Another Monday Morning

There is something about Mondays that I very strongly dislike. Maybe it's the fact that I wake up knowing I get to spend seven hours in a cubicle doing who knows what at whatever pace I choose to complete it. I'm better now about taking a full hour for lunch - but it still seems like an ungodly amount of time. I'm just not used to it all yet, working in an office again. This break will seem shorter as time goes on, I'm sure. Anyway...

This weekend was good. 45 people on Saturday (yay!!!) and 24 on Sunday (average, but still high). I have a summer project in the archives at the Dossin and no where to work. So finally on Saturday I cleaned off the desk in the office at the museum. I think it's been years since the surface has been seen. But all of the old city stuff is gone and all of my stuff is on. I had to buy a fan Saturday night because the air is still broke at there. It makes it for really long, really unbearable days. I was going stir crazy yesterday and at about 2:00, I actually asked if it was nap time yet. Ha. What a great quality in a manager.

Speaking of which. As of late I have been concerned with my not being a nice person anymore. Well yesterday I realized something: I did not lose that quality, in fact, I still have large quantities of it. I was getting off the freeway at Harper and I get another call. It's my VSA and so I had to answer it. Turns out she left her purse in the Dossin. I asked if she had anything in it that she absolutely needed tonight or if I could stop by and give it to her tomorrow morning. She was hesitant and waivering back and forth, I just told her to make the call. She said that I better come back down. I said okay. So close to being home and I just had to turn around and go right back again. The later it gets on Belle Isle, the worse the traffic. But luckily she was waiting for me at the museum and after I unlocked the doors, was able to run in and grab it. I think it made her feel a lot better knowing she had it. It made me a lot better knowing that I am still capable of being nice. And it put an extra half hour on my time card.

That makes an extra hour. I had to climb up in crawl spaces to change lightbulbs yesterday. I do know that behind the Gothic Room doors, on the storage lofts, there is about 5'7" clearance. I could stand straight up, I just had to bend my neck a little bit. The mannequin up there gave me half a heartattack. The irony is just too funny. So I'm adding a half hour for that too. Hahaha.

I'm all about leading by example. What a weekend for it.

Make sure you click on my DHS link to look at the progress of the museum makeover. The first before and after pics are due today!

Since the building is under construction, we get to wear jeans and stuff to work. I had to get new jeans over the weekend and not only bought the first pair I tried on, but also went down a size. True I've lost sizes in other kinds of pants, but with jeans, I'm kind of impressed.

I'm running out of time and still need to grab some breakfast and caffeine. Stay cool!

You're a teacher?!?!?!!

Kathie stopped me in the stock room yesterday - her ice breaker: so, you're a teacher?!?! I said that I subbed. We made small talk about that and all. She asked if I was extremely disciplined because I work in so many places. I said yeah, but that I've always been. That when I was in school I had to take 18 credit semesters and work and that I got straight A's. She was amazed. Then she asked what I was doing there. I said it was extra money during Christmas and I stayed because I liked it and I liked the people, but it was just getting to me now and pushing me over my wit's end. I said I couldn't do it anymore. And I was thinking about leaving mid-September anyway, but after working 28 days in a row it pushed it up. Blah. She was being nice. It almost could have made me feel guilty, because she said she enjoyed working with me and that she'll have to find someone else who does every single thing I do there. But it didn't work. She was being nice too late, the damage has been done. And if Dawn hadn't called her out on it, she wouldn't have even known.

Then I talked to Mo and told her everything that I've been blogging about and thinking about and telling various people. If anyone should know the real reasons why I'm leaving at the store, it's Mo. She is in complete agreement with me and doesn't blame me. She knows retail isn't my future.

I have to work with Dee today for the first time. I'm slightly nervous, if nervous is the right word. But I'm over it. It's not personal, it's business. That's my motto for the next four shifts. Think I can live up to it?

In the meantime....sing it to me, Toby:

It’s a little too late

I’m a little too gone,

A little too tired of this hangin’ on

So I’m letting go while I’m still strong enough to

It’s got a little too sad

I’m a little too blue

It’s a little too bad

You were too good to be true

I’m big time over you baby

It’s a little too late

Unleash the Fury of Hurricane Amy

Sometimes, there is one event that causes ripple effects that reaches every single corner of the universe. Put this into the store's perspective, my letter of resignation was that one event.

They know they are losing their greatest asset and will be potientially hurt upon my departure because I do everything in that store. One of my co-workers spent an hour and a half talking to Kathie last night. I know some of it was about me. What they might not understand is that Kathie is not the entire reason behind my leaving them. If they want to think that though, they can. Dee knows, that's all that matters. I made it out to sound like Kathie was the reason also, but I think Dee knew that it was coming with all of my other jobs and all. She told Kelly as such. There might be others who follow me, that's fine. And this might cause tension at the store for a short time, and that's fine too. If my leaving and their losing me forces open the gates of communication between the three of them, then I'm glad I did that. If my leaving and their losing me forces change both by them as managers and by associates as workers, then I'm glad I did too. Perhaps by my doing this it will prevent a future employee by feeling the same way as I do right now - or did shortly before I gave my two weeks. I'm the unpraised hero in this situation - yay for me. And I don't want recognition for it, but the tide has turned and the store is getting nasty. I did that. But after the storm passes out next Friday, they will all be better colleagues because of it.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

In other news, I took my seven hour shift yesterday and demonstrated the worst showing of work ethic ever. I personally don't know how some of the workers there can be so lazy. If I felt bad about it, it was only because Kelly was the closing manager and I hated doing that to her. I even told Kelly that if I wasn't such a slacker everything would have been done by now. She laughed. And I told Denise, hey, they can't fire me! ha.

Five days of having the upper hand - let the good times roll!

On the Mend, take two

I didn't sleep long this morning, but I didn't wake up to an alarm clock, so I guess that is all that matters.

The quickest way to change is through action. And the quickest way out of misery is through decision and confidence. Today, I acted on a nagging thought in the back of my head without thinking three times about it.

I handed Dee my letter of resignation at the store today. She asked why, I listed my complaints about Kathie. She defended her. She said she was sorry I didn't give her more of a chance because she is still transitioning. I said I couldn't go to work and be unhappy and aggravated anymore; that it was fair to you guys and the customers and I didn't want to say things that I didn't mean. She understands I have a lot on my plate and that I'm tired. I suggested maybe a full staff meeting to introduce some of the new changes and expectations. She said she was sorry, that wasn't going talk me into doing anything that made me unhappy, and that she would talk to Kathie about it. I said that I would have probably left by mid-September anyway, but this just pushed it up. Then she stopped talking for a minute and said, wow, I'm picturing Christmas without Amy and it's scary. I said yeah, all those mannequins. She laughed. I laughed. I said I would see her on Friday. My voice was kind of shaky and I know I had more complaints, but I did what I had to when I had to do it. She was sad and shocked. I cried a little bit when I told Mo that I had my letter, she hugged me twice and told me to come back and visit.

I'll be missed. I'll miss them. But I can't be breaking my back and ruining myself over a job that I have no future in. It will be for the best. And if not, I didn't burn any bridges.

these blogs are funny things

I just reread what I wrote last night. My thoughts were specific and directive and after checking my sitemeter, read. I have the power to now delete that post and let it be, but I'm not. I'm not even sure why.

To those of you who don't know me but link and read this site through a mutual friend's blog, just leave it alone. I don't even think he knows what is wrong with me, don't ask. And don't overanalyze. Please. This is me just being a bitch because that's all I can be right now.

Apologies again, but I'm not sure how sincere they are or if they'll be accepted.

I've never been so glad to go to work on a Monday.

on the brink of destruction

I'm tired. I'm so tired I don't know how to feel anything else. I'm letting every little thing get to me, things that I wouldn't even normally even consider thinking twice about - or more likely, even once. But I don't know how to not let it get to me and it's not like I can do anything about it.

I have to make it through an eight hour day. If I was really bored, I could probably caculate how many of these 28 days have been spent actually working, but who wants to read about that? I'm not even sure I want to type about it. If I can make it through the next 18 hours without breaking down and balling my eyes out, I'll amaze even myself at what I am capable of.

My weekend was okay. Slow day at the Main on Saturday because nothing but our permanent exhibits remain; Dossin showed slight improvement over last weekend's dismal showing. Today was the 305th Birthday celebration and our last day open before our makeover begins - we had 346 people come with nearly everyone giving at least one dollar in donation. For some of them, it was a lot more than that; for others, it was nothing. It all balanced itself out in the end. I was happy. Dossin today did 25 people - I dare say one of the best days since my tenure there. Sad in so many ways.

Overall, the birthday festivities went off great. My parents came down. My brother was there - seeing the Corsica in the parking lot totally threw me off when I went to fix the parking gates for the tenth time in a row. I had a protester on Woodward. His sign read something about how the Native Americans founded Detroit and Cadillac invaded it. However in one of our exhibits it very clearly states how the Indians were living in this area for a couple thousand years before Cadillac showed up. No one denys Native Americans were here, in fact, Cadillac even had some in his canoe as he sailed on the river and eventually banked on the land. I went and explained that to him - turns out he knew because he used to work at the museum. So all righty then. He was wallowing in his own ignorance and I let him continue to make a fool of himself. He was on public property and he had the right to assemble, so there was not one thing I could do. People came in telling me I should go tell him to take a hike, but I said I couldn't - it's his right. Maybe I should have directed him to Hart Plaza so he could see the Cadillac landing statue and maker. Or better yet, I should have had a costumed Frenchman go give a piece of birthday cake.

I must have had a bad experience on the boat I used to go out on in junior high. Now they leave me claustrophobic and bitchy. But put me in an environment that thoroughly makes me uncomfortable and I might act that way anyway. Defence mechanism. I went to high school with those people. The social class rift between us and them is something that not many people can ever recover from. Boats from your house is fine - if a waterfront or canal is so fortunate...marinas or whatever they are called are expensive campgrounds and not my cup of tea. Apologies to anyone reading this who knows exactly what I am talking about. Exhaustion does a funny thing to people - it makes them even more unbearable bitches than they are normally.

Apparently my away messages no longer apply meaning to those on my buddy list or at least those closest to me - my boyfriend thinks that my excuses are no longer vaild and my brother, who was so kind as to say this: "no i will not leave you alone. i am a paying customer and you are my on call manager. the museum was cool today i had a lot of fun". At least one of those is funny.

But don't mind me, I already explained some side effects of pure and utter exhaustion. Don't add that I have to quit my job this week and break my manager's heart, that I don't even recognize myself anymore, and that I have no time to even process all that's going through my head right now. But what do I know, my excuses are lame and not good enough anymore. Perhaps I should brush up on them in my spare time.

Early Morning Saturday

So something about waking up at 5:58 on a Saturday is stretching things a little to thin, even for me, miss weekend manager. It could also be because I'm in the final three days of rehabilitation length work marathon that I just don't seem to care anymore - I'm simply going through the notions.

In three weeks time, I will only have three jobs, two of which are seasonal. My mind was made up yesterday. A wish list kept me going through the day and the fact that I owe it to Dee to quit the right way. After all, it's not because of her that I'm leaving, and I'm not even going to waste my breathe talking to her first, because it won't solve anything. She'll defend Kathie until she's blue in the face and not do anything about the situation because she hates conflict. Fine. But when her entire staff starts handing in letters or just quits on the spot, maybe it will be a wake-up call to her management style. But it's retail, and it's high turnover anyway. So it doesn't really matter - but Dee is losing her best worker and she'll miss me when I'm gone and things are rough at the store. So I might make a deeper impact than just the average joe. I make a dollar less an hour at the Joe, a job that also makes me miserable sometimes, but at least I have some fringe benefits - like watching hockey games for instance, this season, I get the East Coast Original Six teams. Be jealous, be very jealous.

Long day at the museum today. I have to open the building for the construction crew at 8 and have to stay until 6. During the summer, there will be a "senior staff" member there at 8am - but I still don't know my routine or anything about it. For an organization that is all about future planning, it's nice that my schedule is on a week-to-week basis. Ah well, I do know I'll be stationed at the Dossin for most of it - it's just a matter of money and keys. Who knows.

Time for me to get moving. Yahoo.

Checking In

I don't know if anything has been blogworthy the past few days, at least not that I want to take the time to write about.

I'm in the final stretch of this madness - today after getting up before my alarm clock, I fell back asleep and slept right through it. Good thing I still have time to relax and get ready. Tomorrow though, I'll have to resort to the double alarm routine - something I usually only have to do when I get up early to teach high school. Speaking of which, I have to get fingerprinted asap. Might as well do it Tuesday if it's possible. Guess it would be a good time to find out if I have to do anything specific. But who has time for that.

I'm very close to quitting at the store. Put in all requests for clothing now.

I'm tired and I'm sick of working, but hey, it's almost over. Then starts the wait for August. I can't imagine how much fun that will be. ;-/

50 facts

1) I wrote a myspace blog last night and when I went to publish it, it deleted on me. I didn't bother trying to remember what I wrote, because I knew I couldn't make it sound as sincere the second time around.
2) When I read an email from Dee yesterday morning, I started crying. If even she knows I used to be a sweet and nice girl, then something is wrong. I don't know where I lost it, where to look for it, or if I'll ever get it back. I'm so jaded now that I doubt it and that makes me sad.
3) I walked in on my boss on a private phone call yesterday, made a snide remark afterward and quickly came to regret it. Proof that I'm a bad person and more reason to want to cry when I think of Dee's email.
4) I've had to take care of myself for so long that I don't know how to act now that I have someone who wants to share this arduous task.
5) If I don't stop being stupid and start saying things that are on my mind, I'll lose this and then spend the rest of my life regretting it. I know I don't have anything to be afraid of, but yet, I still freeze when the moments come along.
6) I'm about to be 25 and my life is in no way turning out (so far) the way I imagined. I do however, I think I am on the right road.
7) I have things to be happy about: I'm a college graduate with a job in my desired field; I have a new car, which is something I never thought would happen considering I have so much student loan debt; I'm in a relationship that is worth the two hours and my schedule that seperate us, because he is just that great of a guy.
8) I still have things to be bitter about: my jobs are all part-time; my non-college grad friends have no problems getting full-time with benefits; I'm only 24 and because my bills scare me, I live the life of a 52 year old man going through a mid-life crisis; I know I work too much and the sad thing is I don't even like what I do, but I can't do anything about it.
9) I downloaded an entire CD last night and listening to it made me feel better.
10) It was Tommy Shane Steiner's CD.
11) I'm a Detroiter and foreign cars still make me cringe.
12) After I work hockey games, my Canadian accent is even stronger than it is on a regular basis. Sometimes, I can't even understand myself.
13) If I had the chance to move away from Detroit, I'd strongly consider doing so in two heartbeats, even though this has always been and will always be home to me.
14) The story behind my island references: if I won the lottery tomorrow and had money left over and could go away, a tropical desintation would be my first pick. I think sometimes that life would be so much easier if it were just me and my hostage on an deserted island somewhere, without having to deal with the mass amount of people I come in contact with on a daily basis. I long for that escape and besides, an island in the middle of the ocean sounds so much better than a cave in Siberia. More relaxing too.
15) Once I got bored with the island, I'd move to Europe and spend months in different cities soaking up the culture and history.
16) If I were a better person, I'd make contact with my friends I haven't talked to in months or my pen-pal. I miss them.
17) I don't want to regret the museum job, but the changes in my behavior have been more and more obvious in the past two months. But maybe it's just a coincidence that my first day there was May 15th.
18) I think I can be good at it, I just can't take everything so personally.
19) I'll miss seeing Stevie play.
20) I consider myself incredibly lucky to have the chance to work hockey games and see the great names of our generation play. I look forward to the day when I can take my kids to the Hall of Fame and say, yeah, I saw him play for x amount of years. It's gonna be so cool, but I'm a dork too, don't mind me.
21) I thought of something to add before mentioning Stevie, but since I was at number 19, it only seemed fitting to bring him up. Now I can't remember what I was going to write.
22) If I decide to hang up my skates after Stevie's number retirement, I'd miss it too much and have to go back. I live for those quiet moments in the rink before doors open and for my season ticket holders and to say hi to Al and the guys, even if it's just for a second through the glass. I can't do that forever, but I'd be hard pressed giving it up willingly.
23) I still don't know what time I'm leaving for work today.
24) I also don't know what I'm outfit I'm going to wear.
25) For as busy as I am, I'm still really lazy sometimes.
26) I can't talk about anything happy or good for more than a minute without turning to something that irritates me.
27) I'm not sure I really like that people read this blog without knowing me. I'm not the bitch my writing makes me sound like I am, I just need to use this source to vent. Don't judge me on just my blogger. Please.
28) I wonder if there will ever be a time that I will have a normal work schedule and then attempt a normal lifestyle. Working around the clock really gets to you after awhile.
29) I can't figure out why I am still only on number 29. Speaking of which, I have the same birthday as Jason Williams and he was the first Red Wing that I met.
30) I keep that picture on my desk, along with a pic of me and my pen-pal's family, Cole and Steph, a signed Darren McCarty parade pic, and Vladdy.
31) I will not ever respect Ken Holland after the stunt he pulled on Cujo.
32) Stephie turned 11 yesterday. She's getting too old. One of these days, I'll be made her Godmother, but apparently this is not a priority with her mother and since I work weekends now, nearly impossible to accomplish.
33) I wouldn't have a problem if Kris Draper got the C. Better him than Nick or Chel, but I'm a die-hard Grind Line fan, what do I know.
34) I really have to stop using the number I am on to talk about my hockey players, but will someone please call Manny????? Please?
35) In a lot of ways, I've always been envious of my brother's free spirit when I've always had to be the responsible one.
36) I thanked my mom yesterday for both my summer birthday and my curly hair. The pic on my new driver's license emphasizes both. Had I known they would take my picture, I would have put some make-up to hide the dark circles under my eyes. :(
37) My car got smaller and lighter, but my tabs went up and arm and a leg. New cars - go figure.
38) I'm still not entirely sure I'm used to the baby Chev yet.
39) Passing a Corisca on the road is still hard for me.
40) Look, I'm up to number 40.
41) This is a lot harder than what I thought it was going to be.
42) It doesn't look like I'll be getting to a myspace survey this morning. Maybe tomorrow.
43) I know, maybe I'll just cut and paste this in myspace. It more or less says what I tried to write in my blog yesterday anyway. It was just a cry for help to my friends who don't read my blogger or don't have access to it because I use it to vent and bitch about the injustices that surround me.
44) I'm not so sure I should have just said that.
45) Five more to go and I am stuck...
46) You should watch House. Little did I realize that I once had Fox executives following me around to then create a television show based on a character with my exact personality. I hate the world and the majority of the people living in it and I think it's awesome there is a character on TV that shares the same view.
47) Everybody lies.
48) Half of 48 is 24. Jack Bauer is my hero.
49) Almost there...
50) And I'm done!

I'm starting to crack

Procrastinators are my favorite if and only if it involves visiting my museums. Yesterday ended the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit on the Montgomery Bus Boycott and so we hundreds of people rush in to see it. 250 on Sat and 288 on Sunday. I wish my numbers were like that every weekend, and I hope that after the Makeover, they will be. On the other side of the isle though, I only had 18 people at the Dossin all weekend. Which is sad and aggravates me. It was the hydroplane races on the River this weekend and so I thought the numbers would be higher than usual. I can write it off as they were just too drunk to walk around since no one knows of the Dossin's existence, can't say that I blame them too much for walking up to an empty, strange looking building. If the marketing guy is going to "get in trouble" for doing something with the Dossin, then maybe it will take a one-person volunteer effort. I live by these water communities, I could do something to help that building. It would be so cool if we could get docks so people could come on the boats, but since we're on the South side of the island and that's the main channel (Belle Isle bridge on North makes it impossible for freighters), it would be tricksey and we'd probably get turned down. Either that or win the lottery and move the entire building to where the old boat club used to be, or buy the last Boblo boat and make that into a museum. So many ideas, so limited the execution.

I have one more week to go in this marathon of work. I'm starting to crack. I go to bed early and get enough sleep, but it is getting so hard to get up in the mornings. And my whole body aches. It's more than just being tired; it's called being exhausted. Seven more days...

Over the weekend, my car turned a month old. I already have upwards of 2000 miles on it. I got the long awaited survey in the mail to which I have to answer "completely satisified" or it's a failing grade to GM. I can do that and I'm glad I made the choice in the dealer I did. Can't fail my GM, it would be blasphemy. So if you need a Chevy, go to Buff Whelan. See Terry. You'll be happy you did.

I get a half day today, but it's not a normal noon dismissal. I have to be at the Dossin around 10 (I'll probably be early) and so I just brought my laptop home with me last night and will start my day there today. So I'll leave that building about 1:30 to make it back and out the main by 2. It kinda sucks, but hey, it's better than staying 'til 4:30. And then I get to put in a full day of museum world tomorrow too. Nothing like working in the same place five days in a row, geesh, how do you people do it? ;)

All I really planned on doing was saying how flippin exhausted I was in this post, but I guess I had more on my mind to write about. Oh well, one more week. Think I can make it?

Feeling better

As soon as I got into work yesterday, Kathleen called me over and said they found the missing deposit envelope from Sunday. I just put my hand over my heart and sighed a breath of relief. Funny thing is, it was right where I said I knew it was. Funnier thing is, all the shit I've been beating myself up about the past couple days was a direct cause of that incident, and my confidence level at the museum job has been restored.

Last night, best Wednesday night ever. I got to see Pirates again. My thoughts from the first time I saw it were the same though. The ending is still my favorite part and ties it all together from the first. I am a big fan of that. I'm not sure there is a Jack moment I like more than the rum scene in the first flick, but Sparrow is still my favorite Jack. Well, second favorite maybe. And there was one part that really bothered me, but I have to see the movie at least 100 more times before I can pick up on the full backstory and secrets. Or finding the right time to rewatch the first and see if I can't pick on more characteristics that better explain it. We'll have to see.

Today totally seems like either Tuesday or Monday since I was at the Dossin yesterday. It's throwing off my entire routine. And my reliable Dossin docent is leaving for grad school and his last weekend will be August 12-13. I'm skipping town, country, or land that time in August, so sadly, I won't be there for his last day. And it really sucks that I won't have him anymore to open and close up the rest of the building while I am disgustingly calling my late VSAs and counting the drawer. He does everything in that building and now I have to deal with another new personality. The new VSA that was training at the Dossin yesterday, great girl. She goes to U-D and so immediately she can't do anything wrong. Fellow Titans stick together, maybe. She seems to be a good worker and everything, and while I was explaining procedures I spoke slow and clear and calmly and stopped to make sure everything was understandable to her and to see if she had any questions. I think she'll be fine. Today she's training at the Main, so I hope that is going well. And tomorrow I am back at the Dossin for the Gold Cup/ Hydroplane races. Lord help my patience while maneuvering around the island this weekend. I'll need it. And my rollerblades are in my trunk if all else fails.

I hate closing at the store. Today I have to work with the new co-manager and other associates who I can't stand. So to prepare for this festive evening, I'm off to watch House. New season comes out August 22nd. I have a new work schedule to plan events around. It is available here. Click it - we get to host the four of the Original Six teams this year. Woot!

a month away

The thought that it is the 11th crossed my mind several times today. But it was quickly taken over by the realization that I have to work 28 days in a row. There's no one on the schedule to take my Thursday night, so I'll have to work that, but I did leave Dee a note at the end of the day saying that effective the next schedule, I am no longer available on Tuesdays. That job is wearing me down and it's not worth it. I won't move up anywhere and my payrate isn't going to increase any time soon. My passion lies with the museums, it has too, it's something I wanted when I realized I couldn't go through with the education courses. I lost that passion though, now not even two months into that job, and if I wasn't beating my brain up over my schedule today I was just contemplative on how sad it is and how quickly I've taken a turn for the worse. But things are different now. I have people in my life who care about me and that want to help me. I guess now all I have to do is learn how and when to ask for help.

My boss was back in the office today. And because I had FOUR voicemails when I turned on my phone from the store (I don't think I have ever, ever had four voicemails at one time, ever) and three were from the museum, I checked my work email. Among them was a rather encouraging email from Kathleen regarding Tiffany. She said it was fully her responsibility to check the schedule and because this was the second time she was late due to car issues, there may be a written reprimand coming. She closed with the following, which is a direct response to my saying that I know what it means to be more nurturing to her now: Think of this as great training, and let me know what you need from me. Other than making the alarms stop going off! Again with the learning how to ask for help. Think this is one of my greatest weaknesses? You bet! The good thing is that I realize it, won't deny it, and can now start to work on improving it.

I have to manage my time better. I need to do things that help me unwind and take my mind off of work. I'm almost done with House, then I think I'm going to force myself to read every single day regardless of how lazy or tired I am. It will be good for me. I went to Borders and the book that stands out is the 'complete idiots guide to managing people'. I hope it gives me some answers on how to better deal with those who don't handle responsibility in the same ways as I do and who don't have quite the same degree of work ethic.
Think of this as great training, and let me know what you need from me. Other than making the alarms stop going off!

Today at the store was shit. I have a negative attitude about it now yet still work my ass off. I went through 93 out of 134 boxes of shipment in two and a half hours. If I didn't stop to take out the trash before the night crew got there, I could have easily surpassed 100. But I was tired, my legs hurt, and I was too busy thinking about my bad attitude to care about unpacking shipment. I actually think it was quite theraputic - I threw around some shit and tore boxes up. All quite fun.

Tomorrow I'm making a rare appearence at the Dossin. It is Metro Detroit Youth Day on Belle Isle and is bound to be chaotic and busy. And the new VSA will be there to train at that museum. Lord, please let it be a good first impression...for both our parts.

A year ago I was in Gettysburg. I only remember because tonight is the All Star Game and it was played in Detroit last year. God what I would give to be there right now. My idea of going AWOL never sounded better. But hey, two weeks from right now, my first day off all month will be coming to an end. Isn't that exciting? Or optimistic if you will?

re-evaluating the plan

I went for a run yesterday. Well, at least I kind of went for a run. I took my 16 Greatest Hits CD and hit the bike trail. I didn't run the whole time, but made it a point to run at least half of every song. John Henry and Ira Hayes are long songs too, so it wasn't all a lost cause. I went down to Jefferson and back up to Harper, and it took 18 of those hits to cover my tracks. I went home, grabbed some cash, then went back up the party store to get some Gatorade. Drank a whole thing while laying on the grass trying to get my heart rate down to normal again. If I had insurance, I would better know what that was supposed to be. sigh. Today, I don't feel any muscle strain or ache. I must be in better shape that I thought I was.

I listened to Johnny, I listened to the birds, I got bit by bugs, and I stopped on the bridge to watch the mucky water go by. I tried to think of a solution to my worries. I will take action today when I get next week's schedule for the store. I will give Dee different availability since she refuses to give me a day off anymore and find someone to take my Thursday night shift. I will also find out if I'm in the middle of a 21 or 28 day run, neither of which can be a very good thing. Even God took a day off for pete's sake. I might have to give my two weeks sooner than I anticipated, but I'm taking my museum frustrations out on the store and that's not fair. I have to stop being so hard on myself. I have too. I have to start leaving work at work, especially the managerial stuff that I can't control when I'm not there. I could blame retail for turning me against myself and making me almost hate the person I've turned into, but some part of me thinks it's the museums as well. What if I'm not cut out to be a manager even though I'm able to handle it? I guess along with nurturing others, I also have to nurture myself, especially my interpersonal communication methods - this will help in probably all aspects of my life.

I think I have to hit the bookstore on my way home tonight. Woot! When feeling depressed, go to Borders and buy your troubles away.

I'm on my last disc of House. I think that I'm either going to buy this myself or just start to rewatch it when I get done. It's good stuff. If you don't watch it, you should. One of the episodes yesterday had the first person die in it. I was beginning to wonder.

Btw, I turned on my tv last night before bed and changed it to OLN. Guess what channel came through last night???? YAY!!! I got to see at least ten minutes of recap coverage. That was exciting. And those questions I thew out to the blog gods yesterday were answered. At least one of them to some extent...thanks for the uplifting thought. :)

all i really want is to escape. please?

I don't want to talk about work today. I lost the deposit envelope from the Dossin on Sunday and I don't know where the hell it is. I got out at 1, an hour later than my half day should have lasted, but whatever. Like anything ever goes the way it's supposed to when I'm there anyway.

Since I couldn't retrace my steps from yesterday, I just put Johnny Cash on repeat and have now proceeded into a fun and exciting 'feel sorry for myself' mood. I'll trade his sleeping city sidewalk for my own low-tide crashing waves and call it a fair trade. Honestly, while listening to his music, I thought about things in my life, especially pertaining to some nasty label from yesterday. I don't why I'm so afraid to admit that it's the truth. I'm not one to deny the truth, especially if it's about me, but I don't know. I can only vaguely remember a time when I was considered by others to be a nice person. I'm not a nice person anymore. Those who think I am are either clouded by judgement or just don't know how nice I used to be to compare it too. Is my life really ruined and I'm not 25 yet? Is this a temporary personality glitch or permanent damage? How can I not even help myself over this brick wall I've just crashed into? How am I supposed to reach out and let others help me too? And how am I supposed to deal with the fact that the only thing I want more than my island escape is two hours away from me on an opposite schedule?

Add up all the odds stocked against me, my reward one day will be larger than words can describe. Until that time, keep reaching, I'm not out of bounds quite yet.

mustering energy to write this thing

Why is the rum always gone, Captain Sparrow?:
There is rarely a dull moment while I am at my various places of employment. Saturday at the museums was relatively mondane and almost went off like clockwork. Well, except for the closing of both the Dossin and the main. I don't know why it took longer, but counting the drawers was exceptionally brutal yesterday. That, and I have no idea why people can't leave the buildings when we tell them we are closing. Tiffany broke into all the change and so I had to reset all of that. Blah. She also asked me where she was supposed to be working on Sunday. I said I would check when I got back to the main and call her. Well, when I in fact didn't get back to the main until 4:45, my VSA and maintance man thought something had happened to me. Because we start clearing at 4:45, I had to start the closing process. Usually, I am back at least ten minutes prior to this and allows me that ten minutes to situate the deposit and everything from the Dossin before worrying about the closing sequence at the main. I was rushed Saturday evening and again I had a longer than usual drawer counting procedure. I let Ray leave after we counted and set Sunday's drawer, then I went through and shut down exhibits. An event in the Streets of Detroit allowed me to only shut off the first and second floors. Not a big deal, but after the long check outs, much appreciated. I handed the keys off to the staff who was working the event and went on my way. I walked out the door at 6pm in an exhausted state of mind and not until I was on 94 at about the Boulevard did I realize I forgot to check the schedule for Tiffany. I did not call her back because a) I don't carry a VSA schedule on my person b) there was nothing I could have done for her because there wasn't even a schedule at the Dossin and c) assumed she would have taken initiative to find her own work schedule. The funny thing about hindsight is that it is 20-20, and only now do I realize that I should have called her regardless. A manager's work is apparently never done.

Sunday Morning Coming Down:

I arrived at the Dossin early. I wanted to see where things stood on the neverending inventory of GLMI items that I now have two weeks to complete. Soon, it is 10:30 and I have no staff. I begin to worry. Brendan (the reliable docent) knocks on the door about 10:45. Ok. Luckily, he has his schedule. Tiffany is the VSA again. I call. I leave a message. I get a phone call back from Tiffany. She was on her way to the main. I said she was at the Dossin, to which she replied, but I asked you to call me yesterday and you never did. I said I had a long closing at the main and honestly forgot to call you, I thought you would have taken the initiative and checked your own schedule. She said no, but that she was on her way to the Dossin instead. Okay. Deep Breath. I start to bitch a little and then stop myself to apologize to Brendan. This is a) not professional or managerial for me to do and b) I wouldn't want to listen to it either. It is 11:00, I open the building. There are ex-employees there to setup a special display for the hydroplane races this weekend on River. Fine. It gets to be 11:05, no Tiffany and I have to race to the main to open up by noon. Brendan says he is fine because he's worked alone in the building before. I leave but reluctantly. I said call me at 11:30 if she's not there and then call me when she gets there. I'm in transit to the main and I get a phone call. Hi Amy, I ran out of gas. I said okay, where are you? Tiffany said she was in the middle of the road and no one is stopping to help her, but that's okay, "you don't have to come get me". I just wanted to pull over and cry, but no, I kept driving. She was making her car move and was able to make it to a gas station. I said okay, bye. I called Brendan to keep him up to date. I call my voice of reason and try to stop shaking due to anger, frustration, and relief that I cannot fire that girl myself. I get to the main and open it up, turn everything on, and get the drawer counted by noon. In fact, doors opened at 11:53. There was an event in the Streets today also, that went off without a hitch. So needless to say, the main ran smoothly.

However, it was time and distance working against me and the Dossin.

I get a phone call, luckily, at 12:45 from Brendan. That made me look at my watch and realize I had to go downstairs to start the movie. I called him back from the front desk. The DVD player which plays an integral film at a crucial spot in the Dossin broke and jammed the disc in the player. All this because those people setting up the event thought they had open game to things in other parts of my building. Right when I thought I could calm down, I got all sorts of upset again. I asked Brendan if he wanted me to come over to the Dossin then. He said it was my call. I asked if there was anything I could do now that couldn't wait until I came later in the afternoon to close. I also mentioned how great the timing was considering the Dossin is open everyday for the next two weeks. He said there probably was nothing I could do. Tiffany wanted to talk to someone else who wasn't even there because she didn't know the number to the front desk and apparently didn't want to ask me about it. I forced it out of her and solved the problem she was having. So I left the front desk area saying that I was going to go upstairs and pull my hair out. The VSA and volunteer at the front desk laughed. I did too, it was anything at that point to make me not just start crying. I managed to get through the rest of the day, remembering that Deprina needed a lunch break, but the volunteer covered that. I hung out for some, but not all of the time, and was there to catch yet another phone call from Brendan, this time telling me that the DVD player was working and seemed to be fine. I said that I was going to leave the main when my vsa got back from her lunch and that I should be at the Dossin between 2:30 and 3. When I got there, I was worried about all the damage to the building considering we are open for the next two weeks. I watched the video, it sticks in some parts and stutters in others, so I have to look into finding another copy of that disc. I closed up and we were out there by 4:15 today. I let Tiffany leave as soon as we finished getting the deposit ready (4:05ish). Went back to the main, closed down at Deprina was out by 5:15. I shut down the exhibits, handed off my keys again because the event was still going on, but stayed and wrote a couple emails (no, not about the Tiffany situation) and left about 6 again.

After telling my day's events and watching two episodes of House, I was finally able to blog about calmly. Had I done this when I first got home, this blog would have involved many swear words, and really, who wants to read that? I have personal opinions about Tiffany and her irresponsibility and unnurturabilty, but I'm not ready to type those out yet. If I'm going to succeed at this manager thing, I have to learn how to deal with personality clashes and that not everyone thinks and handles responsibilty the way I do. Which, to those people, is probably a very positive thing. I will however, share with you the reactions from the people with whom I shared this story with my added commentary:

the mom says: what did Tiffany do this time? (as soon as I walk in the door)
mom also says: you have quite the business sense in the way you handle these things (while I was telling my story, mainly at the part when I asked Brendan if there was anything I could at that moment that couldn't wait until I went there to close).
the dad says: so when is this girl going on probation? (my response: she hasn't yet had a written warning regarding her attendance. to which he said - do that, and then only give her 30 days and then kick her to the curb.) If only I could do that dad, and without the formal steps to cover my ass.
the boyfriend says: well, I can't remember what he said but it was something to put it all in perspective and made me realize that I had not nurtured Tiffany the way that I should have and as a result, caused my heart to race all day and now worry that my story won't be nearly as one-sided as it would have been had I remember to call this person yesterday.
asking my dad about this, the former manager: he said, no, it is her responsibilty to know her own work schedule. that if anything comes back to me, I cannot be held responsible or blamed for her third major goof in five or six weeks.

I'm tired from a cumulation of events. I learned my lesson today, in many different areas. I learned what it means to be a little more nurturing to my employees. I learned that managing one facility while managing another off site is a testament of patience that will try every nerve ending in my body sometimes. Good thing I'm passionate about this job. I learned that I don't like being called a workaholic and dispise that adjective even more so than I did before...because it was used on me? I don't know, because I secretly know that's how people describe me? maybe, because I'm only 24 and living the life of a 50 year old man? perhaps, because my college loans and now car payments worry me so much that I work (up until I found the museum job) just for the paycheck? most likely.

Time for bed or something like it. Adios.

wrath worse than Bauer's

I haven't had a bad night in a long time. But good lord, when it rains, it pours. I don't have anything else to talk about other than my misfortunate employment situation. After reading this you should appreciate the monotony of working 8-5 in some stupid office all day long. Never take it for granted and never work in retail.

• I go into work to find the new co-manager there all geeked up that I have to get a credit application and that we have to hit one of the numbers. I said, I'm not dumb, I can read and have been here long enough to know how to read the damn clipboard. STRIKE ONE.
• She has ME count the drawer because she hates to do that and run the tapes when a) I just got there and it wasn't my drawer to count and b) what the fuck kind of manager admits to hating counting the drawers? UGH. STRIKE 1.5.
• She goes to put a mannequin in its place when I notice something missing from his outfit. I said, don't we have this shirt? She said, I didn't see it. I said, it's right here. She said, oh, I guess I didn't look close enough. I said, I guess not. STRIKE TWO. You fuck up my mannequins, you make me mad. It's not rocket science, it's following detail. Learn to pay attention or just leave it for someone else to do.
• I am ringing someone up and she is at the register next to me using it. She asked me something "real quick". Mind you, the thing I told her how to do is under manager functions only. Nice. I want a fucking raise if I in fact have to train co-managers too. STRIKE 2.5.
• She comes up to me and asks if I brought anything to cover up the tank tops. I said, no, I assumed I would be working on mannequins in the backroom. She asked if Dee makes us dress "in code" while we work in the back. I said, no not usually. She talked to Kelly about this too. Kelly said, Dee's been having her work in the back and what she's wearing is fine. Kathie was concerned in case Kel needed help on the floor. WTF? I wore a white tank top underneath a BLACK one. But apparently, it's not enough black. And it's not slutty tank tops either, so wtf-ever. Try working in front of a steamer in the backroom that's not air conditioning working on styling mannequins and see how like it. STRIKE THREE.
• By 5:30, I was ready to fucking quit that job. She didn't leave until 7. I was ready to pull my hair out.
• My advice: We are not the GAP. Get over it and move on. We are the The Children's Place and do things differently. Stop comparing apples and oranges; you will not succeed.

If you can't compare me to House yet, you will be able too soon. I've got nothing to lose at that place, might as well make my last months there fun. It is obvious that my sunshine personality from hell isn't going to mesh well with sales-oriented Kathie's. I have strengths at the store, sales isn't one of them. And largely because I am lucky enough not to be on the register a lot. Argh.

Denise came in and while I was glad to see her, she said, Amy, you're car is scratched. I said WHAT? She didn't know I didn't know. She said it looks like a shopping cart got it or someone backed up too close. I'm like great, just add fuel to the fire. By the time I took my break at 7-ish, I didn't know I wanted to come back (so tempting it was having my keys and celly in my hand). I went to inspect the damage. It is scratched. The couple main scratches look like they can be rubbed in or off. There is a nick in the paint in one spot though. And another mild abrasion that I haven't yet deciphered. It's not dented though, so I'm not taking it to a body shop. But I will be sending my dad on a GM mission to find a bottle of Maui Blue paint for me tomorrow. I just hope he can fit that into my plans.

If Denise hadn't told me and I found that tomorrow when I was washing my car, I would have stopped and cried a little bit. At least I inspected it while still pissed off enough about work to shed tears.

Now I'm just tired. I'm off to bed before I go back home tomorrow morning. I've never felt so glad to work with Dee in all my tenure there. And I am never taking someone's shift again.

Positive: Tomorrow is the day of the new Pirates. And it's payday. And I get to see Brian.

third time's a charm

On my third log-in to blogger today, I am finally going to write something. About what, I don't really know, but it all comes down to words on a page anyway. This my addition to littering the information superhighway with nothing but rants and raves.

Emmy nominations came out today. I was pleased that 24 and House and Lost were well represented. I'm all for Kiefer Sutherland to win best actor. The academy better recognize Jack Bauer. It would be neat if Donald Sutherland won in his category too. Anyway, that's all I really care about that.

Tomorrow is Pirate day. I won't get to see it until the night, but that's all right, little else matters.

I haven't been home to see the mail lady in ages. Today, she said how much she liked my new car and how cool looking it was. I still love getting compliments on the baby and, hey, it's three weeks old today! It's in desperate need of a bath, but alas, that has to wait until tomorrow evening.

untitled

I cleaned my room today. I took out five bags of trash (two just from closet) and a rollarblade box. Does it look better? I'm sure it does. Am I happy with it? No. I don't have any room in here anymore and if it gets dirty within the next two weeks, I'm going to be convinced that there is a ghost who clutters my room when I'm not in it. Seriously. Okay, so maybe I inhaled too many Pledge and Windex fumes today, but I have no other explanation. I'll stop talking madness now.

I am ready to unveil my master plan. I have to get fingerprinted again for teaching. I decided not to put it by the wayside but instead to make that my secondary source of income starting this fall. By the end of September, I should be ready to bid The Children's Place a fond farewell and regain control of my schedule. Working at least 21 days in a row is absurd and tiring. Most people with normal job hours have at least six days off by the time they hit 22 days. In this stretch, I won't have a single one. If it's not in the DHM budget to get me in full-time, then I have to do the next best financially logical thing, and that is teaching. Besides, I have a car payment to think about now and would like to be out on my own by July 1. If that is at all feasible I haven't a clue, but at least I'll have my evenings free again. And that will be a nice thing.

For right now, I have to find some food and get ready for work. And I get to repeat the cleaning process again tomorrow, but those will be more of my Cinderelli chores than anything else. First impressions lead to great motivation.

ranting post-hours

My day started in a mad dash across my room to find my Stevie pic. Eventually I remembered where it was, but until that moment of clarity, I destroyed my room by ripping apart my closet and bookshelves. I was able to spend some time tonight putting humpty dumpty back together again, and two garbage bags later, I still don't feel better about my room. I just think I have to finish the other half and then maybe I might feel like something was done. I don't know though and I have no idea how so much crap accumulates in such a small space, especially considering I am rarely home to spend any time in this room at all anyway. Ah well.

I made five stops on my way to work trying to find papers and they were all sold out. Thank goodness for an airport-type store in the mall that had two News and two Free Presses left. Enough for me and Kris. Yay! All that in 35 mins and I still punched in right at 1:00. I rock.
At work, I did the windows. They are mechanical this time and had mannequins. I got yelled at for complaining too much again. Dee said, "Amy, you used to be such a nice girl". She thinks some people (Dawn) influence me too greatly and make me complain; I say that my true colors are showing more now and how I like things to stay organized, etc in the back. She gave me another excuse. Whatever. There will always be an excuse and so I will always find something to complain about. I think I've decided on a timeframe for the store that involves my employment with the company. We'll see how that holds.

Then I stopped by my brother's on my way home from work to eat some leftovers from Dale's bbq. It was good. I came home to clean my room a bit, then we went to Jeff's for fireworks. It was nice seeing the gang again...my time hanging out has always been limited (school) but now because of my endless working it's even more drastically cut. I spent most of the night laughing at Lindsey's drunk ass. I can do that anytime, but it's so much more fun when the guys are there. I showed off the baby and the best reaction I got was, "wow, it's really blue". My brother came up with a kick ass description of the color, but I forgot it. It's almost worth mentioning on a myspace picture caption it's so good. It's been too long since I've seen my friends. I had a good time.

On another note: I'm sick of hiding in fear of rash judgements and thinking. I'm not afraid of that anymore; I can't be. I need to change things before I lose the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't know what my problem has been and why it's taken me so long to deal with it. Maybe a weight will be lifted from my shoulders after it happens. Maybe I'll regret not doing it sooner because in the end, there was really nothing to be afraid about anyway. Maybe I'll just kick myself for being too proud and stubborn and fearful over something I should have never had to worry so much about in the first place. Damn the perfectionist within me. It's not illegal to be happy, what am I so afraid of?

I'm in the middle of working at least 20 days in a row. It could very likely be more than that and by looking at the calendar right now, I know it will be at least 21. Forgive my blogs if they are full of complaints about the bullshit that surrounds me. I'll try to make it a goal to write about one positive thing that happened a day to make it more uplifting and happy.

Happy Birthday! We're 230!!

On a quick "stevie yzerman retires" search on blogger.com, there are 101 results. Reading the blurbs, everyone says the same thing. I found out early yesterday, ruined at least three people's days with the news, illegally text messaged at my desk, and decided to stick around to see what the Wings will become in the post-Steve era. No, it's not because I'm so much a Wings fan, but primarily because I wanted to see the pomp and circumstance that comes with a number retirement.

I need to frame my picture that Stevie signed in a better frame. I'm not talking about the pic of myself with him, but I got him to sign a pretty cool trading card from that the newspapers used to publish during the playoffs a hundred years ago. I don't know a framing place and then when I find one, I will have a serious time handing over my Stevie and not staying by the framer's side while he works. I wonder if they have to take some ethical oath saying that they will not rip off thy customers, especially those with priceless hockey memorablia.

We'll miss Stevie opening night. We'll miss him when times are hard and we need his slapshot to life spirits at the Joe. He won't be on the ice anymore. But I wonder if his retirement will be put on the back burner because over the past three seasons, we've grown accustomed to him not being on the ice, but always being there. It won't sink in that he's not coming back until his number hangs proudly from the rafters with Howe, Abel, Sawchuck, Lindsay, and Delvecchio. But I'm really happy he was able to go out on his own terms.

Before I become redundant and start to repeat everything I said yesterday, I'll just end it here. I have breakfast to eat, work to get ready for, and newspapers to buy.

Enjoy the Fourth.

Retiring with the Captain?

Months ago when I was working hockey games still, I threatened to retire this year. Fed up with the politics of working in the entertainment business and burned out with the schedule, I was said I was gonna hang 'em up with at least Luc. I have made up my mind.

Today, Steve Yzerman announced his retirement. A couple days ago I predicted he to be back, because I expected an announcement before free agency trading began July 1. He told Kenny before that though, but waited until today for the fanfare. I'm sad on many levels but also relieved. I'm glad Stevie decided to retire on his own terms and in good health, before another injury risked his future and made him leave the game hurt. The future of the team is uncertain, now we can add Stevie to the list of those now gone. Truth is, our beloved Wings team of yesteryear is gone, the future is upon us, and just think of the history we all lived through with these guys. It's amazing and our stories of Yzerman will be envied by generations of hockey fans yet to come, the way we envy those who saw Howe, Lindsay, and Sawchuck.

Am I going to retire? Hell no! Seeing a number retirement ceremony is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If I can't be there for a Stanley Cup victory, I can see a number retired - and not just any number - number 19. It will live on for the ages.

Thanks for the memories Stevie.

7 days a week

In an effort to push myself to the breaking point (again), I told Dawn I would work her closing shift at the store Thursday night. And because it is just 7am right now, I have neither the energy nor the desire to look in my planner and count my consecutive days of work. I even have to work tomorrow for Pete's sake, which is blasphemy on many levels. But you take the bad with the good and then get over it.

Weekend at the museum went well. I didn't have to go to the Dossin on Sat because they were having a wedding there. It was almost boring staying at the Main all day, but nonetheless, there was always something to do. A tour came in shortly after 10 and it went smoothly; I was both surprised and relieved. I looked up information to give to the bus driver to show these out-of-towners the City. I talked with a Detroit police officer regarding the mayor, who brought his family through. I made him pay for Kwame, Mrs. Kwame and their kids. Hahaha. The cop did this before the mayor showed up. I then alerted my staff both that he was coming and when he arrived. I didn't clear the building for him (he was just wanted to be a normal folk that day) but the cops went around. I let the volunteer show him around and all was good. Sunday went off without any hangups. Tiffany was at the Dossin - I just don't know about that girl. At all. And Deprina almost fell asleep at the front desk. Now that just can't be a good thing. Not with me in charge anyway. So how do you nurture those who are unnurturable?

I dreaded coming home because my brother and Lindsey were supposed to be there for dinner. I pulled in to see the Super Chev and didn't think anything of it. When I got out of my car, I had to go give it a pat, for old times sake. After a long weekend of work the last thing I wanted to do was deal with blondie, but alas, she was sick yesterday and it was just Jeffy. Woot! So the meal didn't go nearly as bad as what I was anticipating sitting through. Then I watched another four episodes of House. And yes, I can see how people might confuse us. It was clear after just one show, but after watching eight now and seeing his character, yeah, I'm totally the female version of House. Ha. Judge that how you will.

Today might be my last full Monday for awhile. Because I have to work at the Dossin for three days during it's special hours, the next three Mondays will be half days. That should be a nice treat. Off to historyland. Ciao.

Tour de What?

No yellow jersey for Jan Ullrich or Ivan Basso this year. I'm shocked they would drop out due to drug violations the year they have the chance to step up to the pedal with Lance retired. I still don't have a working OLN channel, which makes me sad. Nothing beats cycling the first two weeks in July, if for nothing else than listening to the broadcasters cool accents. Those two guys are fun to listen too. This year the Tour starts in Strasbourg, France and weaves through some of the Black Forest in Germany - considering I've been to that area and some of the cities, I would have liked to see the scenery. I guess not though and I'll likely be so busy these next few weeks that I won't even miss watching. With no Lance and now no Jan or Ivan, I'm indifferent. Though there is that one guy, but I forget his name.

July 1 marks open trading season in the NHL. Nice that Nick Lidstrom decided to stay with us. When news comes of other favorites skippin' town for - I don't know, a more "pack"ed environment - don't say I didn't warn ya. But I don't know when this will be announced. My prediction on Stevie: if he was going to retire, he would have done so already, allowing Kenny to find a decent free agent. It's just the way Stevie is, he wouldn't leave his team shorthanded. So things are looking like one more year. Hopefully.

Adventures in Historyland continue today...