Equations

Listening: Circles - Natalie Walker

Here's your sweetest gift
Take this moment, it is safe
It's true, pure, and beautiful
In return for all your pain.

Eyes wide, heart warm
She sees him in her face
If you watch the way the world gives back
In circles you will trace...

I think I'm too fried to write anything of substance right now. The horrible (beautiful) weather we are having, compiled with the fact that I am still working two jobs, have accumulated to make me mildly miserable. It's not that I don't think the twenty-something temperatures we've been having lately aren't nice, but seriously, I don't have the frame for heat-appropriate clothing, and ergo, I do not have heat-appropriate clothing. The only way I can think of accurately describing the situation is with an equation.

Humid, twenty-plus-degree weather + easily irritated Canadian polar-girl = lapse in brain activity.

Ew. You can imagine I've been spending every spare moment I haven't been at my job(s) or out with the gang that I've been holed up in my cool basement like a confused bear. Wake me when it's late fall, please.

So I've worked every day at Wal-Hell this week (my final week) except for today. And what did I have today? You guessed it--a shift at Chapters. Not that I minded, because it was five hours of scurrying around and stocking shelves, which is really, really easy and also a really good way to get an idea of books to look into reading next. I've let my reading fall to the wayside lately, in lieu of having like four or five stories of my own that captured most of my focus, but I get the odd feeling that working here is going to cause me to relapse into the geeky, freckly, curly-haired girl with the Coke-bottle glasses I thought I buried back in middle school. Not that I'm complaining. I've been reading paranormal fantasy lately, which is an oddity for me. Mostly about werewolves or were-cats or were-whatevers. Why? Because I can.

Holy hell, it is hot in here. Why is my window closed? Just a second.

Also, why was the handle to open the window in a drawer? Weird.

Moving back to the issue of Wal-Hell, I now have one more reason to add to the plethora of reasons I won't be missing the place after I depart on Friday night. This comes in the form of the new front-end manager the place hired after our old one transferred back into Toys. Her name is Nita. And she is a bitch.

Everyone warned me she would be. Word on the street is that the neighboring Wal-Mart on Kelsey Drive, where she transferred from, had a party when she left. At first I thought it was an exaggeration. Now I think I might willingly blow my entire life's savings (about $695.04 Canadian) on having the bash of the year should she ever decide to stop breathing for some reason. Harsh? Yes. But she is a miserable person.

In context: I was a greeter for the past four days. I have never been written up in the one year and nine months I have worked Wal-Mart. Nita threatened to write me up. Why? Because I was standing two feet to the right of where she wanted me to be standing.

I shit you not.

I was so pissed off after that night that when I went outside and found out that there might have been the slightest delay in getting the fuck out of Dodge, I took matters into my own hands. I spotted Matt's SUV, and almost immediately afterwards, I spotted Matt's feet sticking out the back window. He had gone to sleep in the backseat. Colette was in the passenger seat when I opened the driver's side door and slid in.

"Fack this," I said. (Yes, 'fack'.) "You might want to buckle up. No, seriously, buckle up."

"This is only highly illegal," she pointed out as she obeyed.

No, I don't have my driver's license. Only my permit. But truthfully? I didn't care.

Last week at Wal-Hell + crazy bitch manager from Hades = MADCAP DRIVING EXCURSION OF DOOM.

I didn't kill anyone, if that's what you're wondering.

In closing, I have only this to say;

Dear Stephen King,
Please stop writing books. Seriously. I can't fit them on the shelves anymore.
Sincerely, Julia.

Icarus is a bit too crispy and delicious to talk right now.

A Little Post-Employment Therapy

Listening: Question - Old 97's

She woke from a dream
Her head was on fire
Why was he so nervous?
He took her to the park
And she crossed her arms
And lowered her eyelids...

Tonight it was finally decided that I would be officially turning in my two weeks' notice at Wal-Hell. There was a bit of a lengthy discussion with a certain parent who was concerned that I would not be getting paid quite as much at Chapters as I am at Wal-Mart, but in my opinion, it's a small, small price to pay for working in a place where you are actually happy.

This was the letter I wrote.

To Whom It May Concern,

The purpose of this notice is to bring to your attention that I have accepted a position at another establishment and will be leaving Wal-Mart. I will be terminating my employment on Friday, July 27^th, 2007, and will no longer be returning for shift work.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work for your establishment. I very much appreciate the experience you have given me.

Yours,

Julia

This was the conversation with my therapist that followed.

.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
I'm doing up my two weeks notice now.
Benji - I'll never forget you...theres nobody better than you... says:
lol
Benji - I'll never forget you...theres nobody better than you... says:
"Dear Wal-Hell...fuck you for employing me as long as you did. die in your sleep, hob nob hob nob, fuck fuck fuck bitch bitch bitch die die die, etc. sincerely, the most bad-ass employee you've ever had - Julia"
.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
Benji I love you
.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
That actually made my night
.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
I think I might cry I'm laughing so hard
Benji - I'll never forget you...theres nobody better than you... says:
lol
.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
Oh man
.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
I'm wiping away tears
.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
Of course I can't actually do that, I don't want to burn bridges >.>
Benji - I'll never forget you...theres nobody better than you... says:
i know, but you should write one and keep it...kinda like personal closure, ya know? :P
.:*~Cradle~*:. [Derangel] [Usurper: complete as of 06/07/07.] says:
That is an amazing idea

And far be it from me to defy my therapist. This is the letter I wish I could write.

To Whom It May Concern,

This is to inform you that on Friday, June 27^th, 2007, I will be doing what I’ve wanted to do ever since I started working at that hellhole you call a store. I have been offered a much nicer position with a much friendlier staff at a way more upscale establishment, and the fact that I am getting paid $0.60 less per hour should be an indication of how desperate I am to be rid of you assholes.

Now, it’s not your fault, but the fact of the matter is that the past two years of my life have been squandered in the employ of the world’s most soul-sucking corporation. Sure, a lot of the friends I met and made here are wonderful people, but this store has given me a healthy dose of the worst humanity has to offer, and for ruining my childlike naiveté I will have my best friend Falcon Punch you repeatedly in the jugular. Just sayin’.

I hope this place burns down and all the redneck asshole pessimists I have been forced to suck up to in my one-year-and-nine-month employment cry tears of blood at the prospect of having to spend a day away from it. Hob nob hob nob. I bid this place fuckin’ adieu.

Yours,

Julia “Time To Get My Life Back”

P.S.: Install some windows.

I'll be sleeping good tonight. I love you, my muffins!

Icarus has probably never felt this smug. Wait, there was... no... no. Never.

VICTORY

Listening: Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol

All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you
My bones ache, my skin feels cold
And I'm getting so tired, and so old.

Tell me that you'll open your eyes
Tell me that you'll open your eyes...

Get up, get out, get away from these liars
Cause they don't get your soul or your fire
Take my hand, knot your fingers through mine
And we'll walk from this dark room for the last time...

It's been a while, but I wanted to have some actual news before I updated again. And, well, now I have the news.

I am the newest employee of Chapters.

I still don't really believe it. I kind of keep thinking throughout the night, "If I get the job--" before I suddenly remember that it's reality, not an "if" anymore.

Nancy called me back this afternoon (three days later than I expected, but that's not the point) while I was at work, so of course when my sister relayed the message I called back right away. (Much at the prompting of my sister, who was hanging on every word.) Clarence picked up as usual (ah, <3) and then he directed me to Nancy.

I believe her exact words were, "It is my pleasure to offer you a position at our establishment". I actually think my heart stopped at that second, I don't remember. The next thing I knew I was sitting down sucking information out of her. I've been surprisingly calm all night, given my propensity to blow things out of proportion. I don't think I've quite adapted yet.

Anyhow! On to the interesting bits. I'll be working part-time, which I told them I'd have to do anyway come the fall. I'll be going in for my orientation session on Wednesday night. They're starting me off on cash, which is fine with me. The training period takes place over the course of three months, so eventually they'll figure out where I'm best suited and stick me there. Which makes my head go boom a little bit. I get a 30% discount on Chapters merchandise, and a 10% discount on Starbucks, which I have an odd feeling is going to be my new favorite hangout.

Guess what this means, ladies and gentlemen?

It means I get to quit Wal-Mart.

I think I have waited the entire two years I've worked there to type/think/say those words. Don't get me wrong; I've met, and worked with, some phenomenal people there--but it's a soul-sucking, unforgiving place, and really not the sort of environment I can thrive in. I like not being yelled at all the time, and I like not being treated like I'm lower than dirt. I like not being called "pathetic" in my workplace. (A story for another day.) Yes, I know the new place will have its own problems, probably the same ones that I've faced before, but this is the case:

Fact: I love books.
Fact: I love people.
Fact: My new job has both in ample quantities.
Fact: Most of the people who will be walking through the doors will be literate.
Fact: No one ever yells at Chapters.

Updates will come as they happen. I'll be giving you guys the low-down and dirty on the happenings there.

Thanks so much to everyone who offered advice or support, or even just asked occasionally whether I'd heard back. I can't express with words how much this means to me. I know it's just a part-time job, but as I'm sure everyone knows, where you work can really make a difference in your life. I am the happiest little camper in the world right now. So, thank you!

Now I'm going upstairs to do a little bit of work before I turn in for the night. I may have to treat myself by going out for breakfast tomorrow morning. Wow, my diet has been really unhealthy lately. Note to self: eat an apple.

P.S.: Everyone go see the Transformers movie immediately. (This is from someone who never wanted to see it in the first place. It is way funnier and way more epic than the trailers make it seem. Trust me, go.)

Adieu! <3

Icarus is really looking forward to passing in her two weeks notice at Wal-Hell. Oh, is she ever.