randomly chaotic and frequently mundane

yeah folks, when you pay for yous purchase with a $50 or $100 bill and I verify it’s authenticity, I’m not amused when you say “it’s good, I just made it.”. Really. It wasn’t funny the first time. Also, I’m not amused when I ask if you found everything you were looking for and you tell me that you didnt find the bag of $20’s, the free money, etc. It’s not funny. It never was. Please stop.

Dear creepy guy who comes into my store. Thus far, I have tolerated you leaning too close, sneaking up behind me and blowing in my ear and pinning ,e against a wall with your cart and kissing me on the cheek because if I allowed myself to react naturally, I would be fired. HOWEVER, management is now aware of my displeasure at your behavior, and you have been caught shoplifting. I don’t advise you try that crap anymore, because I now have the green light to react with physical force if I feel it necessary.

Pay attention to the line you’re getting in folks. It’s rude to step into a line that’s closing because you think you’re entitled. You aren’t. Move along.

Ok, here’s the deal.? I got myself an iPad awhile back.? It’s great, I love it.? But in order to get that iPad, I had to save the money I would have used on cigarettes after I quit smoking and contributed a little from my tax return.? Not exactly something I can just go out and buy another one of, right?? Right.

HOWEVER…

My son, who has Autism, loves my iPad.? Is it selfish that I don’t want to give it up?? It’s terribly useful to me, and fun.? iPads are supposedly very good for individuals with Autism, with the right apps, of course.? So I was pretty stoked when the local news did a piece on this website called Freebie Jeebies? and determined that it was in fact legitimate, as long as you followed the rules.? All you have to do is sign up, select your free gift (they’ve got all kinds of things you can get — free iPads, free XBOX, free computers, free Wii, even free Amazon gift cards), complete ONE offer and then refer people to the site through your unique referral link.

So let’s get started, shall we?? Sign up: check.? Offer: check (I did the worldwinner offer, it only cost $10 and I actually won $30 in the end).? Referrals?? Er… not yet?

Here’s the deal folks, the news did a piece on this, I’ve read countless reviews that all confirm that the site is legit — you just have to follow the rules.? The folks who say it’s a scam… well, if you read most of their account of what happened, it looks like they didn’t follow the rules.? So this is me, following the rules, and attempting to get some referrals so I can get my son an iPad.? Won’t you click on the link and give me a referral?? I need quite a few to get the iPad.

really people? Ok, I have a few rants here today, buckle up.

First of all, I don’t care. I don’t care about the royal newlyweds. I don’t care if there will be a royal baby bump watch, I don’t care what William and Kate are up to. Guess what, if you aren’t from England, neither should you… And if you are from England, you shouldnt be obsessing over it. It’s their business what they’re doing with their newlywed days. Let it be their business.

Nor do I care about what’s happening with the Schwarzenegger family. It’s their business. When they wish to share details with the public, they will. But why must they? Let them suffer and heal and figure out their next moves on their own. And that goes for every other celebrity out there who is put under a microscope because of a dicorce, an affair, a personal trial, etc. Why do you care? Why is it so important to you that Arnold had an affair and produced a child with his house keeper? Would you be so interested in the details if your neighbor did the same thing?

While I’m in a ranting mood… Seriously, Sara Palin? You absolutely think you could beat Obama in an election? Stop and reconsider, honey. Bear in mind that the general consensus among voters it that YOU lost the election for John McCain. And that’s not just the democrats, sweetie. That includes independents and a whole lot of republicans. Why don’t you back someone who stands a chance. Because if it’s you and Obama, I know a lot of people, most of them republicans, who are voting Obama. They’d rather vote democrat than tea party at this point. Rethink yourself, honey. Unless you really wanna embarsss yourself again. In that case, we could always use a good laugh.

One more thing, people. Yes, I’m speaking to all of you normal folks. You go shopping, you get your coffee, your groceries, etc. Why are you so quick to complain of the person serving you did some little thing wrong, but it never occurs to you to take a moment and compliment good service to a supervisor or corporate office? You know, when someone has to deal with rude people all day, often people who say or do things that are so offensive that if you witnessed them, you would speak out, you can’t expect them to be a bundle of sunshine all the time.? It reaches a point, folks.? A point where we just think “I am all out of give a fuck, today.”? Then to find out that someone complained that you said “Have a nice day” instead of “Thank you for your business” (personally, I prefer the former, it’s friendlier), you really stop giving a fuck.? People paying compliments to your face doesn’t much matter.? Yeah, it’s nice to have a customer tell you that you’ve brightened their day or you were very helpful, or to thank you for your service.? But when you’ve got management bitching at you every five minutes because the nasty people who nit pick about everything called this morning.? It doesn’t amount to much.? Fortunately, I don’t think I’ve been on the receiving end of much of that, but I have several co-workers who bend over backwards every single day for our customers, and they get shit on like that.? And to those of you who are complaining, grow the balls to give your name and contact information.? Let the store manager call you and verify your story.? I’m fed up with people getting away with making anonymous complaints and getting people in trouble.? Guess what, if I told my family that some cashier at some store called my son a fucking retard, you better believe that a couple of them would be willing to? call and just make up random complaints about that person.? It’s a good thing I’m a nice person.? That’s never happened, but if it did, I ‘d complain directly to management and then contact the corporate offices.? But I wouldn’t drag my family into it.? The point, however, is that many people can manipulate a situation and convince a friend or family member to make an anonymous call to complain about someone they don’t like.? So I don’t think anonymous complaints should carry any weight.? If you’re willing to pick up a phone and do your best to cost someone their job, you should have to give your name and number while you’re at it.? It would certainly help weed out the comlaints from the crazies who decided to make up a pile of bullshit because they don’t like that a store hired someone with tattoos or piercings or who’s gay or something.? Cause we got our share of those, too.

I think I’m done for now.? I feel better.? You?

the walrus said.

Ok, I’m not a walrus, but the time has indeed come. Last night I put in an application at BCC for their culinary program. Also went to FAFSA and filled out the federal financial aid stuff, as well as the NJ forms online. I also prepared transcript requests for my high school and previous college credits which are going out tomorrow.

I’ve reviewed the course catalog for the fall semester and I know what courses I plan to register for, when I have to arrange babysitting for, etc.

so I took my son (who has Autism) to St. Louis for a few days to visit his paternal grandparents and (hopefully) his dad. I was a little nervous, since he doesn’t travel well by plane. At least, he hasn’t in the past. This time wasn’t so bad. I built him up for weeks, getting him excited about going on an airplane. He was excited. Telling him it was time for airplane got him out of bed and dressed at 3am the day we departed. He was calm and enjoyed the trip out there. He didn’t wanna get on the plane on the way home, I had to force him. But once he got on the plane he was fine. It was refreshing. However, he has issues with elevators and escalators and I don’t revel in carrying everything up and down stairs. Maybe we should try the train next time. It would take longer, but he might enjoy it more. Or just plain driving. I dunno. As ok as he was on the plane and flying… The aftermath was a bit… I dunno… Out of sorts. Flying, there’s no time to adjust to time zones, to altitudes, to the change in scenery. It’s almost like “I got in a vehicle…and now I’m here… But where’s here?” at least driving or with a train there’s time in there to adjust and understand that home isn’t down the road.

skunk lady came in again today. YAY!!! This time, I got a good portion of her crap. You’d think that management would do something about her. I mean, were talking about someone who harassed customers and employees. She called one of my co-workers the “n” word to her face, she hits on 20 year old boys (she’s older than my mom), she tells people they’re going to Hell, claims that were under investigation and that cops are recording everything we say or do. threatens to call corporate and have us fired, sue us, sue the store, etc. She creates a hostile work environment and puts off a lot of customers. We keep getting excuses… Oh, she’s manic, or oh she’s schizophrenic,and other such bullshit. Well, you’ve never spoken to her and addressed her behavior, so how do you know if she’s mentally I’ll? And that’s something that irks me the most… No one in management has even bothered to take her aside and discuss her behavior, let her know it’s not acceptable. Are you really cool with the way she treats your other customers and staff?

no, don’t get me wrong, the remake of clash if the titans was not as bad as t thought it would be. In fact, I quite enjoyed it. But here I am, watching the original, and liking it much better. Yes indeed. Something about it… Yeah I know it was a crap movie. I love it tho.

Contemplating trying one of those “complete 10 offers and get a free iPad” deals to get Gage an iPad.

Gage has discovered my iPad. I didn’t really expect the “slide to unlock” thing would slow him down. He picked it up while my back was turned, unlocked it and found the aquarium app. Thats all he needed. He wants it. He wants my iPad. That’s not happening. I’d let him use it occasionally, but he wouldn’t want to give it back. I guess I have to see about saving up for an iPad for Gage. Maybe with the iPad 2 coming out I can get a used one on the cheap for him. The general consensus is that an iPad or similar device is highly beneficial to children with autism. So maybe a 16 gig would be a good thing to pick up for him, when I can.

what a blissfully, gloriously gorgeous day! Bright, sunny, 70 or so… Man it’s nice out today. And to add to my joy, Im off work today. YAY! Seriously, I loved driving around with the top down. Running errands and getting stuff done while listening to wyps’s rock madness tournament. So far, my picks are 9 for 12. Not too bad, except that some of those misses mean that a couple of brackets further in will be wrong. Bleh. It’s fun to play along. I don’t see myself winning strip to see metallica, megadeth, slayer and anthrax in california. Of course, if I did win, I’d probably ask the station if I could auction or raffle the trip off, instead. Use the proceeds for Team Gages donation to autism speaks at the walk.

Got some new books today for reading and releasing. Gotta register and tag them for book crossing. Then releasing wildly. Maybe I’ll let a couple go at the park when I take Gage. Or the zoo. We got a zoo membership, so we can go as often as we want this year and we only have to pay for snacks, drinks and souvenirs. Next day it’s supposed to be like today… I wanna go to the zoo. Did you know that the Philadelphia zoo was the nations first zoo? Just food for thought.

I feel sick. Like vomitous sickness. Like blah-ness of ick. Feeling warmish and coldish and altogether unpleasant. I’ll have to take my temperature in a bit and see if I’m feverish or if I’m just delusional. I got myself a nifty in ear thermometer awhile back and haven’t had a chance to use it. I tried once on Gage, but he wasn’t having it. He’s just not into having his temp taken. Maybe I should have gotten the one that you roll across the forehead… Or the kitchen thermometer that you point the laser at a pan for a temp reading. Wonder if those work on people or not.

Work has been annoying lately. People just get on my nerves. And frankly, I’m sick of some of the crap. I mean… If something rings up the wrong price, a customer just has to say the magic word and they get it for free. If it happens to an employee, we get the advertised price. You’ll override something so a customer can get the better deal, but not for an employee, even one shopping on their own time… You know, when they’re a customer who happens to work there. I can even give you a perfect example… Around Christmas, Hershey’s candies were 2/$5, but you had to buy 2. Any odd ones you bought were $3.49. A customer had a coupon for buy 2 get one free and wanted the odd one free… So, 3 for $5. I asked the store manager if we could do that or if we had to do one of the lower priced ones free. He said to give the customer the better deal. Having this coupon myself,I decided to partake of this deal myself. But when the cashier asked about which one to take off, they were told to take off one of the $2.50 ones. When I pointed out that I was told otherwise, the response was “well, that was different.” Why is that different.

I’d look for a new job, but the chances of finding something that caters to my hours this easily are pretty slim. Bleh!