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