Randomness from an overactive mind
Posts tagged journal
Crappy carnivals and fractured ribs
32 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
You’d be surprised how easily the former can lead to the latter.
Wednesday, Melanie and I went to a carnival that was open in her neighborhood. It was small and crappier than most carnivals/feasts. We went anyways and took our chances on a few rides that looked like they were being run by drunken Mexicans and held together by rust and a prayer. The haunted ride was laughable and the ferris wheel shook a bit too much when the wind blew. The scrambler was a bit too much spinning for me, but I didn’t get sick. The bumper cars did me in, though.
Well, I think the bumper cars are what resulted in my injury. There were no seat belts, just a loose lap bar and, being a tad taller than the average person, I had to cram myself into the vehicle. After the five or so minutes on the ride, I exited with, what I thought, was stiffness in my right side. After leaving the carnival and heading back to Melanie’s, I decided to lie down on her bed. When I went to get back up, I felt a sharp pain in my rib cage and knew something was definitely wrong. After some self diagnosis and a quick look by her grandmother (who used to be a nurse), it would appear that I have a fractured rib on my right side.
It’s a good injury to have, in a way, because there’s no needed trip to the doctor (not an option when you don’t have health insurance). You just have to take it easy and let it heal itself. The problem is, though, that the smallest movements have the potential of aggravating it and causing a lot of pain. I’m still trying to figure out how to get out of bed without killing myself.
This is one of those “only me” moments. Let me tell you, though, a sneeze becomes such a frightening action when you have a fractured rib. You feel it coming on and know that, in a few seconds, you’re bound for a ton of pain and there’s little you can do to stop it.
A whole podcast about me
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
There’s been an ongoing series of podcasts, over at Neowin, entitled “Meet the Staff.” The idea is pretty simple: The host (warwagon) interviews prominent staff members and helps the community get to know them better by focusing on their personal lives instead of just technology news.
Well, the fourth episode in this series happens to be about me. It wound up being a pretty long interview since I tend to talk a bit more than most people (partially because I’m comfortable with the podcast format, as opposed to some other staff members who are new to it). Either way, we cover everything from my first computer, to my love life, to some of my memories of Neowin. If you’re bored and think I’m even a little interesting, check it out. I tried to be entertaining.
Listen: Meet the Staff: bangbang023
Decisions made and confusion cleared
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
Well, I’m just a tad bit less stressed out than I was in my last few posts. I’ve had time to think and, after talking things out with Melanie and sorting through the facts, have figured everything out for now.
In terms of the Citi position, I’ll let that play itself out and see what happens. In the mean time, I’ve decided to remain in the new position at work. I’ve already received a raise for it (almost 10%) and will, hopefully, be getting more hours very soon. If I can get 30% – 50% more hours, I’ll be ok and can, possibly, stop the bleeding of money that’s been going on for the past few months.
The key here is that I’m getting more money and I’m a lot less stressed. It just took a while to sort everything out.
I have to find that perfect balance
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
I’m stressed and want to vent. If you’re pissed off by what you read, I apologize.
This whole job thing is getting a bit frustrating. After doing a “phone screening” with Citi bank, today, I am now waiting on a branch hiring manager to get in touch with me. While this is good news, in many ways, it also poses a problem: Can I take a job like that knowing that I won’t get to see Melanie more than two days a week, at most?
We’re both at different points in our lives and it’s hard to blend those points together, sometimes. I want to do what’s right for me and make enough money to sustain myself, yet I know, deep in my heart, that I need time with her. Maybe I’m just a stupid kid in love, but it’s what I am.
So, what do I do? I don’t know, to be honest. I’m stressed beyond belief trying to figure this one out. A middle ground solution would be to let the Citi situation play itself out and see if I even get a job offer, but, at the same time, not go back to the position I love at work and stay in the spot I am currently in. I can, probably, work out a pay raise and extra hours from it, though it’d officially be part time and still not like my work.
The problem with that idea is the lack of benefits and I need benefits. I don’t know what to do. My mind is racing a mile a minute and I’m not ready to leave the starting line. I have to figure this gigantic puzzle out and make a major life decision when I’m simply not ready to do so.
I’ve heard your advise. I know what most people will say, so please leave it be. No matter what I choose, people will be pissed off and say I’m wrong. It’s a lose – lose situation and I know it. Lucky me.
Don’t know what I’m doing
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
Today, after realizing the new position at work wasn’t going to materialize into a full time spot, I asked them to give me my old position back. It seems as though the change will happen, though nothing is set until it’s actually done.
Why the change back? The new job sucked. I was miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I loved having the weekend off to be with Melanie fully rested, but the complete lack of any kind of satisfaction from my work was maddening. Even in sales, I at least had the customer’s satisfaction to drive me. In this spot, all I have is a piece of paper with my research on it. It’s horrible.
The thing is, regardless of position, I don’t think I can stay at Best Buy any longer. There’s no room for me to move. I’ve been applying at banks, again, in an attempt to land something full time and without a glass ceiling. I hope something works out for me.
Honestly, to say I’m not scared would be a lie. I’m petrified. I should be so much further in my life than I actually am and it bothers me so much. I don’t have much, if any support, for this decision, but I have to do this. I need to find something for me. I need to find the answers that I don’t have.
It’s going to be a compromise
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
The new job, as I’ve quickly come to realize, is going to be a compromise.
One of the great things about working with my hands, in Merchandising, was that I got to see the fruits of my labor as soon as I was done. Whether I was simply re-organizing a display or wiring up tens of thousands of dollars of audio equipment, there was always an immediate reward for my labor. There was something for me to step back from and look at with pride.
In my new position, all I do is verify inventory. Granted, it’s not easy when it comes to doing all the research, but the actual physical counting is nothing but tedious and monotonous labor. Even worse, when I’m done, there’s nothing to show for it except a a few pages detailing what changes we need to make in our stock system.
I’m doing this job in the hopes of getting full time. I keep reminding myself of that. If, in a few months, that full time spot doesn’t open up, I might have to go back to Merch. I’m going to enjoy having weekends off and getting a few more hours now, but I hate this job being a compromise of my overall job satisfaction and happiness.
Two days of firsts
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
Everything is so new. I don’t like change. I’m scared.
Yesterday, the softball team I’m joining had it’s first practice. We wound up staying on the field for 3 hours practicing fielding and hitting. Sure, one kid had to be taken away in an ambulance because he dislocated his knee fielding a ball, but it was a good enough time for the rest of us. I felt very comfortable playing second base and failed miserably at short (odd, since the positions are so similar). I’m probably going to wind up being placed in the outfield, but I would love a chance to play infield. All I know right now, though, is that I’m sore as hell. I’m so out of shape.
Today was another first. I officially began working in my new position at work. It was a little confusing at first, but it’s just going to be a tedious job. It’s not difficult, just lots of tedious work. I’m not thrilled about the change, but I should be getting more hours and, hopefully, a chance at going full time (finally), soon, so I had to take it. I miss working with my hands, though. It’s just so much more rewarding than verifying stock and researching missing items.
Half way there, but not enough
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
Well, when an employee quits or gets fired, there’s obviously an open position within the store. As I mentioned in my previous post, a co-worker of mine quit and, by doing so, vacated a full time spot. I decided to apply for it. I got it, but I didn’t. Allow me to explain.
When a store wishes to open up a position for application, they have to go through the corporate offices. Unfortunately, there is a freeze on the hiring of full time employees and the company refused to budge. When I was told of this, I was also notified that they hope to have the freeze removed within a month or two. So, I was presented a decision. Do I wait in my current role and apply when the spot opens or do I take the part time position in the new department and apply for the full time when the chance is given to me?
I did some thinking and talked to a few people, though I mostly talked it over with Melanie. In our discussion, it became clear that I would have a much better chance of getting the full time position if I knew what the job entailed, so it would be much better to use the available part time role as a training for future possibilities.
This is such a tough choice to make. I’ve become an essential part of the machine in my current department. I’m also friends with the supervisor and he relies on me to help keep things moving. I’m leaving that all behind and part of me feels a bit guilty about it. I know I have to do what’s right, but I like being the “go to” guy and I feel a strong responsibility to keeping things moving the way they are.
This is a decision for me, though. I’m doing it and hoping for the best. I’ll go from working with my hands to doing tons of paperwork and researching possibly lost items. The real benefit isn’t in the work, but the possibility of full time pay and the freedom on the weekends to spend time with Melanie and play softball with my room mates. Wish me luck.
Retail can suck sometimes
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
It’s no secret that working in retail can be a real bitch. Working where I do, I am often forced to assist or work with people who aren’t exactly the brightest bulb in their respective boxes. There have been some great employees and some great customers, but, more often than not, you get a bunch of people who are closed minded, uneducated, and outright stupid. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a genius by any regard, but I’m more capable than most of these people.
I’ve been lucky enough to sort out the idiots from the truly intelligent people who are also great workers. However, this being retail, these people never last and the few remaining indians are quickly dwindling away. A guy I truly respected and enjoyed talking to and working with has decided to leave the company after working there for five years. Why? Without any evidence what so ever, they accused him of stealing something that was worth a whopping four cents. He didn’t do it, but he’s so pissed off that they would trap him in a room and tell him to either admit and get fired or quit and never come back that he decided it’s time to go. That’s a brave step in this job market, but that’s his choice to make. He stole the item in question. Shame to lose such a worker to such stupidity.
The problem goes much further than just this one person. I’ve seen so many amazing workers get stepped on and ignored while the idiots who are only good at kissing ass got promoted and moved forward. In a store where one supervisor is known for answering every question with “I don’t know” and managed to lose $20,000 in product (in his department) in one week, I shouldn’t be shocked, but I am. How can this continue to be the trend? How is it possible that the ass kissers continually sky rocket forward while the good guys get left in their dust? It’s not fair to my friend. It’s not fair to me. It’s not fair to the people who shop there and really would like to know they aren’t getting screwed by someone who talks a thousands times more than they think.
Minor changes in life
12 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
I’ve been making some minor changes in my life. I thought I’d share. Lucky you.
Firstly, I’ve decided to let my black nails go. It’s not an easy choice, but I think I’m past that phase of my life, finally. It’s not significant to anyone besides myself, but it is what it is. I’m sure Yogi Bera would be proud of that line.
I’ve also decided to cut all spending for the next two months, at least, as much as I can. After my purchase, and subsequent review, of MLB 2K9, I’m done. I need to start saving again and this is the only way I know how. Melanie has been supportive, though I hope she and her parents can tolerate us going out to paid activities less for a little while. It’s just something I have to do as I struggle to make ends meet. It’s the economy we live in, I guess.