The word of the week is hyperbole.
Oct 3 - How's that paycheque?
One of the things I've found most difficult at the jobs I've had( and there's not too many of those )is pay scale. At every job, employees were told not to discuss wages with one another, only with their manager - for several reasons. I've seen it happen where people find out they are not earning the same as someone 'newer' or 'less experienced' which leads to harsh feelings and problems in the workplace. However, living in ignorance is not a good idea either - your company could be taking advantage of your 'ask not, tell not' instructions to pay you less than you are worth. Have a look at this handy salary tool from Monster.ca and find out if you're being paid what you're worth - I know I'm not, but I'll be rectifying that next week; seeing as I'm the only one able to do the job right now, I can ask for what I'm worth and expect to get it. Not so that I can be a jerk, but instead to show I know what I'm worth and will work hardest knowing I'm valued at that level. Hell, it's been a long haul to get here as it is...
Oct 4 - Nice Guys
Oh, cruel fate, why do you torment me? Or at least make my life interesting? Today I worked at three different stores, due to the staff shortage crisis we are in. I opened one branch, went to a second to cover for 2 hrs, and then had to send my CSR home from work sick and close the third. She's really, really ill and sounds ghastly, so there's no helping it - today was a 15-hour day for me, with the only rest being the travel time between branches.
Why do I do it? Some kind of masochistic sense that I have, to take care of everyone regardless of the personal cost to myself? Hardly. No, I work with great people that I care about, and I know that they would( and have )done the same for me. It's been that way for years and I don't mind, as nobody's ever taken advantage of my generosity - more than once. Nice Guys Finish Last, as they say - so here's four rules to live by, if you're Nice.
Oct 5 - Apple Mourns
Today was yesterday, repeated. My CSR is still too sick to come into work, and everyone else is already working 5-6 days as it is, so it again fell to me to cover as manager - yech. I opened one branch for a full shift, then hopped the bus to Colwood to close for another 5 hours. Equaling another 15-hour day, with only a few minutes rest each shift, because of COURSE it's stinkin' busy in the middle of the week for NO reason. Yep. That kind of day.
Which makes the passing of Apple's Steve Jobs today all the more poignant. Now, I'm not a fan of Apple, but anyone can see the huge impact that the company, headed by Jobs, has had on the world. Going from a has-been in the late 90's to one of the world's top tech firms( if not THE top company )can be attributed to the drive, imagination and zeal that Jobs brought during his time at Apple. I've owned an iPod Nano, an iPhone and an iPod shuffle, all three of which served me well, albeit too briefly. I can think of few better epitaphs for someone than seeing the outpouring of sentiment by millions today when his death was announced. For someone to change the world for so many, for the better, that's tribute enough. Or you can watch this: it's good to be crazy.
Oct 6 - What just happened?
It was a reverse day today: I headed into town to work Cloverdale, going in around lunchtime while juggling the car with the parents - always on a tight schedule, that. I went in a little early to eat at the nearby McDonald's... but when I tried to pull into the lot, there were milk crates across the entrances save for a small spot. Since there were cars in the lot and no sign of line painting or other construction, I pulled up and went to the main door, where I was met by a head-shaking employee. I asked what was going on and was told "You just missed it, watch the five o'clock news tonight." So great timing on my part; if I had been even ten minutes earlier, I'd have been caught up in whatever it was that happened there around lunchtime. Edit: turns out it was a large grease fire, but they had it under control fairly fast. Seems to be a trend of late, not one I'm fond of - leading a stressful life of late is not conducive to adding MORE stress, though on the other hand what's a little more of the same? At least work was fairly straightforward with no surprises; I went home tired but on time.
Oct 7 - Good news? Really?
Some good news this morning, not work related: I'm getting a new TV! Seems that my current TV's pixel-spotted panel can't be replaced as LG doesn't make them anymore. So I'm getting a credit at Future Shop for $1500 towards a NEW TV of my choice( maybe this one! ) as part of the 4-year service plan I bought 3 years and 11 months ago. Talk about beating the odds - sweet! I've taken a quick look online at a few models and will probably read a few dozen reviews in the next week before I decide. Nothing TOO large, as I can't fit much larger a TV than I already have into my room. But good news, for a change - and it'll have NEW tech too!
I worked the closing shift at the Mill Stream branch, as I won't ask my CSR to work there again until after the branch has been fully glassed-in and made secure. I feel fine there, as I'm not the one who had a gun pointed at them, and I hope I never will - I can't ask her to go through anxiety attacks every time she works there if it's still open-concept. Not a chance.
Oct 8 - Cartoons!
Saturday morning cartoons, as I've lamented before, are a shadow of their former selves. They reached a zenith in the toy-crazed eighties, when hours could vanish for kids quite easily as they watched their favourite shows. I remember eagerly perusing the latest TV Guides to ensure I NEVER missed a new episode of a show in case the networks had switched timeslots around( which they did ). What better way to start your weekend than in your PJ's, enjoying new stories with favorite characters?
Which is why I laughed in delight when I came across this gem. It's Daffy Duck in some kind of new Merrie Melodies series, where he's a wizard... and a lazy roommate:
Pure Awesome!
Oct 9 - Turkey Day comes early
After opening the downtown branch today( I'm managing two of them for the next few months )it was time to head home, with lovely sunshine beaming down for a change. When I got home, my parents and I went down to the terrace gardens that border the golf course, carrying the urn of our beloved pet cat Tristan. We had waited for a perfect fall day to put him to rest in the gardens, at a time while life all around was changing after the summer's warmth. Again I felt the loss of this special friend, who was with us for too brief a time - yet as with all things, his time came and he passed on surrounded by we, his loving family. Placing his ashes in the ground was difficult, as I was overwhelmed by a sense of grief I still feel most strongly... but I am reminded of the incredible love that Tristan showed all of us every day he spent in our lives. That love sustains me, as I dry my eyes and remember him.
// rant It's been a long week, and the rest of the month looks to be a grind as well. Even writing the schedule for 2 branches myself, it's going to be tough, with a couple 12-hour days each week and around 60 hours all told weekly. I fully understand why the other manager left, but I'm bringing quality new people on-board and am making damn sure to take care of all those who are still with us. It will be tough until the close of 2011, but I hope we'll make it there with the district team intact and fairly sane... it helps to have a DM who believes in me. :-)
