Another Christmas Eve at the nut shop, another dud Christmas shirt. When grabbing one off the rack at Cheap as Chips I guess I was too distracted by ensuring that it was a tolerable colour (black... red and white aren't really *my thing*, yanow) and a decent size (i.e. somewhere in between kidswear and tent) to notice that a bulging cartoon thermometer isn't the best thing to have in vicinity of the word 'naughty'. Oh dear.
Its the time of year where we decide which of the 'newies' we want to keep on after their stints as Christmas casuals. One girl first struck me as very outgoing, confident with customers, chatty, etc. I liked her. However, conversations behind boxes in the back room have revealed that I am perhaps the only one of that opinion, and that in fact many people have indicated to the manager that they 'won't work with her' as they find her incredibly grating and annoying. Attempts to convince me first seemed like outraged gibberish. "Have you seen the way she stands? Yes, exactly like that! With her hands on her hips! And she does this and this - " "And the way she leans on the counter..." "I showed [other new girl] how to change an EFTPOS roll and she kept just looking! And now she'll probably think she knows how to change it too!"
THE HORROR! EFTPOS ROLL INITIATIVE!
Having said that, I can understand some reservations. While I think it's a little bitter to stop potentially valuable people working because they seem too good too early, or some such, it is true that you need a degree of... compliance... when you're new at a job. When we say jump you say how high! When we say fill you say how full! Etc.
Anyway, we have these stickers that say 'I made the biggest sale today!' and this girl decided to take one for herself. "Was mine the biggest sale? If not, I'll just write 'second biggest' on there! BAHAHAHA..." Apparently she actually did this when somebody 'overtook' her sale. Whatever. (I'm sorry, this anecdote seems to have been bogged in backstory, like a hiker caught in quicksand). A while later I'm on my break, eating a pretzel at the back room table, when I hear the pissed-off voice of another staff member, who is the manager's daughter and the biggest detractor of this new girl. "A second-biggest sale does not exist," I hear her saying, the frost of her statement practically seeping under the back room door. "Whatsoever!"
Buh... um. Point taken, these stickers shall not be donned lightly! But... this staff member was adamant even later on that there was no such thing as a second-biggest sale. There... kinda is. I mean. If we're being technical, here.
PET HATES OF NUT SHOP
Customers who don't get that two products may be different prices. "These are the same price, so can you mix them together?"
"Actually, they're different prices," (said politely) "But I can still mix them together for you..." (proceeds to weigh out separately.)
"No, they're the same price."
"Well actually they're not -"
"They're both seven dollar bags."
"Um, one is seven dollars for 250 grams, the other one is seven dollars for 210 grams, you see? They're a different kilo price. But thats ok! I can still mix them together."
The fact that it is a months-long process to get a shirt in another size, and even then it seems I only have a choice of short and square or long and rectangular. You'd think, being in a job involving much bending and squatting, they'd make a blouse that didn't expose half your back every time you dug a scoop from a lower display... but no. After many buttons fell off my old shirt I ended up with a super large one, and without the curves to carry it off I resemble an orange tent in my work uniform. However, I guess it has the pleasant rare bonus of everyone exclaiming with surprise over my figure when I come into work out of uniform as if they'd forgotten I had a a torso under there.
The family-oriented staff team can be quite bitchy and cliquey.
Customers who think they're really funny. "It says grab a bag, does that mean I can grab it and not pay? Nyuh nyuh nyuh. See darl, grab a bag. Hah."
Despite the fact that there are many undesirable customers, some staff bitch about customers who really aren't that bad. In fact, the main problem may be that they're Asian.
Customers who can clearly speak fluent English, but just jab at displays instead of reading the labels on there. Um, there's a curved wall and a bunch of products between your finger and my line of sight. A little clearer, please? I guess there are probably more illiterate among us than I'd realise, but. Come on.
"That one."
"The dry-roasted mix?"
"No, that one."
*Leans exaggeratedly over counter to crane at where customer is pointing* "The... unsalted millionaires mix?"
*Jabs harder* "THAT ONE."
"I'm sorry, I can't see from this side - second one along?"
"THAT ONE. The... the MIX."
Gah. Even if you can't read, use some bloody communication. The one in the bottom corner? The one with all the peanuts? I get way more irritated by English speakers who can't communicate than I do at ethnic sorts.
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE NUT SHOP
It's easy to roster time off.
Being part of a 'team' does has something going for it, at Christmas at least. The hostel is good in other ways (gee, maybe next post I'll do a comparable list! Won't that be exciting!) but being part of a group can be sort of nice. Sometimes you want to be a cog in a big established machine rather than an eccentric doo-hickey that you can wind up to totter along by itself. (Um).
For the most part, customer requests are simple and easily fulfilled. This is an overlooked good point. Also, even the most annoying customer? They leave. Could you imagine if they lived in the shop, and on top dealing with all their requests and concerns you also had to collect their rent, except they had no money, and they were waiting for Centrelink on Tuesday, and maybe you could kick them out but they have nowhere to go and they'd live in the car but its raining and the wife's got the flu, gee maybe they could do some work in lieu of payment but then they leave and don't do that and then they come back breathing their smoke in your face and getting up close with their grotty teeth and saying that they want to sort out the payment, like didn't we already DO that, I believe there are still bathroom tiles needing to be scrubbed which you dodged out of, IN A SYSTEM WE WORKED OUT TO KEEP A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD, so maybe they could rock up to work if they're not going to pay, and then you can't get stroppy with them because they've befriended other staff always want to speak to someone 'higher' and of course they're going to pay, otherwise why would they have come back? Do you think they're a bad type or summink?
Uh.
I think I've spent too much time at work these last few weeks. At work, or at Christmas 'do's'. This post is clearly deteriorating. I don't mind either job at all, and I do like seeing family and friends as well, of course, but you know. A girl needs a little hermit time every once in a while. On that note, you can't just sit rambling away your thoughts forever. Boyfriends are coming over soon, gifts are to be exchanged, and somebody made a calender appointment on my phone with 'location: DW's pants'.
Merry Christmas. Seriously =)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thoughts
That what I want from DW and H is reversed. DW, sensing a little whining freak-outedness, retreats. My unhappiness is exacerbated. H, not 'feeling the vibe', sits me down on a little private couch and demands to know feelings, thoughts, deep secrets. I feel ooky.
That in general, I tell people 'personal' stuff as something of a duty, an acknowledgement within myself that a little discomfort now makes for a stronger friendship later. If people know how you feel, they can adjust any of the tiny choices they make every day with your feelings in mind, and most people are nice and will unthinkingly do this.
That there are then other people, who I am compelled to tell more. Those people are not always the ones who thrive on hearing more.
That I could not ask for a better boyfriend to be there for me if I had a real problem.
That said boyfriend does not, however, tolerate silly self-absorbed worries and whinges with the same respect and time as he would give for something concrete.
That on one hand, his reluctance to do so is because of his own impatience. And hey, I've been on that end before, and I get that. What I also get is that you tolerate annoying blah blah from people you love.
That at the same time, I shouldn't be irritated by his dismissiveness. Regardless of intent, or lack of, treating insignificant problems in that way is probably a good thing. Forcing me to deal with the issue of concern without a big show of support is a good thing for me, I believe. You can become tempted to lean on somebody too much.
That I've seen the above happen with friends, and that's why I recognise that however much I want to hold DW's hand when I'm not feeling completely content, there's a slippery slope leading to needing to hold the hand in more and more situations, and soon we're at a self-indulgent point of ridiculousness where widdle old me can't handle anything alone.
That social anxiety has the potential to be contagious.
That I seem to need just one male at a party who thinks particularly fondly of me, to be socially content. Be it a boyfriend who may be on the other side of the room, be it that guy you have a tendency to flirt with when tipsy, be it your male friend who respects you but would never go further. Just somebody who notices when you've got a new dress, who cares when you stop speaking.
That being part of a couple can separate you from the social dynamics of a group, but in a good way.
...Yeah, that's about it.
That in general, I tell people 'personal' stuff as something of a duty, an acknowledgement within myself that a little discomfort now makes for a stronger friendship later. If people know how you feel, they can adjust any of the tiny choices they make every day with your feelings in mind, and most people are nice and will unthinkingly do this.
That there are then other people, who I am compelled to tell more. Those people are not always the ones who thrive on hearing more.
That I could not ask for a better boyfriend to be there for me if I had a real problem.
That said boyfriend does not, however, tolerate silly self-absorbed worries and whinges with the same respect and time as he would give for something concrete.
That on one hand, his reluctance to do so is because of his own impatience. And hey, I've been on that end before, and I get that. What I also get is that you tolerate annoying blah blah from people you love.
That at the same time, I shouldn't be irritated by his dismissiveness. Regardless of intent, or lack of, treating insignificant problems in that way is probably a good thing. Forcing me to deal with the issue of concern without a big show of support is a good thing for me, I believe. You can become tempted to lean on somebody too much.
That I've seen the above happen with friends, and that's why I recognise that however much I want to hold DW's hand when I'm not feeling completely content, there's a slippery slope leading to needing to hold the hand in more and more situations, and soon we're at a self-indulgent point of ridiculousness where widdle old me can't handle anything alone.
That social anxiety has the potential to be contagious.
That I seem to need just one male at a party who thinks particularly fondly of me, to be socially content. Be it a boyfriend who may be on the other side of the room, be it that guy you have a tendency to flirt with when tipsy, be it your male friend who respects you but would never go further. Just somebody who notices when you've got a new dress, who cares when you stop speaking.
That being part of a couple can separate you from the social dynamics of a group, but in a good way.
...Yeah, that's about it.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Christmas list
Christmas shopping pretty much done!
To date:
Mum: Hemp Hand Cream
Dad: Top Gear DVD
Sister: A piece of paper denoting a $50 Subway voucher (!)
Family Secret Santa (female cousin): A book of 'don'ts for ballerinas' from 1925 and a Sportsgirl voucher
Other Side of Family 'Random' Secret Santa: A book about letters being used as words* (ok, it fit under the $10 limit and I'm hoping it'll be a 'ooh, that's noice/different/unusual' type thing for one of the word game types)
Friend: A book of 'Camping for Dummies' to complement our vague plans, and a scrapbook for (gluten free) recipes
Other Friend: A Lonely Planet book about ethical travelling, and an Indian-made scarf and cushion cover
DW: Two teeshirts (one sporty one that he liked, one sexy one that meets his stringent requirements**), Mosby's Drug Guide for his future reference, an encyclopedia of dogs that he liked but couldn't justify buying for himself.
STILL REQUIRED:
A $10 unisex something for a friends-group gift exchange...
Another $10 thing for a work gift exchange... I'm looking for a fake mobile phone to fill with lollies, as the phone of the girl I'm buying for is apparently broken
*cough* condoms for DW... just a joke to add to his present, and I guess its about time I buy them
The prettying-up of some recipes to stick in the scrapbook
*No v-necks, no big logos, no crazy patterns, no crazy colours.
** i.e. 'x' can mean x marks the spot, a chromosome, crossing something out, a mysterious name, etc
To date:
Mum: Hemp Hand Cream
Dad: Top Gear DVD
Sister: A piece of paper denoting a $50 Subway voucher (!)
Family Secret Santa (female cousin): A book of 'don'ts for ballerinas' from 1925 and a Sportsgirl voucher
Other Side of Family 'Random' Secret Santa: A book about letters being used as words* (ok, it fit under the $10 limit and I'm hoping it'll be a 'ooh, that's noice/different/unusual' type thing for one of the word game types)
Friend: A book of 'Camping for Dummies' to complement our vague plans, and a scrapbook for (gluten free) recipes
Other Friend: A Lonely Planet book about ethical travelling, and an Indian-made scarf and cushion cover
DW: Two teeshirts (one sporty one that he liked, one sexy one that meets his stringent requirements**), Mosby's Drug Guide for his future reference, an encyclopedia of dogs that he liked but couldn't justify buying for himself.
STILL REQUIRED:
A $10 unisex something for a friends-group gift exchange...
Another $10 thing for a work gift exchange... I'm looking for a fake mobile phone to fill with lollies, as the phone of the girl I'm buying for is apparently broken
*cough* condoms for DW... just a joke to add to his present, and I guess its about time I buy them
The prettying-up of some recipes to stick in the scrapbook
*No v-necks, no big logos, no crazy patterns, no crazy colours.
** i.e. 'x' can mean x marks the spot, a chromosome, crossing something out, a mysterious name, etc
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Electric Field
I've had a lovely five days off, during which I:
- Went to the city on a Sunday by myself. It's weird that the city is actually much more old-timey on Sundays than the suburbs are. Even the stores that trade Sundays (and they advertise this so excitedly!) are only open something like 11-3. Not that I mind, it's just kind of... cute... that suburban plazas will be open for another two hours after city shops close up. Although, maybe it makes sense with the price it'd cost to trade in a better area or something... anyway. It was pleasant to wander down Rundle Street in my long swishy skirt. I discovered that you can buy quick-drying underwear made out of soy in outdoor shops, furthering my confusion about soy.
- Had two chilled-out nights of birthday celebrations. Friend #1 is a smart girl from the country who we had dinner with in town to celebrate her 20th. She also invited Friend #2, a guy from high school who I have a close but antagonistic friendship with. I think we were probably perceived as a couple (a bickery, 'well-this-one-time-he-did-this-thing' type couple) until I set somebody correct. Thank goodness we're not a couple, though. Stressing out beforehand that we're going to be late is more fun with my real boyfriend.
We went to a cocktail bar afterwards, which, being a Tuesday, was almost empty. I actually thought this was rocking, and we spread out over the couches. Unfortunately I had driven us, as a gesture of goodwill towards my companion, who often drives me due to his reluctance to drink and my propensity towards it. So I could not waste my money on expensive but awesome-sounding drinks involving chocolate and butterscotch. That's what I get!
Oh, and I got scared afterwards because I thought a creepy man with no arms was lunging towards us as we walked back to the car. Turns out he had his arms inside his tee-shirt, presumably because it was cold, and he was actually just making a step towards an arriving bus. Whew!
Friend #2, the same one starring in the anecdote about Friend #1, had a birthday dinner at the local golf club the night after. Pros: I got to see some friends which I hadn't for a while, DW came, my meal was nice, my wine was nice. Cons: The table was much too large and awkward, DW and I argued somewhat, there was boring debate about vegetarianism from my newly vegetarian friend who claims that she doesn't preach, but somehow ends up preaching each meal. And we didn't go anywhere afterwards, so that was kind of boring, although I wouldn't have been able to drink even if we did because I drove again (am I earning enough brownie points yet?). A few of us did get silly icecream from Cold Rock afterwards and then I went back to DW's house for Adult Fun Time, so maybe the lack of group party action was a good thing after all.
- Watched two episodes of Survivor, which were quite entertaining. I think Ozzy is under the impression that he is the only person to actually ever have been voted off or 'betrayed' (I put that in quotations because what works in Survivor suddenly sounds lame in real-world-talk), so dark and bitter were his glares from the 'jury' (...again).
- Went to Glenelg with DW today, an endeavor which involved six separate trips on public transport, but was quite a nice day out. It was cloudy and warm but sort of raining sporadically, which wasn't the best beachside weather, but then again I hate bright sun so I didn't mind. Plus, it meant that Glenelg wasn't too busy with kids on school holidays, which DW appreciated too. Haha, we're such old people. I bought a dress from a surf shop which I was quite happy with, being girlishly buoyed in spirits by a cute and well-fitting purchase, and a book about dogs which DW couldn't justify getting for himself so I said I'd give it to him for Christmas.
- Came to the shocking realisation that 1) The phrase, "Do you want a medal or a chest to pin it on?" refers to an actual body-part chest, not, like... a wooden chest. Or does it? More extensive research may have to be undertaken... and 2) The MGMT song is called 'Electric Feel', not 'Electric Field' as I had otherwise thought. Sigh. The latter is a much cooler title.
Yeah... presumably there was more that occurred over five days, but that's all that springs to mind. That, and I should go to bed, since I'm starting at 6 am tomorrow. Oh and by the way, I'm glad I appreciated my time off because I'm now working nine days straight.... ew.
- Went to the city on a Sunday by myself. It's weird that the city is actually much more old-timey on Sundays than the suburbs are. Even the stores that trade Sundays (and they advertise this so excitedly!) are only open something like 11-3. Not that I mind, it's just kind of... cute... that suburban plazas will be open for another two hours after city shops close up. Although, maybe it makes sense with the price it'd cost to trade in a better area or something... anyway. It was pleasant to wander down Rundle Street in my long swishy skirt. I discovered that you can buy quick-drying underwear made out of soy in outdoor shops, furthering my confusion about soy.
- Had two chilled-out nights of birthday celebrations. Friend #1 is a smart girl from the country who we had dinner with in town to celebrate her 20th. She also invited Friend #2, a guy from high school who I have a close but antagonistic friendship with. I think we were probably perceived as a couple (a bickery, 'well-this-one-time-he-did-this-thing' type couple) until I set somebody correct. Thank goodness we're not a couple, though. Stressing out beforehand that we're going to be late is more fun with my real boyfriend.
We went to a cocktail bar afterwards, which, being a Tuesday, was almost empty. I actually thought this was rocking, and we spread out over the couches. Unfortunately I had driven us, as a gesture of goodwill towards my companion, who often drives me due to his reluctance to drink and my propensity towards it. So I could not waste my money on expensive but awesome-sounding drinks involving chocolate and butterscotch. That's what I get!
Oh, and I got scared afterwards because I thought a creepy man with no arms was lunging towards us as we walked back to the car. Turns out he had his arms inside his tee-shirt, presumably because it was cold, and he was actually just making a step towards an arriving bus. Whew!
Friend #2, the same one starring in the anecdote about Friend #1, had a birthday dinner at the local golf club the night after. Pros: I got to see some friends which I hadn't for a while, DW came, my meal was nice, my wine was nice. Cons: The table was much too large and awkward, DW and I argued somewhat, there was boring debate about vegetarianism from my newly vegetarian friend who claims that she doesn't preach, but somehow ends up preaching each meal. And we didn't go anywhere afterwards, so that was kind of boring, although I wouldn't have been able to drink even if we did because I drove again (am I earning enough brownie points yet?). A few of us did get silly icecream from Cold Rock afterwards and then I went back to DW's house for Adult Fun Time, so maybe the lack of group party action was a good thing after all.
- Watched two episodes of Survivor, which were quite entertaining. I think Ozzy is under the impression that he is the only person to actually ever have been voted off or 'betrayed' (I put that in quotations because what works in Survivor suddenly sounds lame in real-world-talk), so dark and bitter were his glares from the 'jury' (...again).
- Went to Glenelg with DW today, an endeavor which involved six separate trips on public transport, but was quite a nice day out. It was cloudy and warm but sort of raining sporadically, which wasn't the best beachside weather, but then again I hate bright sun so I didn't mind. Plus, it meant that Glenelg wasn't too busy with kids on school holidays, which DW appreciated too. Haha, we're such old people. I bought a dress from a surf shop which I was quite happy with, being girlishly buoyed in spirits by a cute and well-fitting purchase, and a book about dogs which DW couldn't justify getting for himself so I said I'd give it to him for Christmas.
- Came to the shocking realisation that 1) The phrase, "Do you want a medal or a chest to pin it on?" refers to an actual body-part chest, not, like... a wooden chest. Or does it? More extensive research may have to be undertaken... and 2) The MGMT song is called 'Electric Feel', not 'Electric Field' as I had otherwise thought. Sigh. The latter is a much cooler title.
Yeah... presumably there was more that occurred over five days, but that's all that springs to mind. That, and I should go to bed, since I'm starting at 6 am tomorrow. Oh and by the way, I'm glad I appreciated my time off because I'm now working nine days straight.... ew.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Asleep in Imperfection
The computers at work used to be somehow linked with those at our 'sister' hostel, so someone there could take temporary control of our screen to run software protection programs or whatever. The curser would start moving at its own accord despite any attempts of my own to change its direction, programs would be clicked on and opened, and even after I knew what was happening I still liked to stare at the screen in a 'whoa, my computers gone crazy!' way. The fact that somebody could at any moment log in to 'my screen' and see what I was looking at served as a vague, but not particularly heeded, incentive not to slack off with too much free internet browsing. However, with the purchase of a new computer, I had erroneously figured that this little trick could no longer be done. Unfortunately there's nothing TOO exciting/humiliating to report, but yes, it can be done, and the cute young computer guy can intrude on your message board browsing. He was very sweet and would not even close 'my crap' when I said he could, and told me the icon to look out for which would come up when someone logged on next time. Funny thing was that minutes before I had actually considered posting on here. I'm quite glad I did not, because while its not particularly juicy its certainly a more overt invasion of privacy and would have been all the more embarrassing.
Said computer guy, who has a somewhat girly name reminiscent of bananas in pajamas, is actually a pretty awesome person to have around. The first time he came into reception to do something I had to message one of my friends purely to tell them that the hottest guy was here. When he turned out to be sweet, clever and actually a lot of fun to talk crap with, I became even gladder that he was hired to work on our computers and being paid in 'credit' (i.e. free accommodation and beer) rather than actually just paid and sent on his way. The nights that I was house sitting for my aunt in a suburb close to the city I left late after wasting time talking to him about sea creatures. Then last shift we shared quite a giggle over my sleazy and short boss's antics, including his insistence that his chair be as high as possible. Good times.
So, I'm...
-Listening to an Augie March CD which my dad kindly downloaded for me.
- About to start planning my timetable for next year, which is always kinda exciting, but actually ridiculously happy to be on holidays.
- Still only working one day a week at the nut shop, which is perfectly fine by me as that day is getting busier and busier as we move into December and typically entails being responsible for the store as well as a heap of 'newies' who vary in degrees of competency. Actually, I don't mind training and helping the younger girls, but I don't like the feeling of being stressed and overwhelmed with the knowledge that its on my (and one other older girl's) shoulders to run and organise everything. I was kind of glad the young ones stayed until almost 5:30 last Saturday, and left seeing that we were still there with work to do. Yes, this is why we get stroppy when you stand around doing nothing!
Its not that bad, in fact most of the girls are quite good and I'm sure they're held to higher expectations than we were when we started. Even the ones who aren't the brightest have amusement value. (You stopped filling because the box ran out? Why, isn't it lucky that it's on top of a pile of new boxes! You dragged me over to ask whether a lady with 'some discount thing' could get it off the total price or just one gift? You know, I think the large writing that states ONE SINGLE GIFT might give us the answer there!)
I just need to work on my perception. Mind over matter. There's got to be a balance between 'meh, fuck it' (i.e. being happy for every second customer to leave in frustration and for the store to be a disgusting mess) and 'aagh!' (i.e. giving a shit and rushing around trying to stop the above happening). What would the nuts (eh. heh.) who have succeeded in this company say? Something like, "I really thrive on the challenge of leadership in a busy and dynamic environment!"? Pity that makes me feel a little naseous, otherwise it could become my new mantra...
Anyway. I also...
- Am on the lookout for books I want to read/get for Christmas. At this stage my
'list' is only non-fiction stuff about consciousness and neurological wackiness, as well as something about the history of censorship in art. I'm also reading 'how-to' library books about writing fiction, which is a topic I somehow enjoy reading passively about, but actual fiction? Not so much with the reading it. Or even the writing of it, despite what a peruser of my check-out list might believe.
- Began running again as of yesterday, which made me surprisingly happy.
- Have birthday and Christmas presents pretty much sorted for some people, but not at all with others. Hmm.
- Feel an abstract urge towards domestic pursuits like cooking and growing plants in my room. I could grow a plant in my room! Like a window box or something! What a revolutionary idea.
- Am particularly fond of the lamented notion of purity in 'There is No Such Place'. Whatever that means.
- Know that I've got two distinctions so far, and am pretty confident of a third. That sounds impressive until you look at the fact that my grade for torts is actually like ten percent lower than it was in the first semester... how did that happen? Oh wait, I know how it happened.
- Feel like watching an episode of Scrubs before I pick up my sister from work... so best I stop blathering.
Said computer guy, who has a somewhat girly name reminiscent of bananas in pajamas, is actually a pretty awesome person to have around. The first time he came into reception to do something I had to message one of my friends purely to tell them that the hottest guy was here. When he turned out to be sweet, clever and actually a lot of fun to talk crap with, I became even gladder that he was hired to work on our computers and being paid in 'credit' (i.e. free accommodation and beer) rather than actually just paid and sent on his way. The nights that I was house sitting for my aunt in a suburb close to the city I left late after wasting time talking to him about sea creatures. Then last shift we shared quite a giggle over my sleazy and short boss's antics, including his insistence that his chair be as high as possible. Good times.
So, I'm...
-Listening to an Augie March CD which my dad kindly downloaded for me.
- About to start planning my timetable for next year, which is always kinda exciting, but actually ridiculously happy to be on holidays.
- Still only working one day a week at the nut shop, which is perfectly fine by me as that day is getting busier and busier as we move into December and typically entails being responsible for the store as well as a heap of 'newies' who vary in degrees of competency. Actually, I don't mind training and helping the younger girls, but I don't like the feeling of being stressed and overwhelmed with the knowledge that its on my (and one other older girl's) shoulders to run and organise everything. I was kind of glad the young ones stayed until almost 5:30 last Saturday, and left seeing that we were still there with work to do. Yes, this is why we get stroppy when you stand around doing nothing!
Its not that bad, in fact most of the girls are quite good and I'm sure they're held to higher expectations than we were when we started. Even the ones who aren't the brightest have amusement value. (You stopped filling because the box ran out? Why, isn't it lucky that it's on top of a pile of new boxes! You dragged me over to ask whether a lady with 'some discount thing' could get it off the total price or just one gift? You know, I think the large writing that states ONE SINGLE GIFT might give us the answer there!)
I just need to work on my perception. Mind over matter. There's got to be a balance between 'meh, fuck it' (i.e. being happy for every second customer to leave in frustration and for the store to be a disgusting mess) and 'aagh!' (i.e. giving a shit and rushing around trying to stop the above happening). What would the nuts (eh. heh.) who have succeeded in this company say? Something like, "I really thrive on the challenge of leadership in a busy and dynamic environment!"? Pity that makes me feel a little naseous, otherwise it could become my new mantra...
Anyway. I also...
- Am on the lookout for books I want to read/get for Christmas. At this stage my
'list' is only non-fiction stuff about consciousness and neurological wackiness, as well as something about the history of censorship in art. I'm also reading 'how-to' library books about writing fiction, which is a topic I somehow enjoy reading passively about, but actual fiction? Not so much with the reading it. Or even the writing of it, despite what a peruser of my check-out list might believe.
- Began running again as of yesterday, which made me surprisingly happy.
- Have birthday and Christmas presents pretty much sorted for some people, but not at all with others. Hmm.
- Feel an abstract urge towards domestic pursuits like cooking and growing plants in my room. I could grow a plant in my room! Like a window box or something! What a revolutionary idea.
- Am particularly fond of the lamented notion of purity in 'There is No Such Place'. Whatever that means.
- Know that I've got two distinctions so far, and am pretty confident of a third. That sounds impressive until you look at the fact that my grade for torts is actually like ten percent lower than it was in the first semester... how did that happen? Oh wait, I know how it happened.
- Feel like watching an episode of Scrubs before I pick up my sister from work... so best I stop blathering.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday Freefall
New appointments:
My little sister has just been employed at her first job, a music store. Despite her being one of the youngest and least musically hardcore people at the interview group, her sunny disposition and the cheap cost of junior labour seem to have worked in her favour. If this leads to her wanting to get those large holes in her earlobes, I picked it first.
DW has been offered a position with the state ambulance services, after a long and arduous selection process. He won't start until next year though.
Turkey plans changed: Destination Burneo! Orangutangs, mountain climbing, snorkelling, beaches. I'm excited. Ok, it's not booked yet, but H and I are both pretty certain and confident. Cheaper airfares, a tour that's more inclusive of what we want to do and fits between semesters, relatively safer area (if you don't count jungle fever, I guess). (Real question: what is jungle feature? Can you catch it in Burneo?)
Although some people claim to need study days, etc, and others are working at their supermarket storeman jobs at 5:30 am tomorrow, I'm going to DW's house soon to hang out. This prospect has brightened my mood. Now I'm going to eat some soup.
My little sister has just been employed at her first job, a music store. Despite her being one of the youngest and least musically hardcore people at the interview group, her sunny disposition and the cheap cost of junior labour seem to have worked in her favour. If this leads to her wanting to get those large holes in her earlobes, I picked it first.
DW has been offered a position with the state ambulance services, after a long and arduous selection process. He won't start until next year though.
Turkey plans changed: Destination Burneo! Orangutangs, mountain climbing, snorkelling, beaches. I'm excited. Ok, it's not booked yet, but H and I are both pretty certain and confident. Cheaper airfares, a tour that's more inclusive of what we want to do and fits between semesters, relatively safer area (if you don't count jungle fever, I guess). (Real question: what is jungle feature? Can you catch it in Burneo?)
Although some people claim to need study days, etc, and others are working at their supermarket storeman jobs at 5:30 am tomorrow, I'm going to DW's house soon to hang out. This prospect has brightened my mood. Now I'm going to eat some soup.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Something else
I think I must be becoming one of these elusive 'morning' people. Lately I need to complete anything worth doing before about 8 pm, the time at which my brain seems to put on flannelette pyjamas and tuck itself into bed for the night. Unfortunately my outer self has to often remain present and functioning past this time, which is rather awkward.
I had a segue here involving the word 'strategy', but rewording of the above paragraph has seen the disappearance of that word (feel free to insert it somewhere in your reading). Nevertheless, my point is: I need a freaking strategy to get through the next 5 weeks. I could launch a torrent of whiny explanation as to why my uni schedule is so unfair and has resulted in me having less than the supposed 'minimum' study time before my biggest scariest exam, but nobody cares that much, and that's pretty much the gist of it there anyway. GIST. Remember when that word had could be used innocently in a sentence without bringing to mind academic arguments about what constitutes THE GIST OF NEGLIGENCE? I don't.
Happiness, but with a tinge of something... else:
Being presented with 'a smo gift!' of chocolates while proof-reading and correcting grammar on a Chinese lady's nursing assignment. Happiness, because: CHOCOLATE. The gift made me feel a little guilty and spurred me on to be all the more stringent with my under-the-table editing work. However, I sometimes I have a tinge of doubt when checking these international students' assignments, because, well, how far can I go? Adding a forgotten 's' to a verb, sure, but what about paraphrasing an entire sentence? Do I stop at 'understandable, if oddly-phrased', 'could have a nicer style, but at least sounds like a native speaker' or a level at which I would submit in writing for myself? (which would be 'SUPER AWESOME', naturally). However, the fact that my level of involvement was decided by the presence of Sweet Oz branded chocolate kisses pretty much shows how much thought I put into that moral dilemma tonight.
Being repeatedly asked by the American guy to go out with him and his mates, or to join them while they drank and played cards on the balcony. Happiness, because he's funny and I'm not going to complain about the attention of a cool guy. Something else, because... I'm a little awkward when it comes to balancing this out-of-work socialising with guests, how late could I stay, what with my parents picking me up from the bus stop, clearly I wasn't dressed for going out on town, etc etc. He said he would give me money for a taxi home if necessary, haha. Anyway, one of my friends was in town for a politics meeting and happened to pick me up, so I didn't end up joining him. I went out to the balcony to say goodbye though, and then kind of wished I hadn't because I just wanted to stay out with them as they smoked and joked and chilled out. I'd gone out to join them for a minute as a social gesture, but to be leaving straight away just made me feel even more anti-social. To top it off, the guy is now moving to the other hostel with his friends, because they get a cheaper rate, and I didn't realise until after they had gone that I could have offered them the cheaper rate too! My call! Durr. The main reception girl is much more social than me, I feel, and I kind of don't want to be the cold one. Having said that, normally I have no qualms turning down social offers because the guys are kind of... feral... but this one I actually got along kinda well with. Oh well. He said he'd come back some time to say hi, so maybe if he does I'll shout him and his mates a little deal. They did say they liked the atmosphere of our hostel better.
Hopefully I can get some time off work soon, both jobs. My boss, in a discussion that highlighted many of his typical qualities (confident assurance, managing to avoid making concrete promises, and oddly sexual phrasing) breezily told me to just provide him with the dates I wanted off and he'd be look at 'massaging something into place'.
I had a segue here involving the word 'strategy', but rewording of the above paragraph has seen the disappearance of that word (feel free to insert it somewhere in your reading). Nevertheless, my point is: I need a freaking strategy to get through the next 5 weeks. I could launch a torrent of whiny explanation as to why my uni schedule is so unfair and has resulted in me having less than the supposed 'minimum' study time before my biggest scariest exam, but nobody cares that much, and that's pretty much the gist of it there anyway. GIST. Remember when that word had could be used innocently in a sentence without bringing to mind academic arguments about what constitutes THE GIST OF NEGLIGENCE? I don't.
Happiness, but with a tinge of something... else:
Being presented with 'a smo gift!' of chocolates while proof-reading and correcting grammar on a Chinese lady's nursing assignment. Happiness, because: CHOCOLATE. The gift made me feel a little guilty and spurred me on to be all the more stringent with my under-the-table editing work. However, I sometimes I have a tinge of doubt when checking these international students' assignments, because, well, how far can I go? Adding a forgotten 's' to a verb, sure, but what about paraphrasing an entire sentence? Do I stop at 'understandable, if oddly-phrased', 'could have a nicer style, but at least sounds like a native speaker' or a level at which I would submit in writing for myself? (which would be 'SUPER AWESOME', naturally). However, the fact that my level of involvement was decided by the presence of Sweet Oz branded chocolate kisses pretty much shows how much thought I put into that moral dilemma tonight.
Being repeatedly asked by the American guy to go out with him and his mates, or to join them while they drank and played cards on the balcony. Happiness, because he's funny and I'm not going to complain about the attention of a cool guy. Something else, because... I'm a little awkward when it comes to balancing this out-of-work socialising with guests, how late could I stay, what with my parents picking me up from the bus stop, clearly I wasn't dressed for going out on town, etc etc. He said he would give me money for a taxi home if necessary, haha. Anyway, one of my friends was in town for a politics meeting and happened to pick me up, so I didn't end up joining him. I went out to the balcony to say goodbye though, and then kind of wished I hadn't because I just wanted to stay out with them as they smoked and joked and chilled out. I'd gone out to join them for a minute as a social gesture, but to be leaving straight away just made me feel even more anti-social. To top it off, the guy is now moving to the other hostel with his friends, because they get a cheaper rate, and I didn't realise until after they had gone that I could have offered them the cheaper rate too! My call! Durr. The main reception girl is much more social than me, I feel, and I kind of don't want to be the cold one. Having said that, normally I have no qualms turning down social offers because the guys are kind of... feral... but this one I actually got along kinda well with. Oh well. He said he'd come back some time to say hi, so maybe if he does I'll shout him and his mates a little deal. They did say they liked the atmosphere of our hostel better.
Hopefully I can get some time off work soon, both jobs. My boss, in a discussion that highlighted many of his typical qualities (confident assurance, managing to avoid making concrete promises, and oddly sexual phrasing) breezily told me to just provide him with the dates I wanted off and he'd be look at 'massaging something into place'.
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