We are off to the great state of Ohia this weekend. What started out as a premptive birthday celebration with my family, we will now also be attending my great grandma's funeral.
While I'm gone, entertain yourselves with the new links sidebar I added yesterday. Ryan Wallace is my best friend, his blog is not for the faint of heart or language, but always enjoyable... Erina Kamata is another close friend, and her new blog is quite entertaining... My brothers' blogs are on the list, as well as my sister-in-law Kaitlin. Attached is a picture of me waiting for her to update it...
The other links are for things I support. Art, apples and weird useless stuff.
Peace.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Vivian Miller
Well, my great grandma Vivian died today at 12:30 in the afternoon.
She was so strong. Of all the character traits that she exhibited over the years, her strength is what sticks with me. She helped plant a church with my great grandfather, she was a farm girl, the eldest, and looked after all of her siblings. When her husband died, she found her strength in her faith and her family. The Eash family, her maiden family, became our family. Closer than most families I know, and a blessing to all of us. She played guitar. Harmonica. Piano (a bit). She had a radio show as a teenager, and taught the first Vacation Bible School class at my grandparent's church. She was very close to my dad, and that enabled she and I to be close. She tolerated me at times, and praised me others. She was a great grandma, not just my great grandma.
Her eyesight died several years ago, and she's been groggy the past 4 years or so. Sometimes lapsing out of when and where she was. Seeing the way she could be at times was painful, but in a way that you ended up feeling bad for her, not you. She used to voice sentiments concerning why God had chosen to keep her alive, but so impaired... but I honestly think that it wasn't without reason. In the past few years, the last of my generation of family members have been born, and had a chance to meet her. In the past few years, she has come out of her haze long enough to understand some of the events taking place around her. At times, I don't think she comprehended, but many other times, it seems that she did. She would ask questions, sing along to old hymns, and play detective with me over dates and names. We'd try to discover important dates, like what year she got married, and what her first job was. She'd hold my hand so tight these last few years. For warmth. For connection. For love. I will miss her, and not just the strong, independent great grandmother that I knew as a child. The one that got angry at my sister for not finishing games, and always had one of those weird fiberoptic flowers that rotated and changed color... hypnotising me as I tried to fall asleep on sleepovers at her house. Come to think of it, she was THE ONLY relative that would watch wrestling with me. I don't think anybody knew we did, either. She probably knew I wouldn't have been allowed to. As I look at the past few years, I realize that I'll miss this great grandma too. And possibly just as much. I know it sounds strange, seeing that she was just a shell of the woman that she once was, but in many ways, she was still progressing. Still growing. Still teaching me. Still living. Some would say that she was hardly living, but I beg to differ. We are who we are. If our eyes are gone, if we have difficulty remembering or focussing, it doesn't stop us from being who we are. If she had been killed in an accident, or died suddenly, I would never have gotten to know the delightfully frustrated, open and vulnerable woman I've had the pleasure of knowing these past 10 years. Somewhere in the laughter over the inability to remember one's birthday, there is a beauty. A peace, and a knowledge that she didn't have to know. That I was so happy to hold her hand that she didn't need to worry about silly little issues like memory or the ability to see. In her hands, she held all the answers of the moment. The love of her grandchild, and the future of her family.
Here's to one of the greatest women I've ever known.
Vivian Miller
Decemeber 7, 1914 - March 10, 2005
She was so strong. Of all the character traits that she exhibited over the years, her strength is what sticks with me. She helped plant a church with my great grandfather, she was a farm girl, the eldest, and looked after all of her siblings. When her husband died, she found her strength in her faith and her family. The Eash family, her maiden family, became our family. Closer than most families I know, and a blessing to all of us. She played guitar. Harmonica. Piano (a bit). She had a radio show as a teenager, and taught the first Vacation Bible School class at my grandparent's church. She was very close to my dad, and that enabled she and I to be close. She tolerated me at times, and praised me others. She was a great grandma, not just my great grandma.
Her eyesight died several years ago, and she's been groggy the past 4 years or so. Sometimes lapsing out of when and where she was. Seeing the way she could be at times was painful, but in a way that you ended up feeling bad for her, not you. She used to voice sentiments concerning why God had chosen to keep her alive, but so impaired... but I honestly think that it wasn't without reason. In the past few years, the last of my generation of family members have been born, and had a chance to meet her. In the past few years, she has come out of her haze long enough to understand some of the events taking place around her. At times, I don't think she comprehended, but many other times, it seems that she did. She would ask questions, sing along to old hymns, and play detective with me over dates and names. We'd try to discover important dates, like what year she got married, and what her first job was. She'd hold my hand so tight these last few years. For warmth. For connection. For love. I will miss her, and not just the strong, independent great grandmother that I knew as a child. The one that got angry at my sister for not finishing games, and always had one of those weird fiberoptic flowers that rotated and changed color... hypnotising me as I tried to fall asleep on sleepovers at her house. Come to think of it, she was THE ONLY relative that would watch wrestling with me. I don't think anybody knew we did, either. She probably knew I wouldn't have been allowed to. As I look at the past few years, I realize that I'll miss this great grandma too. And possibly just as much. I know it sounds strange, seeing that she was just a shell of the woman that she once was, but in many ways, she was still progressing. Still growing. Still teaching me. Still living. Some would say that she was hardly living, but I beg to differ. We are who we are. If our eyes are gone, if we have difficulty remembering or focussing, it doesn't stop us from being who we are. If she had been killed in an accident, or died suddenly, I would never have gotten to know the delightfully frustrated, open and vulnerable woman I've had the pleasure of knowing these past 10 years. Somewhere in the laughter over the inability to remember one's birthday, there is a beauty. A peace, and a knowledge that she didn't have to know. That I was so happy to hold her hand that she didn't need to worry about silly little issues like memory or the ability to see. In her hands, she held all the answers of the moment. The love of her grandchild, and the future of her family.
Here's to one of the greatest women I've ever known.
Vivian Miller
Decemeber 7, 1914 - March 10, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Sunday
Well, I survived my first solo close at Starbucks...
Not without incident, but definitely without catastrophe. I started my apparently massochistic self initiation by silently alarming the police by using the wrong safe code while getting some cash for one of my baristas. The cops showed up discreetly, and I had to go out and let them know that everything was ok. Good response time, though...
Later on, some woman completely desecrated the womans' restroom. That was bad, but my days of working on the pig farm came in handy. Just kept telling myself that this was nowhere near as bad as that. Plus it earned a little respect, that I would do it myself as the manager.
Later on, I dropped an entire catalog of tags for our pastries, and had to resort them. And Matt, the silly Persian, brewed a whole pot of coffee with the spigot open, so it brewed all over the floor. Nice.
But other than that, the night went well, but busy. Tons of customers. Hope it looks good for me.
Anyway, I've had a song in my head as of late... it's by the great songwriter Randy Newman (Best known for his songs for Pixar movies as of late... Toy Story, Monsters Inc. etc...) It's called Political Science and goes like this...
Not without incident, but definitely without catastrophe. I started my apparently massochistic self initiation by silently alarming the police by using the wrong safe code while getting some cash for one of my baristas. The cops showed up discreetly, and I had to go out and let them know that everything was ok. Good response time, though...
Later on, some woman completely desecrated the womans' restroom. That was bad, but my days of working on the pig farm came in handy. Just kept telling myself that this was nowhere near as bad as that. Plus it earned a little respect, that I would do it myself as the manager.
Later on, I dropped an entire catalog of tags for our pastries, and had to resort them. And Matt, the silly Persian, brewed a whole pot of coffee with the spigot open, so it brewed all over the floor. Nice.
But other than that, the night went well, but busy. Tons of customers. Hope it looks good for me.
Anyway, I've had a song in my head as of late... it's by the great songwriter Randy Newman (Best known for his songs for Pixar movies as of late... Toy Story, Monsters Inc. etc...) It's called Political Science and goes like this...
No one likes us
I don't know why
We may not be perfect
But heaven knows we try
But all around even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens
We give them money
But are they grateful?
No they're spiteful
And they're hateful
They don't respect us, so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them
Now Asia's crowded
And Europe's too old
Africa's far too hot
And Canada's too cold
South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us
We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They've got surfing, too!
Well, boom goes London
And boom Paree
More room for you
And more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it'll be
We'll set everybody free
You'll have Japanese kimonos, baby
There'll be Italian shoes for me
They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Weird Night
Well, today was a decent day. I worked a strange shift, and got home later than normal.
Work was good, but it seemed like the clock was moving slower than it usually does. Sarah and I had a really good talk today. It is so nice to have someone who understands me so well. I'm so blessed... I've been thinking about my family alot lately. I hope they're doing well. I talk to them, but not enough, I've been avoiding my phone too much these past several months. I do my best to keep up correspondence, but the whole BOB thing really created this nervousness about answering my phone. I am terrified of unusual numbers at times... it's absurd, but it really effects me. Things have been improving though... I keep pushing myself to call or write. I just feel this disconnection with the world around me at times. Like I need to disconnect. Like being plugged in all the time is bad. You (ANYONE WITH A PHONE) can reach me 24/7. If I'm in the car, at work, or at home, my cell is with me. I don't answer it alot, but mainly because I'm tired of it. Of talking, of listening, of processing. I dearly love some of the people on the other end, and I almost always enjoy the conversation once I'm in it, it's just the dread of picking up the phone that gets me. Call me crazy, or just tell me I'm overthinking it, but it seems to me that there must be alot of people out there who share the same frustrations. This is getting more and more universal, and cell phones are becoming society leashes...
Well, that's it for tonight. A weird post for a weird day.
P.S. Does anybody know who commented on the last post? It was written in a way that bothered me. It's hard to put my finger on it, but it just seemed strange. Maybe if I knew who wrote it, I'd be able to figure it out. It just seemed enigmatic, both in structure and tone. Hmmm...
Work was good, but it seemed like the clock was moving slower than it usually does. Sarah and I had a really good talk today. It is so nice to have someone who understands me so well. I'm so blessed... I've been thinking about my family alot lately. I hope they're doing well. I talk to them, but not enough, I've been avoiding my phone too much these past several months. I do my best to keep up correspondence, but the whole BOB thing really created this nervousness about answering my phone. I am terrified of unusual numbers at times... it's absurd, but it really effects me. Things have been improving though... I keep pushing myself to call or write. I just feel this disconnection with the world around me at times. Like I need to disconnect. Like being plugged in all the time is bad. You (ANYONE WITH A PHONE) can reach me 24/7. If I'm in the car, at work, or at home, my cell is with me. I don't answer it alot, but mainly because I'm tired of it. Of talking, of listening, of processing. I dearly love some of the people on the other end, and I almost always enjoy the conversation once I'm in it, it's just the dread of picking up the phone that gets me. Call me crazy, or just tell me I'm overthinking it, but it seems to me that there must be alot of people out there who share the same frustrations. This is getting more and more universal, and cell phones are becoming society leashes...
Well, that's it for tonight. A weird post for a weird day.
P.S. Does anybody know who commented on the last post? It was written in a way that bothered me. It's hard to put my finger on it, but it just seemed strange. Maybe if I knew who wrote it, I'd be able to figure it out. It just seemed enigmatic, both in structure and tone. Hmmm...
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Interested?
I got an email from a friend tonight about a very controversial article written by a man named James Kunstler. He wrote an article blasting the current administration as a puppet of right-wing evangelical Christian fanatics. He backed his argument by trying to assert that people who believe the world is going to end shouldn't be running a government. His views are also held by aged, and long time journalist Bill Moyers.
I feel that many of his arguments were weak and very stereotypical of southerners and any Christian who considers themselves "born again". (On a funny note, Jesus said that the only way one could be His follower was to be "born again." Thus bringing up the fundamental question of what everyone considers that term to mean. I can't imagine being a non-born again Christian... That's like having an unofficial membership to something. It's great until you need to use it.)
Anyway, I wrote a rebuttle. I am not finished with it, and it is incredibly long. I could post it, but it may have to be in segments, and would be some serious reading... I think I wrote more than he did, and I would include his original article for comparisson sake. What I'm asking is, would that be something you, the reading audience, would be interested in?
I feel that many of his arguments were weak and very stereotypical of southerners and any Christian who considers themselves "born again". (On a funny note, Jesus said that the only way one could be His follower was to be "born again." Thus bringing up the fundamental question of what everyone considers that term to mean. I can't imagine being a non-born again Christian... That's like having an unofficial membership to something. It's great until you need to use it.)
Anyway, I wrote a rebuttle. I am not finished with it, and it is incredibly long. I could post it, but it may have to be in segments, and would be some serious reading... I think I wrote more than he did, and I would include his original article for comparisson sake. What I'm asking is, would that be something you, the reading audience, would be interested in?
Friday, February 18, 2005
Snot, and what little is left in my head
Well, mucus has won. My head is now the official meeting place of snot anonymous.
Honestly though, today went better than expected. After a rough night, my wonderful wife spent the morning nursing me back to a state of quasi-health. I am so thankful for her. I went to work at 11:30 and worked till about 6. Everybody was nice to me, and patient, as I kept running to the back room to sneeze, wash my hands, and return to the front. My manager even let me run out on the clock to get medicine. Nice. After the drugs everything got better. Dayquil is a gift from God himself... or Vicks. One of the two.
Sarah took the day off of school, mainly to help me through the morning, which kind of puts her at a disadvantage because she has to play catch-up now... I wish I could help her with her homework, but I just don't have the insight or ability to do so.
As far as work is concerned, I am now a Shift Manager. I just need the keys to the store and it'll be official. I have everything else I need, and everyone has been showing me a great deal of respect. This has been a great encouragement to me, and has helped me step up. The same baristas that helped train me are now asking me what I'd like them to do. Very cool. What a great group of people I've been blessed with!
Well, that's all for tonight. I think that Sar and I are off to bed, so I bid you adieu.
Jim
Honestly though, today went better than expected. After a rough night, my wonderful wife spent the morning nursing me back to a state of quasi-health. I am so thankful for her. I went to work at 11:30 and worked till about 6. Everybody was nice to me, and patient, as I kept running to the back room to sneeze, wash my hands, and return to the front. My manager even let me run out on the clock to get medicine. Nice. After the drugs everything got better. Dayquil is a gift from God himself... or Vicks. One of the two.
Sarah took the day off of school, mainly to help me through the morning, which kind of puts her at a disadvantage because she has to play catch-up now... I wish I could help her with her homework, but I just don't have the insight or ability to do so.
As far as work is concerned, I am now a Shift Manager. I just need the keys to the store and it'll be official. I have everything else I need, and everyone has been showing me a great deal of respect. This has been a great encouragement to me, and has helped me step up. The same baristas that helped train me are now asking me what I'd like them to do. Very cool. What a great group of people I've been blessed with!
Well, that's all for tonight. I think that Sar and I are off to bed, so I bid you adieu.
Jim
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Sick
I feel like this today.
My sinus canals are clogged and drippy at the same time! How is that possible?
Clogged with drippy? Maybe...
I ramble.
Almost time to go to work. Yesterday rocked! I got so much done. Today, I felt like I accomplished alot when I showered. Yay!
Anyway, I better go. Write more when I'm not so gross.
My sinus canals are clogged and drippy at the same time! How is that possible?
Clogged with drippy? Maybe...
I ramble.
Almost time to go to work. Yesterday rocked! I got so much done. Today, I felt like I accomplished alot when I showered. Yay!
Anyway, I better go. Write more when I'm not so gross.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Life
I'm sitting in my living room at 11:52 at night. I sit alone, my wife is going to sleep in the next room, and Over the Rhine is singing quietly to me about my home state and I am crying.
Life is a funny thing. It slips away. Our memories fade and morph. Our friends come and go. My ideas and ideals of what life should be, seemingly change from day to day. Some would say that it's just my age, but I've come to think that people desensitize themselves to the feelings of loss and confusion.
As I sit here, it occurs to me that there are no reinforcements coming to help me live my life. Too many days, I wait with expectation for that magical "whoever" to come and help me with my bills, help define my dreams, help deliver me from my troubles. I feel tonight like a soldier on the frontlines who has realized that if he is to survive the night, he will need to rely on his good aim, his intelligent use of ammunition, and his fighting buddies. There are no reinforcements coming. This is life. This is the one shot at this little go-round that you get before eternity starts, and if you are going to make it worthwhile, you'd better do it soon.
I am blessed. I have great fighting buddies. I have plenty of human talent, and more than all that, I have a close and loving relationship with The Living God who made the universe. I know what I am here for. I know that my purpose in life is to glorify God through my actions... loving others, living to help those in need, and by so doing, make my life worthwhile. In a world filled with people living for themselves, the only ones that are truly fulfilled in life are the few who dedicate their lives in sacrifice for others. I have been given all this knowledge, been imparted all this wisdom, and yet I sit on my somewhat ugly couch, and watch popcorn movies... oblivious to the tremendous responsibilities required of those that know the Truth.
So here goes, today is truly the first day of the last days of my life. How many are left? There isn't any time to waste. How will I live today? How will I love today? Will I be genuine? Will I lie to make myself look or feel better? Will I ignore the needs of others to better "love" myself? Will I sacrifice my wants and desires to bring glory to the name of the One who laid down His life for me? I continue to cry. Tears like this are few and far between. Like a good rain when land is dry... How can I live the way I do? I feel like Strider from the Tolkien trilogy. All the knowledge, ability and courage to save an empire... sitting in a bar in a back corner of the world. How can I live this way? Acting as though I'm lost. Living as though I don't know what I should be doing. Lying to myself and to the world around me. In denial of the only real truth. How sad is that? Probably the saddest thing I've ever heard of.
So here it goes again. Today is truly the first day of the last days of my life. How will it be spent? Spent is such an accurate term for a day. When it's done, it's done. What will be done at this time tomorrow. Will my wife know more assuradely that I love her? Will I have spent time with God? Seeking His strength and wisdom? Will I have worked to earn money for us? Will I have squandered hours? Minutes? The whole day?
Pedro the Lion is singing now. The song is "Lullabye" off his first album. The first song I heard by him, and so appropriate in this case. After struggling against his worries and overthinking everything, he hears the voice of God say "Rest in me little David, and dry all your tears, you can lay down your armor and have no fear. Cause I'm always here when your tired of running. I'm all the strength that you need."
Sounds like sound advice. In some ways I need to lighten up. In other ways, that's the last thing I need. To sleep my life away... To let days and months and years slip by. What I definitely can do tonight is lay all my cares and concerns at Jesus' feet and sleep, knowing that no matter what I do, He is in control.
Peace. Be still.
Life is a funny thing. It slips away. Our memories fade and morph. Our friends come and go. My ideas and ideals of what life should be, seemingly change from day to day. Some would say that it's just my age, but I've come to think that people desensitize themselves to the feelings of loss and confusion.
As I sit here, it occurs to me that there are no reinforcements coming to help me live my life. Too many days, I wait with expectation for that magical "whoever" to come and help me with my bills, help define my dreams, help deliver me from my troubles. I feel tonight like a soldier on the frontlines who has realized that if he is to survive the night, he will need to rely on his good aim, his intelligent use of ammunition, and his fighting buddies. There are no reinforcements coming. This is life. This is the one shot at this little go-round that you get before eternity starts, and if you are going to make it worthwhile, you'd better do it soon.
I am blessed. I have great fighting buddies. I have plenty of human talent, and more than all that, I have a close and loving relationship with The Living God who made the universe. I know what I am here for. I know that my purpose in life is to glorify God through my actions... loving others, living to help those in need, and by so doing, make my life worthwhile. In a world filled with people living for themselves, the only ones that are truly fulfilled in life are the few who dedicate their lives in sacrifice for others. I have been given all this knowledge, been imparted all this wisdom, and yet I sit on my somewhat ugly couch, and watch popcorn movies... oblivious to the tremendous responsibilities required of those that know the Truth.
So here goes, today is truly the first day of the last days of my life. How many are left? There isn't any time to waste. How will I live today? How will I love today? Will I be genuine? Will I lie to make myself look or feel better? Will I ignore the needs of others to better "love" myself? Will I sacrifice my wants and desires to bring glory to the name of the One who laid down His life for me? I continue to cry. Tears like this are few and far between. Like a good rain when land is dry... How can I live the way I do? I feel like Strider from the Tolkien trilogy. All the knowledge, ability and courage to save an empire... sitting in a bar in a back corner of the world. How can I live this way? Acting as though I'm lost. Living as though I don't know what I should be doing. Lying to myself and to the world around me. In denial of the only real truth. How sad is that? Probably the saddest thing I've ever heard of.
So here it goes again. Today is truly the first day of the last days of my life. How will it be spent? Spent is such an accurate term for a day. When it's done, it's done. What will be done at this time tomorrow. Will my wife know more assuradely that I love her? Will I have spent time with God? Seeking His strength and wisdom? Will I have worked to earn money for us? Will I have squandered hours? Minutes? The whole day?
Pedro the Lion is singing now. The song is "Lullabye" off his first album. The first song I heard by him, and so appropriate in this case. After struggling against his worries and overthinking everything, he hears the voice of God say "Rest in me little David, and dry all your tears, you can lay down your armor and have no fear. Cause I'm always here when your tired of running. I'm all the strength that you need."
Sounds like sound advice. In some ways I need to lighten up. In other ways, that's the last thing I need. To sleep my life away... To let days and months and years slip by. What I definitely can do tonight is lay all my cares and concerns at Jesus' feet and sleep, knowing that no matter what I do, He is in control.
Peace. Be still.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Saturday...
Ahhhhh...
Saturday.
I slept in till 11 this morning. Something I haven't done in a very long time.
I did have good reason to... Our friend Erina Kamata from Tokyo came over to the US for 3 days. Yes... you read right... 3 days. She flew the 14 plane ride here to spend 3 days with her friends and then get on the plane to take the 15 hour plane ride back. But after seeing her face last night, you could tell it was well worth the investment in time and money.
We arranged to hang out with Erina and our Canadian friend Laurie on Thursday night. It ended up being a little later than we expected, and we stayed up real late. They left about 1 am, and we got to sleep about 1:30. I had to be up to go to work Friday morning, and since I needed to get there earlier than normal (I'll explain in a minute) I had to wake up at 3:45. Ouch.
Friday morning, I opened as the shift manager at the Starbucks I work at for the first time. It was "my" shift, and I really wanted it to go well. Things did go well. I was splendid. My store manager, who opened with me to make sure everything went well, did not do a good job. He was slow, and inefficient, and even though, we arrived 15 minutes early, he didn't have 1/2 of the stuff he was supposed to have done, done by the time we opened. He didn't even have it finished by the time our next employee came in at 6:30. It was sad. I even did some of his work for him... while doing mine. Aside from the frustration with him, I had a really good shift. Everybody got their breaks on time, one of my baristas wanted to go home early, and I was able to help her out. The best part of the day, however, was at the end of my shift when we got the mail.
(Background of the story)
As a company, Starbucks keeps tabs on their employees by sending out "Fake customers" for "snapshots" of how each store is running. Our most recent snapshots have been abismal. In the past year, we haven't had a snapshot above 90% quality. Our past three were 62%, 75% and 69% with very low scores in overall friendliness. I've felt that they have caught us at really bad moments, and I've never been there when they snap-shotted us.
ANYWAY...
I got my first snapshot with me on duty, and we got a 96% rating with four out of five stars for service!!!
I am so excited about that! It really reflects well on our store, and on me, so I'm pleased.
God has blessed me so much in regards to this job.
Well, I really need to go to work soon.
I'll write more later.
Jim
Saturday.
I slept in till 11 this morning. Something I haven't done in a very long time.
I did have good reason to... Our friend Erina Kamata from Tokyo came over to the US for 3 days. Yes... you read right... 3 days. She flew the 14 plane ride here to spend 3 days with her friends and then get on the plane to take the 15 hour plane ride back. But after seeing her face last night, you could tell it was well worth the investment in time and money.
We arranged to hang out with Erina and our Canadian friend Laurie on Thursday night. It ended up being a little later than we expected, and we stayed up real late. They left about 1 am, and we got to sleep about 1:30. I had to be up to go to work Friday morning, and since I needed to get there earlier than normal (I'll explain in a minute) I had to wake up at 3:45. Ouch.
Friday morning, I opened as the shift manager at the Starbucks I work at for the first time. It was "my" shift, and I really wanted it to go well. Things did go well. I was splendid. My store manager, who opened with me to make sure everything went well, did not do a good job. He was slow, and inefficient, and even though, we arrived 15 minutes early, he didn't have 1/2 of the stuff he was supposed to have done, done by the time we opened. He didn't even have it finished by the time our next employee came in at 6:30. It was sad. I even did some of his work for him... while doing mine. Aside from the frustration with him, I had a really good shift. Everybody got their breaks on time, one of my baristas wanted to go home early, and I was able to help her out. The best part of the day, however, was at the end of my shift when we got the mail.
(Background of the story)
As a company, Starbucks keeps tabs on their employees by sending out "Fake customers" for "snapshots" of how each store is running. Our most recent snapshots have been abismal. In the past year, we haven't had a snapshot above 90% quality. Our past three were 62%, 75% and 69% with very low scores in overall friendliness. I've felt that they have caught us at really bad moments, and I've never been there when they snap-shotted us.
ANYWAY...
I got my first snapshot with me on duty, and we got a 96% rating with four out of five stars for service!!!
I am so excited about that! It really reflects well on our store, and on me, so I'm pleased.
God has blessed me so much in regards to this job.
Well, I really need to go to work soon.
I'll write more later.
Jim
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
Going Home...
So I'm ready to go home.
Cat hair in my eyes, in my nose... everywhere.
We've been house sitting, and it's been fun, but it's time to go home.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaitlin is spending the weekend with us. She and Sarah are out on the couch now, talking about school, and how teachers are "Like, so completely out of touch!" - just kidding.
Really, now that I think about it, I realize that I have nothing to write.
Sorry.
Jim
Cat hair in my eyes, in my nose... everywhere.
We've been house sitting, and it's been fun, but it's time to go home.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaitlin is spending the weekend with us. She and Sarah are out on the couch now, talking about school, and how teachers are "Like, so completely out of touch!" - just kidding.
Really, now that I think about it, I realize that I have nothing to write.
Sorry.
Jim
Monday, January 24, 2005
Quotes
“How far would Moses have gone if he had taken a poll in Egypt? What would Jesus Christ have preached if he had taken a poll in the land of Israel? What would have happened to the Reformation if Martin Luther had taken a poll? It isn't polls or public opinion of the moment that counts. It's right and wrong and leadership.”
- Harry Truman
“At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.”
- Salvador Dali
“Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain.”
- William Jennings Bryan
“The chief enemy of creativity is common sense.”
- Pablo Picasso
“We need men who can dream of things that never were.”
- John F. Kennedy
“Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit, cannot be severed; for the effect already blooms in the cause, the end preexists in the means, the fruit in the seed.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Chicks only go for guys with skills, like bow hunting skills... nunchuck skills... computer hacking skills...”
- Napoleon Dynamite
- Harry Truman
“At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.”
- Salvador Dali
“Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain.”
- William Jennings Bryan
“The chief enemy of creativity is common sense.”
- Pablo Picasso
“We need men who can dream of things that never were.”
- John F. Kennedy
“Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit, cannot be severed; for the effect already blooms in the cause, the end preexists in the means, the fruit in the seed.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Chicks only go for guys with skills, like bow hunting skills... nunchuck skills... computer hacking skills...”
- Napoleon Dynamite
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
Today went quickly.
It's only 3:00 in the afternoon, and I'm done with work.
The night was fairly uneventful, with the exception of a good dream I had before waking. I rarely have "Good" dreams, and often have bad ones, so I woke up pretty happy. I've always said that while I don't enjoy having bad dreams, I'd much rather have a life where I wake up and I'm happier than I am in my dreams, than to have a life where I dream happy dreams and wake up to a nightmare.
Work went well, and things are falling into place for my training to begin next Monday.
My dear friend Erina Kamata is going to visit the Chicago area in early February! This is very exciting for both Sarah and I, as we haven't seen her in over a year. She lives outside Tokyo, Japan, and while she has tried several times to stay in the U.S., all those attempts have been unsuccessful. We miss her a great deal, and will be VERY happy to see her again.
Oh! I nearly forgot.
I made blogs such as this for both my brothers, and gave the sites to the boys as Christmas presents... Ezra is the only one who has written yet, and here is a link to his site. Please bookmark it, and check back for updates on this 9 year old's life.
Peace out.
Jim
It's only 3:00 in the afternoon, and I'm done with work.
The night was fairly uneventful, with the exception of a good dream I had before waking. I rarely have "Good" dreams, and often have bad ones, so I woke up pretty happy. I've always said that while I don't enjoy having bad dreams, I'd much rather have a life where I wake up and I'm happier than I am in my dreams, than to have a life where I dream happy dreams and wake up to a nightmare.
Work went well, and things are falling into place for my training to begin next Monday.
My dear friend Erina Kamata is going to visit the Chicago area in early February! This is very exciting for both Sarah and I, as we haven't seen her in over a year. She lives outside Tokyo, Japan, and while she has tried several times to stay in the U.S., all those attempts have been unsuccessful. We miss her a great deal, and will be VERY happy to see her again.
Oh! I nearly forgot.
I made blogs such as this for both my brothers, and gave the sites to the boys as Christmas presents... Ezra is the only one who has written yet, and here is a link to his site. Please bookmark it, and check back for updates on this 9 year old's life.
Peace out.
Jim
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Vee Come From Visconsin...
Well, here's the lowdown on what's been up with Sarah and I lately...
We just got back tonight from a wonderful little retreat in Wisconsin. We were about 1 hour north of Green Bay at a little camp with members of our small group from church. It was a great time, filled with good conversation, great food, and sledding down the gigantic hill onto the frozen lake in inflatable tubes. Very cool. Literally.
I'm back at our apartment, and Sarah is spending the night at her uncle Jim's place tonight. We're both happy, but a little overloaded from the weekend of "cabin fever" with friends. She has homework, and I work in the morning, so we thought we'd have a little "alone time." I'll miss her tonight, I'm sure, but this will make us appreciate eachother more tomorrow night.
At work, things are going very well. I passed my panel meeting regarding my becoming a Shift Manager with flying colors. My compatriate Mike the Persian did not... strange, but all things work out for good. Turns out that if he would've made it, one of us would've been shipped to a different store for awhile... I don't know which one, but at least I don't have to think about it. By the time that he's "ready" enough for a new panel, we'll have lost a shift manager or two to transfers or promotions, and the situation will be resolved. I start my shift training and pay a week from tomorrow... Very exciting. $1.75 more an hour, plus I have my 6 month revue coming up on February 1st. That should add a few more shekles and pence to my hourly rate. We'll see.
Well, I love you all, and will continue to write as I am able. Thanks for your continued prayers and support in my life.
Jim
We just got back tonight from a wonderful little retreat in Wisconsin. We were about 1 hour north of Green Bay at a little camp with members of our small group from church. It was a great time, filled with good conversation, great food, and sledding down the gigantic hill onto the frozen lake in inflatable tubes. Very cool. Literally.
I'm back at our apartment, and Sarah is spending the night at her uncle Jim's place tonight. We're both happy, but a little overloaded from the weekend of "cabin fever" with friends. She has homework, and I work in the morning, so we thought we'd have a little "alone time." I'll miss her tonight, I'm sure, but this will make us appreciate eachother more tomorrow night.
At work, things are going very well. I passed my panel meeting regarding my becoming a Shift Manager with flying colors. My compatriate Mike the Persian did not... strange, but all things work out for good. Turns out that if he would've made it, one of us would've been shipped to a different store for awhile... I don't know which one, but at least I don't have to think about it. By the time that he's "ready" enough for a new panel, we'll have lost a shift manager or two to transfers or promotions, and the situation will be resolved. I start my shift training and pay a week from tomorrow... Very exciting. $1.75 more an hour, plus I have my 6 month revue coming up on February 1st. That should add a few more shekles and pence to my hourly rate. We'll see.
Well, I love you all, and will continue to write as I am able. Thanks for your continued prayers and support in my life.
Jim
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Hello, my name is Jim... I live here.
Ok, so it's been a few... WEEKS since I decided that my life would fit onto a page. So to sum up the past few weeks,
My wife and I went and confronted Bob the maniac together - Long story.
My family came out for Christmas. I cooked. It was good. We had a great time.
Sarah got some cool presents, and a nice big Christmas bonus for Christmas... She bought shoes and movies, and books... she was happy.
I got a good start toward an ipod, some neat-o presents from my family including a really cool shelf for our apartment! We had a really good day, and enjoyed eachother's company.
Right now, I am enjoying a day off with Sarah. We went out on a date last night. It was yummy and peaceful. It never occured to me, but the song "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac is dangerously close to being a good song... eerie.
List of the movies that we've obtained in the past 3 weeks:
It should be noted that we found alot of these at Walmart and Blockbuster's sales racks... we did good...
• Hero (WOW!!! Easily the most beautifully made movie I've ever seen.)
• Shakespeare in Love (Good movie...)
• 10 Things I Hate About You (Great movie...)
• Minority Report (Great movie... fun special effects.)
• School of Rock (THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!! possibly overrated by myself...)
• Matrix Reloaded (Ok... so now we own one of them...)
• Babe (My friend from work gave me this. One of my favorite movies ever.)
• O Brother, Where Art Thou? (I adore this movie... "Damn! We're in a tight spot!")
• Blue Crush (I haven't watched this flick yet, but it made a believer out of Sarah...)
• The Princess Bride (What a fantastic movie. We watched it with Rob Reiner's commentary, fun.)
Well, I'm gonna go write a letter now, but at least I got to put something up here for a change. Have a great day, I'll write again soon... promise.
Jim
My wife and I went and confronted Bob the maniac together - Long story.
My family came out for Christmas. I cooked. It was good. We had a great time.
Sarah got some cool presents, and a nice big Christmas bonus for Christmas... She bought shoes and movies, and books... she was happy.
I got a good start toward an ipod, some neat-o presents from my family including a really cool shelf for our apartment! We had a really good day, and enjoyed eachother's company.
Right now, I am enjoying a day off with Sarah. We went out on a date last night. It was yummy and peaceful. It never occured to me, but the song "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac is dangerously close to being a good song... eerie.
List of the movies that we've obtained in the past 3 weeks:
It should be noted that we found alot of these at Walmart and Blockbuster's sales racks... we did good...
• Hero (WOW!!! Easily the most beautifully made movie I've ever seen.)
• Shakespeare in Love (Good movie...)
• 10 Things I Hate About You (Great movie...)
• Minority Report (Great movie... fun special effects.)
• School of Rock (THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!! possibly overrated by myself...)
• Matrix Reloaded (Ok... so now we own one of them...)
• Babe (My friend from work gave me this. One of my favorite movies ever.)
• O Brother, Where Art Thou? (I adore this movie... "Damn! We're in a tight spot!")
• Blue Crush (I haven't watched this flick yet, but it made a believer out of Sarah...)
• The Princess Bride (What a fantastic movie. We watched it with Rob Reiner's commentary, fun.)
Well, I'm gonna go write a letter now, but at least I got to put something up here for a change. Have a great day, I'll write again soon... promise.
Jim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
