The Day's Events...
Jun. 2nd, 2004 11:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lsdiamondI am really not sure what to make of this... I'm doing the best I can, but it's going to take time. +Kyle has been morose for the past few days, and I can do nothing to comfort him, though I have tried. We have good moments, but they are scattered.
In perhaps happier news, orientation went well. My schedule is as such: 10:00 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. Thursday - Monday, for the next two weeks. I'm not sure that it will stay those same days, but it's nice to have a "weekend".
The largest problem with this is that +Kyle and I are going to see very little of each other unless I can get on 2nd shift. That may have to be awhile, because we really need the shift premium I'm getting for graveyard. I'm glad they're working me on Sundays, though, because it means $1/hour more, too...something I was not expecting.
In light of the fact I had to get off-schedule to go to orientation, I must now get back ON schedule. D'oh. Hadn't thought of that. :P So, I'm up for the next 12 hours. I woke up at 7:00 this morning for the day's events. Yeah, I haven't successfully pulled an all-nighter in awhile, so I'm thinking it's off to the store for some Red Bull in a bit. I need to take the movies back, anywae.
I absolutely love my Assistant Manager, Gwen. She's black, about 6 feet tall, and the sort of person that many would find rather scary, but I can tell we're going to get on famously. I haven't met my Sponsor or Co-Managers, but the Store Manager, Lori, is really involved.
Today, I got there right at 8:00. Thought I'd left in plenty of time, considering it's only about a mile away...hadn't thought about morning traffic, though. :P D'oh! I'll do better next time. Fortunately, others were running late, including Vivian, so it wasn't a problem.
Cast of Characters:
Christian (F) - Cashier
????? Quiet girl with forgettable name - Candy
Mariah - Cashier
Pamela - Cashier
Quentin - Buggy Pusher
Chris (M) - Buggy Pusher
Raymond - Unloader
Dana (F) - Cashier
Helen - Cashier
We filled out paperwork for an hour or so, and discussed things with our various Assistant Managers. Gwen took us around the store, showing us different things, and explaining things like zoning and what to do about spills, etc.
Around 10:00, everyone was called to an impromptu meeting about events taking place on Saturday. A 5-year-old girl with cancer (Lymphoma? I can't remember) made a wish for a 19" TV for her parents and a new bicycle. The foundation involved (It's not Make A Wish, but it's like that) is giving her something like a $1,000 shopping spree at Wal-Mart, and locally, the store is giving her a party. She's going to be dressed like a princess, and she'll be paraded around the store on a throne of sorts. Also, the store is donating the TV so none of her wish money will have to be spent on her parents.
Also on Saturday, someone is having their wedding...at Wal-Mart... I'm sure that's really sweet, but it seems SO very cheesy. I can only hope the happy couple didn't meet at Wal-Mart as well...it's just too Hallmark ABC Movie Special. LOL!
Additionally, there's an event out a Joe Wheeler State Park: Take a Kid Fishing Day.
Employees are encouraged to attend one or all events possible. I doubt I'll be able to make any of them this weekend, but I hope to get involved in more community type events in the future.
So around 11:00, Vivian sent us off for lunch, and I came back to the house. Made it back in plenty of time, and we watched interminable videos about the founding of Wal-Mart, and why it's such a great company to work for, and how it's anti-union... Oh wait...it's not anti-union, they just feel that there's no need to pay other people to represent you. :P (I'm anti-union, so this is funny, to me, anyway...) They warn of the evils of signing off on a union card, and how recruits will come up to you all the time and try everything to get you to sign.
After that, we did CBLs (Computer Based Learning programs) for an hour or so, and then got things finished up - our lockers, vests, nametags, schedule for the next two weeks, etc... Not having had a locker in high school, I had no idea how to work the combination padlock. Chris' locker was closer to mine than anyone else in my group, and during my third try, he said, "Do you want me to show you how to do that?" LOL! Boy did I feel stupid. This kid is *maybe* 18? What I was doing wrong was, when turning the dial to the left, you're supposed to go all the way around past the number a second time before turning the dial right. D'oh.
We had been told we'd be done around 4:00...not so. I walked in the door at 4:57. Ah well. At least we get paid for it. ^_^ Also, I have to finish reading this enormous manual, and we get paid for that, too. They pay you for everything - even if they call you in and you're on the phone for a minute. It's almost insane, but I am not going to complain. The bennies are good, too.
I have a very good feeling about this. I hardly think it to be the career path I wish to follow, but who knows? I may do better with something like this, because then my creative energies are not spent at work, and I can use them to actually do the things I want to do...
Anyway, I suppose it's time to find something else to do until noon. I need to take the movies back. I need to read that manual. +Kyle and I have been talking, but he needs to go to bed soon. I need caffiene or something, because now it's 2 am and I'm bloody exhausted.
In perhaps happier news, orientation went well. My schedule is as such: 10:00 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. Thursday - Monday, for the next two weeks. I'm not sure that it will stay those same days, but it's nice to have a "weekend".
The largest problem with this is that +Kyle and I are going to see very little of each other unless I can get on 2nd shift. That may have to be awhile, because we really need the shift premium I'm getting for graveyard. I'm glad they're working me on Sundays, though, because it means $1/hour more, too...something I was not expecting.
In light of the fact I had to get off-schedule to go to orientation, I must now get back ON schedule. D'oh. Hadn't thought of that. :P So, I'm up for the next 12 hours. I woke up at 7:00 this morning for the day's events. Yeah, I haven't successfully pulled an all-nighter in awhile, so I'm thinking it's off to the store for some Red Bull in a bit. I need to take the movies back, anywae.
I absolutely love my Assistant Manager, Gwen. She's black, about 6 feet tall, and the sort of person that many would find rather scary, but I can tell we're going to get on famously. I haven't met my Sponsor or Co-Managers, but the Store Manager, Lori, is really involved.
Today, I got there right at 8:00. Thought I'd left in plenty of time, considering it's only about a mile away...hadn't thought about morning traffic, though. :P D'oh! I'll do better next time. Fortunately, others were running late, including Vivian, so it wasn't a problem.
Cast of Characters:
Christian (F) - Cashier
????? Quiet girl with forgettable name - Candy
Mariah - Cashier
Pamela - Cashier
Quentin - Buggy Pusher
Chris (M) - Buggy Pusher
Raymond - Unloader
Dana (F) - Cashier
Helen - Cashier
We filled out paperwork for an hour or so, and discussed things with our various Assistant Managers. Gwen took us around the store, showing us different things, and explaining things like zoning and what to do about spills, etc.
Around 10:00, everyone was called to an impromptu meeting about events taking place on Saturday. A 5-year-old girl with cancer (Lymphoma? I can't remember) made a wish for a 19" TV for her parents and a new bicycle. The foundation involved (It's not Make A Wish, but it's like that) is giving her something like a $1,000 shopping spree at Wal-Mart, and locally, the store is giving her a party. She's going to be dressed like a princess, and she'll be paraded around the store on a throne of sorts. Also, the store is donating the TV so none of her wish money will have to be spent on her parents.
Also on Saturday, someone is having their wedding...at Wal-Mart... I'm sure that's really sweet, but it seems SO very cheesy. I can only hope the happy couple didn't meet at Wal-Mart as well...it's just too Hallmark ABC Movie Special. LOL!
Additionally, there's an event out a Joe Wheeler State Park: Take a Kid Fishing Day.
Employees are encouraged to attend one or all events possible. I doubt I'll be able to make any of them this weekend, but I hope to get involved in more community type events in the future.
So around 11:00, Vivian sent us off for lunch, and I came back to the house. Made it back in plenty of time, and we watched interminable videos about the founding of Wal-Mart, and why it's such a great company to work for, and how it's anti-union... Oh wait...it's not anti-union, they just feel that there's no need to pay other people to represent you. :P (I'm anti-union, so this is funny, to me, anyway...) They warn of the evils of signing off on a union card, and how recruits will come up to you all the time and try everything to get you to sign.
After that, we did CBLs (Computer Based Learning programs) for an hour or so, and then got things finished up - our lockers, vests, nametags, schedule for the next two weeks, etc... Not having had a locker in high school, I had no idea how to work the combination padlock. Chris' locker was closer to mine than anyone else in my group, and during my third try, he said, "Do you want me to show you how to do that?" LOL! Boy did I feel stupid. This kid is *maybe* 18? What I was doing wrong was, when turning the dial to the left, you're supposed to go all the way around past the number a second time before turning the dial right. D'oh.
We had been told we'd be done around 4:00...not so. I walked in the door at 4:57. Ah well. At least we get paid for it. ^_^ Also, I have to finish reading this enormous manual, and we get paid for that, too. They pay you for everything - even if they call you in and you're on the phone for a minute. It's almost insane, but I am not going to complain. The bennies are good, too.
I have a very good feeling about this. I hardly think it to be the career path I wish to follow, but who knows? I may do better with something like this, because then my creative energies are not spent at work, and I can use them to actually do the things I want to do...
Anyway, I suppose it's time to find something else to do until noon. I need to take the movies back. I need to read that manual. +Kyle and I have been talking, but he needs to go to bed soon. I need caffiene or something, because now it's 2 am and I'm bloody exhausted.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-06-03 05:19 am (UTC)Omg you work third shift! <3 I love thirds, because of the people (they're all crazy), and the lack of customers. >> People on first shift are so damn grumpy!
We have the Casting for Smiles thing too (they changed the name from Take a Kid Fishing), but omg, married at Walmart? How um. >> *won't say the word*
That thing with the little girl is really sweet, though.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-03 07:01 am (UTC)Yeah, I'm pretty crunk about being on 3rd... It was either 3rd shift stocker or first shift cashier... I'm a night owl anyway, and it only brings out the crazy in me, so a cashier by day would so have not worked. ^_^
You know, even during orientation, I noticed that the first shifters were rather...displeased...with most everything. :P What a way to live. Yeah, I have had quite the bout with depression of late, but overall, I tend to be a pretty upbeat person (or at least try!). I can't imagine finding something to gripe about *all* the time.
Ah well...right now the main thing I am looking forward to is SLEEP! :P