Happy Holidays is over

Its finally over.

The Holiday season, well as far as I am concerned, is finally over. The stores will finally go back to a somewhat normal atmosphere now, although there is still the after holiday shopping. Nothing like the before the holiday shopping though.

Now instead of having to deal with people calling you stupid or accusing you of actually having something that you really dont have and stuff like that, we get to deal with the people trying to return things back to the store. Most of these transactions go smoothly with no problems.

The rest, well, dont. Those are the ones where people try to return stuff you know has been used and they try and convince you it was a brand new gift. The ones that try to convince you to give them money back eventhough the policy strictly says not too. The ones that try to argue with you until you give in. The ones that make us have the policies we have in the first place.

30 days with a receipt-no problem
30 days without a receipt-exchange or store credit
over 30 days with or without a receipt-exchange or store credit

Those are the rules. Why is it so hard to understand?

I just dunno about people anymore.

Whew....

I have to say that after the past few weeks, Im exhausted. Of course its the holiday season, so I have been busy with work, however, I have also been sick. I have pretty much been fighting this sickness since before Thanksgiving, and it hit me hardest last week when I was forced to miss several days of work. I hated doing it, but better to stay home and get better than go to work and spread the sickness.

I really dont have a lot to say.

I am really tired of hearing the President talk about "his mandate" and what that allows him to do. 51% does not make a mandate. Another 100,000 votes the other way in Ohio, which we still arent sure isnt there anyway, and he isnt President. You know what I want for Christmas...a day when I dont see him on TV touting his freaking "mandate". Geesh.

Isnt it funny that the National Guard isnt hitting its recruitement and retention goals? Wow...now thats shocking to say the least. Because of this fact, they have decided to "put their money where their mouth is". Bonuses are going to be increased. New guards bonuses will increase from $6000 to $10000. If you are already in the Guard and decide to stay, you get $15000 now instead of $5000. Of course, the solution to the Guard's problems has to do with the fact that the bonuses arent big enough. Yea...thats it.

Tell that to the thousands and thousands of soldiers that have been flown home with missing limbs or worse. That $10000 will come in handy. Yea...thats a real bonus.

This is just wrong

Saw this on a local news website, but I think it is importnat enough to post:

A clandestine move by a local congressman could mean the end of mute swans in Maryland. Maryland representative Wayne Gilchrest slipped a provision that ends protection of mute swans into a much bigger bill that got passed and signed into law by the president.

The bill clears the way for the state of Maryland to begin killing off the birds, which some say are quiet, graceful, and often friendly, but others, like Gilchrest, say are a menace to the Chespeake Bay. "We were able to convince the conference committee, dealing with the issue members of the house and senate, that mute swans was a policy issue so they put it into this larger bill," said Gilchrest.

But the new law is ruffling a lot of feathers among bird lovers. They worry mute swans will be killed off for all the wrong reasons. Bird lover and creator of "Save Maryland Swans" Patrick Hornberger said there are other reasons the bay's grasslands are dwindling. "I do not believe it's the grass eating situation and I think that's been proven by recent news of water treatment plants and the waterfront developments," said Hornberger.

But Maryland's Department of Natural Resources says if nothing else, mute swans run other bird species out of the region. So now that the bill is law, they plan to kill three thousand mute swans in the next few years. That's about the entire population.

The newly signed law also allows the state to kill off 93 other species of birds in Maryland.

This just seems wrong to me. 93 other species as well? Wow...

Family Values?

I just saw this over on DailyKos:

Bush introduced Mike and Sharla Hintz, a couple from Clive, whom he said benefited from his tax plan.

Last year, because of the enhanced the child tax credit, they received an extra $1,600 in their tax refund, Bush said. With other tax cuts in the bill, they saved $2,800 on their income taxes.
They used the money to buy a wood-burning stove to more efficiently heat their home, made some home improvements and went on a vacation to Minnesota, the president said.

"Next year, maybe they'll want to come to Texas," Bush quipped.

Mike Hintz, a First Assembly of God youth pastor, said the tax cuts also gave him additional money to use for health care.

He said he supports Bush's values. "The American people are starting to see what kind of leader President Bush is. People know where he stands," he said.

"Where we are in this world, with not just the war on terror, but with the war with our culture that's going on, I think we need a man that is going to be in the White House like President Bush, that's going to stand by what he believes.

This was obviously from earlier in the year, during the campaign season. Now here is something from yesterday, also found on DailyKos:

A Des Moines youth pastor is charged with the sexual exploitation of a child.

KCCI learned that the married father of four recently turned himself in to Johnston police.

Rev. Mike Hintz was fired from the First Assembly of God Church, located at 2725 Merle Hay Road, on Oct. 30. Hintz was the youth pastor there for three years.

Police said he started an affair with a 17-year-old in the church youth group this spring.

Man, can I have some of those family values? They seem like all the rage nowadays. Freaking hypocrites....

Damn I Feel Bad

Well, although I felt like crap this morning, I got up and went to work. That lasted till a surprising 1 o'clock, when I left to come home. Man I feel bad. I think I have the beginnings of Strep or the makings of the Flu. Oh well...I guess I'll tough it out.

I did want to pop on and post about a few thinsg I've noticed lately. Two of them are pretty good news, at least for a fan like me. The other one...kinda weird.

Weird one first. What is it with the mad rush of people offering things for sale on EBAY. I mean, come on. First, we had Grilled Cheese Mary. Then Fishstick Jesus (which wasnt actually a 'stick' but more of a batter dipped filet that was burnt). Then Cereal E.T. Now some lady has posted her father's ghost for sale. Give me a break. I dont know which is worse...the people that post this crap or the people that buy it.

Then again, a casino bought the Grilled Cheese Mary, so I guess thats something.

I knew it was being developed, as I read the news a while ago, but actually seeing a little teaser trailer for it was sweet. What am I talking about? The new Doctor Who series on the BBC, debuting next year. Man, I cant wait to see that, although it will probably be a long while till it is America. Glad I have British friend that can hook me up.

The other debut is the new Iron Chef: America, popping on the ol tube on January 16th on Food Network. I have to admit, I am a huge fan of the original, as there is just something about the competition and the food. That and I love to cook. I cant wait to see what chefs they bring on the show to compete against the new Iron Chefs. It would be neat to see someone like Emeril or Tyler Florence compete. A good dessert battle involving Jacques Torres would also be great to watch. Probably wont recognize a single one though, but hey, you never know.

I know, Im a huge geek by posting those last two things. You know what, I dont care. I am elated to see those two tidbits of news and will thoroughly enjoy watching them both.

Oh my god...a pringle that looks exactly like Elvis!!! Got to go. Got some money to make.

Ummm...What?

I read this on one of the news sites online. It struck me as, I dunno, an odd thing to say:

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson resigned Friday, warning of a potential global outbreak of the flu and health-related terrorist attacks. “For the life of me, I cannot understand why the terrorists have not attacked our food supply because it is so easy to do,” he said.

Ummmm...thanks Tommy, for that vote of confidence. Then again, I wonder if it was just his way of taking a little shot at the administration on his way out. Didnt ol Ashcroft say something about we were safer now and had become more secure or something? Oops...hey Ash-hole...you forgot about our grub bub.

I just dunno where this country is currently or what direction it is going. I just dont....

Nothing Specific and a Rant

Well, here I am sitting at my computer, not knowing exactly what to post. There is lots of stuff going on around the world that I could very easily post about, but why should I. I mean really...

...people begging for mercy for Scott Peterson's life. Yea..ok.
...Tom Brokaw stepping down from his news anchor post. Good luck Brian Williams.
...Bush going to Canada to 'repair" relations. Yea...ok...sure.
...the fight over who will lead the DNC. Theres a job you want.
...recount fight in Ohio. Yeehaw...more voting stuff.
...Spongebob being stolen from all over the place. WTF? Damn you Plankton!!!
...my RPG publishing company and its launch (or non-launch so far)
...lots of other crap.

We did pretty good at the store over the weekend, so Im happy about that. So far so good as they say.

However, I did have a situation occur the other night that has happened before and it still has me pissed. At a gathering of "friends", we were chatting about work and being tired and such. I made an offhand remark about being "really exhausted" due to my current work schedule. (retail and xmas and the RPG publishing company launch) I said I had been working something like 15 hour days the past week due to the two jobs converging, and I was happy about having the next two days "off", although I would still be working on the company launch. A "friend" of mine replied "Whah...you work in a bookstore."

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

What? Because I work at a job that I love and enjoy very much Im not allowed to get tired? I dont really "work" because I have a job in a bookstore as opposed to construction or fast food or something like that? That working in retail isnt really a "job" like other jobs because I dont do anything but walk around and sell books in your opinion? Hey you know what....

FUCK YOU ASSWIPE!!!

Yea, I work in a bookstore. I dont work outside in the cold building shit or walk around a prison wrestling prisoners for fun or anything like that. A job is a job. They all have their ups and downs, and the effects of each on a person are different.

My job entails a lot of mental and emotional strain as opposed to pounding in nails or feeding prisoners "grub". Especially at this wonderful time of the year. Nothing like the holidays to bring out the best in customers. It takes a certain level of discipline to do my job. I cant just snap off if someone makes me mad or upsets me. Thats not how I do my job, and thats why I am good at what I do. Add to that the pressure of knowing that if we fail or dont measure up in any way the company wants us too, there is a very good chance that our company will close our store, since there is a nice brand new Barnes & Noble down the road, leaving 7 very highly intelligent and qualified people out of work.

There is also a physical aspect to my job with the moving, unpacking, sorting and shelving of all the shipments we get in, not to mention the constant standing and walking all day long. All of this on top of the fact that I have 1 or 2 bulging disks in my back and two arthritic knees that just love me lifting stuff, bending over, and standing on my feet all day. Yea, I have an easy job.

Now I dont discount the notion that I have a good job that is a lot less "taxing" than some. My father was a roofer for 30 years, and his body is broken and beaten down by all the things he endured over the years. I know what "real" work is...trust me. But just because I work in a job that you dont consider "real" work, dont discount what I do. Its insulting to me and everyone in my profession and we deserve more respect than that.

A police officer for the most part rides around in a car and fills out paperwork. A fire fighter sits around waiting for something to catch on fire so he go spray water on it. A paramedic rides around waiting to get a call to go do something for someone. Simplistically broken down...yes. But you wouldnt say they dont have "real" jobs based on what they do and neither would I. All jobs have advantages and disadvantages; some more than others.

Just respect the fact that I have a profession that you consider "not a real job", but one that you know deep down that no matter how hard you tried or how much work you put into it...you couldnt do or be successful at. I know...you have said so before.

If you read this post, you will know who you are.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back to "work" building a company from the ground up on my day off from my other job. Just for reference sake though, you are currently sleeping peacefully, preparing to get up and go to your "real" job in a few hours, while I am here at the computer, still working. At 3:30am. In the morning.

Whah...I work in a bookstore.

Gerbil Thought of the Day: If you are going to take the time to steal a giant Spongebob from the roof of a Buger King, dont then turn around and post the damn thing on EBAY for sale!!! You commited a felony dumbass.....and you are making it really easy for someone to find you. Geesh....even Patrick could figure that out.