Been seeing stories on TV today about landslides and such around the 219 extension. My question is.....why are we building this road?? It goes nowhere! Roads like this just help sprawl and urban flight progress. In a county that's basically bankrupt, how are we undergoing such a large and useless project? There must be background I'm unfamiliar with.
Second, I hope the NIMBYs are happy that we'll now have an ugly steel frame sitting on the Seneca land downtown for God knows how long. They say it's due to the economy....that's a line of crap, their casinos are faring just fine. They obviously backed down from the court ruling and won't admit it. Prideful bunch. I do believe the city should have made an agreement where the casino would be built without entertainment, hotel operations or restaurants so it could draw people to the area while still offering some benefit to downtown as well, but since the deal was done, let's bring the landmark building and roll the dice. The conservative nature of the people in WNY really pisses me off and it's very obvious how the area became so decayed. I want to run for mayor and kick everyone's ass!!!
Tiburon1724's Journal
My Podcast Link
08/28/2008 23:17 #45491
219 and Casino07/24/2008 17:48 #45129
Beef JerkyCategory: work
So my assistant (who's new to the company, I'm training him up) calls me on my cell last night and quickly asks, "what's our policy on catching shoplifters?" I was caught off-guard since shoplifting is not a problem in my Amherst store..haven't really had to deal with that since my month-long stint at the downtown store. He said he got the plate number and the cops were at the customer's house as we spoke! I said go ahead and tell them you'll press charges.
So today I go into work and find the police report on the desk with an opened bag of Beef Jerky. Yes, the woman stuffed a bag of beef jerky in her purse and ran out. And the cops showed up at her house for it!! I find that extremely hilarious! How embarrassing it must have been for her. Pretty interesting that the Amherst Police actually responded in that manner, I could never get anything done in Florida with a plate number. Guess the cops really are bored there!
Shoplifting is dramatically on the rise lately, particularly the last 2 weeks. As the economy continues to worsen, I'm prepared for it to continue to escalate. I ALWAYS prosecute. I'd do it again for another $4.99 bag of beef jerky, lol. I'm finding more and more empty packages around the store. A couple days ago one of the shift supervisors who works for me saw a lady take a pack of gum out of a 3-pack and stick it in her purse. She brought the remainder of the pack to the register and when the customer went up to pay for her other stuff, she rang up the gum too. "THAT'S NOT MINE!!" she barks...."oh sorry I thought it was since you have the missing pack" "IT WASN'T MEEEE!!!!" and she leaves red-faced.
I take it very personally because it's my JOB. I have inventory once a year and if I don't come in under budget I am disciplined - twice in a row and I am terminated. That's also a major factor in my bonus, and thus stealing from my chain store is stealing from me!! People also like to steal dryer balls.....very odd things people choose to take.
So today I go into work and find the police report on the desk with an opened bag of Beef Jerky. Yes, the woman stuffed a bag of beef jerky in her purse and ran out. And the cops showed up at her house for it!! I find that extremely hilarious! How embarrassing it must have been for her. Pretty interesting that the Amherst Police actually responded in that manner, I could never get anything done in Florida with a plate number. Guess the cops really are bored there!
Shoplifting is dramatically on the rise lately, particularly the last 2 weeks. As the economy continues to worsen, I'm prepared for it to continue to escalate. I ALWAYS prosecute. I'd do it again for another $4.99 bag of beef jerky, lol. I'm finding more and more empty packages around the store. A couple days ago one of the shift supervisors who works for me saw a lady take a pack of gum out of a 3-pack and stick it in her purse. She brought the remainder of the pack to the register and when the customer went up to pay for her other stuff, she rang up the gum too. "THAT'S NOT MINE!!" she barks...."oh sorry I thought it was since you have the missing pack" "IT WASN'T MEEEE!!!!" and she leaves red-faced.
I take it very personally because it's my JOB. I have inventory once a year and if I don't come in under budget I am disciplined - twice in a row and I am terminated. That's also a major factor in my bonus, and thus stealing from my chain store is stealing from me!! People also like to steal dryer balls.....very odd things people choose to take.
07/23/2008 16:20 #45112
What do I do?Category: work
So I think the interview went well. The thing is, being a District Manager, the job requires relocation. There's basically a 25% chance I'd end up in Buffalo but 75% chance I'd end up in one of their other upstate NY markets. And there's a one year training period where I could be in a different market from where I would be after that year. If I WERE offered a position I'd really have to think about it...I mean, I LOVE Buffalo and just moved back here 2 years ago, just bought a house a few months ago! The thing is it would be a $21,000 salary increase and I'd get a company car...then a guaranteed $5000 salary increase each year on top of that for 4 years each, plus bonuses!
I'd have to find someone to rent the house out from me...someone I trust and preferably someone I know so I can stay here when I'm back in town! This way I can drive back into town often....I don't know how the arrangement would work :( I don't really want to sell though as I'd lose major money since I rolled the closing costs into the mortgage and have only made a few payments so far. If I just let the house sit and made payments on it and some tiny apartment wherever I moved, I'd basically be netting no additional money, probably would end up costing me more in fact.
Please share your thoughts!
I'd have to find someone to rent the house out from me...someone I trust and preferably someone I know so I can stay here when I'm back in town! This way I can drive back into town often....I don't know how the arrangement would work :( I don't really want to sell though as I'd lose major money since I rolled the closing costs into the mortgage and have only made a few payments so far. If I just let the house sit and made payments on it and some tiny apartment wherever I moved, I'd basically be netting no additional money, probably would end up costing me more in fact.
Please share your thoughts!
tiburon1724 - 07/24/08 17:34
Thanks guys for your input!
I can say if offered the position and relocating was not in the picture I would take it. But relocating and not being thrilled with the job combined would be an issue. That said, I would never take the job and relocate if it weren't so much money, to tiny's point.
I'm no stranger to hard work, my job now is quite physical, I basically have to do all the resets/planograms, seasonal sets, remerchandising, unload the truck each week, work the truck, build displays, etc etc. So I'm really not afraid of that. But where does this come into play as a District Manager (directed more to Jason)? I know the first year is all training and that's fine, and a DM has 4 stores in his/her district here.
What about it was so greuling? Everything on the floor is palletized and I assume it comes off the truck that way, so it's just a matter of rolling it into it's spot on the sales floor?
As far as hours, that's retail. Right now if working early I'm in by 7 or 730am, and if working a night shift as I do twice a week on average, I'm out at 10pm. Before CVS I worked at Disney as a retail manager and often didn't get out until 2am on a night shift, in at 6am on a morning shift. My average day is 9 hours, often more.
Thanks guys for your input!
I can say if offered the position and relocating was not in the picture I would take it. But relocating and not being thrilled with the job combined would be an issue. That said, I would never take the job and relocate if it weren't so much money, to tiny's point.
I'm no stranger to hard work, my job now is quite physical, I basically have to do all the resets/planograms, seasonal sets, remerchandising, unload the truck each week, work the truck, build displays, etc etc. So I'm really not afraid of that. But where does this come into play as a District Manager (directed more to Jason)? I know the first year is all training and that's fine, and a DM has 4 stores in his/her district here.
What about it was so greuling? Everything on the floor is palletized and I assume it comes off the truck that way, so it's just a matter of rolling it into it's spot on the sales floor?
As far as hours, that's retail. Right now if working early I'm in by 7 or 730am, and if working a night shift as I do twice a week on average, I'm out at 10pm. Before CVS I worked at Disney as a retail manager and often didn't get out until 2am on a night shift, in at 6am on a morning shift. My average day is 9 hours, often more.
jason - 07/24/08 08:20
Tib,
I have a friend who took an Aldi DM job straight out of college. He is no longer with them, and hasn't been for a long time. I know a little about what it is like through him.
Basically, they work you like a mule. You work early, you work late, you're always on the road, and the physical labor aspect of it is true as well. We would go to visit my pal and get there at 11, when he was just getting off of his shift.
Also consider the relocation. You very well may end up moving to bumblefuck. Of course, the benefits and salary are very nice (they do count your miles on that car), and if you did it for a short time just to boost up your bank it isn't a bad option. Just know what you're going to have to sacrifice to get there.
Tib,
I have a friend who took an Aldi DM job straight out of college. He is no longer with them, and hasn't been for a long time. I know a little about what it is like through him.
Basically, they work you like a mule. You work early, you work late, you're always on the road, and the physical labor aspect of it is true as well. We would go to visit my pal and get there at 11, when he was just getting off of his shift.
Also consider the relocation. You very well may end up moving to bumblefuck. Of course, the benefits and salary are very nice (they do count your miles on that car), and if you did it for a short time just to boost up your bank it isn't a bad option. Just know what you're going to have to sacrifice to get there.
tinypliny - 07/23/08 22:08
I think (e:janelle) has made a very valid and important point. The organization interviewed you, so now its your turn to analyze them. Go undercover, talk, email etc. Find out everything you can.
That being said, I also think following your heart is important. It cannot be a bad decision if you learn something from it. I think any decision that is more appealing has a learning quotient as well. If your motivation for this job is merely the extra money, I would reconsider again.
Ask yourself; do you expect this job to enrich your self, and your experience and not just your bank balance? If the answer is yes, then I think not earning more than your present job, but just earning new experiences and perspectives is valuable enough to not worry about anything else. Newer opportunities will present themselves in the future if you would like to take the door out. This will merely be a grade in the school of your life.
I think (e:janelle) has made a very valid and important point. The organization interviewed you, so now its your turn to analyze them. Go undercover, talk, email etc. Find out everything you can.
That being said, I also think following your heart is important. It cannot be a bad decision if you learn something from it. I think any decision that is more appealing has a learning quotient as well. If your motivation for this job is merely the extra money, I would reconsider again.
Ask yourself; do you expect this job to enrich your self, and your experience and not just your bank balance? If the answer is yes, then I think not earning more than your present job, but just earning new experiences and perspectives is valuable enough to not worry about anything else. Newer opportunities will present themselves in the future if you would like to take the door out. This will merely be a grade in the school of your life.
janelle - 07/23/08 21:45
tiburon, have you talked to other people who have done the Aldi management route? Here's my anecdotal evidence that makes me want to encourage you to seek out other Aldi employees.
There's two red flags for me. At my college they advertised really heavily that they would take anyone with a degree and make them a manager of a store. So my thought was that they probably had really high turnover.
My best friend's brother went the Aldi's route and was a store manager for a couple of years before he quit because he was working brutal hours and the work was more physical than he anticipated for being management. Of course, you'd be a district manager so the work load might look different for you.
I wouldn't leave Buffalo and your new house unless you were sure that this job is really what you want. But I tend to be more conservative and less risk-taking.
tiburon, have you talked to other people who have done the Aldi management route? Here's my anecdotal evidence that makes me want to encourage you to seek out other Aldi employees.
There's two red flags for me. At my college they advertised really heavily that they would take anyone with a degree and make them a manager of a store. So my thought was that they probably had really high turnover.
My best friend's brother went the Aldi's route and was a store manager for a couple of years before he quit because he was working brutal hours and the work was more physical than he anticipated for being management. Of course, you'd be a district manager so the work load might look different for you.
I wouldn't leave Buffalo and your new house unless you were sure that this job is really what you want. But I tend to be more conservative and less risk-taking.
tiburon1724 - 07/23/08 18:32
imk: District Manager for ALDI.
drew: I hadn't thought of using a property manager, sounds like something to look into.
imk: District Manager for ALDI.
drew: I hadn't thought of using a property manager, sounds like something to look into.
drew - 07/23/08 17:22
Sounds like a good job. Can you pay somebody to rent out your house? (like a property manager) Then you could just stay with friends or whatever when you came to Buffalo.
Sounds like a good job. Can you pay somebody to rent out your house? (like a property manager) Then you could just stay with friends or whatever when you came to Buffalo.
imk2 - 07/23/08 17:05
can you share what kind of managing this would be? what sort of business?
can you share what kind of managing this would be? what sort of business?
07/21/2008 22:52 #45098
The JobCategory: work
ok the outdated product drama I thought was behind us is returning again. Cuomo is just hell bent against us and sometime this week an anti-CVS press conference will be held by Mr. Cuomo. We will once again be thrust into the spotlight as murderers of children and the elderly alike, despite last Sunday's Buffalo News article that there is in fact no law on outdated products and in most cases, no health risk, except for baby products and some medicines. But anyway I have been instructed to once again comb the entire store...all 60,000+ SKUs for outdates and am getting no labor hours to do it with. Thanks, Cuomo. When are you up for re-election again? Can't wait. So we will be audited yet again, and if even one outdated product is found, I will be FIRED.
At least I have an interview as a District Manager with ALDI on Wednesday! Hopefully that goes well and I can escape this nightmare!
At least I have an interview as a District Manager with ALDI on Wednesday! Hopefully that goes well and I can escape this nightmare!
07/20/2008 22:06 #45083
Smashing Pumpkins!Category: music
So I was an absolute insane fan of the Smashing Pumpkins, but not at their prime...I actually got into them when Machina, their last official CD before they broke up (Machina II was later released in vinyl only, as a give-away). Alas, they broke up after the release of Machina so I never got to see them live. They got back together last year (albeit with 2 of 4 original band members) and are touring right now! Of course nowhere near here has been announced yet, but in addition to their 20th anniversary tour in the big cities (NY, Chicago etc), they're doing a tour through small venues in cities they haven't hit in the past. One is Clearwater, FL...near Tampa, an hour and a half or so from Orlando. I called my best friend in Orlando up and I'm flying down for the concert. It may after all be the last chance to see them!! August 20!
jessbob - 07/21/08 00:41
As a fellow Smashing Pumpkins fanatic, congrats and enjoy. They are really good live.
As a fellow Smashing Pumpkins fanatic, congrats and enjoy. They are really good live.
dcoffee - 07/20/08 22:46
cool, have fun! good band.
cool, have fun! good band.
tinypliny - 07/20/08 22:10
I wish my favourite band - Rata Blanca comes to the US. :( I would travel to the ends of the country to hear them!!
Nothing outside US though. Visa application is a big hassle that I don't want to deal with.
I wish my favourite band - Rata Blanca comes to the US. :( I would travel to the ends of the country to hear them!!
Nothing outside US though. Visa application is a big hassle that I don't want to deal with.
I followed the link and I am somehow very impressed. I think I want a dryer ball (not for sexual reasons but for claims on that website).
"Dryer Max Dryer Balls are the safe, natural, easy way to soften fabrics while saving money on fabric softeners, dryer sheets and energy. Your clothes dry faster too. Dryer Max Dryer Balls can be used over and over again and they last for years!"
The dryers in my building don't do a good job in the winter.
(e:tinypliny), dryer balls with their silicone material and slight protuberances, actually kinda do look like something you'd buy in an adult store :::link:::
(e:tiburon1724), the really sick part of shoplifting is when you have people who can easily afford what they're stealing and are shoplifting for some neurotic reason that has nothing to do with economics. Like if the beef jerky lady drove off in a mercedes to her 5000 sq ft mansion.
i can relate... at our store we have a lot of hardware and beer thefts. someone took something *with their 4 year old kid present*, ug.
it's a problem, cause everyone's so poor, and things are rising so much. what's a business owner (or mgr.) supposed to do?
Hahaha... everything is about sex, whether you know it or not! :)
I assure you they're not sexual. You throw them in the dryer and they supposedly make your clothes I think softer? They're like maybe tennis ball sized blue and spikey. One of those As Seen On TV gimmick things. It's $9.99.
That is extraordinary - almost like fiction! I wonder what they said to that lady - give up the beef jerky or else you go to jail! Hahaha.
Dryer balls? What are they?