I never know whether to love or to hate my job. I think it's as bipolar as I am. Dammit, I'm so sore... again I state that they need to fix the scheduling. I am not fond of getting 2000+ piece trucks with only four people to unload them. As a matter of fact, I find it pretty annoying.

Mind you, not quite as annoying as learning that next year I'm going to be forking over twice the amount of money for insurance with half of the coverage. Nah, that's a little different. Still annoying though.

-

Moving on, it looks like I may be getting involved with the next TMNT Fanfiction Competition again. I'm not in much of a state to actually run it this year- besides real life stress, some stuff has gone on this year that has me half out of the fandom door as is. But I've rather enjoyed working on it in the past three years, so I have no problems being a staff member. Now if we could just determine who's actually the host.

(dizzy) I haven't logged onto Stealthy Stories in forever. Things are already getting... fun.

-

Bah. This kinda sucks. (gestures towards life in general) Definitely a booze night. 'Cept I have no real booze, 'cause despite what I may say, I really am still a fetus in that they won't let me buy it myself yet. I do however have Mike's Hard Lemonade. I'm told it doesn't really count, but it has alcohol in it, okay? I pretend it counts. XD

My visit with my parents is steadily improving. Mom isn't acting so weird anymore, at least. Though I'm still very unsure what made her so depressed in the first place. Hmm... maybe she's like me in that regard after all. I don't necessarily have to have a logical trigger to shift from a high to a low.

Anyways, tomorrow me and her are going to hang out, just the two of us. I'm really excited- I love doing things with mom. We won't have too long to hang out, as we still have a lot of packing and cleaning to do later, but it should be fun.

In the mean time, I think I may need to call some people at work tomorrow. I got the day off as it's my parents fifteenth anniversary (alas, it looks like they won't be doing anything for it... kinda sad), but this is looking serious enough to warrant my attention as early as possible.

You see, ever since I've been working at Wal*Mart, I've always chosen to go into work to pick up my paychecks. I'd cash them and then take them to the bank on my days off. Direct deposit was always an option, but I like going to the bank. The people there are nice, plus it gives me an excuse to get out of the house.

However, recently the company has decided to go paperless and so everyone had to sign up for direct deposit (or get this strange cash card, which is stupid as you have to pay for it to get your money). Not much I could do about it, so I signed up.

Now logically, I'd think direct deposit would get you your money faster than the paper checks. Those have to travel to the store, after all, but as direct deposit is electronic, I'd think you'd get it earlier. Therefore I've been watching my bank account for my money. Strangely, nothing's come through- and now that it's the time of week that I would normally have picked up the paper check, I'm a little worried.

Perhaps I did it wrong? I'm sure I entered the right information, but I suppose I could have made a mistake. I sure hope not. But if the money isn't in my account by the time I wake up, I think I'm going to give the store a call to see what's up.

(needs teh moniez)

( Why Pi fails at being lead )
For an even sunnier side, a discussion on money that doesn't involve woe!

So a few days ago, the store manager walked into the back room. No big deal- seen him plenty of times there before. He's a pretty nice guy actually- kinda quiet, but very efficient. Hence being the store manager and all.

The worrisome bit happened when he walked over to me and requested to talk to me privately for a minute.

My little alarm bells were going off loudly at that point (they tend to sound like 'ohshitohfuck'), and my evil imagination was off creating several horrible scenarios as to why he might need to talk to me. I got this conversation:

Store Manager: So, today the minimum wage went up.
Pi: ...Huh?
Store Manager: Well see, since you make the minimum amount for your pay grade, this means your wages have also been bumped up.
Pi: Oh. That's cool!
Store Manager: Extra money is always great!

The funny part though is that a few months ago, Billy got a raise at his year evaluation (they are required to give one after the first year), and therefore didn't get this raise. Whereas my evaluation didn't take place until today, at which I got my year's raise. He whined considerably, but with his second job he makes way more money then me anyways, so he didn't complain for long.

But yes. Come September, it will take effect and I'll be making just over eight dollars an hour. I am pleased. :D

Moving away from work stuff- I've been watching movies. It came to my realization the other day that I have never read any of the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Chronicles of Narnia books- nor seen the movies inspired from them. I've decided to remedy this and watched the first five Harry Potter films (movies are shorter, and I hate skimming through books if I end up not liking them).

I found them... okay. Not horrible, but I wasn't terribly impressed, either. They were kinda confusing in places, and I actually found myself more interested with some of the side characters than any of the more featured protagonists/antagonists. In their defense though, they did progressively get better with each new movie, so I didn't get bored either.

Moving on- I decided to save Narnia and LOTR for another time and instead rented Coraline. Holy SHIT. What an awesome movie! I am a secret fan of stop motion (James and the Giant Peach is love) to begin with, but I found myself completely enchanted with the story and the characters even more (as it should be). The people all acted like people- with the variety of adults both busy and strange to the antics of the children. Ah, how nice it is to see a movie where kids act like kids, with all their strengths and weaknesses! I loved that none were dumbed down, and how that they got along about as much as they were annoyed/weirded out by one another. The Other World was also really cool- from the colorful awesomeness at it's beginning to the creepy turn it took.  

I love this movie to bits. It wasn't rushed at all- it was a rather smooth and enjoyable ride. I went looking for the book it's based on when I found about it and was kinda sad to see Wybie was just made up for the movie, but I still think I'll read it. ^_^

And now for bed. Will talk about the trip I'm going on tomorrow before I leave. XD

Why I never talk about this stuff as it happens is beyond me, but here you go. XD

-

I have my debit card! The investigation into the fradulent charges has ruled in my favor! (is overjoyed)

Naturally, this is right in time to pay two overdue bills and recieve statements for the next month of service for four other things. >.<

-

With money, I now have my paid LJ account again! Oh icons, I have missed you. And the ad-freeness. And how I can expand comments again. So much freaking love.

-

Last week at work, with the whole cut hours thing, I was supposed to go home an hour early on Friday. There were lots and lots of picks that night though, so I was asked if I could maybe stay. I said sure- had nothing else better to do, after all, and I could kill that time in the following days.

I was going to kill it on Saturday, but there were even fewer people than the day before, so I got asked again. I must say I really didn't mind, actually.

Have I ever explained how picks work? It's pretty easy, actually. Every night, a list of items that need to go to the salesfloor is uploaded to the system. We use these little handheld computer to see these items and then proceed to pick them out of the bins in the backroom and take them out. It's simple- basically just a matter of matching the UPC on our computers to the UPC on the product.

You see, there's something about picks that fills my heart with glee. Because unlike unloading the truck or pulling pallets, picks is something I really excel at. While I couldn't tell you for certain unless I had an exact list, I seem to finish more departments than most of the others. Certain ones I can even finish three times as fast as anyone else.

Take crafts for example. Besides the UPC, the pick will often list the name of the product. I'm familiar enough with the crafts bins now that I can recognize the grain of ribbons just by the name I'm given. And when they stuff a hundred or so ribbons into a bin, that comes in a lot of handy. XD

So anyways. Yeah. I actually was quite pleased to be asked to stay longer. It made me feel like they think I'm among the best at this task too.

Come Sunday though, my schedule had me leaving at midnight and I still hadn't killed the hour from before. But then I got asked by a manager to stay. And I even ended up staying until two in the morning (couldn't help but notice that this favor wasn't asked of the other associates who were sent home an hour early).

I was given permission to kill that time on Monday and leave at eleven. Naturally, Monday morning my alarm clock didn't go off and I woke up around six in the afternoon O_o;. I got to work as fast as I could, and killed pretty much all of that overtime in the process. I'm very grateful for it now. XD

-

My little brother stayed at my house on my days off. I'd worried a lot over what kind of stuff I could take him to do, but as it turned out he was quite content just watching my collection of cartoons. I tried to take him to the park, but he preferred the tire swing in my backyard. XD

Despite this, we have never gotten along as well as we did in the past few days. Not since he was a baby. He actually seemed happy to see me, and I'll admit that it was very nice to have another body in the house. I've missed hugs.

Also- I took him to the library. He encouraged me to get a library card ("They're free! Didn't you know?" XD), so I have one now. But there isn't a very good selection there, alas.

-

Jennifer's last day in the ICS was last night. It was pretty damn sudden- we found out two days ago. She's going to be lead for the daytime crew now, and we have no idea when we'll get a replacement. They still haven't replaced Michael, after all, and Paul's still been gone. 

As for the lead position, they're considering Billy. Not sure if it will work out, as he has a coaching that would normally prevent one from getting such a position, but I wouldn't mind. 

I am curious as to what might happen if he does get it though. Things could end either very well or very bad, depending on how you look at it.

-

Aaaaaaand now I'm off to work. >.<


 

My bank told me that they sent my new debit card out a few days ago, so it should either get here tomorrow or Monday. Either way it leaves me very antsy- I have two bills that are past due now and have no way to pay them until it arrives.

Worse- when it does come, I have to wait a little while longer to get my new pin number too. I know it's a safety precauton and all, but it really puts a pin in my plans. :(

And even though I'm not spending any of the money yet, I'm already imagining what money I do have left going up in smoke as I now have to pay these bills at the same time I pay my other bills. Yep... that's about $400 right there when you throw in the rent.

And the moral of this story is that bills are sucky and the color yellow is much more alarming when it's all over the page. O_o

Ah well. It's Youtube Friday!

This here... is pretty awesome. I love all of the little details here. Sometimes the pictures move on before you can notice them, but if you watch closely you'll see. Like Stockman's 'BRB' note, and some of the stuff happening in the battles outside the store. Oh, and Leo fighting the bug creature. XD

There isn't any music for the part with Leo and Usagi at the beginning, but it will start up around the :40 mark once they get to the main feature.



P.S. LOL- I wanted to use a TMNT icon since I was showing a TMNT vid, but it seems that besides my defauly Cork one, this is the only one I have left. XD

Gah. This whole last week has just sucked. Even when something good would happen, it sucked.

Friday: Sup. You no longer have any money whatsoever besides the ten dollars in your wallet. And there ain't nothing you can do about it until the bank opens.

Pi: ;_;

Once the bank did open, I went right down there. For the millionth time I must insist on just how much I love my bank. They had already suspected it was a fradulent charge (hence why they'd tried to call me), so all they'd needed to confirm it was me coming in looking like I was about ready to have a nervous breakdown.

They had me fill out a dispute form and explained everything that would happen. The dispute form would go to the higher up people who would look into the matter. While doing so, my money is temporarily creditted back into my account until they can officially solve the matter. I was told it shouldn't take much longer than one business day or two.

They're also not sure yet if this is actually identity theft or not. I have been warned though to be aware of the possibility.

After handing over my debit card, I went home to sleep. I think I got a half an hour before work.

Upon arriving at work, I was greeted with a tiny one thousand piece truck. Truly a rare thing, you see. We had six people, and for some odd reason, got two other people to help out.

Paul: I get a feeling of impending doom.
Pi: I concur.
Patrick: Wow, you guys are really gloomy. I think this is going to be a great day!
Pi and Paul: We laugh at your optimism.

Halfway through unloading, a grocery truck arrived. Lots of water bottles. Usually when we get water bottles, they come in packages of 12-24 bottles and are wrapped. On top of that, the pallets are wrapped (water pallets can be unstable). These ones came in packs of six, with flimsy trays and no wrapping. One pallet wasn't even shrink wrapped, and on top of that, a heavy pallet of food had been stacked on top.

Paul pulled this pallet off of the truck. As he went over the ramp, the entire thing came down. Paul just barely got out of the way and had I been two feet closer, I would've been smashed by the top pallet. Water went everywhere and despite getting out of the way, Paul still managed to get hurt (we've been told he sprained a tendon or something) and had to go home. He hasn't been back to work since.

Saturday: Yo. Today ain't gonna be much better kid. Turns out there's a lot of disputes going through the system. Your bank alone has two other similar cases. So I'm afraid it's going to be another day without money.

Pi: >.<

There was, thankfully, no truck that day. And Billy bought me M&M's for break and the lady at Subway practically gave me a free meal (I promised to pay up when I had money again, but technically until that point it really was free).

And it still managed to suck. We were given a million things to do and seeing as how there were just five of us (and with Patrick kinda being useless and Donald new, only really three people used to these tasks), it was a long day.

Since Paul was gone, Billy was in charge. He thankfully gave me my favorite of the three tasks (stocking pop and water), but that took me about four hours because that aisle was such a damn mess.

On top of that, the night shift managers didn't give us much respect. They don't like Billy much, so it was a bit of a fight the whole time. I was very happy to go home.

Also- learned that Patrick's roommate (who is very nice) lost about six hundred dollars from his bank account to weight loss drugs that he never paid for. Different banks.

Sunday: Guess what? I don't really count as a business day, so you're still broke. Also? Truck today is 2400 pieces, and you lost all of your hardworking people either to days off, cut hours, or injury. Enjoy.

Pi: T_T

...As said. Only people working that day were Jen, Patrick, Kathy (GRR), Donald, and me. The truck did not get done for a long time. Towards the end, Kathy would go inside the truck to help Patrick throw without permission and without telling anyone, leaving lots of the items she was supposed to take care of filling the line before anyone noticed.

We were all quite tired that night. I used my last two dollars buying myself ramen noodles and goldfish crackers for lunch. But Donald bought me Mike's Hard Lemonade when we got off work, so it was slightly better.

Speaking of Donald? Three hundred dollars vanished from his bank account. He goes to a different bank than me.

Monday: By some stroke of luck, money has been creditted to your account. Jen said last night that there isn't supposed to be a truck tonight either, but don't worry- we'll make sure the shit hits the fan.

Pi: O_o;

Billy gave me a ride to work. He'd just gone to his bank and found a thousand dollars missing.

As you might have guessed, we were beginning to find this very odd. So far all of the people I'm hearing these stories from work at Wal*Mart (Patrick's roommate is a cart pusher). We tried to think of something that had changed recently and thought of something interesting.

You might recall the incident in which Billy could not clock in without his badge because management can't seem to do that anymore. Recently, we all had to make new badges for some reason or another. We're not even allowed to make duplicates if we lose one (and getting them to help make another is a pain in the ass).

Here's the thing about our badges. They each have their own little barcode used for when we swipe in that tells the system that we are (insert name) and that we're reporting for duty at (insert department). One of the other little pieces of information these badges have and which the bar codes directly reflect are our social security numbers.

I... am sensing a connection. But I really hope I'm wrong.

Anyways. We get to work. Billy's new schedule of only working three days a week takes effect now and thus he is sent home. No Paul. And Jen had to take her husband to the doctor.

Just as the four ICS crew members that remain are about to start some little tasks, we discover that tomorrow's truck showed up a day early. And management thought it'd be just dandy if we did it a day ahead of time.

Management: Yes yes- 1800 pieces? Four people? Why, that shouldn't be a problem.
Pi: ...You just sent Billy home. Besides being the strong guy, he's also the only other back-up lead we have.
Management: Really? Well, let's see who's left. My, it seems that by this group, you're next in line as far as hierarchy goes!
Pi: ...I am?
Management: Yup. Here's a walkie. You're in charge.
Pi: O_O;

Yeah. It didn't get done on time either. But really, it shouldn't have been expected. My team consisted of a very slow and often confused Patrick, a very hard to work with and equally slow Kathy, and a super fast but still kinda new Donald. And me. At best I am mediocre, so when I'm the most able person on the crew, you know you have problems.

We did manage to get out of there before nine though, so I take comfort in that.

Kathy made my night a living hell though. She refuses to accept the fact that anyone other than Paul or Jen be placed in charge over her, so she naturally did the exact opposite of everything I asked. And if we were in agreement over her doing something, she took every opportunity to let me know she would've done it even if I had told her not to.

When it came time to do picks, I told her I'd do crafts once I got a cart. Came back with one and was informed that she was going to do them.

By this point, I was fairly pissed off and nearly bit her head off when I told her to do another department. She in turn acted like a petulant child and told me I wasn't the boss.

Pi: Woman, for tonight you are to treat me as if I am.
Kathy: Ha. You aren't a bright one.
Pi: Know what? Go ahead. But if you do crafts, you're doing stationery too.
Kathy: I will no-
Pi: (gets on walkie) Assistant Manager? I got my team on picks now. Donald's doing chemicals, Kathy has stationery and crafts, and I'm doing hardware.
Kathy: ...that's not fair.
Pi: Suck it.

I was pretty damn proud to have gotten the upper hand in that one. That woman is over fifty and makes me feel like I'm dealing with a five-year-old. In all honesty, I was about ready to physically strike her. I have a very short temper, and when people I respect aren't around to stabilize my personality, I have an even shorter fuse. That there was my last ditch effort.

Heheh... I also didn't tell her when we were leaving. Oh well. I know she got the message.

...I have a vivid imaginiation and inclinations towards violent thought. Pumpkin time needs to come sooner on nights like that.

And that was the sucky week. It was accompanied by a fairly bland weekend, in which the icing was put on the suckitude cake when my paid account expired. Gah. I was hoping to have my new debit card in time to buy another year. You get so used to a paid account, you know? The ads are back and everything now. ;_;

Ugh. Some new (and cheap!) Deadpool comics have showed up. I have bills due. And I can't freaking do anything until I get my new debit card to pay for them all. >.<

I don't wanna go to work in the morning... ;_;

.

It would seem the word is determined to be a living hell for me this week.

( Work related bullshit )

( Significantly more important identity theft related bullshit )
(deep breaths)

Oh yeah, it's Youtube Friday. Here's a neat One Piece AMV with the Supernovas. The person seems to have just made this for fun, but I really enjoyed it. Cuts off kinda suddenly and there's a small mistake with Zoro's bounty, but other than that it's all good. (goes to find the song used

Card refused at store
People can be difficult
Stick with cartoons, Pi

-

My, what a long day. Roleplaying gave me a bit of headache, though I imagine mine isn't nearly as bad as others. We'll leave it at that though.

In the middle of our session, I took a break to go up to Wal*Mart for some cheese. I had twenty bucks, but I wanted to save that for next week's lunch so I attempted to use my debit card. It was refused though, which is really weird. I have money in the bank, and I used that card on Monday to buy a bookshelf. (scratches head)

In the mean time, I continue to overdoes on anime, comics, and fanfic. I have three pages of One Piece faves in Word. Only titles. I am considering creating a little journal to keep track of them all, with heavy tagging and everything so I could find it all again. And then proceed to do the same with fic from other fandoms.

Fanfiction, you are my drug.

I also want to make a shitload of icons and imagine them as I work. With both anime and manga and comic images.

Speaking of the manga bit, I know I mentioned I've learned how to color them now. Anyone got a manga scene they'd love to see colored and iconned? Will do for both One Piece and Naruto as practice.

Today wasn't quite as grand as I'd been hoping. Went to my orthodontist appointment. Everyone remember my plan to just wear my retainer at night? Heheh- lovely reminder that why yes, I do still have my moments of brilliance in which I prove my way works just as good.

His exact words and here I quote: "You're teeth are looking pretty straight. Good to see you're wearing your retainer full-time."

Then he fixed the wire a little where I'd bent it and gave me an appointment for three months down the line. I call that win for me. ^_^

So afterwards, we went to see the movie. I've seen so many mixed reviews over it. It's been burned by critics but hailed by a lot of people I know.

As for me? Well... it broke about even. XD

( You know what my father was? A wheel! The first wheel! And do you know what he transformed into? Nothing! But he did it with honor! )
Movie spoilers out of the way, did anyone else see the trailer for The Last Airbender? So far as trailers go, it was pretty unremarkable, but I still found it very interesting. First time I've seen the Aang actor, in any case, and as much as this movie will suffer from race!fail, I was imagining worse. Doesn't excuse it at all, of course, but whatever. If anyone knows me, you will know that when it comes to fiction or movies, etc. I tend to be rather forgiving.

Seriously. If I can get over what they did to Deadpool if the Wolverine movie to plan on watching it again, then this too shall pass for me. Eventually.

Moving on- I'm officially broke. Three important non-comic related transactions cleared days earlier than they should have and now I'm twenty-five bucks in the hole. Yes, I'm taking this as a lesson to spend more wisely. I even drew up a budget! Every month, I should have about two hundred and fifty dollars left over after expenses, and I plan to put at least two hundred or so away for savings from now on.

All I have to do is keep myself from not spending it. To do this, I decided to get a PayPal account. Makes no sense, but allow me to explain.

My basic fault thus far when it comes to buying comics has been my fear of being able to find particular issues again if I don't purchase certain ones as soon as they become available. Some of these ones are actually really hard to find, you know, and when they pop up they're usually bought just as quickly.

Unless you're on eBay. Just about everything's on eBay.

So... I've convinced myself that now that I actually have PayPal, should I ever need certain issues, I can now wait to buy them until I can actually afford them. And thus in theory control my spending, especially considering as I don't haunt eBay like I do other sites.

Crossing my fingers on this one. In the mean time, I get paid tomorrow and as I only went overdrawn less than a few hours ago, I'm hoping that if I deposit my paycheck before a whole day is even up they'll be more forgiving when it comes to any fees I may have to pay.

So... remember the last entry? Where I spoke of money woes and resolved to be wise and not spend more moniez until I had my nice bank cushion again? 

...Twenty-five dollars for seven comics isn't that bad.

...

Oh. And Upstairs Neighbor just beat Next Door Underground Neighbor in grossing me out. Something apparently wasn't sitting too well in their stomach.

...I should go to bed now. Before this entry is overrun by ellipsis.

Have been getting back into making icons. And not just ones I'd like to use either- I've actually been doing some playing around too. And variations. Because I'm never completely satisfied. I hope to soon have a multifandom post or something. ^_^

Grandma called me after dropping Shen off at the humane society. She said she had calmed down considerably by the time they got there and that there were actually two people there who were looking for cats as well. Not that that means they picked Shen or anything, but two people on a Thursday is pretty good, I think. Definitely makes me think she has more of a chance. (is hopeful)

I do owe my grandma ten bucks for taking her though. Which kinda sucks... as this week's paycheck isn't even enough to pay my rent, which is due, not to mention the four bills that come after it. I think I can hold off on the water and the phone bill until next time I'm paid, but that's still going to leave me with less money in the bank than I'd wanted.

...And yes, you all know why. Shush. I haven't bought a comic for a whole week now, okay (and the one I bought was hard to find!)? >.>

I just plan to skim on groceries (and yes, comic books too) until I can get that nice $600 cushion going again. I don't really feel comfortable unless I have at least that, for some odd reason. And it's not like i eat much anymore anyways. Snacks work for me. ^_^

Okay, and now it's Youtube Friday! And today's video comes with a mini-rant.

One of the hardest things I find in my AMV watching has got to be coming across a good AMV that A) doesn't have subtitles (you can have the most badass timing and special effects but this will ruin it for me) and B) doesn't have a lengthy intro.

That last one becomes increasingly hard, especially when people start joining these little studios and thus have to credit everyone in the studio. I once sat through a two minute intro. About clawed my eyes out. I like intros to be short and sweet- claim what you make, but don't flaunt it.

So this video here does that... technically. There is a bit of a rant in text at the beginning, which was semi-annoying (if you're like me and wish to skip it, go to :39), but did not ruin the video any. I actually forgot about it by the time I got to the end (until I went to replay and then was like 'oh yeah' XD).

Speaking of the end- yeah, this isn't really ten minutes long. This is one of those people who adds a still image to the end of their video because of that rumor going around thatif you leave one up long enough, it will make your video higher quality. And... well, I ain't going to argue on that one. Because for Youtube, this is actually pretty damn good quality. You just have to wait for it to load most, if not all, of the way before you play it, otherwise it'll freeze.

Um... enough instructions? ^_^; So yeah. This is a One Piece AMV, and the sole reason why I'm showing it is because after all of the above, it IS one of the best I've seen recently. And I laughed hard at the rockers and hiphoppers line. XD

I'm starting to wonder if this journal is like a means of communication between me and the has-a-mind-of-its-own life. Because, albeit very slowly, things started to improve from my last entry.

Work wasn't as hard on Sunday (it still stunk, just not as bad). Monday brought no truck and was surprisingly... nice. Billy was back and while Paul stocked paper goods and Kathy was off doing everything but helping me, he and I worked together for most of the day.

( Cut for ramblings on Billy )

But yeah. Change of subject ahoy!

Know those things that get advertised to hell and everyone's always fawning over that you just kind of pass off? And then when you try it, it's like '....OMFG LUV'?

I think TurboTax is one of those things. *_*

No seriously guys. It was awesome. I spent like three hours trying to figure out my taxes when I clicked on their website. Turned out I was qualified to get them done for free. It was super easy, and very helpful. It pointed out all of the things I needed to do and offered explanations for anything I had questions about. It even had this little box in the corner showing everything I was going to get back.

It blew. My. Mind.

Federal Refund? $699.

State Refund? $252.

(jaw DROPS)

...That's like two freaking paychecks. That's like two and a half months of rent. A new pair of work shoes and some comfy clothes. Creativity with groceries! 

Of course, this is provided the government accepts my return. Am really hoping they won't deny it. I should find out in a day or two. (is hopeful)

Gah! I should be sleeping! This has been a growing problem lately. I'm super tired, but I keep staying up later and later. >.< Need sleeps...

So this shall be a quick summary. Because for some reason, I feel the need to sum up everything from the past two days. Why? No clue. I'm just odd like that.

Firstly, I plan to save the majority of that extra money, though I think I'll buy a small computer desk. My laptop needs a home. My bookshelf is not really fit for the task.

Secondly, we got another worker today. Acutally, she's kinda like my new boss- the one directly under management, anyways. Her name's Cheri, and she's the lead for our ICS shift. She's really nice, and I like her so far.

Also? Someone said Billy isn't coming back after all. I guess he decided he wanted to stay where he'd vacationed. This is just peachy. With Jacob a stocker now, pretty much all of our strongest pullers are gone. Not to mention extra hands for Sunday and Monday (which are, by the way, all days that the new ICS people have off). >.<

But yeah. Besides that, I've been looking through lots of One Piece fanfiction. I'm not very happy. Good ones seem to be coming few and far between. Though I do have to say, the ones I am liking are really freaking good. Much love for them.

And lastly- I finally got to see last week's new TMNT episode along with this one's. Dude. Sweet. SuperQuest had me cracking up (Hun. OMG- I die now XD), but the real jewel was Virtual Reality Check. I'm going to have to agree with many of my friends and say that it's been the best one of the season. Though next week's ep also looks promising.

And now I go to try and force myself to sleep. Man, gotta be up in like three hours for the meeting, and then I'll get maybe another three when I get home. I'm really hoping we don't get a big truck tomorrow.

We had an absolutely full crew last night. It was seriously amazing. There was me, Kathy, Sue, Paul, Michael, Aaron, Jacob, a new guy named Joe, and two guys who'd come to help. When I arrived, the truck was already started. This was quite pleasing! Well... until I found out why.

There was another GM truck sitting next to the one we were unloading. O_o;

Nevertheless... we just flew through that. The first truck was done at a quarter after five. And the second before eight. If it had been one truck, it would've been 3300 pieces... and we got them both done before lunch. (dies)

I actually felt slightly useless. Everyone wanted me to stay up front and do the pallets up there, which basically right now is the cashier items, food stuff, and the things we're getting in for the Black Friday sales. Now I'll admit- there's a crapload of that. But it all tends to come at one time, and there wasn't much food on either truck, so most of the time I was kinda just sitting there.

I'm trying to increase my productivity here. Not look like an idiot.

Maybe it'll be better tomorrow.

Also, anyone remember that order I placed that alerted me to the bank mess-up? Well, I tried to get it processed again and got another order saying there was an issue and I needed to call them. You see, it was a signed NECA set, right? Well... turns out they don't actually have it. (is crushed and amused all at once)

So... the two hundred dollars I shorted myself for to get it? Yeah, I have it back now. And I'm kinda just like.... okay. Now what? Because seriously... I have no idea what to buy with it. I have pretty much everything I want right now, anyways, as far as fun things go.

I should totally save it. But I'm not used to saving stuff. Whenever I had such a big amount of money before I started working, I always has something in mind I'd like to get with it. And now I'm just like staring at it.

Maybe I'll get a new television. I almost want a new laptop, but the one I have now is working, so I don't think I should buy anything I don't need. This money would be a good jump start on a vacation fund, though.

I'll figure out something, I'm sure.

In the mean time, I have five minutes until I have to leave and I'm still not dressed. Rargh... I just want to sleep. >.<

Today... er... Monday/Tuesday? Whatever. Either way, it was totally awful.

I got home from work somewhat tired, but not too sore. Was all right. Came home, stayed up a bit, tried to unwind.

Around the time I was getting ready to go to bed, I got an email from a site I'd ordered some toys from saying that my debit card hadn't worked. Confused, I went to check on my account.

Last I'd checked, I'd had a little over three hundred dollars there. As I viewed it then, it said I was nearly four hundred in the hole.

This prompted a severe freak out from me. I was tired, had developed a headache, and it looked as if maybe a month of rent I'd saved as well as one I hadn't were gone.

I bugged two separate people about it, all the while crying yet again like a non-adult over something that had gone wrong. When the bank finally opened, and I was calm enough, I went down there to see what had happened.

It turned out to be just an error on the computer's fault, and the people at the bank were very sorry and sweet about the whole thing. I love my bank- the tellers knew who I was just after me coming in twice and have always been very helpful. When I came in, they already knew the problem and had even fixed it just minutes before I arrived.

Someone had come in earlier and withdrew $700 from their account. However, the account numbers got messed up on the receipt- telling the system that  it was my account that the withdrawal was coming from. But they'd already fixed the error and now everything is okay. Thank God.

By the time I got home, I'd been up for twenty-two hours. My headache wasn't gone when I woke up either, which is odd. I've never had that happen before. But yeah.

I have earned myself some relaxation now. I'm going to enjoy every moment of it.

Something I've never really understood in my life is how it works. Sometimes you can get what you want, but most of the time there's something in the way. In my experience, it usually it comes down to two things: money and family. There are times when you can chalk it up to circumstance, but even then one of previously mentioned factors can be involved again. And it never seems to change.

Mom called me today to tell me my sister is in the hospital. At first they thought it was her appendix, but the surgeon wasn't sure enough to feel comfortable removing an organ. They decided to keep her overnight though, so she's still there. If I weren't working, I could likely get someone to take me to see her. But the fact is that I am working, and if I were to not come in for work, it could result in me losing my job. And if that happens, then I won't have enough money to support myself. Money.

I called Mom back during my break to make sure everything's all right. She said my sister is okay, and she at least didn't seem worried. That was a relief. We talked about other things of course, and I told her about the bills and stuff and my plans to work everything out. She told me she had planned to send me some money when she got the child support from my dad. Said it's late. When I mentioned that maybe he just had a hard time getting it together and maybe it'd be there soon, she informed me that he's actually several months late. And that he tried to skip out all together for last month's. His reasoning is that I'm eighteen now, so he shouldn't have to pay. However, the divorce papers (which I've seen) say he has to pay child support until I'm nineteen.

This creates mixed feelings for me. On one hand, is it fair for me to think my father should pay when I've pretty much refused to see him for a year? On the other hand- some men never get to see their kids and they still pay. Also, it's kinda like a lawful contract, those divorce papers. In all technicality, he should have to pay. Even if he has four other children to take care of. Lateness can be understood, but it sounds to me like he's trying to find a way to not pay it at all before the time is up. Is that considered unlawful? I don't know. I'm tried of wondering, too.

Either way, family becomes a problem in life again.

These are two things that should add to life, I think. Money to provide for material needs and family for emotional and spiritual. They seem to make it harder though, and I only wish I knew why.

So I got the package of mail from the old house from mom today. There were three things inside.

Firstly was the refund check from the first doctor we saw. I opened that first, 'cause you know. Money. XD

It's a check for five dollars. Hyess... I am going to start my own country with this money! Worship me! 

Though seriously. They could've just sent a bill, you know? If it weren't for the fact I really need to go to the bank, and the fact that money is money, I probably wouldn't even bother cashing this. Oh well. It'll be my lunch money for the next few days.

Second item was from the other doctor- the one I saw for my stomach problems. It's a bill for twenty bucks. Dammit! >.< I suppose I should be grateful it isn't more, but I'm kinda trying to hold onto my money for the most part. I've limited my fun spending down seriously and this is going to eat what little I set aside for it up completely. Oh well. This is what life is like in adult realm, I do believe. Having to fork up money and whatnot.

Though maybe I can wait a little longer... though I'd rather not. This statement says it was filed on the ninth, though, and I get paid again on the thirtieth. That leaves several days for me to send him a check. I might do that... depends.

The last item was a delayed graduation present. It's a fifteen dollar gift card to Bath and Body Works. My mom really likes that store, I know, but I've actaully never looked around in it myself. I wonder what I could get for fifteen dollars? Are they spendy? Cheap? It would be nice to get a little something. Though that will take awhile too. The nearest store is about an hour's drive.

Anyways... once again, I am wide awake. Gotta find something productive to do (maybe write?) and get to bed at a reasonable time tonight. I think I'm well enough to work now. I still have a cough, but it's really just a cough now, instead of an aching head, sore throat, queasy stomach, and stuffed up nose too. I can manage work.  Besides, Thursdays usually aren't bad at all.

Picked up my paycheck today. Not only did I work the full eighty hours this time, I got overtime too (Mr. Manager? I thought you said this wouldn't be a problem? XD).

So it was rather... disappointing to see what the numbers added up to.

Me: (last week) Well, I only worked seventy hours this time, so my next paycheck should be much higher! When I've actually worked all of my hours! ^_^

Me: (today) (compares paycheck) So... let me get this straight. I worked like eleven more hours than I did in the last pay period... and I only end up with like fifty more dollars than what I had last time? O.o ...That sucks.

>.< Stupid taxes.

Of my pathetic four hundred and seventy two dollars, I spent one hundred fifty on groceries today. Didn't even have time for clothes, which I desperately need for work. I'm finding holes in the jeans I like to wear. Also, toilet bowl cleaner spilled on my shirt today and turned it brown, so I think it'd be a good idea to get more shirts (even though a manager was nice enough to replace it for me). I figure by the time I'm done paying for those and sending my mom money for the net bill, I'll have enough money to keep buying myself some lunch everyday until the next paycheck comes.

(sigh) This is one thing I definitely do not like about living on my own. I don't enjoy worrying over bills and money and stuff. I like getting myself a little DVD now and then, but I don't particularily enjoy spending money. When I'd get some, I was usually able to make it last awhile. So if I didn't have to worry about all of the necessities of living, I'd probably have like a thousand dollars by now. Or close to it.

(wants moniez back)

And this isn't the only thing I have to worry about. My mom left an answer for me on the phone saying that the doctor who saw me a month ago would like to schedule another appointment. And while I'd love to do this, I'm worried what will happen if I have to pay anything. We didn't last time, but I don't know if we would now. I don't think I could afford it.

However, the wise decision would be to go while I still have insurance. That runs out in like five months, and then I know I'll have to pay for any future medical visits. Also, when I got home tonight, I discovered I'm bleeding again, and not just on the tissue paper this time. So I guess I don't really have any other option but to go back.

I wish money wasn't so important. I don't like worrying about it like this.

But this just reinforces why I so badly need to have a job that pays me as much as I'm getting now. I'd be screwed if I made any less, I think.

I can do this. I mean, it seems to get easier the more I do, besides the abundance of new bruises I'm finding, as well as the given aches and pains of performing the job. My feet don't hurt quite as badly any more, and I'm pretty damn sure I've lost weight (which is certainly a plus ^_^). My co-workers can be assholes at times, but they're entertaining and helpful the other half of the time, so it balances.

It's just a bit stressful. I don't like that I have to work myself like crazy just to stay alive, you know? And I don't get to see anyone anymore, so it gets really lonely. I'd love to call someone, but everyone sleeps when I'm awake and vice versa. So it's always just me now. And I'm afraid I don't have many answers to any of my questions.

(grabs blanket) I'm going to bed and sleeping in tomorrow. Sleeping is something I still like.

Here's a meme I stole from half_elven.

The problem with LJ: we all think we are so close, but really, we know nothing about each other.

So I want you to ask me something you think you should know about me. Something that should be obvious, but you have no idea about.

Ask away.

Then post this in your LJ and find out what people don't know about you!