MY LIFE - JULY

Wednesday, July 7, 1999

Apparently I was really missed while I was on vacation. It was verified today when I walked in and was greeted by a very happy Crystal, who was happy to see me back at work. I didn't even get a chance to really get settled in before she was asking me how things went and some other questions. She just bombarded me with questions and general conversation, something that was given to me yesterday by Mike, who didn't have anyone to get in trouble with.

She's all of a sudden very curious as to when I'm working next and was a bit disappointed when I said I was off tomorrow while she had to work. She then told me I had better come in for my check or she wasn't going to be too happy. I just told her to make sure she was in at 9am on Saturday, when she's scheduled instead of an hour later or so. I guess she was late today, but that's okay. She's been doing very good on that one.

Anyway, back to today. What I failed to mention yesterday was how our phone system kind of crashed on us. We can get calls, but we can't make calls or even get an outside line, which made things very interesting early on. Then Debbie pulled out the emergency phone and everything was somewhat all right from that point on. I still have no idea what caused the phones to stop working right. I know that it happened last night, but I'm not sure exactly when it was. Hopefully it's fixed soon, otherwise things could be interesting.

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I was informed today by Lenny that I may be asked to count out the tills at night sometimes when it's not busy in the pharmacy for whatever reason. Maybe Lenny wants to have a couple extra nights off and have Mike work a couple more mornings. I know he's thinking of putting another one of us in as a shift supervisor, but I'm not sure who would get such a lovely honor. I also found out that Debbie's a shift supervisor now, so I don't know why we'd need another one.

Lenny also explained to me why I'm being tentatively scheduled six days next week. I know that I have to work Monday through Friday because of Debbie's vacation and Keith having to take a big test next week, but I'm also penciled in for Saturday to work a 9am-2pm shift if Keith can't work it. It's not really that bad, but if Keith can work one of the days after Wednesday, it would be very appreciated. However, I told Lenny that if I was needed all those six days, I would not complain and I would show up. Next week will be interesting, especially after Crystal leaves for a five day vacation on the 15th.

One more note from work involves us having two pharmacists fill-in and split the day. Up first was Greg until 5, then Kim came in at 5 and worked until 10. Aside from a few really bitchy, and stupid, customers, there wasn't really any kind of problem. I work with Tom on Friday and I get to work with Alison again on Saturday along with Crystal, Shoe, and Jenny. It should be interesting. As always.

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I had a new CD player installed into my car today and made an interesting, but not too surprising realization. I don't have bad speakers. I have two really good ones in the back and two dead ones up front, but it sounds a whole lot better than it did. I found that the problem lied with the manufacture radio that was in it. It was dying, making the speakers sound really bad. Well, the new player makes the speakers sound like they're new, which technically they are, at least in the back.

It's a Sony with that digital bass. It packs a major punch too and I have not been able to turn it all the way up simply because it's so powerful. I have the D-Bass on level 1 and the regular bass between level 3 and 5 depending on the song. It was installed today at Circuit City in less than an hour, allowing me time to get ready for work earlier today. The CD player was originally $151, but the sales person dropped it to $119 and gave me free installation as well, keeping the price down.

I think it's a decent investment as well. Just in case though, I kept the original radio so that if I did get a new car, I could take the new CD player out, put it in the new car, and stick the old radio back into the Cavalier so that no one is shafted. My mom was glad that I at least did that much. She didn't seem pleased that I had done it, but was happy to hear that it wasn't that much. I'm off the hook.

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I used my credit card for the first time today, mostly because I didn't have any money and it seemed ludicrous to write a check for $3 worth of merchandise. It worked, so I was happy there and Crystal seemed surprised that I had a credit card, but quickly changed the subject. She apparently admires that I write neat and doesn't seem to let me forget that one. Anyway, the card works and I'm now establishing credit. I'll be putting around $260 in my checking account Friday, so I'll be okay when the bill arrives. Which reminds me, I have to void one of my checks that my mom lost.

In any case, so far, so good. Now if I can only keep it up just a little bit longer, I'll be in good shape and possibly see a credit line increase. Not that I need it.

Tribe Watch '99

Last Game
Cleveland, 3
Minnesota, 4

Summary
Bartolo Colon didn't have his best stuff and seemed to be lacking concentration at times as he gave up four runs and a lot of hits in this game that the Indians lost. Minnesota saw strong pitching for the second straight game, but there were still some tense moments, two of them involving Manny Ramirez. In the first inning, a fastball got away and soared above Ramirez's head, hitting his bat. Then later in the game, another ball came at Ramirez's head, prompting him to step out in front of home plate. He was held back by the catcher and was not thrown out of the game. For the second straight game, the Indian offense was held in check.

Game Notes
Ramirez has seen a lot of close calls due to pitchers pitching him tough inside....The Metrodome crowd wanted Ramirez thrown out, but was content with him just grounding out to help slow a Tribe scoring threat....Minnesota snapped a four game losing streak at home to the Indians with the win tonight....Lofton's struggles continued, although he did have a base hit and reached on two errors by Minnesota on the same play. Lofton has only four hits in his last 31 at-bats.

Record
54-29