Today Amy had an appointment to get her hair cut. I met her there. While she was getting her hair cut Jareth got thirsty. His sippy-cup was in the car, but we had a water bottle. He was willing to learn to drink from that, and it was a success.
Of course, it occurs to me that we forgot to get a picture for Amy to post. But she'll blog about it, no doubt.
Tonight, just a little while ago, he applied that learning to figure out how to drink from a regular cup on his own. He's so proud of doing it, too.
Very cute.
On a different note, someone at work accused me of not having a sense of humor. I replied, of course I did--like so many other things it's in a box in the garage.
Just before I left today I sold a 1970 pop-up camper for $500. We had it priced at almost $600, and most people who looked at it thought it was overpriced at that. Because I was literally on my way out at the time, I had John (the original salesman) finish the paperwork for me. Tomorrow I'll make a show of asking if anyone can make change for a quarter in case I need to split the commission... :-)
At the call center there weren't many people I had problems with--well, people I worked with. Never mind the callers.
Sure, there were people I had nothing in common with, but was there anyone I tried to avoid? No.
Not quite the same at the dealership. The prior salesman is a bit burned out and negative. The other new one is frustrated and his attitude really grates at me. He's a post all by himself, but I don't think I'll be doing that. I'm finding I have to keep some distance from both or they drag me down.
There was one woman at Sara Lee that I avoided for a number of reasons. Amy knows who I'm talking about.
On the other hand, I don't think either of the two are staying around long.
I love the job, but every day without a sale I find myself feeling guilty on the drive home. I tend to feel like if I'm not bringing in enough money yet to support us, do I have a right to enjoy it? I don't spend the day watching the clock to see how soon I get to leave. I enjoy the customers. I just need to get better at closing sales. I know there's a learning curve, but that part is frustrating.
Two news story links:
US Newswire: Tyson Sued for Maintaining Segregated Work Areas: 'Whites Only' Sign and Padlock Placed on Bathroom Door
Reuters: Tyson Foods denies racial discrimination after suit
And it's not like Tyson is just some little company. Admittedly, the plant may have been a little removed from headquarters. That's still no excuse. Local management should have known what was going on.
*Sigh*
From a Cauldron posting:
"Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs!!!!"
An older lady gets pulled over for speeding...
Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?
Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.
Older Woman: Oh, I see.
Officer: Can I see your license please?
Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.
Officer: Don't have one?
Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.
Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.
Older Woman: I can't do that.
Officer: Why not?
Older Woman: I stole this car.
Officer: Stole it?
Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.
Officer: You what?
Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see
The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up. Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half drawn gun.
Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please!
The woman steps out of her vehicle.
Older woman: Is there a problem sir?
Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.
Older Woman: Murdered the owner?
Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.
The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.
Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?
Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.
The officer is quite stunned.
Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.
The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer. The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.
Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.
Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too.
15 Million recycled popsicle sticks to make one 15 meter Viking Longship.
And it sails. It was launched two days ago and is now on exhibit in The Netherlands.
Read about it here.
This was one of those emails going around, but this one I like:
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?" The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," he pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen hand kerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"
Something just occurred to me while posting something at The Cauldron (explaining the story of my escape from the Corporate Rat Maze):
My job at Sara Lee officially ended 7/31/054.
My job at the dealership officially started 8/1/065.
It took me a year. Pretty much to the day.
Sold another one today. It was a consignment unit. Like my last sale, it went for dirt cheap. Like the last one, it was one that had been sitting there a while and everyone was happy to have it gone. All good.
If nothing else, the more older units we can get rid of, the more room we have to bring in newer ones that'll pay better.
Well, I can officially call myself a salesman now. I sold a nice trailer today. They aren't picking it up for a couple of weeks, so I don't get paid the commission on it until the paycheck after that, but it's sold.
I'm really enjoying this job, even if it's going to take up quite a bit of my time. All the better that I enjoy it, then.
Early morning. The dealership hired me and one other new sales guy. The sames manager is driving us out to Michigan and Indiana to see eight of the plants they're made at. It'll be a great learning opportunity. We'll also have scads of road time for discussions.
It also means staying overnight tonight. Three of the stops are today, with the first one at 9am. That means leaving Chicagoland at 5.
That means me leaving home no later than 4:15.
I got up at 3:30.
Oh, I'm going to sleep well tonight.