The Michael Swayne Story V: King of his Castle

People try and do whatever it is you are doing. Yes, imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I still think it's sad that they are doing it to just take attention of yourself. Because sometimes the other person does it badly and makes the audience (for lack of a better word) have a bad impression of what the original person does and does right.

Anyway...

Today I woke up at the normal time and left at the normal time to go to the office. There was a chance of rain, and I figured it would be hot; so I didn't want to wait for the rain to pour to leave and get my things from the office. I stopped at Grandma's and told her what happened. She looked over the paper and said that what was "wrong" with the paper was the printing company's fault and not mine. I told her that I agreed, but that my boss blamed me. She said a nicer version of what my brother said the day before: that I should just up and quit the entire company. And I told her that I needed the money and it would support me until I get another job.

She asked if things financially were okay, and I told her that I had already planned out my next month's finances. So, she said that Dad and my brother would have to get on the ball and help out. And really, they should.

When I got to the office, I gathered up my things and handed in my office key. I then asked permission to copy some of my files to my flash drive. And Iris said yes. If I was her, I would have said no. Not to be mean or anything, but I would have claimed that anything made on the company's time is the property of the company. She didn't even ask me why I wanted them. So I made copies of the special products and all of the business files that I made. I am glad that I made the master directory, because it really helped in getting everything together.

Things on the job search front are already getting better. Though it is still a bit down the road, I have a job come September working with Georgia in her truck dispatching business. She hasn't gotten it going enough to hire people, but she told me today via Facebook that when she does I will have work.

And I have begun making copies of my best ads. I printed the one from Mt. Orab Food Court (the yummy chicken ad), a couple insurance companies, and a graphics and decal business.

As for work at least until September, I didn't see any places hiring in Peebles. But I intend to ask around in Sinking Spring on Friday when I am there. Also, I updated my skills and I will be including some of my ad pieces on my portfolio section over on freelancer.com.

Here's a weird little tidbit.

I was watching some Eat Your Kimchi videos today, and Martina stood in front of a picture that I used in one of my ads. I wasn't mad about it, because it was one from a advertising and photo site that the newspaper uses specifically for pictures (METRO). And since I am no longer working in the office, it isn't my problem. I just thought it was neat.

Another thing Iris didn't think of was that I know the passwords to the Email and FTP site. Since I don't work in the office, I should not have access to these things anymore. I sent her a message when I got home today, and she said that hadn't thought about it. I wouldn't even dream of doing anything bad, even though I was pretty much given the shaft in all of this; so I just said that it would be best if the passwords were changed. I checked up on it today to make sure that steps were taken. And I still have access to the FTP site. It is probably more difficult to change that password, so it's forgiven. But it still seems odd that they didn't think to change this stuff before I mentioned it to them.

I also mentioned to Iris that I would need some newspaper binding materials for my route from now on. Whether that is staples, rubber bands or plastic bags, it is no longer my job to make sure I have those things to do my job.

The last thing I will be mentioning about my time at the office today is what Iris told me while I waited for the files to copy to my flash drive. She apologized to me about letting me go. I said it was fine. She asked if I hated her. I said that I didn't. She said that if I wanted, I could come to the office sometimes and have lunch with her and she'd pay. I said that it would be impossible for me to do that, because the only time I am ever in Peebles is to work. And really, why would I go to where I am not allowed to work just so I could eat lunch. I have food at home. And then Iris said that I could use her as a reference if I needed it. I said thank you. Then I said that there was always a chance that I could be asked back to work; after all, Gabby and Iris herself have left and were brought back in. Maybe in time I will be able to as well. And I also said that I am not actually leaving the newspaper. I still have my route. The best way to make sure I am first on the list of possible job opportunities is to remain in the company. Because it's quite possible that whoever it is to replace me will be worthless and they will want me back. Especially at the rate I was being paid. You can't find many people who will work for only $5 per hour. You'll find even less that will agree to only be paid for work done within business hours (10am-3pm). And then even less that will be able to deal with the amount of crazy that goes on there. So it's probably best that they find my clone (if I have one).

Now that that's out of the way...

I tutored Joey today. We worked on numbers. And the best way I knew to do that in the spur of the moment is by playing Yahtzee!. I had him play and count up the pips on the dice. And after that, we did the same thing with dominoes. When the lesson was over, we played some racing video games. He aunt and grandfather were at the hospital, and so he was being watched by my brother while they were gone. It was raining, so we couldn't go out and play. We played Gran Turismo 4 and Ford Racing 2.

Before starting this entry, I played and completed Rugrats: Search for Reptar. I wanted to bring up the completion percentage for the challenge. And there were a few other changes I made to the challenge as well. To read all about them, make sure to check my gaming blog for all for the details.

Well, tomorrow is going to be another rainy day; so I have the whole day to play and watch anime. I will also work more on my physical portfolio and online one. I also have to get rid of the newspaper's Facebook page. It got almost 100 likes. As much as I want to see it continue, I know it won't because none of the other staff members I have for it have ever done anything with it. So I may as well just delete it. Besides, not even I have updated it in a while.

That's all for now. I hope to see you around the forums, and until then...

Later!

Michael