Pon de Replay

I find it fascinating that I hold a position of authority. The new associates that come in and deal with me after they have been officially hired seem completely scared about me and cautious. I am the most non-threatening person you will ever meet. Of course, after these people get to know me they realize that I am probably the one that they should be the nicest to...hahaha...jk. So, anyway this kid gets hired and he turns red and stumbles his words everytime he talks to you. I am like dude, "You've already been hired. Calm down!" Well, he ends up not showing up for work yesterday and he was called and he said he got his schedule confused and he would be in right away. Yeah well he never showed up. So, his father ends up calling today and for some reason the call gets directed to me even though my store manager was in the store as well. His father preceeds to tell me how he is so sorry about his son missing work and he takes full responsibility of it. He needs his son to work and get out of the house because he cannot stand him anymore. He also tells me how he is embarassed as a father and as an employer that his son did this. He then ends up asking for his son's schedule for the rest of the week. I end up saying, "I appreciate you calling, but it is imperative that he show up when he is scheduled. If he doesn't show up it could result in termination. But thank you for calling!"..........HAHAHAHA!! Very bizarre experience to say the least! The kid is like 21 and I wonder why he didn't just call. Not a good way to start off a retail job, which is the easiest job in the world and there is nothing remotely glamorous about it.

P.S. The fax machine works now! My prayers have been answered!!

Office Space

I always hope that when I comeback on Monday from my weekend off that no problems have occurred operationally with the store. Or, if they have I always hope they have been figured out and there is no need for my so-called "expertise." In the long run, the other managers and probably other staff members could figure out most of the stuff I do. But no, the wait for me to walk in when Monday is my busiest day anyway. Notes are left on the dry erase board screaming my name and cause me immediate irritation. My desk has been completely demolished over the weekend and this causes me more frustration. And to top it all off, trash is falling out of all three trash cans in the office and somehow I am always the only one who manages to dump them out....I have come to the conclusion that nobody wants to take the responsibility for anything because if it gets messed up it all falls back on them. Nobody wants to sign anything because that shit can be tracked. Nobody wants to talk to anybody on the phone because they claim they do not know what to say. Therefore, I become this person. I have basically signed my life away in the name of Sportmart/Sports Authority. My name is on everything and I am in contact with most of the operational people on the Corporate level in Colorado. For some reason nobody wants to order a new fax machine even though the fax machine not working effects all of us, not just me. One of the computer monitors, a printer, and our fax machine broke in a matter of a month. It's been complete chaos waiting for the new equipment to arrive and setting it up when it comes in. Actually, setting it up is not that difficult but the people I work with like to think it is. However, the fax machine still does not work and it is brand new. They need to get a technician out to fix our fax line and yet the damn help desk cannot seem to get on the ball. So, I am left explaining to everybody that we are shit out of luck and if they ask me one more time when it might be fixed I might break their face. Again, I am just irritated with the situation. Now, I know I do this to myself by being the one who takes on all of this bullshit. But if i don't nobody else will and then shit will fall apart. So, on this holiday I spent the whole afternoon building fixtures and making sense of what the corporate office is reall thinking. My hands and arms are now covered in scratches and I feel no gratification from it. Oh well, retail certainly has its days!

License

I forgot to mention how I went and applied for a California Driver's License the other day. It consisted of standing in line and getting an application to fill out. Then, getting back in line to get a number and then I had to sit and wait. I then had to pay $25.00 and take an eye exam. They guy then sent me over to window 26 where there was a camera. I waited in line another 10 minutes and finally got my picture taken. After the picture I then had to take my written driving test. Of course, I was worried because I hadn't taken a driving test of any sort since like 1996. Well, the test seemed kind of hard when I was taking it but I passed none the less. Some of the questions I kind of just do without thinking when I am on the road, but I am not sure if I know the exact law behind it...hahahaha!! 2-4 weeks and I will have my new license!! ROCK ON!!

Bree Van De Kamp

The greatest thing happened to me last night so of course I have to share it with you all. I saw Marcia Cross at the Blockbuster by my house. Marcia Cross plays Bree Van De Kamp on "Desperate Housewives," which is one of my new favorite shows. Not only did I see her but I actually talked to her for a split second. I was wearing my ACDC back in black shirt and she was standing in front of me with her man that she couldn't keep her hands off of. Anyway, she glanced back and me and said, "I like your shirt." I was jacked up for a second because I couldn't believe she was talking to me but then I replied, "Thanks! I like your show! You are my favorite character!" She said thank you very much to me and that was that. I LOVE IT!! I am so lame!!..hahahah!!

What An Asshole?

A guy walks into our store today and starts talking to my store manager about how he was at another store and they said they would give him 15% off a trampoline. My store manager questioned him because we don't usually give a random 15% off some item for no reason. She asked him who he talked to and the guy replies, "I am not sure but he was male and he wasn't american."...GIVE ME A DAMN BREAK!! Just because he didn't look white he assumes he is not "American." This is what California is like. It should be it's own country. There are some huge assholes in the world and I think the majority of them live in this state...HAHAHA!!

Remembering A Friend

May 26th has always been a bad day since the year 2002. On May 26th three years ago my friend Natalie was killed in a motorcycle accident in Douglas County, Colorado. It was said that she died instantly and did not suffer so for this I find some comfort in the whole thing. Natalie was one of my best friends from high school. If there was such a thing as a "second best friend" she would have been it. Natalie was a year older than me and I looked to her as an older sister. She was always my saving grace and whenever I felt like I was worth nothing she would somehow make me see that I was. I remember Natalie always telling me, "Blair, you are funny! No, I mean truly funny. Some people try and be funny and just end up looking like idiots. It just comes natural for you." This always made me feel good because being funny is what I pride myself on. I knew Natalie for about 10 years up until her death. I stayed in contact with her the first year in college and then we kind of lost contact. My mom and her mom are both nurses and worked together in Longmont so I would hear of her through my mom.I actually ran into her a few months before her death and I remember us saying we needed to get together and cetch up. We were both shocked to see each other and it was like something we thought we had lost had just been found. Naturally, with anyones death you start to think of how you should have done stuff differently. I wish I had kept in contact with her more. I wish I had seen her or made more of an effort. She never once did me wrong and I perhaps took this for granted. I mean I am not sure. I guess I just will always hope she knew how grateful I was for her at the time and how I looked up to her....It's weird because usually every year a week before her death I dream about her. I never dream about her but at this time. Natalie is the person who seems to pop up in my head at the most random times and I always just laugh. I have nothing but good memories....So, all I say is that when you have the people in your life that you love unconditionally, tell them. And tell them a lot. You never know when they may not be in your life anymore. You don't have to be friends with someone for the rest of your life but make sure the times that you are friends and love each other that you share that with each other. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I really want to believe that it was Natalie's time to go. But that is really hard for me to believe to this day. A beautiful person like that deserved to be on this Earth longer in my opinion. But I can't dwell on that and I don't think anybody should. She touched a lot of peoples lives and I am fortunate for the time I did have with her.

I hope you all know how much I love you!

Third Eye Blind

"People always take a step away from what is true.
That's why I like you around.
I want you."
-Third Eye Blind

Should I be careful?

I just posted something on my blog and then deleted it because I didn't want to offend anyone. Should I have done that? Do I need to be careful what I say? Not that anyone else really reads this blog, but what if somebody does and I end offending them. It's very strange that I even care about this...hahaha!!

Welcome To Our Crib

Erin's parents were in town last week and they brought us a hell of a lot of stuff. We now have a giant 52inch screen TV. We have two leather chairs. Two wicked cool lamps, which are sitting on two wicked cool end tables. Erin has all of her records here now. We finally have a table we can eat at. We have the original nintendo and we have atari. And of course we still have air hockey and Ms. Pacman. I am trying to figure out if it gets any better than this....hahahaha!! Of course it does, but for now this will do!

Hot in Herre

It's flipping hot today! And this isn't even as bad as it is going to get. I really do not enjoy the heat and naturally people keep asking me why I moved here then. I moved here because it is fricking California. I live right next to the damn beach. I am surrounded by everything and anything having to do with pop culture. I see celebrities walking down the street. I see celebrities driver licenses at my work. It is so unbelievably green here. There is so much to do here.....That's why I moved here!!

Just A Little Bit

Sorry, I have that stupid 50 cent song in my head so of course I have to use it for my title when it has nothing remotely to do with what I am about to say...Anyhoo, we took Erin's parents to the Dresden last night. They seemed to have really enjoyed it. And of course we did since we are regulars there now. It's good to have a place like the Walrus was for me in Colorado only ten times better and cooler. They are two entirely different scenes and the Dresden is nothing but perfect. You all are more than likely sick of me talking about the Dresden but you must understand the beauty of this place.
I crossed over to the dark side once again today. I ended up purchasing the new Mariah Carey CD and I have to say it is pretty good. Not one of my favorites but something I can dance to. I haven't purchased a Mariah Carey CD since her 1996 "Daydream" album, which in all honesty is one of the best CD's I own. Yes, that may seem crazy and I will probably receive many a comments of utter disapproval but I don't care. I loved that "Daydream" album and always will.
Nick, remember when we saw "Glitter?".....hahahahah!!

And The Winner Is.....

Listen to what happened to me today at work and how ghetto the place is that I work. And maybe not the place but the people I work with. I, literally had to break up a fight between two female employees. They hadn't reached the point of punching each other because I stepped between the two of them. They were bitching about something and then all of the sudden one of the girls called the other one a bitch. I mean she truly yelled this and it was at the front of the door. It was like a record had scratched and everything stopped. So, they get into each others face and then I have to jump in and push them away from each other. I am angry by this point because I think it is childish so I end up lecturing them and telling them they need to take it to the back and how inappropriate they were being. They were so freaked out by the fact that I was truly angry that they stopped right there. I don't get mad and it completely stunned them. I went to the back and did something and came back up front and asked the girl if she needed any advil because I knew she had a headache. She looks at me and says sorry and then starts crying. I was like, "What the hell is going on?" But in the end all she wanted was somebody to talk to and to listen to her. I just told her to perhaps refrain from calling someone a bitch next time...hahaha!!

Young Buck

So, Young Buck from the group G-Unit came into my store the other day. He and his "friend" bought boxing gloves and then preceded to go out in the parking lot and beat the shit out of each other. It was seriously like we were watching "Fight Club." For a minute we contemplated whether to go out and stop them or what. In all honesty, I just wanted to know why that guy THE GAME wasn't part of G-Unit anymore....HAHAHAHA!!

So Long Herbert

Erin and I buried her turtle yesterday outside of our apartment by some flowers. His name was Herbert. We buried him while bitching about certain things in our lives and it was kind of humorous. We said a few "kind" words....hahahah....and moved on with our lives. This will be a perfect scene in Erin's script one day.

We Belong Together

Do you ever wonder who you are going to end up with at the end of your life? And I guess I shouldn't say at the end of your life necessarily but in the future? And I am not just saying in a significant other but also in a friend or friends. There are a small few in my life that I would say, "We belong together." These people belong in my life and I belong in theirs. And I think I am still at the point of trying to figure out who really is worth it and who just belongs. I guess I shouldn't put it as who is worth it in the end. I belong with these people and I think they know that they belong with me. At times I wish I could see who I am going to belong with in a significant other kind of way. I wish I could see who is going to sweep me off my feet or who I might sweep off their feet. I guess everyone wishes this and I am not alone whatsoever. Would it make anything easier in my life? Probably not when all is said and done. But maybe it would give me hope at times.

Goodbye To You

So, I dropped my dad and Ann off at the airport a few hours ago. It's always a weird feeling the entire day they are leaving or anyone who is visiting is leaving. It's comforting when they are here and it makes me realize how very grateful I am that they are in my life. But as much as I would love to have everyone in my family right by me I think I need to go through this time on my own. I think it is good for me to have been here almost 8 months without either one of my parents just down the road from me. It's been incredibly hard, but a good learning experience as well. I do hope one day I can live closer to at least a few members of my family, but until then there is always visiting and I am very fortunate in that I do get visited often by my family. What more could a girl ask for? I appreciate the fact that they take time to come out and visit me a number of times. I am always grateful for this and I hope each of them understands how much I love them.

Crash

My dad and Ann have been in town since yesterday. Tonight we saw the movie "Crash" and I cannot even describe to you what a great movie it is. Everyone has been saying how amazing it is. And it takes place in L.A. which makes it even better. I went throught every emotion while watching it and walked out of the movie theatre in complete awe. I give it two thumbs up.

Daydream Believer

Isn't fun to daydream? Seriously, I find myself many a times during the day just sitting there and thinking, "What if?" I find myself thinking about if I were a celebrity or knew a celebrity. It would be fun to be friends with someone famous or be in love with someone famous. I also find myself thinking about funny times with all my friends and family. I'll be sitting there and all of the sudden just laugh out loud. I guess that is a good thing and I guess it keeps my spirits up. I try to tell people that I am excited to wake up every morning and see how I feel at the end of the day. I am excited about the future and what I could possibly be doing and who I could possibly be meeting. So, daydreaming is a good thing for me right now. It makes me laugh and excited for what is to come and also what has already happened.

Fortune Cookie

Here is what my fortune cookie said yesterday....

"You will be changing your current line of work soon."


Hmmm...sounds fascinating!

I will tell you in another life when we are both cats

I bought the movie "Vanilla Sky" yesterday at Best Buy for only $5.99. What a deal!! I forgot how much I really liked it. I also forgot how much the soundtrack reminds me of Nick. I mean, basically it is Nick. I saw this movie with Nick and I remember how there were parts of it when we would react in the same way. It was funny and it made me smile. Nick is my movie buddy and that is one of the things I miss about him.
I would also like to point out how funny it is to go to the YMCA and seriously just watch people as I am working out. I love the guys who constantly look at themselves in the mirrors and flex and they think nobody is watching but really everyone is watching. And then there are the guys who use a machine and immediately go look at themselves and think that their muscle has become 2 centimeters bigger....HAHAHAHA!!

Fin

That's it! My birthday is over and I am officially 25. Last night, my roommates took me on quite the birthday excursion. We first started out at Trader Vick's where they have the best drinks in the entire world. We then headed down to Barney's Beanery, which has been around for ages. Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix use to go there. We then got lost for a little bit and ended up at a psychic where the place smelled of pee and dog hair....hahahaha!! The lady read both of my palms and was pretty on about what she was saying. The more you pay the more you say. We walked out of there just laughing because of how good of a story it would be. "What did you do on your 25th birthday Blair? I went to a psychic!" We headed over to the Derby, which is where they meet Heather Graham in the movie "Swingers." Finally, we ended up at The Viper Room, which is Johnny Depp's bar and where River Phoenix had a drug overdose. It was a crazy crazy night and I had such a good time. I am glad I was taken to a bunch of different places because there is so much to see here. Now, it is back to reality and I must clean up my life to some degree as it has been put on hold for a few days! Thank you to all for the cards, emails, text messages, calls, etc. It means more to me than you will ever know!

Cinco De Blair

Last night was a very good start to my birthday. Erin, her brother, his friend, and I went to the famous Dresden of course. Marty Elayne sang Happy Birthday to me and Marty even gave me a cassette of their music. And the whole night he would make reference to me every now and then. It was awesome. Not to mention the fact that I go to the bathroom and as I come out Elayne grabs me and says, "Blair, Happy Birthday! My birthday is next week!" We started chatting for a moment and I couldn't believe Elayne and I were actually having a conversation. But wait, before that I had bought the bass player a drink because he's adorable. He came up to me when I was walking to the bathroom and said thanks for the drink and so on and so on. He ended up sitting with us for a bit between sets. It was such a fun fun nite and I know tonight will be a blast as well. Goodtimes!
And so here I am on my 25th birthday. My phone has been blowing up all morning and it makes me laugh. Because my birthday is on Cinco De Mayo people just know this date. Not necessarily because it is my birthday but anyone who has ever known me well remembers that somebodys birthday is on this day. So, I get calls from people I haven't talked to in a year or even more. It's fun. I love my birthday and I am sorry I keep talking about it, but I really do...hahahah!

Let The Games Begin

Tonight I am starting the birthday celebration early. I am off to the Dresden, which seems to be our new favorite place. Today I got a cake from my coworkers and one of them even bought me lunch. I feel good. I feel very good. Of course, I feel good every birthday as many of you know. Tomorrow I will be 25 and the only thing that could make my life better would be all of you here with me. I MISS YOU! I MEAN I REALLY MISS YOU!

Shiny Cars

I have noticed a lot of different things while living in Brentwood/LA. But one of the main things I have noticed is all the BMW's that line the streets and the cars around here are so unbelievably clean. I mean extremely clean. My car looks like it just came out of a junk yard compared to the cars surrounding where I live. Why are the cars so clean here? Is it because I live in a predominantly upper class neighborhood? Or maybe it is because there's no snow here, therefore, cars are less likely to get dirty like in Colorado. Everything is so shiny.

Typical Conversation

Here's a typical convesation between me and my coworkers during lunch.

Roxana: He is such a jerk. I don't understand why he has to say the things he does.

Blair: He's just a punk ass Roxana who leads a miserable existance and feels the need to make others feel miserable.

Roxana: Well, now he wants me to go get him lunch and I get everbody lunch but I don't want to get him lunch. What am I going to say to him?

Duran: Tell him you don't like white people!

THE END

Sunday Bloody Sunday

I worked today, which is weird because I usually do not work on Sundays. However, I have my bday and so on off this week so it only seems fair that I would work on a Sunday. Sundays are crazy busy and the people seem to be even worse than they are during the week. I watched a guy pay for a $1200 purchase with 12 $100dollar bills. It was completely insane and I wondered if I would ever have that much money in my hand at once and it actually be my own money.