What strikes my nerve

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.72.11
Current Song - Sweetheart (Franke and the Knockouts)

It's Friday afternoon, and both East End and Dixon East schedules are not made yet. That's really odd.

This is the kind of thing that irritates me. Not knowing my schedule until the last minute isn't good when I try to figure out what to do in my off days.

Plus, Dixon has to know what I'm doing in Sterling before they make their schedule. Yikes!

Doing What I want to Do

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.52.11
Current Song - Across the Universe (The Beatles)

Today was one of those days where I wanted to just walk out and leave.

After trying to get new pumps at our store, we finally got them last week. We were toward the bottom of the list for some reason (along with Walnut and maybe Davis). There were many times the credit card readers would not work. This was one of the reasons why I yearned for new pumps.

We got them. But the network connecting register and pump doesn't want to cooperate. That's just one problem: the other involves the collective consciousness of the store's customer base. Let's talk about the latter.

There's a certain procedure to operate the new pumps. 1. Lift up the nozzle. 2. Select the grade of fuel. 3. Wait for the pump to authorize. 4. Begin pumping. Sounds like any pump out there, doesn't it?

However, there are many older customers who seem to think that their own way of doing it is the only way it will work. To them I say, please understand the English language. There is a screen on the pump. "Please wait" means please wait. "Please wait" does NOT mean hold on to the lever, or lock it. "Please wait" is not directed to the gas that's coming out, but rather a direction to you the pumper.

If anything it made me more impatient having to walk this through the customers than the impatiences of the customers themselves. I darn near had a brain hemorrhage at the end of my shift. I think I pissed off many customers today, and even a few friends. I don't normally do this, but the emotions just kept coming back with each error.

During each period of calm, I tried to imagine myself following my dreams and escaping this joint. Then it would disappear.

When I got back home, I wrote something (with the Beatles' Across the Universe humming in my head):

"I want to fly away. I want to escape from the problems that are bugging me. I can't be frustrated many times. It's happened before.

When I get tense, I imagine myself accomplishing my dreams. I lose all focus of the present. The constant interruptions get annoying. I want to break free from the annoyance and fly away toward my dreams.

I am where I am because it contains a couple of things that I want: money and friends. I have made some money and garnered a few friends. But I'm still unhappy inside.

I want to fly away and toward my dreams. But what may be in my way? If there's something, I want to rid of it.

There are those who say it cannot be done anymore. That it's closed off to new people. But not if it can be re-revolutionized by my presence.

With each passing day I dream of new ways to enhance my dream. I dream of making new friends in thise quest and establishing a friend base I can always lean on in times of need. At least they can understand where I'm coming from.

Probably the biggest obstacle I have is the timing of this dream.

I'm 23 years old. I have a lot of life left in me. If something were to destroy my dream with plenty of time left, I'd have a life for not. Thus I can create a backup plan. I know what I can do. I can create new dreams based on the experiences of prior ones. It'll be a cycle, with each version being better than the previous one.

However, what I want now is something I want to do for the rest of my life.

I have the support. I will end up having the time. But will I have the fuel to accomplish my dream? And thus fly away from the problems that are in front of me?

I want to fly away. I want to be myself, and I want to enjoy doing what I want to do.

My dreams - here I come."

Nothing's gonna change my world.

It starts with some cutting back and preservation measures.

Clawing back

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.52.11
Current Song - Open Your Eyes (Doobie Brothers)



Another virus hit the computer. So I just got it back, and am in the process of trying to make sure this doesn't happen again.

I think this happened because of the long process of using HighSchoolSports.net's scheduling service. I wanted to create a master schedule of all of the NISB teams. However, the process ended up nearly crashing my computer and therefore letting a virus come in. So much for that project. So I went ahead and deleted my account with it.

I also deleted several accounts on websites that I don't go to anymore.

The Week Ahead

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.71.11
Current Song - Virtual Insanity (Jamiroquai)

I don't have class today due to Sauk's inservice. So that frees me up to go anywhere tonight. I'm going to the opening night of the Bureau Valley Thanksgiving Tournament. It is one of two new Turkey tournaments starting in the area: the other being in Rochelle.

I also have Wednesday open, as I usually do. I may wind up doing some website cleaning all day.

I'm working the Thursday midshift and get off at 5. I'm working the Friday night shift @ Dixon. I plan on covering Morrison's semifinal game vs. GCMS on Saturday afternoon, then heading to work afterward. I've already been okayed for a late start.

Pulling off another double-shift on Sunday.

I'm trying to find something for Wednesday the 23rd. I will be covering the final day of the Sauk Valley Shootout on the 28th.

---

I worked the midshift on Monday afternoon, and was unexpectedly asked to train someone. This was also inventory day, so it was absolutely nuts. I'm training her once more on Friday. So I get to train someone how to close a store that I have never closed before. How weird is that?

Work Never Ends

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.31.11
Current Song - Pray (MC Hammer)

I'm working today from 11-5 in addition to the usual weekend nights.

I'm working the mid at Dixon, and once again rushing to get to my film class. If I'm not working at my place on Tuesday, I'm going to see the debut of the Bureau Valley girls Thanksgiving tournament that night. Most likely working at my place Wednesday and Thursday. Working my first close at Dixon on Friday night. Doing Saturday night at my place, and once again going double on Sunday.

At least that's what I think I'm doing.

I know I'm going to write girls basketball previews this weekend.

This is the time of year I hate -- when sports and work collide.

Cards: What's For Sale

Cutter's Log - Supplemental

Information on the thousand-for-a-hundred set ($100)
Information on the other starter sets and certain cards

Just added:

Box of 64 super-star cards (including game used, rookies, couple of autographs): Book value nearly $400 ... selling it for $75.

Or just take the entire collection of available sale items for $400.

Wednesday Free Day

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.11.11
Current Song - Biggest Part of Me (Ambrosia)

Today is Veteran's Day: I'm going to use this day to buy five of the Veteran's Cash scratch-off tickets. I really only buy scratch-off tickets during holidays.

I'm also going to be registering for spring classes at SVCC today. I have to do it through an advisor because of a prerequisite conflict. I was suggested to take ART 231 in SHS's Tech Zone, but a requirement for that class is a lower level one. But I was given "consent of instructor" to take it. After I get that registered, I'll have to call the TZ and create a class time. Once I create a class time, I'll then pick which speech class I will take.

Once my spring class schedule is determined, I'll create my custom work schedule for the semester. The semester ends on December 8 and begins January 11.

Really that's all I have planned for today. I'll be going to the Morrison-Orion football game on Saturday. I'll also have to find something to do for Tuesday the 17th, because we have no class on that night. I may get started on the F5 today.

As far as work is concerned, I'm expecting a 5-day check tomorrow and a six-day check next Wednesday.

Other Stores

Cutter's Log - Supplemental

I finished my third day at Dixon East. I'm not going to be needed for the rest of the week, and I don't know the possibilities of the week after. I'm going to assume that they'll get someone hired by then. So I'm going into today thinking I've worked my last day there.

I found the experience working there a great one. I don't know if that's how the others feel, though. Personally, I've learned a thing or two from the way they run things there, which I can carry over to my own store.

1. Mystery Shopper - I have NEVER been that fond of the whole Mystery Shopper thing. Sometimes I think it's only out there to ruin employees. I was that lucky person seven times. I passed 6 of 7. The one I didn't pass was a November one. We never had that at BP, and I kept saying, "have a good day" after every customer. That soon changed to "we'll see you later." I've passed "shoppers" that way.

Apparently the correct salutation is something in the tune of "stop in again." I tried saying that early on at my store, but it felt very awkward after saying it. Especially because I get the same customers over and over again. So I started saying that. I'm going to retry this at my store, and see if this still feels weird.


2. Facing Bills - Someone please comment on this one and explain this to me.

I never face my bills. Here's why:

Take two pop cans. Put one on the table and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Now, take the other can and flip it over and put that on the table, and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Do the same with five-dollar bills. Put one on the table right-side-up and ask yourself if that is a five-dollar bill. Now, take another five-dollar bill and flip it over and put it on the other bill. Is that a five-dollar bill?

I've always thought this was some sort of OCD thing. After looking up the whole phenomenon on the Internet, I found out that banks HAVE TO have their bills upright. The money we get in the register goes to banks eventually. Facing them before entry in the register cuts time.

Now, banks have to have it that way. But people? I guess it depends on how much flexibility one can handle. I have found myself able to have a TON of flexibility, do I consider this a talent?

Another thought on this: if you keep doing it, does it really get contagious? It's like I'm being forced to change to accommodate those who can't count as quick as I can. And another: I don't face my coins.


3. Sandwich making made easy - I had to make 24 salad sandwiches the Sunday afternoon I was there. I don't make more than six in a month at my place. After looking at the list of sandwiches I nearly gasped. That was until I was shown how to make six of them at a time.

I never made sandwiches until a few months ago. I now make them as needed, which isn't often.



I changed my salutation to "we'll see you later" after finding out "see 'ya" didn't work. That was a pickup from Route 30. Another pickup from Route 30 was the amount of money per drop. Theirs is more than ours, and I have found that a more confortable way of dropping.

Ripped?

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.01.11
Current Song - Ah Leia! (Donnie Iris)

Advice on finding plagarism: If you suspect plagarism has occured, please make sure you've read the piece first.

Really.

I did a take-home essay for my film mid-term about a month back. I was to discuss a significant moment that lighting was used well in a scene from Citizen Kane. I was also to do the same about a camera angle. The way I looked at this - it was 1/4 of the whole mid-term. Something that large had to be well-done.

So I rented Citizen Kane and played it in my DVD player. I was armed with a notepad and the textbook (and I think popcorn and pop). I watched the entire movie and paused, rewound and fast forwarded to try to put together some good notes. I then took the notes and wrote five paragraphs to answer the two questions.

I took the mid-term the next night. I couldn't answer any of the other essay questions because I had only seen the movies once and couldn't find a way to rewatch them. So with the other essay questions not answered, and this one completed, the instructor called me into his office. He thought I ripped the take-home essay from elsewhere. Apparently it was only supposed to be two paragraphs.

So I explained how I wrote it and showed my notes, all while rolling my eyes behind his back. He then read it, and saw that the piece had a poor amount of film vocabulary, he then knew it was not another product.

Problem rectified = 68%, which was "good compared to the rest of the class."

NOW ...

There was a 50-point paper due tonight. I never did it.

It was supposed to be a critical analysis paper on the film I did a review on: De Sica's Bicycle Thieves. I got as far as the prewriting stage. I found things to write about, such as why the onlooker of the theft acted all "ho hum," the double-life of the thief, the similarities of the movie's opening to the casting of the film, and the whole "distruption in a church" thing. These were the main points and I had to try to find something to string them together with - which is something I can pretty much do in my sleep.

However, my plan for the paper was not one of the suggested ways to write the piece. After finding this out, oh a couple of days ago, I was back at square one and dead in the water. I had to work (more on that later).

With the realization of this analysis piece not being turned in, and the suspected "ripping," somehow I think I'm going to relive this moment next week.

For the record, I did complete a 25-point review of a review (Ebert on Freddy Got Fingered) earlier in the semester, and the 25-point review on Bicycle Thieves. I have also aced every quiz we have taken thus far.

I'll just have to see how this plays out.

"The World According to Mister Rogers"

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.70.11
Current Song - Praise You (Fatboy Slim)

The book I'm reading right now is called "The World According to Mister Rogers." It was a book I got for my 19th birthday, but never really read until now.

Even more Cards for Sale

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.60.11
Current Song - People's Court Theme

In addition to the $100 5k set, I'm also selling the following:

Random 1992 Starter Set (3 boxes of roughly 1k cards) - $15
Complete set of 1992 Fleer (and then some) - $11
800-card Starter Set (early-to-mid 1990s) - $13
1k mixed common/rookie/star - $20
900-card mixed common/rookie/star - $18
Complete set of 1984 Topps rub-ons (tattoos) - $8
Pack of Pokemon cards - $1

Cal Ripken Jr. - 1997 Collectors Choice, The Big Show insert (rare World Headquarters edition), plus you get a tiny mugshot of Dan & Keith on the card - $60

Bo Jackson - 1987 Topps Rookie card - $3
Andy Van Slyke - 1984 Donruss Rookie card - $4
Sammy Sosa - 2002 Leaf (Beckett magazine rare gold sample card) - $5
Barry Bonds - 2005 Topps Home Run History (No. 700 in a 750+ card set) - $5
Barry Bonds - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
George Brett - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
Nolan Ryan - 1994 Collectors Choice silver signature - $8
David Wright - 2001 Upper Deck Pros and Propspects rookie card - $20
Mark McGwire - 1987 Press Box (a virtually unknown card) - $5 (I have a few of these)
Chris Duncan - 2003 Topps rookie card - $3

Cards for Sale

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.50.11
Current Song - Morning Train (Sheena Easton)

I moved my baseball cards from the basement to my second-floor bedroom. My back hurts.

I haven't really collected since I started my career in high school sports, so there's a portion of them I'm looking to sell. After buying the Beckett magazine and pricing some of the cards, I've come up with at least one bunch of cards to sell for sure.

There's 5,000 cards in this large box: 3 3/4 commons, and 1 1/4 star/rookie cards. Plenty of doubles, triples, etc. Cards date as late as 1980 and early as 2006. The total mint value of all of these cards is over $1,000. However, I'm not going to sell it for that much. The asking price for this large box will be 90% off: $100.

The box is a perfect start for a young collector who's just starting out. I began collecting baseball cards when I was 4 years old. The collection kept getting bigger. After a while, I started sending cards to the players to get autographed. The "starter set," as I like to call this, is good for autograph sending (as long as you know the player's addresses).

I will warn though, you're not going to find any super-super star cards in there. No Griffeys, Pujols, Jeters, etc. From these starter cards, you can work your way up by trading or selling in order to get that star card.

The box can't clutter my room forever. I'll deliver.

Dixon East Thoughts

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.04.11
Current Song - Disco Inferno (The Trammps)

I've now worked in three Shell stations, with Route 30 being the other one. To compare the transitions from mine to that one to mine to this one is going to be different. Route 30 was very easy to transition into because much of that was run similar to mine. In fact, I would rather work there than my own store, but things may have changed since there is a new manager there now.

Let me just say that Dixon East is WAY different than my own store. We don't have diesel at our store, and they do (okay, so that's not a big problem). They count cigarettes after every shift, and we don't (big time consumer). They save their carton flaps (both of them) after stocking, and we just pitch them. They have a hot dog machine and we don't (which isn't a problem since I was very used to cleaning BP's nightly). They go through a boatload of coffee.

Procedure-wise, there's not much of a difference. The cigarettes are different. But the thing that probably scared me the most was the fact that there has been no Mystery Shopper fail in "a long, long, long time here." If I failed, I would be dead. Plus this is November, and I was reminded that this is the one for $1000. So it nulls the opinion I made last November.

Apparently, the mystery shopper bonus money goes toward getting Christmas presents. I disagree with that. I don't like HOPING the money comes from a chance. That's like going to the boat to get shopping money. It's a Bonus, which is something that is not expected. Christmas shopping for six employees shouldn't hang on whether or not someone passes the mystery shopper. There are ways to get around this.