Do you ever get in those conversations where if anyone heard you out of context, they would be completely confused? I get this happening a lot when talking about gameplay (videogames). But today, it happened at work.
A man came into the museum. Not in a rush, but very purposeful. He stopped long enough to ask me if the museum director was in "Yes," before walking right back out. A few minutes later he came in holding some sort of old beat-up gun. He walked right past me and on towards (presumably) the offices. I get on the phone and page the director.
He answers (which almost never happens).
"There's a guy headed your way with a gun."
His voice all of a sudden is very cheerfully excited, "I love when that happens. Thank you!" And he hangs up.
I stare at the phone for a minute. Was he being sarcastic and is now alarmed? Should I have specified? Or is he genuinely happy? I shrug and go back to work.
He was genuinely happy. We have since had a conversation about how I should indeed specify if a man with a gun comes in angrily looking for him. Otherwise, I'll just enjoy the ridiculousness.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Trouble in Paradise
I've been having some trouble with my "supervisor." That is in quotes because she doesn't really do much supervising. Once they hired me, she wanted nothing to do with the store. I've been getting most of my support and help from the bookkeeper. Which is fine, though a little annoying when she pulls her rank on me when she happens to want to be gone the same week I do. Though I can't complain too much because she hired me without doing an interview or looking at my resume or anything, simply because I've been around volunteering and she knew me and knew people liked me (which is how I hear the world works). So yay for that.
My problem comes from the fact that she basically stole three finger puppets from my store. We just recently got them in and they've been a huge hit. (Points for me because they are the first company I've gone after to bring in a new product!) First, she wanted me to sell them to her at our cost instead of the actual price (divide by .6 to get the price with a 40% profit). I told her she had to talk to the bookkeeper about that because I wouldn't even know how to make that right on the computer books. So she took them to talk to the bookkeeper....and apparently merely showed them to her before taking them home.
It has been a while and she still hasn't payed for them. I've asked her about paying a couple times and she comes up with excuses and jokes it off....and what can I do because she's technically my superior? I've mentioned it to the bookkeeper, who's talked about waiting a bit more and then she could always take it out of her paycheck. But I don't want to make enemies...it's a rough situation.
Then one of the days she was subbing in for me, another finger puppet goes missing. The computer thinks we have two when physical inventory is only one. I can't prove it was her. It's right around Christmas, so there are actually a lot of people coming in. Maybe it was one of them. But with that past problem, what else can I think?
Hopefully this is resolved soon. I don't like office drama.
My problem comes from the fact that she basically stole three finger puppets from my store. We just recently got them in and they've been a huge hit. (Points for me because they are the first company I've gone after to bring in a new product!) First, she wanted me to sell them to her at our cost instead of the actual price (divide by .6 to get the price with a 40% profit). I told her she had to talk to the bookkeeper about that because I wouldn't even know how to make that right on the computer books. So she took them to talk to the bookkeeper....and apparently merely showed them to her before taking them home.
It has been a while and she still hasn't payed for them. I've asked her about paying a couple times and she comes up with excuses and jokes it off....and what can I do because she's technically my superior? I've mentioned it to the bookkeeper, who's talked about waiting a bit more and then she could always take it out of her paycheck. But I don't want to make enemies...it's a rough situation.
Then one of the days she was subbing in for me, another finger puppet goes missing. The computer thinks we have two when physical inventory is only one. I can't prove it was her. It's right around Christmas, so there are actually a lot of people coming in. Maybe it was one of them. But with that past problem, what else can I think?
Hopefully this is resolved soon. I don't like office drama.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Costumes and Alarms
(Picture pending)
Why have I been so excited to come to work recently?
Yes, that is right: costumes!
I finally got around to going down into the prop room and picking out two dresses that aren't terrible. (I really think I need to make some of my own! >.<;) The first one I semi-permanently borrowed for the store's use is long-sleeved and just barely fits me. Although, it does show off my waistline and keeps me mindful of my posture. ^_^ The second one is a bit more relaxed...I'm wearing it for the first time today. It fits me....but I'm unsure about the style. It is "gathered" in the front and back, so the sides poof out a bit more....it definitely does not look modern. Of course, my short blue/purple hair is not exactly period, so I've also been purloining bonnets! The ones we sell in the store are really made for bright sun and basically act as blinders. Not so good for a person running a store! I found it looks best hanging down my back. However, I've found a stiffer one in the prop room that actually allows me to see--and it's grey! Yay!
The reaction to my taking to costume-wearing has been mixed. The staff mostly just think I'm funny and are enjoying my enthusiasm and the ridiculousness of me dressing up. There are a few who are a bit incredulous and supportive in that "yeah, you go ahead and look like a freak and I'll stand back here and laugh" sort of way. However, the Director seems pleased so nyah. The visitors to the museum (though we've had very few) seem amused so far.
I had one "Oops" this past week. Apparently I didn't make sure one of the doors was fully closed when I was locking up and received this email from the Director the next day:
Why have I been so excited to come to work recently?
Yes, that is right: costumes!
I finally got around to going down into the prop room and picking out two dresses that aren't terrible. (I really think I need to make some of my own! >.<;) The first one I semi-permanently borrowed for the store's use is long-sleeved and just barely fits me. Although, it does show off my waistline and keeps me mindful of my posture. ^_^ The second one is a bit more relaxed...I'm wearing it for the first time today. It fits me....but I'm unsure about the style. It is "gathered" in the front and back, so the sides poof out a bit more....it definitely does not look modern. Of course, my short blue/purple hair is not exactly period, so I've also been purloining bonnets! The ones we sell in the store are really made for bright sun and basically act as blinders. Not so good for a person running a store! I found it looks best hanging down my back. However, I've found a stiffer one in the prop room that actually allows me to see--and it's grey! Yay!
The reaction to my taking to costume-wearing has been mixed. The staff mostly just think I'm funny and are enjoying my enthusiasm and the ridiculousness of me dressing up. There are a few who are a bit incredulous and supportive in that "yeah, you go ahead and look like a freak and I'll stand back here and laugh" sort of way. However, the Director seems pleased so nyah. The visitors to the museum (though we've had very few) seem amused so far.
I had one "Oops" this past week. Apparently I didn't make sure one of the doors was fully closed when I was locking up and received this email from the Director the next day:
A door alarm triggered at 1:40 am Saturday morning. I made
great time with the lights and the officer beat me there. We found the western
front door slightly ajar and the officer called for for backup. It was really
exciting stuff when the officers pushed the door open fast and yelled “Police, come out with your hands up!” There was no sign of anyone and with
the door being locked but not closed, my guess was the wind blew it open and the
auto closer pulled it shut again. Perhaps we should count three additional
visitors for this weekend.
I do really appreciate having a boss man with a sense of humor. I don't know if I'd be so happy to be pulled out of my bed at 2am on a day I didn't have to come into work....
Note to self: make sure doors are closed!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Not-So Green
(picture pending)
So I learned a funny thing the other day.
The Entry Building, where my store is located, was built to be Green Certified. This isn't the funny thing. Part of this certification is that we installed low-flow toilets. The funny thing is that they're too low-flow for the pipes! Apparently when I check the bathrooms as part of my opening and closing routine, I should be flushing every toilet to make sure there's enough water flowing around.
I'm torn between not flushing the toilets (yay water conservation and eww touching every toilet 2ce a day) and flushing them (pure ridiculosity factor and following job orders).
So I learned a funny thing the other day.
The Entry Building, where my store is located, was built to be Green Certified. This isn't the funny thing. Part of this certification is that we installed low-flow toilets. The funny thing is that they're too low-flow for the pipes! Apparently when I check the bathrooms as part of my opening and closing routine, I should be flushing every toilet to make sure there's enough water flowing around.
I'm torn between not flushing the toilets (yay water conservation and eww touching every toilet 2ce a day) and flushing them (pure ridiculosity factor and following job orders).
Saturday, November 9, 2013
The Old Trapper
So, I keep making posts in my head and not on the computer! Running a store is busy work. (That is, not busywork. Who decided that those two needed to be such similar words??) BUT! My new goal is to post once a week. Lets see if I can manage it.
Yesterday, an old vet came in. He had originally come in with a VA tour. In the store, he had became enamored with our Rendezvous posters and said that he'd be back (yeah, yeah. I haven't heard that before). And he didn't come back when he said he would. BUT he came back yesterday. I didn't recognize him at first; just some grizzled guy in a feathered cap walking out to the exhibits without paying admission. I chased after him and he turned to me "Sweetie, I just came back like I said to get another look at the posters." Rough voice, feathered cap, posters. Riiiight. Sometimes I wish I remembered faces better. >.<;
So we wandered about the store together while he tried to choose a poster (we have 9 or so different Rendezvous ones). I believe that if I'd known the deal to sell them all together, he may have gone for it. Though he really wanted the shrink wrapped ones so they'd be safe during his walk back to the VA, so perhaps not. Either way, he talked some. Not a lot, though. His voice was rough and he spoke like he thought about each word as it came out. This is how I learned that he's a trapper (and hence the interest in the posters).
For those of you who don't know, "rendezvous" refers to a yearly large fur-trade related meeting. A rendezvous might include several fur trading companies, and array of fur traders, mountain men, and Indians. A lot of deal-making and trading occurred. They often developed into temporary "towns" which offered the fur trade workers and participants ways to spend their money on supplies and revelry. Historical reenactments, such as the one this museum held for over 10 years, had some elements of fiction (living history actors) and some elements of reality (as real trappers came to sell and trade their goods).
I learned that he once had a mule spook on him and it took him two weeks (or so) to track the thing down. That was my first real clue. And then he went on to tell me about how there used to be rendezvous all over the place, including the one here, but now not so much. Apparently there was a small trade in Pendleton just recently, but that's what it has been reduced to. He seemed a bit sad about that. Then he took his two posters in hand, tipped his hat to me, and walked out. After paying, of course!
These pictures are of two of the prints from the rendezvous posters I stole them from here.
Yesterday, an old vet came in. He had originally come in with a VA tour. In the store, he had became enamored with our Rendezvous posters and said that he'd be back (yeah, yeah. I haven't heard that before). And he didn't come back when he said he would. BUT he came back yesterday. I didn't recognize him at first; just some grizzled guy in a feathered cap walking out to the exhibits without paying admission. I chased after him and he turned to me "Sweetie, I just came back like I said to get another look at the posters." Rough voice, feathered cap, posters. Riiiight. Sometimes I wish I remembered faces better. >.<;
So we wandered about the store together while he tried to choose a poster (we have 9 or so different Rendezvous ones). I believe that if I'd known the deal to sell them all together, he may have gone for it. Though he really wanted the shrink wrapped ones so they'd be safe during his walk back to the VA, so perhaps not. Either way, he talked some. Not a lot, though. His voice was rough and he spoke like he thought about each word as it came out. This is how I learned that he's a trapper (and hence the interest in the posters).
For those of you who don't know, "rendezvous" refers to a yearly large fur-trade related meeting. A rendezvous might include several fur trading companies, and array of fur traders, mountain men, and Indians. A lot of deal-making and trading occurred. They often developed into temporary "towns" which offered the fur trade workers and participants ways to spend their money on supplies and revelry. Historical reenactments, such as the one this museum held for over 10 years, had some elements of fiction (living history actors) and some elements of reality (as real trappers came to sell and trade their goods).
I learned that he once had a mule spook on him and it took him two weeks (or so) to track the thing down. That was my first real clue. And then he went on to tell me about how there used to be rendezvous all over the place, including the one here, but now not so much. Apparently there was a small trade in Pendleton just recently, but that's what it has been reduced to. He seemed a bit sad about that. Then he took his two posters in hand, tipped his hat to me, and walked out. After paying, of course!
These pictures are of two of the prints from the rendezvous posters I stole them from here.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Taking Time Out
So I haven't been taking a lunch break. Go industrious me? No! I was (finally) filling in my time card today and realized I'll be heading into overtime if I don't start taking breaks. (This would be bad.) Therefore! I'm taking advantage of my volunteer today and hiding in the back office. If I only pull a 7 hour work day today, I should be alright for the week. This is why planning ahead is important. *nodnod*
I had a big oops yesterday....I was trying to be efficient and close up and print maps off at the same time. I set down my keys to mess with the printer and didn't notice until the locked door had shut behind me! And my cell phone broke, so I didn't have anyone's numbers. >.< Luckily, I'd had stolen my mother's old cell phone and there was a phone book available at the greeter's desk. I called my boyfriend to look on the internet and find out a coworker's last name so that I could look her up. She gave me someone else's number and he came out and rescued me. :) I will not speak negatively of him ever again!
I had a big oops yesterday....I was trying to be efficient and close up and print maps off at the same time. I set down my keys to mess with the printer and didn't notice until the locked door had shut behind me! And my cell phone broke, so I didn't have anyone's numbers. >.< Luckily, I'd had stolen my mother's old cell phone and there was a phone book available at the greeter's desk. I called my boyfriend to look on the internet and find out a coworker's last name so that I could look her up. She gave me someone else's number and he came out and rescued me. :) I will not speak negatively of him ever again!
Saturday, October 19, 2013
One Week In
Sometimes it amazes me how I ended up here ("here" being any of several places each at their own point in time). I would have never thought that I would be where I am. But I remember thinking this before.....so, I have created this blog. I have been at my job almost a full week. I need to somehow document my achievements and the craziness that sometimes happens here. (Yes, crazy things do happen. Even in a museum gift shop. ^_^)
I figured that today would be a slow day, so I brought in the pack of construction paper I bought for the making of bats! I taped up leaves in the windows, but.....come on! It's nearing Halloween and I want bats. I vaguely followed these instructions and hung my bats from various points on their bodies to the cords of the ceiling fans.
(I just so happened to have black thread in my bag...>.>)
Achievement! Today, I called in my first order! The woman came in yesterday and had shown me her merchandise. I had her write down the things that I thought might work well in the store....then got the OK from our bookkeeper. So that happened today: something new and I used the phone to do it! *is proud of self*
"They have those Sears Roebuck catalogs."
"Have one I don't look at, don't need two."
There was this one woman who came in and spent over $70 in the store. She didn't want admission into the museum, but she bought 1 of each of our postcards to write people on and then walked around the Main Hall. She had another couple take a picture of her in front of our sign as if she was actually going to the museum and then took pictures of the few cases that are there. I would be amused to hear the story she tells about her trip here! But hey, she spent money so I'm not complaining.
I figured that today would be a slow day, so I brought in the pack of construction paper I bought for the making of bats! I taped up leaves in the windows, but.....come on! It's nearing Halloween and I want bats. I vaguely followed these instructions and hung my bats from various points on their bodies to the cords of the ceiling fans.
(I just so happened to have black thread in my bag...>.>)
Achievement! Today, I called in my first order! The woman came in yesterday and had shown me her merchandise. I had her write down the things that I thought might work well in the store....then got the OK from our bookkeeper. So that happened today: something new and I used the phone to do it! *is proud of self*
Funny museum goers:
Exchange of the day:"They have those Sears Roebuck catalogs."
"Have one I don't look at, don't need two."
There was this one woman who came in and spent over $70 in the store. She didn't want admission into the museum, but she bought 1 of each of our postcards to write people on and then walked around the Main Hall. She had another couple take a picture of her in front of our sign as if she was actually going to the museum and then took pictures of the few cases that are there. I would be amused to hear the story she tells about her trip here! But hey, she spent money so I'm not complaining.
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