Work Rant

  I don't usually talk a lot about my job, or the work I do. I especially try not to complain about it, even on days when it can be pretty annoying. I just know that it's not interesting to anyone outside Dollar General, and I don't like to bore anyone to tears with it (except for Brock). But tonight...tonight was rant worthy.

  Anyone who pays any attention at all the the posts I make everyday on Facebook knows that I am hoping to get promoted to third key holder with Dollar General, and have, or had, good reason to believe that I'd be getting this from the store I currently work at. All my managers have said I do wonderful at work, I always know what needs to be done, always get it done, I never complain and I never have a problem asking a question if I need to. I'd been told by one manager that I was being looked at and considered for the position a few months back. So, for the last month and a half or so, I've been at the store 90% of my time, working hard, doing more than the minimum that's required of me, and over all kicking butt at my job. The customers love me, my bosses love working with me, and very few, actually only one, of my co-workers don't get along with me. In short, I am doing everything I can to prove to my boss that I not only can handle the position, but that I deserve it.

 Now, I should make it clear that I don't work with the store manager all that much; maybe twice in three weeks of shifts will I actually work a full shift with her. I should also mention that she has a tendency to become preoccupied, and I often have to remind her of things, or wait until last minute to tell her.

That being said, we come to today. I went in to work at 4pm, and find myself working with the current third key holder. After clocking in, and cleaning up behind my register a bit, she asks me "Have you met the new lady?" New lady?? Hmm. So I tell her no, what new lady? "Oh, the new third key." I was almost sure I had heard her wrong. "New third key?" I ask. To which she replies, yeah. Oh you have got to be kidding me. That's all I could think. So after a second, I blurt out "Well I guess I'm going to be transferring then."
 I know, a rather rash response, but let me break this down. Two months ago, I asked my boss to consider me for any key holder positions that may open up; she said she would. Our assistant manager, who is my favorite to work with, just got promoted to store manager and was moved to his own store. So I knew she'd be looking to fill third key; I had thought she'd remember I wanted it, would interview me, and that would be that. But, for whatever reason, she instead brought in an older woman, who has no management experience, and has never worked with Dollar General before. The general idea is that she had worked in a store similar to it before; but it's clearly been a LOOOONG time since then considering the woman who is supposed to be management had no idea what a scanner gun was, or what it was for...you know, that gun thingy we cashiers sometimes use for bigger objects? Yeah...I have no idea why this woman, who is no more qualified and maybe even less qualified for this job, is strutting around calling herself the "New assistant."

So, I'm furious, and insulted, and confused. It's a slap in my face, after all the hard work I've put in, especially since all my managers, including store manager, have said I am one of the best workers they have. So I don't know why I was overlooked. Especially for this woman >.>

I promised myself months ago I'd transfer if I didn't get promoted, because working with my current manager on my schedule and stuff is such a hassle; every other week there's some problem. She'll schedule me on a day she knows I can't work, or a day I'm in class. She forgets when I tell her I have to be gone on certain days. She never tells me if my schedule changes. It's not worth it if she's going to overlook the hard work I put in for her and the company. It's not worth it at all if I'm not being appreciated. So, maybe I'll just transfer to the store I know I will be appreciated at. Even if I don't get third key there, at least I'd be encouraged and thanked for what I do.

End Rant.

Life: A Crash Course

Do you ever have days where you feel like you've been thrown into a crash course in life? Today is kind of one of those days.
 Growing up can be painful. Not physically, though I'm sure getting taller can't feel great (not that I would know =P) But more so an emotional and situational form of growing up. It's hard to see where the lines crossing in to adulthood lie, and it can take you by surprise when you suddenly find yourself past that line.

  I feel like that's happening to me. Not for the first time, of course. But then, who really "grows up" in one fell swoop? Not this girl, that's for sure. I'm finding myself in a new level of this whole growing up business; working, paying bills, budgeting, going to school, paying for school. It's all so grown up that sometimes I look at it all and wonder "When the hell did that happen?" Sometimes, I look in the mirror, and wonder when did I grow up When did I stop looking like a twig and start looking...like this? Not that I think I look bad =P Although I wish my skin would clear up all the way =( breakouts at 22 are no fun.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to a time where I only worked for spending money. I didn't have to worry about anything but twenty dollars for my gas tank and tips for snacks the next day at school.
Sometimes, I wish I could still be the child....and be able to know my parents will take care of everything.

But the fact is, I am 22. I am living away from home, and everyday I am learning new ways to provide for myself, and getting better at the things I've already had a crash course in.

It's sad to think there are people out there who never get past feeling that need to always be cared for; I'm not talking about people who have parents who can support them when they need it, or people who have emotional support, love and care, because we all need those things. I'm talking about people who out right refuse to grow up and learn to take care of themselves. People who have never payed a real bill, or had to make a real budget so they can afford to keep their homes, a tank full of gas and kitchen with food in it.

Sadly, some of these people will and do abuse our welfare system, and make it so that people who have worked hard all their lives and do need the help may one day have to pee in a cup just to get it; how degrading. It angers me to think of the state ever considering making people like my father do this so he can feed my siblings and my mother; just because someone out there is abusing our system. Abusing the offer of a helping hand. Taking and taking while never giving back.
And how many of us have encountered someone who abused our offers of help? Who took from us, but never returned the favors?

 There will always be people who are too afraid to do any real growing up. And, I pity them. As scary as it is knowing all the things I have to do on my own now, I pity them. They are sad people.

Growing up is a fascinating, terrifying, and exhilarating life experience. Don't run away from it just because it looks hard. We are born to grow up. So get out there, and take your own crash courses in life. I promise, when it's over, you won't regret it.