It’s Coors Light Time…
July 18th, 2008 by Braddah LanceIt’s Feel Good Friday and sometimes in order to feel good, we just need to let it all out and like the commercial,
LET’s VENT!
Layoffs are never good - especially in a down economy - but when it happens to you three times in eight years you begin to wonder if you’re the plague.
My first “real” job was at the Aston’s Waikikian on the Beach Hotel. Fo’ da MLC crew - dat’s the hotel next to da Tahitian Lanai. Fo’ da “not too old, not too young” peeps - dat used to be da two story hotel wit da Tahitian Lanai neon sign in between da Hilton garage and Ilikai. Fo’ da youngin’s - dat’s da new condo dey building on Ala Moana Blvd called, Grand Waikikian - guessing in honor of nostalgia.
I worked my way up from bell to front desk to reservations and next thing I know, BAM! Pink slip. Hotel is closing. My conspiracy theory? The hotel was nearing landmark status and the cost to upkeep it was too great so that meant A Hui Ho to da staff - just my theory.
Before coming to the Advertiser, my previous workplace had layoffs because of 9-11. My conspiracy theory? Management wasn’t managing very well but who loses their job? Da workers on da front lines… I just missed dat cut.
Now, The Advertiser has announced and proceeded with the layoffs.
Wassap Wit Dat!
And once again, I survived this time around but who’s to say I won’t be next? I’ve never applied for jobs lightly. I always considered longevity in a company as long as the company I work for takes care of it’s employees. I firmly believe that when a company shows “da love”, it gets reciprocated back ten-fold. You take more pride in it, you work harder and give intangible value that can’t be shown with a price tag.
For all the people who have given their lives to a company to be told, “Mahalo and Aloha but we don’t need you any more” is sickening. The feeling is not more so that the company doesn’t care about you but how are you going to take care of your family?
During my first layoff I was single so it didn’t matter so much - I coped, I managed, I survived. At times I didn’t eat for a day or stretched my meals for more than a sitting and most times just ate once a day. I wore the same underwear two days in a row…. wait, I still do that now. 
But I was single back then.
If I was to get laid off right now, I don’t know what I’d do. How would Da Wife and I adjust? I grew up a hard life - some things even Da Wife doesn’t know - and I don’t wish that upon anyone, especially Da Wife. There’s no doubt in my mind that she can handle but would I want her to go through what I’ve gone through? No frickin’ way! For now it’s just her, me and the dogs (keiki hopefully soon). The company doesn’t care what the heck happens - people care. Last time I checked, people make the company right?
So my heart goes out to all 54 of my fellow co-workers - some who I’ve gotten to know pretty well in the short amount of time we’ve worked together. I’ve been there. It isn’t a nice road to be on and honestly, I would trade places in an instant if I could and that’s just me. Now I have a family to worry about, finances to take care of, real life issues that can’t get resolved without a J-O-B so priorities are a huge factor.
The pitfall of layoffs is now everyone is watching out for numero uno. Morale is down and people get a little more defensive especially if they’re on the fence. What if there was one more job to be cut and it was between you and your cubicle-mate whom you’ve gotten to be friends with? Would you fight for your job or would you “volunteer” to leave? You both have families, you both have bills. That’s the real life issue going on right now.
The saga will continue I’m sure for a very long time as we try to get back to BAU (business as usual) but how can you be happy working while someone you know has lost theirs? Heck yeah I’m thankful I still got a job and it is difficult staying although not nearly as worse as being forced to leave.
Pop. Phiiizzzzzz. Gulp. Gulp. Guuuulp.
Yup. Dat was an imaginary can of Coors Light because today……
LET’s VENT!
So go ahead! Let’s hear your frustrations or problems from today, yesterday, whenever and whatever you’ve got to say! Boyfriend/girlfriend acting like a pill? Friends acting like jerks? Damn cheaters on da roads!
Let it all out and get it off your chest - lift that weight off your shoulders! Isn’t that how we begin to heal and “move on”?
btw, yeah dat was a fake can….. you tink I’d be drinking at 4:30am?! By myself?
…..I only drink bottles anyways… 
Tags: Coors Light, Layoffs, Let's Vent
July 18th, 2008 at 5:25 am
FIRST! WHAT the heck you doing up at 4:30 A.M. BL????????????????????????????
Too early fo me fo vent…………YET. Gimme a few hours.
OL
July 18th, 2008 at 5:55 am
BL,
I’ve never been laid off of a job. Hang in there.
Venting: Have you ever come home from work and your significant other is pissed off. You can’t figure out what you did wrong, so you tip toe around the house. Then you find out that she’s pissed off at someone else but is taking it out on you. What a bitch ! Sometimes, I can see justification for domestic violence (nah, not worth the trouble). Later, she calms down and doesn’t apologize but says “that’s the way I am”.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Holey-smoley….I can’t believe how early it is…and I’m actually reading your blog. :-p
Yay…glad to see you’re still here!
Sounds like you’ve already made it through some really tough times.
And I agree with Ocean Lover, it’s way to early to vent…yet.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:38 am
I’m leaving on a jet plane don’t know when I’ll be back again……See ya lata BL and the rest of da ohana…..hope Rodney finally got out…..now to see if I can get out…
July 18th, 2008 at 6:45 am
I never been laided off but I feel the pain for the ones that have. I wouldn’t know how to handle it if I was laided off today. I’m fortunate to have a good job for 26 years and knowing I’ll be here till I retire. That’s one thing I don’t have to worry about in this declining economy. Always be thankful for what you have.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:49 am
NKHEA, have a great trip! talk to ya wen you come back…
July 18th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Okay KWONICS…….the coffee is in the opu and I ready to VENT.
I’m fortunate to be a business member at Sam’s Club (my relative let me piggy back on to her membership) and my wife and I go there during business hours between 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Its such a pleasure shopping during that time as there’s NOBODY THERE (shhhhh, please keep this secret).
Anyways, one morning we’re there around 7:15 a.m. and NOBODY’s around as far as customers. I needed to get some pictures that I had developed so went to the photo counter. The one lady there was on the far end of the counter where all the developed photos are categorized by alphabet. I walked over to the far end and said “Excuse me, I’d like to pick up my pictures ” and I handed her my photo envelope stub. She looks at me with this SASSY LOOK and tells me, “You have to come over to the FRONT OF THE COUNTER” and she then WALKS BACK to the front of the counter, crosses her arms and STANDS THERE like a statue! Keep in mind NOBODY IS AROUND BUT ME.
She looked so STUPID and I thought “look at this b—-……showing ME who’s “boss”"
So if you’re ever in Sam’s Club Keeaumoku, and you see a lady in the photo area, caucasian (no offense Bruddah Scott), about 5′6″, 150 lbs. with one SASSY LOOK on her face…………….SHE’S THE ONE!
“Customer Service?” hah!
OL
July 18th, 2008 at 7:29 am
wow BL you have been through a lot.
ok my ventagious (not a word) scenario
your co-worker, the one that doesn’t do the work but when the boss comes around they ack up like they are…..AAAAGGGGGHHHHH
the person that tell you stuffs like o yeah this is happening at this certain time and place and NOTTTTTT…..AAAAGGHHHHHH
the know it all and the info is wrong….AAAGGGHHHHHH
the whiner that doesn’t do the job and thinks no one know it….AAAGGGG
so Lancformers and Kwonics…..have a great weekend!!!
July 18th, 2008 at 7:31 am
o wait wait the most one that bugs me…..
when your partner says do it my way only and does not listen to what you have to say at all - even if you’re right……
can you tell i have a million more? ok i pau see y’all next week
July 18th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Layoffs are a tough one. Because I’m in accounting, I know that sometimes the layoffs are needed in order to keep the company from closing down completely, and having all 700 or however many people lose their jobs. At the same time, I know that there are a lot of managers (not pointing fingers at Advertiser because I don’t know their salaries) who are making OUTRAGEOUS salaries, and the cuts should start from there, rather than from the ranks.
My brother is in construction, and he has gone through cycles of being “on rotation” so that the company can keep the guys on, but reduce expenses while there are no jobs, and no money coming in.
BL, I’m glad to hear that you are so sweet to your wife, wanting to shield her from anything bad.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Times are tough and I feel for those who have lost their jobs. It really makes me sick to hear of loyal long-term employees who lose their jobs, especially if they are close to retirement. It’s hard enough to lose your job but can you imagine losing your retirement dreams, too?
I’m very grateful to have my job as I previously had been on the cut line for a reduction in force (RIF). They weren’t sure whether they were going to cut between 3 to 5 of us and I was the 5th one! I was single at the time, but it was still stressful!! I went back to my previous part-time job for extra security and, though I was tired, I wasn’t as stressed out about losing my job because at least I still had a source of income. Luckily for me, they only cut 3 positions (not lucky for my co-workers, of course, one of whom was a very good friend… it was a sad day when they left!). And, talk about bad luck, one of the people who got RIF’d, got his contract terminated at his next job because of a change in management, then got laid off again at his next job due to budget cuts. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in his shoes, but I give him a lot of credit for perservering!
Other than that… nothing to vent about today (maybe ’cause I’m still sleepy… and because I’m going on vacation tomorrow! YAY!)!
Have a great weekend, Kwonics!
July 18th, 2008 at 8:01 am
snow, were are you going? Have a great vacation. Masako just got back from Peru the other night. She had a great time…
July 18th, 2008 at 8:44 am
man! dis kine sitch reeeeally pisses me off!
here you get some hard working, loyal peeps at HA dat get laid off…….and then here at my workplace get some lazy a$$, GFN (good for nothing), deadwood, incompetant, idiotic, know-it-alls that cannot get rid of. cause government workahs das why.
ho…..sometimes i like get medieval on their a$$. but the worst is that the sups no like give dem work cause dey know only going get f’d-up royally anyway…..or not get finished at all. so dey just fut around all day, talk story and actually gloat that they not working…..like it’s a good thing! WWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
whew BL…..thanx for da ranting session. i feel mo bettah now.
whoa snow….going vacation again? life is good eh?
NKHEA - have a good trip!
and have a good weekend to all you Kwonics.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:46 am
i’ve also been fortunate as to not have been laid off from any jobs. i’m one of those that look for longevity too. i’m 28 and have only had 3 employers in my adult life. i got my first “adult” job at 18 and stayed for 2 1/2 years, then the next job, i stayed at for nearly 2 years, and i’ve been at my current one for just about 5 years.
with the economy in its current condition i’m nervous!! my employer hasn’t announced any layoffs and i don’t know if i’d be subject to it, but now days the impact would be more serious than it had been a couple of years ago…no keiki’s yet…but mortgage, student loan in repayment, credit card debt!! i’ve tried to cut out all the “nice to have’s” rather than necessities…but being in this current condition…it’s a scarey spot!
best of luck to those who’ve been laid off and all those still looking for work! i hope they can find something soon…
July 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
i agree w/9th island girl b/c like BL we were all there with the 9-11 lay off. to me it was a mess, it didn’t affect me-meaning i didn’t get the ax but it affected me in a way that i neva want to feel that way again. you figa dat happened in 2001 and its now 2008 only now i can feel less guilty of not being one of those that got axed. i also agree in cutting salaries/benefits, stupid expenses, expenses that can be bought cheaper but still reliable or just putting it on hold before letting go of staff. this shows me that the company truly cares about their people. unfortunately we don’t live in disneyland where everything is just perfect (except for the long lines/$$$$) but you know what i mean.
nowadays its the companies that are just looking out for themselves-top managment-which is pretty sad b/c without the indians these chiefs wouldn’t know how to wipe their own arses-oops okay i getting ugly now, sorry.
BUT HEY ITS FRIDAYYYYYY, HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND
July 18th, 2008 at 8:49 am
oops….incompet”E”nt.
so who’s the incompetent one now? heh
July 18th, 2008 at 9:12 am
ahhh technical difficulties yesterday eh? i figured was either that or you had to work extra hard in light of the current situation :-\
i’m talking about full on personal phone conversations for 30+ min several times a day…talking story with another coworker then complaining that she does all the work because the rest of us talk to much throughout the day…oh did i mention she’s a “higher up” person? UGH 
anyway, i’m with opso of the coworkers that do nothing all day…and i’m not talking about taking time to read & comment on blogs
but you know what, i just gotta keep telling myself that despite all the negatives, i need to be thankful that i have a job especially during these hard times. too often we take for granted yeah? anyway it’s always good to vent…makes the not-so-good days become Feel Good Days!! especially since we know that you’re still around BL!!
have a great weekend Kwonics, and snow & NKHEA have a great vacation!
July 18th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Brah that sucks big time for the 54 who lost their jobs. What’s going on over there? Maybe it’s a management thing? Yah, I said it, I don’t work for them. Lucky buggah you still get your job. You should do some networking for a backup just in case cause the Advertiser is getting nuts. Hey, why don’t you be like Justin Cruz and work for the TV news instead. It seems like they’re hiring anybody now days.
I blame it all on Bush!
July 18th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Would you believe still thinking about wat da heck is going on?!
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Hey! Have you been spying on us?
Yeah, Da Wife does have a hard time saying wassap wen something is on her mind…..oh wait, da me! hee hee. Eh, I jus’ no like trouble her is all.
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I can’t believe I posted dat early. You can nevah sleep on a troubled mind.
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Huh? Man, now my posting numbahs really going down.
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Wow! See, now das wat I’m talking about! Das how it should be.
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Phew…we only go to Pearl City…but den again, get some lo-lo’s dea too.
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Not enough blog space to even get down to da nitty-gritty…..
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ROGAH DAT!…. oh wait, das me too….sometimes….
July 18th, 2008 at 9:36 am
i’ve never been laid off *knock on wood* also, but - i work at a bank . . . so you know our clients are freaking out about all the stuff happening lately. our managers have been really great about letting us know that most of the local banks are in good shape, and even though our stocks have gone down a bit . . . we’re in no immediate danger ~ but who knows what will/can happen.
anyway . . . it’s “feel good friday” and i’ll be here for another 8 hours . . . yay!! LOL . . . maybe i’ll have a few drinks after work . . . no beer though . . . margarita - on the rocks, w/salt please
or if it gets to be a crazy day . . . i’ll take a dirty martini . . . you get pupu w/your drink(!) can’t get any better than that!
July 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Ocean Lover-my mom works photo at Sam’s Club you sonnuvabitch……..ha, ha, just kidding. Yes, the fools, idiots and dumbasses come in all shapes and colors. I got plenty of stress in my life now, I can vent about that. The sale of my condo has been a real doozy (not complaining, it’s a good problem in the big picture), with the wife now more than 2 months pregnant I’m getting all kinds of nervous feelings. Plus, my Weimaraner is sick and hasn’t eaten in 2 days. That is very scary. Hmm, the house painter has turned a 3 week job into a 9 week job at my house, I work with a bunch of idiots at this boring State job, I can rant about that. But, as I really know I am lucky to be healthy and working in Hawaii. So I shouldn’t even be ranting, life has been kind to me thus far. Have a safe weekend everybody, pray for rain (hey, we already got the surf!)
July 18th, 2008 at 9:49 am
o yeah, i forgot . . .
BL - that thing about you wearing your underwear 2 days in a row . . . TMI!! much, much, more than i ever wanted to know about you! haha!!
and, glad to hear that you’ve been spared
July 18th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Isn’t it funny how the peon’s will sacrifice some pay in order to keep their jobs and save some others…I’ve never heard about a “luna” doing dat!
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Don’t want to…
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Haven’t heard dat one in awhile… Fuuuunny!
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Wat really sucks is dat you have no control over it. It’s just one day, “sorry, we’re doing really bad - gotta lay some people off.”
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Some people just don’t want to give up their “free lunch”….
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Amen to dat!
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No comment.
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KITV reported dat too…we’re FDIC insured right? At least dat’s wat da little stickah in da window says…
So you like salty drinks eh? My haole cousin likes dat dirty martini too. I told her, “wat, da bartender stirs wit his fingah?”
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Ho, throw me off…good one!
Why you gotta rub it in?! I haven’t gone in three weeks since my cankle doesn’t want to heal and it’s been a way bettah summer den last year….now das making me mo’ sick!!!
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Damn, did dat slip out? Da mind does go a little pupule at 4:30 in da morning already up for 23 hours.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Get planny fo vent, but I no like get started. Everything happens for a reason and things usually shake out ok in the end. But until that happens, jus like you…
Pffshlok…shhhhhsssuuuuuuu……..gunk, gunk…aaaahhhhhhh
July 18th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Bruddah Scott……yes, you GOT ME also as I was like “Huh?”
and kept reading and I almost spit on my monitor! Very good! 
I think you hit it right on the head………ANYBODY CAN VENT when times are bad, but it takes the real astute ones to also BE THANKFUL when things GO WELL. Don’t take things for granted.
Great weekend all!
OL
July 18th, 2008 at 10:41 am
thanks for the vacation good wishes!
i’m “finally” going to the big island for that golfing trip - i think when BL asked for our summer plans earlier, it may have sounded like i was going right away - but, i had to wait for ‘em! i just hope it doesn’t rain - i play bad enough when it’s sunny!
m - masako gotta give us the scoops on her trip to peru! must have been interesting, to say the least! glad she had a good trip!
Scott - Ack! You got me good too… !! Too funny…
July 18th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Agreed Ocean Lover. Being grateful, thankful and humble are all personality traits of higher evolved humans we should all aspire to be. Those of you who are there already I raise a glass to. Me? I’m still a lifetime or two or three away, but I’m learning. After all, I’m not a caveman anymore and so I shouldn’t behave like one.
Speaking of cavemen…those STUPID geico commercials!!! AAARRRGGHHHH!!! BANG! BANG! vent, vent #@$(^&*$)@*^%&*#*!!! But I am grateful for their attempt to entertain us.
See?
July 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Have fun snow!!!
Yea, Scott’s one real bugga no?
July 18th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Hey Goodbeer,
You still NEVAH TELL US your “EMBARRASSING STORY”.
C’mon now……………..
OL
July 18th, 2008 at 10:59 am
sounds like a……Hefenweizen.
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Rogah Dat!
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And now you going pay…literally. Got your suitcase (or just carry on?) den your clubs and wat else? Wat dat? $500?
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Waaaaat? You no like those? Nah, I just like da “jazz hands” one. Dat one is funny!
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Yeah, we need anoddah laugh right about now……
July 18th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Eh BL, glad to hear you survived the cut.
I tink the days where companies actually gave a damn about their employees are long gone. It’s all about squeezing out every last penny of profit, especially if you’re part of a big conglomerate like Gannett. To them, HA is just another line item in their long list of properties. No make enough $$$ for them? Out come da axe. Being in accounting, you probably know all too well how critical the bottom line is.
Hang in there, BL.
y’all have a good weekend
July 18th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I did, the next day. Wuz fo real about the daytime skinny dipping with the sailboarders all around…that was more than half my lifetime ago when my hormone levels could be measured in gallons. Nice beach, nice open minded gf, nobody in sight…well, when the thought came to mind anyway. The bad part about nice beaches - they got nice clean, clear water and sailboards can go real fast and go real slow, too. This one appeared out of nowhere and when he got near, he slowed down real plenty. Then he shot off the way he came. I know he caught a glimpse of the action because in a minute, he came back with two buddies! That bastard…I hope his mast breaks in half one day…and I don’t mean his sailboard.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Thanks Goodbeer,
One thing, you gotta TELL A STORY by being DESCRIPTIVE so that everyone can VISUALIZE what you experienced. Don’t just say “I went skinnydipping with my girlfriend and some sailboarder came by”. Readers are left with “Is THAT IT?” :l
When you said skinnydipping, you could mention “shrinkage” ala the Seinfeld episode and how it did/did not affect you. What color sailboard was the first one?…..what colors were the other two? What was your girlfriend wearing/not wearing? Was it windy? Smooth glassy water?
Hahahahahahahahaah……..just joking.
Have a great weekend!
OL
July 18th, 2008 at 11:46 am
BL - Yup, traveling is getting more and more expensive. I don’t think we have to pay for our bags this time, though (besides, I get my fingers crossed behind my back!) I going pay enough to play two rounds at a time - oh wait, I only take twice as many strokes, not play two rounds!!
Goodbeer - I think OL is doing a pretty good job visualizing your story on his own - wat you tink? LOL. And, thanks… I’m sure I’ll have lots of fun!
July 18th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
ya snow, I can hear the gears turning in OLs head…
July 18th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Hoo BL. Da day you post early I no mo time for write. Had to go make it to a retirement get together this morning at work (on my day off). One of the few remaining people I knew when I started work almost 30 years ago. Great to see my old buddies I used to work for and my first boss in the company. All asking when it’s my turn to retire. I get 3 years to make age. I already made the years. Our company is 55 yrs / 25 yr service. But gotta make age to get full benefits (which is not much today).
Anyway in my career with this company, I had my share of scares. First they spoke of downsizing our group so I transferred since I was low man. Then they did away with that position I transferred to. Good thing I could bump back. Felt sorry for the guy cause he couldn’t bump anybody on island so he went off-island to do that. Then they sold our company to mainland investment group who brought in their mainland people to run our LOCAL company. They made choke problems and we end up losing megabucks. Since we “venting” I don’t like the way they tried to reduce manpower by coming into your office and tapping you on the shoulder and tell you to grab what ever personal stuff you can and escort you out of the building like you one criminal. They did this several times. Yeah, wish we could do that Medieval thing to those upper management’s you-know-what. But it eventually caught up with them and they all gone, replaced by a LOCAL CEO that grew up in the islands. Hope our future looks better. Tired come work on pins and needles. I never like lose all I invested in this job. I want my retirement one day.
Wheew!!! Dat felt good! Chee Hoo now I can have fun. Ok we going wait for you tell us your embarrassing moment. I think I beat most everybody with mine (see past blogs). I neva tell anybody, not even my family and here I am telling it to a bunch of FRIENDS I never met.
To all those going on vacation, HAVE FUN!!!. To all those that prayed for rain…THANK YOU, HILO RAINING AGAIN!!! To all you Kwonics and Lanceformers. Have a GREAT WEEKEND. It’s FEEL GOOD FRIDAY baby!!!
July 18th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
BL - as long as you have $100,000 or less, you’re insured
i don’t have anything to worry about 
and as far as the bartender stirring the drink w/his/her finger . . . “what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger”!! J/K
July 18th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Hey snow-where you playing on the B.I.? I’m an avid golfer as well. Had a chance to play Challenge at Manele Bay in April. That has to be one of the most beautiful course locations in the world. Also, did you see the top of the leaderboard at the British Open? Are you playing the resort courses?
July 18th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Sad yeah?
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Au’right! Someone I can play with/against!
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Das da powah of da Kwonic Posse - Shweet!
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Hooooo! Now dat was supah FUNNY! You actually tink I get money? Ha ha ha ha….and those zeroes…stay on da wrong side of da decimal point.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Scott - We’re playing at Kona Country Club (the first day, since it’s closeby), Mauna Lani (that’s our splurge), Waikoloa Village and Waimea. We go from the airport to the golf course, then from the golf course, to the airport! We originally were going to Waikoloa - the resort’s Beach course, where I remember my ball bouncing off of the lava - but decided to be a teensy bit frugal and try Waikoloa Village instead. Heard it’s a nice Robert Trent Jones course.
I’ve never been to Manele Bay, but maybe that will be on our next “tour!” So far, my favorite is Kapalua (the course where they play the Mercedes). It’s tough but it’s beautiful!
British Open leaderboard? Wow, what a total surprize! Marriage must be good for Greg Norman!! And David Duval is doing well, too… good for him! K.J. Choi and Rocco Mediate up there too…
BL - I always tell my family “I have to play by myself - otherwise, it takes too long!” LOL.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
snow, do you plan on staying and sleeping at any hotels or just staying on the golf courses? Sounds like a golf marathon…
July 18th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Ahhhhh Jobs, hate em. My past two long term jobs have seen the company slowly deteriorate. It really affects employee moral and MY personal happiness.
But, you know, I don’t own the company so I can’t call the shots. It sucks to not be able to control your own destiny.
I need to find a better way to make money. Let’s see, I already blew not marrying into money. I know, I’ll do it the old fashioned way. Inherit it. Gotta call my Uncle Bill (Gates) and convince him I’m blood.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Today was nuts at work, so many problems one after another but at least I have a job and very thankful and the weekend is getting closer. Have a great weekend Kwonics!
July 18th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Yeah, fo’ some reason Uncle Tiger doesn’t believe I’m his long lost “Braddah”.
Cheeee-hoooo!
Oh wait……. Grrrrrrrrrrr!
July 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
M - lol… i do hope to sleep a little bit! we have four days to golf and i cannot handle more than 18 holes in a day!
hope your problems at work are resolved and you can enjoy the weekend!
July 18th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
snow, I took care of the problems. It just so happens that my boss is gone for most of the day and that means the pressure is on me to take care of stuff when problems come up…
July 18th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
like CW i saw the morale and just the entire mood change at my previous job. in the beginning it was so much fun, the time passed quickly, and pretty much everyone would work together to achieve the same goal. slowly but surely, as certain changes were made by our high-maka-maka people, they started requiring more of us workers but weren’t able to justify why or to be an example for us. as a result, the “team” feeling started to disappear, workers started not caring, it wasn’t fun to go to work not even to see my friends, and every other day we were getting in trouble for every little thing. it really was like a downward spiral and so i left before the you-know-what hit the fan!
if the company doesn’t care about their employees, it won’t succeed! where i’m at now…apparently it’s a pretty good place seeing as how there are a lot of people who have 30+ years of service! time will tell
July 18th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
There is a down side to having many years of service for a company….with that longevity, your salary will also reflect it. Near retirement? That’s another sure sign to look over your shoulder frequently.
Even if you’re doing well and things seem peachy in the workplace, it’s never a bad idea to pay attention to hints that your job may be in jeopardy. Stay one step ahead of a layoff by heeding these warning signs.
* You Got a Bad Review or a Warning.
How was your last performance review? Did you get a decent raise? Were you given any warnings or put on probation for anything? It’s a bad sign if nothing positive was said during your review.
* Your Boss Looks over Your Shoulder.
Has your boss recently put you on a short lead, when he used to trust you to work independently? Maybe he’s been giving you subtle warnings that your work is not up to standard even though you think otherwise, and he finally got tired of you missing his signals.
* You Get the Cold Shoulder.
Do colleagues you used to eat lunch or talk with avoid you lately? Do they skirt discussions about future projects? Are you being left out of meetings you used to be part of? Think there’s a reason?
* You Get a New Boss.
For five years, you worked in harmony with your boss, who was suddenly replaced by a rattlesnake. This is no time to be complacent; prepare for a job search before you have to. Line up a reference from HR since the new boss probably won’t give you a good one.
* Management Makes Changes at the Top.
The company’s leader and figurehead suddenly disappears, and the entire mood of the company shifts. Long-time employees are heard grumbling and complaining about the new direction. This can actually help you. Ask yourself: How do I handle change? If you’re averse to making a big move, you’ll probably hate the new procedures that go along with the transition to a new leader. On the other hand, how will you handle the changes associated with getting a new job? Will you find those challenges any easier? Weigh the consequences of both scenarios.
* There Are Rumours of Restructuring or Layoffs.
Sometimes rumours carry a grain of truth. If there is talk about restructuring the office, be prepared. If you don’t do a full-out job search, at least dust off your resume so if you’re cut, you’ll have that chore out of the way.
* New Hires Don’t Fit the Mold.
Sometimes a new colleague is hired who can do no wrong with all of the managers but treats you and other employees like dirt. If you’ve complained and documented your gripes but management doesn’t confront the bad apple, you must assess what this person is doing to your outlook on work. Sometimes morale can get so low that there’s no choice but to leave.
Overall, it’s important to know the difference between something that truly threatens your job security and something that may actually turn out to be a bad week or month.
http://content.monster.co.uk/6448_en_p1.asp
July 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
one thing everyboady should know is to prepare yourselves for any kind of disaster including losing a job… you need to have at least 3 mos. better 6 mos. of liquid cash to back you up for the hard times… we did, thanks to the wife… pay off your credit card debt… less money go out, more you can save…. put monies in your ira, 401 k, etc. and no touch’em.. going grow plenny by the time you retire… remember if no can find work, work any place even 2 jobs then be ready for go to a better job… who knows, maybe you come one boss…. no give up .. ask for help..
other than that, everyone have a good week end…
July 18th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I can vent all day about bad customer service. Stuff like Ocean Lover’s story about the Sam’s Club photo lady pisses me off. I hate it (and I know it’s probably not a big deal to most people) when I order a drink or Icee and the worker gives it to me with all the liquid dripping down the cup. WWD!?! Wipe it up! Am I supposed to carry the sticky cup and leave a trail when I leave? I don’t want to get my car cupholder all sticky and attract bugs! So I have to ask for napkins since apparently it didn’t cross that person’s mind! THEN, I hate it even more when the person I’m with thinks I’m making a big deal out of it! They tell me that I should just wipe it myself and do I really think a person making minimum wage cares about that kind of stuff… That’s NOT the point! Customer service is customer service, whether in a high-end place or not. (Plus, how hard is it to fill up a cup without it overflowing??) If you don’t want to deal with customers, don’t work there! OK, now I sound like a bitch! I promise, I’m really not.
:)
July 18th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Hey Shauna,
I’m going to Sam’s Club tomorrow. Wonder if the photo lady reads this blog?
OL
July 18th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Shauna:
Cup holders and bugs…where have we heard that before?
My pet peeve? Walking into a store, stand in front of the cashier/counter, with merchandise in hand….the phone rings, the associate answers it, ignoring me. Hey lady, I’m ready to pay for all this…drove through traffic, found a spot in the shade to park, spent my time finding all of this and you have the fr*ckin’ nerve to ignore me and help someone on the phone. DO you see cash or a credit card poking out of the phone to pay for anything that you are helping her with?
Several times I just simply dumped what I had on the floor and walked out….never to return.
Here’s another one: I’m here waiting to finish doing my maintenance on our servers but I have to wait on the vendors to finish up their end. What’s was suppose to take 3 hours, they haven’t even started yet due to other difficulties. The last time they said 3 hours, I ended up getting out of here at 5am!!! WHo needs computers!!!
July 18th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Ocean Lover: I sometimes wished I could do a blog on bad customer service and everyone can share stories about their bad experiences. Names and descriptions included! But then I guess to be fair (since the blogs are on a newspaper site after all), some people with a grudge may make up stories, etc. and that can open up a whole can of worms. But in this case, I sure hope that lady reads this blog. BUT… maybe if you got a picture (hey, at the photo department coincidentally) of the rude b**** in action, we’d have proof!
anklebiters: Yeah, how can helping a person on a phone be more important than a paying customer? They should have a desk worker (not cashier) answer customer calls. Oooh, I want a chance to dump my purchases on the ground and walk out if that happens!! And regarding the computer maintenance, don’t people realize we can see through lame excuses?
Damn you BL! It’s Friday night and this venting only makes me worked up! Well at least my shift is almost over! Though not my week since I gotta work the weekend.
Boo me…
July 18th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Shauna, I’m here till midnight! Darn sick calls. On my birthday no less.
Oh well. One year I had to fly out to New York on my birthday. It was the shortest birthday I ever had since I lost 6 hours with the time difference.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Shauna:
I’m at home now…couldn’t wait plus I had to let the dog out. Now the vendor is done…*sigh* . The ops can bring the servers up…
Another rant:
My desktop at home wouldn’t boot the other day. I fiddled with it….boot off the install CD, recovery console, fixboot, fixmbr, repair….still wouldn’t boot but I was able to look at the contents of the drive so that was good news. Bought a new sata drive, partitioned it and installed XP on one, did a drive-to-drive copy of the ‘bad’ drive onto the other hoping I could then boot. No go… The onboard nic card was bad as I couldn’t connect to my home network from the new install. Drive to Best Buy again, picked up a nic card….have connection!!! Yippeeeee! Now I don’t have audio….looks like my audio device expired… whatever took out my nic also took out the audio…when it rains, it pours. I’m getting a new desktop….I never had problems with my other pc, but then I don’t run WinDOZE on it
I should have been born a journalist instead
July 18th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
CW:
Just imagine if you had flown westward across the international dateline…it would have been even shorter
July 19th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Shauna,
“………….some people with a grudge may make up stories, etc. and that can open up a whole can of worms.”
I thought of the “there’s two sides to every story” saying yet NOBODY’S THERE at that time of the morning. I wasn’t grumpy as I get up at 6 a.m. every weekend and I believe that “mornings are the BEST TIME OF THE DAY”.
Perhaps when I see her from now on I’ll make like the Jehovah Witnesses when I tell them “Sorry….I’m Catholic” before they even START their spiel. Without fail they’ll look me in the eye and say “Have a NICE DAY”. I always tell my wife “I just got CURSED”.
Aloha,
OL
July 19th, 2008 at 7:45 am
little late in the conversation, but my current job is kind of up in the air too … luckily for me, i’m new, young, attached (but not married), and have liquid cash to survive in case anything happens. every other week we have departmental meetings and every other week our department vp always tries to reassure us that he won’t cut positions, but at the same time, is telling us stories about how some of our mainland offices recently cut staff not so much to stay afloat, but to be more economically sound. i’m not worried one bit that our office will shut down because i work in the auto insurance industry, but i do believe layoffs may be coming in the near future. there’s been whispers in the office that some of the tenured workers are marked as potential (hate to use the word), “targets.” saddening, too, because the names i’ve been hearing … all they’ve done their entire life was work in this industry, so i know it’ll be hard to find another job anywhere. anyways, enough of this …
BL, i got something to rant about too … how crappy the conditions got at leeward bowl. i’m assuming with your bum ankle, you haven’t been able to bowl the last couple of weeks and let me tell you … you’re a lucky guy if that’s the case. they’ve been flooding the lane and not stripping the backends. scores dropped big time since they did that. i heard they’re only doing that because one night a couple weeks back, one of the leagues had 2 279’s and a 298 the same game, then 2 more 300’s the same night. i guess that would be good reason to screw up the lane to control the scores. oh yeah, and to answer your question from a couple of blogs ago, eggs and things is at the beginning of waikiki, so yeah around 7/11 and jack in the box. i don’t know what that street name is, but if you’re at that big intersection at the traffic light with jack in the box on your driver’s side, egg’s and thing’s is right in front of you.
Shauna and OL, all that talk about customer service made me chuckle a little bit because my gf and i have had a couple of run in’s with papa john’s. well, i should say my gf because she is kind of pissy with them (enough to write a complaint letter … i suggested that as a former food service manager … you’re more likely to get a response from a letter than a phone call). won’t go into details, but walk in service at the kapahulu and kapiolani locations take forever. they really cater for their delivery service. so far i haven’t had any problems with mccully, so i’m going to try that one next time and hopefully it’ll be better than kapahulu and kapiolani. and kind of off-topic from papa john’s, but i hate it when you go to a plate lunch place and order all rice then you open up your container and see a scoop of salad in there … then instead of fixing your order, they just give you another scoop of rice. normally, that would sound like a bonus, but i’m a picky eater and i don’t eat salad.
July 19th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
OL:
Actually, there are three sides to every story:
1) yours
2) theirs
3) and the truth, somewhere in the middle.
July 19th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I HATE people who take advantage, or are rude and disrespectful! My bro’s gf thinks she owns our house and does whatever she wants, and they live here for FREEEE and my parents end up paying for all kinds of crap for them. I try to bite my tongue and not say anything, but sometimes you just gotta do it! I know I look like a bitch to her friends and family but I DON’T CARE! If I HAVE to say to close the door or take your shoes off before coming in the house or to watch your kid before they get run over, then I will already, since you keep doing it! If you don’t do it at your house, why you gonna do it in ours! Heck even if you DO do it in your house, you aren’t gonna do it at anyone else’s house here in Hawaii!!
But the worst is when you do say something, your family gets mad at YOU for saying ANYTHING! Even if you are standing up for all of you, since they won’t say or do anything. I hate that Asian “no say nuttin, no make shame” crap! If you don’t stop it, people will keep doing whatever they like and not care, cuz you ain’t stoppin um! ARRGGHHH!!
Ok I’ll stop now, hehe.. thanks for giving me a chance to let it OUT!!!!! I know it isn’t feel good Friday anymore, but I was soo mad already yesterday I couldn’t function(and it was still early!!!), huh since a lot more crap happened after that! After a night of sleep I’m calmer hahaha…. so it’s Shweet Saturday for me,instead of feel good Friday! bahahaa. Much mahalos for the ventage moment!
July 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Anklebiters,
I agree completely with your story about standing in line for a while and then the darn phone rings and the cashier will service the call! Comes across as a “cutter” in my book as the cashier could say “I’ve got a long line in front of me and could you call back in 15 minutes?” or similar.
I agree with your statement about there’s “3 sides to a story” yet disagree about how it relates to the story I mentioned. For the life of me I can’t think of ANY REASON for Scott’s mother
to tell me to go to the front of the counter when NO ONE’S AROUND and fold her arms across her chest and WAIT till I got around the counter. Common sense says “she stupid”.
Respectfully,
OL
July 19th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
OL:
The 3 side to a story wasn’t meant to be pointed at you. I paid for a lawyer’s vacation house ( I’d like to think I did
) to become familiar with that phrase……. it takes 3 to tango.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Wow! Late night and Saturday posters…. wat, bored das why?
Hey, you’re supposed to feel good aftah you vent! Well at least if you were doing da Coors Light thing…
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Dat sucks! Being there till midnight dat is….
Happy B-Day Coconut Willy!
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Who let da dogs out? Woof woof woof woof. Sorry, no can help.
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You tink one bum ankle going stop me?! Heck, I’ve still been playing in my basketball and softball leagues… heavily taped of course. And here I was blaming my ankle for my terrible scores the past few weeks! Glad I got a scapegoat now.
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You know, das da worse kine. You bad if you say something but if you don’t you going crazy keeping it in. You like me say something? I no shame….
Wow! Now I feelin’ da Shweet Saturday…get peeps reading and actually posting… on a weekend no less!
Cheeeee-hooooo!
July 19th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Anklebiters,
Thanks for the clarification.
BL,
I dunno…….but on a Saturday night YOU LOOKING AT YOUR BLOG………..you getting OLD brah!
OL
July 20th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Eh Lance!
Auwe! I read about the layoffs. Here in Ca, that’s a common thing, but luckily, it hasn’t affected me directly. Ho man, don’t know wat to tink! I can’t even begin to forget about the people of Aloha Airlines, and now dis! Seems like everytime I read the news, it’s not good! So tired of hearing bad news. By da time I get back to Hawaii, wea Hawaii going be? Auwe!
July 20th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Braddah Lance, I’m glad you not one riff victim. Very sad for those who gotta take a bullet.
What sucks is when you get one two-faced, lo-lo boss. I had one li’dat recently. I was lucky, I had friends in other places, so I bagged out and I get one good boss now. I count my blessings.
So, eh, all you doodoo head bosses out dere - go you know what, you know where!