwhile, found a girl who seems to have shared my pain, except she did it in the sand box. Or, perhaps more appropriately, she found me.
Female Soldier Bloggers unite!
Boy, this girl thinks like I do. Most of the time :)
At this point, i don't think I'll ever experience the Sand Box, especially if I take the career path I'm looking at (I'll tell you more about it when I find out more about it). I'll consider this a good thing, as nobody really wants to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan or whatever. But honestly, I was more then willing to go if they wanted to send me.
What's funny, how much I've come to discover about the government and how wasteful it is while working for it. This tends to make a person annoyed, especially when you know that the government is funded by your money. I could say that I pay my own salary in a way, but the crap one sees happen with the government and contractors and so on makes a person want to throttle their representatives. Grr. . .
I should get back to blogging about issues. Every so often I do that, but usually they just turn into rants.
Consumer Brilliance
Ok, I've got a biff about a current item on the market presently. Its called the PlayStation Portable. Perhaps you have heard of it?
Well, the PSP, for all intensive purposes, like, for playing video games, seems like a pretty cool little gadget. We sell them in my store and all and I've become quite familiar with them. Much like a Nintendo Game Boy, it has games that are created specifically for it. Ok, fairs fair, but what is with the miniature movies?
You can buy a movie for a PSP to watch on its tiny little screen. Movies for the PSP cost the same amount as if you were to buy a regular DVD. Heck, sometimes they can be more. But the kicker to it is the only place you can watch this movie is on that tiny little screen of a PSP.
I can see the benefits of watching a movie on the go, like on a long car ride or some other type of trip, where you can watch it in peace. But, well, you can only watch a movie in that format on a PSP. At least, as far as I know.
Question: what is up with all of these people that think that spending $20.00 on a 2 hour movie to watch on a tiny screen is a good idea?
Answer: I don't know, but I'm seeing sucker written all over the place. In the meanwhile, if I want to see a movie, I think I'll stick to DVDs. Thanks.
Well, the PSP, for all intensive purposes, like, for playing video games, seems like a pretty cool little gadget. We sell them in my store and all and I've become quite familiar with them. Much like a Nintendo Game Boy, it has games that are created specifically for it. Ok, fairs fair, but what is with the miniature movies?
You can buy a movie for a PSP to watch on its tiny little screen. Movies for the PSP cost the same amount as if you were to buy a regular DVD. Heck, sometimes they can be more. But the kicker to it is the only place you can watch this movie is on that tiny little screen of a PSP.
I can see the benefits of watching a movie on the go, like on a long car ride or some other type of trip, where you can watch it in peace. But, well, you can only watch a movie in that format on a PSP. At least, as far as I know.
Question: what is up with all of these people that think that spending $20.00 on a 2 hour movie to watch on a tiny screen is a good idea?
Answer: I don't know, but I'm seeing sucker written all over the place. In the meanwhile, if I want to see a movie, I think I'll stick to DVDs. Thanks.
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