Busy week

Wednesday picked up niece from daycare and found her schedule on the fridge. Guess my sister doesn't like me distrupting it. Watched a movie and ate dinner when it was over, otherwise she won't eat at all. Went outside to play and then she colored hearts on scratch paper for her preschool friends. No heart picture for me. She chatted on her friend Eli who is her best friend. I asked what they do together; draw pictures, stack blocks, play with clay. Yes, yes, and yes. They play on the playground together, they like the slide. Then she got distracted tearing the paper off the crayons so I stopped asking questions. She was awake when sister got home and niece jumped up excited to tell what we did.

Thursday was sorta busy at work. Told a guy about my impending trip to California and he freaked that I was never coming back. Such a trauma it would be if I quit and moved away. Well, so far I am just going to be gone one week and there are things called email, phones, and letters to keep in touch with if I found something better.

Friday I was highly stressed for a few hours. Had customers calling to extend their contracts and arguing the extra cost while I got 10 people standing in line in front of me and the phone calls gets very upset if I put them on hold for 20 minutes (they want to argue to the death). Then my coworkers come by asking how many cars I need. Every minute I get to breathe, I get busy again cause I'm the only person working the counter. Then the bossman shows up unexpectedly and unravel with my stressful night. He will get me someone to work with me. I try to be composed and on top of things when man who gives me raises arrives, but I cracked under the stress. When I visited the restroom, I come back to find yet another customer at the counter waiting to return his car. He joked how he bribed the outdoor workers standing at the counter to return the car, but they refused. Yes, I said, they would refuse because they don't know how to return cars in the computer. Besides that, they don't know my password and I like to keep it that way. He laughed.

One extension customer actually threatened to take his company's business to our competition if I didn't do exactly what he wanted. He can try that b.s. someplace else, it doesn't work over here. And after his argument, I actually I wouldn't cry if he never came back. I can not reset our computer system to fulfill his wishes no matter how important he thinks he is. I have other customers besides him to attend to.

Then I get the woman who begged for help cause she needed a car to get to her hotel in another city, but she has no means to pay for it. She does have her son's credit card, will that do? No, credit card and driver's license must match the same person. Besides that, I have no cars available. Then she wants directions to a Walmart to have her son wire money into a temporary bank card she has, cause now the account is empty. Can't accept a bank card that does not have her name on it. I got four customers lining up behind her and she won't leave. I said, I'm sorry, I wish I could help her more, but I can't. She didn't get the hint that was her cue to leave. She doesn't know what to do and she needs my help to tell her how she gets a car rented when she has no means to pay for it. Finally, the customer waiting right her starts asking about the club member shuttle location and I explain we don't have one, thus started helping him and ignoring the lady. She finally grabs her stuff and walks away.

No DVDs tonight cause I was busy reading my new Oprah's Magazine on Love. Not the most insightful though. It took a few authors a few marriages to figure out people don't change just because you believe they should be just like you. Apparently they didn't figure this out during the first marriage. Told a new gal about finishing my book for my niece. She got all excited that I'm going to be rich and famous and never have to work again. Um, that's not how it works. I mean, how many career novelists can you name. They all have jobs like journalist, teacher, politician, entertainer, athlete, etc. She saw my point.

Well, better go. Gotta sleep to wake up tomorrow and get ready to leave. Later.

Busy day

I slacked off yesterday only doing my grocery shopping and didn't do much else. Today I washed the litterbox in the bathtub, cleaned my black make-up uniform clothes, washed the stove and countertoops, started packing my suitcase, made a list of things to buy for trip, and put up my Halloween decorations. I'm sure I'll be too busy looking for work to worry about putting them up when I come back.

Precious is much better on his walks. No climbing window screens, but he did try to get on porches and I held him back. They have been doing construction in a few apartments on the fround floors so Precious has to check it out. All the carpet ripped out to reveal concrete, doors taken off hinges leaning against the wall, parts of the walls removed mostly the bottom half, and repainted the walls tan with white trim (Yuck). No new carpet yet so hopefully that is a better color. I can't imagine too many people (especially females) who want to live in a brown apartment. Though at least I get to look inside other apartments since they keep the blinds open (I assume to know if someone is in there who shouldn't be in there). Later.

Naughty cat

Precious has been naughty during our walks the passed few days. He is attacking the space under the neighbor's door, jumping on cars, stirring up the ground floor dog napping in front of his glass door, and scratching up the neighbor's window screens. I pushed down on his head, grabbed at his paws, and walk beside him so the ground floor dog doesn't see him going by. But he doesn't stop, he is determined to do as he pleases no matter what I do.

Apparently, last week there was a big car crash on the interstate and the crash victim had been shot. But the car rolled over so it is impossible to tell if she was shot before or during her time in the car, the windows are gone. Though an interesting twist to this story is that her divorce was finalized the day she died. Hmmm, that would make an interesting Law and Order episode of Did the former husband shoot her or was she an innocent bystander of a street corner fight.

That reminds me of an event that happened when I first started working at the car rental. A guy rented car from my coworker seeming normal and had a conversation with my coworker that triggered no red signs. We get a call from the police the next day declaring this guy drove to another state (about 6-7 hours away) and shot his ex-wife and her new man, then killed himself. Appearances can be deceiving, but every cop knows that already.

PS. The latest news report of the crash victim is that the police are convinced she was shot at from another car. The autopsy states she was shot in the head so had to be driving when hit and then crashed the car.

Funny coworker

Coworker was asking where my make-up school was located. Burbank, CA. Oh, he says. That's next to Hollywood. OHHH, he replied. I told him I could meet a rich and famous star, elope to Las Vagas, and never come back. He says, You better come back cause I don't want to close all week.

Now have to ask someone to feed the cats while I'm gone in 9 days. Guy at car rental next door offered but he is not the type I desire snooping around my apartment. Plus, he actually asked what he is suppose to do with a litterbox. I don't have time for training lessons.

Later.

Quite a day

Having quite a day. I arrive and the counter is busy with customers and rent out most of the cars. Customers keep coming and guys are bringing the wrong type of cars. What gives?, my coworkers ask them since I'm doing my reservation list. Oh, they were just bringing cars over that they just washed, that's all. Guess what, all the type of cars we need are clean. Coworkers explain which cars are needed and need immediately cause another busy hour is coming in half hour.

While they are in process of shuttling cars, I get a club member furious I don't have a GPS for him, hates the few cars I have, then my coworkers have to place keys on the wrong hook so I announce a car I don't have and that's the car he will accept, and can't understand why I'm not ready when he made his res months ago (him and everybody else). Coworker jumps in explaining the car rental next door has better cars. "This is ridiculous. This is Sunday for crying out loud" he continues. Give him a smaller car than ordered and now he is mad there are scratches on it. Car washer comes in with a key. He doesn't like that car either. He finally takes off.

Then we have the Page of the Day: "Will the person who left their trousers and t-shirt at the security checkpoint please come back to reclaim their items". All the car rentals start laughing. Some Indian guy standing in front of the car rentals takes off running. The next PA that came said maroon garment bag while I was helping a customer and tried to stop from laughing while I was talking.

Get a guy who claims our reservation line said it would be no problem for him to pay cash for his rental. No, that is not allowed (not even for the owner's friends and relatives is that allowed). I don't understand, that was what he was told. I am fully aware of what he believes he was told, he was informed incorrectly and he is welcome to our customer service number to lodge a complaint. Oh no, he ain't doing that, this will be taken care of right now. He has a debit card. Can't accept that either, credit card only. His credit card declines because the credit limit is under what I need to authorize to give him the car. Now is really mad cause the guy on the phone there would be no problems with his reservation. The car rental next door accepts debit cards. He refuses the customer complaint line cause that won't solve any problem. He gets a car from the other car rental, I asked, and cancel his reservation.

Then my coworker leaves. The jerk got his schedule changed to leave earlier so I get to have at least 5 customers in front of me flight after flight cause he gets off right before my 2 busiest hours. He always prints up the upcoming hour's club members (I assume to lessen my work load since he isn't here to worry about them), but hate him anyway. Got a phone call while had a line in front of me of someone with her contract number ready to give. What does she need first, I asked and explained the signatures to the customer in front of me. What, I can't hear you, Are you there, Are you there, she screeches. Yes I'm here. Get her pulled up and extend her rental. She can't decide if the 10th is Wednesday or Tuesday. Wednesday. Tell customer where her car is. What, What, I can't hear you, she repeats. Then phone lady gets mad over the extra day price and wants an extension discount (her words not mine). That is her reserved rate. It is?, she questions, What is the regular rate? Guy in front of me hands me his license. Give phone lady a higher regular price though I am lying. Can't give anymore discounts with her rate. Fine, it's still so unfair they charge her more for keeping it longer, she is her for medical reasons, wasn't that the rate she got. Yes it is. Guy in front is waiting for his car. I explain she is all set and finally she gets off the phone. Apologize to guy for taking so long.

Well, if I bored you to tears I have a funny one. Car rental next door gal told me the manager put up a new sign. It said: Your mother doesn't work here, clean up your own mess on the counter and the back room. I burst out laughing while she gripes on how she does clean her counter before she leaves and it is not her responsibility to clean up after her coworkers. Of course it isn't, I sympathize.

Another one: Guy at the car rental next door goes outside to help a customer figure out something on their car. He is by himself so the counter is left unattended. Two customers come up and I explain he is outside and will return shortly. The lady customer gets tired of waiting and asks me to sign her paper declaring damage on her car. Can't do that, I work for the wrong company. Guy customer yells at me what this guy looks like and goes outside looking for him. He returns with the rental agent hobbling on his crutches. And I thought I had interesting customers.

Off to bed. I'm ready for a day off. Later.

Boring day

Had a boring day at work with hardly any customers that I ran the battery out on my cell phone from playing solitaire. And that is with 2 full movies and the last half hour of third movie. New gal at the car rental next door got scratched by her new kitten and wants to get rid of it. I said I could take it in. She is convinced this is a mean kitten because the mother was a stray and gave birth in a friend's garage or because it was taken away from its mother too soon. Whatever the reason, it tears things up, knocks things over, and attacks her daughter. Sounds like a normal kitten to me. My cats did the exact same things when they were kittens. Then she comments how does one discipline a kitten. I'm still working on that. I said that positive reinforcement works better than punishment. When they use to climb on my screens (well still they do but less often and they get down when I say "Down"), I would grab they off, set them down saying "Down", then while they are on whatever surface I pet them saying "Good boy" so they understand what I want. The kitten is 12 weeks old and they got it at 6 weeks so it has grown since then. I asked if she had taken it to the vet yet, they might be able to give advice. No. She asked how much do shots cost and what does it cost to spay it. The shots are going to cost her a lot and spaying even more. Well, she doesn't want to get rid of this kitten unless she can replace it with any free to a good home kitten. It is for her daughter. I suggested the animals shelters and she can't afford a $100. The spaying will cost more than that on this free kitten. Though the daughter is still iffy is she wants to get another kitten. Children change their minds 20 times a day. She agreed. I gave her my phone number and address if she decides to leave it with me. I got 2 big cats the girl kitten can play with.

When I left I talked to another gal at work that maybe I might get this kitten. I got an earful. She got the kitten because the daughter wanted one. Apparently the word "no" is not in her volcabulary. And she can not pay her rent every month so how is she going to pay for a cat. She agreed the kitten is normal. I said I've been scratched a gazillion times. Unless you get a fish or amphibian, you have to deal with sharp teeth and claws. Apparently she is hardly ever home and the girl goes off to her father's house once in a while so this hyper kitten is by itself all day with nobody to play with, of course it is jumping up on the owners wanting attention, scratching when ignored. She said to this gal that she is going to feel like shit if I take this kitten for her and it calms down. Plus I have two cats for this kitten to play with.

Birthday Adventures

Went to sister's house after Oprah. They had Cher and Tina Turner on so had to watch that. Had to deal with rush hour traffic and thought I was going to get into an accident a few times, but luck smiled upon me. I arrived just after they did. My niece let me smell the flowers they got me. They're fake. My sister didn't want the cats to eat my birthday present. Yes, they have that tendency to do that and spill water all over the table. They are beautiful pink roses in a white vase sitting on my display case. Niece wanted to wrap it, but that is a little hard to wrap. They also got me a big cupcake balloon. Frodo ran away when he saw it and jumped on the cupboards. After watching Precious chew on the ribbon, he came down and chewed on the ribbon too.

So anyway. They got a marble cake with lime green and pale pink icing. Niece opened my card for me. She even signed her name, mostly. It is a music card singing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". We went out to a fancy local restrauant and I had the hamburger, Niece had chicken strips, and my sister the salmon. Niece spilled her lemonade so they had to change shirts in the car. Packed up the leftovers and went home to eat the cake. My niece and I sniffed the yummy frosting while sister talked to the babysitter. Couldn't find my sister's camera so we took some with my cell phone camera. Table is a little orange (table is brown), but I'm the right color. Niece had to get in the picture and took a couple of her. Ate up the delicious cake and it was time for niece to go to the babysitter. She disagreed all the way there, but quickly got distracted with toys.

We went to a local comedy club to discover it moved locations. So saw a movie instead. The Dark Knight had started playing right when we came so saw that one. It was good. The deceased Heath Ledger did a good performance, though the make up looked more like an abtract painting than Jack Nicholson's Joker face. This time around the put Harvey Dent/Two Face in the same movie as the Joker. It was a nice touch. As we stepped outside, I realize I forgot my coat. People leaving opened the door and I rushed in before the credits ended so I knew I was in the right one.

Came back and sister got my niece while I attempted to neatly place cake pieces in a dish to take home. The frosting stuck to the knife and the dish was too short, so I made a mess and squished the cake in the dish when closing the lid. It will taste the same tomorrow. At least I have a funny story to tell my friends. Now 'm in my pj's ready for bed.

Gotta to go. If I ignore the cats too long, they jump on my computer and send emails before I'm ready. Later.

Happy Birthday to Me

A Very Happy Birthday to me, to me.
A Very Merry Birthday to me, to me.
Now I'll blow the candle out and make my wish come true.
A Very Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Had fun babysitting my niece last night. We watched Disney Movies and had pancakes for supper. Niece wasn't hungry until the cat stole her bacon off her plate. I grabbed it back with cat hissing and growling, washed it off and gave it to niece telling her to eat it before the cat steals it again. She ate it. She was wanting a snack of crackers, but I said no because she has a pancake here she hasn't eaten. Pancake first, then she got her bedtime yogurt and milk. Got her pj's on and read stories, but refused to join her stuffed animals in bed until Mommy came home. She was wired when sister showed up and I forgot to brush niece's teeth. We almost forgot her stuffed animal at daycare, but niece remembered it when we reached the car so went back for it. Must have her lamby and pony.

Had a lovely walk with Precious today. Took a few minutes to get the harness on, then when I clipped it he starts bucking like a wild horse again. It rained so everything was wet.

Have plans to go out with my sister, with or without niece depending on the babysitter. Niece was excited she gets to sing the Happy Birthday song for me and sang it last night. Niece said her birthday is in two months and she will purple cake with flowers, her name, Max and Ruby, and sprinkles on it. She thought my sister should buy me an orange cake. Carrot cake is orange, but she wasn't sure she wanted carrots sticks in her cake. Told sister to get any flavor, any color, surprise me. I can try new things once on a while. Well, better go. out of things to report.

Days off

Precious and I had a lovely cuddle session with him snoring like a hurricane, okay more like a whistle. Then he flipped over wheezing and gagging so I was afraid of him vomiting on my pillow, then my blanket, and finally the rug. No vomit. Poor baby.

Took Precious out yesterday and the UPS guy pulled up. I rushed right over giving my name since I am expecting packages for my make-up school. Precious had to investigate the box. I pried it open to find 2 packages of eyelashes in a large box full of peanuts. Peanuts for 2 plastic boxes of fake eyelashes? Weirdoes. Then Frodo had to meow from the balcony several times. But I know he wasn't going to put on his harness so left him upstairs to meow.

Got two more birthday cards. One from my brother and one from another aunt. Brother's card had a kitten with a large tutu collar asking how I stay so cute all these years. No walk today. Much colder today so back in sweatshirts after dragging out my tank tops from the heat of the past few days. Have a birthday date with my sister and niece tomorrow. Happy Birthday to me. Later.

Happy Labor Day

I took Precious outside today, after 5 minutes of fighting the harness. The bird feeder lady came home with one of her sons. Precious was no where near her bird feeder or her porch so she didn't bite my face off as usual. When her son came out, he told I have big cat to ask his weight, then asked if I was serious when I said his name is Precious. Precious came up to him and he asked if he will bite him. No, Precious doesn't bite (he scratches). He petted Precious. Precious continued to sniff around and plopped himself by the bird feeder. Bird feeder lady comes out and I tell Precious it is time to go home. She invites me to sit with her and chat since my cats love her yard so much. That was a first after having the cats for two years. She didn't pet Precious when he came up to her. It was an awkward conversation with Precious yanking the leash to chase a bird, then chilled on the grass. She told me her name, talked about her husband, her 4 sons and 1 daughter, she's deaf in one ear, once took in a stray cat because her kids loved it so much but it was struck by lightening a year later, and asked where my other cat was. She said something about a dog, but didn't catch the full sentence. I let her talk and said very little. Then I grabbed Precious saying it was nice to talk to her but we have to go inside. Precious fought me, took a nap once we got home, and then meowed like crazy hours later to go out again, sorry not until tomorrow.

Went grocery shopping and watched TV. Got a call from the manager that I can take my birthday off, it is Thursday. Last night, the car rental guy next door announced a very strange phone call. The girlfriend of a renter called to ask to the total of the rental since it was impounded by police and wanted to close out the contract. Um, they do not close contracts until the car is back in the company's possession (same for us) and the police have not called them, nor returned the car so he must speak the renter boyfriend about his billing. He's in jail so he can't speak to him (hence why the car was impounded). He said he will leave a note for the manager on this. So he calls the police to ask where their car was located. It was impounded for drugs four days ago (big surprise)and the driver and 2 others were arrested. When they are done with the car, they will return it. He said cars from the police are always cleaner than the car washers doing them.

Well, Happy Labor Day.