When I worked the Christmas rush at Bath & Body Works waaaaay back in high school, my manager would frequently forget to give us breaks, and there were a few times when it was literally a choice between closing my register without a replacement or peeing on the floor. (I closed my register.)

One of the great things about working at B&N is that they have everybody's breaks written down on the schedule, and if there's a delay, you can always figure out who messed up.

Also responsibility for having only one person up front during a busy period.

My local post office is pretty good, but as far as I can tell, the number of people working up front often has no correlation with how busy things are. I think they use a dartboard.

no, but if the manager isn't doing their job, she might have felt that she had no choice. Not that it excuses her behavior, but the manager has to take some responsibility as well.

Oh, for sure.

Third time's (hopefully) a charm. Giftee's package is officially on its way! Phew.

Now I can truly say Good-bye to 2009! You really sucked ass right there at the end, so I'm glad you're gone.

Because I got some sad news late this afternoon, I've had several beers, I don't (yet?) blog, and I delurked in the Great Delerking of Aught Nine, I'm going to post my 2009 wrap-up here.

The past year had some bad and some very good. The bad has to do with the fact that I haven't worked steady in a year and a half, and, while I've applied for numerous jobs, I've yet to get so much as an interview. So my income level, which wasn't great, is even worse, and the whole situation is very stressfull. Added to the fact that I still have a fraction of a job left, and there is someone there who has far less seniority than me, is doing all the tasks I used to do. But I'm not a sycophantic whore. And I hate that I spend so much energy on a job that sucks.

The good has been very good for me. I ran for a federal office in a special election last year, and have gotten back involved politically with the party I'm registered (which is socialist). I've met some great people while doing that, and renewed old relationships. There's so much going on, and so much that needs to be done, and I think I've found a productive group of folks with which to work. It's a different sort of political work than I'm used to, but that's ok. I'm making another run for higher office this year, in a different district, so I hope to be able to do a lot of work around that.

My brother's health continues to be ok. He almost died a few years ago, and it continues to be a concern.

I decided to go back to college and, I hope, at some point to get my BA. The first step begins this month when I start back at community college to finish up my AA (four units to go!) So I hope this time next year, I'll have that.

While I haven't had a date in so long, I'm not sure what one is, there is a fellow I'm interested in. It's good to know I can still become interested in someone.

I turned 50 in September, and had a very nice bar-b-que with my brother, not!sister-in-law, and some close friends. I know so many people who didn't make it to 50, including my mother, that I have no problem with my age. It was a great day; I can't ask for more than that.

The beginning of 2010 is on notice. This afternoon, I got word that a comrade I've known for over 20 years passed away early this morning. I saw him a week ago, and he was talking about a book he'd gotten and was going to read. Let me just say, fuck cancer. This is the second person to pass in less than three months; both were great guys. We need more great guys, not less.

I appreciate having this venue to reflect and vent.

I try to remain hopefull that 2010 will be better than the last couple of years, for us all.

Oh Fern, condolences. I hope you always feel like this is a safe space to vent. Here`s hoping for a good 2010 for you.

I have not posted my year end musings, but I will add to the FUCK CANCER chorus.

I'll always add my voice to that chorus, too. I'm sorry for the loss of your friends, Fern.

I'm so very sorry, Fern.