People, huh?

    Watch out, I'm highly caffeinated, and somewhat annoyed.

    Sorry for the lag; life's been going at a rate I wasn't expecting; plus, a LOT has been going on in the world, as you might know. Indictments, lawsuits in the news, deaths (some more 'enjoyable' than others), and just plain old tomfoolery. So, what (you might ask) is "annoying you" today?
    People in general, really.
   This was going to be focused on one thing or other, but with too much between posts, it's a little hard to keep up. So, people it is!

   Ever since things opened up since the pandemic, people went from "ME! ME! MEEEE!!!" from before, to "Oh no! We need to help each other!!" during, to " We need to work together to get things back on track!" and ended up right back at "ME! ME! MEEEE!!" Seeing it first hand is a lot different than hearing about it. We've had people drive like no one else is on the roads (not a good thing , what with all of the construction going on around here); passing on the wrong side, cutting people off, turning without any signal at the literal last minute - you know, morons. It also includes people who back out of parking spaces without looking behind them, or hovering to take a spot, without leaving enough space for the person to get out of it. You can't park, if I can't leave. You know, morons.

   But the ones who bother me more than most, are the non-handicapped people abusing handicapped spots. You've seen them; they pull into them and "run in for just a minute!" Meanwhile, someone who *needs* it, has to wait or find another spot. Sometimes they end up getting ticketed, which is funny if they see the police writing it up, because they try to explain as to why they're justified in breaking the law "for just a minute!"
   When I worked at a local mall in retail years ago, I saw retribution in action. A person who needed the spot was heading for one, and some girl sped up the aisle the wrong way, just to snag it. No permit, no tag. She didn't need the spot, she just wanted it. He stopped by her, and seemed to be telling her to move her car, while she just walked off "for just a minute". When she was inside, he got out, took his key, and wrote something on her driver's side door. He saw me, told me I didn't see anything (which I nodded at), and drove off. I didn't go to see what he wrote, because I didn't want to be accused of doing it. Now, I don't condone vandalism as a means of replying to stupidity, but in this case, I'll allow it.

    This is shorter than I originally wanted it to be, because there's a LOT about this subject that gets me going. So, I'll spare you. For now.

    Until we meet again, just remember, be nice to each other. We're all we got.
   

   

Yes, another thing about work.....

 Well well well. Yet another work post. Will they never end? :)
Probably not...

   Recently, we've had yet another person let go. Just your standard No Call No Show. Seems that on a Wednesday, he called to say that his car wouldn't start. Okay, fine. But on Thursday and Friday, nothing. Not a call or text; just silence. Shows up on Monday, with no explanation. Seems that the contract service he belongs to (yes, we contract people for work, with the object to hire them eventually) didn't let him know not to come back, since there was no explanation at all for the absence. Our supervisor contacted them, and told them what was up, and to call him to tell him. They did, and he's gone.
   Now, another contract person - our last one, by the way - has pulled a few attendance 'tricks' as well: last minute call-ins, "Oh, I forgot to tell you", and the latest one: "I'll be there later. No, I don't know when." Followed up by: "I'll be there around 8:30." Then: "Nine o'clock." Then: "Stuck in traffic. When I get there I'll get there." Which he did. At 9:45.
   At the moment, he have someone out for medical issues; they should be back soon. But when people pull stuff like this, it screws us up and pushes other things back that we need to do.It doesn't help that these two still live at home, and don't need too much money it seems. The second person will probably be gone next week (just a thought). Which would not surprise me, but still screws us over. Attendance is IMPORTANT, people! just saying...
   
   Speaking of which...

I've mentioned before about our gift card program(which is currently on hold because of whining); it was just something our shop was doing. Now, though, the company has one in place that awards good attendance. Surprise, huh? The idea is, every quarter the names of people with good attendance are put together, and one is drawn. That person gets a $250 gift card. I've been in it the two times it's been done; missed out on the first, but won the second. It's company-wide, so you would think that with over 100 names, it would be difficult. But you'd be wrong.
   The first time, only 6 were eligible.
   The second time, 4.
   Now, this takes into account approved days off (like say, for a vacation). You'd be eligible for it for that. Call-ins, for being sick or otherwise, no. It's not that hard, people: show up, and you'd get a chance. But even then, people have a hard time at it.


   Some would fall back on the old "No one wants to work anymore!!!" thing, but I think it's more like "I want to earn money, but I want to do it my own way, without rules! You're lucky to have me here at all!" Well, no, we aren't. YOU'RE lucky we decided to give you a chance. Yes, there are rules, but they're there for a reason: to make sure you show up, and do the work you're here to do. You don't like it? Fine. Don
't be here then. Yes, it will inconvenience us, but we'll make it work. Just remember that eventually, you'll have to work *somewhere*. And follow their rules. Yes, it will be a pain, but if you're lucky, you'll benefit from it. Trust me.


   Failing that, good luck winning the lottery someday....

Power out equals stupid people

    Recently, we've had a power outage. For a little over 50 hours - a quarter to six in the afternoon on Monday, August 29, until a little over eight in the evening on Wednesday, August 31 - we, along with over 500,000 people, lost power due to a wicked storm that blew through. Heavy rain and high winds doesn't play well with trees; they sometimes fall against power lines and people are in the dark. Luckily, we had some of our camping gear, so we had lights. Plus our stove is gas, so that helped. 

     What didn't, though, was our food. Eventually, we had to throw out everything we had: eggs, cheese, meat (our chest freezer was PACKED with stuff!)...you name it, it was tossed. :) So, of course, we went shopping. The only cold things we bought, we cooked the same day. Just like in Medieval times! :D

       After the power came back, we went shopping for more cold stuff to restock. But, before it came back, the traffic lights were out, so they were treated as four-way stops, complete with signs in place to help out the drivers. Except they didn't. 

      This is where the stupid comes in. If you think people are dangerous on the roads during normal times, they are worse when they are forced to be courteous. "Stop? Me? Nonsense!" Then they just zip right through, with no thoughts or concerns for the safety of the other drivers. Didn't see any accidents, but seen some close calls. I can honestly say, that if I had a junker car, there *may* have been a fender-bender or two happen. Allegedly.....

       I swear, whenever someone brings up the idea of the world being in an apocalypse, and they think that THEY will somehow survive and be in charge, I compare them to those drivers and think, "No you won't. You'll be among the first to be wiped out because you have absolutely no sense of self-preservation. You take too many risks to last more than a day."  And I just smile quietly to myself and take a mental inventory of their stuff, just in case I'll need something when it happens. 

      Because, hey, you never know......

Things That Annoy Me

 (First of a series; multiple posts of the same thing(s), mean that they still annoy me)

***Christmas music needs to be played NEAR CHRISTMAS. This means, NOT right after Thanksgiving (give it a week, okay?), and certainly NOT by Hallowe'en. Not everyone wants to hear it.

***Speaking of which, how about different songs? I know that people have their favourites, but come on. Stop cycling the same tunes EVERY TIME. Play songs (or at least versions) that aren't heard all of the time. Instead of the Mormon Fishin'Tackle Choir doing 'Little Drummer Boy' (A song I HATE WITH A PASSION, by the way), what about Bob Segar's version? Still don't like the song, but at least it's Bob Segar.

***We wear masks because we want to help people from getting sick; ourselves, and others. People need to stop being a-holes, and need to also stop looking at people who wear them like we're idiots who 'fell for the hype!!!'. We do it to keep healthy...us and you. If you don't want to protect yourselves and your families, that's your business. Just don't post whiny crying videos of when you're in hospital, hooked up to machines, lamenting "I should have took precautions!"

***I'm still surprised at the number of cars - *newer* cars, especially - that don't seem to have functioning turn indicators. You'd think that with the money cars cost, this would be standard, and not an option. Hmmm.

***No, I'm NOT backing up in a parking spot, just so you can pull through. Either go around like a normal person, or park somewhere else. Sorry you can't drive like a sane person.

***If you block the aisle with your cart and walk away a few aisle over because "I forgot something!", I'm moving it. If you don't like it, don't throw a fit...MOVE YOUR DAMN CART TO THE SIDE, or take it with you. You're not the Ruler Of The Market, you're a dolt.

***Control your kids. Just because you don't want to watch them, doesn't mean that stores are going to. It's not a daycare, it's a restaurant.  You don't like it when others say something about them? Then stay at home and cook. Or get delivery. Or (novel idea, this) watch your damn kids. What an idea, huh?

More, when the mood strikes. Carry on.