tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4392470200967580872024-02-19T07:48:28.269-05:00What Andrew DoA blog about the mess that occurs in my life. Some good, some bad, a lot random.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.comBlogger289125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-48851334782718225712015-04-19T23:51:00.002-04:002015-04-19T23:51:36.064-04:00Dolla Make Me HollaToday was my last shift as a full-time barista.<br />
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A few weeks ago I was hired at a call center where I'll be doing phone intakes for people needing childcare, eldercare, attorneys, & stuff like that. I'll have a cubicle. I'll get to wear real clothes. I'll be making....a decent amount more than I currently do.<br />
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It's weird. I've only ever had one other job that wasn't really related to being in food service & it was the only job I ever got fired from (which ended up forcing me to move back to NC, & 2 months later I was beginning my illustrious career as a barista).<br />
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If it wasn't for my job at Caribou, I wouldn't have gotten this. One of the girls who was a supervisor alongside me for most of last year left because she got a job at this call center. When I was becoming even more frustrated with my financial situation & the general toxicity of my store, I texted her (we've stayed in touch since she left in December) & she gave me the hookup. It also turns out that the guy interviewing me (who will also be my supervisor) graduated from the same college as me & we know some of the same people. It's fate. Or something.<br />
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I still plan on staying at Caribou part-time on the weekends for now. I don't want to quit. I would like to think I'm the exception to the rule & that I could use all of my experiences & tenure to move up the ladder there. But I also don't want to burn myself out, so we'll see how this plays out.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-90550295285688580752015-03-13T16:55:00.001-04:002015-03-13T16:55:41.844-04:00LayersSaying goodbye can be tough. Other times, not so much. I'm currently experiencing both of those at the same time with the same person.<br />
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As some of you may remember, my <a href="http://whatandrewdo.blogspot.com/2011/12/long-road-ahead.html" target="_blank">grandmother has had a brain tumor for the last 3 1/2 years.</a> It's been a tough situation for all of us, especially considering she was diagnosed the same year that her husband died. But she beat the odds & had done a really good job of fighting it until recently. </div>
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A few months ago we found out that the chemo wasn't working anymore, so she was pretty much out of options. One of my cousins & I took her to Duke to see a specialist & discuss what, if anything, could be done. While surgery was a possibility there was a huge chance that she'd never recover fully. She started talking about being ready to go to heaven & just being done with everything, & decided to stick with the chemo on the off-chance that it would keep the tumor at the size it was. But then she found out that it wasn't even doing that anymore so she decided she was totally done.</div>
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We got her a hospice nurse, who then told us that it was time for a hospital bed. The doctors said that she had about 6 months left but she's deteriorating so quickly that we'd be surprised if she made it 2 months.</div>
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Knowing that she doesn't have much time left, I went out to visit her with my dad. I wanted to have some time alone with her, but one of my aunts & an uncle stayed in the room, talking about apples, fruit cups, cottage cheese, & God knows what else. Not exactly the way that I wanted to end things, but it seems kind of fitting that my last time with her would be overshadowed by other people.</div>
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You see, I haven't had the best relationship with my grandmother. She always favored literally all of my cousins over me, & that was painfully clear to me even as a child. It wasn't really anything I had done since, you know, I was a kid. It was more about my parents. Both of them had been previously married & my grandmother was a hardcore Southern Baptist who believed that divorce was a sin. It didn't help that my father hadn't been her favorite (she had treated him the worst out of all 6 of her kids). My mother was more independent than my grandmother liked her family members to be (the more codependent, the better), so they were never close. I was the product of my parents so I never stood a chance being thrust into that dysfunctional dynamic. It didn't help that due to other family issues my parents didn't let me stay over with my grandparents so they didn't get to spend as much time with me as my cousins (most of whom lived with my grandparents at some point because their parents are leeches).</div>
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As I've gotten older, my relationship with my grandmother has mellowed out. I came around more often & spent more time with her. I always knew who she was, what she had done, & that she could turn into a bitch on a dime, but she was still my grandmother. </div>
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And that's where I'm at now. There are so many emotions & layers to all of this & it's hard to reconcile. On one hand she could be awful, but on the other hand she's my grandmother. On ANOTHER hand she wasn't nice to my parents, but on yet another hand she's an old lady who is suffering. </div>
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So I'm sad to be losing my last grandmother, & I guess I'm just trying to put all of the hurt in the back of my mind. We'll see how it works out.</div>
Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-47428852559623265242015-03-06T19:41:00.000-05:002015-03-06T19:41:15.594-05:00The SearchIt has come to my attention that I'm going to be 29 this year.<br />
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That sucks.<br />
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What also sucks is that I'm in my late-mid 20s (I can't bring myself to say that I'm in my late 20s) & currently make less than $10 an hour in a job that I've had for 4 1/2 years, with 3 1/2 of them being in a management role. My manager has talked to me about getting me promoted, but he has said that before & they ended up hiring someone from the outside to be an assistant manager. Back in November I told him that I was interested in moving up again, to which he said he'd help me. Then he gave me a management training book.<br />
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Nothing more was said about it until January when I asked what time frame we were looking at. He said he wanted to get a few more people promoted to shift supervisor (that's my position) & then he'd get me an interview with our new district manager & they would try to get me my own store. About a month ago I asked again & he said something about me becoming an assistant manager (definitely not my own store. I'd have to stay at my current store where we already have 2 assistant managers). However, the people he was going to promote to shift supervisors all got 2nd jobs since he kept dragging his heels about training them. So now as far as I know, since communication is non-existent, is that my promotion is on hold indefinitely.<br />
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I get that sometimes things take longer than they should because of unforeseen circumstances. I get that. But I can't just wait around for God knows how much longer to make some extra money. Since I'm not in school this semester my student loans are back & I owe about $600 a month. That's more than a paycheck. I can't live like that. Plus, I'm tired of living in crappy apartments with roommates that don't clean up after themselves. Plus, I don't even know their last names or have their phone numbers.<br />
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So this week I started looking for jobs. And not just any kind of job: big boy jobs. That would require me to dress like a normal person, & have a consistent schedule.<br />
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As much as I would like to add assistant manager or store manager to my resume, I need to move on. I've been in customer service for 14 years & I feel deep down that, especially in the past few years, it has changed some of my personality in a negative way. It's time.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-4156301384591299802015-03-03T23:51:00.002-05:002015-03-03T23:51:14.107-05:00The other day two of my coworkers were talking about how great my facial expressions are.<br />
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One of them said she was telling one of her friends about her managers & when she got to me the friend asked, "Is he cute?"<br />
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My coworker answered, "No, he has the best facial expressions."<br />
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It could be worse. I could not be cute & not have good facial expressions.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-75674819502928947432015-02-27T15:44:00.001-05:002015-02-27T15:44:34.083-05:00No Pictures, PleaseYesterday at work we were absolutely slammed. Due to the snow, we were understaffed (by about 6 people). Also due to the snow, once we opened 3 hours late there was a never ending line of customers inside & in the drive-thru.<br />
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I was on drive-thru (& no one called me ma'am over the speaker the entire day #huzzah) & about an hour before I was maybe going to get to leave, a lady said she didn't know what she wanted. I helped her order her drink, & all she could do was sing my praises. She also told me to not take this the wrong way, but she likes her coffee like she likes her men: strong & European. In my head I was thinking, "That makes literally no sense whatsoever" but I did my customer service laugh that I've perfected over the last 13 years & told her to pull up to the window.<br />
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When she got up to the window I was in the middle of taking the next order, which was (thankfully) a regular customer. As I looked through the window at her I saw that her eyes were kind of glassed over. When I opened it & started talking to her, I noticed that she was slurring a bit & seemed out of it. Trying to make conversation while I waited for the girl on bar to make her drink, I found out that she's heavily medicated & unemployed due to a disability; she referred to herself as "one of those lazy assholes who doesn't work." I just smiled & said, "Let me check on your drink" & closed the window. When I turned around I saw the drink was ready so I gave it to her to which she tasted it & loved it SO MUCH that she asked to take my picture. I said, "Uh, ok?" as she whipped out an old school digital camera & potentially stole my soul. Twice. She also asked for my manager's business card so she could tag me on Facebook. I didn't ask questions about how that was going to work. I just grabbed the card & sent her on her way.<br />
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When the regular behind her finally got to the window he was laughing & asked if he could take my picture as well. Then he asked if he could pinch my cheeks while he was at it. That segued into a story about how I once had a customer pinch my cheeks.<br />
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God, my job is bizarre sometimes.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-33206148913362303922015-02-25T23:45:00.002-05:002015-02-25T23:45:56.865-05:00Snow. Again.It's snowing again. This time Raleigh is supposed to see anywhere from 8 inches to a foot. Of course I'm supposed to open in the morning, but instead of me having to be there at 5am I have to be there at 8am, since we're opening 3 hours late. We're also going to run about 10 people short, with just a baker, one of my assistant managers (who I'm staying with tonight since he's close to the store) & myself.<br />
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I don't mind snow. I love snow! I love the cold! I just hate how there's never any preparation for this stuff, plus people not being able to drive. When I was driving earlier people were honking & slowing down before it was even sticking.<br />
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It snowed yesterday while I was at work & it was awful. My employees were threatening to sue the company if they got in wrecks going home, threatening to go home if they were given breaks (so I didn't give them a break), & just generally complained the entire day. There was a wreck outside our parking lot & multiple people drove up onto a median/island next to our store while trying to turn; one guy even hit the light pole & the light fell on his car.<br />
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I "love" North Carolina.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-7367163069995898642015-02-23T22:51:00.002-05:002015-02-23T22:51:47.283-05:00Homeboy Died. Maybe.I'm pretty sure that my friend, <a href="http://whatandrewdo.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-pet.html" target="_blank">Homeboy</a>, died. I found him on his back so I flipped him over. His legs are kind of shriveled up underneath him & he's laying crooked. I'm still going to leave him there between my desk & TV stand just in case this is another stage in his hibernation.<br />
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And tonight is the night that I realize that I've gone from keeping a hibernating bug in my room for a pet to keeping a probably dead bug in my room in case he's alive.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-64704220046161445252015-02-20T17:06:00.002-05:002015-02-20T17:06:39.663-05:00Bad AssIn the past month, I've been responsible for training 2 new people on bar. This terrifies me.<br />
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It's not that I don't know what I'm doing because it's far from that: I'm actually so good at what I do that I'm worried that I'll teach them the way of someone who has been a barista for 4 1/2 years & can eyeball milk proportions, syrup amounts, & the temperatures of drinks without using a thermometer because of how the milk sounds. Plus sometimes the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure for those not in the know) changes without any fanfare, & then you check the recipe cards & you realize something is supposed to be made differently for the past year & the manager didn't tell you.<br />
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Something else I always struggle with is being a hard ass. I get that since they're learning that they need someone to point out their mistakes, which I do. But since they're still learning I just say, "Ok, so that could have been done better" & tell them what they did wrong. If it's completely jacked up I'll have them totally remake the drink, but otherwise I'll have them fix whatever it was they messed up on. Maybe that way is better than making them hate learning....<br />
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I guess it just boils down to feeling confident in my leadership abilities. I know what I'm doing. I'm a bad ass. I just need to FEEL that bad ass.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-29355128392746595742015-02-18T21:24:00.002-05:002015-02-18T21:24:29.293-05:00The Ice Man ComethSo currently North Carolina is shut down due to ice.<br />
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I'm spending the night with my assistant manager since he lives within walking distance of our store & I work early.<br />
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I know a lot of people make fun of southerners about how we can't handle the snow but I'll tell you what: we can't. But what makes it worse is that we don't just get snow: we get ice. Lots of it. All of the snow & ice we got the other day is melting since it was sunny & got up to about 40 today, but tonight it's going to be 0 & tomorrow will be about 17.<br />
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Sunday it's going to be 57.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-78658666117905877932015-02-16T15:39:00.004-05:002015-02-16T15:39:59.512-05:00BaesittingI'm currently staying in Rocky Mount because my mother is having hip replacement surgery & my parents didn't want to board the dogs. While Sammy would have been fine with it, Maggie (the pug) would have had a total nervous breakdown. Plus the fact that Sammy recently scratched his eye & has to wear a a pillow-like cone around his neck & get eye drops 3 times a day.<br />
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The downside to all of this is that my area is about to get hit with a snow/ice storm. While snow isn't that bad, the ice that we always end up getting makes eastern North Carolina shut down. This wouldn't be a huge deal except that I'm supposed to work tomorrow in Raleigh, which is an hour away. I...just don't think that's going to happen.<br />
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I'm going to get up early & see what it's like. I really am. I don't want to call out. I NEVER call out. When I lived in Rocky Mount for 8 months & commuted to Raleigh I was always on time. I'm one of the ONLY people that's always on time. But...I'm not going to risk getting in a wreck on the ice driving an hour both ways.<br />
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I'm a little nervous because I've heard rumors about me getting a promotion & I don't know if this will negatively impact that. If it does, then all of my current reservations about it will be proven true. I've worked for this company for 4 1/2 years, have been in management for almost 3 1/2, & I don't even make $10 an hour.<br />
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Yeah, I'm not going to risk anything for that.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-44008114846168585382015-02-13T12:47:00.000-05:002015-02-13T12:47:16.135-05:00Playing With BallsI've never been the most athletic person. Ever. When I was in kindergarten, my class had a walk-a-thon to raise money for....something or other, & they made us practice. Yes, they made us practice walking around the gym in a circle. They must really have not had anything else for us to do those days (yes, this practice took up multiple days). Anyway, at one point the walking turned into running & I fell; the very next day my leg was in so much pain that we thought I had broken it. It turned out to just be a severely pulled muscle & I was out of commission for a few days. That's the story of how I hurt myself practicing for a walk-a-thon.<br />
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The next year, after we had moved towns, my parents decided to put me in t-ball. My 6 year old self was so overwhelmed by trying to deal with all of the kids, as well as trying to retain all of the intricacies of the game, that I had a hard time remembering for sure what I was supposed to do. Luckily, I just did what my heart told me & it was usually right (that's always the case, isn't it?). One time after hitting the ball off of the stand I ran to first base & asked the kid on there if I went to the right place. "Yeah, stupid" was his response. After the first game I asked who had won, since I noticed that no one was keeping score. "Oh, both teams won!" exclaimed the adult that I asked. I responded, "What's the point then?" They didn't really have an answer.<br />
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Also, t-ball was where I learned my first cuss word. Damn. I learned it from the Baptist pastor's son (I was the son of the Methodist minister) & it was LITERALLY the end of the world.<br />
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About 4 years later we moved to Rocky Mount & my parents put me in a soccer league that one of my cousins volunteered in. The team I ended up on was literally the worst. We only scored once the ENTIRE SUMMER & it was because a kid from the other team got confused & kicked the ball into their own goal. I really struggled with soccer. For starters, it was summer in eastern North Carolina, which is miserably, insufferably hot & humid. We had also just moved for the fourth time in my 10 year existence & I was over it (it didn't help that there had been a lot of tension due to our move). I also had been home schooled for a few years & it was around this time that I started to develop into the social person I am today (i.e. not). Anyway, I had a hard time trying to talk to the other kids so I just did my own thing. During the first game I got hit in the stomach with the ball & it hurt so bad; I had a hard time breathing for a little while after that. A few games later I looked up right as the soccer ball came soaring through the air & hit me in the head, subsequently knocking me unconscious. When I opened my eyes, it was a few minutes later & multiple people, including my dad, were standing over me. They decided it was ok if I finished the game, & a few minutes later the ball came soaring back at me & I put up my hands to shield myself & was penalized with a hand-ball. I almost threw a temper tantrum because I HAD JUST BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD WITH THE BALL. OF COURSE I'M GOING TO TRY TO BLOCK IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. In the end, our team didn't even finish the season because of "rain."<br />
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That was 19 years ago & I haven't attempted to do any other organized sport. While I'm more coordinated now, I just don't have a desire or a competitive streak to get me to do it. Do I wish I had become a soccer legend? Absolutely. But I didn't. What did end up happening is a few months later I started playing piano & taking art classes. I was good at both of them, & then a few years later that I started doing community theater. Everyone has their own thing & while none of those things are still my thing, they were back then.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-50415017666423346432015-02-09T21:45:00.001-05:002015-02-09T21:45:21.406-05:00My PetWe aren't allowed to have pets of any kind in my apartment complex (obviously they've never met my roommates). <div>
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A few months ago I found a dead bug next to my desk; he appeared to be deader than dead. I put him in a paper towel & took him to the trash can in my room. In transit, it felt like he was moving & lo & behold, he was. Homeboy immediately started crawling around. I freaked out a little & sprayed him with some cleaner but immediately felt guilty so I walked away hoping to never see him again.</div>
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When I got back from work that night I checked the trash can & he was gone; I figured that he had just fallen further down into the trash & I called it a day. The next day, however, guess who is back in the same exact spot next to my desk: Homeboy. I was freaked out so I immediately went to the Wikipedias to investigate. It turns out that the species of bug that Homeboy is hibernates during winter, & I guess there's a certain spot that they're drawn to (in this case, the area between my desk & my TV). I didn't have the heart to kill him, or put him outside, so....he's just been chilling in my room. He's kind of turned into my pet, to be honest. I know it makes me sound like I'm crazier than a shit-house rat, but knowing Homeboy is in here makes me feel a little less lonely.</div>
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Today I checked on him & saw that he was on his back. I really hope that was a defense mechanism & he isn't really dead. I'm going to leave him there for a little while longer until it starts warming up to see if he springs back to life or if he really is dead.</div>
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God, I sound crazy.</div>
Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-30075742079405446332015-02-06T16:07:00.001-05:002015-02-06T16:07:25.771-05:00MaybeSo the past few days, on top of being sick, I've noticed that I was developing a rash in my left armpit. That is pretty common due to having very sensitive skin, but this time it itched like a mother fucker. Then it opened up & started oozing. I went to the doctor after work & found out...<br />
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I have a staph infection.<br />
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She gave me a prescription for bactrim & told me to get some hydrocortisone cream & hopefully it will clear up in a few days.<br />
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While I was waiting for my prescription to be filled, I was walking around Target, just looking at the things. I found my way over to the towels, then the curtains, then lighting. Sometimes when I'm at stores like Target (actually just Target because I don't go to Wal-Mart unless I'm in dire need) I enjoy looking at the selections for home furnishings & imagine what it's like to have a big boy job, make big boy money, & live in a big boy apartment/house. Granted, I'm making strides to move up the corporate coffee ladder, but it's still something I think about. Maybe have a pet, nicer car, actual curtains & furniture that matches.<br />
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Maybe in the future. Maybe not.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-38559683180961029732015-02-04T16:16:00.000-05:002015-02-04T16:16:20.087-05:00Get Down With The SicknessOh hey. I'm glad you're reading this, especially since I haven't updated since October.<br />
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My big homey over at <a href="http://thegancer.blogspot.com/">The Gancer</a> & I are trying to keep each other accountable for writing more frequently, so we're going to try to alternate days. Hopefully that will keep the creative juices flowing.<br />
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Unfortunately, that isn't the only juice that's been flowing from me for the past week. And by that, I mean snot. I was sick about 3 weeks ago for a few days but seemed to recover pretty quickly, but then last Thursday I started getting that feeling in my throat. Then on Thursday night/Friday morning I couldn't sleep because my legs kept kicking (something that almost always signals when I'm getting sick for some reason). After work on Friday I got some preventative care stuff; I had been scheduled off on Saturday & Sunday without even asking for it & while I had literally not a damn thing to do, I didn't want to be sick.<br />
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Medicine didn't work. Sick.<br />
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I woke up around 4:30 Saturday morning unable to swallow & having a hard time breathing because my throat was so sore. Then the aches & the tingles started. That was basically my life Saturday & Sunday, punctuated by randomly falling asleep, taking hot showers to make my tingles stop & loosen the mucus, & listening to the same Fleetwood Mac song over & over. Monday I had to work & I was pretty irritable & my throat was still sore. I was off Tuesday & I slept in & my throat was still sore.<br />
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Now it's Wednesday. My throat is still somewhat sore, I have a lot of congestion, & I'm still weak. If I'm not better by Friday I'm going to the doctor.<br />
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Yes, I'm very aware that this might be one of THE MOST boring posts ever written by anyone, but I'm just going to blame it on my sickness.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-19576550939745212652014-09-21T21:56:00.000-04:002014-09-21T21:56:11.945-04:00Mr. BaileyWell, I'm still going to community college.<br />
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That in & of itself has provided numerous ridiculous situations, but none of them have fully encapsulated the community college "experience" as one student in particular who is in my Trace Evidence class. On the first day of class this semester, he strolled into the classroom late, which is his M.O. every day. My instructor didn't use his first name, & only referred to him as "Mr. Bailey." Well, Mr. Bailey, a young man around my age, sat in front of me to the right, & multiple times throughout the period he would fling his arms back to stretch & almost hit me in the head; it was then that I noticed each & every one of his fingernails was about half an inch longer than the tip of his finger. During this first class, Mr. Bailey would interrupt the instructor to ask questions that didn't really pertain to the subject matter (in this case, since it was the first day of class, the syllabus). At one point he asked how many credits he needed to shoot a gun.<br />
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Oh.<br />
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Over the next few weeks I learned quite a few things about Mr. Bailey, such as the fact that he procreated, wouldn't participate in group lab assignments due to being in a fugue state & wandering all over the classroom, & that he enjoyed coming to class high as a kite (this last one I learned the hard way, when I realized I had a contact high while sitting about 7 feet away from him).<br />
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But Mr. Bailey's finest moment came this past Thursday, on September 18, 2014. While it was a ridiculous day in many other instances (which may or may not garner a post of their own), the highlight was definitely courtesy of Mr. Bailey. We were doing a lab where we split into groups & tried to match hairs under a microscope. Since this required participation, Mr. Bailey wandered around the classroom, picking up random objects. On the other side of the room from where I was is a pulley that activates a decontamination shower, since this is a science lab. At one point I look over to where Mr. Bailey was & saw him walk right up to the lever, pull it, & release the water on himself. At first I just stared in shock, then turned around to look at the older gentleman who sits by me; he just stared back at me.<br />
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Then there was total silence from everyone.<br />
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Then laughter.<br />
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Then our instructor, a former homicide detective, yelled, "MR. BAILEY! FIRST OF ALL, PULL UP YOUR DAMN PANTS! SECOND, CLEAN UP THIS MESS! GRAB SOME PAPER TOWELS & CLEAN THIS UP! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"<br />
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Mr. Bailey was so shocked/embarrassed that he couldn't talk & instead of going for the paper towels he tried to use a roll of paper (I actually felt bad for him about that). As he was leaving the room our instructor said, "Folks, this is why you don't do drugs."<br />
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And that's the moral of the story.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-82963297154281575732014-01-18T01:26:00.001-05:002014-01-18T01:26:05.775-05:00Just A Few ThingsToday at work sucked. I came in & things were in total disarray. Tons of customers & things were just a mess. Plus, customers were pretty rude most of the night. But by the end of it my co-workers & I had gotten into a pretty decent groove & left about 15 minutes earlier than what the norm is.<br />
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Something that happened near the beginning of my shift though was my old manager coming by to pick some stuff up. I miss him so much. I miss my old store. I think in the longterm my transfer was a good move but right now I just miss how things used to be.<br />
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Also, closer to the end of the night, my old landlord came by. Definitely didn't need that at all. It just made me sad that I was basically forced out of his house, which was so reasonably priced & centrally located, & now live back with my parents an hour away. But I'm not bitter. Not at all.<br />
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On another note, school is going well. My former co-worker finally talked to me & I'm settling in nicely with my professors it seems. I did find out that one of them uses crime scene photos from local murders so I need to ask if any are of my aunt's murder. Because while I think I'd be ok reading a report on it, I think I'd be ok if I never had to see any photos of her dead. But that just may be me.<br />
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Well, I think I'm off to sleep. I'm working at another store tomorrow night so I need to be well-rested to show those honey boo boo's how it's done.<br />
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Peace.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-48356944996042087612014-01-14T23:27:00.000-05:002014-01-14T23:27:02.262-05:00First DayToday was my first day of class. For the first time in about 3 1/2 years, I had to actually sit in a classroom rather than try to stay engaged in an online setting. To be honest, I quite enjoyed it. One of the worst aspects of doing my Master's online was how disengaged it all was. While we had discussion boards that would force us to interact, there's only so much that will accomplish. Plus, it helps having the professor right there in front of you. Also I hated the thought of having my name associated with the cesspool that is Liberty University.<br />
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The first class that I took was Ethics & Community Relations. That's going to be about as exciting as an Ethics class will ever be. My night class was Constitutional Law. Again....about as exciting as a class about the constitution is going to be. But my afternoon class, the one I've been looking forward to the most: crime scene processing. We didn't do jack shit today but I'm so excited. There's also a lady in there named Queennez & I can't wait to learn more about her.<br />
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On a weirder note, there's a girl in that class that I knew as a teenager. We worked together at the movie theater & have been Facebook friends for a while; we've even been in communication since I enrolled in the program because I knew she was also in it. Guess what. Didn't even acknowledge me (not that I said anything to her but she's the more senior individual here. She should be taking me under her wing). Whatevs.<br />
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On a sentimental note, it's weird being back on that campus. When I stopped home schooling & went to the alternative high school, it was on that campus. I then took 2 years worth of classes there before transferring to Toccoa. So much of the campus has changed but in other ways it's still the same shit hole I remember. Some of the faces are familiar (professors, librarians, & janitors), but overall it's totally different. And I'm not some 17-19 year old kid anymore. Now I'm a 27 year old man-child living with his parents & commuting an hour to work at a damn coffee shop/bageleria. I've lived in 2 other states, graduated college, almost graduated graduate school, lost 2 grandparents, & lived with a roommate who filmed gay bondage porn in our basement. In some ways I feel like I've made several steps back by returning to community college but since the crime scene investigation field is one I'm actually interested in, this will hopefully be several more steps in the right direction.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-60668178433562977732014-01-06T04:21:00.000-05:002014-01-06T04:21:02.495-05:00Well Hi ThereIt's been a while, hasn't it? I thought I was done with this particular blog until I started listening to some of the music I listened to when I wrote regularly & memories started coming back. I just typed in "blogspot" in my browser & it immediately logged me in my account. Hey there, technology.<br />
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So what's been going on? Well, I'll tell you about my mess. I found a new roommate (or 2) & they were a hot mess. One constantly left the doors unlocked & was one of the most selfish people I've ever met. The other was a bully. We ended up getting broken into on New Years Eve last year (I would have been home alone had I not picked up a shift at work). The selfish one moved out & another guy moved in. He & my other roommate were like 2 peas in a fucking pod & I overheard them discussing trying to get one of their girlfriend's to move in. The only way that would be possible is if someone moved out (it obviously wouldn't be either of them). I took it upon myself to start looking for places that eventually all fell through. Unfortunately I had already told them I was planning on moving so the wheels had been set in motion. I ended up running out of time & had to move back in with my parents an hour away from work (& Raleigh, obviously). I was picked to help open a new coffee shop in Kansas City for 2 weeks around this time. And then I was asked to transfer to a new store that was trying out a new business model. That's where I am now. Commuting an hour both ways to work at a coffee shop while I live with my parents.<br />
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On the education front, I tried going back to grad school but the counseling field just isn't for me. While I might be a good listener & supportive of people in real life, I genuinely believe that being a counselor isn't my calling. Back in November I went by the local community college to get info on their Criminal Justice program & it happened to be the first day of spring registration. I took it as a sign that my calling was to be a CSI (I've been interested in that field since I was a teenager). So starting next week I'll be regressing from a Master's program to an Associate's program to find my vocational fulfillment. Whatever.<br />
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So there's that. We'll see when I update again.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-11747180965375690262012-04-03T17:10:00.000-04:002012-04-03T17:10:31.033-04:00A Few New StorylinesGuess who's still alive!<div>
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It's me.</div>
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Anyway, I know my last few posts were kind of boring & mentioned how I was just kind of at the end of my rope as far as stuff going on in my life. The depression & anxiety were completely taking over & making me completely worthless. I still struggle with that for sure, but it's improved greatly. For one thing, I started taking a new anti-depressant. The one I had been initially prescribed a few months ago prevented me from sleeping & actually caused me to become so emotionally numb that I began cutting, which I had never done before. Luckily I was smart enough to not do it in a visible place & instead used a safety pin on the inside of my thighs. Anyway, I obviously got prescribed a new medication. However, this one makes me really nauseous & messes up my sleep as well. If anything, I think just pushing through & relying on my inner strength is what has made the difference. And even though you readers may not be Christians, reading the Bible has helped as well. So there's that.</div>
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So on another note, my new career/school venture I'm wanting to pursue is to become a crime scene investigator. It's appealing to me because I could use my attention to detail (being anal retentive) for good. I also wouldn't have to interact with living people a whole lot which is a humongous plus in my book. Now I just need to find a school.</div>
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However, what I initially came here to write about is something that has come completely out of nowhere. Of the 3 storylines I'm writing about in this post, this is probably the most entertaining, as well as the most sudden. You see, my job has started a new policy effective yesterday that any time two or more shift supervisors are working at the same time, only one of them gets paid as a shift supervisor. The rest get paid $1 less as a team member. This happens when the store manager is there as well, even if he's just in the back doing admin stuff. When I found out I flipped. The main reason for this is because when I was hired, I was told I would be making a certain amount because of my customer service experience. That ended up not happening, but whatever. Then I got my yearly raise of $0.50. Then I got my promotion which was $1. All of that is well & good, except for the fact that all of the newer team members have been hired at a wage that was much higher than I was (different management). THAT means that when I'm forced to be a team member, I'm making less than every single new team member, despite the fact that I've been there for a year & a half & most of the staff we have now has been there about 3 months. We are all majorly pissed because it's like we're being punished for doing our jobs well. Even yesterday I had to clock in as a team member for 15 minutes because the manager was there for a little bit after me. I said to him, & I quote, "This is so fucking stupid." I'm classy & respectful.</div>
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Anyway, since I fancy myself an activist & am kind of spiteful, I called corporate to get a better understanding of their logic on this. The woman I spoke to (who I've talked to before) said that it was to allow shift supervisors to work more hours as team members, since it will cut back on shift supervisor overlap. Since our manager has been trying to be helpful to all of the new people he's hired by hiring them at a higher wage than the last managers did, it's screwed over his shift supervisor team. However, the HR lady said that we aren't required to work as team members. But that just means we'll have less hours total. So either way, we're screwed.</div>
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I was all gung-ho about finding a new job so I started a search today. Using a connection, I applied to be a part-time bank teller. I might also apply to some independent coffee shops &, as a last resort, Starbucks. </div>
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Depending on what happens with a new job, I might quit Caribou. I also might stay & just work a few shifts a week as a way to get some extra cash. It all depends on where I get a new job, the hours, how much I make, & how some other issues at work end up playing out.</div>
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I should update more to prevent these really long posts.</div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-91582692218461411232012-03-09T09:43:00.000-05:002012-03-09T09:43:03.159-05:00BlankI feel like I've literally run out of stuff to write about. Right now I'm just chilling at one of the Caribou Coffees in the area that I don't work at, busting my brain for ANY kind of topic.<br />
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Nothing.<br />
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I mean sure, I have a few things going on, but they aren't really the kind of thing I want to talk about on here. This was so much easier when I lived with Skidmark & My Giant. That shit wrote itself. I'm sure at some point I'll think of something to write about but right now, nope.<br />
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Nope!Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-21382001972857436612012-02-26T21:29:00.001-05:002012-02-26T21:29:45.351-05:00The Craziest ManA few weeks ago I ventured out of my depression to help Salem out with buying a van that he could then turn around & sell to make some cash. He had found this pedo-van on Craigslist (<a href="http://andrizzle-toomuchpressure.blogspot.com/2010/11/passion-of-skidmark.html">we all know how great my track record is with that website</a>) & we made our way out near Fuquay-Varina to look at it. Salem said that the guy was really nice, & that he was even going to inquire about a job (the man owned his own refrigeration company).<br />
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Once we got there I was immediately put off because the man was wearing camouflage Crocs.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e7x2KVSwug3qmJ7CWnv0FWnYiwOlFlzW3Uo495X98mrZebkSCXUOl2lUwNI7knVrCNQa-EdTVAaEz0HXuHukCXKb79Q-gP92mTrEqx1BPFuvR1tiHTbpeuvxBBL0kvIqyfyDPPf8DVlZ/s1600/camo+crocs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e7x2KVSwug3qmJ7CWnv0FWnYiwOlFlzW3Uo495X98mrZebkSCXUOl2lUwNI7knVrCNQa-EdTVAaEz0HXuHukCXKb79Q-gP92mTrEqx1BPFuvR1tiHTbpeuvxBBL0kvIqyfyDPPf8DVlZ/s320/camo+crocs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like these.</td></tr>
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He was incredibly manic, talking nonstop about anything & everything. He rambled on & on about how he beat up people in his family that were stupid with drugs. Did you know that he once hung his nephew upside down in a tree & shot at him? Well, he did. He also talked about almost every individual in his family & about how terrible they all are. Except his mother.<div>
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Then he turned the topic to the current state of welfare. Shit. I knew where this was going. He began to refer to black people as monkeys who were abusing the system. The whole time this was going on I just stared at the ground because really, what else could I do? He further proved his idiocy by referring to Michelle Obama as a "direct descendant of Tarzan's wife." This really bothered me, not just because it was offensive, but because it is freaking idiotic. Everyone knows that Tarzan's wife was Jane, who was British. White. That was literally the first thing I thought when he made that statement.</div>
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Salem ended up buying the van so we went inside for him to sign the paperwork. It was in his kitchen that I found some of the ingredients to make moonshine. Nope! We got out of there as fast as possible, with me driving Salem's car so he could drive the van.</div>
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Then Salem proceeded to get us lost for about an hour or so. And THAT'S what I get for leaving my bedroom.</div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">On the nights that I get to stay up late, I notice that I become rather introspective. I don't know if it's because I run out of stuff to read on my regular sites & stumble upon works with substance, or if maybe I get to thinking about deeper things due to no one else being up & it's truly a feeling of being alone. I like it, though.</span></div>
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When this happens, I plan. I make big plans. I'm going to start working out again. Or better yet, I'll start writing something more than some crappy blogs every so often. Or maybe, just maybe, I'll start reading books that are stimulating. OR! I might start playing the piano after my almost 6 year hiatus. Hey, if I do that, I could possibly start doing art again. I was a pretty good at pottery & incorporating mixed media into sculptures back in the day.</div>
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It's also this time of night when I hope to start eating healthier, & cooking for myself instead of eating out almost every meal. I might even become a better cook...</div>
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It's this time of night when I truly come alive. I feel like I'm a different person. I'm closer to the person I want to be, as well as the person I believe I actually am. </div>
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But then I have to go to sleep & begin the whole ordeal over again. Bitchy customers, work, family drama, & depression take hold of me once again. </div>
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On another note, I'm an awesome model. Admire my hanging arm shelf.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6em91DOhv3zQmAfdwIDPIvSQcnE0h6gNdZ0EFXhwpRg6NOe4pK_ZP99WgB6TYkAsnJqa7uqv1_f1WYA_WKcGAFPhLhInuLiiYEpd-rX5r1OsTJzo8jra4Sdx7i5s6N2-K0C45gG6vgpf/s1600/_MG_2853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6em91DOhv3zQmAfdwIDPIvSQcnE0h6gNdZ0EFXhwpRg6NOe4pK_ZP99WgB6TYkAsnJqa7uqv1_f1WYA_WKcGAFPhLhInuLiiYEpd-rX5r1OsTJzo8jra4Sdx7i5s6N2-K0C45gG6vgpf/s400/_MG_2853.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-69149593074110475522012-01-15T20:29:00.002-05:002012-01-15T20:29:11.207-05:00She's BaaaaaackRemember <a href="http://andrizzle-toomuchpressure.blogspot.com/2011/08/this-is-what-happened.html">Christy</a>? The girl with Down's Syndrome who wouldn't leave me alone?<br />
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Well, after I blocked her number a few months ago, everything seemed ok, more or less. I'd get the occasional Facebook message from someone in my old church telling me that Christy had been talking about her "best friend Andrew". She even dedicated a song to me that she sang in front of the entire church. Oh, how joyful I was when I found out. I was even more thrilled when I found out that the song was "Jesus Take The Wheel." Sigh.<br />
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Anyway, the temporary block on her number has stopped & the texting & calling has begun again. Literally, as soon as the messages started coming to me, they did. Which means she had been texting & calling me non-stop for months. Let me remind you that I have not spoken to this girl since September. I know she has special needs but this is ridiculous.<br />
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So now I just did another block on her number, as well as for her mother; both of these will expire in April. So we'll see what happens then.<br />
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Over it.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-67068798926393714742012-01-12T01:42:00.000-05:002012-01-12T01:42:19.833-05:00iFailRemember back when I used to post on this piece of shit pretty regularly?<br />
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Yeah, me neither.<br />
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Anyway, I assure you all that I am indeed alive & somewhat well. In the next few days I shall regale you with some crappy story that either just happened or happened a long time ago. I haven't decided yet.<br />
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Don't forget about me!Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439247020096758087.post-17761428812256099082011-12-21T02:42:00.000-05:002011-12-21T02:42:39.688-05:00TreatmentYesterday I took my grandma to her first chemo treatment. It went really well, despite it taking an eternity & them bruising the crap out of her hand trying to draw blood.<br />
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After the treatment was over I took her to my job to wait for my cousin & her daughter to pick her up & take her to our hometown so I didn't have to drive all the way back there (an hour). She told me, "Andrew, I'll always remember you were the one who was with me for my first treatment." That's right!<br />
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On Christmas, EVERYONE is supposed to be coming over. This will be the first time in years that this will happen. Even though there will be one less person (my grandpa), there will be more babies. My grandmother. All 5 of her kids (living) kids. The 3 in-laws. All 10 grandkids. 5 of their spouses. And all 10 great-grandkids. In a doublewide trailer. It's going to be a glorious trainwreck. Since everyone will be there & considering the circumstances, we're going to take some family pictures. That'll be interesting. The last family picture we had done was just the grandkids when I was the baby of the family (back in 1987).<br />
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I promise to post some different material in the next few days. I think I know what my next post is going to be, but I've been debating about whether or not I want to actually write it because of how embarrassing it is.<br />
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<br />Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103530125938943730noreply@blogger.com2