Learn How To Run A Business

While working at McDonald's, I got an idea to write about the wonderful "peace" you go into after about an hour or two of working where you can just quickly take orders, get it all right, and it is a nice relaxing bit. If you have seen in Futurama where Fry drinks 100 cups of coffee then finally gets to this golden zone, that is what I am talking about.

However

Not long after this "golden zone" came did it go. We have a manager that slipped and fell and injured his arm in the freezer about 3 weeks to a month ago. Every day I am working with him he complains and complains about how he can only work with one arm and how everyone else is doing sub par work. In doing this a guy who was just trying to cover his stations ends up getting blamed for not doing his job, and at first he shrugs it off and takes the warning that he didn't deserve. Then he kept getting blamed and they got mad.


Manager and him both go back and forth using strong curse words, and then that gets everyone else rallied up. I however am in the front, only maybe 5 feet from where they are shouting this and I couldn't help but feel sorry for the customers who were subjected to this.

Also, the family friends of the manager who work there were allowed to slack off, use cell phones, etc. All the while I finally found out why the manager is so bitter. He used to work at another McDonald's nearby which according to him was so much better than this one, never getting a rating under 99/100.

Look, I'm not used to the working world so if this really is what it is like everywhere well then as they would say "fuck me." I'm going to go to the "good" manager and bring this issue up with her as that really is not the kind of environment I want to be in, nor associated with. We'll see how the issue goes once I bring it up.

That Was Just Day Two!?

This post may be a little disturbing to some people after "The Crazy Part," so just a fair warning.

As some of you know I recently started a job at a local McDonald's. It was the only place that called me back but they did it so fast and provided bunches of training, plus there are great benefits so I figured what they heck I'll go for it. Sure enough I got the job.

Fast forward to yesterday: First day and they stick me at counter during a rush. I'll tell you what I learned the names and acronyms for all the food quite quickly however the crew in the back was, as the manager said, doing "HORRIBLE" so our fast food wasn't so fast. Kind of sucked as day one but I figured they were just having a bad day and I would come in fresh tomorrow.

The Crazy Part
I went in for the breakfast shift this morning, meaning tons more acronyms to learn and it is a harder menu to take orders with then the lunch, since there is such limited space for acronyms and so many words to a breakfast meal.

It was pretty calm this morning and then this divorced couple with their kids walk in. I ring their orders up and we get them their food, no problem. Then about 5-10 minutes later there is this hitting and shouting coming from the lobby. "YOU TOOK MY BABIES YOU F***ER! YOU STOLE MY BABIES" and then the guy just kept hitting her, she was getting quite red from all of the blows and clearly very upset. The young child with them just kept saying "Don't touch me, Don't touch me" and was crying. My manager comes running out and calls the cops immediately. Other guests are horrified at the situation and one guy comes up to ask for his money back as he didn't want his kids to see that. Good for him, I wouldn't want my kids watching that either.

The cops rush over and take the woman and child outside as they are quite distressed. Then a cop comes back in for questioning to the guests who were sitting over near the incident.

This was all quite a shock to me and afterward all the crew members were like "I have never seen that before," or "That doesn't ever happen," or "Only once in my entire career with McD's have I seen such a thing." I also apparently looked rather freaked out as they (crew) kept asking if I was okay. It is a real nice crew over there, but I mean my first two days have been rather suckish. I hope it gets better from here on out.

Learn How To Treat Customers

Today was the day that GameStops got the new Xbox 360 S in stock. I called once early today and then a little later to see if it was in stock. I was told it was in stock so I rushed over to GameStop and found out they had just sold out -- or almost.

At first I figured it was just the way of things and I was going to put a reserve on a new Xbox 360 S. Then at the counter next to me there was a guy, we'll call him Jack, and Jack was trading in an old Xbox 360 in order to afford the new one, much like I did a week ago. However, it turned out he didn't have any video cables with his system so they wouldn't take it. The cashier ringing up Jack suggested to my cashier that if Jack didn't have everything they could let me buy the Xbox 360 S.

At this point I was pretty excited knowing their strict policy on trading in systems. However, then my cashier crushed my dreams. He asked Jack, "Can you run to your house and get it in like 10 minutes?", obviously not trying to help me. Jack said "Yeah" (of course), and then my cashier, you know the person is supposed to help you said "Or we could get a used one and pair it up with your system but you would have to buy it."

Well that is just great, all the meanwhile the other cashier was trying to help me and obviously saw that I should be the one who should get the system. It ended up going so they found a cable, Jack had to buy so he could trade in, and I ended up with no system. However I did get a reserved one for July 9th.

Still, that is no way to treat your customers, and on "tellgamestop.com" I left feedback that showed how I felt. I mean, if you have a guy who is ready to purchase the console right now and you have someone who it is very iffy on if they can even get it, are you really going to hold a console, which it was said that they wouldn't do, for some guy who has the possibility of not being able to get it? I wouldn't, I would have given it to the guy who had the cash right then.

People sometimes, you know?

Personal Space

I am fine with sharing space with people; we do it all the time. Think of on an airplane, on the bus, or even on a family vacation in your car. However, note the keyword here: share.

Today, we are on our way back home and we stopped at a hotel about 2/3 of the way home with a pool. I was so excited for the pool since it was more time with the water. I frantically search for my suit in the suitcase in the car. Then I go to my room and set everything down, put on my trunks, and then head down. I am greeted by about 3 groups in the pool. This normally isn't any problem, except when one of the groups decides they want to take up half of the pool.

Again, I have no problem with sharing, but leave at least some space for people to move about. Not to mention there were many dirty looks from that group as well. There were maybe only 5 of them, but they wanted to pass a ball around and ended up taking up essentially the majority of the pool. I couldn't go to the shallow end to swim since I have long arms and they would smash against the ground. Then other places had small groups together so there was no decent spot to go. These kinds of things can ruin a night.

It is that feeling when you are in a plane that is just a bit too small and you have a real large guy next to you. Or when you are talking to someone and they are standing just a bit too close. You are uncomfortable but what can you do? You can leave, and that is what I just ended up doing.

There is also "personal sound space," where either people have their iPod's/Zune's volume up far too loud, or someone is talking loudly on a phone. It could even be SOMEONE YELLING ON THE COMPUTER USING ALL CAPS. I assume people have common courtesy and really I believe that most people do. However sadly, you don't tend to remember those who do exercise it and you remember those who don't.

 Just a friendly reminder to respect people around you :)

Advertising

Today on the beach I was just sitting there and in case you aren't familiar with how Myrtle Beach works with advertising, they have planes fly by with some sort of message trailing them. Today I saw one that said "$9 Sunglasses for .01c NO JOKE." 

At first that doesn't look odd, $9 for one cent right? Good deal! Now look a bit closer. 

".01c"

What that actually says is one-tenth of a cent. To write that so it would be correct as "1 cent" it would have been written "$0.01." I'm very tempted to go down to the shop and hand them a dollar and ask for their entire sunglasses stock. 

Anyway, when you advertise anything, have a few trustworthy people read it over to make sure that it says what you want it to say. Other examples are on the LifeAlert commercial where they have the Surgeon General/Whoever saying "And that's why I wear one." However in the quotes on the TV it says "I wear one too." It really is the little things, proofreading is important and there is a reason why teachers pushed that so hard in school.

Day of Silence

First off don't get me wrong, I am not against homosexuals and I do feel they should be able to marry and have the same rights and be able to express themselves. However, the "Day of Silence" has lost its initial purpose and become a way to simply not conform and basically get a free pass for one day.

The "Day of Silence" is to have everyone who supports homosexuals stay quiet the entire day symbolizing the fact that homosexuals can not openly express themselves. Awareness is good surely? Yes it is, but what I see this day used for loses the value of the day.

Select groups will use this day to try and "separate" themselves from others and show how they are different. Being different isn't bad, however don't go and jump on everything like this for your own personal "needs" to feel different. Show that you are different in the kind of work you do, or simply be a kind individual as everyone knows we need more of them.

The other issue with how the Day of Silence has progressed is kids will use it as a "get out of class-speaking/participation free card." If you show a simple paper to a teacher then they somehow automatically exempt you from everything verbally. That is like using homosexuals as a scapegoat so you don't have to do work. You should be ashamed.

From what I see on TV and hear online, many people are "coming out of the closet" and openly expressing themselves. This is progress, and this day may even be outdated as well pretty much anyone can be gay and it is becoming accepted. Granted, someone will always hate someone else, but that is how it is with any demographic group.

Just please think about why you do what you do. You might just realize the real reason behind something too.

My Electric Security Blanket

After talking with a friend, yeah I have those, today it helped me realize just why I, and I am sure many others may dislike the general society but enjoy IRC or Social networking.

Basically, the computer is a place where you have total control. You get to choose who sees you, what people can post about you on your pages, and in my case, you know a bit more than lots of the common folk on there. Essentially, you are "king." This power is what draws me to the electric world.

Behind my desk if I don't like a person, I can ban them and never have to talk to them again. Or, if they end up annoying me with lots of status updates, simply 'Remove Friend'. They don't realize this for a while and you can just sit back and read about the people you actually care to listen to.

Not to mention, you are in a comfortable environment, and even if you are on the road you still have your flash drive, a few key apps, and the gateway to your kingdom.

"It is sometimes preferred when people are no more than an avatar and some text."

Twitter Test

I've noticed that based on what I say on Twitter and the tags used, people begin to follow you. I find this interesting especially when it tends to be on simply keywords, such as this tweet:

Anyone know of any really good migraine cures? Or how about something that just works a little? NSAIDs, Asprin, and Tramadol have no effect.

That night I get no replies, however I wake up to find an email stating that a Twitter profile that specializes in Tramadol addiction is following me.

Did I state I was addicted, or did I state I had anyone close to me addicted? No, and I don't. All I said was that I had tried Tramadol to cure a headache and it didn't work.

Here is what I propose in doing:
For the next week, using specialized tags and wording to see just how crazy this type of a thing can get. I won't count the Twitter-whores, you know, the ones who are pictures of women and following like 3,200 people. I will just count anything related to what I Tweeted. This is all simply just to see how quickly someone will follow you for saying the right things, and hey maybe come up with some algorithm for this.

Experiments are fun.

The Brain and God

Anyone who gets into studying about the brain realizes that what we are is determined by bunches of chemicals in your brain. Science shows us how everything works (at least to our knowledge) and influences what we do. Also the fact that medications can change how we think or feel, it is obvious that we are really chemical.

However, if you believe in God, as I do, it raises questions about "Well what is a soul?" and etc. Also, what about the Heaven that people see when they are dying? The "white light"?

No one really knows the answer to these questions, but various people, including those who mapped out our DNA mentioned that it was just too perfect and it could not possibly have happened by chance, there must be a God. The more and more I learn I also come to this conclusion.

Now this could get into a huge fight, but here is what I do, I just take a view combined of science and religion, and then apply it to today, and that is essentially how I do things. Religion gives you the good values, science gives you explanations, and then today lets you see how it all relates.

Above all, keep an open mind about things, I like to think I do.

An Antarctic Paradise

This is mainly a WTF post, so if that either entices you or pushes you away, feel free to make that decision now.
Okay good?

So maybe a month ago I had this insane dream, and I figure maybe I would share my dreams every now and then, especially when in my opinion they are just so cool.

I am on an expedition to Antarctica, and alone. The terrain is beautiful and suddenly I come across this creature that looks like it needs assistance. So I bend down trying to get a better look, then the dream fast forwards to this tropical city, but it is like a secret Antarctic society. The creature that I "helped" was a member of this society. It was bright and sunny, with palm trees and a few tall buildings overlooking the sea, however if you went too far out of this city then you would end up back in the frozen tundra.

I end up walking down the street and somehow offend one of the natives. They looked just like anyone I had ever seen, however there was something slightly different about them that I couldn't place my finger on. In this land, they have ruling over you, so I was sent to the combo jail/hospital. In this place, I see people who appear to be getting repair, but it isn't anything magnificent, it is more or less just a hallway with a room on either side, maybe some offices down the hall, but the white paint is chipping and the bright blue outside shines on in.

Then I realize while in the jail/hospital what makes these people different. They are made of clay, and that was the patchwork I had seen being done. After about a few times of this arrested cycle I go to see the doctor. He offers to make me clay, knowing forever I would have to stay here, but I would be sure to find happiness here and everything would work out. So I agree, and he takes out this bag as if it were a molding clay bag. I ask what is the difference between the types, he says some last better and the one he had was the best, so I took it.

We go into a room where I must then strip off my clothes and get into what just looks like a hot tub. The doctor pours the mix in, and then I feel just different. Have a little more pep in my step, but then see people who are still human being made fun of by clay people, and instantly regret my decision.

A dream that could mean a lot of things but most likely "Don't change yourself for others."

The Power of Suggestion

Pay close attention in some public place, like school, the movies, or church.

Ever notice when somebody coughs, sniffs, takes a drink, or even has flatulence then others may join in? Writing this I yawn just simply thinking of that as an example. I'd be willing to bet you got some urge to do that, or maybe if I said just the word "breathing" you would become aware of it, or "blinking". Then of course you eventually put those thoughts into the back of your head and normal biorhythms take over again.

Ever since my psych and even bio class, I have been thinking more and more about why people do things and how people work. The body and mind are amazing to me, I just have this need to explore it and figure out how it works and why.

But we go and tend to copy what goes on around us, or maybe we think that we shouldn't disturb something anymore than needed, so we try to cough or sniff or drink within the nearest time of whomever started it.

This concept also was tested on the Mythbusters episode "Is yawning contagious?". It really is the power of suggestion, and maybe we just do it for comfort, as the cough or drink was always in the back of your head but once you see/hear it then it becomes your top priority.

And why did I think to write this blog post? Power of suggestion of blogger in the the most recent episode of House. You know, the one that has "Donna" from That 70s Show? Weird to see her in other roles.

And by the way, I just got word that the school will pay for my college next year in every subject, versus before where it was just a good chance it would happen. Also, the only things left in my way are the ACT, then of course the rest of high school.

A Little About Me and Her

Don't know if you saw my Facebook status or my Tweet, but I am going to college next year (Sinclair Community College) through PSEO. PSEO basically is like you go to college, but in addition you get high school credits and the high school pays for it, which by the way is a sweet deal for Sinclair as they actually make money off of this.

This accomplishes a few things:

• Away from high school, getting on with my life
• No longer in those sickening halls (oh wait this was the same as my first point)
• A "year" of college credit, or at least some free college (don't know how my college college will accept the credits)
• Let me work a job on my schedule/actually have a schedule where you can easily go to work (since classes can be custom picked for many times throughout the week)
• Let me pursue my interests even more

I can't wait for this, however there is one downside, I won't get to see a certain girl every day.

Her name is Paige, and we met at high school, Freshman year. Lately we somewhat "hit it off" and became really good friends and then a little more than that.

I'm not going to get too detail-y about us as most likely you have heard it all before from someone else, so I will just skip to what happened in the hall that shocked me.

I told her I was going to do PSEO next year, she looks sad and says "Awww" so I hug her. She then hugs me so tight and doesn't let go. This kind of thing really made me see how much I mean to other people, and just how powerful, well, love can be. It never hit me up until this point what all that stuff was about and such.

But don't worry, I will still make time for her and talk to her every night, it will just be a little different in terms of not being able to see each other every day.

Someone sure is growing up.

Artificial Coloring

Behind me in class this girl was eating some grapes. Completely natural, organic, right off of the vine grapes. They were the red/purple type as well, and she turns to her friend and asks "Are my teeth purple?"

I couldn't believe the question she asked, did she really think that it had some sort of artificial coloring? Has all of the candy we know and love made us think that any colored anything will leave a trace in our mouth?  It just shocked me that she thought it could happen, with something that is well, real food.

I know some natural foods can turn your teeth/tongue certain colors, but in terms of a grape I don't know if she thought that the "juice" inside was some sort of candy gel or what.

Is this where we are as a species, raised to think that all foods have these colorings and fake artificial everything? If so, people need a real wakeup call.

You Are Both Wrong

The religious vs atheists is going to be a lifelong battle, and then enter the joke of how religious will win in afterlife since atheists have no after life, but whatever.

This post is mainly what annoyed me so, but not with one group, but both the religious and athiest.

Basically this is how I think it breaks down, in the larger scheme of things:

1. Religious people go out and stick some billboards up, help out, donate, spread the Word of God. Sometimes they get carried away with this though.
2. Atheists like feeling superior and wish to have fun crushing what they call "fairy tales". So they go and stick up their own ads, tell others they are stupid for believing in a God, even form groups to act like a religion of anti-religion.
3. Religious people get mad that these people are posting their opinions up and passing it off as truth, so then they give a big hissy fit.
4. Atheists sit back and laugh enjoying the chaos they have created, but continue on.
5. Goto 1

This stuff always ends up badly, but what is my main point here is just to chill out people. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and don't try to drag someone down just because you may not be having the best time. Let people believe what they want, let people have their fun, but don't ruin stuff for others. Even if you don't believe, you should at least have some form of morals. And then if someone does rain on your parade, don't go whine about it, you should just "turn the other cheek". That is what you have been taught, so you should practice it.

How The Internet Forms Us

I made a fun little basic Flash app that counts down from 3 and then takes your picture via webcam. If you don't have a webcam, then you might get errors as I don't check for that but should.

Anyways, so I stuck it in my forum signature on Neowin, just for fun to see how many pictures I would get. I ended up getting a shirtless guy just messing around. I thought it was pretty funny, but then it also occurred to me what the internet makes us do.

Many web comics I have seen hit on this subject, and basically all say being anonymous and having an audience ends up for some pretty stupid or pretty funny results.

This all goes back to our need to have people think of us in a certain way. In real life you have a set of standards that everyone has to conform to to be "socially acceptable" and usually to maintain friends who don't mind being seen with you. Sure there are exceptions, like being friends with that one guy who would go streak through the halls and then you just stand back and laugh. However, actually hanging out with this guy you might be a little worried he would do something that could be potentially trouble causing.

This is where the internet comes in. Basically, there are no real "rules" and you can be whomever you wish. Anyone at all, have fun, do anything. Everyone is a bit different online, and some are much different there than in real life, so you get completely different sides of people. When all of these changes from people are added up, you usually get a more idiotic, but potentially very funny atmosphere.

However there is a downside to all of this. With the internet becoming more and more important, people also look at what you do online when applying for a job, so if you have something seriously bad up there and it is related to you, guess who isn't getting the job.

Oh people, what are you going to do?