'Tis the season to be sneezing....

Welcome back, me, to the blog! Wow, it's been forever and a half since I last wrote something for this. I really need to learn time management, so I can do the things I love while doing the things I need to do (see: job, apartment). But we'll get into goal-setting later, it's time for an update on my life and what the heck I've been up to!

First off, the job. I have one week of training left (it's mostly being on the phones and taking calls, using all I've learned so far) that begins next week. After that, I will be put into my own team with my own supervisor and all that good stuff. I managed to get a shift I really want, so that's exciting. Also, with the exception of understanding claims, I got the rest of it down. I've been sending provider lists to customers, assigning dentists to people on DHMO plans, and so on. It's been an interesting ride into the world of dental healthcare. I will never be the same. 

The second thing is a cold. Oh yes, it hit me early this time. I somewhat blame my coworkers since they were coming in with colds and whatever else is floating around. I actually called in several times this week due to this cold, running a high fever and coughing like a madman. My voice was also slipping in and out, which is NOT something you want happening in the middle of a call. I'm easing off any fun-time karaoke until the worst of this is gone (which is happening as I speak, thankfully).

Other than that, not much else. I need to finish up  my best of 2015 list that I've been working on, continue on my writing goals, and recover from this damned cold. 

That's about it for now! Until next time!

*This post was brought to you by potato & egg tacos and my favorite album of 2016 so far: Moth by Chairlift*

BIG JOB NEWS

As y'all know, I work for a major bank's call center in collections for credit cards. Due to business needs (i.e. having the ideal schedule), my team and I are being moved from credit card collections to collecting on overdraft bank accounts. This means several things:

• a possible raise (actual amount TBA)
• new job title!
• new hours on Saturday, meaning I'll have an actual Saturday night.
• three weeks' worth of paid training starting later this month!
• new challenges and adventures

From what I understand, it's far simpler than what I do now, but more fast-paced since the calls are shorter (thank God). This opportunity was previously open to a limited amount of people in my department, but yeah... that changed quickly. Turns out it's a department that needs more people and it rather get already-trained peeps than wait to hire new ones. Can understand that, I suppose. 

I have two more weeks (counting this one) left in my old position. so I'm doing all that I can to end things there on the best note possible. I have come a long way, conquered a lot of roadblocks, and continue to improve my performance. By the time I join the new department, I'll be unstoppable and more awesome than before. 

 

~~

This post was brought to you by this summer's jam:

Huh...

Just when I was preparing for my upcoming vacation, I was ninja'd with some interesting news: another bookstore in town needs a full-time person in the kids' department and I was considered. Earlier in the month I had the interview. I went in and learned more about what is expected from a full-time kids' bookseller. It is kinda what I thought, along with other things I was surprised to know about*.

Either way, while it sounds promising and interesting (plus I won't lose my health insurance at the end of the year), I began to think whether or not it's actually a good idea to take the job.

To my utter shock, I was given the job. I was called earlier today and got the news. Yet after thinking it over and talking about it with my mother, I called back and declined the job. I'm sure they weren't thrilled about it yet I feel like this was the right thing to do.

I love working at B&N, but I'm ready to move on. I want to try out other things, take on different risks and tasks. Being a lead bookseller sounds good, but I want to move on. My hope was once I returned from San Francisco, I will start seriously job-hunting. Get the eff away from retail and get the life I wanted.

And that is what I'm gonna do.

*For the sake of being a good soul, I will not talk about these things, since it's none of y'all's damn business.

Doing What I Can

After thinking about it for a while (and reading the archives of And Then We Saved) I have decided to do a Spending Diet of sorts. I really want to have a nice chunk of change saved up in my bank for whatever things, and of course for San Francisco. In fact, I had two unexpected expenses to worry about: my glasses' temple bar broke off completely and my Fossil watch started to act weird. Thankfully I was able to find an exact replica of my frames on eBay for half the price I originally bought them for; for the Fossil watch, I got a battery replacement. So far, everything seems to be back to normal (?). My glasses fit great and my watch hasn't been acting like a doofus.

I also got my haircut at SuperCuts instead of my usual stop at JcPenney (their salons are awesome, but pricey). The stylist at SuperCuts did a great job and I only paid half of what I normally do at JcPenney (and that was with a generous tip!). Also been avoiding going out to eat and buying books and music (which hurts, I can't even begin...) Been utilizing the library more often and my job's book loan program. I checked out the new Joe Hill novel* instead of buying it (but Lordy I did want to buy it. I want to support Stephen King's son! I'll buy its eventual paperback release...)

Since the only thing I don't pay for is most groceries, this is still covered by my parents, I'm doing pretty well for someone who only works a part-time job. My car was a gift, though I do pay my share of the insurance. I pay my share of utilities (no rent, since the house is paid off. Go Mom and Dad!) I'm doing what I can with what I have at the time. I do want to move on to a better-paying job (also with great health benefits, since there are meds I need to be on, otherwise remain very healthy) but I'll have to make do. And you know what? Better to learn it now than later.

*Don't worry, B&N customers, I take excellent care of the books I borrow. And if I ever damage them in any way, I always buy it to remain fair and honest.

FYI: the title of the blog entry is a Lindsey Buckingham song.

An interesting find from last night

During the last two hours of my shift, I was cleaning up and putting away things, when I came across the spring-themed table. Lying there was a small envelope, already open. I flipped it over and saw this written on the front (I took the pictures after the fact):

Okay, can't say no to something like that...
What a pretty card! It was glittery, the picture doesn't show that well.

And what's this? A message?

Close-up of message:

What a sweet message! I was having a bummer night: I had a headache, my right knee was acting up, and some good ol' anxiety/OCD was messing with  my head. This was a much-needed dose of medicine. Even though it was already open, it was probably for anyone who needed a little pick-me-up.

As I carried it around, considering whether to keep it or not, a female customer saw that I had it and said "You found it!" I thought she was "Alice", but then she revealed to be the person who first opened it. We talked about it for a bit, then she asked if I was going to leave it. "In fact," I said. "I'm gonna do just that."

After taking the pictures, I sealed it with tape and hid it somewhere in the store. No need to keep something like this to myself. Someone may need this more than me.

Whoever you are Alice, thank you very much. You brightened the night of one customer and one retail employee. May good things happen to you. You have a good soul. I hope you are just as lovely inside and out as your handwriting.

Long-Due Update

Hey peeps, this is your Frustrated Lady Writer here to give y'all an update in the friendly and readable format of bullet points.

• New Year has been a strange one so far. For one, I am going to lost my part-time health benefits from  my job in 2013. Probably by then I'll be working somewhere else and getting health insurance from grad school. *hope*
• Doing well on the reading challenges. Read the first two of the Wrinkle in Time quintet. That's about it so far.
• Getting on with my resolutions. Been exercising and eating better. 
• Will protest SOPA and PIPA by joining the blackout. Wanna do it too? Here is the link for more information.

As for the latter, my website will go dark in protest around 8 AM and will return 12 hours from then. Hopefully during this time everyone will contact their political representatives and join the Internet community in solidarity to protest SOPA and PIPA.

Even if you don't have a site, do your part and contact your representative(s). Because the louder the voices, the louder the NO, the more that these bills will die in Congress. 

Thoughts on Christmas

It has been a very rough retail season for me so far. It has been very hard to show some semblance of joy when the ratio of customers to booksellers is 7:1. People keep interrupting me when I'm helping another customer for something that honestly, they could've waited another minute on. Yes, I know you're busy. No, I don't care how busy you are, I really don't. Stop telling me who it's for or why you're buying it, I didn't ask you. Do not get mad when I don't have a certain item, I have no sympathy for someone who waits until the day before to go get something.

That doesn't mean I should be expressing all that in any form or fashion. It doesn't help the situation. I have been really bad about it. They don't care about how I feel and why should I expect them to care? And my co-workers feel the same way, so why bother bringing it up? It's preaching to the converted.

For the last five years, retail has made me hate Christmas. I used to enjoy it, the togetherness and sharing of grand feasts. The gifts were a bonus. I love giving and receiving gifts. The thing is, I enjoy it when I have the freedom to do it, i.e. doing it on my own volition. With that attitude, I enjoy giving more and feel that the gifts have more love put into them. That's why I love giving random gifts to my sister. That's why I enjoy Secret Santa (which is voluntary). I don't like being forced because... well, because it's Christmas, deal with it.

Of course, people are not shopping with all that in mind. It becomes pressure, that drive to make sure that everyone you know (including the distant cousin you only met once at the family reunion down at the coast) gets something. No gift cards, that is considered thoughtless! These days, people do appreciate "free" money to use at their favorite store. And to be honest, I always hated that "gift cards are thoughtless" business.

Growing up, my parents wanted to instill within me and my little sister a sense of gratitude. They encouraged relatives to buy us only two gifts per kid, just so we could enjoy each gift (unless it honestly sucked. Nana, I'll never forget those McDonald's gift certificates. Especially after Papa got me a Barbie doll bed and my sister a remote-controlled fire engine the same year). Of course, my parents were looked upon as freaks. Over time, the gifts evolved into just money, which is fine.

"But Frustrated Lady Writer", you say to the screen, "why are you letting all this get to you? Eff those who are rushing around and partaking in greed, don't let it all get to you." I know, I know. But it still does. I'm hyper-sensitive by nature, always been. I can easily become overwhelmed by large crowds and cacophonies of noise. I have avoided malls and most shopping centers during Christmas for this reason. I have since been able to attend concerts, but it can still be overwhelming.

Either way, this year, I'm spending Christmas with my best friend and her family. My folks are out of town for Christmas camping (an annual tradition). I'm perfectly fine with this. It all will change as I move away and go to graduate school, but always with things to do on my mind.

Whatever you have going on during these holidays, may you be warm, well-fed, and loved.

I concede, I concede; here is my white flag.

I have purchased an e-reader. Yes, one from my job. No, not the full-color ones with Angry Birds on it (I'll be getting an iPhone for that later). The "simple" one, the one with only Wi-Fi capabilities to download an infinity of free samples of books I've been meaning to read for years.

Man, I actually like the thing. It's a surprising godsend. As I mentioned, the free samples are wonderful. It gives me a chance to read a few chapters to get a "feel" before either buying it or passing on it. It is similar to going to the library, grabbing a huge stack of random titles, and finding a place to sit to peruse. But unlike most patrons, I won't leave a huge mess behind. A lot of times, as an unashamed bibliophile, I have a huge-ass list of "to-read books". This will help eliminate the bummers and get me to the good stuff.

No, I will not buy e-books exclusively. I will still purchase hard copies. It will be easy to judge which ones to purchase as e-books versus hard copies. I don't know how it will work, but trust me, I'm getting a feel for these things.

I originally wanted one when, at work, there was a possible chance I could win one. When that didn't happen, the desire to own one stuck with me. Then, in a series of serendipitous events, the path was laid out for me to own the little bugger (whom I named "Calliope", "Callie" for short). 

For Callie and I, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

~

On a side note, Jeffery Eugenides wins an Internet for this billboard. Hell, I'll try to read the book again just because I forgot how much this was so damn genius. Attn: writers: humorous book release billboards = Frustrated Lady Writer wanting to read said book (even if she hated the first twelve pages of it at first read).

Things That Happened While I Was Not Posting...

in bullet list form for easier reading!

• I had a serious wake-up call about my current job last week. Now, I'm on the search for a new, full-time job. 
• Haven't studied the GRE completely in about two weeks. Good thing I have almost two months to study...
• I have considered never posting on Twitter again. Unless a long stretch of my life suddenly gets exciting.
• I saw Driftless Pony Club at a show and got their EP Expert autographed. They're great live.
• Got a metric ton of Women's Studies books from Borders, since they're going out of business.

  Speaking of the last thing, I have avoided the topic of bringing up who exactly I work for. Honestly, I wanted to avoid getting fired for saying bad things. It is time, in lieu of Borders's closing, to reveal. But for those who have read the few times I mentioned it and put the pieces together, it is probably easy.
  I work for Barnes & Noble. I have been there for almost five years (this coming November). Thanks to this job, I have met so many great writers from all over the country. Had fun experiences with customers and co-workers. It was a wonderful place to work while I was in college. But it is time to move on.
  I need full-time, consistent employment. In this economy, that is a hard thing to find. There has to be something there that will fit me.

  And that is what transpired in the last week or so. Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna make some more posts to make up for the lack of them...

What's Been Happening So Far...

This weekend, as part of my job at the non-profit, I'm joining my co-workers in a parade. I already decorated my ridiculous fish hat with colorful curly ribbons to commemorate the good times. I'm excited about it, but also concerned. I think I am getting a cold, but that's not going to stop me. But it won't surprise me if I pass out Sunday night (also after going to see Vienna Teng in concert [whoo-hoo!]) and wake up the next day feeling like a semi had struck me.

So much to do with plenty of time to do it, believe it or not. Today, time is surplus.

I'm also thinking of taking up a few hobbies to help me through some of the rough patches in my life at the moment. Atop that, gain more skills and knowledge. Like bookbinding and making soaps, even going back to drawing. Though, the last thing I want to do is get bogged down in too many hobbies.

So far, got a few things done. A few more before going to the bookstore for a closing shift.

I need to stay on top of this blog.

On the topic of e-readers and literature these days (from the bookseller)

So yeah, I work at a bookstore that is concentrating on selling e-readers, besides the usual I normally do. I got to try it out a while back. It's a neat little gadget, pretty easy to use especially if you already own a smartphone of sorts (in this case, iPhone). I'm a sucker for awesome gadgets, and e-readers do charm me for that alone.

There is a purpose for these little e-readers, they're for those who travel a lot and don't wanna carry a whole bunch of hardcover bestsellers. But I am concerned that it will be replacing the standard published book. If it does, I feel then that I have no choice but to go to e-readers, when having one right now is an optional choice.

Lemme clarify this: it's like the way we all rent DVDs. You almost have no choice but to rent online. In my town, there are no Blockbusters and Hollywood Videos. If I searched, there's a chance even Movie Gallery and other smaller stores like that aren't around, either. Yes, I've seen RedBox, but the variety is limited.

This Slate.com article points out how these days, one can Wiki practically anything and learn all there is to, let's say, major depression. For some, that is enough. But even as someone as pro-Wikipedia as myself, that is not enough. I can Wiki all about Talking Heads until my eyes bleed, but nothing beats reading entire books on them. Think of some of the best Wiki pages you've ever seen. Even then, those contain a "greatest hits" of information, if you will.

I've had customers tell me that they do own e-readers, but still buy hard copies. While that does comfort me some, not everyone is gonna be like that. There are gonna be folks who will embrace the technology and think nothing more of it. And there will still be folks who don't give two damns about books anyway, but that's not the focus.

But this article here also gives me some hope. To say the "literary snob is dead" would be appropriate. The writer points out that literature as we know it is dying, and it should. But also, it assures me who believes that e-books will not replace hard copies entirely. Like MP3s to CDs, it is just another option.

The article also talked about the situation going on at the New York Times Book Review, where Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner criticized the section for thumbing their noses at writers like them while praising Jonathan Franzen and his new novel Freedom. I agree with the situation, especially with chick lit. It's just as legit as any other form of writing. It deserves the same attention. So yes, down with the literary snob!

I keep finding articles that tell me different statistics, the percentage of those who have one and those who don't. Also, that Salon article mentioned something that I'm getting damn sick of: social networks. Having read The Shallows, the writer talked about how e-readers will be able to connect readers to Facebook on books, making it easier to socialize. Uhm, hi. Forgot about book clubs? Message boards? We already have something like that, you silly geese. It also doesn't help that I think social networking sites are (slightly) necessary devils. I'm all for connecting people with their reading, but this might be the wrong way to go about it.

On a lighter note, a fun reason why Kindles are not the best thing.

I'm excited about the future, but honestly I'm also as fearful. Anything is possible, but all I hope is that it is for the good. May we have the choice of either the e-reader or a hard copy.

Amen to that.