|
|
Monday, May 18th, 2009
| |
9:32 am - The End of Some Things
|
Back on February 4th, 2003, I was bored and lonely. I had thrown in the academic towel again, just tired of trying. I had, only days before hand, taken Tricia down to North Carolina. I have since married her. I was working at Acme Fresh Market. I have since quit and have a new, less soul crushing job. I was writing He-Man Fanfiction . . . I have since brought that to a conclusion.
So . . .
I've learned something. Something that was very hard to deal with, but now that I've come to peace with it, I can approach it like a man. Life will never be easy. I will always have trouble, there will always be stress. There will be moments of ease, moments of accomplishment. And those are good moments.
But unless some kinda fluke occurs and I win the lottery, money will always be a problem. Always. It's something that has taken me a really, bizzare amount of time to kinda get pounded into my head. Granted, it's still a struggle to chose between Wants and Needs. The "ending" I hoped for back in my previous Groundhog's Day post isn't coming. There's no such thing as an ending to these matters; it just gets better until disasters occur.
Do not mistake this post for angst. Because this isn't angst. This is truth and I've finally come to terms with it.
Let's get the meaty portions of this post.
This will be my last.
I think.
The simple fact is that my life is far too busy and far too complicated to write about everyday. I work a job that requires my presence five days a week. Starting this Fall, I'll be in school for two days a week, meaning that I'll be basically gone seven days a week. And considering my poor wife needs some attention and I've got other writing projects going on . . .
Well, the conclusion should be obvious.
I don't up-date very much anymore because I think I've reached the point where I don't want to rehash my day, as shitty or fantastic as it might be.
"Blogging This Shit" may start to happen over on LJ or Blogger or even Facebook. BUT, for the most part, it seems like those days are fading. I don't really like to get drunk nearly as much as I used to.
(If I was like my Dad and all my friends formed this close-knit group that call themselves the Pigdogs, then this wouldn't be an issue. Also, we'd all have awesome nick-names. My Dad, for such a down-to-Earth guy, can very strange.)
Regardless, "Blogging This Shit" may just transplant itself. Which is fine; Facebook has a wider audience.
I may still stop by to do my annual posts - Christmas, New Year's, Groundhog's Day, and my birthday. And I'm certainly not shutting this down.
[WOODSIDIAN SENTIMENTALITY:]
My blurty is an archieve on my early-to-mid-20s. My rants, my raves, my exaggerated emotions all laid to bare. It is a record of my relationship with Tricia - beginning with her move to North Carolina, her return, our engagement, and early days of our marriage. Things have gotten better between us. Those first few months of marriage were so hard, but our relationship - our marriage - is stronger now because of those difficulties.
It is my example of nerd-love. Fanfics, comics, TV . . . from my third post, I relished in nerdiness.
My blurty has all my ups and downs. My darkest moments . . . my parents divorce, Justin's death, my Grandmother's death . . .
My Kentventures, my engagement and wedding, my exit from Acme.
This was my outlet, my station, my word on the web. My soapbox, my loudspeaker, my secretkeeper. This was my story. And, to quote Dave Eggers from "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius:"
". . . the lives of people in their early twenties, and those lives are very difficult to make interesting, even when they seemed interesting to the people living them at the time."
So. This may all be quite boring to you. Which is understandable. I'm a fairly boring guy.
I want to say this is important; that this is significant. At running the risk of overstating things, it is. My life has changed and will continue to change. And as it does, there are certain things that will change and leave with it. This blurty is among them.
Again, I'm not saying never. I may stop back from time to time. But from where I'm sitting right now, as I'm about to launch myself into another state of change, I can't garuntee this.
Argh. I'm not really sure how to end my ramblings. I have no nuggets to give, nothing enlightening that won't come out as stupid.
I suppose I should thank you, reader, whomever you are. And I do thank you. From real life visitors, to my wife, to internet peoplez -- I thank you. Thank you for reading. I hope you feel free to take a look at my occassional posts on Facebook and Blogger. And, uh, I'm on Twitter, but I don't use it very often.
Thanks for looking at me, everybody, as I've muddled, marched, and generally bumbled through my 20-26th years of existence.
TheW40 . . . Signing Off.
~W~
current mood:  good
current music: I Love Life - Pulp
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Monday, April 20th, 2009
| |
10:20 pm - All About Acme
|
After nine years (well, eight years, ten months technically), I've finally done it. I've finally quit Acme. Before I lament, I need to bitch for a few minutes.
Obviously, the largest issue was simply the fact that I could not get a full-time contract. I pretty much hit a wall on that. I tried for a Dairy Head position. Didn't get it. I tried writing letters to both Steve Albrecht and Ed Harrison. Didn't change their minds. There's no budging, no room for change.
There was a moment - out of pretty much nowhere - back about two months ago when I realized completely that I would have to quit Acme. Up until that moment, I wanted to really make an effort to keep one foot in the door, but there was no doing. I had to give it up . . . because it had given up on me.
I have reason to believe that the company has gone rotten at the top. I talked to Nick Albrecht back in January, when he said flat-out: "Look at what I'm up against. A national chain: Wal-Mart!" Yes, of course. Wal-Mart. But at what point does Acme become Wal-Mart?
Acme's plan (very transparent, by the way) is to no longer award full-time contracts to any of its bakery, meat, deli, front-end, or stock personel. The majority of the employees with full-time contracts are likely to retire in the next 5-10 years -- leaving employees who are either destined to leave quickly (high schoolers and some college-aged) and people who realize very clearly just how much they're not making and thus, will not care.
To Nick Albrecht, employees are price tags and part-timers are on sale with the Acme card.
This is a company that touts ideas of family and community. But not allowing full-time employees? How does that help their families? Esspesically in these times? And speaking of community . . . wanting to tear down the Highland Theatre to put up and Acme mini-mart? Seriously?! THAT is what community means to Acme?
Let's see . . .
1) Taking away the ability for part-time employees to grow? Check.
2) Wanting to knock out beloved local business to put in a store? Check
Should we re-name it Acme-Mart?
I hate what this company has become. Nick . . . this isn't the military and it isn't a court of law. It's the grocery business. I spent nine years working for your company and something tells me I have a better idea as to what the costumers want than you do. Fool.
***
Anyways. On with the sentimentality.
I start my new job tomorrow. I'm definetly looking forward to it. I only have two days between Acme and Public Storage, but that's okay. I can live with that. I get my final gargatuan paycheck next week, containing not only last week's pay, but also two weeks vacations.
My last day was Saturday, but the good byes started Thursday. Pam got me a framed picture of the two of us from the ad last year -- we're holding her melons. She also got me a coffee mug and a card. I said good bye to both her and Amanda Albanse that day. Pam kissed me! I also said good bye to Holli, which was kinda sad, as I had been there with her as long as anyone.
Friday was my last day with the "old guys," Ronnie and Carl. Ronnie was in his usual state, gossiping like a girl and going on about Diane and trying hard not to be racist. Carl told us stories about how he and his wife sleep in seperate rooms because he keeps seeing things at night. I bought Carl a pack of sponges, because he is The Sponge. Said my good byes to Denise. I also worked with Billy one last time at Friday. He gave me a hug.
Saturday came. It was the big show. I showed up, unshaven (for two day -- take that John Demchoke) and worked for about the first hour because it was shockingly busy. Smitty had a line when I walked in the door! After that, I had my last hour of carts at 9:00 AM.
At about 9:45, I turned that corner on the south side of the building towards the rest of the stores and was hit with an actual flashback. It was like I suddenly realized that this was it. No more carts. I had flashes of doing carts with Justin and him standing right there, smoking and chatting while I was his look-out. Getting carts with Danny P and bonding over Star Wars and Star Trek. Talking comics while doing trains with Scotty. Going to Nick Habib and I's "special spot" (middle coral, south side). Gathering with Ben and Jess (when she was a packer), and Camden. And of course, being Cart Gods with Smitty. We could clear that lot in fifteen minutes.
So after bringing in my last line of carts from what Ronnie and Carl call "The Mountain" (last coral, south side), I went in and did the recycling. I spent a good twenty minutes talking to Russ, Paulette, and Rick Lester. Then I went back up front and worked for about half an hour until my break.
In honor of Tom's memory and because I never re-paid him for buying me a pop on my first day, I had a glazed doughnut. Ironically, I sat outside with Diana Snow on my break.
Chris Ungashick showed up to visit and we chatted for a while before I "had" to go back in. I worked for another hour, kinda. I fulfilled my last day promise to Diana Snow and flipped a gallon of milk. The customer looked like her eyes were going to explode, but it was fine.
At about noon, my last hour, I kicked off my final Tour of the Store. I started at produce, saying good bye to Mark and Kev, then went to the Deli. I bumped into Saki (the only bakery person left) and said good bye to him. I walked through the back rooms, feeling emotional but not upset.
I went into the Men's employee restroom and spit on this one toilet that was always a massive pain in the ass (the night crew guy on Saturday nights always shits and smokes, and never flushes). That felt fantastic.
I said my good byes in the back room to John Coomes and Curtis. I emerged, talking to Robe and Matt Hilbish. I said good bye to Julie, then Jerry, Colleen, Mary, and then finally came to the Frozen Food aisle. I walked down, remembering all of the conversations I had with Danny P and Bob over the years. All the arguements, all the debates, all the nerd-talk.
Man.
I chatted with Matt Reynolds, then returned to the front-end. I talked Shamaa and Cassie. Then I had a customer who . . . requires an explaination. She's an older lady, easily in her 70s. She shops almost every week. Every week, I've asked her for a carry-out and she normally says "Maybe after I'm done playing the lottery" or "I have to drop off some letters." She always promises to come get me after she's done with these things. She's never come and gotten me. However, she clearly has needed help as she's old and has a lot of groceries.
Well, of course, today I see her getting a carry-out from Mike. I stop Mike, tell him I'm taking her out, and I say to the customer: "Ma'am, for the past nine years, I've been asking if you wanted a carry-out and you've said no or told me to wait, then left. Today's my last day and I'm giving you that carry-out." She laughed and I took her out.
I came back in about 10 'till. There was some to-do about a hot girl outside handing out free vitamin water. I packed my last order for Smitty and even took a picture of my last bag. Then, after saying good bye to my managers, I proceeded to give my final farewells to the cashiers and packers.
I had many opportunities to tell off the ones I wanted to. But why? What would have happened if I told Sherry she was rude or told Mike he was lazy? It would have accomplished nothing. In the end, it didn't matter. I said good bye, hugged some, shook some hands, and that was that. Why make it negative?
Paulette got on the loud speaker and told everyone to say good bye to me. I got a card. I clocked out, had some claps as I walked down the front-end, heard some more good byes. I hugged Shamaa on my way out, flanked by Bob Montana and Smitty, who was giving me a carry-out, champange and cake in hand.
I walked out the door, paused, and let out a loud "YEEEAAAAHHHH!"
At my car, I said good bye to Bob, my Acme uncle and mentor. I will always regret having never worked in frozen foods with him.
Smitty and I hugged. I took a long look back at Acme Fresh Market # 16 . . . then got in my car and laughed with joy as I drove home.
***
I told someone the other day that I'll miss 90% of the employees at Acme and 5% of the customers. Out of the customers, I'll miss Lisa, "Pops," girl "whose job it is to be pregnant," and others. Employees . . . well, if you're friends with me on FB, you know who are. And then others on top of that.
Out of the job, I'll only really miss doing carts in the morning. As a writer, it was so nice to just turn off my brain for a while and develop and create ideas. Worlds have been born and destroyed in those cart hours. I've had so many ideas and just so few of them have ever reached the keyboard or pen and paper.
I hated register. Sucked at stock. I liked packing, kinda. (Cloth bags rock. Use them.) Propane exchanges were annoying, especially at strange times of the year -- like November or February. I hated cleaning the bathrooms on Sundays and most clean-ups in general. Getting change and price checks were pains. Carry-outs were also annoying, but weren't so bad sometimes.
Part of me will miss being there, but like I mentioned elsewhere, I was already missing parts of it. I already missed going back to FF and talking to Dan or bumming at the Coffee Bar with Steph or . . . well, just everything. Talking about Patty's kids, having dirty conversations with Jason, getting drunk at Olivia's, chatting about our dreams with Justin, or comics with Scotty. I miss that stuff already. I'll miss other things, yeah, but the "glory days" ended a long time ago.
In the end, Acme was place and time in my life. I had a lot of bosses (Dan McPeek, John Demchock, Cosmo, Paul, Henry Nagel, John Metzger, Kevin, Mike, Yvonne, Lil' Dan, Stacy, Bobby Collins, Denny, Bob Tomello, Greg, Don, and Dustin). I had some enemies - Mustachio Mike, Mike Freday, Joe the Imbecile, and others.
I had friends. I made friends. Some of my best friends either came from Acme or became better friends at Acme. In some ways, Acme changed my life. I disagree with what's happening there now and I would certainly change things in the past nine years if I could, but at the end of the day, it was a part of my life. Regrets and all, friendships and all.
That part of my life is over. I'm done with it. The next time I'm in there, it'll be as a customer.
Hopefully I'll remember to bring my reuseable bags. Plastic bags are horrible for the environment.
~W~
current music: To Go Home - M. Ward
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Saturday, April 11th, 2009
| |
6:52 pm - Beginnings and Endings
|
I applied for the job with Public Storage a week ago; it was one among 13 others. It was, in fact, my "lucky 13." On Monday afternoon, I called and finagled my way into talking to the recruiting agent. She took my call, had apparently just seen my resume (and had me on "the list"), and set me up for an interview on Wednesday. Needless to say, this was the topic of conversation on the way to Columbus.
Wednesday arrive, I got dressed up in my suit, and drove up to Cleveland. My actual workplace is going to be in Akron, but the District Manager was up there for the day, hence the meeting. Obeying the rules I had learned in CAPTURING VERBAL INFORMATION (from those days I didn't skip class, that is), I arrived ten minutes early. Which worked out, because the interviewee before me didn't show up.
So the DM and I talked for a while, him asking me various questions. I was concerned because I had to keep referring to Acme and whatnot, but that's all I really had. Turns out that worked in my favor. After some back and forth and interviewing me thoroughly, he stated "well, I've got another interview after you, but I don't want to drive [back to Michigan] and then have to drive back. I'd like to get this all done today. Why don't you hang out at that Target next door or get something to eat and I'll call you in half an hour, 45 minutes?"
Duh, I said yes. I left for Target, shaking and spazzing. Was this really happening? Was I really that close to getting this job? Not wanting to jinx it, I didn't call anyone. Instead, I stopped at the Starbucks within Target, got something to drink, and felt like a super-dork walking around Target drinking Starbucks in a suit (and looking at toys -- I was bored).
After what seemed like the 10th time walking around Target, he called and had me come right over. I walked in and he shook my hand and offered me a loud "CONGRATS!" To which a lady paying at the counter rudely replied "What are you congradulating him for?"
We went to the backroom, signed some various forms, and had the job twenty minutes later. He had said then that in addition to really liking my answers, what sold him on me was all my time at Acme. Score! On my way out, we chatted about the job. I get to grow my beard!
I headed home, stopping once for pee, gas, and a congrats candy bar. I wanted to tell someone, but wanted to wait to tell Tricia in person. I called Dan, he was in the library and thus couldn't answer. So I kept it to myself.
I came home and hugged my wife.
"So how'd it go?" she asked.
"Well, honey, let me put it this way . . . I need to go downstairs then go over to my Dad's to do some printing." She started to say "why" but I cut in. "Because I got the job and I need to give Acme my two weeks notice."
***
Of course, I up-dated Facebook. I called Smitty, Steph, Travis, Mom, Eric, Dad, and Janine. I then wrote my notice, ran over to my Dad's and printed it out over there (I have zero ink here and zero money to buy ink). Then, taking my old route to work, I went to . . . well, work. Which was very surreal.
I got there, shaking and feeling strange. Was I really going to do this? Am I really doing this? I asked Staci who was there, she said "Bob," and then got excited for me. I walked over to the edge of the counter, unable to go any further. John walked over (my hier) and I told him all about it, almost throwing up in the process. Yeah.
I took to the plunge. Bob looked up at me. "What's up, Kev?"
"This." I handed him two copies of my notice, one for him and one for Greg. I was freaking wreck inside. He asked me a few questions about the new job, asked how long I'd been there, asked if I could take Pam with me, etc. I then left and had tears in my eyes as I drove home. I called Pam and broke the bad news.
I had my drug test Thursday, which was a misadventure in it of itself. But let's spare that story.
The past two days have been very odd, Acme-wise. I can't help but just be so happy. It's just the fact that I'll no longer have to deal with this bullcrap. One last holiday, one last week, then it's done and over with.
Today I said good bye to Sharon and Jess. Sharon wasn't too bad simply because's been a pain for the past few months. Jess was a little harder. I nearly cried when I said good bye to her.
There will be more on Acme next week, as things start to wind down and I let out that sentimentail wuss that's hiding inside me.
~W~
current mood:  accomplished
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| |
6:50 pm - Columbus Misadventures
|
Danny P, having a job interview in Columbus, asked me to come along. "All expenses paid!" he had declared. With Tricia's a-okay, I agreed to this journey to the heart of the heart of America. We left my place around 9:30, went north, and then south, listening to "This American Life" . . . until we hit hyperspace somewhere around Ashland.
Shortly thereafter, I had to pee. Our only option was an Econo Lodge in The Middle of Nowhere, Ohio. The Econo Lodge was on top of a hill behind an abandoned building/parking lot. We swung around the front of the hotel, I leapt out, bladder filled to its brim (nice, eh?) . . . only to spot the sign reading "Absolutely No Public Restrooms." We leapt back into the car, then pulled into abandoned parking lot after Dan realized "we're both men." We got out. He pissed in some bushes while I did my business on a rail. Awesome!
After that, we were off and arrived in Columbus a little while longer. We checked in (which was not nearly as "scanadalous" as I thought it would be), then went up to the room. The ONE bed room. Now, look, I'm a very open minded guy. I have gay friends, and I support gay rights. But for some strange reason, the idea of sleeping in the same bed with another dude . . . I don't know, triggered some sort of primal sense of discomfort. Stupid, I know.
So we put up a barrier of pillows just in case we became instantly horny gay guys who are easily discouraged.
(note tonuge-in-cheek)
After a visit to the Pavilion Pantry and some Adult Swim/Lettermen, it was bedtime.
The next morning, Dan left for the interview. He appropiately psyched himself up with various speeches and then left. Hungry, I wandered down to the breakfast bar, where I was tempted to charge it to the room, then decided against it and thus paid in cash. The last of my cash, I should point out. After eatting, I went back up the room, hung around, double and triplied checked everything, then hung out in the lobby for Dan to return.
I had him talked into going to Buckeye Doughnuts because last time I was there, it completely and totally fantastically awesome. After navigating through all this mess, we got there and I was stunned by the lack of variety. Where were the apple fritters and the cream sticks and bavarian filled doughnuts of three years ago? Baffled, I ordered only a buttermilk and was forced to debit it . . . only to discover that there's a $1 limit to charge it. Dan paid (after chosing his) and then proceeded to rant about this misguided trip to Buckeye Doughnuts. As I told him, "it wouldn't be a Woodside-venture without you getting a little pissed off at me."
The trip home was filled with Dan ranting and music. God, did he rant. Sometime around when he brought up "John Summit," we realized we screwed something up. I-76 was nonexistent. We hopped off, took an alternate route, then returned to North Canton/Akron eventually.
~W~
current mood:  calm
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
| |
10:06 pm - The End Hath Come . . .
|
Two major events today.
One:
New job. I am now a Relief Manager at Public Storage, a gig that pays less, has more hours, fantastic benefits and will eventually give me a new free apartment. A lot of the work there is similair to what I do at Acme anyways. Cleaning, register, that jazz. There's more phone interaction, more behind-the-scenes stuff. I'll still have time off to go to school. Sunday hours are low - 10-2! It really is a good chance for me to grow and gain new skills. Ultimatey, if worse comes to worse, I'm there for 1.5 years until I finish school.
Two:
As a result of number one, I'm at long last quitting Acme Fresh Market. Hold on. Let me say that again.
I'm quitting Acme Fresh Market.
One more time.
I'm quitting Acme Fresh Market.
No joke, no rant, no nothing. This is for real. My two weeks has been turned in, I talked to Bob today, the paperwork is moving. No more cart, no more register, no more produce codes, no more Mart Carts, no more Gus or Alzhemers lady. Nope, nothing. It's done.
I'll admit this: I'm a little afraid. I'm not spazzing, but there's a certain fear that comes with this that bothers me. I'm giving up something that (despite being so frustrating) has been a part of my life since high school. I've been with the company as long as I've been with Tricia (Acme has her beat by about a week)
I'll miss so much now. I'll miss so many people . . . but to be honest, I've missed so many that have left already that the difference is zero. I'll miss Pam, of course. I'll miss Bob Montana and Cherly and even Kathy and Diana. And Jess and Amanda. Ron and Carl. God help me, I'll even miss Lil' Diane.
And, of course, I'll miss Aaron Smith most of all. :(
Anyways, prepare for a party soon . . .
THE FINAL CHAPTER HAS BEGUN!
(whenver I see that, I always think of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIwL-lKrK5E which is probably the worst DS9 promo I've ever seen -- esp. since they're advertising some of the best episodes!)
~W~
current mood:  giddy
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
| |
3:09 pm - AIG CAN SUCK MY BALLS
|
fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck FUCK!
Fuck you, survey!
~W~
current mood:  depressed
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
| |
9:46 pm - American General and AIG can go fuck themselves
|
Thanks for the imaginary second meeting, dickhead. Appreciate it. Thanks for not calling me back. You can have your 6 packets of information back.
Whatever. After the news I heard about the bonuses your bosses recieved, I don't want to go within ten feet of your business.
Go fuck yourselves.
~W~
current mood:  angry
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Friday, March 13th, 2009
| |
10:54 pm - The Beech Hill Basement
|
Had an okay day, but let me bitch about something:
I got home at 7. I promised Tricia we'd watch this Johnny Depp movie tonight that she's been bugging me to watch with her for months now. So I agree -- and tell her that I'll probably color while we're watching it.
Well, she wants to finish this fanfic she's working on first. I say okay and wait around for her. While I'm waiting, I start working on my own little side-project fanfic. I get going on it.
Eventually, she comes down at around 10ish, unsure if we're going to watch as her friend Emily is about to call. Two minutes later, Emily calls. Tricia goes upstairs to talk to her. Eventually, she comes downstairs to talk to her, annoying me as I'm trying to write. She then turns on TV, as we decided then to just sit around and watch TV. Except at this point, I don't want to watch TV; I want to write. But she feels bad about that and I don't want her to feel about and so I tell her it's fine.
SO, if we're going to watch TV and thus can't write, I'm going to color. I go get my markers and whatnot and find she's putting in the movie. Ugh. I tell her I won't watch the whole thing because I have to get up at 7 for work and should go to bed early.
She says its fine.
I hear two car doors slam. It's Kyle and Stephen. Ugh.
We immediately turn off the movie because one of them will make some snide comment that'll piss Tricia off. Plus, we don't know what the fuck they're doing and being the "nice roommates," we leave the room. She goes upstairs and I down here into the basement, where I write two paragraphs and give up.
It's times like these when I miss the way things used to be. We used to make arrangements, hang out, draw/do art, watch movies/TV, etc. Now, we don't spend any evening time together. Part of it is because we never have any idea what the hell Kyle is doing. Part of it is because . . . there's no need for it?
I really hate this situation. It's so frustrating.
~W~
current mood:  pissed off
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
| |
7:19 pm - 80s Epic
|
I'm listening to this band that only makes trailer music. It's very strange, but actually very awesome. (http://www.twostepsfromhell.com/index-home.php) Anyways, in listening to them, I have this strange idea.
A huge epic adventure taking place in the 1980s. I don't know why.
~W~
current mood:  contemplative
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
| |
10:56 pm
|
|
| Friday, February 20th, 2009
| |
9:19 am - Freaky Friday (I)
|
This will be interesting . . .
Even though I was absolutely sure that I wasn't getting the dairy interview, it turns out I've got it today. And even though I'm working 11-8, I've got the interview at 3:30. Which means I have to be home at 2 to get changed, showered, and make sure I know where the hell I'm going.
Like I said, this will be interesting.
I'm really not sure how I feel about this. Ed was one of the guys I sent my "make me full time" letters to. I don't know what to expect. I'm 95% certain I won't get the job. I'm not sure about ordering, nor do I have a whole lot of experience in that department (five days!).
So, yeah, let's see where this goes.
~W~
current mood:  weird
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Sunday, February 15th, 2009
| |
1:07 pm - Happy St. Skeletor's Day
|
I'll just copy and paste from Tricia's LJ, because going on about it here is stupid:
"I ran my ass off for a bunch of thoughtless pigs at work, then came home to my husband as our arrangement was we were making each other dinner as our Valentine's Day gift to each other. I was stressed from work and trying to make sure his dinner didn't burn so we cracked open the wine I bought for the occasion early. Well, let's just say it hit me ALOT harder than I expected it to. I spent the evening flat on my ass drunk. WASTED. I have never been so drunk in my life. He was arrgrovated. I ruined the evening. He drank coffee too late and couldn't go to sleep, I was disoriented and half-asleep. We laid in bed fighting with each other at four-fucking o'clock in the morning.
This morning was better, we had some nice make-up sex, but my head feels about twice it's size and I picked up a long shift today. Which I'm almost glad of."
So that was Valentine's Day. Of course, she neglected to mention the romantic dinner we had when the lights were turned down low and had music on.
Is Valentine's Day overrated? I'm starting to think so.
On the issue of Tricia getting drunk. The fact of the matter is that she bugs the hell out of me when she gets drunk. She slurs her speech, wobbles, and asks me stupid questions that I can't stand when she's sober ("why did you pick me?" "do you love me?" "why do you love me?" --- argh; it's been 8.5 years, I don't think I need to answer these!). And I wouldn't have minded the drunkeness had it been, say, St. Patrick's Day or Halloween. But Valentine's Day? Ugh.
So we'll probably have to talk about it, despite trying to put it behind us.
Things still suck.
Anyways, I'm having coffee with Danny this afternoon, who was dumped on the day before Valentine's Day/Friday the 13th.
~W~
current mood: troubled
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
| |
11:13 pm - Bitching . . .
|
I'm going to just bitch here for a second and maybe you guys should just ignore it.
Be aware.
You want to know one of the things that's bothering me the most? It's not being able to buy comics. I know it's the stupidest thing in the world, I know I shouldn't be bothered by it, but when it's the one thing you can count on for 17 years, you really miss it when it's gone.
And I wasn't counting on sacrifacing comics right now. I did when it was the building up to the wedding and I did when it getting in the holidays, but now? Fuck, now? God, it's awful. I can't stand it. It's driving me up a wall to know that every Wednesday and new stack of comics is filled back in that box behind the counter.
What's worse is that there are comics I want that aren't being held for me. And that there's so many back there that I can't just go in and buy "a few." I have to wait and wait and wait. And wait until I have enough money to pick them all (or most of them) up.
February is my comic anniversary. It's a stupid tradition, but I celebrate it every year. Except for this year. Ugh.
And it's not just comics.
I want these so bad. http://www.mattycollector.com/store/matty/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.12422000
I was going to get the He-Man for Christmas, but . . . it got screwed up.
I know this is stupid and I really shouldn't be complaining about it, but it's only escapism I have right now and I can't fucking get to it.
I'm pathetic.
~W~
current mood:  cranky
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
| |
10:55 pm - A Wednesday in February
|
[insert bitching about it being new comic book day and not being able to get any here]
Had a good day with Tricia. We didn't do anything, but we had a good day just the two of us hangin' out. Was good.
Yeah.
~W~
current mood:  confused
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
| |
11:05 pm - The Groundhog
|
The groundhog saw his shadow, so I decided not to make my annual "Groundhog's Day" post. Actually, that's not true; I forgot. Sad, isn't it? I remembered all through work, and then when I got home, it was gone from my mind.
Life at Beech Hill remains as it has the past sour months. Tricia and I struggle with living with Kyle. It has its ups and it has its downs. Ultimately, the problem we simply have is that the three of us are stuck with each other. Time and space collide and create problems; the people don't, the space/time factor does.
Money is constantly draining. We're living paycheck to paycheck with no hope of getting anything saved up. Our first married Valentine's Day is liken to be much like our normal evenings -- spent at home in front of the TV. We have to ration out what we need throughout the week. I'm on my back-up deordorant; it gives me a rash, but I can't afford my usual stuff.
But there are little things that give me hope. MClem has now decided to "help us out" by trying to find me a job somehow somewhere. We'll see about that. A similair offer was made a few weeks ago by an former fellow Acme associate, who encouraged me to look into freelance copywriting. She asked for my resume, but I haven't heard anything back yet.
I've applied a few places, one of which sounds insane, but would be the best for me.
I'm thoroughly pissed at Acme right now. In addition to implementing some real bullshit ideas for we few, strong packers, I was never interviewed and never contacted in regards to the Dairy Manager position. Even though that mother-fucker Brett (who didn't even apply!) was called personally by Big Boss Jr. and told that "his name had come up." Also, I'm getting the feeling they didn't think I did a good job ON MY FIRST DAY BACK THERE.
Of course, in light of this, I'm doing some stuff for the store. I'm working on two articles for the newsletter. I had written one a few weeks ago that couldn't be used, but apparently I caught the eye of the EIC (loosely termed). So, I'm working on those and that'll be a nice thing for my portfolio.
Fuck UniSyn. I applied for that job once, GOT the damn job, lost the position. Met up with them at a job fair, told I was going to get a call, was never called, CALLED them, didn't hear back. They can go fuck themselves.
And I still don't have any new comics.
WHEN WILL THIS END?
current mood: cynical
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
| |
10:22 am - Being Poor Sucks
|
I can't buy DVDs (even when they're used and for a insanely low price on eBay); action figures (damn you, Matty!); and comics.
:(
There's a job fair tomorrow up here so instead of going to Columbus, I'll be going to it. Money. Yeah. Maybe I can get a new job since I'm all too aware that the Dairy position ain't gonna happen.
Gah, just give me an hour and I'll be fine.
~W~
current mood:  crappy
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
| |
8:13 pm - Gah!
|
Again, I proved to myself that I can't write worth shit. My original shit sucks. I'm sticking to fanfiction and to the lonely, unpublishable future it holds.
I'm still going after that dairy job. Also, going to a job fair down in Columbus because I GOT HIGH HOPES, OH I'VE GOT HIGH HOPES! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s5kPZJ4py0&feature=related
~W~
current mood:  aggravated
current music: The Dark Knight soundtrack
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Monday, January 12th, 2009
| |
12:56 pm - Writings and Goings
|
I'm having some difficulty writing stuff lately. I think I have a mild case of SAD (which seems to be hitting my poor wife pretty hard). In terms of what I'm writing, I've been playing around with a bunch of different ideas. One is a fantasy story that I'm trying to whip into gear. Kind of a wierd "Chronicles of Narnia" meets "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" with a touch of He-Man sorta story. Like I said, it's wierd and slow going.
But I've had one idea pop into my head, but I'm not quite sure how to go about writing it. It's a Todd and Kelly story that's all about comic book love. I'm not sure how to present it as I've never told a story like this before. I'm really debating in which direction to take it. Do I go from when they were going out? When they first started going out? Or later, like when they get engaged? Or should they be married? Married and working? Pregnant? Have the baby? You see the trouble.
Anyways, I'm currently involving myself in a very interesting position in terms of a career move. More on this in the next couple of weeks.
~W~
current mood:  restless
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
| |
6:29 pm - Me
|
Nicks:
Wood, Bear, Walter, Calvin, Earl
Occupation:
Grocery bitch
Status
Married
Place of birth
Canton, Ohio
Where do you live:
North Canton, Ohio
Age
26
Favorite TV series
Star Trek
Favorite music group/s
Belle and Sebastian
Your favorite color
Blue or Brown
Your first pet's name, and your current ones ditto
Smokey
Do you believe in ghosts
Kinda?
Favorite single piece of art
"Nighthawks" by Hooper
If it were your choise alone; who would be president of the USA
Obama . . . or Zombie Washington
Alltime favorite hero/s
Superman, Cyclops
Alltime favorite villain/s
Skeletor
Your dream holiday spot
Europe
Does intelligent life exsist outthere
Kinda?
Describe your country in 5 words
Big, friendly, blind, troubled, young
Favorite building/s
Empire State Building
~W~
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Sunday, December 28th, 2008
| |
9:18 pm - ". . . and to all a good night!"
|
Well, Christmas is done and over with. We put up the tree, I read "A Christmas Carol" and "A Christmas Story," watched the appropiate Christmas movies, dealt with the holiday rush, and took part in a five day Christmas-a-thon involving the Clem, Davis, Craver, and Woodside family trees.
I'm sitting in my messy living room, opened gifts strewn around me and with inappropiately warm weather lingering outside.
It was a pretty good Christmas. Christmas morning, in particular, was really nice. Both Tricia and Kyle scored well on gifts. A good year.
New Years is coming up. Tomorrow evening, Tricia and I are planning on sitting down, creating a new budget, and make plans for both the short-term (the next few weeks), the medium-term (this year), and the long-term (next yearish). Get ready for that, kinda.
I must apologize for my lack of up-dates lately. In a lot of ways, I've been dealing with some serious shit and I just haven't felt the need to put it up here. Rehashing what's bothering me doesn't always help me.
I've been thinking about returning to Stark State, though I'm not completely sure I can. After the first, I'll send out an e-mail or two, seeing what kind of interest there is.
But before that's a factor, the time has come to abandon Beech Hill. I've loved this place, but problems as of late have shown me that it's simply a good idea to get outta here. I don't think I'll go into detail, really, but if you're in the know, you're in the know.
The good thing about moving out is that Tricia and I are pretty much set on everything we need. I'd like to get some bills paid down before we head on out, though. More on that later . . .
More on everything later, I think.
~W~
current mood: tired
current music: Peace Frog -- The Doors
|
|
(comment on this)
|
|
|
|
|