new project

I have a new project to work on, which I'm very excited about.  My new boss asked me to put together a manual for the New Store Team to have all of our info in one place.  Our team is pretty scattered, and a lot of our responsibilities overlap or work in tandem, but for someone who hasn't done the job before, it's pretty confusing.  There are a lot of things happening at one time when opening a grocery store, and our schedule goes as far as 20 weeks prior to Grand Opening Day.  So, it's my job to make sense of what everyone is doing and when they're doing it so that the boss (which changes every 2 years or so, due to burnout and other opportunities in the company) can keep tabs and do a good job managing the team.

I spent a lot of 2008 moaning about how much I hate my job because it's brainless work that a monkey can do, so I'm bored a lot of the time.  This project has given me new hope for a lot of reasons.  For starters, it's right up my alley.  It's a writing project and also a design project.  One of my undergraduate English concentrations was in professional writing, which was the dummy version of what graduate programs refer to as Rhetoric and Composition.  It's the element of design, keeping in mind author, audience, and text and how they all relate to each other.  Secondly, this project uses brain cells and keeps me from boredom.  I get to interview people and organize and condense their information articulately.  And lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I have an opportunity.  I can show my boss and my team that I'm capable of initiative, that I have background skills that can be put to use for the team, and that I enjoy my work.  This one project has potential to lead to other opportunities and advancement in the company where maybe, just maybe, I won't be doing monkey work and making peanuts.  This project gives me purpose.

And because it's been so long since I've updated my blog, let me fill you in on how I've been spending my time and using my brain cells lately.  I still work the 8-5 corporate job at the grocery company.  On Tuesday nights and Saturday days I work at a big-box bookstore, which I absolutely love.  The books and perks are great, but I really like working with customers in this environment and actually being a salesperson.  When baseball season starts up next month, I'll be working at the local ballpark again, but only on Monday and Thursday nights.  And naturally, that'll be limited to home games only.  And most recently, I've begun the process for tutoring with a local nonprofit that focuses on adult literacy.  The students are people who either dropped or failed out of school, have language barriers, or any other circumstances that prevented them from achieving basic literacy.  I will either be tutoring one-on-one or have a small group.  Each volunteer commits to 6 months and 90 minutes a week.  I'll be doing this on Wednesdays.  That leaves Friday night, Saturday night, and all day Sunday free for myself.  I'm really excited about the volunteer project because I enjoyed tutoring a lot more than teaching at FSU.  You can see more tangible results because you have a better read on where a student begins and how much progress they've made.  You can also personalize the experience.

And that is the long and short of it.  I'm also re-reading the Harry Potter series for the millionth time (ps:  can't wait for the Half Blood Prince to come out in theaters July 17!) and am watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the first time ever.  I'm newly initiated to Netflix, and it is some of the best money I've ever spent.

musings on milkshakes

While it is widely acknowledged in North Carolina that Cookout shakes are far superior than any others (yes, even better than Steak 'n' Shake), I must give the nod to Coldstone in coffee-flavored milkshake department.  For those of you who are unaware, Cookout is a Greensboro-based drive-through place with backyard-style burgers and extraordinarily thick and creamy milkshakes that are served with both a straw and a spoon.  During college, the Burlington Cookout would stay open until 3:03 AM for those late-night treats that cost only $2.01.  What a bargain!  And considering that coffee ice cream is my favorite flavor, I decided to branch out from my usual pineapple shake and try the cappucino variety of Cookout shake, which sadly, does not hold a candle to Coldstone's.  I think the inherent difference is that Cookout starts with a vanilla base and adds cappucino to it, while Coldstone simply uses the coffee-flavored ice cream without any further additions.

In other random news, if you haven't ever heard the Feed the Animals album by Girl Talk listed above, you have to listen.  It is an amazing feat of mixology of songs that cross multiple genres and eras.  The person(s) who compiled it had 12 hours of listening time for every minute of music that's recorded on the cd.  Wowsers.

2008 Reflections

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
   I worked for the local minor league baseball team this summer.  That was really fun!
   
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
   I didn’t make any for this year, and I’m not sure I will for next year, either.
   
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
   Lord, this was the year of babies.  Back in January, both my sister and a sister-in-law gave birth 3 days apart.
   
4. Did anyone close to you die?
   No.
   
5. What countries did you visit?
   I saw all of the countries in EPCOT’s World Showcase.
   
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
   Job satisfaction.
   
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched in your memory, and why?
   Election Day – such an historical moment!
   
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
   Despite my increasing frustration with work, I seemed to find my niche in Greensboro.  I’m happy here.
   
9. What was your biggest failure?
   I’m still in a dead end job that pays peanuts.
   
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
    No.
    
11. What was the best thing you bought?
    Still thinking on this one.
    
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
    Katie Ilene, for always being the best friend I certainly don’t deserve.  I can’t fathom how she puts up with me, but I’m not complaining!
    
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
    Celebrities and paparazzi.  While I’m sucked in by the stories (bows head in shame), I still find it appalling.  Poe calls that the “Imp of the Perverse.”
    
14. Where did most of your money go?
    Besides rent, I spend most of my money on food.  I eat/drink out way more than is economical.
    
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
    My annual Miss America Pageant Party and the Red Sox.
    
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
    The summer song was “Bleedin’ Love” by Leona Lewis, and the winter song is “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz.
    
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
1. Happier or sadder?  Overall, I think I’m happier.
2. Thinner or fatter?  About the same, but maybe a little pudgier.
3. Richer or poorer?  Richer.
   
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
    Travel.
    
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
    Worrying and complaining about my job situation.
    
20. How did you spend Christmas?
    Refer to my Christmas Reflections post.
    
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
    Briefly and intensely.  Wasn’t expecting that.
    
22. What was your favorite TV program?
    Top Chef and Grey’s Anatomy.
    
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
    My animosity toward one of my brothers has grown.  I’ve kind of been stewing on his behavior and character since last Christmas (refer to the Jerry Springer Christmas post), and I’ve really come to dislike him.  Hate is a very strong word, so I won’t use it for this situation, but yeah.  I am really, intensely, not digging my brother right now.
    
24. What was the best book you read?
    I really enjoyed Water for Elephants.
    
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
    Well, one of my district managers is always keeping me in stock with music I’ve never heard of.  My favorite band that he’s sent me is Shock of Pleasure.
    
26. What did you want and get?
    A vacation.  The family all went to Disney World right after Thanksgiving.
    
27. What did you want and not get?
    More time off.  I only got 4 paid vacation days since July 2007, and I used them all for Disney.  I was supremely bitter and burned out by the end of the first 18 months at work.
    
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
    The Dark Knight – I actually saw this twice in theaters.
    
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
    I worked at my regular job, then at my second job.  Afterwards, I went to a party a friend of mine was throwing, since he and I share a birthday.  He makes amazing barbecue – has an incredible smoker, grill, and fireplace system in his back yard.  Yay for having friends with culinary degrees!
    
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
    Job satisfaction.  More travel.  The Red Sox winning the ALCS and the World Series.
    
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
    Same as always.  Plain, solid colors.  Maybe something more revealing for going out.
    
32. What kept you sane?
    Katie Ilene.
    
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
    Jacoby Ellsbury.
    
34. Who did you miss?
    I’ve really missed my sister this year.  She’s 6 ½ years older than I am, so we’ve always been in different stages in our lives.  Ever since I was in college, we’ve grown steadily closer.  She’s really become a great friend and someone I admire very much.  I miss that I can’t hang out with her a lot, and I really miss that I can’t be present for her son’s childhood, even though she keeps me in the loop.  Such is the cost of living away from family.
    
35. Who was the best new person you met?
    Kim at work has been awesome.  She’s been a bright spot in the office and really fun to hang out with.  I’m glad she’s here.
    
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008?
    I’ve gotten burned a few times in the relationship department this year, but I don’t know that I’d do anything differently.  I’m not scared off from dating by any means.  If anything, they make for great stories.  I’m glad I’ve taken risks, even when they didn’t always pan out for me.
    
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
    “Take this job and shove it.”

Currently The Ruby in the Smoke By Philip Pullman see related

Christmas reflections

With the notable exception of being molested by a child yesterday (details follow), I have to say that yesterday was probably one of the best Christmases I've ever had.  My co-worker and friend extraordinaire was kind and generous enough to host a Christmas dinner for all of her friends without family this year.  It was the most laid-back and relaxing party.  We had a great buffet spread, people came and went all day, the drinks were aflowin', and nobody got into a fight.  While I believe that immediate families should spend time together, there is such a thing as too much time together, which leads to cabin fever and general ill will.  There was none of that nonsense at this party, and it was such a fun time, that I (sadly?  regretably?) didn't even consider that I should be missing my family.

Today, when I got to work, I feel like my lack of family spirit was validated when I saw pictures from the traditional Christmas Eve gathering that all my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents have.  It's the same people, just a year older, eating the same food (a Thanksgiving dinner repeat), wearing new versions of the same boring sweater vests, and having the same stupid small talk that nobody really cares about:  How are ya?  What are you doing now?  Why aren't you doing this job, instead?  Are you dating anyone?  And the list goes on.  Outside of holidays, and my extended family gets together for most of them, we don't really talk to each other that much, with the exception of our parents' generation.  They're siblings, after all.  But I don't talk to my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and it's only when nagged to death that I call my grandparents.  Why would I choose to spend hours in their tedious company (tedious, perhaps, because when it boils down to it, do we really care about the small talk questions we ask?) when I can join my friends, who actually know me?  My friends are much more schooled in my interests, values, day-to-day work, relationships, etc.  Perhaps my family would also be schooled in these matters if I spent more time with them, but in my experience, family tends to feel that they can offer commentary on those matters when it's really not wanted. 

Wow, I guess I'm really sounding cynical.

On a lighter note, let me tell you about how I was violated by a 7 year old girl.  When I was at the Christmas party yesterday, a single dad brought his little girl with him.  She's a rambunctious sort and just generally strange.  At one point, I was sitting quietly in my little corner of the floor by the Christmas tree, when said child leaped onto me and hugged me.  Keep in mind that I've never laid eyes on her before.  While she was sprawled on me, I kind of did a nervous *pat pat, shove shove, nice to meet you, get the fuck off me* maneuver.  She didn't take the hint, but, instead, reached behind me to grab some presents.  In the mean time, she used my left breast for leverage, copping an extremely generous squeeze for way too long.  The dad saw the whole event and didn't say anything.  I managed to get her off me, then tried to make a quick exit across the room to safety.  When I stood up, the demon child grabbed onto my ankle.  When I wrested it free and took a step, she grabbed the other one.  This kept on for a few minutes until the dad finally suggested to his girl that she was beginning to be a little obnoxious.  Needless to say, I paid particular attention to avoiding her until she and her dad left, meanwhile imbibing much alcohol.

Currently James Taylor at Christmas By James Taylor Go Tell It on the Mountain see related

I enjoy fill-in-the-blank.

1. Snow day!

2. I'm looking forward to my 9th annual Miss America Pageant party on January 24th.

3. Roald Dahl is the best children's author ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is Frasier.

5. I'm done with making my list of Christmas gifts to buy.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is watching Christmas movies and going to parties.

7. And as for the weekend, Friday night, I'm looking forward to possibly hitting up the bar, on Saturday my plans include working 9-5 at the bookstore (and selling lots of discount cards), and Sunday, I want to veg out.