Annoying things from this evening:
-The editing of the store map. That thing hadn't been updated in... I'm guessing years. It took me most of my shift to finish.
-Missing the series finale of BSG to work on that freaking map. And that I'm writing this before I've watched it.
Funny things from this evening:
-The guys who came in for coffee five minutes before close were arguing about why one of them is nihilistic as they were leaving. It took all I had not to laugh until after they left.
-The police car that tried to bait me into speeding on the way home tonight. He tried three separate methods - slowing down to 10 mph below the speed limit (I was already doing 5 mph below because I'm in no hurry and would rather not get pulled over), moving to the other lane, and then finally, pulling over completely and then pulling out behind me. As though I were a retarded monkey incapable of realizing that he was still right behind me.
-"My brains are leaking out my ears and eyeballs." "It's not even nine yet..."
-The guy who truly thought that a book that teaches real chemistry to children (not just the Periodic Table or fun "experiments," but, like, actual chemistry), would be available in a bookstore on the day that he needs it.
That's the gist of my day. I also finished reading the new Maximum Ride book (I can't believe I'm reading them...), and I must tip my hat to James Patterson for reaching out to young readers as he has been. Between this series, the Daniel X series, and the one about Witches that's coming out this winter, he's really all over that. I have a lot of respect for authors who try to engage children.
Alright, it's time to let the BSG saga end.
<3 K
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Why I'm here...
I sort of decided it might be a good idea to start blogging again, mostly because I've been feeling uber-stressed lately, and have felt no real means of release. Sadly, reading, while enjoyable, is not really enough to make me forget how annoying certain aspects of life have been of late.
So I'll be expressing them here. It will probably mostly be tales of stupid customers.
So enjoy.
<3 K
So I'll be expressing them here. It will probably mostly be tales of stupid customers.
So enjoy.
<3 K
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Why I hate people...
Some days I just can't take working in retail.
After the store closed today and I was getting ready to lock the door, this woman and her son pushed their way in.
"We know exactly what we want," she lies, which I only find out when I take her to the Study Aid section and she, in fact, has NO IDEA what she wants, and wants to look at everything.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, we closed five minutes ago, and we're taking our registers down, so if you don't know what you need, then you need to leave."
And I'm ignored. So I sent one of my male booksellers, who chased her out. And at the registers, while checking out, she asked for calendars, and took her sweet ass time.
It was all I had not to tell her to get the FUCK out of my store and never come back.
I don't need that kind of bullshit from you, especially when I was NICE and let you in when I could have just told you to leave.
My mom says I should have called the police.
BLARGH. People suck. I think everyone should be REQUIRED to work in the service industry (retail or food service) and get treated like CRAP by someone. Then there would be a lot less assholes in the world.
Rant over. Thanks for reading!
<3 K
After the store closed today and I was getting ready to lock the door, this woman and her son pushed their way in.
"We know exactly what we want," she lies, which I only find out when I take her to the Study Aid section and she, in fact, has NO IDEA what she wants, and wants to look at everything.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, we closed five minutes ago, and we're taking our registers down, so if you don't know what you need, then you need to leave."
And I'm ignored. So I sent one of my male booksellers, who chased her out. And at the registers, while checking out, she asked for calendars, and took her sweet ass time.
It was all I had not to tell her to get the FUCK out of my store and never come back.
I don't need that kind of bullshit from you, especially when I was NICE and let you in when I could have just told you to leave.
My mom says I should have called the police.
BLARGH. People suck. I think everyone should be REQUIRED to work in the service industry (retail or food service) and get treated like CRAP by someone. Then there would be a lot less assholes in the world.
Rant over. Thanks for reading!
<3 K
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The long version
This is a lengthy response to John Green's recent YouTube video about the state of the book industry. It really struck a chord with me, and I found the response space to be not nearly enough to fully explore my feelings. Here is a link to the video in question.
This may never be read, but here goes anyway:
Quite frankly, (and especially as someone who works in the book industry), I'm terrified by the current lack of respect for books. I have loved books since before I learned how to read them - books are magic. I think the problem is that people aren't brought up with that respect that I was - books are seen now as expensive and labor intensive. Anything that's more difficult than Twilight is too much work for some kids.
"They" (all the book moguls) thought E-books would be the solution to this problem, but E-books don't satisfy the true book lovers and are too expensive for people who will read something only if it's cheap and easy.
I feel like the current youth need more inspiring reads - take Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It bridges the gap between picture book and young reader books, and kids like it - we NEED more books like that. But we also need more books that will transcend that and bridge the next gap, books that will grow with those children who haven't yet developed the hatred that is inspired by teachers making them read things and do book reports.
Also, do away with book reports! How many kids do a book report without even reading the book? What lesson do they get, what inspiration?
The truth is, I don't know the solution, but I have a feeling that it's similar to the solutions to many of the other problems the world faces at this time - individuals have to stand up and do something about it.
Buy a book. Read to children. Read. Just read.
This may never be read, but here goes anyway:
Quite frankly, (and especially as someone who works in the book industry), I'm terrified by the current lack of respect for books. I have loved books since before I learned how to read them - books are magic. I think the problem is that people aren't brought up with that respect that I was - books are seen now as expensive and labor intensive. Anything that's more difficult than Twilight is too much work for some kids.
"They" (all the book moguls) thought E-books would be the solution to this problem, but E-books don't satisfy the true book lovers and are too expensive for people who will read something only if it's cheap and easy.
I feel like the current youth need more inspiring reads - take Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It bridges the gap between picture book and young reader books, and kids like it - we NEED more books like that. But we also need more books that will transcend that and bridge the next gap, books that will grow with those children who haven't yet developed the hatred that is inspired by teachers making them read things and do book reports.
Also, do away with book reports! How many kids do a book report without even reading the book? What lesson do they get, what inspiration?
The truth is, I don't know the solution, but I have a feeling that it's similar to the solutions to many of the other problems the world faces at this time - individuals have to stand up and do something about it.
Buy a book. Read to children. Read. Just read.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)