| I needed that |
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| 12:41pm 19/06/2004 |
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mood:  happy music: "Re-Align" - Godsmack
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Last night was a blast. Got wasted, took a cab home, slept in and woke up to find the whole night only cost about 30 bucks. Gotta love $1.50 drafts.
And for the first time I was able to experience the joy of having a good answer to the question "What do you do?" Women were never impressed with "sell books." At least it wasn't enough for them to ask for my number. Apparently "Federal Reserve" is. OK, I am aware she was wasted also and I'll never hear from her, but still.
The entire bar was packed with rediculously beautiful women that we couldn't even pretend to be able to get, but who cares? We have decided to make guys night watching baseball drinking cheap beer a biweekly endeavor. Anyone else who would like to join us is more than welcome. Next date: July 2nd.
Not much else going on, I could talk about my job, but its not that interesting. I made plans to visit my family next month, which will be my first trip home since christmas, I think. Long overdue, I suppose. Should be fun, though. Its my sisters 30th birthday so there should be some partying involved. |
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| not so smarty jones |
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| 07:07pm 05/06/2004 |
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mood: amused music: seinfeld
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I just love it when the horse that is supposed to win the triple crown loses. It makes me so happy.
I mean 1-5 odds? How dumb do you have to be to take that bet? Who puts down 5 grand just for a chance to one 1? If you had put 5 grand down on the horse that actually won, you would have walked away with a cool 200 g's. |
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| I figured for sure it was Shannon |
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| 11:20am 16/05/2004 |
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mood: relaxed music: SportsCenter
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Who doesn't wear bras. Like Sue Ellen Mishkey, the O'Henry Candy Bar Heiress.
But its Meilissa? Who also revealed in the past her appreciation for going commando? I guess this leaves very little to the imagination. One piece of advice for her: NEVER play strip poker.
And yes, I very well might return that book when I'm done with it. I also may want to read it over and over and over.
Yesterday I had to ride the bus because the green line was down from Gov't Center to Lechmere, so I took the bus to North Station. It was packed full of delinquints and fat people. So I walked back instead of getting on another bus.
Yeah, it doesn't make sense that Frances would apply. Whats in it for her. She's golden at the coop. Its like she has tenure. They could never get rid of her. If she got a new job she'd actually have to impress people.
And Kate, Leigh Anne maybe hasn't been on the first floor for almost two years, but she has been at the coop for well over a year. Believe me. You don't think I'd really forget when I first saw her? |
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| Today I rode the bus |
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| 12:30pm 15/05/2004 |
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mood: amused music: "The Mob Goes Wild" - Clutch
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Big day today. I got up early to get to the FleetCenter to buy tickets to the Metallica/Godsmack concert in October. The seats aren't great and certainly not cheap but I'm still psyched. I've seen both bands before and they never disappoint.
Then I went to the coop to buy Kate's book club suggestion but I couldn't remember the title, and neither could anyone else so I just bought the "Pledged" book instead. I can't wait to finally read it.
I also talked with Frances for a while. Which was great for two reasons. First, she told me Leigh Ann is quitting, which is just awesome news. Excpet of course for the people who still work there. Secondly, I totally offended Frances because I had no idea she was in the running for the MIT job until I got home and read Ellen's journal. I was all like "all 4 supervisors are gonna be gone all within a month of each other!" And Frances was like "no, just 3." But I said that there was no way ellen wouldn't get the MIT job. Frances tried to tell me that there were some other qualified candidates and my only thought was dan won't get that job. I even said that I couldn't imagine anyone who was more deserving or qualified for the MIT job. Ha ha!!
Either way, I can't express how much fun it is to watch all the dominoes falling. I don't but this whole poor Joseph argument. No matter how we feel about him after he finally decides to open up a little, he's had a hand in everything that has happened, whether he intended to or not.
Its hard to believe that the four of us 1st floor supervisors had all been at the coop for almost two years, working together and getting a lot of shit done and getting it done well. Its harder to believe that it all fell apart in a matter of weeks. And I couldn't be happier. For me. For Ellen. For Kim. For Leigh Ann. All of us moving on to bigger and better things and leaving that death trap in ruins behind us.
The only logical next step is for other floors to follow our lead and to bring as many booksellers as possible along for the ride.
But why do I waste so much time and energy still thinking, talking and writing about the coop? I need a new obsession. |
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| I know its just one day.... |
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| 07:24pm 05/05/2004 |
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mood: relaxed music: friends repeat
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....buts already the best job I've ever had.
Its really nice to be at work and not counting down to when you can go home. To have computers from this century and gigantic printers and copiers that work. To not be afraid that the next person that approaches you might be crazy. To sit down. Oh, and no old ladies who fart and yell at me.
Anyway, my first day went pretty well. I met a ton of people and don't really remember any of their names. Lunch is a bit like high school. Everyone goes together and sits at the same table. And apparently everyone else that works in the building knows its our table and doesn't sit there. I guess what makes it not like high school is that I get to sit at the table with them and not alone.
I only had one project that could be considered "important" and I didn't fuck it up. I got to watch an HR video about ethics. It told me things I can't do at work, such as drink, gamble, do drugs, carry weapons, etc. This may really cramp my style.
I'm actually looking forward to going back tomorrow. And thats despite the fact that aren't nearly as many hotties as at the coop. I must somehow persevere.
I will keep you all posted. When are we gonna hang out again? |
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| Today is just a beautiful day |
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| 03:23pm 27/04/2004 |
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mood: thankful music: "So Much Trouble In The World" - Bob Marley
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Security clearing at the Fed today. First I was finger printed electronically. No ink, just some mulit-million dollar scanning machine. My four left fingers together, then my left thumb. My four right fingers together, and then my right thumb. Then each finger and thumb individually rolled across the scanner. The highlight? When the federal police man asked for my left hand I gave him my right. Thats not embarassing.
Then it was off to the in-house medical clinic. I got to pee in a cup with the doctor waiting oh so patiently right outside the door. I wsa impressed by the lengh of the list of drugs they were testing for. The highlight? When I was done I discovered there was no running water in the sink. I wasn't surprised when the doc didn't shake my hand when I left. I was surprised that she didn't direct me to the nearest fully functional lavratory.
Then I got to sign a bunch of stuff to let the government do a full credit history check, criminal record check, driving record check and background check. I also have to outline my complete indebtedness, including credit cards, school loans, mortgages and any other contingent liability. I also need to supply a complete list of all relatives, blood or by marriage, who work in any capacity for any bank or financial institution anywhere. This information needs to be handed off asap.
And its all totally worth it. I can't wait to work there. I got to see my office today. OK, its more like a cubicle but its a pretty damn big cubicle and I have my own desks, computer, filing cabinets, phone, etc.
Looks like I'll start as early as Monday. Assuming all those tests and checks don't turn up anything.
Please enjoy the full disclosure of recent paperwork involving myself at the coop. And if I ever refrained from telling you something with the excuse "I'll tell you when I don't work here any more" hit me up for all the juicy details. |
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| Full text of "Phase One" |
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| 03:20pm 27/04/2004 |
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Addendum to verbal warning issued on April 9, 2004
I was informed during the above-mentioned meeting that I had the right to add my own written statement in reaction to the charges against me, and I am taking that opportunity. While I am finding it difficult to remember all the criticisms leveled against me, I hope to address the most pertinent ones.
I would like to state that I do not outright deny some of the charges, but I feel that many others are guilty of the same types of mistakes but have not been subjected to the same level of punishment. I also feel that many of the complaints have been overemphasized in an attempt to build a stronger case against me should this lead to termination.
One of the biggest concerns was my apparent disinterest in morning meetings and unwillingness to contribute to them. In my experiences at these meetings, most attendants do not seem interested and rarely contribute. I have attended meetings where the manager running the meeting himself or herself did not seem interested and other meetings where the manager explicitly stated that he or she had “nothing to say” and “didn’t care.” I realize that more is expected from me as a supervisor (over other booksellers) but have received support from some of my fellow supervisors that they feel I have been unfairly singled out.
Another concern was my tendency to make negative comments about the company and coworkers. I admit that at times certain comments should have been kept to myself. However, I have also been present when management has done the same; whether it be on the sales floor, in the workplace off the sales floor or outside of work. Some of these comments have been made as recently as in the verbal warning meeting this letter is in response to as well as on the sales floor since that meeting. When I have had the courage point this out, I have been told “you’re right.” I have been accused of “not being a good role model” for booksellers, yet I question who is being a good role model for myself and the other supervisors.
A third complaint was in reference to my disagreements with loss prevention. Some of these were discussed in the meeting and I feel will now be handled correctly. Nevertheless, I wanted it be clear for the record that I did talk with a manager about these differences of opinion but that my complaints were not carried on to a higher authority.
My enforcement of the trade book return policy has also become a point of concern. Over my first 18 months at the Coop I took a relatively lax interpretation into a potential return situation, usually allowing the customer’s return unless it was blatantly outside the boundaries and I felt there was nothing I could do. This changed roughly two months ago when during an all floor supervisor meeting Nancie instructed us to be more strict in the area of not allowing customers to do exchanges when they did not have a receipt. This was to keep online shoppers from returning their purchases to us. It seems I took this too literally, and in the future intend to be more open minded in dealing with a return situation.
It is also worth mentioning that the only serious conversations I have had with either Nancie or Joseph between Christmas and the verbal warning had to do with another job opportunity. I believe it was late January or early February when Nancie all but offered me a promotion to a management position at another store within the company. The next day Joseph approached me let me know that he knew the management offer was on the table and that while he wanted me to do what was best for me, he wanted me to know “how much he was looking forward to working with me” if I chose to remain at my current position. His words played a significant role in my turning down that opportunity.
Those two converstaions certainly did not lead me to believe my job was in jeopardy, in fact it was the most comfortable I had felt in my year and a half at the Coop. During the meeting last Friday, there was no mention of any event or action on my part that had happened in the two months between that job offer and the verbal warning that led to my current employment status. |
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| The full text of my "coaching memo" |
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| 03:04pm 27/04/2004 |
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Areas needing development and improvement:
Dave's customer service skills do not meet the standard a supervisor needs to set as a role model for the staff. His tone with customers can be abrupt and unfriendly. His salesmanship would improve were he to engage the customer by showing more interest (i.e., asking how someone learned about the book, handing the book to the customer, etc.). At times, Dave has sighed in exasperation while on the sales floor. Dave needs to exercise more discretion in his comments about people and the store's policies and procedures, which some can construe as negative; this is unprofessional and often worsens the problem. Dave also needs to be more cooperative with other department managers and loss prevention. Dave does not make an effort to participate in morning staff meetings - he does not make eye contact, or join into conversation.
Action required:
1). Customer service:
Customers and their needs must be a primary focus of his actions and Dave must take responsibility for their satisfaction. Specifically, he needs to: a). Greet and acknowledge customers (making eye-contact and smiling) more courteously and provide more helpful and friendly service; b). Share information with them to build their understanding of our services and take personal responsibility for resolving customer problems/issues.
2). Leadership and Teamwork and Supervising/Developing Others:
Understand that commenting negatively to the staff is an ineffective and harmful method of expressing his frustration and learn that its easier to resolve these issues by discussing them with a manager; Project a positive view of the Company and its policies and procedures to all employees.
3). Supervising/Developing Others:
Provide the level of customer service expected of a supervisor.
4). Work Standards:
Exhibit more enthusiasm and flexibility toward the job and speak more positively about it to others. Dave's care for the Staff Selections demonstrates his ability as a team leader; he can - if he decides to - express leadership also by achieving these goals for the coming year.
OK, thats where it stops. I had never actually read this form until today. I am quite amazed at how many things that were discussed in the meeting are not included here. Such as my strictness with the return policy and my tendency to call a manager for help too frequently. It is also amusing how on this form the term "coming year" is used but on the form I signed during the meeting the term was "in 30 days." |
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| FFFFRREEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOMM!!! |
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| 07:21pm 26/04/2004 |
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mood: ecstatic music: "Changes" - Godsmack
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Now I just need a long ass shower to wash that coop stench off of myself forever.
I was harassing people all day to pick a day to party. But early returns are in and Thursday is leading the race. Since its not a weekend we should be able to fit somewhere and it is also convenient as it is the same night as that free movie some of you may be attending. Pass that night around and see if it will work for enough people. Ideally, there will be more people there than at anyone elses going away bash because that would be good for my massive ego.
And Kate, maybe that would be a great night for me to finally meet Mel Smith and we can discuss thong related issues. |
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| You all better start planning the best going away party ever cuz I am FUCKING GONE!! |
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| 12:49pm 23/04/2004 |
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mood: jubilant music: "Do you call my name" - Ra
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Yeah thats right, today I quit the coop. Face to face with the almighty Scott Montgomery Burns. I will never forget his "You're quitting?" response.
Then it got better when I told him I wasn't giving notice. Trying to act like he didn't force me out. My by calculations, it was two weeks ago today that I was told I was in danger of being fired. Thats two weeks notice right there.
I will be working some limited hours this weekend to help out Joseph and to not screw over the 98% of the staff that I actually care about. But then I'm gone.
On Tuesday I have to go to the Fed to pass drug tests, background checks and get security clearance. Its like I'm important or something.
Anyhow, I'll save all the sappy things I have to say when we are all together and I'm wasted.
I'm in too good of a mood to further bad-mouth the company right now, but I really hope Nancie and Scott learned something from all of this. But I think we all know they haven't. They'll find another slave to replace me, another slave to replace Kim, and scores of others to replace all of you when you take off.
Incredibly I never got any response to "Phase One." I guess they just don't care about how any of us feel about anything. But it don't fuckin matter to me any more. In a couple months I'll sit down and get to work on "Phase Two." Maybe that will open some eyes.
Either way, fuck the coop. |
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| as we near the boiling point.... |
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| 11:13pm 07/04/2004 |
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mood:  annoyed music: family guy
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Work themed lj day, so here comes my 2 cents....starting with a play-by-play of the last 10 minutes of the night
9:52 I hear carl loudly removing people from the cafe because we are closing
9:54 Carl assumes stance at front door (not to move again)
9:58 Carl yells to me at the info desk from the front door to make the 10:00 announcement
9:58 I yell back its only 9:58
9:58 Carl yells back "its 10, CLOSE IT DOWN!"
9:58 Carl gives the all clear without clearing the building and without any final announcement
9:59 I turn to joepsh and mention that must be the first time the coop has closed before it closed
10:00 I make the 10 announcement and go to help Yassir finish closing the registers
10:02 Two women with their 2 children come to the registers to buy stuff. All hell breaks loose. A register is reopened to sell them the stuff, they pay by credit card. Yassir runs the report for the 2nd time when said customers decide to buy a map. Now they want to pay cash. Yassir says no. They charge it. Yassir runs the report a third time. Meanwhile carl is complaining to anyone that will listen how its anyone's fault but his those people were not seen earlier.
10:18 Jimmy and his pals finally go home.
Moving on. The letter about the lower level was witnessed by me, as I had to help the moron spell most of the words. He was mad because seth (referred to repeatedly as "the guy around my age") didn't get on his knees to help find a book and Elaine did. After Nancie saw the letter she told me it looked "very nice." Leigh Anne was responsible for whatever happened with that guy. When Joseph talked to us she asked if we could tell the guy to wear a button in the future that states he needs his books retrieved for him. I laughed heartily. Joseph did not. Reading at the register. I say carry on. Screw scott. I can't imagine everyone will get canned for it. Let nancie get yelled at. Who gives a shit. Scott kinda does us a favor since we can't yell at her. The best part about it is that it is now our responsibility to police it. We've tried. But as supervisors we have two choices. Get the offending cashier in trouble, or let it slide. I am not paid enough nor given enough respect to get my friends it trouble at work. Besides tim, I really have no friends at the management level. I have many at the cashier level. Not a hard choice. Read on!
Despite all the crappy jobs I have worked, I have never been part of a staff more enraged at their employers. Both buildings, every floor people are pissed off. I'm kind of excited as this gets closer and closer to boiling over. It should be quite interesting to see how it plays out.
Oh yeah, then there was yesterday. Guy sells drugs in LL bathroom. LP is out sick. Guy comes back in the afternoon. I call Matt. He does nothing. I feel safer. |
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| ...when you asked for light I set myself on fire... |
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| 08:07pm 06/04/2004 |
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mood:  contemplative music: "What You Are" - Audioslave
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1: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line four. Write down what it says:
"You know, I can't believe you're bringing in an extra bed for a woman who wants to sleep with you. Why don't you bring in an extra guy, too?"
2: Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?
My remote
3: What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Pregame for the womans ncaa title game
4: WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is:
8:10
5: Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
8:10 pm
6: With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
My stereo...and it drowns out everything else, especially my thoughts
7: When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
to go to hell, I mean the coop
8: This question was missing on ellens answer sheet
9: What are you wearing?
fleece pants and a tshirt
10: Did you dream last night?
of better days
11: When did you last laugh?
around 5:30 talking with jimmy about hitting on women (and basically how funny it is when you blow it)
12: What is on the walls of the room you are in?
christmas lights, hats, beacon st road sign, african mask, van gogh, african mask 2, munch, sox pennant, patriots pennant, shrunken head, sierra club calendar, FSU liscense plate, dart board, astrological type tapestry, escher
13: Seen anything weird lately?
the entire nail of my left pinky toa fell off last night during the UConn game
14: What do you think of this quiz?
entralling
15: What is the last film you saw?
The Poor and the Hungry on IFC (actually pretty good)
16: If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first?
my freedom
17: Tell me something about you that I don't know:
sometimes I'm not happy
18: If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
less stupid people
19: Do you like to dance?
no
20: George Bush:
is himself a weapon of mass destruction
21: Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
oops
21: Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?:
oh shit not again
22: Would you ever consider living abroad?
in any english speaking country
23: Will you pass on this survey?
I didn't pass on it, I just answered all the questions |
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| 02:33pm 30/03/2004 |
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mood:  confused music: acoustic godsmack
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Who is this jimmy guy everyone keeps talking about? |
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| What the hell happened?? |
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| 12:49pm 02/03/2004 |
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So I just read the Reverend's post from last night and that is my question. Anyone with details please feel free to email me or post the goods. |
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| Rectifying another complaint..... |
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| 06:59pm 29/02/2004 |
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I wrote this because I was bored
For Lisa since she felt ignored
She pokes folks with needles
Dee and Dum are both tweedles
After that one you all should be floored. |
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| 09:01pm 27/02/2004 |
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To Jess my most sincere apologies
I hope you accept, I'm down on my knees
For leaving you out
And making you pout
But I was blinded by your overwhelming beauties. |
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| limerick time |
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| 03:38pm 24/02/2004 |
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mood: amused music: that classical crap they play here at the coop
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At times too much does she care
All stressed out and losing her hair
Rearranging the carts
As she grunts and she farts
Before returning to guard the desk from her chair! |
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| 07:15pm 09/02/2004 |
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mood: thoughtful music: UConn hoops
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So today at work the phone rings and Sue answers. She quickly hangs up, stating that was the second time someone called and hung up when she answered. She asks me "Are you expecting a call?" Who does she think my friends are? A bunch of assholes who hang up on people who aren't me?
Later I had a conversation with Frances with started with her asking me for my opinion on the whole gay marriage thing. I told that I don't think the government should have the right to say who can and cannot get married. Her response? As a single person she doesn't think its fair for the gays who marry to get the tax break. Later she claimed that marriage is only for the purpose of creating babies and since gays can't quite get that done, they shouldn't marry. Now I have no problem with her opinions, I won't judge her because of them, but tax breaks? That doesn't seem like a very good argument against it. All in all I don't care since it doesn't effect me at all. I figure these couples will stay together for life whether or not they have a piece of paper saying so. My question is how is it possible for a man, any man, to find any other man attractive? I mean, we're disgusting. All hairy and stinky. I live with man (or at least a close fascimile of one) in myself. I certainly wouldn't want another one hanging around. Now lesbianism I understand. Who can blame anyone for being attracted to and falling in love with a woman?
More pseudo-political ranting: Whats the deal with car commercials featuring Magic Johnson? Are we supposed to forget he slept with possibly hundreds of wmen who were not his wife, by which he contracted HIV, then risked the lives of these women, his wife, and his future children by continuing to have sex without being tested? This "man" is now a spokesman? At least he doesn't say things like "there is more than enough room in the backseat of this car to fuck scores of strange women" but its still wrong. Maybe someone should get OJ to do infomercials for steak knives. |
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| under threat of removal |
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| 08:57pm 29/01/2004 |
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mood:  loved music: "What You Are" - Audioslave
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This is what NATACIA wrote about ME!!
"All I have to say is this: Thank God for David J. Brown. If you even knew how much laughing I did today at work, you would be amazed, horrified, flabbergasted... by eleven am, I was literally light-headed. And then lunch... sheesh, I'm surprised I didn't pass out! I forgot how great the Coop can be. I was concerned that maybe now that Chris is gone, the fun times wouldn't be as wild... but I suspect that nopleasantries has the stuff to keep in stitches all the live long day..."
She may deny it, but there it is.
For the record, Leigh Ann also thanked god for me today and told me I'm both "classy and classic." I think thats good.
Ah, all those lovely ladies at the coop...keeps me coming back every day.... |
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nopleasantries's journal