The amazing allure of the dollar Mood: mischievious Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
So my life and my job status are in upheaval.... An interesting series of events have made me switch career paths already.... It seems that the best thing to do is write a blog about.... About shopping.
I headed out last night to get a gallon of milk. I had found out that the nearby Walgreen's had milk for sale at a $1.99 per gallon of milk. That is the most I am willing to pay for milk. Anything higher is too high. That was the only reason I was in there and that was the only thing I was going to buy. I was wandering about looking at things because you should always shop at a leisurely pace and you should never shop for groceries on an empty stomach. I was slowly making my way to the cooler when I spied a box of Crunch n' Munch for a dollar. Now had it been a dollar and change it would have been overlooked but something about the magical price of a dollar seems to make sense to me. Anything for a dollar has a higher chance of being bought by me. Once it goes over a dollar I debate the merits of the purchase. A dollar is the magic price for me. So I grabbed a box. I continued on and as I neared the milk cooler I first passed the frozen food section. Last week I had bought a small pint of ice cream at the dollar price and I was checking to see if that sale was still going. It wasn't but that was when I noticed microwaveable french fries for a dollar. I soon realized that I needed to stop leisurely perusing the store because all I had was 5 dollars to spend anyway. So I grabbed the milk and dragged myself away from everything else that was priced with a huge dollar sticker. I would have bought a pair of blinders had they been a dollar just to make it out of the store. I paid for the items and hopped into the car and headed home wear I dined on Crunch n' Munch and french fries. Talk about health nut!
So what is the deal with my compulsion to buy things at a dollar price range? What makes me spend so much at the dollar store? Something about knowing that my items only cost a dollar a piece give me the illusion of frugality. In reality I spend 20 dollars easily every time I hit the dollar store. I love Albertson's as well because they have the 10 for $10 sales all the time. I try things that I would normally ignore if they are at the excellent and amazingly tantalizing price of a dollar. It is crazy! I have decided that I want to let major manufacturers realize that I am more then willing to eat smaller portions if they price those at a dollar. I am more likely to get on the bandwagon of new items if I can get them for a dollar. That being said I still think Mac and cheese should be 10 for a buck, candy bars should max out at a buck, I should be able to get a six pack soda for a buck and a gallon of gas for a buck. I might be a little behind the times on somethings but you know that if everything had a quantity for a dollar you would buy it too....
I think next time I get a date I might take her to the dollar store and say anything you want is yours... hehe
My day or a lesson in the proper use of mental shielding Mood: energetic Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
I should be in bed already....
I mean it is way too late to be up and writing a blog entry that I could have wrote hours ago. Unfortunately someimtes I can't fall asleep until what I need to do is done. This time I think it is a quick or semi quick entry and then maybe then I can fall into sleep. It's a big day tomorrow and I am nervous....
Today was a good day. Ice Cube wrote about a 'good day' in a rap song but this was a good day completely different from that one. I don't live in the 'hood and I don't get harassed by the police. I don't even get to duck during drive bys.... So not having those things happen is not a new experience or a good experience it is just a normal experience. Today was a good day because I went out and explored a little and it didn't even cost me gas. My mom hooked up the bus pass for the month of August. So all I had to do was get to a bus stop. On the bus I studied collegiate promotional materials and tried to decide what programs made sense. I was at a stopping point and still on the bus. So I took a few minutes to look around. I noticed other people buried in books, plugged into iPods, and otherwise staring out the window. No one spoke to each other. No one made eye contact everyone created a mental barrier and hid behind it. I returned to my perusing of the course catalog for Marylhurst University and retreated back to my secret wall. In reality I was staring at the book and periodically flipping the pages while I thought about the reality of today's world. We are so scared of bad people and awkward situations that most of us do our living in specific places. With a core group of friends and family, people from work and hundreds of people on the internet. We actively guard against unwanted contact so much that the person right next to us might have been the friend or special someone we always look for. I started thinking about my barriers and I started to slowly take them down. I put the book away. I sat up straighter and I let my mouth position itself into a smile. Unfortunately the bus and the tram that followed are not the places to make direct eye contact. The more you look around and watch the more people develop a hole in their vision for where you are. I was determined to not let that affect me. I stepped off the tram and, still wearing that smile, I went into the library to return the books I had had for a month and a half that I probably spent 10 minutes looking at. Then I headed into the fiction section and selected a few books to peruse. It happened to be busy and every table had a person (not people just a person) sitting there. One table was particularly long so I headed over there and I asked to share the table and was met with a mumbled ascent and the person reengaged themselves to reading their book. The smile had not worked so far. I read for a while and after getting a wee bit antsy I decided to look for a few other books. I headed up the stairs to the third floor where the art books were. I was looking for a book on bookbinding and figured it would be a good place to start. I was wrong and I had to descend a level. I was wandering around looking for my section when a librarian asked if she could help me. My instincts and reflexes produced "No, I'm ok." Then I remembered my promise. I turned back to her and I said: "Actually I am looking for this series of numbers but I must have missed them." She took me over to the section and I thanked her and she went back to collating or whatever it is that librarians do... I had made contact... not significant contact but it was a step in the right direction. I selected a book and headed own to the checkout area. I was heading towards the machines that let you do it yourself but I realized what I was doing and changed course. The lady checked the book to me and asked about whether I had done any bookbinding and next thing you know we had a conversation. Success! Unfortunately another person was waiting to check out and we said our good-byes. I headed from there to the art supply shop to look at expensive paper and try to price the book binding equipment suggested in my book. I had a few dollars in my pocket so I bought a paper awl and as I was checking out the art school kids running the counter were discussing the merits of Gone With The Wind. One girl behind the counter had only made it to the horse death scene where Scarlet rides and whips the poor thing to an early grave. She had quit there and had never looked back. Two others including the girl that was helping me were extolling the virtues of the movie. Calling it the greatest movie ever. I had been debating whether to get into this ruckus and this was my chance. I have never been a huge fan of the movie so I said "You have to see it. You have to watch it all the way through. You don't have to like it but it is a part of American cinematic history. It is referenced in pop culture still. You have to see it for the referencing alone. Then once you have seen it you never have to watch it again. I haven't." This got a laugh from the girl who had abandoned the movie and a newcomer who added his two cents "Worst movie ever made". The two lovers of the movie were shocked and with a giggle I left with my paper awl. I continued wandering around with my smile and my urge to socialize. I wandered a mall called Pioneer Place which is a 4 story indoor mall. It has two sections which means if you walk in on one street you come out 2 streets down at the other side. I rode the escalators up and down every level and then headed out and caught the tram back to the bus stop. Along the way the tram was crowded it was rush hour and I remembered why people put up a mental wall on the bus. This guy got on and he looked older then dirt. A lady kindly offered his seat which he exclaimed "I am only 39!" Then proceeded to ramble in his slurry speech about this horrible story and that horrible story. He survived cancer but his wife left him, his neighbor skipped town and left an annoying cat whining in his house that he was taking to the pound, every young person thought he was old even genuinely old people offered their seat to him, did I mention he was slurring his words and looked like he was older then dirt? So I put my smile back in my pocket and I brought the newly borrowed library book out and I checked back in to my mental barriers. I realized the likelihood of sitting and trying to fake my interest for a 40 minute bus ride would be to much and I decided to avoid that. SO smile when you can escape but be protective when there is no escape.
Good Night (or good morning depending on where you read this), Reverand Michael James Williams
A quick update and 2 quick movie reviews Mood: d'oh Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
My idea of a position that needs to be filled quickly and the pub's idea seem to be two different conclusions. I figured I would be working by Wednesday if not Tuesday. They have me coming in for orientation on Friday. They still haven't given me any idea on hours I will work. So I am still in the dark. I hate waiting. I do have a pretty big interview before I go to the orientation and with any luck that interview will go somewhere. We shall see.
In the meantime I am completely caught up with my dvr'd shows and I have watched all of my netflix movies and I am a day away from replenishment. So I have nothing to do really. So I have decided to head downtown via the bus. My mom bought me a month pass and I am aching to use it.
I wanted to just quickly review 2 movies I saw this week. The first was Dave Chapelle's Block Party. I saw Dave Chappelle and was sure it would be a lauhg riot but what it was was a big concert that Dave put on with several hip hop stars. Sure he was being Dave in it but it wasn't a comedy. It was kind of interesting. They showed Dave going out promoting a free concert in Brooklyn. He invited several people from his Ohio town including the local college band. He provided their transportation as well. Then he was in New York promoting the show. It was free! It included acts like Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, The Roots, Erykah Badu, and a reunited Fugees group. It was actually a very entertaing movie and a great concert. I would recommend this to people who like hip hop music or people that used to like rap music. I was amazed that they actually said something in their music. In popular rap music today they are too busy telling you how rich they are and how many cars they have or how much Cristal Champagne they guzzle. So it was fun to hear some people who still think hip hop can say and mean something.
The other one was The Ringer..... Yeah don't bother. It was painfully stupid and very hard to watch. It took me 4 hours to watch it and it is only an hour and a half long. Apparently Special Olympics signed off on this movie, it doesn't make fun of the people a whole lot in fact many of the actors in this movie are "special". It is still a horribly painful movie to watch. So just walk by it.... or better yet run away from it.
A little update Mood: spacey Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
It is a new month. I have a new job.... that I am not sure when I get to start. That should be answered today. I am supposed to get a call from the boss. She will let me know what the shifts will be. In the meantime I am heading to a few schools to see about going back to school. Today I will be talking to Marylhurst and Portland State University. I have an appointment with Marylhurst but I plan on just showing up at PSU.
I still have a few interviews this week. One of them is a hold over from last week that I set up not sure if I would have a job or not. Now that I do that one is one I want to cancel. I looked up the company and from what I can tell it is not my scene. The other is a well paying gig that would take advantage of my insurance industry knowledge. I do want that one.
Other then that everything is going as good as it can when you are unemployed and have no money. :)
WOO(freakin')HOO Mood: vegas lucky Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
I am adding another report to let you know I was offered a job. I did indeed accept it as well. I was offered a position at McMenamin's in West Lynn, OR. I will be part of the pubstaff. My job duties will include: Serving, pouring drinks, waiter, cook, cleaning crew, prep crew. I am looking forward to starting although it is a bit hazy about when that is. The boss lady has the weekend off so she will be calling me Saturday to let me know when and possibly where my training shifts will be. I may need to train at another facility because apparently the pub I will work at will be mad crazy busy. Which is good. Don't ask about money because I didn't. COnsidering the job it probably is hugely good that it is tip aided. The tips are community so everyone shares the tip pot at the end of the shift.
This is also the job that stirred me to write the previous entry (Employers and their words of impending doom!) about the doomsaying ways of employers. She talked about the kitchen being 107 degrees because they can't air condition it and get all made to order food out properly..... which made no sense but I just nodded and smiled. She also talked about upset customers and sometimes the kitchen being slow. She talked about every horrible thing she could think of and I smiled and nodded politely. Apparently that was a good move because later in the day I was awarded the job with the kitchen from Hell.
Employers and their words of impending doom! Mood: don't ask Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
I have noticed a disturbing trend with employers lately. They are extremely negative about the jobs they hire for. They tell you about the worst possible situations and conditions they can think of. They tell you about the non-stop horrible occurences. They ask about how you would handle an extremely hard day when nothing goes well. They make you want to quit before you even get the job.
They say that this is to prepare you for those times. They want you to be informed. They feel "honesty is the best policy". They scare you into nearly crying everytime you walk into their establishment and see the poor workers. It's horrible and yet it is a good thing right? They let you know you can have bad days. That is realistic and good right? There intentions are honorable right?
I tend to see it a different way. They are painting this bleak little picture because they want to be able to say "I told you..." They want to take away complaints before they are complaints. They want to be able to work you to death and blow you off with the words: "You knew what you were getting into when we had our interview!"
I live again! Mood: lucky Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
I would like to say thanks to all my supporters and well wishers during my time of need. The computer less world was filled with sorrow and many tears.... I was not sure if I would make it but I did. I would also like to thank my dad for donating his computer to get me back on the internet at home.... my computer and I are an integral part of the American dream! Hallelujah!
Well the world keeps spinning and I keep spending a lot of money on gas to go to interviews with staffing agencies. These are truly a waste of time. I go in there after they call me and I go through a lengthy interrogation that includes torture techniques and I walk out of there unemployed. What happened to that perfect position for me? Do I talk myself out of them? I know I do fairly well in other interviews but I never do well in staffing agency interviews. Everytime I give an answer they just continue to silently sit and stare until I nervously blurt out something else just to get them to talk... They are evil! I was really upset about the electrical shocks they applied as I hung suspended from the ceiling withy water dripping down me. It was awful! I decided that tomorrow will be the last time I waste gas on an interview with a staffing agency. I already agreed to go so I will follow through but after that the answer is no more! I have a few interviews I have done including a few phone interviews that seemed positive and I have a few more to do this week. I am really anxious to get in to a company and working soon.... I know that I filled the gas tank up for the last time until I do get a new job....
Anyway wish me luck or write me hate mail but either way drop a line: crazedlunatik@gmail.com
My Computer Died Mood: blue Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
The unthinkable happened. My computer died Saturday night. One minute I am about to play an online game of Neverwinter Nights and the next minute the screen is saying it is in backup mode and the computer is off. It won't power back on. My best bet is that it is the power supply that went down. Either way it is a problem that has no immediate fix when there is no income.
My mom told me it was probably a good thing because it would make my only way of applying be in person. You can tell she has not applied in a long time. Most places go out of there way to avoid face to face occurances. A lot of jobs make you fill out an application on a computer at there locations and you get the same response you did applying for jobs at home. Which is nothing. You never hear from them.
At the moment I will probably not be spending much time writing in the library to you guys. Sorry but I need to spend the time applying and responding to emails.
It's Hot!! Mood: on fire Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
It's 84 degrees as I right this..... It's 8:45 AM.... It is going to be a hot day. I am trying to figure out what to do. I was thinking I should go someplace I can kill hours at. I can't stay at home yesterday it was over a 100 degrees, 104 to be exact, outside and it was pretty darn close in my apartment. I can't drink enough water! It never really did cool down enough in my apartment last night. My room is still quite a noticeable degree hotter then the living room and the living room is uncomfortable. The fans are working overtime but it is just too hot. This is getting rediculous.... I mean where the heck are the AC units??? What is this crap! I am cranky and exhausted (I don't sleep well when it's hot). My mom found out I was cranky yesterday when she called. All I can think of at the moment are the negatives. I have no job, I am hot, I am broke, I have no AC, I am hot, I am hot, I am hot, I am hot and I want to smack that random guy over there. This sucks.
Anyways yesterday I went to the movies and saw Clerks II at 1:30 pm. I don't feel like reviewing it right now.... ask me again when it isn't so dang hot! Then I went to the local mall and read inside Barnes and Noble until 7:30 pm. Then I wandered around Walmart until 9:30 pm and then I came home to a burning hot home. I drank iced water and had an ice cream bar but it was still too hot.
Today I am trying to figure out where to go that will have more options nearby. I have been thinking about going downtown. I figure they have bookstores, coffee shops, movies and libraries all pretty close together. I just hate to pay for parking.... and I have no desire to ride the bus.... I am cranky and waiting around in the heat probably will make me more so. All I know is I need to decide what to do soon... It is getting hotter.
The Heat and Late Night Commercials Mood: mischievious Topic: One Ramblin' Ranter!
It's 4 AM. It's 4 AM and I have been up since 2:30.
I laid down at about midnight.... and it was hot in the house. It had gotten up to about 94 degrees today and will break a 100 the next few days. I know half of my readers are thinking... "So? It's been over a 100 degrees since January in Phoenix." Yeah well you have air conditioning. Yeah..... air conditioning would be nice. So how will I be able to beat the heat? I plan on hanging out in the frozen food section of the grocery store. I saw a nice lawn chair in the "Seasonal" section. I figure I will grab that and drag it over..... maybe a few beers. They also have a barbeque. I think I will grab that too. I mean heck they have everything I need there. Charcoal, lighter fluid, all kinds of meat, corn, potato salad and chips. Think they will mind? Is it a good idea to bbq indoors?
Anyways so I haven't slept tonight. I laid down about 12:30 and I woke up about 2 AM. I woke up thinking I was going to get sick. This happens everytime it gets this hot here. I can't sleep and when I finally do I end up all most spewing. But hey it doesn't get that hot here. You know I think that is just the apartment complexes way of avoiding putting in ac units. They make you feel like a luxury.....
I find myself watching late night Comedy Central shows... is it really late night? Wouldn't it be uber-early morning shows? So the shows all seem to have one thing in common.... they are majorly censored and every break is a girls gone wild ad.... It was driving me crazy because there are a lot of commercial breaks in a half hour show where you only hear every third word and the rest is a series of beeps. Anyways so about the 30th ad I broke and I called the number. Yeah I did it.... I called the number and a woman answered and was thanking me for calling about the exciting girls gone wild video and I said "If I buy this video will you stop showing the commercials?" She was not amused.... It seemed so dang funny when I grabbed the phone. So I ended up getting the deluxe edition where the girls read classic literature while flashing for beads..... hehe
mischievious
energetic
d'oh
spacey
vegas lucky
don't ask
lucky
blue
on fire