Side Note

Couldn't sleep.

So, when more people came into work, the cute (crush worthy) manager on duty had a five minute meeting.

During said meeting he enthusiastically stated, and I quote, "I'm going to spend as much time as possible with Michele."

Now in reality, I know he meant he wanted to spend time with me to train me.

But in nice, happy, dream world, cute manager likes me. *sigh* closely followed by *drool.*

On hold for 25 minutes. I'm hanging up now.

At 5 AM Pittsburgh Becomes a Bunny Kingdom

Wow, I'm tired.

But I have all this work to do. And I'm on hold with the Kent County Health Department trying to arrange my shots for India. (So far, I've been on hold for 10 minutes. At what point should I just hang up?)

I was very productive yesterday. Let's of stuff done, including laundry.

I over-slept by 7 minutes this morning, then managed to spray myself in the face with perfume.

I anticipated that my first day shelving at 6 AM would begin with me reading the guide books. But, the person I was supposed to work with called off. I ended up with more work experience than I had expected.

Have to do it all again tomorrow morning!

I finally got my picture taken for my visa to India. I look really freaky in it, with these huge dark circles under my eyes. Tired, who me?

Anyway, I got to talking with another woman who was getting her picture taken. When I mentioned that I was headed towards India she immediately said, "Don't drink the water. Everyone I know who has gone there has gotten a tape worm."

Thanks, lady.

So, I can drink only bottled beverages. But do you think people on the trip will notice if I don't shower for two weeks.

Day three of the bookside was better than day two which is surprising because I was all alone. But I started to feel more comfortable with the job. Plus things were slow, so I spent most of the shift calling customers to tell them their orders were in. Let me tell you, some people have some weird stuff on their answering machines.

My bookside training continues next week, but I'm less than excited about the times that I work. 6 AM Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Do you realize what time I'm going to have to get up to be at work by 6 AM. Badness, Batman! I like to live in a fantasy world where 4 AM doesn't exist.
The situation is made worse by the fact that I have class each of those nights. Class goes until 9 PM or 9:15 PM. This more or less means that I will be getting at max five hours of sleep several nights in a row. I tremble in fear at the very idea. I'd recommend that everyone who doesn't like being yelled at by a crazy, red-eyed, grumpy person avoid contact with me next week.

I have lots of lots of homework to do, including writing a researched story for Wednesday. I'm less than excited about my work load. In fact, it's enough work to have a panic attack over, but so far I'm in denial.

In other news, I want this shirt:

The Other Side

Tiiiiiiiiiiiired. Mmmmmmmm, bed. I wants mine.

Well, so far one of the hardest parts about my book training is the scheduling. I've been working mornings as a cashier and every single cell in my body likes to protest getting up at 5:15 AM.

I've definitely encountered things I don't like working as a cashier:

-Gift wrapping. Don't people know you shove a gift in any random bag, shove it into the person's hands and say "Here"? I suck at wrapping presents and it causes a line to build up. But on the plus side, the person can't complain too much, as the gift wrapping service is free.
-People ask you for information, but then you can't take them to the book, because you're not allowed to leave the cash register. Also I am not a fan of people who ask for information when there is a line behind them. That complicates matters.
-People who ask for gift receipts after the transaction is completed. That means I have to call a manager.
-People who have returns or exchanges. Again I have to call a manager, but it usually takes the manager several minutes to come down, so you and the person stand there awkwardly staring at each other.
-The hard lesson that I learned yesterday is that just because the computer says something is in stock, doesn't mean you'll be able to find it...anywhere.

In the end my cafe manager said it best: "Both the cafe and book cashiering involve crazy people. The cafe's crazy people are the funny kind. The ones at cash wrap are the psychotic-lean-across-the-computer-and-kill-you kind."

It's still a nice change of scenery from the cafe. Plus, when there is a long line, you get to push a button that goes "DING" and then other employees know to come and help you. I do love to push buttons that go DING.

Can You See My Pants Right Now?

It is ridiculous how excited I am to be able to be another part of the building besides the cafe for work. It took me forever to pick an outfit to wear for this morning because I was so happy to not have to wear a white collared shirt and black pants. The pants I'm wearing today are red! RED! Ha ha!

So, my shirt is still cream colored, but it doesn't have a collar and would never be acceptable attire for the cafe.

Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom! Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom of the clothes!

Did You Hear? The Steelers Won!

I don't care. And I think the people of Pittsburgh care too much. Honestly, I restrict my thoughts about football to the following:

-Isn't that the sport where the ball is made of pig skin? Ewww.
-Men wearing shiny spandex pants should not gather together.
-They also should avoid getting dirt on the butt of said pants, bending over and saying "HUT HUT!"
-I view such behavior to be ridiculous and not meant for the eyes of polite society.

I think I can be considered an authority on sports obsessed towns. After all, I did go to MSU for three years. And I've come to the decision Pittsburgh is too obsessed. It's annoying. And I mean, if you insist on being obsessed, at least riot every now and then. That made my stay at MSU interesting, worth enduring all the forced sports conversations. Pittsburgh, you gotta give back to those who don't want to hear about the "bus making a touchdown." I want my riotous entertainment (but no injuries of course).

I've spent most of the day doing work. I still feel a tad bit panicked about some of the work that still must be done in the next week.

I also went to a faculty audition for a knew creative writing professor. I really liked the story this one read, but she hasn't actually been published yet. I think it would be a risk for Chatham to choose her.

While reading at the campus cafe, I was solicited to test some new frapaccinos they're trying to develop. I was asked to tell all about the Starbucks way. Alas, the Starbucks way consists of a lot of Starbucks trademarked ingredients, so I don't think I was too helpful. But I did enjoy the taste testing.

Bright and early tomorrow morning begins the adventures in cross-training for the bookside. Trainees are supposed to read a series of boring and ridiculous books. I for some reason or another am not being assigned that task. I'd rather have to do the reading. I'm sure some tidbit of information in those books could save me some embarrassment at some point. Wish me luck!

"I Don't Have a Villain, but I Have an Antagonist. Where's My Shapeshifter?"

I'm booooooooooooooooored.

I've been slacking all day. It's fun, accomplishing nothing.

Work tomorrow. Then I'm library bound.

A character description that I had to read to my Fantasy class yesterday didn't go over well. Most of the students didn't get it. They asked so many questions, I could practically feel the heat of an interrogation lamp on my face. I'm hoping to not have a repeat of that experience.

For next week, I have to write another character description, but this time of my antagonist. I have many antagonists in my plot. So it's hard to pick one. Plus, I REALLY don't want to write it about my main antagonist. He's kind of a pure-evil-tempt-you-to-the-dark-side Devil figure. And as fun as it would be to try to get in Satan's head...I'd prefer not to, thanks.

I foresee more slacking in my future. Then sleep.

Look for "Moments of Magic" to Write About History

I have an idea for my historical picture book. I think it's going to turn into a big project and may even involve a trip to New Jersey. Road trip, anybody?

Liz and I chilled after class last night. We started on the reading for next week's class and watched an episode of Gilmore Girls. We are so wild.

I've been very productive this morning. I wrote an essay for CNF that I feel pretty good about. I think I'm going to use that as an excuse to slack for the rest of the morning.

"Vegetarian Non-Smokers. They've Got the Cleanest Blood" ~Scary Vampire Guy on Documentary

So, I'm watching this "Fang vs Fiction" documentary thing, because, well, I'm easily amused and I don't want to do research for my historical writing class. A member of the European vampire subculture was asked what type of person has the best blood to drink. He answered:

Vegetarian non-smokers.

This quote amuses me to no end. And scares me a little, cause I am a veggie-loving non-smoker.

The point of this post?

Be careful in France Monica, your blood is mighty tasty. And I'm willing to bet there are vampies in Francie.

"Clenching Jaws of the Biting Wind" ~Donna H.

This may be a little premature, but I'm SO glad I switched classes. This CNF class is just as big as my old teaching one, but I felt a lot more comfortable with the new group. I'm not sure what it is, but I like the energy a lot more. Joy at not regretting my decision! Now let's just wait until the professor grades one of my papers and we'll see if I'm singing the same tune.

"You Definitely Need a Plot Before the 17th Chapter of the Book" ~Sally Alexander

So assuming you're a friend of the non-smelly variety, you'll remember that I typed that I did a lot of work yesterday and had to do a lot more today.

That's all well and good. Until I woke up and my brain had a conversation with me:

Brain: You know self, I don't feel like doing any more of that work stuff.

Self: I know what you mean.

Brain: And, I mean, we worked so hard yesterday.

Self: I know.

Brain: I might get hurt if you do that again.

Self: We wouldn't want that.

Brain: No we wouldn't.

(Silence...my mind was completely empty)

Brain: Lets read fanfiction and listen to loud music.

Self: Okay.

The Triumphant Return

Joy! Blogger is working again.

Let's see if I can remember the past week....

There haven't been any more stalker sightings. My plan is to have one more go at a stern talking to and if that doesn't work then I'll speak with a manager. Did you know people can be banned for life from the store? Yep, yep. I've been talking to some of the other girls in the cafe, apparently at some point or another we all get a crazy admirer or two. I guess I've been initiated into the club now. Yeah!...er, no.

Thursday was a very good day. I opened, which kinda sucked because my B&N has started opening an hour earlier. That meant I had to get up at five-something to eat and open the cafe. I'll tell you during the march to the store, I thought I was going to fall over and die. I got to the point where I'd close my eyes and walk blindly forward in an attempt to give my eyes a break. But then I opened the cafe and what followed proved to be one of the slowest shifts ever. I kept myself amused by humming bad 80's music.

A middle-aged man I have two classes with came into the cafe. He made a point of mentioning that I'm "a good writer. Don't get stuck working here." While I appreciated that he liked my writing (and he'd only heard one or two small compositions) I didn't really appreciate the insult to my current job. I feel that the barista life-style doesn't get enough respect from people in their forties and fifties. *cough* my parents *cough* Whenever I talk to my parents about work they always end the conversation with "when are they going to move you to work with the books?" They're ashamed of having a barista for a daughter.

Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of working in a cafe or at B&N for long term, but I'd still like a little respect for what I'm doing, especially from the rents. [rant over]

Anyway, one of the reasons Thursday was so good, was that I can finally give my parents an answer. One of the managers told me I will be trained on the bookside in about two week. Plus, they'll allow me to specifically focus on the children's section. Score!

In terms of the post-training future, the manager said I will still be in the cafe a lot, but I will be on the bookside about once a week. That's fine with me.

My mom sounded a little disappointed when I told her about still being in the cafe. So I yelled at her, and by yelled I mean I spoke enthusiastically and didn't give her time to disagree with me.

Also, I decided I didn't like my teaching creative writing class. In fact having to take two classes on the subject then student teach for a semester to be prepared for something that the act of receiving my MFA allows me to do anyway seemed kind of like a waste of money and time. So I dropped the class and the teaching component off my degree.

I decided to take a creative non-fiction course that will focus on nature and the environment instead. I've already missed the first class though. I meant with the professor, aka the head of the MFA writing program and one busy lady. She was less than supportive of me joining the class. In fact she put forth a good effort at discouraging me. But none the less, I've joined. I've done the homework for the past two weeks (yes, she assigned work before the class even met for the first time). But I still feel a little nervous because:

1) She only had me photocopy pages 1-23 of one of the reading assignments, but the syllabus says to read 1-35. So of course, I've convinced myself that those 12 pages contain the key to writing the best creative non-fiction ever read by man and contain the key to life in general. I also fear that the professor will, naturally, direct any questions about those twelve pages to me.

2) None of my friends will be in the class. In fact, I will probably be the only children's writing person there. And all the other students there will at least have been introduced to each other.

3) I really want to impress the professor with my writing. I feel good about my first piece (granted, it still needs some editing), but I'm worried it's not what she wants.

Sigh. At least I'll be able to breathe easy after Tuesday.

But catching up with my new creative non-fiction class and keeping up with my other classes has means I've had a lot of work this weekend. I did work all day yesterday and will do work all day today to make a proper dent in all the work that must be done.

The past two days have been beautiful here. Yesterday was light jacket weather, so I spent several hours outside reading. Which was nice, cause I was reading a depressing book about the Holocaust. It's nice to look away from depressing historical information and see the sun. Today, alas, there is rain and snow. It matches the holocaust book too perfectly.

Wowzers, that was a lot of typing. Are you still reading? If you are, you're a cool devoted friend. If you're not reading, then I'd like you to know, I've never liked you and you smell. But I guess you wouldn't know that...what with your lack of reading.

The Number One Reason Why My Life Is Pain

HE showed up at work today. CAM, I mean. The cafe was busy. Thanks be to Jesus! So when he ordered, I didn't really have to talk to him much. But of course, he decided to stay in the cafe for over three hours. At one point, there were no customers in line, the girl being trained went on break and my manager wandered off. CAM, sensing that I was defenseless, approached. He asked me asked me a number of questions and I tried to look busy. I, silently cursing my polite nature, then asked how he was doing. He replied, "Well..." then pointed at his eyes and then at me.

Pointed at his eyes and then at me.

?

Peek-a-boo, he sees me? Is that a bad attempt at saluting? Does he want to kill me with his deadly eye lasers?

Naturally, I chose that moment to go and hide in the back room.

When I went on break, I looked over my shoulder several times, but, again thanks be to Jesus, he didn't follow me. By the time I went back to work he was gone. (Thanks, J-Man!)

However later in the evening, one of the girls who worked in the cafe yesterday after I had left visited. She said a man had been asking for me.

Oh, bugger.

I described CAM. She said, "Yep, that's him." Apparently he "KNEW" I was working that day. I am feeling very not happy, but strangely thankful for the increased variation in my work times. Still, I fear he has also somehow learned that I work tomorrow and Monday.

You know, I didn't make any resolutions for 2006, but I think "not having a stalker" should be understood without me having to say anything.

Clearly, I'm going to have to quit my job or at the very least, if he shows up at all over the next two days, I'm going to have to consider talking to a manager.

So, at what point should I start fearing for my life?

Exhaustion

Do you remember the week before I went home for Christmas? How I complained and was all whiney about how much I was working. Prepare for more of the same.

It's happened again. I'm working four days in a row. (Today will be day two) But I don't even get paid extra, cause technically it's over a two week period and each week contains my usual number of hours.

My feet already hate me. I work with my manager tonight. I might have to ever so politely and jokingly inform him not to schedule my hours like that again or I'll have to have both of my feet amputated. I don't want to be feetless.

Plus, I've heard rumor of some $40 municipal tax that's being take out of this week's pay. I'm almost annoyed enough to go Republican.

How Am I Spending My Last Night of Freedom?

House is a repeat so I can watch Scrubs. Joy! I may have to break out the chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

Hee hee hee.

Today, History Is Made

*A trumpet sounds*

A new cafe has opened on campus today.

I went there and sat and read for several hours. And of course I bought coffee. A latte. A big one.

Someday, when I'm old wrinkled and hump-backed I can go to a Chatham reunion (assuming I ever change my anti-reunion stance) and talk incoherently about how I went to the new and improved cafe the first day it opened.

The best part is that the cafe is open until 2 AM. 2 AM! It's almost like being back at MSU again. Hip hip hooray for late night caffeine fixes and study sessions! I'm tempted to go there tonight and sit until closing. The only thing stopping me is the fact that I open at work tomorrow. Perhaps next weekend.

Such a nerd. I am.

Ponder This

I'm reading Audrey Niffenegger's "The Time Traveler's Wife." It makes mention of a book made out of human skin.

My first thought was "I wanna touch that book." My next thought was "That's not a bad way to go." I mean, I'd be willing to sign away my skin after death to be made into a book. Of course, I wouldn't want to be just any book. Maybe the seventh Harry Potter book...anything by Jane Austen...or the Bible.

Does that make me weird?

tvguide.com news

"X-TRA, X-TRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT: Brett Ratner's X-Men 3 is still not finished boosting its baddie quotient. Filipina actress Mei Melancon, who previously worked with the director on Rush Hour 2, has joined the cast as Psylocke, an evil telepathic assassin (my favorite kind, frankly) within Magneto's malevolent Brotherhood of Mutants. X3 is due for a Memorial Day-weekend release, meaning the line for tickets should start forming right about... now."

Drip Drop Wet Rain

I arrived back in Pittsburgh in record time. I took a cab from the airport. The driver was listening to a talk radio show. The speaker was implying that America's right to torture people for information is the same as testing a man who was somehow cured of HIV. The driver was getting into the debate, yelling at the radio and everything. Then he looked at me in his rear view mirror. "It's not the same thing. A tortured person will agree to anything. I mean, If I killed YOU..." I didn't hear the end of his point. I glanced out the window at the rain drenched road and at the cars that sped past us. I thought that no demonstration was necessary. "I agree with you!" I said.

My plans have changed. My fear of melting in the rain has lead me to decide to spend my day bonding with my apartment. We've been separated for so long. Plus my manager left a message for me telling me when I work next. I open! Not a big deal, except for the fact that b&n opens earlier than I would like to wake up.

Boom!

Just hit me.

Bam.

(I think that's enough explosions for now)

I am looking forward to being back in Pittsburgh.

I don't particularly like the city. I don't want to go back to work. I am looking forward to classes, but that's not what caused the little spark of anticipation in my heart.

It was the thought of being back at my apartment. I likes my apartment. I also think my joy could have something to do with the four cartons of ice cream I have in the freezer there waiting for me. Tomorrow, after finding a way from the airport to my apartment, that ice cream, at least one whole carton, will meet my tummy. Mmmmm.

My other plans for tomorrow include going to work to see my schedule and to buy a new planner. I procrastinated (note the reference to Sarah's gift to me) and never got around to getting organized.

Happy Blog-iversary

The party was fun. I'll post the pictures when I get back to PA.

I'm SO VERY exhausted. I keep losing time because I fall asleep for a few minutes at a time. I fear I'm developing narcolepsy.

I hope my flights go well tomorrow. My endorsement of American Airlines is riding on it.