I consider myself a practical person. And apparently, I'm very difficult to shop for on account that, well, I'm a practical person that doesn't need a lot of stuff, and if I do, I tend to buy it before somebody else can. I've been told by my family members that I'm one of the hardest people in my family to buy for.
Christmas was considerably toned down and not very commercial from Christmas's past. To help with the family, I let them know what I wanted, and more specifically, what I could REALLY use that I couldn't necessarily provide for myself, or that I can never have to much of. I asked for socks (got six pairs :) and a recipe book with some of my mother's easier to make recipes in them. I prefer not to get things that are kitschy that clutter the house, like figurines, decorations, or picture frames (which I never use) unless there is a picture in the picture frame and I can hang it on the wall. Gift certificates are always nice and save people a lot of trouble.
So what was my haul this year? It was pretty humble really. Six pairs of socks, a pair of pajamas (I'm currently wearing), a cookbook, a frame with my last name done up fancy, a gas card (SWEET!), Pajama Bottoms (seperate from the Pajamas), a CD, a breadmaker (brother/roommate's idea, and therefore combined gift), a couch quilt. . . or something?, and a few other gifts.
My big gift for me is going to be a new laptop that I'll be purchasing this week. Its kind of going to be a necessity with school, my current computer doesn't have the capability of running this software I'll need. I've also decided on a rule for it. I will only go online for official school business. Playing, surfing the internet, writing stories, whatever, will be reserved for my beat up but otherwise dependable but not to the degree I need it to be current laptop.
I'm also going snowboarding with my season pass this Thursday. YES. I'm going. And nothing short of a blizzard or me just waking up with no motivation to move will stop me.
Hope everyone had a merry christmas, and here's looking to 2007!
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. . .
12.27.2006
Still Amongst the Living, I Promise
Ok, I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth, I promise. I've just been. . . busy, that's all. Busy doing a whole lot of nothing.
Coupled with working retail during the holidays. Yep, THAT was fun.
So, a quick rundown of my life in the last three weeks.
Blaine had a un X-rayable ear plug in his stomach, which caused him to lose a half a pound in about three weeks, which is a lot for a ferret. I finally took him to see a vet again (foregoing the emergency routine and scheduling an appointment this time) and a little Boriam and Xrays confirmed that there was something in there.
Surgery was necessary to save the ferret. These are turning into some expensive pets. *sighs* Blaine is recovering well. But he's looking a bit scruffy and his shaved belly is kind of interesting. Abby, meanwhile, is really fat and fluffy now.
I am now floating around my store, working a lot in music lately, which I find interesting that I'm progressively becoming a music associate. The elusive Tech N9ne and Nickelback Cds that our system says are in our store that I cannot find do plague me however.
Christmas was nice. I'll post about it in its own post.
There has been snow on and off again, but the mountains have been open for nearly a month now. And I haven't gone snowboarding once. . .
I think I can attribute this to having nobody to go with me. *sighs again*
Coupled with working retail during the holidays. Yep, THAT was fun.
So, a quick rundown of my life in the last three weeks.
Blaine had a un X-rayable ear plug in his stomach, which caused him to lose a half a pound in about three weeks, which is a lot for a ferret. I finally took him to see a vet again (foregoing the emergency routine and scheduling an appointment this time) and a little Boriam and Xrays confirmed that there was something in there.
Surgery was necessary to save the ferret. These are turning into some expensive pets. *sighs* Blaine is recovering well. But he's looking a bit scruffy and his shaved belly is kind of interesting. Abby, meanwhile, is really fat and fluffy now.
I am now floating around my store, working a lot in music lately, which I find interesting that I'm progressively becoming a music associate. The elusive Tech N9ne and Nickelback Cds that our system says are in our store that I cannot find do plague me however.
Christmas was nice. I'll post about it in its own post.
There has been snow on and off again, but the mountains have been open for nearly a month now. And I haven't gone snowboarding once. . .
I think I can attribute this to having nobody to go with me. *sighs again*
12.12.2006
Blogger in Beta!
So Blogger has finally decided to add labels to posts. I think this is pretty nifty because I've been wanting labels for my posts for a while now, as it helps when one wants to go back and review them for whatever reason. However, because I do my own HTML and don't use Blogger's ready made formats for my blog posts, I don't know how to do the formatting to get it done.
Meanwhile, I'm finally done with school for this quarter. And I have an entire month before I have to go back. This is freakin' sweet! So for the next month, I can just work my butt off and go snowboarding every chance I get.
I haven't gone once this season yet, and the mountain has been open for three weeks. I don't know what's come over me.
Oh yeah, its called School and Work taking up my weekends and prime snowboarding time. I'm going for the first time this season on Thursday.
And I'm taking a break from Horseback Riding for now. Haven't had lessons in three weeks. I've gotten to this point where I need to be riding much more then I currently am to make it worth my while.
PS - the Blogger overhaul complete with Labels continues, and is a slow process, but I'm enjoying the results thus far!
Meanwhile, I'm finally done with school for this quarter. And I have an entire month before I have to go back. This is freakin' sweet! So for the next month, I can just work my butt off and go snowboarding every chance I get.
I haven't gone once this season yet, and the mountain has been open for three weeks. I don't know what's come over me.
Oh yeah, its called School and Work taking up my weekends and prime snowboarding time. I'm going for the first time this season on Thursday.
And I'm taking a break from Horseback Riding for now. Haven't had lessons in three weeks. I've gotten to this point where I need to be riding much more then I currently am to make it worth my while.
PS - the Blogger overhaul complete with Labels continues, and is a slow process, but I'm enjoying the results thus far!
12.08.2006
Third Time
Apparently, I didn't knock hard enough.
Yes, I got smacked THREE times this last week. Twice on Sunday (within 5 hours of each other) and a third time on Wednesday, a phantom driver apparently backed into my back door. I only noticed it because my car was filthy and it was kind of hard to miss the scrapes on the door (which is dented in). And of course, the pea sized hole in the bumper which actually pushed my bumper into my car. And don't forget the dent in the fender (can't open that door all the way now).
Police report done on the fender and turned in, and estimates done on the three accidents. Of course, the back door is a phantom driver, so I think I'll find another way to get it fixed rather then call my insurance about it. Meanwhile, I'm waiting on the other two.
Sadly enough, I know the guy who ran into my front fender. He leaves for Fort Benning in three weeks.
I went out and got studless snow tires on my car yesterday. I'm not taking any more chances with my car.
Apparently it's a black hole, and other cars are drawn to smack into it. I've been on the defensive with driving for the whole week.
12.06.2006
Vets
A couple of weeks ago I had a sick ferret. We were worried he had a blockage, so I took him to the vet.
Learning the more expensive points of pet ownership. . . but good news, no blockage!
Learning the more expensive points of pet ownership. . . but good news, no blockage!
More Randomness
Kids Scared of Santa! - my favorite one was Number 55, Kid, you SHOULD be scared of Santa!
The CG got me on this one, Building Airplanes
The Infamous Frogs, the Assassin Ferret, and two Lizards
I don't think Volkswagen appreciated this one that much.
The CG got me on this one, Building Airplanes
The Infamous Frogs, the Assassin Ferret, and two Lizards
I don't think Volkswagen appreciated this one that much.
12.03.2006
Drill Sergeant Update
This was a Drill Weekend. Yay for Drill Weekends!
I've got two more to go before Drill Sergeant School. In Fort Benning. Being an active duty school, I have learned that there is a chance that I might be able to get online while I'm there. But no guarantees so I might suffer radio silence for 9 weeks.
Hmm. . .
Anyway, the latest with the Program is I have to memorize a lot of words. Ver Batum. See, nobody knows D&C (that's Drill and Ceremony) quite like a Drill Sergeant, and there is a reason why the Drill Sergeant knows the position of Attention backward and forward, up and down, and can correct a soldier out of the corner of his eye. Because he literally knows this position from the 45 degree angle of the soldier's equally pointed out toes to the vertical alignment of the head and neck. And now, I know it backward and forward too.
There is so many times that I've seen soldiers screw up the position of attention. Including me. I can guarantee you I'll never screw it up again, because it is engrained into my braincells now.
Furthermore, I have now routed the rest positions while at the halt into my braincells as well. I have recieved a go at stating both of these modules, using the step by step method of instruction practically ver batum. And now that they are engrained into my head for life, when I was in formation today the fact that the platoon leader didn't know what she was doing was more evident then ever.
We were called into formation with a Hospital unit (first sign) who put the unit At Ease. So we sat there looking around, wondering what was going on when the other units started putting their units at Parade Rest (for you civilians out there, a different rest position that is more formal, and more locked up.) It didn't help that we were in a formation with a naval unit in charge, which was throwing us off that much more. So the Platoon Leader calls us to Parade Rest from At Ease.
This is what has been engrained into my braincells from the module on Rest Positions at the Halt.
"Parade Rest will only be commanded from the Position of Attention."
In short, if the unit is At Ease (they can move when they're at ease), you have to call them to Attention to bring them to Parade Rest. Civilians might be looking at me and saying "why are you so anal retentative about this? Does it matter?"
In the long run, probably not. But in regards to discipline and military custom and courtesy, yes. It is a sign of discipline and respect when you perform these simple formations properly. And people who know better (like the plethera of Drill Sergeants that fell into this formation) won't look at you like you don't know what in the hell your doing and you aren't given the reputation of 'tore up'.
Meanwhile, the CG came by, and we were all commenting on the CG's aid, and being a Drill Sergeant Battallion, we were wondering if she was in regulation or not. I stated she wasn't, though some people were trying to argue that she was ok.
See, she had dark brown hair cut short with her bangs long up front. Now, her style wasn't bad, it was the blonde streak that she had in her bangs that framed her face. The one blonde streak. It looked like Rogue from the Xmen, seriously. People were stating that as long as it is a natural hair color, she can do it.
So I can put Red, Black, Brown and Blonde Streaks throughout my hair so I look like a calico cat? No, because it looks faddish and unprofessional! Besides, I think it is also supposed to blend naturally, you aren't supposed to have dark brown hair with a platinum streak through it and be a captain in the military! Gees!
At least I'm catching these things. I might make a good drill sergeant yet!
I've got two more to go before Drill Sergeant School. In Fort Benning. Being an active duty school, I have learned that there is a chance that I might be able to get online while I'm there. But no guarantees so I might suffer radio silence for 9 weeks.
Hmm. . .
Anyway, the latest with the Program is I have to memorize a lot of words. Ver Batum. See, nobody knows D&C (that's Drill and Ceremony) quite like a Drill Sergeant, and there is a reason why the Drill Sergeant knows the position of Attention backward and forward, up and down, and can correct a soldier out of the corner of his eye. Because he literally knows this position from the 45 degree angle of the soldier's equally pointed out toes to the vertical alignment of the head and neck. And now, I know it backward and forward too.
There is so many times that I've seen soldiers screw up the position of attention. Including me. I can guarantee you I'll never screw it up again, because it is engrained into my braincells now.
Furthermore, I have now routed the rest positions while at the halt into my braincells as well. I have recieved a go at stating both of these modules, using the step by step method of instruction practically ver batum. And now that they are engrained into my head for life, when I was in formation today the fact that the platoon leader didn't know what she was doing was more evident then ever.
We were called into formation with a Hospital unit (first sign) who put the unit At Ease. So we sat there looking around, wondering what was going on when the other units started putting their units at Parade Rest (for you civilians out there, a different rest position that is more formal, and more locked up.) It didn't help that we were in a formation with a naval unit in charge, which was throwing us off that much more. So the Platoon Leader calls us to Parade Rest from At Ease.
This is what has been engrained into my braincells from the module on Rest Positions at the Halt.
"Parade Rest will only be commanded from the Position of Attention."
In short, if the unit is At Ease (they can move when they're at ease), you have to call them to Attention to bring them to Parade Rest. Civilians might be looking at me and saying "why are you so anal retentative about this? Does it matter?"
In the long run, probably not. But in regards to discipline and military custom and courtesy, yes. It is a sign of discipline and respect when you perform these simple formations properly. And people who know better (like the plethera of Drill Sergeants that fell into this formation) won't look at you like you don't know what in the hell your doing and you aren't given the reputation of 'tore up'.
Meanwhile, the CG came by, and we were all commenting on the CG's aid, and being a Drill Sergeant Battallion, we were wondering if she was in regulation or not. I stated she wasn't, though some people were trying to argue that she was ok.
See, she had dark brown hair cut short with her bangs long up front. Now, her style wasn't bad, it was the blonde streak that she had in her bangs that framed her face. The one blonde streak. It looked like Rogue from the Xmen, seriously. People were stating that as long as it is a natural hair color, she can do it.
So I can put Red, Black, Brown and Blonde Streaks throughout my hair so I look like a calico cat? No, because it looks faddish and unprofessional! Besides, I think it is also supposed to blend naturally, you aren't supposed to have dark brown hair with a platinum streak through it and be a captain in the military! Gees!
At least I'm catching these things. I might make a good drill sergeant yet!
Undue Flattery
Am I heartless?
I don't get the reason to flatter somebody over a job that is subpar. Being an artist, I am a firm believer that if you see something you don't like about a piece, you tell the artist what it is (constructive criticism here). They can then use your criticism to either fix the piece, take it into heart the next time they do a piece, or tell you to go to hell and ignore what you said. I don't believe in being rude about it or anything, you can just say "hey, I really think that this color doesn't go well with this other color in the way you put them here, try a different shade, like a darker red perhaps.)
I've been getting this from my Image Editing class. There are some people who are awesome in the class, and then there are others who are still learning the software and therefore because of their experience, they are prone to having work that is not as clean as the others. Often times, I get the impression that other students in the class are catering to these students by telling them "this looks great!" when it is obvious that there is plenty of room for improvement. I won't cater to your feelings by telling you a piece looks great if it doesn't, however I will acknowledge improvement and encourage them to keep working at it. Undue flattery doesn't help anybody, and I have found that you learn greatly from your mistakes.
In fact, I learn more from my mistakes then my successes. As long as my mistakes aren't fatal, I generally only make them once because I learned from them the first time. I like to be told what I'm doing right and not have every mistake pointed out to me, granted, but please give me constructive criticism and tell me how I'm doing. Let me know if I totally messed something up or if it doesn't work. I'm a big girl, I can take it.
I don't get the reason to flatter somebody over a job that is subpar. Being an artist, I am a firm believer that if you see something you don't like about a piece, you tell the artist what it is (constructive criticism here). They can then use your criticism to either fix the piece, take it into heart the next time they do a piece, or tell you to go to hell and ignore what you said. I don't believe in being rude about it or anything, you can just say "hey, I really think that this color doesn't go well with this other color in the way you put them here, try a different shade, like a darker red perhaps.)
I've been getting this from my Image Editing class. There are some people who are awesome in the class, and then there are others who are still learning the software and therefore because of their experience, they are prone to having work that is not as clean as the others. Often times, I get the impression that other students in the class are catering to these students by telling them "this looks great!" when it is obvious that there is plenty of room for improvement. I won't cater to your feelings by telling you a piece looks great if it doesn't, however I will acknowledge improvement and encourage them to keep working at it. Undue flattery doesn't help anybody, and I have found that you learn greatly from your mistakes.
In fact, I learn more from my mistakes then my successes. As long as my mistakes aren't fatal, I generally only make them once because I learned from them the first time. I like to be told what I'm doing right and not have every mistake pointed out to me, granted, but please give me constructive criticism and tell me how I'm doing. Let me know if I totally messed something up or if it doesn't work. I'm a big girl, I can take it.
Bad Things come in Threes
Knock on Wood.
*does so*
Winter is here. In full force. And I experienced it today while driving around. I decided once I made it safely home, that I would park my car and not leave for the rest of the evening.
Because bad things happen in threes. And I've already had two incidents today.
And with how they are progressing, I'm predicting that if the third was to hit, my car will be totaled.
Let me start at the beginning.
I was at a roundabout about a half mile from my house at Noon today. I generally don't mind roundabouts but because its winter and conditions are icey, I don't take my chances with my accelerator and if it will catch on the ice enough for me to get out in front of the other car. And I couldn't see if the car was getting off at my exit or coming around again (I can't see their turn signal!) So I started creeping out waiting for this car to make its decision when *BAM!* Somebody rear ends me.
Grr. . .
See, he thought I was actually moving out and assumptions aren't always a good thing. Case in point. We get out, and fortunately, all he did was punch a pea size hole in my bumper with the screw on his license plate. The damage is negligable, however I take down his information anyway.
Around 4:45, we're finally given permission to leave the drill hall (safety briefing and all, which includes "Slow down on the roads, conditions are icey!") I didn't even leave the parking lot when while I was heading out, one of my battle buddies in his jeep fails to see my mazda and plows into my side. My door creeks when I open it now. He felt like crap and immediately asked "Do you want my information?" to which I reply "Yes!" The guy earlier today punched a pea size hole in my bumper, this is a massive dent on the side of my car! Poor Winston! (The name of my Mazda, btw)
As soon as that second accident happened, I hurried home (in a safe, observant and non-speeding manner) parked my car and found a large chunk of wood to knock on. I'm not normally supersticious but Hey! I'm not taking my chances! There's a thick layer of ice on the road and if it weren't for the snow, I could have breaked in time to get out of the Jeep's way. But at least neither accident was my fault.
I now have a police report on my to-do list, as well as the fact that I forgot to right license numbers of the two people at fault for smacking into my car (I knew I forgot something!)
*does so*
Winter is here. In full force. And I experienced it today while driving around. I decided once I made it safely home, that I would park my car and not leave for the rest of the evening.
Because bad things happen in threes. And I've already had two incidents today.
And with how they are progressing, I'm predicting that if the third was to hit, my car will be totaled.
Let me start at the beginning.
I was at a roundabout about a half mile from my house at Noon today. I generally don't mind roundabouts but because its winter and conditions are icey, I don't take my chances with my accelerator and if it will catch on the ice enough for me to get out in front of the other car. And I couldn't see if the car was getting off at my exit or coming around again (I can't see their turn signal!) So I started creeping out waiting for this car to make its decision when *BAM!* Somebody rear ends me.
Grr. . .
See, he thought I was actually moving out and assumptions aren't always a good thing. Case in point. We get out, and fortunately, all he did was punch a pea size hole in my bumper with the screw on his license plate. The damage is negligable, however I take down his information anyway.
Around 4:45, we're finally given permission to leave the drill hall (safety briefing and all, which includes "Slow down on the roads, conditions are icey!") I didn't even leave the parking lot when while I was heading out, one of my battle buddies in his jeep fails to see my mazda and plows into my side. My door creeks when I open it now. He felt like crap and immediately asked "Do you want my information?" to which I reply "Yes!" The guy earlier today punched a pea size hole in my bumper, this is a massive dent on the side of my car! Poor Winston! (The name of my Mazda, btw)
As soon as that second accident happened, I hurried home (in a safe, observant and non-speeding manner) parked my car and found a large chunk of wood to knock on. I'm not normally supersticious but Hey! I'm not taking my chances! There's a thick layer of ice on the road and if it weren't for the snow, I could have breaked in time to get out of the Jeep's way. But at least neither accident was my fault.
I now have a police report on my to-do list, as well as the fact that I forgot to right license numbers of the two people at fault for smacking into my car (I knew I forgot something!)
11.28.2006
Politics for 2008
Earth Shatterng News!
John Kerry Dead Last in Latest Presidential Candidacy Poll!
While still 2 years from the next presidential election, granted things could change, but honestly I think John Kerry is out of the running. Really, he didn't do all that well in 2004 against Bush, who himself wasn't exactly the strongest Presidential candidate around. There is a reason why Kerry wasn't elected. In fact, there were several.
He had no issues to stand on, other then he served in Vietnam.
He had a plan, but nobody knows what that plan was.
He was for the war, and then against the war, before he was for and against the war again.
Swift Boat Vets swiftly did him in.
His platform was basically 'not Bush'.
I really could go on. . .
To tell you the honest truth, if Kerry had campaigned his entire campaign like he did October 2004, he would have won the Presidency very easily, but the damage was to great. Now he has to face a slew of fellow Democratic possibilities such as Barack Obama, who is very popular among Democrats (though probably to early in the political playing field to consider a run for President), along with scores of other hopefuls. I mean, seriously, 2008 is open season. Bush is out, and his VP has no interest in running so its going to be a Slaughter house! And 2004 has given the Republicans plenty of ammo against Kerry.
With strong and popular republicans like Rudi Giuliani and John McCain in the running for their party's nomination, do you think the Democrats are even going to take a chance with that horse when they lost with Kerry already? I think they are going to look at some fresh blood.
I just hope that we can make some progress in this country before 2008 gets here, and honestly, with 2006 almost over and the nominations getting dirty come Fall before an election year, we only have a year left before we find ourselves full force in the mix of what will undoubtedly be a mess.
I just hope John Kerry is out of the running.
On second thought, go ahead and nominate him. It will be interesting to watch him get creamed by the 'Not Bush' Republican candidate.
John Kerry Dead Last in Latest Presidential Candidacy Poll!
While still 2 years from the next presidential election, granted things could change, but honestly I think John Kerry is out of the running. Really, he didn't do all that well in 2004 against Bush, who himself wasn't exactly the strongest Presidential candidate around. There is a reason why Kerry wasn't elected. In fact, there were several.
He had no issues to stand on, other then he served in Vietnam.
He had a plan, but nobody knows what that plan was.
He was for the war, and then against the war, before he was for and against the war again.
Swift Boat Vets swiftly did him in.
His platform was basically 'not Bush'.
I really could go on. . .
To tell you the honest truth, if Kerry had campaigned his entire campaign like he did October 2004, he would have won the Presidency very easily, but the damage was to great. Now he has to face a slew of fellow Democratic possibilities such as Barack Obama, who is very popular among Democrats (though probably to early in the political playing field to consider a run for President), along with scores of other hopefuls. I mean, seriously, 2008 is open season. Bush is out, and his VP has no interest in running so its going to be a Slaughter house! And 2004 has given the Republicans plenty of ammo against Kerry.
With strong and popular republicans like Rudi Giuliani and John McCain in the running for their party's nomination, do you think the Democrats are even going to take a chance with that horse when they lost with Kerry already? I think they are going to look at some fresh blood.
I just hope that we can make some progress in this country before 2008 gets here, and honestly, with 2006 almost over and the nominations getting dirty come Fall before an election year, we only have a year left before we find ourselves full force in the mix of what will undoubtedly be a mess.
I just hope John Kerry is out of the running.
On second thought, go ahead and nominate him. It will be interesting to watch him get creamed by the 'Not Bush' Republican candidate.
11.25.2006
Job Woes
I have made up my mind when I'm called in regards to taking a shift I wasn't originally scheduled for.
First, I will consider what shift I am working in the future, such as if I'm opening the next day which is a Saturday, and this shift is a closing shift on Friday. (That's always bad news).
Then I will ask who I'm taking over the shift for. There are a couple of people who I have noticed have a tendency to call in. . . all the time. (why do you work here, buddy?)
And last, I will ask who the manager on duty is.
I can work this job, and I don't mind it (especially for the whole retail gig) but I have definitely learned that retail is not what I aspire to do for the rest of my life (must . . . acquire . . . degree . . .) and until that happens, I have to do something to pay the bills and put food in my stomach. And right now (unfortunately) this means retail.
I may have mentioned I'm back at my old job, mostly because its something I can do, but I am getting reminded on why I quit the first time. Honestly, I'm 26 years old, I'm working on a college degree, I've been there, seen that and put up with a lot of bull. I honestly don't do well in the peon jobs like I used to do.
This job included.
Honestly, if I were to be too serious in my employment, I'd have to shoot myself. I was having troubles before I quit the first time, and I've given myself some breather space so I don't unintentionally kill somebody. And I deal with things my own way.
In this work environment, I intentionally act goofy, make jokes, and sometimes poke fun at myself just to keep the atmosphere light. I have to try to have fun and act like a total goofball because otherwise I would come across as the heinious bitch that people were accusing me of being the last time.
Although I'm pretty sure I'm very competant in this job, I keep getting these other employees who keep talking down to me on basic stuff that a newbie might not know but HEY, I DID THIS JOB FOR A YEAR AS A MANAGER!!! I know what I'm doing, thanks. But then I remind myself that things have changed and so I shut up and just try to listen. Plus, this is a different store then the old one, so I try to keep that in mind as well. Things run differently. . .
So far, I think I'm doing ok, as long as I'm not being treated like a newbie and a complete idiot. If I have a question, I'll ask it (and I've had a few) but for the most part, please let me do the job.
Now that I've survived Black Friday (actually, wasn't all that bad, until I agreed to come back to work in the evening), I have to negotiate the rest of the season with my sanity intact.
Oh Look, MT Spokane is Open! I can work on my angst by taking advantage of that season pass I purchased last spring!
First, I will consider what shift I am working in the future, such as if I'm opening the next day which is a Saturday, and this shift is a closing shift on Friday. (That's always bad news).
Then I will ask who I'm taking over the shift for. There are a couple of people who I have noticed have a tendency to call in. . . all the time. (why do you work here, buddy?)
And last, I will ask who the manager on duty is.
I can work this job, and I don't mind it (especially for the whole retail gig) but I have definitely learned that retail is not what I aspire to do for the rest of my life (must . . . acquire . . . degree . . .) and until that happens, I have to do something to pay the bills and put food in my stomach. And right now (unfortunately) this means retail.
I may have mentioned I'm back at my old job, mostly because its something I can do, but I am getting reminded on why I quit the first time. Honestly, I'm 26 years old, I'm working on a college degree, I've been there, seen that and put up with a lot of bull. I honestly don't do well in the peon jobs like I used to do.
This job included.
Honestly, if I were to be too serious in my employment, I'd have to shoot myself. I was having troubles before I quit the first time, and I've given myself some breather space so I don't unintentionally kill somebody. And I deal with things my own way.
In this work environment, I intentionally act goofy, make jokes, and sometimes poke fun at myself just to keep the atmosphere light. I have to try to have fun and act like a total goofball because otherwise I would come across as the heinious bitch that people were accusing me of being the last time.
Although I'm pretty sure I'm very competant in this job, I keep getting these other employees who keep talking down to me on basic stuff that a newbie might not know but HEY, I DID THIS JOB FOR A YEAR AS A MANAGER!!! I know what I'm doing, thanks. But then I remind myself that things have changed and so I shut up and just try to listen. Plus, this is a different store then the old one, so I try to keep that in mind as well. Things run differently. . .
So far, I think I'm doing ok, as long as I'm not being treated like a newbie and a complete idiot. If I have a question, I'll ask it (and I've had a few) but for the most part, please let me do the job.
Now that I've survived Black Friday (actually, wasn't all that bad, until I agreed to come back to work in the evening), I have to negotiate the rest of the season with my sanity intact.
Oh Look, MT Spokane is Open! I can work on my angst by taking advantage of that season pass I purchased last spring!
Chuck, and an SKS
In my family we've acquired this tradition on Thanksgiving. We find a range or suitable public ground, we round up our assortment of fire arms, and we go plinking.
After this round, we're wondering if we're going to find another warmer holiday to associate our plinking tradition.
My dad who's a welder made these targets that go *ping* when they're struck, so we don't necessarily have to see if we hit them or not. Whatever the case may be, I took my trust rifle Chuck, along with the other asortment of firearms at our disposal. Because my niece went with me, I spent a good portion of the time actually trying to talk her into firing Chuck instead of shooting myself. She promised she would do it, NEXT year. We did get her to fire a Ruger 5 Mil and a 22. Revolver.
EDIT: Ok, I meant to say Ruger 9 Mil, either that is a typo or I'm just the world's largest poser when it comes to guns. . .
I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing here. Either I was caught in one of those priceless kodak moments where my face is contorted to display my worst possible features, or I just took a whiff of something pretty foul.
Grimace or not, Chuck is still a lot of fun to shoot! And although I'm not as accurate with the Ak as my military issued M16, I still get a pleasant feeling every time one of those targets goes *ping!*
I have to get some support with this thing, and then I'm lethal!
Whatever the case, one of the highlights of the trip was one of the newest additions to the gun family. A chinese SKS! Dropped once, never been fired. . .
And a bayonet. . . *drools*
I love the bayonet. I thought the fact that this rifle had a bayonet attached to it was so freakin cool that I started remembering weapons drills from basic and started screaming war chants.
*WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE BAYONET!?!*
*TO KILLKILLKILL with the COLDBLUESTEEL!*
*WHAT MAKES THE GREEN GRASS GROW?!?*
*BLOODBLOOD BRIGHTREDBLOOD!*
Thrust to the groin, buttstroke to the face, you know, the CLASSICS!
*LET ME SEE YOUR WARFACE!*
Ahh, the memories. . .
After this round, we're wondering if we're going to find another warmer holiday to associate our plinking tradition.
My dad who's a welder made these targets that go *ping* when they're struck, so we don't necessarily have to see if we hit them or not. Whatever the case may be, I took my trust rifle Chuck, along with the other asortment of firearms at our disposal. Because my niece went with me, I spent a good portion of the time actually trying to talk her into firing Chuck instead of shooting myself. She promised she would do it, NEXT year. We did get her to fire a Ruger 5 Mil and a 22. Revolver.
EDIT: Ok, I meant to say Ruger 9 Mil, either that is a typo or I'm just the world's largest poser when it comes to guns. . .
I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing here. Either I was caught in one of those priceless kodak moments where my face is contorted to display my worst possible features, or I just took a whiff of something pretty foul.
Grimace or not, Chuck is still a lot of fun to shoot! And although I'm not as accurate with the Ak as my military issued M16, I still get a pleasant feeling every time one of those targets goes *ping!*
I have to get some support with this thing, and then I'm lethal!
Whatever the case, one of the highlights of the trip was one of the newest additions to the gun family. A chinese SKS! Dropped once, never been fired. . .
And a bayonet. . . *drools*
I love the bayonet. I thought the fact that this rifle had a bayonet attached to it was so freakin cool that I started remembering weapons drills from basic and started screaming war chants.
*WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE BAYONET!?!*
*TO KILLKILLKILL with the COLDBLUESTEEL!*
*WHAT MAKES THE GREEN GRASS GROW?!?*
*BLOODBLOOD BRIGHTREDBLOOD!*
Thrust to the groin, buttstroke to the face, you know, the CLASSICS!
*LET ME SEE YOUR WARFACE!*
Ahh, the memories. . .
11.24.2006
Spammers
You know what I don't get? Spam.
Why do these automated emails try to sell me crap? How many sales do you suppose a Spam Email can generate? Enough to make them keep doing it I guess, because they KEEP DOING IT. I am guessing that if you could find a way to trace those emails back to the spammer who originates them, that person will find their life expired shortly thereafter.
What I REALLY don't get is the people who date their emails for four years ago so when it arrives in your inbox, all you can see is an unopened email but you don't know where it is and you have to surf through your mountains of emails to find it and delete it (and I have a full inbox that never gets answered or shifted down) *sighs*
What is the point of dating a spam email for 2003 anyway? Isn't the point to trick the person into opening it? Or is there some kind of attachment that tells the person who sent it *yes, this email is still sitting in their inbox, tell all your spambot friends to send MORE emails to them!*
If I seriously discovered that one of my friends were responsible for a spam email, I would disown them from friendship and swear blood vengeance (or at least egg their house) becuase they can only be aligned with the devil if they can stoop so low as the use of mass produced and badly done emails to sell prescription medications and informing me on elongating the penis I don't have.
*Grumbles*
Why do these automated emails try to sell me crap? How many sales do you suppose a Spam Email can generate? Enough to make them keep doing it I guess, because they KEEP DOING IT. I am guessing that if you could find a way to trace those emails back to the spammer who originates them, that person will find their life expired shortly thereafter.
What I REALLY don't get is the people who date their emails for four years ago so when it arrives in your inbox, all you can see is an unopened email but you don't know where it is and you have to surf through your mountains of emails to find it and delete it (and I have a full inbox that never gets answered or shifted down) *sighs*
What is the point of dating a spam email for 2003 anyway? Isn't the point to trick the person into opening it? Or is there some kind of attachment that tells the person who sent it *yes, this email is still sitting in their inbox, tell all your spambot friends to send MORE emails to them!*
If I seriously discovered that one of my friends were responsible for a spam email, I would disown them from friendship and swear blood vengeance (or at least egg their house) becuase they can only be aligned with the devil if they can stoop so low as the use of mass produced and badly done emails to sell prescription medications and informing me on elongating the penis I don't have.
*Grumbles*
11.22.2006
Work and Movies
You know what I discovered? I'm too nice.
Yesterday, I got a call from my boss asking if I would come into work today. I said "sure"
So I worked from 11 to 7 today. On my birthday. I'm just too nice I tell you.
Al Gore's an Inconveniant Truth came out yesterday. I haven't seen it, and I don't think I will. What cracks me up about the title is it is supposedly about the truth of global warming. I might be wrong about this and all, but as far as anybody can tell, Global Warming is still theory.
So it should by all rights be called an Inconveniant Theory.
I was also considering seeing Happy Feet (being an animation major) until I learned that the UN comes and saves the day at the very end.
Huh? The UN comes and saves the day? Having worked closely with the UN last year and seeing the fine job that has been done in Kosovo, yeah, the UN has the answer to EVERYTHING.
I got some movie tickets for my birthday, I think I'll see something else, like Borat, instead.
Yesterday, I got a call from my boss asking if I would come into work today. I said "sure"
So I worked from 11 to 7 today. On my birthday. I'm just too nice I tell you.
Al Gore's an Inconveniant Truth came out yesterday. I haven't seen it, and I don't think I will. What cracks me up about the title is it is supposedly about the truth of global warming. I might be wrong about this and all, but as far as anybody can tell, Global Warming is still theory.
So it should by all rights be called an Inconveniant Theory.
I was also considering seeing Happy Feet (being an animation major) until I learned that the UN comes and saves the day at the very end.
Huh? The UN comes and saves the day? Having worked closely with the UN last year and seeing the fine job that has been done in Kosovo, yeah, the UN has the answer to EVERYTHING.
I got some movie tickets for my birthday, I think I'll see something else, like Borat, instead.
Random Laugh Bites
All Mac Users Go To Hell
Worst then a Terminator. . .
Forgive him father, for he is a robot from the future
The Many Faces of Adolf Hitler
Yeah, I gotta post things like this more often :)
Worst then a Terminator. . .
Forgive him father, for he is a robot from the future
The Many Faces of Adolf Hitler
Yeah, I gotta post things like this more often :)
11.20.2006
Do I Really Look This Stupid?
I swear, do I have the word 'Idiot' written on my forehead?
I get this kid in line today that hands me two Cds, one's Pink Floyd and the other is Nas. I really didn't pay attention to them at first and just rang them up. Nas, being rap, is in a long box and I pull it out, only to realize that there is a sticker for 3.99 on it that says 'Various artists'. I take a good hard look at a CD that is clearly marked as being Nas. So I took that sticker and peeled it off and low and behold, underneath was the real sticker with the real price.
"Um, looks like you grabbed a CD that somebody had put the wrong sticker on. I can't sell this to you at the other price."
I'm really good at playing stupid.
"Oh, I don't have enough money for it then," he says.
Slyly, I ring up the Pink Floyd, which has a Used Generic CD Sticker on it, for .99 cents. I give him his money and before I give him the CD. . . "Oh wait, this one has the wrong sticker on it too! I'm sorry, I can't sell this for you, I have to do a refund."
So I refunded his money, and got his name and phone number (which is procedure for refunds). Sent him packing. We keep both CDs, with both pricetags revealed for a much larger price then what he had placed on them.
Sadly, if he had tried that on another associate, he might have gotten away with it. I've just been doing this for to long.
Anyway, the kid actually GAVE ME HIS NAME! He changed his phone number by at least one digit. We looked him up, he has a rental account, and almost $200 in late fees, and the account is locked up. I think it might even be in collections. Smart, kid. Way to go.
I know what he looks like, but I have a feeling he won't be back for a while. Hopefully he got the hint. But could he have been any more obvious???
It's to bad I'm not authorized to say "hey stupid, I know you're the one who did this and tried to rip us off, get the hell out of my store" but I'm just a lowly peon. So the boss told me to call him next time I see anything like that.
Sure thing, Boss!
I get this kid in line today that hands me two Cds, one's Pink Floyd and the other is Nas. I really didn't pay attention to them at first and just rang them up. Nas, being rap, is in a long box and I pull it out, only to realize that there is a sticker for 3.99 on it that says 'Various artists'. I take a good hard look at a CD that is clearly marked as being Nas. So I took that sticker and peeled it off and low and behold, underneath was the real sticker with the real price.
"Um, looks like you grabbed a CD that somebody had put the wrong sticker on. I can't sell this to you at the other price."
I'm really good at playing stupid.
"Oh, I don't have enough money for it then," he says.
Slyly, I ring up the Pink Floyd, which has a Used Generic CD Sticker on it, for .99 cents. I give him his money and before I give him the CD. . . "Oh wait, this one has the wrong sticker on it too! I'm sorry, I can't sell this for you, I have to do a refund."
So I refunded his money, and got his name and phone number (which is procedure for refunds). Sent him packing. We keep both CDs, with both pricetags revealed for a much larger price then what he had placed on them.
Sadly, if he had tried that on another associate, he might have gotten away with it. I've just been doing this for to long.
Anyway, the kid actually GAVE ME HIS NAME! He changed his phone number by at least one digit. We looked him up, he has a rental account, and almost $200 in late fees, and the account is locked up. I think it might even be in collections. Smart, kid. Way to go.
I know what he looks like, but I have a feeling he won't be back for a while. Hopefully he got the hint. But could he have been any more obvious???
It's to bad I'm not authorized to say "hey stupid, I know you're the one who did this and tried to rip us off, get the hell out of my store" but I'm just a lowly peon. So the boss told me to call him next time I see anything like that.
Sure thing, Boss!
11.19.2006
This Week
All three of my classes have major projects due next Sunday.
I think this is a conspiracy to ruin my Thanksgiving Day Weekend.
Not to mention, Black Friday is this Friday and I work Retail.
(And my B-day is on Wednesday)
*Crosses fingers and hopes that I can survive the week*
I think this is a conspiracy to ruin my Thanksgiving Day Weekend.
Not to mention, Black Friday is this Friday and I work Retail.
(And my B-day is on Wednesday)
*Crosses fingers and hopes that I can survive the week*
Profile
Name: Kami
Alias: Risawn
Meaning of Alias: Absolutely Nothing
Status: Single
Age: Mid Twenties
Hometown: Eastern Washington
Siblings: Two Brothers, Three Sisters
Kids: None
Occupation: Weekend Warrior, Retail Slave, Student
Degree: Animation (We'll see where that goes)
Religion: LDS
Pets: Two Ferrets (Abby and Blaine), One Betta Fish (Clark)
Sports: Snowboarding, Horseback Riding
Hobbies: Webcomic Production, painting, writing, anything artistic
Favorite Movies: Office Space, Donnie Darko, Memento, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail
Favorite Bands: Linkin Park, Alanis Morissette, Bare Naked Ladies, John Denver
Favorite TV Shows: Glenn Beck, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, anything by Disney, TNMT, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain
Favorite Books: Harry Potter series, Books on Current Events,
Latest Endevour: Acquiring Cable Television
Latest Pet Peeve: Comcast Local Edition frequently cuts off last few minutes of the Glenn Beck Program.
Other Pet Peeve: When I hit Publish, I expect the blog to publish!
Wants: Nintendo Wii, Horse, new and much fancier camera, New Computer
Needs: Not many
Websites: Homepage, Webcomic, Deviantart Account, MySpace, Webcomic Forum
Alias: Risawn
Meaning of Alias: Absolutely Nothing
Status: Single
Age: Mid Twenties
Hometown: Eastern Washington
Siblings: Two Brothers, Three Sisters
Kids: None
Occupation: Weekend Warrior, Retail Slave, Student
Degree: Animation (We'll see where that goes)
Religion: LDS
Pets: Two Ferrets (Abby and Blaine), One Betta Fish (Clark)
Sports: Snowboarding, Horseback Riding
Hobbies: Webcomic Production, painting, writing, anything artistic
Favorite Movies: Office Space, Donnie Darko, Memento, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail
Favorite Bands: Linkin Park, Alanis Morissette, Bare Naked Ladies, John Denver
Favorite TV Shows: Glenn Beck, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, anything by Disney, TNMT, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain
Favorite Books: Harry Potter series, Books on Current Events,
Latest Endevour: Acquiring Cable Television
Latest Pet Peeve: Comcast Local Edition frequently cuts off last few minutes of the Glenn Beck Program.
Other Pet Peeve: When I hit Publish, I expect the blog to publish!
Wants: Nintendo Wii, Horse, new and much fancier camera, New Computer
Needs: Not many
Websites: Homepage, Webcomic, Deviantart Account, MySpace, Webcomic Forum
The Wii
I have made a decision.
I want a Wii.
My store got a ground total of three Wii's, and I got called in to help with how the store was selling them. What we did is we had tickets, and whoever wanted a wii got a ticket. After thirty minutes from the store opening, we had a drawing and the three tickets got the privelege of purchasing the Wii's. This helped in several ways, for one, it prevented people from camping out front of our store all night, and since we got only three in, they wouldn't have to fight. It also provided a fair advantage for those who had families and didn't have the ability to camp out all day yesterday waiting for a Wii.
When I got to work we only had one family out front waiting for the Wii. By the time we had the drawing, we gave out about forty tickets. I asked to be in charge of it, and everyone was very friendly and several people stated that the way we did it was very fair. The family that was first in line got a Wii as well.
The are also a pretty sweet system. You can download games from any prior Nintendo system and it plays game cube games. Backwards compatability is a great thing.
However, I will likely wait a while before I purchase one. Meanwhile, I do have an original Nintendo, Super Nintendo, N64, Gameboy and gamecube. Honestly, I don't play them that much, and I will probably wait until this spring to purchase a Wii.
So I've come to a decision for myself. There are a handful of items that I would like to have, and I am setting myself up for goals to achieve before I go out and buy these items. The Wii will be a reward to myself. Probably down the road a bit.
I don't see the price going down anytime soon. . .
I want a Wii.
My store got a ground total of three Wii's, and I got called in to help with how the store was selling them. What we did is we had tickets, and whoever wanted a wii got a ticket. After thirty minutes from the store opening, we had a drawing and the three tickets got the privelege of purchasing the Wii's. This helped in several ways, for one, it prevented people from camping out front of our store all night, and since we got only three in, they wouldn't have to fight. It also provided a fair advantage for those who had families and didn't have the ability to camp out all day yesterday waiting for a Wii.
When I got to work we only had one family out front waiting for the Wii. By the time we had the drawing, we gave out about forty tickets. I asked to be in charge of it, and everyone was very friendly and several people stated that the way we did it was very fair. The family that was first in line got a Wii as well.
The are also a pretty sweet system. You can download games from any prior Nintendo system and it plays game cube games. Backwards compatability is a great thing.
However, I will likely wait a while before I purchase one. Meanwhile, I do have an original Nintendo, Super Nintendo, N64, Gameboy and gamecube. Honestly, I don't play them that much, and I will probably wait until this spring to purchase a Wii.
So I've come to a decision for myself. There are a handful of items that I would like to have, and I am setting myself up for goals to achieve before I go out and buy these items. The Wii will be a reward to myself. Probably down the road a bit.
I don't see the price going down anytime soon. . .
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