So, as you all know I was a happily little Assistant Manager at my beloved Radioshack. Things were going swimmingly, working hand in hand with my bossboy, Jason, and soaking up the neccessary tools I needed like a little growing sponge. He was probably the BEST possible person I could hope to train under, being an operational guru and a joy to work for. He runs that store a tight little ship, and it shows in it's performance.
So, we knew that our partnership would eventually peril at the hands of promotion, but also saw it as being a ways off. After all, assistant managers typically spend a year training, then become "waiting store managers", sitting patiently in a little que for a store to open. Once one does open up, the "powers that be" interview all of the waiters and chose the best one for that store. Well, we saw that my title had changed to a "waiter" pretty fast, but assumed it was due to restructuring. After all, there was still a pretty long que...
Then the interviews came. Seeing them on my schedule, my name clearly among them, scared the wizz out of us. ALREADY? But there's no stores open?!!
"relax, you guys, we're just getting the interviews done on the new crop now so that we can evaluate where they are at in training. This is just procedural" is the soothing answer we were given. A tentative calmness.
So, I go shakingly into my interview. Well, no, scratch that, I sauntered in there and nailed it. I'm not afraid to admit my confidence in my abilities. I was trained by the best, and have a drive that can burn me a trail of successs through sheer willpower. I nailed it. The 'powers' seemed pleased, and even gave me some great feedback to improve upon, which I eagerly stuffed into my pocket and made an internal vow to add to my work.
The very next day a handful of us were off for 'ridealongs' with the District Manager. We got to evaluate several stores, critiquing and adding our input as to what could be improved upon.
Procedural.
Sure.
So, happy with my good interview, feeling reinspired by the ridealongs, I mosey casually into my store on Friday. I greet my boys, and go plunk into the desk for a bit since I am my usual early self and want to catch up on Jason's memos. He was out on Friday, his lovely wife was having a surgical procedure done.
In walks one of my boys, holding the phone.
It was the DM.
"Well, Sharona, you had a really great interview there on Wednesday"
"Thank you, boss!"
"So, we're going to give you a promotion. You will be running the Bothell store. You'll be starting tomorrow, so go ahead and call the current manager to arrange getting her keys. She's getting moved to another store."
THUD.
My head was reeling. I sort of sat there shaking like a leaf after I hung up. Sudden was an understatement. Christ, Jason didn't even know.
I quickly re-arranged the store's schedule to accomodate my lack of presence. I calmly did the closing paperwork Jason needed.
I then had myself a little panic attack.
The next day was surreal, to say the least. I still have to get used to the idea of saying "my store".
But it's mine. I worked my ass off, went through hell in my personal life, but let it drive me to success. And I'm there.
I DID IT.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Sue Stupid
The ridiculousness of our society amuses me greatly. Apparently some 'noble' group has taken it upon themselves to sue the evil geniuses behind KFC, a parent company known as Yum Brand, Inc. No, there's no mysterious fried rats or chicken necks at teh core of this one. This lawsuit is all about KFC fried foods being...dun dun DUN...unhealthy. The oil used to fry the chicken and other foods there is high in artery clogging transfat, and apparently the meals offered are "startingly high" in it.
DUH.
Let's see, being that it's Kentucky FRIED chicken, my first clue that it wasn't healthy was in the name. But say Joe Simpleton can't read, and wanders in thinking he is getting a heart healthy buffet. The second clue would be that the bucket OOZES crap when handed to you. Oh, and let's not forget the obvious...it's FAST FOOD. If you haven't figured out that a quick meal for 5.99 may not be the healthiest choice on earth, you deserve to have your pulminary go on a perma-strike.
And the worse part is, the whole issue they are raising is because the menu at KFC doesn't really contain many alternatives. Well, screw that, who cares? They are a private business, and owe you nothing except fried deliciousness for your cash (usually served with a bad attitude with questionable cleanliness). "CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson said it was harder to avoid trans fat at KFC than at other fast-food restaurants."
Yet surprisingly, with their few locations, it's easier to avoid eating there than at other fast-food restaurants, jackass.
I love the fact that in the article he refers to diners there as "Unsuspecting consumers". Oh, go choke on a drumstick, we don't wander in there without knowing how bad that shit is for us. "KFC "does not properly warn, disclose or even tell consumers that they are eating food items prepared with the worst oil available," the group said in a legal complaint."
.....It's fast food.
...It's Kentucky Fried Chicken.
....It's bad for you.
There, we've been warned.
DUH.
Let's see, being that it's Kentucky FRIED chicken, my first clue that it wasn't healthy was in the name. But say Joe Simpleton can't read, and wanders in thinking he is getting a heart healthy buffet. The second clue would be that the bucket OOZES crap when handed to you. Oh, and let's not forget the obvious...it's FAST FOOD. If you haven't figured out that a quick meal for 5.99 may not be the healthiest choice on earth, you deserve to have your pulminary go on a perma-strike.
And the worse part is, the whole issue they are raising is because the menu at KFC doesn't really contain many alternatives. Well, screw that, who cares? They are a private business, and owe you nothing except fried deliciousness for your cash (usually served with a bad attitude with questionable cleanliness). "CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson said it was harder to avoid trans fat at KFC than at other fast-food restaurants."
Yet surprisingly, with their few locations, it's easier to avoid eating there than at other fast-food restaurants, jackass.
I love the fact that in the article he refers to diners there as "Unsuspecting consumers". Oh, go choke on a drumstick, we don't wander in there without knowing how bad that shit is for us. "KFC "does not properly warn, disclose or even tell consumers that they are eating food items prepared with the worst oil available," the group said in a legal complaint."
.....It's fast food.
...It's Kentucky Fried Chicken.
....It's bad for you.
There, we've been warned.
New Outlook
It's amazing how your view of life drastically changes when your world is turned upside down like this. I remember previously only looking as far as the week in front of me. I tried not to think about 'the future' too much, because things seemed so bleak, it would only make me more depressed.
But now, given the chance to set things right, I have a whole new outlook on my life ahead. I see my future much more brightly, and full of hope. I'm so close to moving forward at work I can taste it. Although it means having Anthony in daycare for a bit more during the week with the heavier hours of management, I'll be able to afford it. I'm also looking to the fact that soon he'll be able to go into preschool in the mornings, and growing within his own shining little self.
I've set goals, and I will attain them. In my mind I can see a little yellow house, which I can rent with a new salary. Chunk can sit in the window, and I can have a little dog ,too. I've even thought of getting some sort of caged animal for Anthony, like a bunny or a hamster. The house will have a yard, one Anthony can have free reign to play and run like a nutcase, with a sandbox and a slide. I'll have flowers on the porch and an herb garden on the sideyard. It'll have a basement I can turn into studio space, and a nice sunny kitchen to bake goodies in.
It's a small, simple dream, but it's all the more sweeter because it's all mine.
But now, given the chance to set things right, I have a whole new outlook on my life ahead. I see my future much more brightly, and full of hope. I'm so close to moving forward at work I can taste it. Although it means having Anthony in daycare for a bit more during the week with the heavier hours of management, I'll be able to afford it. I'm also looking to the fact that soon he'll be able to go into preschool in the mornings, and growing within his own shining little self.
I've set goals, and I will attain them. In my mind I can see a little yellow house, which I can rent with a new salary. Chunk can sit in the window, and I can have a little dog ,too. I've even thought of getting some sort of caged animal for Anthony, like a bunny or a hamster. The house will have a yard, one Anthony can have free reign to play and run like a nutcase, with a sandbox and a slide. I'll have flowers on the porch and an herb garden on the sideyard. It'll have a basement I can turn into studio space, and a nice sunny kitchen to bake goodies in.
It's a small, simple dream, but it's all the more sweeter because it's all mine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
