Archive for October, 2007

29
Oct

The Crusher of Souls

By inlimelight 1 Comment
Categories: Rant

I can’t stand my job! That stupid video store it the crusher of all souls for anyone who ever worked there or who ever will work there in the future.

First I’ll talk about the management… or lack of. There are 3 managers who all run our tiny, shit store. There is the owner who we will call Ben. He lives and works all the way out in Shepperton. Then there is our “area manager” who shall be known only as Lee. Lee is pretty much Ben but lives closer to our store. And finally there is our store manager who will remain “unknown” for more reason than one. With three managers you would think that there would be some order to the running of the store, but thats where you and especially me are wrong. Ben hands orders down to Lee and Lee then yells them at out store manager,(Lee is a real bitch) and then our store manager will either never do it or get one of us to do it.

We get given these jobs every day, things like, rearrange tables or god forbid “overnight overdues”. This means calling up every customer that has a movie that is over one day late. These jobs usually take between 1 hour, but there is always a list of jobs to do. So one night you may be told to rearrange the retail stock, tidy some rental shelves and the overdues. This is a good two to three hours work in a three or four hour shift. There are also the returns that need to go out onto the shelves and serving customers. There is never any help when you are working a week day, there are only two staff working on weekends. And every night we are supposed to take out the rubbish, vacuum the whole store and dust the counter. If we don’t do these jobs then you get a written warning and if you get three then you are fired.

Management recently hired another staff member who was supposed to be there to fill in for any shift that someone couldn’t make it to, but this person is never available to work when we need her to. So that means they come to me cause I’m the one who has finished school and has allot of free time apparently. So me being the nice person I am say yes I can do it. But when ever I need someone to work for me there is no one is able to do it cause they all have Uni or have another job to go to.

The next thing that really pisses me off are the customers. The other day I had a customer yell at me cause I couldn’t find the disc to a movie they wanted to buy. I told them that is has gone missing and they said “this is ridiculous, why would you have the movie on the shelf if you don’t have the disc?!” The answer to that brain dead question is “I don’t know it has gone missing until someone tries to buy it!” Customers seem to think we have tracking devices on all the movies in the store and that the computer can tell me the exact location of the movie.

Here are few things for you customers to remember when hiring a movie where i work:
- Grab the case behind the original. Its not that hard!
- If you think you are better than me, you are wrong!
- I don’t care that you dropped the movie off on the day that it was due back. If you return it after closing time, even if i am still in the store it is still late so just pay the f@#%ing fine!
- instead of threatening to go to a different store, actually go there!
- If the movie is out then you should have gotten here earlier!
- It’s not my fault the disc is scratched.
- Once again PAY THE BLOODY LATE FEE
- I am not willing to get fired cause you don’t have enough money on you.
- 3 day hires are counted as new release
- When we are closed we will not let you in no matter how much you beg and shake the door
- Don’t call us every 5 minutes asking for the same movie
- When i accidently don’t give you the correct change do not insult me
- If you didn’t like the movie thats to bad.
- Read the signs. It will save you time and save me time explaining things to you.

The main thing i hate about many of the customers is they think they are better than you, and that you have to serve them and make them happy. I personally don’t care about what ever problems you have with the store. If you want to complain talk one of our three managers.

26
Oct

Class of 2007

By inlimelight 0 Comments
Categories: Friends and Haileybury

Today is going to be one of the most memorable days in my life. Today was my final day of school at Haileybury. I arrived at school early, around 7:30 am and took a good look around, and to hand out some of the gifts that I bought for the teachers. Today however was the first day where I didn’t go strait to the hall. I went to my locker, then to the common room, then I went for a wander around other areas of the school.

I was talking with Hanna Gordon about the significance of the day and she said that she even still looks back on her last day of school with all her friends.

After this i headed off to the Year 12 breakfast to get my shirt signed by the class. there wasn’t really that much eating going on, it was more shirt signing.

The final house assembly was defiantly an emotional moment for allot of the people and I will admit I did shed a tear, but Mav’ was probably finding it the hardest to keep it together which i really think says something for our class, and for almost any class. You would think that a teacher that has been at Haileybury as long as he has, a graduation would mean noting to them, but it obviously still does and it shows that a year level such as ours can make an impact on someone life and after the time and effort that they have put in to building up a students skills, to prepare them for later life there is going to be emotional to see it come to the end.

The final assembly was also a first for me. It was the first assembly in just under three years that I have sat in the audience with the rest of my year group and it was also the first assembly that I didn’t do anything to set up. The moment cam where the class of 07 was to hand back the “colour” so we made our way down from the balcony to pass the flag around the hall. I remember when I was in year 10, i thought this whole thing was “kinda cheesy” but when your in year 12 you do appreciate all this kind of stuff.

After the assembly it was off to the final chapel where we sang Jerusalem for the last time as Haileybury students. The next time we would sing it would be when we were Old Haileyburians. The Rev told his awesome jokes and then it was off to a rehearsal for the Graduation ceremony. I hadn’t even graduated yet and my replacements were already dropping stuff from the roof very close to my head! But the hall once again proved that “the hall doesn’t ever kill anyone”. It just putts them in danger.

The actual graduation ceremony was rather surreal. It was hard to believe that 14 years of schooling was coming to an end. The time came for the students who have “know no other school but Haileybury”, My name was called out and i was presented with my bible, my certificate, a tie and a 2007 badge and it was over.

I never would have thought that it was possible to end today with a feeling of satisfaction but tonight’s Valedictory Dinner proved me wrong. It was one of the best nights I’ve had, it’s up there with Matt Kennedy’s birthday party! The evening was fantastic and the staff band was brilliant. I was able to grab photos with almost everyone who was a part of my schooling life, however a few went home early. I was also able to get a photo with those who were in Kindergarten with me. I would not have changed a thing about tonight.

It is a strange thing to be at the one school for so long and for it to come to an end. Back in Junior school I found it easier to picture the sun exploding than me finishing school. There aren’t many people who can say that they have been a student at Haileybury for 14 or 15 years and I fell lucky to be one of them. I have seen so many people start at Haileybury and then seen them leave a few years later. I’ve only ever had one first day at a new school and I am glad I finished at that same one. I still remember my first day, being shown around the classroom, seeing where all the toys were and being shown which one was my locker. I had the one with the picture of the grapes on it. Chances are that if you were in Kindergarten at Haileybury you will remember which locker was yours. I know the guys who were in kinda with me can remember theirs.

I’ve done allot at Haileybury and I would never do anything differently. The next step it the exams. I don’t really want to think about them but there isn’t much chance of that happening. They start in a weeks time with english and they are all over for me by the 7th of november.

23
Oct

Two Days To Go

By inlimelight 0 Comments
Categories: Haileybury

Today was the last day of classes for me. The day started off with an assembly where the were some awards given out but there was also a surprise! A few weeks ago a couple of people organized with me to play some sound effects while they ran around the assembly, one dressed at Pac Man and the other as one of the ghosts. The actual disruption was rather uneventful but still worth it. It was also fun when Chris turned the lights off when Watson got up to speak and when i muted the microphone during Rogerson’s speech.

The classes today weren’t all that productive but worth going to. Maths we all were given a coffee, Sociology we all got a hackie sack and English was by far the best, with a present of a toy train from Thomas the Tank Engine with a description of the personality of the train. I got “Fergus” and the description says “Fergus is a Traction Engine who shunts trucks at the cement works. He is a reliable, down-to-earth engine who believes in playing by the rules”. I reckon that it one of the best presents that I have ever gotten.

Anyway tonight i have done some english work and tomorrow I have the day off. I asked Belly if they would need me for the girls final assembly and the response i got was a long pause followed by “no, take the day off, we need to start getting used to you not being around”

22
Oct

Back To Castlefield

By inlimelight 2 Comments
Categories: Haileybury

Today it was my turn, as a year 12 student, to go back to Castlefield. So many people have had their turn before me and i remember every year that the senior class came back i would say to myself that it was “ages away” for me. I arrived at Castlefield at around 8:00 am which gave me some time to have a look around and see what had changed. The main thing they seem to have done is made it “safer” for the students. removing all those hazards that made lunch time memorable. The first assembly was interesting. The hall where is spent most of my free time as a middle school student was much smaller than i remembered it. They had also installed a new sound system and upgraded their lighting rig. There was even new carpet. However there was some confusion over the lectern. I say they cut it in half for the littleies but others say it was because we are bigger. There can’t be that much of a difference between they hight we were in year 8 and the hight we are now!

Anyway I felt special when David Lappage was going through all the year 12’s during his speech, saying what they will be remembered for at Haileybury and I was the last one that he listed and said “and who could forget Luke Hawley, working in this hall…” It was also fantastic to see some of the old teachers who had left the school who taught my class and who had come back for this day too see us. Seeing Mrs Blak, Crebbo, Mrs Barton and Mrs Ages” made the day even more special.

The Junior school assembly was vary embarrassing. Having Mrs Nance who taught me in kindergarten and Year 2 and Mrs Henderson who taught me in Year 4, they were full of stories that I was way to young to remember. Also amazingly that had their class photos of our year level. I was also presented with my crown, made by the prep students and a show-bag with a book mark, a paper tie and a card, all maid by the junior school.

The morning tea was nice too. It was a chance to actually catch up with the teachers and find out what they remembered from our year level and also a chance to hear what they have been up to and what they think of the new changes to the school. They have all seen a large difference in the school from when they started teaching there and now.

Later on today we headed back to Senior school to go to the OHA lunch and also the year 12 review. The food for the lunch was provided by Sodexho and my guess is it was the good stuff that they don’t give the rest of the school. It was one of the nicer lunches I’ve had at school and the apple was fresh! Anyway I took the opportunity to express my interest in the amateur theatre group, which was kind of unnecessary as i am already a member, but i did give the suggestion that the OHA theatre group should have an item in the Tattoo.

After Lunch was the staff review which was awesome to say the least. With Mr. Scott dancing to “Hammer Time” and the disturbing image of the male teachers dressing up as the pussycat dolls. The year 12 review was good, however there were to many videos and the computer couldn’t keep up with the large files. My lighting design received rave reviews from Pant and Belly too. It was described as “funky” and “thats a new look… well done”

Anyway there is only 3 days till graduation and its really exciting thinking about it but sad at the same time.

20
Oct

Only 6 Days Left

By inlimelight 1 Comment
Categories: Haileybury

It’s hard to believe that there is just under six days until Graduation. It has been so busy at school over the past few days I haven’t really had a chance to notice that the end is coming so quickly.

Last night was my last Speech Night as a student and the second time I had ever been presented with an award. As I said in my previous post it was allot of work to get Speech Night ready and yesterday was just as busy, helping Jimmy set up two venues for people to have drinks before and after the event. Last night I was presented with the contribution to drama and a school service award. I also got a Malthouse theatre award which gets me tickets to their 2008 season which is pretty cool. I also get to go to a fancy shindig to celebrate the launch of the season.

On Monday is the ‘back to Castlefield day’ where I’ll get a chance to see everything that has changed since I left. I’ll also get to see the hall where I spent most of my free time when I was in years five to eight. I also have the OHA lunch on Monday and the year 12 review. I still haven’t been given the videos to play for it and i haven’t been told if they even need a microphone but I know i’ll find out five minuets before it starts but it wouldn’t be an event put on by the school leaders if I was told early.

I almost forgot to mention too that Taranto finally went into his office last night. I was glad that i could be there to see him throwing all the balloons out of his office door and popping them too. To say that he was annoyed would be an understatement. With Matt, Jono and I all laughing at him with Jimmy and Ms. Gordon watching you could see the frustration and anger building in his face. Well worth it I say :)

18
Oct

A Long Day

By inlimelight 2 Comments
Categories: Haileybury and Work

You are probably already aware of this but for me today was a long day however there still is never enough time to do everything. I arrived at school at 7:30 a.m. to set up speech night, which is tomorrow. I was also wanting to see Taranto’s reaction when he went into his office because some year 12’s filled it up with balloons the night before. Unfortunately he didn’t actually show up today so hopefully he is in tomorrow. After that waist of time i went to the Cafe and helped the lady who works there bring all the tables and chairs out side. I saw her struggling so it would have been mean of me to keep walking past. I did get a free coffee for my work though. Then i headed to the hall to set up chairs for speech night, 30 VIP chairs, 104 staff seats, seats for the orchestra, 1 table with the extension attached and 6 flags with bases and yesterday, with help from Sando we moved the first row of rises back onto the stage.

Once that was done, down to the lecture theatre I went, to set up an exam for 32 students, once again Sando helped out and so did Jimmy. Then came Pay time. I felt i had earned my box of Pizza Shapes and can of Solo.

By now the bell was about to go for session two so had to go to maths, which was alright, it was a rather productive session. However people were getting hungry and i had my shapes and was nice enough to share them, except with Steve, he was annoying me.

As the time-table would have us believe, recess came after maths which meant that now I had to go back to work and start doing the light for tomorrow. So with James L’s help I focussed, patched and did some of the programing for tomorrow. There wasn’t enough time for all this to happen during recess so i decided to skip english and as I have an english tutor, what ever i didn’t learn in class today i will probably learn later on this week and forget the week after.

During lunch, Pant, Belly and I planed the girls graduation in the Chapel, the biggest hurdle, but not really that big, was working out where to put the sound equipment. But thats all sorted now and there is a good chance that the judge will be heard.

After lunch i decided to skip Sociology, I don’t really like that subject anyway and we were only doing private study, which for me is looking blankly at a book for half an hour and then turning the page. In this time I hung some lights for the year 12 review which is this monday and then hung a microphone from the roof to record the orchestra. I then sat and relaxed listening to the radio in the hall for twenty minutes before heading to Theatre.

Theatre was uneventful but still useful for the exam but by now I was just too tired to care. But the work was still not done, I stayed back after school finishing the majority of the lights for the Year 12 Review and it looks pretty good, but its not finished and i don’t know when I’m going to have enough time to finish it. By 5:00 p.m. i could do no more so went to the library and talked with Matt for a while.

To recap on the days events… today I:
- Set up the stage for speech night
- Set up an exam
- Set up lights for speech night
- Planned girls graduation setup
- Fed my Maths class
- Skipped 2 classes
- Went to 2 classes
- Worked on lights for Year 12 Review
- Worked on sound for Speech night
- Set up tables and chairs in the Cafe
- and probably only 40 minutes of relaxing today.

There is still allot to do in the next few days. Tomorrows speech night, two graduations, year 9 speech night, Valedictory dinner, year 12 review, Sports Pres’ night, Back to Castlefield day and OHA lunch.

Its scary to think that with so much happening, I finish my schooling in less than one week.

11
Oct

Maths Should Die In A Fire!

By inlimelight 1 Comment
Categories: Haileybury

It’s the first week back of the last term and there has been allot of study going on by everyone. I personally am sick of maths and its stupidness, I am sick of it more then I was last week. What’s the point in giving you an exam where if you make one mistake in the first question you then get the next three questions wrong. Even worse is when you can’t actually answer the first question at all. Half the time they pull numbers out of some maths creating machines ass and I have no idea how you are actually supposed to work out that number. I shouldn’t have done this stupid subject. I should have done IT like i was going to do but no, “maths is an easy subject to get marks in, all you need are formulas.” Further Maths is actually the easiest way to lose marks! One mistake and you may as well not have turned up to the exam.

In other news I have my theatre monologue tomorrow which will be “interesting” to say the least. My actual performance it alright but i can tell its going to be nerve racking, waiting in the warm up room until you name is called. The dress rehearsal last night went well considering my acting history. The written part of the exam is another story. I’m going to need work on it which was obvious from the comment “I expected you to do better in this section”

Anyway its almost over and according to my count down widget there is 14 days to go until graduation which is exciting but also sad. I have spent all of my school life at Haileybury and it all comes to a sudden end.