keeping note

I showed up for work at 5 am (Starbucks in a mall with the largest Apple store in the city) to find people sleeping in lawn chairs and tents as far as the eye can see and a scary ‘little’ line waiting for coffee as well. I guess I underestimated the dedication of apple fans. . . and they overestimated Apple and AT&T’s devotion to them.

Apple made some changes, requiring iPhone fanatics to sign up for a 2-year contract and activate their phone on the spot. AT&T made some changes as well. The mandatory contract is more expensive, an additional $30/month on what most iPhone users already pay. Because consumers weren’t just buying a phone, but setting up contracts, the line moved just below a snail’s pace, leaving that huge line in the hot sun for much longer than expected. You could expect the sleep deprived to be a bit peeved.

Upsettingly, the majority of people in the first half of the line (arguably the most devoted) were denied their AT&T cellphone upgrade, probably because their 2-year contract from last year’s big iPhone release wasn’t quite finished yet. Our espresso bar seemed much more like an alcohol bar with people telling their sob stories about iPhone experiences of the day.

If it wasn’t the extremely slow moving line, the unexpected expense of the contract, or the flat out rejection, Apple fans had plenty else to complain about it and Starbucks was all ears (and caffiene) for the the morning. The phone’s cool factor couldn’t keep them crabby all day, though.

The mall is starting to bum me out because people keep bloody profiling me!

Honestly, it might paranoia…but I feel like when I’m out shopping, sometimes there are people watching me!

For example, today my friends and I decided to go to Planet Funk. I love their accessories…I’ve gotten some really fantastic hats from there, and usually their service is amazing…with the exception of today.

Here’s what happened…and by the way…this is all something I just picked up on…a vibe or a feeling if you will…nothing is concrete.

I was in Plant Funk and I found an awesome gray scarf. So cute! I was trying it on…carrying it around…and then a women approaches me and asks if she wants me to put it behind the counter…at first, I think nothing of it. I was carrying it around because I couldn’t find the price tag, and I asked her to help me find it. She did. Next, I noticed her hovering closely near me. Every time I moved from a different side of the sales rack she’d move too. I felt uncomfortable. I think she was watching me to see if I was going to shoplift.

I mean…now that I think of it…why would she ask if I wanted to place the scarf behind the counter?…It’s not NOT heavy. Other people were carrying way more items…why didn’t she approach them?

I can’t help but think it was because I wasn’t dressed as nice as the others…or maybe it was my race?

GRRR…I hate that we have to look the part to shop in certain places. Maybe if I was carrying some over-sized over-priced bag and matching heels she wouldn’t have felt the need to follow me, but no…I was dressed for comfort that day. Dressed to be stereotyped…I guess.

I asked my friend, while we were in the store, if she was noticed the special attention the sales person was giving us…she said yes. We left, but I wish I said something. No, I wouldn’t have jumped on the counter and screamed at her, but I wish I looked her straight in the eye and asked, “Are you profiling me?” You know, create some damn awareness of the situation…if she said no, sure I may think LIAR! but at least the words and thought would be out there. Maybe if I had said something she’d interact better with her customers next time and I’d feel a little more empowered and less paranoid.

::Sigh::

Oh, the world we live in.

To the Planet Funk chick who seems to have it all wrong I dedicate this song to you:

It’s sooo damn hot! Cypress and I can’t take the heat…it’s unbearable. We went home for the long weekend and have done absolutely nothing; it’s too hot to want to do anything.

At times like these there’s only one logical thing to do. Enjoy the air-conditioning at my parents house and online shop hha. Seriously, when you want something to do, turn to the internet.

I started out watching stuff on youtube, but I felt like I was caught up on all my subscriptions so then I decided to check out my online shopping haunts. What was I looking for? Bags…definitely not clothes…I stuffed myself with 4th of July deliciousness which meant I felt horribly deformed.

I found some really cute bags though. The theme being very Ivy league Oxfordian Indian Jones! It’s very Cypress (my sister/KN writer) Hah hopefully I can get her to buy one and I’ll just borrow them from here :D!

Hmmm…Shall we going in order of price? Yeah, we’ll go from least to wallet hemorrhaging…

Image Source: UrbanOutfitters.com

ON CALL CANVAS DOCTOR BAG

I actually think Cypress bought this bag (YESSS! :D) It’s such a good deal too because it’s on sale for under 30 bucks! It has leather detailing and is exclusive to Urban Outfitters…they always have cute, (over priced) stuff. I really only buy from them when they have a sale or if it’s an item I’ve been obsessing over. If you wanna be twinsies and buy the bag too CLICK HERE…there are more detailed pictures too.

Image Source: Modcloth.com

CENTRAL PARK BAG

This casual bag has a smart look to it and it looks big enough to tote around your scholarly needs like library books. Honestly, I’d bring my library books in it hha. It’s animal friendly too ^.^ woof! Che Che Check it out HERE.

Image Source: Fredflare.com

IVY LEAGUE WEEKENDER

PICNIC bag! I really like the plaid with the vinyl trim. The trim actually looks like it’s going to look even better as it ages( like George Clooney)…or if the vinyl scratches and gets beat up a little it’s just gong to add some vintage character (not so good for Clooney). The Bag is 66 bucks, but if you buy it from Fred Flare, before Monday the shipping is free. Clickity click click HERE to see more of the weekender.

Image Source: Filson.com

FILSON MEDIUM FIELD BAG

Ok, get some band aids for your wallet because this ones gonna leave some marks. Filson’s Medium Field bag has an amazing and clean look to it. It’s made for action and it can hold quite a bit. It’s the same price as most Fossil bags with the same look, but I love the feel and look of this bag more then their messengers. If you’ve got 200 bucks laying around you must be riding a bike, because most people are feeding their cars with their moolah. I’m sure this bag looks great while bike riding hahaha. CLICK HURR for the Filson bag.

WAH! I really want to buy ALL of them…hmmm…I’LL BUY THEM ALL!

(Man…this heat is really making me delusional.)

Sure, you won’t ever have to sit on your feet to see over the monster in front of you, the seats sort of recline if you push really hard, and the arm rest can disappear making that moment with your special someone all the more special. That doesn’t equal quality movie experience, though.

When I’m at a movie, I want to feel like the screen is so big that the actors might eat me. I want to feel like I’m looking up at this fantastic screen with larger than life everything. I want to hear that roll and flicker of the film reel in the back. There’s a reason I pay $8+. I want the whole movie theatre experience and stadium seating theatres just don’t cut it.

I’m deeply in love with the little theatre about 15 minutes away because it’s plain old movie theatre seating with stationary arm rests and an inclined floor. The screen takes up the entire wall and when watching a movie, it feels majestic. Okay, cheesy word, but I’m sure you know what I mean.

I wish these theatres could stay open forever, but sadly, the bigger stadium theatres are just crushing them. I would take the flat seats over stadium any day! Go out to a movie at one of theses and tell me you don’t love it.

Support these theatres! Keep them alive! I don’t know if I could continue to see movies if they all disappeared.

One of the things I hate doing the most is tipping. Not cow tipping, but money tipping. (STOP glaring at me, I do not tip cows) Not only do you have to pay (sometimes) a ridiculous amount of money for your food, but you also have to give an extra 15% to the person who served it to you. (BTW who sets the percentages and keeps raising them because I want to slap that person) I think this is a ridiculous concept! Let me remind you, servers already GET A PAYCHECK. They get a standard rate for their services. When you tip, you are giving extra money to them that you technically don’t have to!

Please stop your whining. I know someone reading this right now is saying “But they have to constantly get your drink and bring out your food.” While this is true, let’s inspect some other jobs. People in retail stores (Macy’s, FYE, Ruehl, Target) have to deal with customers all day. They look for the products that customers want, they have to ring it up, desensitize it and package it up for you. They need to clean up the store and deal with a wide variety of customers, some nice, some mean and sometimes weird/creepy/perverted ones. But do you tip them? NO. I bet your reasoning is, “But that’s their job.” Well, EXACTLY! It’s a server’s job to serve; it’s in their freaking NAME.

This leads me to my point. In the past couple of months, I have been changing my perspective. I’ve been tipping properly and complaining about it less. I started to feel bad that perhaps my server was taking care of 5 tables with an average of 4 people in it, but Carrie from CPK has reverted me back to not wanting to tip at all. Everything with my meal was going well, until the check came. I paid in cash and was expecting my change, but she never came back to the table. I sat there thinking, “Maybe she’s very busy.” Nope. She stared at out table and was probably thinking, “Why aren’t they leaving?” I wasn’t leaving because I wanted my change!

In case she’s forgotten, the general rule is, unless the customer specifies, “keep the change,” COME BACK WITH THE CHANGE. I know the money left was almost equal to the proper tip, (it was actually higher by $2, which means I over tipped, which means I’m pissed), but it’s good manners to come back with a person’s money. Here’s a real tip for you Carrie, don’t take liberties with a customer’s money, give it back and allow them to tip you.

(btw I know you’re thinking $2 isn’t a lot, but it’s the principle of the thing!)

[Such a George Costanza moment.]

If I could tip like Dick from 3rd Rock, I wouldn’t have a problem with the whole concept.

So you’ve got a job! You work the job for a month and realize that it’s not quite what you intended. Let’s just say, there’s a reason that job was still open. (Not to belittle your own accomplishments and qualifications.) Fearing that you might be trapped at this dead end, life-sucking job for all eternity, you decide to chuck it. I QUIT!

It’s not that easy. I recently gave my two weeks notice to my job. I am a department head in a large forensic lab, or at least I will be until this Friday. Quitting was the hardest part of my job so far. This isn’t saying goodbye to the Dairy Queen. This is quitting a full time, salary paying job, where you have to have a formally written letter and exit interviews.

Life-After-College Lesson: Upper management makes or breaks a company. While they promise their support, they always let their own authority supercede. In my case, everyone was encouraged to take their orders from HR and our company bosses rather than their direct boss, me. With no stable authority and new responsibilities being shoved off on just me, I knew that it was the end. With authority and responsibility comes obligation– obligation to stick with a job that’s providing your income and screwing you over at the same time.

You’ve got to cut the cord, folks. I don’t care how much money you are making or how great of people you work with. You’ll never go far with a company that doesn’t take care of it’s employees. If you think they don’t take care of you now, wait until you ask for a recommendation. You’ll never get anything out of this kind of job, not money, not experience, and definitely not respect.

Loyalty is really important in the working field. Having a company train you and teach you, only to loose you to a higher paying position is a risk that good companies don’t always take. A company that takes care of it’s employees even when they are interns or entry-level will be the kind of company that is still taking care of their employees 10 years down the line. Saying goodbye is harder the deeper you get into the company and the more time they’ve invested in you, the more they’ll want in return.

I’m lucky to have learn this first-hand so quickly. I hope for everyone else that this step is avoided. Choose wisely and don’t be afraid to make a clean break when the company’s true colors have been revealed.

SDSU is less than a week away to finals, and it’s pretty damn stressful. The school is packed, which is annoying. I hate going in the library because there are no more open seats to study and half of the people in them are sleeping…geez people just go home.

Oh, and now the trolley is always packed and the school is crowded because people stopped ditching, as if coming to the last week of school is going to redeem them.

::sighs::

Anyway, I can’t focus in class anymore and my classes are all going off tangents. Yesterday, in my Eng 530 class they started a conversation on British longbows, and movies that involved them…it revealed to me that some of my classmates have “eh” movie tastes.

The one characters I’ve named “Quite Contrary”…she ALWAYS brings up movies as concrete detail to support her arguments…they’re type that you roll your eyes at because they’re re-runed on TBS or USA all the time…like “Pleasantville” or “Knights Tale”…or “Blockbusters” that everyone has watched, but are totally over…like “American Beauty”.

Below are the notes I took…enjoy…

In case you can’t read it it says:

“Quite Contrary and Guy that sits in front of me bring up the movie, “Troy,” for comparison. blah.

Then Guy in front of me then brings up Iron Man, because he just saw it and they mentioned the bow and arrow in the film I guess…I swear…collectively my class would have the blah-i-est Netflix ever.

We were talking about the British longbow and how the British would have won the revolution had they used that instead of rifles.

Which brought up the Elves in LOTR, who Quite Contrary thinks may have used British Long Arrows (I have no idea)…do you see what I’m saying about Netflix?

*Wait the professor just brought up 40 Year Old Virgin…I wouldn’t mind placing that in my Queue…but she’s the professor, of course she’d place above the curve.

BACK TO CHAUCER…”

I was walking around in Storm Hall and I passed by this flier.

Often thought to be a myth, college Republicans do exist and now I see they don’t meet in secret.

I bet you’re wondering if I’m a Republican.

My answer to you: My mother told me to never talk politics.

As a recent college grad on the hunt for the ever elusive perfect job (the one that will break the ‘you need experience to gain experience’ cycle), I’ve had my fair share of interviews. None holds a candle to the one that got me the job I’m working right now.

I would never (and probably in contract legally am not allowed to) say anything negative about my bosses or the company. They really are some of the nicest and most intelligent, yet well rounded people I’ve met. That said:

While trying to feel out whether I would be a permanent resident of the area, as opposed to a flake who picks up and moves a month after getting a job, my soon-to-be-boss caught on the fact that where I live currently is home, mommy and daddy home. The tone of the interview took a immediate turn and the boss began describing the type of person who deserves a job. Essentially, he meant someone who doesn’t mooch off of mommy and daddy. . . he decided to be more politically correct with an analogy of ‘rubber hitting the road.’ At that point, I’m sure he was ready to say goodbye and deposit my resume in his trashcan that is a ’special filing bin.’

Stereotype #1:
People who live with their parents are couch potatoes. WRONG (mostly).

First off, I moved home just over six months ago after having living independently since the age of 16. Second off, someone who is looking for a job is most likely short on money. Home = free rent. It’s only sensible to save money when you can, so you can take a chance at that horrible-pay/entry-level job which will give you the experience for something better. Who is this guy to make the assumption that I don’t deserve his job because I live with my parents?

I made it abundantly clear that the ‘rubber has hit the road.’

After knocking the wind of out me with one stereotype, he kept the punches coming with, yet another shocker. Seeing that my bachelors degree was in physics, he hit me with his best shot:

‘So are you social? Do you make friends and communicate with others?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘Well, do you find it hard to talk to other people, carry on coversations, interact with people?’

Stereotype #2:
People who hold physics degrees do not hold social skills. WRONG (mostly).

While I can’t chastise the guy for questioning this stereotype, I can point out the gall he has to actually ask it out loud. Well, you’ve been talking to me for the past thirty minutes, what you do think? Is this question necessary? Is it respectful? Is is smart? Come on. Give me a break. Sure, some smart and science-brained people tend to keep to themselves and get lost in their work. But here I am, a professional, personable, and quite funny person who you’ve been talking to for half an hour. It’s insulting.

First, I’m a dead beat and now I’m a socially inept dead beat. Employers everywhere, I’m an ideal candidate for your company.

If all interviews were this peachy, I’d never get a job. Come to think of it, this catastrophe was the only decent job offer I received. Maybe all of my interviewers should viciously profile me.