My first day alone in Historyland

Yesterday, I had managers in the building but they let me run the show. I was introduced to the youth volunteers, a program which I will be an integral part of after the ReOpening. This is fine and I think I've already talked about. I looked over the list of schools the intern contacted; it's pathetic. Yes, 81 schools is a good response, but it's not enough to go on. She also ignored nearly all schools in Macomb County, major hitters in Oakland County, and all the Downriver communities. Can't forget the true river rats in this scenario. Had I been doing the research I would have gotten a list of high schools in the tri-county area to begin with, and then made the appropriate spreadsheets. This to me would be common sense, but everyone's definition of common sense differs, as does their level of having it. I'll further discuss this with my boss tomorrow. Back to work - I went to the Dossin to open and close by myself. This was fine.

Today, I started at the Dossin. Everything was great. I even left the VSA (front desk person) with the manual to the new cash register. He got it programmed! I was so thankful and excited that he figured out how to do that. Apparently this was a much simpler process than what I was making it out to be. Ah well. I'm glad they figured it out and everything is working properly.

I got to the Main and turned on everything by myself. Both my key and alarm code work in that building. I wasn't even scared being in the building by myself and turning everything on. When it was 11:30 and I still had no staff, I was starting to worry. The VSA came in by 11:40. She was frazzeled and told me right away that she might have to leave early because her son was sick. She did not ask, she told me. Okay. I'm calm, it's okay. She was on her cell phone before doors opened (they are not supposed to have cells on them while on the clock). At 1:00 I left the building to go flyer cars in the Cultural District, I got back in 1:15. She was on the other side of the desk and said, Amy I have to go take my son to the hospital, etc, etc. I said, first of all, you have to call Deprina (3rd VSA) and ask her if she can come in and cover the rest of your shift. Luckily, she was able too and I didn't have to bother Bob (manager for today) at home. Tiffany did, however, call Kathleen continuously - who was at church and on her day off - and made her worry. She called the museum, I explained everything, she said I handeled it well. Phew! One major personnel glitch on my first day and I was able to handle it with flying colors. I may have this manager thing down better than I thought. But I know I couldn't have handeled that had it not been for my experience at the store, so I'm off to myspace my manager and thank her for being a good example. And no, it's not even to kiss her ass - she already likes me the best (haha) - but as a sincere appreciation. Okay, this sounds bad...I'll just shut up now. :D

But the thing that bothers me the most, and the issue I will have at the meeting tomorrow is this: Tiffany knew about a problem at home before she came to work. She shouldn't have to work. She should have called and found a replacement. She should have called me and let me know. I can only imagine in the smallest measure what it is like to have a sick child at home, and that only because I've had long-term babysitting gigs and have gone to work/school with them at home. But she made a choice. Her choice was to come to work. She was distracted and not doing her job. Lucky for her and for me, it wasn't busy. I could afford to let her go as soon as Deprina agreed to come in. Out of the three VSAs, this is the one that I foresee the most issues with. And after September 29th, I better have confident, focused, and able VSAs sitting behind that front desk. Or there will be hell to pay.

Later in the day, there was a group of 35 come in the museum right when I was leaving for the Dossin. But the staff was able to handle it. When I got back to the Dossin, Ray and Brendan programmed the cash register. Opps, I already talked about this. Sorry for being redundant. I got back to the main and was putting things away when I realized the deposit was still on the desk at the Dossin. So after I closed down the Main, I went back to Belle Isle and then back to the Main. Yes, I'm a dumbass. That was classic Amy for ya. But it's okay, because now I've learned my lesson. Hahaha. I would have gotten home a half hour sooner had I not been the dumbass that I am capable of turning into on occasion. It didn't matter that much and a half hour isn't a big deal, but I would have liked the extra time. It's already 8:00 and I have to do at least one load of wash before I go to bed so I can have something business casual to wear to work tomorrow. Blah.

Next weekend is Festival of the Arts and while I am working, I still don't know what my capacity will be. I'll find that out tomorrow.

I like the idea of calling the museums "historyland." I was almost going to grant them sharing rights to "the office." We'll see. Suggestions are still being considered.

:)