X-Mas

Christmas is finally over. I have to say, this has perhaps been the best Christmas I’ve had in a while, and this is why:

First, I found humor at the one church service I’ve gone to all year. In one of the gifts from my mother, there was a Canadian dime. How that made it into the package, no one knows. For some reason, I found it real god damn funny when I threw that into the collection plate during the service. It’s the first time I’ve donated money to a church, but they can’t even use it. I’m just picturing the pastor sorting the money, coming across the Canadian dime, and cursing like a sailor.

Secondly, we’ve been in our apartment for a year now. Last year, at this time, we didn’t have everything unpacked and it felt less like a home. This year, we had the tree set-up and it was our first Christmas together in our own place.

Thirdly, There were many gifts under the tree. Last year, we didn’t have a lot of money, so I wasn’t able to get Samantha very much. It felt great to be able to give so much. We were also able to give our family and friends a little more than we had in the past. Sure, it’s good to receive, but this year, I enjoyed the giving part a lot more. And to those friends reading this who normally receive gifts from me, or to those who just got married, your gifts are coming. I’m just a slow bastard when it comes to getting to the post office, and you’ll just have to live with it.

Fourthly, I received great gifts. Yes, I know I just said the giving was better, and it was, but it’s still nice to get a few good things. Here is what I personally received: $75 cash, $20 Barnes and Noble gift card, a sweater, a Far Side desk calendar, A DeWalt cordless drill, a pair of Grinch boxer shorts, Media Manager software for PSP, Killzone Liberation game for PSP, and a 1:18 scale WWII-era German anti-tank cannon for my G.I. Joe collection. There were a few gifts for both Samantha and I which were: A rice steamer, a full set of bath towels, a set of really nice coasters, a candle, a $25 Target Gift card, a Christmas ornament, and a book full of tasty cocktail recipes.

Fifthly, I ate at the Texas Roadhouse. That’s the place to go if you want a damn good steak. I was looking forward to the 16 ounce prime rib, and it did not disappoint. Normally, I wouldn’t eat that much meat in one sitting, but I don’t get to go there often, so I cram as much beef down as I can while I’m there.

Lastly, my mom and I went shopping at a few places this morning. The day after Christmas is usually accompanied by maddening crowds of assholes all trying to push themselves closer to the rack of 50% off wrapping paper and assorted trinkets. At both Target and Wal-Mart, the aisles were near empty. I’m not sure if it was the snow still on the ground, but something kept people from going crazy, and I was thankful for that.

Of course, there were a few negative occurrences this last week. There was the blizzard. There was the walk 2 miles through the snow to get a goddamn turkey. There was me losing my keys somewhere in that 2 miles. Shit happens though, and I can forget all that because the rest of the time was grand.

I’m quite sure that all of this Christmas cheer will wash off of me in a day or two, and then I’ll be back to the selfish, angry, insensitive individual most of you know me as. Until then, I hope that all of you had a great Christmas.

Happy New Year…….Bitches.

When you don't have to care

Having a second job that you don't really really need has its benefits. The main one being: I don't have to give a shit. It feels good to not have to worry about impressing the bosses or saying the right things to keep the job. If I get fired tomorrow, it doesn't matter. It really is a liberating feeling. I called in sick 2 days in a row. I really was sick the first day. I didn't feel like going in the second day.

This freedom I have is going to come in handy tomorrow when I talk to the store manager. This week's schedule came out on Saturday. The week starts on Sunday so it's not like they give us much time to plan our week anyway. On that schedule, I was to start work tonight at 5. On that schedule, I had tomorrow night (Wednewsday) off. On that schedule, I had this next Saturday off. I came in today after being sick the last 2 days to find my schedule completely changed. Now I had to work at 6:30 tonight instead of 5. I have Thursday night off instead of Wednesday, and I have to work Saturday.

Any place of employment that changes a schedule like this without asking or telling the employee about the change isn't worth working at. It's unethical and, quite frankly, a piece of shit thing to do. So I'm going to talk to the the store manager tomorrow. Tim is his name. I may just call him Timmy and see how he handles it. I'll tell Timmy that I'll accept the Wednesday/Thursday change, but there's no way in hell I'm working Saturday. It's not that I've made any plans, but it's the principle of the matter. Timmy can take me off the schedule for Saturday or Timmy can become enraged when I tell him to kiss my ass.

People say that one isn't supposed to burn bridges when leaving a job, but at the same time, employers aren't supposed to change employee's shedules at a whim and expect them to alter the rest of their lives to fit. If I burn this bridge, so what? Libraries aren't going to need a reference from ToysRUs. I've got almost ten years worth of perfect employment history that speaks for itself.

It feels so damn good to not have to give a shit.