in case I had any doubts

Here's the picture I was going to post last time.

After going to work yesterday, I really have no reason to regret my decision to find another job. The whole day was further proof that nothing is ever going to change there.

I got there about 10 min. early so I was taking a leisurely stroll to the back. I walk in and there is no one there and the buzzer for the backdoor was going off. I go to the door and yell through that I need to go get the key. I then have to cross the entire store to get the key...which is in the locked room that I don't remember the entrance code for. One of the manager's comes in and I get the code and get the key.

I let in UPS and as she's delivering I ask one of our shelvers if he's seen anyone in receiving this morning. He says no. I call a manager and ask where my peeps are. She says Jinn has called off sick and that she just saw TJ, but he's in Duane's office (I'm presuming being talked to about taking my job).

This always happens. They never call me in early or leave me any sort of note letting me know what is going on. TJ's schedule got changed, but no one marked the schedule (I checked). Then my least favorite employee comes to the back. The conversation went like this:

"Michelle?" (insert breathy, whiny voice here)

"Yeah?"

"A hardcover fiction book, 3 copies, came in on the 25th..."

I interrupt. "I don't know where it is; I wasn't here."

In a put off, petulant manner she continues, "I just thought you might know where I could look for it..."

(Hmmm...let's see you dumb bitch, you could look in any of the places I've mentioned the other hundred million times you've asked me the same question.)

"Well, since my first day back was yesterday, I can't say where exactly it is but I would recommend looking (I then run off a list of the usual suspects)...otherwise, beats the heck out of me..." I return to work and she wanders for a few more seconds then grouses off.

Added bonus to the day:

Store mail didn't go out--don't know if that's because Skippy didn't get all the paperwork back in time or if UPS was missed because no one was in back when they arrived because...

Evening person was scheduled for 2, but didn't come in until 3:40. Also discovered while checking receiving box count numbers that this person didn't do anything for just over an hour. Hmmm...too busy texting? I'll just say that I will be writing something up to go in this person's file. Not saying that anyone will be checking the file, but it will be there anyway.

Finally, I called benefits to find out what vacation time I have left that might end up on my final paycheck and it seems no one entered my vacation time from last week. It's all just more of the same.

"I suppose if this doesn't work out you can always go back..."--Marge

"Not the way I quit!"--Homer

the beginning of the end

Well, I was going to put a lovely picture of James McAvoy on here since I went and saw Wanted, but I guess you'll just have to imagine it for yourself.

Before I talk about the movie, I have a quick work story. This is my final week at the bookstore and even though I probably have nothing to add to the meeting I still had to go to the freakishly early managers' meeting. It was the usual snore fest. At one point we were sent to different sections of the store to do some straightening of the shelves. Only one group got checked which was both lame and annoying because I could have just stood still for 5 or so minutes and no one would have known. Anyway, I pulled a handful of one title to check and see if it was on a display. I go to the computer and I can't log on. My info comes up as "invalid user."

Hmmm...not even out of here yet...don't let the door hit you on the way out I suppose. I mention to one of the ASM's that I'm having a problem. Seems we had a system update a week or so ago so perhaps something went weird there. Okay, we go into the office to fix it and look up my name and I have a different ID number. I tell the ASM what my ID # actually is and she changes it and has me enter a password. After I hit enter an error message comes up that says my ID # is in use by another person. Turns out that person is the guy who has been covering my hours. Interesting how the person I've been hearing rumors about in regards to taking my job already has my ID number.

Okay, so Wanted. I really enjoyed this flick! It was directed by Timur Bekmambetov, a Russian who was responsible for the fabulously crazy Night Watch and Day Watch. Timur is extremely creative with his visuals. He has the ability to bring new life to an action sequence and he's one of the few directors I don't bitch about when he uses slow mo. The story is based on a comics series and tells the story of Wesley Gibson who works a crappy office job. One day he is approached by a woman and finds out his estranged father was an assassin who was recently murdered. Oh, by the way, your father's killer is right over there. Cue the firefight and cool car chase sequence.

Wesley is played by the amazing James McAvoy. McAvoy does a good job of transitioning from the quiet, sorta wimpy Wesley at the beginning to a very different Wesley by the end. Angelina Jolie completely kicks ass as Fox, the member of The Fraternity (a sect of assassins) who has to train Wesley when he joins their group. He has the same talents as his father and The Fraternity enlists him to kill the man who killed his father. After seeing her performance, I can't even consider another actress for this role. Rounding out the crew is Morgan Freeman as Sloan the leader of the group. I was also very excited to see Konstantin Khabensky, who starred in Night Watch and Day Watch, with a role as one of the agents.

The story is very fantastic, which fits since it's from a comic book where anything is possible. The action sequences are amazing and all the actors do really well in their roles. There are parts of the script that start to unravel upon closer inspection, but you're so busy enjoying yourself during the movie, you don't really think about it till the drive home. At that point, who cares?!

Hey 007 fans!! Here's a link to the trailer for the new Bond movie. HOLY CRAP is it sweet!!

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/quantum-of-solace/26922/main

Like a David Bowie song...

Very soon I will no longer be looking at boxes and boxes of books.

Starting July 7th, I will be working somewhere other than the bookstore! Most of you know I've been talking about leaving for a couple of years now. Apparently it takes major surgery to make me get off my butt and do something.

I can't figure out how I got so lucky to end up in my new job. A friend is leaving their job and mentioned to me that she thought I would be a good fit in the position. It worked out that she was giving her notice while I was on sick leave so I gave her a resume. A couple of interviews and a test later, I have a new job!

Everything feels really bizarre right now. I'm very excited about going somewhere new and doing something more mentally challenging. At the same time, I know I will probably be crying on my last day--more than likely as much from happiness as sadness. I've made some really great friends through the store and I'm hopeful that we will be able to stay in each others' lives. It will be weird not seeing Jinn 5 days a week. I think that will be the hardest thing to deal with. I've been lucky enough to work beside someone who has become one of my best friends and now I won't see her as often. I know if Jinn wasn't down to part time I would find it almost impossible to leave. Knowing I'm not leaving her in a lurch makes this much easier.

But, I know this is the right thing to do and the right time to do it. There are so many more things I dislike or flat out hate about the store that staying there just to see my friends doesn't make any sense. Plus, I'm still close to people I've known since I was 5 yrs. old so I think I'll be able to stay close to these people too.

It was weird talking to the boss and letting him know I was quitting. It was a conversation I wasn't looking forward to, but I discovered that if you dominate the conversation, it goes much easier. HA!

On the health front, the doctor's appointment went well and I'm healing as I should. More good news! In movie news, I can strongly recommend renting Margo At The Wedding if you haven't already seen it. Plus, I went and saw Kung Fu Panda and it was great!!! I really wasn't sure if I would like it, but it effectively avoids getting over sentimental and it's really funny. Plus there were bunnies in it!! This weekend brings us Wanted and WALL*E...yes, yes, yes

Almost forgot, my last day...July 4th, Independence Day. Seems fitting.

blogging to at least 10 people

Found this via Radiohead's website. Really quite funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPsUmhqncAg&eurl

Doctor's office visit update coming soon!