Anger Management

On my computer, this picture is listed as "trent grrr."

Here's a couple of thoughts on anger and on management (and on anger with management).

At our last manager's meeting, we did a walk through the entire store. Everyone said a few bits about their sections discussing problems, books that were selling well, etc....the usual suspects basically. When we got back to receiving, I decided to mention a couple of concerns that I had. First I discussed the pile of boxes of bargain books that never seems to go anywhere. I asked if it would be possible for people to reorganize the boxes when they pull things out rather than leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the stacks. A pretty easy task when you get down to it.

Then, I pointed out that virtually every Mon. Jinn has to clean up the limited space we have for deliveries because someone was working in receiving over the weekend, but left their boxes, carts, etc. cluttering up our area. This clean up can take as little as 5 min. to as long as 90 min. I told them those 5-90 min. could be better spent by my staff doing returns, etc. In other words, doing our jobs.

Finally, I expressed concern with where we were going to place the boxes of supplies we would be receiving in a couple of weeks. Home office had told us to order 3 months worth of toliet paper, paper towels, shopping bags (5 different kinds), and garbage bags. The space I would normally use for these items has been taken up by the various company mandated overstock shelving for magazines and bargain books. I found out at that moment we were ordering twice to cover 1 1/2 months each time. Fine, but there is still going to be a problem.

Seeing as how I have been trying to deal with space issues in back for over 5 years I figured I had a decent handle on where we may have some problems. Apparently I was wrong. The uber leader regarded my statement as though I were a daft 7 yr. old. He blew off my comment added some blathering of his own and said he didn't think we would have a problem. I think I will put the 15 or so boxes of toliet paper in his office. It'll be convienent since it's right next to the johns.

IS IT WRONG TO HATE SOMEONE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF MEETING THEM?
We have a new-ish employee at work that I think I hate. I strongly dislike him, this I know for sure. I believe I have truely hated only one person in my lifetime and I eventually got around to letting that go after about 6 or so years. What can I say? I can hold a grudge. He pushes every "arrghhh" button in my being just by standing in the same room.

Does this make me judgemental and unforgiving? Or, as an adult with a couple of years behind me, do I recognize immediately qualities in a person that I don't like or have respect for? I know I can be judgemental and opinionated, but I because I know this I am usually making an effort to hold back this side of myself when I first meet someone. My karma is really messed up right now I'm sure.

The one saving grace, if that's really the right thing to say, is several people in the store feel the same way. So I guess I won't be alone in hell.

WATCH IT:
Junebug and Half Nelson. Junebug (DVD) was quite funny for the first 2/3 of the movie and then I balled my eyes out during the last 30 or so minutes. Amy Adams deserved her Oscar nom. She was just amazing to watch. Her character was a very charming, genuine and naive young woman who carried the movie. Half Nelson is out in theaters (or it was, it's last day down here was Thurs.). Ryan Gosling plays an inner city school teacher hooked on crack who gets caught smoking the drug by one of his students. Both he and the young actress playing the student gave impressive performances. Definitely worth seeing if you get the chance.

HEAR IT:
My Chemical Romance "Sleep" off The Black Parade. This is my new fave off the cd. I'm digging this release more and more. The songwriting is maturing and becoming more filled out.

Sorry I didn't post for several days. Gotta do some stuff to have something to write about ya know....

Green Day doing Barry Manilow covers soon

Warning: I'm going to try and add more than one photo to this puppy. I was going to do this yesterday, but I discovered either the website or myself was having issues. My money is on me.


Last week we got in a new bio on Green Day at work. When I scanned it to double check where it went in the store, the catagory came up Standards/Easy Listening. Er...not. There is a new function in our computer system that allows us to report mistakes. I sent in a message pointing out that the book was not in the right place. Here was the reply I got from someone in our company.

"The way things go around here folks, it's an accomplishment that it ended up in music."

I want to buy this person a drink.

Tried to watch the 24 trailer today, but thanks to my snail's pace dial-up all I got was the audio and a couple of flashes of images. Apparently, at the beginning of the season Kiefer will look like he's performing in the Jesus Christ Superstar revival.

I've been listening to the new My Chemical Romance cd while typing the blog this evening. I was concerned that it was going to sound a bunch like Queen. Nothing against Queen, but the first single had me thrown. I'm pleased to report that I am really digging it. It's not as freakishly concept heavy as I thought it was going to be. Right now I'm favoring "This Is How I Disappear," "I Don't Love You," and "House Of Wolves."

Not a big fan of the blonde hair on Gerard though.

This is my fabbo friend Paul, who is attempting to help me make this damn thing look better. I've conquered multiple pictures, now if I can just fix the text. I snagged this pic from the website Paul writes for. He doesn't know it yet (or he will now I suppose), but when I'm 90 and still single, I'm going to lure Paul into marrying me with the promise of a kick ass cd and dvd collection along with control of the remote. Assuming he's not already married of course.

Hope it's not too annoying that I'm featuring you my friend. Figured it was okay since you're online already for all to enjoy!

WATCH ME:

Aqua Teen Hunger Force--Cartoon network rules. "drivin' in my car, livin' like a star, ice on my fingers and my toes and I'm a Tarus..." All new season started this past Sun. and I was amazed to see a character drawn to look like a dick. He was building a dick rocket...seriously. Then Carl got a sex change op, momentarily. This show is messed up, but beyond funny.

LISTEN TO ME:

Radiohead "Everything In It's Right Place"--hypno-therapy for me

Words Fail Me

No particular topic this evening, hence the crappy title. Just a couple of quick-ish bits.

I noticed tonight while watching Prison Break (love this show!) that, yet again, it seems to be the most difficult thing in the world to create an authentic looking picture on TV. Here's what I mean. In tonight's ep, there is a news story on about one character getting out of jail. His father is one of the guys who broke out of prison. There is a mug shot-esque photo of each person in the usual over the shoulder shot of the anchor. But, the "mug shot" of the kid is a still shot from one of the episodes. Come on people. How hard is it to take a guy's picture for real? Send a P.A. out for a $5 disposable camera at Target and take a shot. Need the thingie that the arrested hold up with their number, etc. on it while the photo is taken? I'm sure one of the Law & Order shows can let you borrow one. Perhaps Hill Street Blues props have appeared on ebay. The only thing worse are the hugely fake family photos created for films and tv. You can tell they were taken by some bushes near the lot.

An exception to this would be the photo's I've been able to catch on the work desks on The Office. I think several of them are true family photos or convey some sort of realism (like Pam and Roy's picture).

Also on the tv vibe, found out that a trailer for the next season of 24 is going to be shown in Times Square tomorrow. Sadly, I will not be there. But, you should be able to check it out after 3pm on 24trailer.com. New season starts Jan. 14 and 15. Please, please, please, let Audrey suffer a horrible fate. Sorry, I just never liked her character.

Got a couple of comments/emails about my Trent Reznor pic. If you're curious, YouTube has a few videos of his Bridge School performance. The two that I watched seem to be taken with a phone, but still, it was better than nothing. I enjoyed watching him pogo to a string arrangement! Gotta love a guy who still puts it all out there with nothing more than a quartet and a hoodie.

WATCH IT:
Prison Break--just this side of ludicrous with solid acting and WILLIAM FICHTNER joined the cast this year and he is one of the best actors out there.

HEAR IT:
Depeche Mode "World In My Eyes"--heard someone mention DM the other day and I just had to toss in Violator...granted it took alot to not hit the repeat button and just listen to Personal Jesus during my entire drive to work.

Trying to add a photo

Damn, I think it actually worked!!! I got some great input from my friend Paul about how to visually improve the blog. I decided to see if I could toss in a pic. This is a shot of Trent Reznor from this weekend's Bridge School Benefit concert. He's a bit scruff, but that's okay. I think I'm supposed to credit the photo and I'm sure you all can see the getty images watermark so I guess I've credited it. Now to post and see if it really does work. Hopefully I'll have something to write about tomorrow. Oh, go see The Prestige. It's a slow burn, but it's worth it.