Merry Christmas, everyone!

Today was fast-paced, but not real busy. After all, what serious cook/provider does his shopping on Christmas eve day?

Brian cleared all of the hanging signs in the store in an amazingly short time (to keep the motion detector burglar alarm from falsely going off), and the other baggers and I provided support as needed, but tonight was a piece of cake compared to previous Christmas eve closings.

Marvelous Mario is closing Tuesday. He's nervous, naturally, but I wish him luck. We've all been virgins at some point in our lives--this is his deflowering by fire.

More Newbies

New assistant manager (to replace Jeff): Maurice
New Ana person (3rd, I think, someday I'll publish an org chart as I see it): Brian
New Felipe person (5th, I think): Mario (from Produce)

I'm praying to God that I'll have more courtesy clerk personnel to report.

RIP: Ryon (who is no longer with store 35.)

Me & the Lonely One

Shonda said something dumb as I went through her line tonight (yeah, she's said it before): "are any of these Upromise items?" [I haven't the slightest idea, but, then, I don't think she does either--she just thinks it's a great chore to scan the plastic Upromise card.]

My response the next time this happens: "Please don't say what's on your mind. It's mean."

Should be interesting, as I do intend to be as discreet and quiet as she is.

Moan & Groan

Yesterday was Moan and Groan Day. I think we all do a little of M&G all the time but yesterday was the time when we might go up to a perfect stranger, and moan and groan about something. No big deal, except that perfect strangers are rarely able to make substantive suggestions.

MG #1: you know, that's really very unsanitary.
MG #2: I didn't get helped alot, and nobody asked me if I needed help.
MG #3: How come there aren't more handicapped spaces, checkers, insert-your-favorite-item?
MG #4: Why aren't there more baggers? More checkers? More managers? I need more whatever-I-need-right-now-to-get-out-of-here right now.


Today: spillies, meaning there were a lot of spills: milk (a gallon,) water, unknow liquids, all of which needed to be cleaned up.

Newbies & A Full Moon

A new assistant manager arrived today: Maurice.

Ericka is our new checker. (She was promoted.)

I wish both of them much luck in this time of the full moon.

The Checker Team from Hell:

• Marilyn Monroe
• Ms. Tries-Hard-But-In-All-the-Wrong-Places
• Ms. Newbie
• Ms. Gonna-Do-What-She-Wants-No-Matter-What

(This is what we had in the late afternoon/early evening today.)


RIP: the French Legionnaire (moved), white Adrian (unknown reason), brown Adrian (unknown...), Simon (death in family), Brianne (unknown...), Ana V. (previously noted), Ed S (unknown...).

Hell Week

This is it—the countdown to Thanksgiving Day, in which we all gorge ourselves on large quantities of turkey and the sides. People who are cooking a frozen turkey should be defrosting today or tomorrow. For those who can't stand the thought of consuming turkey leftovers, I recommend a turkey roast—it's boneless and a lot more manageable quantity. Don't shop on Wed., unless you have to.

A Tale of Two Managers

A couple of days ago, I went to the first manager. "We're going to run out of bags," I said. "Bwahhh, that's the job of the receiver person!," and then nothing.

Next day, I said the same thing to manager two. "Oh," he said. "what kind are we out of?" A couple of minutes later, I was told bags were in the night's order, and there was no problem. (He checked with the receiver guy.)

So, who's the team player here? Who would you want on your side? A special non-prize to whoever correctly names the people I'm talking about. (Please, no public disclosures; send email to info1 at kwisoft.com.) Yeah, I'm a little disgusted at the first manager's behavior.

News

Jeff is going to the La Paz store; today is his last day.

Ryon was in yesterday as a one-day loaner (he was transferred a while ago.)

Sina's mom is back home after a brief second stay in the hospital.

RIP: Ana Vasquez, Christian

11/8 Update: Ana will be with us through Thanksgiving. The wheels of really big companies move slowly and grind exceeding fine. New RIP: Jeff. More details as I get them.


11/2 Update: Ana's move is on hold. The current estimate is two weeks, for unknown reasons.


Ana will be going to another Stater store on Mon. We will miss her (a lot!). Friendly, efficiently competent, and always willing to do whatever was needed or necessary to make customers or co-workers or underlings happy (raises hand,) she will always be remembered with respect and affection.

It's been an honor to serve with you! is all I can say. This comment is not made lightly, and is not a complement I would give lightly. To me, it is earned.


Christian has quit. This won't matter to most people; but I thought he was OK, the quality of his work was fine, and I thought he quit more for personal, valid reasons than for any good "management-issue" reason.


NB: No, no, no one is dead.

Our Prayers Are With Sina

11/08 update: Sina's mother is in the hospital again. She seems to have an infection, which they are working to get under control. We are all praying for her.


10/30 update: Sina's mom is home. She was taken to the hospital with convulsions, and released today, but they are trying to determine what the cause was, and she is a little better.

Sina is worried, but hopeful.


Sina A. was busy tonight taking care of her mother. The last I heard was she was accompanying her in an ambulance (presumably to the hospital.) Sorry, no other facts or details available at this time. We can only hope for the best.

Today was a usual Sat.: (busy!,) with the added bonus of plenty of people early on, and a bunch of personal thingies later on for the crew leading to a (small) not-enough-people problem later on.

Awash In Virgins

We had 2 virgins start this week: Simon and Fernando. (Virgins=new hires.) They seem to be doing OK, but, as Lori notes, time will tell (we'll see if they last.)

Crime log: Costa Mesa PD arrested someone for unknown reasons outside the store today. Yesterday, we had a repeat performance of the load-up-a-red-basket-with-merchandise-&-escape-in-a-waiting-car bandit. (He got away.)

Soon to be RIP: Ana, who is moving to another store. She will be missed.

An Exceptional Sign

Handlettered sign seen on the door of the Halloween widgets place next to us:

Children must be accompanied by adults. No acceptions.

Volleyball Madness

A bus full of female college volleyball players parked outside the store tonight, and they came inside and shopped for snacks. I know, sounds like someone's wet dream. All of our young studs were not in residence, and Felipe and Oscar did not appear interested. As for moi, I can admire extreme athletic trim on anyone. These young ladies looked tough.

The Idiot Virus

Here's my speculation:

A key-carrier/supervisor type recently moved to another store, but, before he left, he passed on the idiot virus to Armen A. Tonight, with nothing for me to do at the moment at either of two registers, Armen said, "Bag service, Peter" as I was walking away to take care of something else. Earlier, when Alyssa called for me for help as I was gathering carts, Armen was outside on a break, and he said, "Peter, you're needed inside." (We had both heard her page for help.)

I think the idiot virus makes you think you can act stupid, and no one will notice. Well, I do, and it annoys me.

Miscellaneous

RIP (nobody has died, these are people who have transferred): Ryon, Jorge (produce), Lorenzo.


I can't ignore or forget 9/11, even though it has nothing to do with SB 35, so let me relate what I was doing:

I was at Hoag Hospital, coming through a very difficult year. It was no one's fault, except genetics and maybe some bad luck, but I am alive today. So, here's my wish and prayer: may we all live in peace, no matter what the other guy's ethnicity or religious leanings or whatever. Think you can't live this? Eat me.

Back To The Shadows Again

Am back on the closing shift because the person they were using is seventeen years old, and has to go back to a regular school schedule. No big deal, but I was getting used to 10 am to 7 pm or 11 to 8.

I feel like I'm going thru a Twilight Zone kind of change, 'cause the change of cast (both in co-workers and customers) is so dramatic, but more on that later... [Had to whet your appetite somehow--;) ]

Hot Times

It's been hot, but then you knew that. Some news:

Joe has moved to the Newport store, and is finally on prescription drugs for his psychological problems. One hopes it will help him with foot-in-mouth disease.

Something's in the oven, and will be here in Dec. or Jan. Hint: I ain't baking a cake.

Missing: Bernie, my eighty year old who lived with her son; used to shop every week, but hasn't been in for a month. Any info would be appreciated.

Full Moon Rising

We're working on a full moon, and, combined with the heat and humidity, everyone is acting a little off kilter. This, of course, includes all the people who claim (falsely) that the moon doesn't affect me. Yeah, sure.

Marilyn Monroe and the French Legionnaire were acting particularly weird, but for those of us who know them, this is nothing unusual.

For Ryon: Why I Think It's a Mistake to Tease or Taunt Anyone

Why the Columbine killers did it (slate.com) and, no, I don't think we have people like that in our midst (at least not actively so,} but, rather, they have the potential for this kind of very inappropriate behavior.

Comments or questions invited, but of course I am not able to speak for Ryon.

How To Piss Off Anybody, and Get Nobody To Do What You Want

Here's what happened today (early this evening):

7:05 PM: I went in to tell Mrs. Magoo I was done with the lot, and was leaving.
She said: "is the lot clear?"
I said: "reasonably" (which in my opinion, it was; not as clean as you might want, but reasonable. There were some (maybe 15 or 20 loose carts, needing to be gathered,) but not a lot.)

She said: "well, you can't leave until the lot is clear." (meaning, I guess, no carts in the parking lot.)
I called Ana V. on the intercom, and explained the situation, and asked her to come down and look at the lot for herself.

After a little while, she came down, and commented: "a little messy." I explained it was not my fault, and she said, I understand, but we need to work together on this, as we are short-handed. I said I still didn't understand why I had to stay if it wasn't my fault, and she said: "fine, leave."

Frustrated, but feeling guilty, I stayed until 7:20 clearing the lot with the French Legionnaire. The parking lot was immaculate. I punched out, and left.

Here's my beef: why couldn't Mrs. Magoo say: "we're short-handed right now, and I would appreciate it if you could please get all the carts off the lot." Even Ana was a little circumspect about the please, and I, as usual, tested her (admittedly short) patience, but, still, it was worlds more than I got from Mrs. M.

I don't mind being treated as if I were dumber than a sheepherder (we baggers are not, and I remind readers of the warning about getting what you expect), but if you want something extra from me, why not ask nicely instead of quoting rule 59 (you can't leave until the lot is clear, and, no, there is no rule 59.) You might quote a silly rule if you are dealing with a 12 year old, but I am not.

I invite questions and comments.

Hot Times

This is the third or fourth day of continuous high heat, high humidity stretch. I think it's making us all a little cranky. Kind of like being in a sauna if you move at all on the really bad days. (Doing carts yesterday was particularly nasty.)

In Memoriam: Royce Fassler

I'll never forget Royce's quick smile, and friendly words. We were never close friends, but I will miss him.

[Royce passed away on Memorial Day.]


Update: 6/15/2006
Irma (Royce's widow) is doing better. Her doctor has given her a sedative to take, and she seems in better spirits.

Update: 6/29/2006
Irma still doing fine. There is a minor problem with Royce's relatives, and property that is jointly owned, but I do not believe the relatives have a promising case.

The DaSlater Code

Picture a crowd of anxious shoppers, and a lone register beeping as Lori W. scans as fast as she can. All the other registers are manned and ready (including customers in line), but due to some unknown technical problems, they are stopped. But everyone is waiting, hoping.

Is this the vision of the 21st century? I hope not, and to everyone who dealt with this disaster at SB #35, thanks. A special award should go to Lori, for performance way above and beyond the call of duty. Kudos, Lori!

Mrs. Magoo Speaks & Torture Day

[Mrs. Magoo speaks:] "There aren't many go-backs anyway."

Meaning?:

• "I don't know, I was just talking off the top of my head."
• "You and the boy don't both need to be working on it, and you're too dumb to know that."
• "I'll take care of it."
• "Go-backs will magically get done, and you don't need to worry about them."

I was left alone with the two woe-is-me checkers tonight. This was sheer torture.

Demanding Day

Customers were pretty demanding today, almost as if they felt they needed to be that way. By the way, we are all customers at one time or another, so I'm not excluding employees. Was also a spill day, when an unusual amount of merchandise is spilled or broken. I wonder what makes us act this way.

Marilyn Monroe Does the Rude Thing; Light-fingered Louie Day

Marilyn asked me to get a few items for her personal purchase, with not a single please or thank you ever uttered. Was she raised in a barn, or by people that didn't care?

Several shoplifters were discovered and chased today. Someone speculated that it was because of the pressure of tax time. Also, paper bag requests seemed to be up. To me, this is a sign that something is up, but I don't know what.

Staterback Mountain

"Pretty Boy Floyd was in the employee lounge, and was about to put a large, plump weiner (in a bun) in his mouth.

"I prayed for a camera.

"--Cowboy Bill"

The Mayan Dowager's Tale

Homer doesn't like to do carts, so he comes in frequently when it's his turn. While bagging at a checkstand, when he sees a large order coming down the belt, he announces he has to go outside to do carts, and immediately walks off.

Me and Mrs. Magoo

"Is the lot clear?" I was asked.
"No," I answered, "there were too many carts for me to do, and the lot started out messy"
"Well, you should have told me there was a problem. Now, go out and clear the lot." (Which I did.)

What's wrong with this picture?: The messenger was being punished for the bad news. I take some minor responsibility for not informing Mrs. Magoo about the problem, but it's not my fault I can't do more than several hundred carts an hour (no exaggeration.) To say I was mildly irritated is understatement. Comments?

Going Postal

An (ex) co-worker lost it the other day. Didn't know him real well, except that he was well-spoken and didn't like his job very much.

For what it's worth, my prayers are with him.


[A leaflet with photo posted at the store today:]

Missing Person
Sergio Escobedo
Is on medication and doesn't know who he is.
His mom is looking for him.
Contact Patty (714)xxx-9523 or Jose (714)yyy-5573

(Please contact me if you need to speak to either of the above people.)

NB: checked with one of the above numbers on 4/26, and was told that Sergio has been found.

Bits & Pieces

Best one liner (said by a middle aged gentleman, looking about at the current young crew): Did they get rid of all the old people?
Footnote to above: Ed S points out that maybe he was referring to experience, which makes it less funny.

Hottest gossip: something's in the oven.

Happy Birthday!

Note to Self Day

Said by one of the sup's to me today:

Version 1: "hey, gruntling, I know we've been busy and you're a little tired, but could you please check that empty box and those baskets lying around the front end."

Version 2: [with a cool voice, and the faintest trace of criticism for maybe standing still for a moment] "hey, gruntling, would you check that empty box and those baskets lying around the front end, please."

We're all managers (moms, dads, in-charge-right-now, please raise your hand) and worker bees in some part of our lives, which version describes you? Being at the butt end of V2 today annoyed me and inspired same to think of a nicer and more productive way of accomplishing same, hence the note to myself title.

--pjm

Run Your Ass Off Day

It was busy. Someone said we did over $100,000, and I can believe it.

Helped a morbidly obese customer (over 400 lbs. I would guess) with a bunch of things, but I kept silent as I thought: get a grip, man, stop eating or die.


--pjm

Cranky Day

Today everyone (at least, among the grunts) was cranky. I've seen this one before, but never so universally present. The only ones not affected (and, no, sorry I didn't interact with everyone) was a normally cranky person already (his initials are Jeff). There was a battle over lunch times that I missed (this was before I got there,) and then yours truly had a minor skirmish with Ana V. and Lori W. over times I could go to lunch. Now, I think the main problem here is one of scheduling. I find it annoying that a few minutes before you plan to go, the sup's do a manpower asesesment, and start worrying about coverage and other important things that are primarily their responsibilty.

As for my own (personal) problem with Ana, an apology was offered and accepted. I don't think it serves any useful purpose to give details.

BUT I do invite any and all comments.


--pjm