Official Contest of Marvels II Discussion Thread

[wiegeabo]

Heh, I like playing with a friend of mine because he's partially color blind. He can see differant colors, but veriations blend and become hard for him to see. So if he plays blue, I play grey. The colors are so similar that many times he'll miss something I'm planning, thinking them his pieces, and then I'll totally kick his butt.

And that conquerclub thing is kinda cool. I'm definately going to have to check that out when I have time to register and look it over. We'll have to get a good game going sometime soon.



Oh, and just for the record... work sucked today. My boss made me cuss... twice. So that's curse numbers 12 and 13 in 11 years, so that shows how mad I was. Fortunately he made me mad on the phone and I hung up before cursing... and I slammed my fist on the table so hard that my wife (who works there also) jumped and went silent. She's never heard me cuss and has never seen me slam my fist. Basically, my boss pulled the second guy who I work with away to do other things, leaving me to handle an extremely heavy workload. I did what I could and he then told me that it wasn't enough and that he was going to have to change our schedual, giving one of us a night shift and leaving us both to work mostly alone during our shifts, which makes no sense to me. We're both hard working and get most done when together, but he thinks that for some reason if we cover more hours, though working alone, we'll get more done. We aren't people who goof around. We don't stand around and talk. We work our hearts out from the time we get in to the time we close, and apparently it's still not enough. He just refuses to hire a 3rd person for the nights or weekends, even a part timer, because he doesnt' want to spend the money on it. So not only did he take away my job title as a superviser, thus, making me inelligable for a raise when hired in, he didn't adaquately inform me of the amount of manual labor (and I'm one who likes manual labor)... and now he wants to take away the only thing the job has going for it, the schedual? My colored blind friend is the HR manager at LOWES, Home Depot's competator.... I'm so close to going to her and getting a new job. I'm thinking about lining the job up as a potential and if he changes the hours, putting in my notice. It sucks because I actually like the job, the place, the people, everything... I've just never worked in a place where the manager works against you and doesn't allow you to do your best for the job. GRRRRRRRRR. I whine so much now I annoy my self. I need to shut up.

Well, I have worked for a manager like that before, so I know where you're coming from. They accused me of stealing (without actually saying so) and put me in a mindless job, even though I was the only one qualified and with experience in the job I was in at the time. (That's how I knew they were convinced I stole from them.)

Asking your friend to look into another job isn't a bad idea, as long as your boss doesn't get wind of it. The way your boss is treating you makes me think that either, at best, he's incompetent or, at worst, has it out for you for some reason.

But if you decide to leave, be careful for your wife. Your boss sounds like he wouldn't be above taking out any problems your leaving would cause on her (increased workload, bad hours, etc). It might be worth getting a job for her too, if possible. Or, at the very least, convincing your boss you're only leaving because you need better hours. (He might turn out to be a good guy after all and give you the hours you need.)

Also, find out if you live in an at-will state. That way, if you're boss does turn out to be a jerk, and won't take it out on your wife, you can quit on the spot, no two-weeks notice necessary. That'll show him.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I can quite without a notice, but I personally won't allow myself to do it. I quite without notice only once, and it bit me in the butt big time. It's a personal responsibility thing. And frankly, I got along great with my manager when I was in other positions... it's just this one. The guy who worked there before me (who got fired for safety violations) warned me about applying for the job. Other Home Depots around the area warned him about working in my store because the manager at my store doesn't give enough help to the Deliveries Will Call Coordinator (Me) and Load Pullers (other guy). Other stores have them well staffed, but our store refuses. I asked the manager for a 3rd person, and even offered a few ideas of how to make it work, and even suggested a guy I know that applied that would be perfect and needs the hours we need. He refused and just said that the previous DWCC was able to keep everything going on time with only 2 people, so he expects the same from me. Of coarse, then I learn that they actually did have a 3rd person, a guy who still works there, but in a differant position. So basically, the boss is lying to me, expecting me to do what it takes 3 people to do, and has taken 3 people to do (during spring and summer at least)... though me must be a moron being that the person he didn't mention still works in the store, and my wife and co-worker worked there at the same time they had a 3rd person. I've heard other people complain about him and I chose to not do so before because I respect people over me, but I'm starting to see what it's about. He's one of those bosses that puts customer's first and associates last (which is okay to an extent, but not to the extent he keeps taking it). I'm so frustrated.... but American Idol is on... and Lost will be soon... so I'll be happy again soon.

As for him taking it out on my wife... I don't think there's much he can do to make her job worse at the moment. She works at the Pro-Desk. The Pro-Desk manager quit about 3 months ago, and so since Holly's the most knowlegable person at the desk and knows the ins and outs of it, they asked her to keep it running until they get a replacement. They said it'd be a few weeks, but for 3 months now she's been doing her job, plus the manager's job. And even though she knows the job better than anyone int he store (and that's not me speaking, that's everyone who works with her), they won't give her the job for some reason. She's applied for it 3 times, but the pass her up every time. They make her run it between managers, and when the manager is off, or on vacation. They expect her to do everything... but they sure don't want to hire her into the actual position. We both think it's partially because of her age, and partially because she's female. I'm not one to throw racism or sexism around, but I really do see it at this job and it annoys me to death. Honestly, if I were her, I'd have already moved on. There's no room for improvement for her for some reason, so I don't know why she stays. She's just determined.

I need to get a game of Risk going... some World Domination is always good for the soul. Or I can go and debate the tar out of one of my matches this week and take it out on my oponant... whoever they may be (I don't remember at the moment). Hmmmm.

 

[wiegeabo]

I get the not quitting without notice. It goes against my grain too. I've only almost done it once. I was so close, but I needed the money more than they needed to get screwed (because I was the only one working the position since the guys working the other two shifts had already quit).

Another option you have is to go over your boss's head to his boss. What sounds like part of the problem is your boss's pride. He's got it stuck in his mind how to do things, and thinks he has the facts to back it up, and he doesn't want to budge. If his boss says that money for a third isn't a problem, or, better yet, that he should hire a third, then he'll be out of excuses. Of course this could carry problems itself, but at least you followed the rules and your conscience would be clear.


As for Risk. Count me in, if it's on the weekend. It's been so long so I've dominated, I mean played, a game.

 

[Phaedrus45]

My last retail job I quit without notice for the first time. It felt so good.

What happened is I was working for Mervyn's, and we just lost a really good manager. I was working two jobs: My current one and Mervyn's. It was just to make due money-wise while I was paying for my ex's bills and our old house she was living in. Anyway, right before the old boss left, it was announced that no regular employee would get full time and that was only reserved for managers and managers of the various departments within the store. (For those who don't know, Mervyn's is a clothing retailer.) I guess our manager's district manager told her to tell her employees that, and she disagreed with the decision and gave her notice.

Needless to say, we get a new manager who is totally about making money for the company. She absolutely loved me and my work ethic; but, I didn't respect her love for company over the love for her employees. I would talk to her various times, telling her that how she is and what she's doing isn't worth it in the end. I would tell her, "Everyone hates you! And, you are doing everything for this company that doesn't give a crap about you in the end." Things got worse at the company; they even asked me 5 times to become a manager again. I almost did it; but, at the last minute I explained to them that I'm not the manager they were looking for. I love my customers, employees and community, and that's obviously not the direction of this company. Good thing I didn't quit my current job, even though they were going to pay me quite a bit more than I was expecting. Less than a month after, they announced they'd be closing all their stores in our state.

I stayed on, but things got even worse. The direction of the store was how many credit cards you can get customers to sign up for. Long time employees were screwed over for cheaper, younger employees with little experience. Managers were constantly changing, and some were downright awful. Luckily, I finally sold our old house, the divorce was coming to an end, and my fighting with management was increasing to new levels. (Management designed a worksheet for my department to complete, and the store manager pretty much admitted to me it was designed to fire an employee I really respected. I refused to fill out the form daily, especially since we were the only department expected to do this.) One day I was working in a department after having sold my house. I just had another fight with the management over the form they wanted me to fill out, and I thought, "I don't need to be here anymore." I walked around the store, gave all the employees a hug and said goodbye, and let them know I'm going home and I was done. Some employees cried, including the manager on duty. She told me if I ever became a manager again, she'd leave in a second to work for me. The assistant manager said she really respected how I stood up for the employees and understood why I was leaving.

Like I said, it felt good to say "screw you, I'm outta here." It really doesn't hurt a store too much...it's easy enough to get people to replace you. But, I must say, I've never been so happy as I am right now. I love customers and fellow employees; but, retail stores today simply don't care for employees. And, I don't miss working retail a single bit. They will work you to death, give you hours that jump all over the place, and many are making sure they don't have to pay an employee benefits, thus making so many work only part time hours and having them work two or three jobs. All former retail employees all seem to have the same saying: "Retail sucks!" Two words were never so true.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Debating still seems to be going, and with the weekend going to disrupt things, I'll let debating go through until tomorrow. Plus, the lags and stuff haven't been really helpful. I did a rebuttal yesterday, but it got lost with another Error message. I should get something up today, Wieg, on a few of our debates.

 

[wiegeabo]

That's good. There's a couple of rebuttal's I need to get up.

 

[Ahura Mazda]

Ok what time will voting start tomorrow and if it starts too late for me can I PM my votes?

 

[Phaedrus45]

I will start voting when I get to work tomorrow morning. So, if you can get on at the time you posted that question, you'll be able to vote. Then, if the site goes down for the weekend like we expect, Voting will end on Tuesday.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Voting will start tomorrow when I get to work; so, if you are able to vote the same time you asked that question, you'll get your vote in. Also, if the Hype closes down this weekend like we expect, then we'll have voting last until Tuesday.

 

[Ahura Mazda]

Man I just realised this battle with people and without people is seemingly working against me so far. i lost one battle last week because there were people and I have one battle this week where I would have a distinct advantage if there were people. This along with my poker night last night makes me reflect on my current luck which should mean I should have more luck with the ladies. If only that were true

On other matters, JH hang in there and line up the other job no matter what you do. It is always a good idea to have backup!

 

[hippy fascist]

not only that but the simple fact you have another job lined up means he'll be forced to treat you better.

the worst thing that can happen in a workplace is if your boss thinks you have no other options to go to. By having another job lined up your bosses reaction will be, "**** better treat this guy better or he can and WILL leave."

might even be able to get that pay rise out of him

 

[Phaedrus45]

voting May Begin!!!

 

[Phaedrus45]

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I figured since we keep losing The Hype each weekend, I'd give my email if anyone has any questions or if you guys ever need to vent about anything.

[email protected]

Just put something in the subject "To Tim from (whoever you are)" so I don't think it's spam and delete it without opening it.

On the good side, it should be a busy weekend. I'm taking my boy to the Mariners Game tomorrow night, and I've been really cracking on sorting through all my comics. I cleaned out a spare room, where I moved my long boxes of DC and Image/Independant comics. I'm hoping to organize all my extras in that same room and finally be prepared to find whatever I'm wanting.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Thanks for the words guys. I'm not so upset anymore, as I'm just tired. After I kinda blew up Wednesday I decided to just not care and get mad and to just do the best that I can. That 'best I can' turned into me working two straight 13 1/2 hour days (yesterday and today) with the other guy in my department working two straight 12 1/2 hour days. I was just tired yesterday, but surprisingly mentally calm. Today I started that way, but we got so overwhelmed with work that sometime around my 7th hour I just stopped and sat down. I realized that we had so much work that there was no possible way that we could get it done and that this would probably turn into a longer day this yesterday and I was already felling like crap. I litterally felt I could cry and just, for the first time in years, felt I couldn't do it. If not for my family and being so close to being out of the dept that's plagued us for years, I would have walked. I was shaking and just growing overwhelmed, so I just went to the other co-worker and told him I'm going to have to talk to the manager. I called the manager and asked for a personal meeting, to which he agreed. I was furious and down and everything, but forced myself to remain respectful... and thankfully the meeting went well and we were both simpathetic with each other. Not only did I give my share of problems, but he let me in on a little of his job and what's expected of him (not to say "I'm worse than you" but because he felt that it'd help me understand why he can't do what I say he needs to do). I do understand and can see that while he has problems, the main problems are with others above him. That said, he then said that he is probably still going to split our shifts, but hinted strongly that I would get the morning shift (and I told him flat out that I CAN'T and WON'T work 2nd shift fulltime again). He also said that he's pulling strings and that he's already put the gears in motion to get a part timer to help us out. Instead of getting upset with me with how behind we were, he worked with me with our job and worked out a way that would really help, and when it was done, I think we both respected where we both were. I think the guy that works with me will be quiting within the month, and though I hate that, as I like him a lot, he's grown extremely bitter against the job and boss and he's just overly negative and fairly bad for the job, and I can feel it dragging me down too.

On a good note, one of the assistant managers complimented me today and told me that he has noticed how I'm putting in effert for my job, even when it seems impossible, and that while many people are going to be getting punishments over the next few days, that I am in no way near that crowd of people. He's one of those managers that a lot of people hate, but if you actually do your job you learn he's awsome. I told him he was my favorate boss today and he told me to try running with scissors sometime, then smiled as he went on to work sarcastically. He made me feel good and let me know that my work's been noticed. He's closed both nights and knows how much I've worked, and I even had more work to do tonight and he told me to not worry about it and that he'll finish it up for me.


So overall, while I'm still exhausted... mentally I'm in a better place and I think my boss and I came to an understanding. And I got the impression that I came to him while at the end of my rope instead of just leaving, or dogging him, or just harboring it, or just let it go to crap. I'm remembering now that he's always been a good guy with me until recently in this job and I'm beginning to see that he's one of those bosses that just goes crazy during the uncontrolable busy season, especially when we're underhours as a store overall (he pointed out how even though I'm overwhelmed, there's other departments that are worse, and he showed me how, and I can totally see it). He then also informed me how my departement is for the rest of the year, and in about 3 months, it'll really start slowing down, and come fall and winter I'll be begging for work, so I can take a breather then.


So yeah, overall, I think I'll be alright. And if you couldn't tell by my rants of late, the Contest hasn't been my highest priority, and thus I wasn't able to debate this week. Sorry Phaed, your precious Kitty's going down with a whisper I guess I'm off for the weekend though, so I should at least get my votes in this week.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Yeah, I had someone PM me about my Joey Q avatar claiming they've used it before and that it was their's. Out of avatar respect I agreed to find another. I don't know what made me think of Chill Town but I love the idea of it. I wish I could make moving ones or some out of video so I could have a more legit one. Maybe I'll have one made over in the Request thread eventually. I miss Chill Town. All Stars was my first big brother I had seen, and this coming season just won't be the same without them

And I know nothing of Strangers in Paradise.... comic? TV show?

What??!!?? You haven't heard of Strangers in Paradise??!!?? Wizard only named it the best Independant Comic that everyone should read. It's also very, very affordable in these thick, pocket editions:



If you love relationships, drama, and the like in your comics, it's the book for you. The comic is finally wrapping up...I think it just has one more issue to go; but, I've been reading it since the 90's, when I picked up one of the first trade paperbacks, and I fell in love with it instantly.

I got lucky; Powerman just PMed me, and he made me a new avatar. It should be up very, very soon. I'm so excited. This, coupled with finding an awesome comic store in Seattle yesterday, has made my weekend. (I finally got Captain America 253 (first Union Jack II), 272, 275, 297, and 298, along with Titans/Young Justice Graduation Day #3. For some reason, those comics are hard to find or too expensive online.) Next time, I'll remember my list and get more of my missing back issues. The only thing that I know they didn't have are a few Elfquest books that have been impossible for me to find.

Now, about Big Brother....if you thought All-Stars was good, as it was your first BB, you might be surprised how much you like the normal show. For those of us who've watched BB for quite a while, it was considered one of the worst BB's, except for Season 1, which has the viewers voting people out of the house. If it wasn't for Chill Town in BB All-Stars, last season would have been reeeaaally bad.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Just won't work for me. Maybe one of you can tell why. I guess it could be too large.

 

[POWdER-man]

Sorry Phaed...my animation prgram sometimes tells me the file size and it turns out to be a little more....this one should fit under now...

 

[hippy fascist]

damn, boy's got skiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiills!

 

[hippy fascist]

Just won't work for me. Maybe one of you can tell why. I guess it could be too large.

You need to get some spamming done

300 odd more posts and you can have a big awesome avatar like mine

 

[POWdER-man]

You need to get some spamming done

300 odd more posts and you can have a big awesome avatar like mine

Ohhhh crud...I didn't realize he wasn't with the big boys yet...

Here you go...although to fit it under the 75x75 requirement I had to butcher the damn thing....

 

[Harlekin]

A happy B-day for the ever lovable JewishHobbit!

 

[hippy fascist]

WOOT! Is it 26 this year? Happy Birthday yiddish bear :heart:

 

[Phaedrus45]

Happy Birthday, JH!!!

I definitely need that Avatar bigger. I'm going to have to get those 300 or so posts quickly.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Two weeks ago, I was going through my comics, finding out which ones I wre missing, and I couldn't believe I missed the fact I had a copy of Excalibur missing from my collection: Excalibur - Weird War III. I popped onto Mile High, and they didn't have a single copy; but, they did say it was priced at $60.00. Needless to say, it's one of Marvel's Graphic Novels, and these sites really jack up the price on these babies. Luckily, I went onto Ebay and just got it in the mail. I only paid $1.50. I did end up buying two other auctions from the guy. I only hated how after buying 3 auctions, he didn't lower his price on shipping.

 

[hippy fascist]

Two weeks ago, I was going through my comics, finding out which ones I wre missing, and I couldn't believe I missed the fact I had a copy of Excalibur missing from my collection: Excalibur - Weird War III. I popped onto Mile High, and they didn't have a single copy; but, they did say it was priced at $60.00. Needless to say, it's one of Marvel's Graphic Novels, and these sites really jack up the price on these babies. Luckily, I went onto Ebay and just got it in the mail. I only paid $1.50. I did end up buying two other auctions from the guy. I only hated how after buying 3 auctions, he didn't lower his price on shipping.

I hate it when people charge a low price on something then jack up the postage. Such a rip