Celebrity siting: Chris Brown and Rhianna came in our store last night part 1

I am not much for caring too much about celebrities, but I must say I was a little shocked last night when Chris Brown and Rhianna decided to stop by and do a little browsing and shopping in our good ole Wally World last night (approximately a little past midnight). I saw what looked like an unmarked tour bus outside the store before coming back from first break last night, and didn't think much of it, until I walked in and was walking past my department and I saw a girl who really resembled Rhianna and I thought to myself, "wow she really looks like her?!" But then next to her I see a guy next to her who looked like Chris Brown and I thought hmmm what a coincidence, maybe too much of a coincidence; until they turned around and looked me in the face and I realized it was them :O -- to be continued (because my time at the library is up lol).....

"Footprints"

I leave a trail on the net (like many) and sometimes I would like to keep up with the comments I leave for others so I have decided to preserve the ones I like on my own blog (well at least for now). Today's footprints include, but not limited to a stop at Print and Pattern , [ As usual wonderful pictures! Could you suggest a good website in the UK or anywhere else abroad that sells fabrics similar to some of the designs you have showcased here before? I would really love to get my hands on something fun and unique! ] Geek Interrupted ,[ Bacon Ice Cream??!! Ok that is just soo wrong sounds disgusting! Ever try it? ] and finally over at HNK's blog , [ I know it doesn't seem like it now, but after hardship, will come ease. You are in a situation that many people have never experienced, and just the very fact that you are able to keep this blog up is a testament to your strength. So please just keep striving and don't be too hard on yourself :) ]. This footprint is from the other day over at Ranting Monkey's post entitled, "Crossroads" , [ I have found myself in this delema before. At my old crappy job I think I stayed so long and didn't actively pursue trying to find something better, because I was too use to my environment, and always felt bad about leaving my manager, as she relied heavily on me. Then at some point I knew I had to move; the company was changing for the worst, and I foresaw a life 5 to 10 years later when I was in my 30's and unhappy because I had never really pursued my ambitions, besides that I was losing my social life because I was working so much and for crumbs. The ironic thing is that even though I remained loyal to her, when I told her I was leaving at the time, she was not too happy about it. I asked her if she could keep me on the payroll just in case I had decided to come back (which she had done for a few previous workers when they had left)and she agreed. I figured they owed me that much since I had grown up with that company and had contributed much. But about a month later I had called, and I found out she had taken me off of payroll and had resigned me. I lost the 100 hours of vacation time I was due in about 2 months, and had only a couple of weeks to roll my 401K over, and I would not have found out if I hadn't called there; So much for 8 years of service and loyalty! Now I have a another job that is crappy but I am making more money than I was making at the other crappy job, and with a lesser position; more importantly I am not satisfied with just staying there, it is just a stepping stone to something better God-willing. ] Of course no net session would be complete without a visit to Bent Objects and Basic Instructions (today's strip is especially funny) for a dose of laughter. If you have never visited these sites, you should definitely check them out! Too hilarious!

Opportunity Knocks

I received a voicemail today from a company I decided to put an application in with. They are interested in talking to me, and if I were so fortunate to get this position, it would mean a considerable hike in my pay. Of course I wonder if I get it, how I will be able to juggle my time considering it is for the position of manager trainee, and I am still trying to go back to school, launch a part-time business, and even considering a move??...I think I will not let that stop me though, as I am on a mission to keep moving forward, and whatever will get me an inch further towards my goals, I will do. The plus side I could have the option of leaving Wally World, or I can juggle two jobs for little while longer. This opportunity could not have come at a better time as Wally World is really getting on my last; so many allegations of corruption from management on down. I look at some of the people who I thought were decent, and am amazed--it's like everyone is at a masquerade party with their disguises on. Don't get me wrong I don't think I am so much better than many of my co-workers, it is just that I have a problem with people being completely phony. How can you talk about others work ethics, and the thievery of the customers, when you are stealing anything that is not tied down? Last night, I felt like I was floating above the whole situation, like I was on the outside looking in. The sad part is that many of these people will remain there, because as I said a few members of management are said to be involved. Even though some people have been recorded on camera, they refuse to do anything about it unless they steal a certain amount. ???? It is a madhouse lol, and those of us who are fairly normal, are the outsiders.

Honey, I'm Hoommeee!

It has been over a month since I have blogged! I was facing serious withdrawals in the beginning, next came denial and finally I reached acceptance. I must say though that it feels good to blog again. I have actually had the chance to read a few of my favorite blogs, and am happy to see that others are still blogging. It has been an interesting month. Some things have changed, and yet much is still the same. I am still struggling along, but choosing to remain hopeful for my future even when it seems that I will not have a bright one. This is the time of the year when work is the busiest, and the customers are at their worse. Yesterday was the infamous "Black Friday" and at Wally World it was definitely an adventure. We had to play policemen to our pallets of freight that was going to be included in the big doorbusters for 5am. We had a line that was wrapped around the store for the flat screen TVs that were on sale. Not to mention all of the lines that were stationed at the pallets for some of the hottest toys for the season that were included in the sale. Once 5am hit and we were to cut away the shrink wrap from around the pallet, the best and safest thing to do was to move! I saw one of my coworkers almost trampled under the crowd who dived on the Transformer action figures. People were literally wrestling and elbowing their way to what they wanted. Later I found out there was at least 2 fist fights over some items on the other side of the store. As I made my way to other parts of the store I would see one of my co-workers and say, "You're still alive!"In addition to our normal security guards, we had 3 additional Police officers at the doors to make sure nothing was stolen in the frenzy, because believe me there are those people who use that day as the perfect time to load up on "free items." Once 7am arrived I was free to leave the asylum, and I went to breakfast with a co-worker of mine, which was a necessary wind-down and time for some reflection of the previous activities of our shift. Sometimes I just can't believe the lengths people will go to for "stuff." Sure there are things I wouldn't mind having, but I think sometimes we really need to be a little less materialistic in this society. I really believe that when you are gone from this world, it will not matter how much "stuff" you leave behind, but the good deeds and positive impact you had on the world that will remain legendary.

My blog and I suffer when I do not blog

Wow this limited Internet access thing is getting a little old :S on the bright side I have been able to focus a little more on my goals that I am trying to reach I have completed some bags and taken pictures, that I will be posting soon (well eventually) provided I get the website issues taken care of. I feel like it has been months since I have last blogged. I have much I would like to blog about, work, new people= new drama; so much tension there you could cut it with a knife, and how did I manage to get loosely mixed up in it??, my real and not just figurative progress I have made with my project, small little baby steps, but steps nonetheless. I have only had time to read a small selection of my favorite blogs, and am hoping for the day when I can have unlimited Internet access again and am able to read some of your blogs and vent on my own blog whenever and wherever I want. Right now I have to dash, as I have a lunch date with a friend of mine who I have not seen in years....Updates coming....eventually.

Tornado Watch

I am experiencing a whirlwind of emotions right now, boring stuff, but I will post it anyway as I am taking advantage of these few rare moments when I can blog.

1. I have just been blessed with another nephew, my bro and my sister-in-law have just had a little boy yesterday, to add to the little girl they already have.(This adds to the 2 nephews and 2 neices that I have thru my older sis) He is so adorable, he wighed 6lbs 10oz, but my sister-in-law said he was a more difficult delivery then my niece (that does not surprise me as my younger brother has always been a real pain lol like father like son). So I am happy about that.
2. I also am happy because I have actually made real progress with my bag(s) construction last night, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, if only I can keep myself on track and not divert from my current direction, I will be that much closer to my giveaway contest and actually displaying them on the websitethatIneedtofinishbutcan'tbecauseIhavelimitedaccesstotheInternet.
3. Now for my frustration: work as usual is the main source; too much drama there, and I am having to try and pick up an extra day or two, because I am going through a financial crisis (what else is new) and have one day left before my license will be officially suspended for not having any insurance on my car :( because I can't afford the freakin payment right now arrrggghhh! The worst thing about working a crappy job is when you try and get those extra hours (not overtime mind you, the company shuns this, and will threaten termination if you do incur the O.T.) you end up killing yourself and when you get the paycheck you see maybe an extra 10 to 15 dollars after taxes! So those are the main culprits for my anguish right now, but I will try and drudge through as usual and keep the hope that I eventually things will get better. Once you've reached rock bottom, you can either stay there, or claw your way back up.

Is age just a number?

Ok this is another one related to Wally World. As I said before Wally World has the nickname Club Wally World, because so many people use it as a meeting and hangout place. I've also mentioned that many associates, mostly the females have to deal with the advances of some of the customers as well as their fellow associates. On the overnight shift we have quite a few young guys that are between 18-20 and that does not stop them from making passes at some of the females that are slightly older, or more than slightly older. One comment I am tired of hearing from some of them is, "age is just a number." But is it really? Many of these 19 year old guys who say this act pretty immature. And no I do not say this because they like to have fun or goof off, (heck even I can be pretty goofy when I am with my friends) but most of them are still at that stage where they have not yet left boyhood. I have seen maybe 2 exceptions there. They don't yet understand that there is a difference in being young and not stuffy, and just plain childish. I think there are times and circumstances when age does not matter, but for the most part it does play a big part on the relationship.

• What do you think do you really think that age is just a number? I am more interested in this from the older female younger guy perspective. But you can comment on both angles.

It has been 9 days since I have blogged

Wow it has seemed like an eternity since I last blogged. I have very limited access to the Internet right now....heck to a computer right now. I feel like I could write so much, but I will do that when I have regular access again (I am sneaking this opportunity). I am blogging this early in the morning because I am on an extra long break from Wally World. We were called to a meeting at 11:30pm only to be told that they forgot to let us know that they would be doing some electrical work and that they wanted us to clock out at midnight, and return at 3:00am :O Some people said they did not plan on coming back, of course this was not within earshot of management. I will go back as I would rather come back for an additional four to five hours, then come in on a day off and make up the time. That is one reason I decided to blog; to stay awake ;)

You ever get the feeling that things are not as they seem...

Ok a quick one about Wally World; someone told me once not to blog about Wally World, but I work there, I don't like it, but yet it is a part of my livelihood right now, so it affects me and therefore I will blog about it when I see fit.

• Headline: Corruption at Wally World! I have mentioned before how people steal alot from Wally World. They steal just about anything, toothbrushes, pencils candy, condoms, you name it. Although majority of this comes from the customers, some items prompt you to believe that it is an inside job, such as the theft of electronic items, computers, televisions etc. Yes I did just say computers and televisions lol. Well we had had a couple of laptops stolen within the past few months, and the other day they believe they have caught the culprit. I was greeted at work Saturday night by my co-worker who told me that our suspicions as to why they were locking our trash compactor; which was causing the stockers the inconvenience of having to call out in vain (they rarely respond to your plea of help) for a member of management to come open it, were true. I had told her not too long ago that they must have their eye on someone who they think is stealing, because they were locking the compactor. Lo and behold she informed me that one of our co-workers was escorted off the premises for stealing a laptop. Wow I never would've guessed that that particular person was doing that. But it doesn't end there. At Wally World gossiping is notorious, especially in the break room (which is why I usually steer clear of the place), so of course there was more to the story. Apparently the accused named 2 other accomplices--none other than a lead associate and an assistant manager! The assistant manager who the rumor pinpoints, does not show any sign of being reprimanded from the co-manager or anything, so I do not know if they have not informed the 2 individuals that the accused mentioned their names, or if they are just watching them and waiting to catch them somehow, or my real theory is the lead associate who is new, was a mole. I think maybe they have implanted him there as a decoy to lure out some suspected thieves. At any rate I think there is much more to this story, for example there are 2 associates who work back in the electronics area overnight, and these laptops which are locked up, are being stolen under their radar? They do not take a break a the same time, one has to wait until the other comes back. But conveniently everytime a laptop is stolen they are not even able to know what happened? I have never really trusted one of the associates from the very beginning, it has always been something peculiar about that person to me, even most people don't see it. I think someday more to this story- the truth and not just rumors and gossip, will come about. Incidentally now we really feel like a criminals at work. I am afraid to take my mobile phone [which I use to keep on vibrate does not matter now; no service :( ] in and out of my pocket just for fear that they are looking at me and assuming I am putting products in my pocket lol. Another coworker commented that it was so tense that it even had some of us second guessing ourselves. How true....

Lines Overheard......My Journey

I overheard this at work last night: "You know your deodorant is working when you take a shower, and wash your armpits, and the deodorant still does not wash off." hmmm........

More Pictures From This Morning

Love it Love it Love it! Here are more pics I took of Ms. D. (the ex-coworker who I made the special trip out to see; her personality reminds me of how grandmother's was) and some more fabrics. I had plenty more beautiful ones, but I could not upload them all.