Awesome People

The last day.

/ Codefreak / Leave a comment

My computer has been out of commission the last week or so. I have finally gotten back up and running and lo and behold, I am back to share my stores with you, dear reader!

It was my last day in retail. That in and of itself was a shock and change. I was busy most of the day handing off keys and getting the new manager set up with what he needed. I ended up saying goodbye to my staff and customers.

This was all made tougher as they decided to move my Assistant Manager to another store as well.

My staff was exceptionally kind to me. I was given several gifts (all ponies!!) and I was touched beyond words. Seeing the kindness that was given to me by someone, anyone else is always a shock for me. I honestly had trouble accepting it. I couldn’t say anything to them of course as I would never want to offend or upset anyone. Its just the thought of someone giving me something that I didn’t earn ( or felt I earned).

I was just being myself.

The day grew rougher as it seemed every person I had gotten to know as a regular at my store came. I call to mind two instances that broke me.

The first was a husband and wife who were not on the young side (or as they put it, “We are as old as dirt and then some!”). They were some of the few that did not make it in but I felt I needed to call them. The wife had been going through chemo for months and is still one of the most spunky, strong, and enduring person I have had the privilege knowing. Her husband was the Ying to her Yang. They would walk in the door and I would say the same thing each time.

“Here comes trouble.”

And there never was. They brightened every day I saw them and I will always remember them.

And then came the final customer of the day, and my career there.

To provide background on this transaction I will explain. I had a mom and daughter who would come in to shop with me. They had been shopping with me since the time I had moved to be a store manager. The daughter had a few mental disabilities but it didn’t stop her from being nice to everyone. The mom worked hard to make sure they had everything. I knew what games they played and what they would want before they stepped out of the car.

When I had first met them, the daughter was upset because she had seen quite a few people come through the store already. I took the time to explain who I was and let her know that I would be taking care of her and her mom. She got to know me and my family and never forgot to ask how my girls were doing.

Now some people saw her as a burden or a bother in the store (none of whom lasted long at my store). I made sure to take a bit of extra time with them so they were completely happy when they left my store.

Now back to the last day.

I was about to call this pair of favorites as I could not leave without saying goodbye. I was in my back room explaining to the new manger who they were and the special requirements they might need. I happened to look out of the corner of my eye to my security camera and saw them enter. I took a deep breath and asked the manager to follow me as I wanted to hand them off to him as it would help the transition.

The daughter saw me and lit up (as always) cheerfully calling out my name. I greeted her warmly and answered her questions about how I was doing and how my girls were doing. I said they were well but they were busy. She asked why and I told her that it was because it was my last day and I was having to move for family reasons.

She broke down crying in the middle of my store.

The other manager had to step away in an effort not to cry as well. She asked me why, and I explained it to her as best I could. She gave me a big hug, still crying. I told her she would be OK and that I was leaving a few people she knew. She told me that it wasn’t the same. I said that I knew but that she was going to be OK. She took me to her mom, still tears in her eyes and told her. Her mom was in shock. Slowly the daughter explained it to her and the mom understood. I took that moment to introduce them to the new store manager. He did a great job introducing himself and making a personal effort to let them know he was there for him. The daughter, then was drying her tears, comment on some of the pins on his lanyard. This was a sign for me that she was now thatching herself to him.

My heart almost broke in all this. I even for a moment questioned myself leaving, still knowing I had too. I rang them out for my last transaction. I then went to back room to collect myself.

This for me was why I did customer service. This is part of who I am. I have tried to show kindness and love to everyone.

And it hurts sometimes. If done right.

And that is OK.

I soon handed over my keys, clocked out, and said the last goodbyes to who was left. I will never forget my time in retail. I honestly believe that everyone should work a holiday in it to understand just how to treat other people. Life lessons that carry over to everything else.

Here’s to my staff and customers. I will never forget you.

Hug a pony my friends.

I want to thank Shop girl at http://shopgirlanonymous.com/ for all that you have done. It has been amazing working in retail at the same time as you. Sharing stories was always a favorite for me. If you hadn’t yet check out an amazing blog that I plan on still reading.

Free Flying

/ Codefreak / 1 Comment

I have always dreamed of flying. I was flying back from Las Vegas and I happened to get a window seat. I have said before I have an overactive imagination. I enjoy seeing things from a birds eye view. Staring at the clouds from the top side just gives you a sense of awe. My heart skips a beat when seeing something that can’t be seen without the help of a wonder that is air flight. I find myself discouraged at the fact that most people can taking airplanes so casually. Sailing the air above the clouds and seeing the rays of sun well before they reach the ground. I looked out that airplane window and saw freedom.

A birds freedom.

And now we come up to a day that, for Americans, tends to bring sadness and grief. Rightly so, but I remember vividly the time and place when a nation hit her knees. I remember the times when people helped other people. It wasn’t a black lives thing or a white power. It was people.

People helping people.

Humans, being human.

I look back and think of some better times. If you have flown in the past 14 years you know that it is changed dramatically. I have seen the change in people and the change in attitudes. Now I try not to judge, hell I have changed more than a lot. I just wonder were our humanity has gone. In a day and age of being offended, I find myself more and more saddened by the state of everyone. This goes for everyone, not just Americans. I look at humanity and I get sad.

I know I am a romantic. I tend to get sad over the little things and get overwhelmed at the big things. People have often wondered why I let people walk over me. I get trampled upon and looked down upon. I act out for the benefit of others. I do what I can to show others how to be nice.

How to be human.

How to feel free again.

Flying through the air is exhilarating. The birds eye of things, showing you how small you really are. Cars look like ants, and you can’t even see people. You just see yourself.

Are you happy with you?

How free are you?

How human are you?

What have you done in the past few hours, days, weeks, for another person? It could be as simple as not yelling back at the customer who spent the past 15 minutes cursing you out. It could be that you provided a car so someone can get to a job. It could be just a smile to the right person.

It could just you being human.

Not a human doing.

A human being.

Hug a pony my friends. I love you all.

 

 

1 year ago…

/ Codefreak / 1 Comment

It was one year ago today that I started this blog. I have written a LOT! I am actually surprised at how much I have written. I went down memory lane. Here is the first post.

I am a male, 29 year old, Married, two kids. I hold (and have held) a steady full time job from the times I was about 14 or 15. I was raised in a Christian house with an older brother and 2 younger sisters. My daughters are at 4 and 6 at this time. 

And I suffer from depression. 

Ah yes. The “D” word. Something people throw out when they get upset, When they cant have their way, or just a general “I am depressed”. I am very disappointed that people are so eager almost to classify everything under this category. I wont say that not everyone can be depressed at a point in their life but depression and the byproducts of it are not a normality. So how do I deal with it?  Ponies and stuffed animals.

Not the typical “norm” for a person such as I am. Even I can agree that I am different in this regard. I could be classified as a Brony, Plushie, Furry, or many other labels that are attached to people who are different. I know people will frown, and they do, on me. It is another “cross” to bear (pun intended).

So why am I here? In part to share. To help me get it off my chest. To open myself up and push me to dig myself out of a hole. To reach out and explain why I do what I do. I welcome you to join me.

In this journey that you have joined me on, I have the following stats.

  • POSTS: 171
  • VIEWS: 3,530
  • VISITORS: 2,047
  • BEST VIEWS EVER: 118 SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

I want to say thank you. All 2000+ visitors, all the views and all the comments and messages I have been sent. This has been one of the coolest things I have been a part of and I cannot wait to see it grow. I get such joy with people who tell me how much I have helped them. I hope to continue to do so.

And so I want to close with a pretty awesome contest (If I do say so myself). I am giving away 3 Rainbow Dash clip on mini plushies. All you have to do to is one or all of the following:

Like and Comment on this post on WordPress.

Like, Comment, and Share on Facebook.

Like and Re-tweet on Twitter.
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I will follow and announce the winners within the next month (probably a week but I want to give myself time). The contest is from Aug 4th- Aug 11th 2015. Help me get the word out and maybe win a Plushie.

Again I thank you all.

Hug a pony my friends.

Break in the clouds.

/ Codefreak / Leave a comment

I know I have been posting on rough times and hardships. I can be rather depressing (comes with being depressed I suppose). I do want to share some good news and a joyous moment that I am still being moved by.

Our apartment is safe.

We talked to a lawyer and we were informed that we could not be forced to move or thrown out. In fact, if we had taken the offer of moving out early, we would have been liable for fines and penalties. We got the documentation we needed and spoke to our office. We managed to hold our composure and not yell and scream back at the trouble they have caused. It is just a relief to feel safe again.

We also managed to have a quick family time in which everyone got along. Over the past week, my daughters and I have been connecting and have been sharing in their lives. One of the things I used to be able to do was go on “Daddy dates”. These mini outings included going to park with and just one of them, getting an ice cream cone or bubble tea (if you don’t know what bubble tea is you are missing out).  These have been taken from me due to life and work.

And it has been hard.

So I found us a new activity. We have been watching the new Agents of Shield. My girls, like their father, have turned into a comic book fan and we have been wrapped up in the movies and the show. Seeing the wonder and awe in their eyes at the stories being told fills me with joy.

I get to share that.

I get to help them discover their joy.

We have had a few rough times as the show and the Marvel movies twist and turn. We gasp at the betrayals and cry at the sadness. In all of this, one thing shines through for me.

I get to be there with them.

I get to connect with them.

And this brings me much joy.

I will be hugging my ponies with my daughters tonight.

Thank you God.

On writing.

/ Codefreak / Leave a comment

I find myself in the mood to write. I have written a few things tonight, some for work, some for this blog. I find I have to capitalize on the times I am feeling creative. I don’t like missing out on things to write.

Some people have asked where I come up with ideas to write about or how it comes to me. I honestly just write what I think. I have managed to get my typing skills up to almost my thoughts and it has helped a ton.

All those typing exercises worked. Thanks Mom!!!

I have a few irons in the fire, still, and that is a good thing. As long as I have things to write about on the horizon, I feel as if I have a purpose. Cool things are coming.

I want to say thank you to you my dedicated reader, whoever wherever you may be. Know that I think of you when I type these words. Each and every one of you. You guys and gals mean the world to me.

You give me purpose to write.

Thank you.

Hug a pony my friends.

PS If you get the title reference than kudos to you! If not, check out the following.

http://www.amazon.com/On-Writing-Anniversary-Edition-Memoir/dp/1439156816

Workday

/ Codefreak / Leave a comment

I took this weekend off because of a few personal things (some of which I will get to talk about) but all in all I had a great weekend. First time in a while.

One of the cooler things about my job is that I am a training store manager. This means I get to let my store and go help other people. I also get recognized for going to special events and meetings. I got chosen to go to the Diversity Leadership meeting, formerly our Women’s leadership meeting (don’t know WHY they would send my pony loving self to this meeting…..oh wait).

Still it was a good meeting with good information that I get to take back to peers and all that.

Personally, I was excited for another reason as well.

So one of the first activities the group (about 40-50 people) did was your introduction and something special about yourself. I, personally, knew exactly what I wanted to say. #Ponies4life

But I wasn’t alone.

It got halfway around the room and a wonderful young lady stood and said her introduction and told everyone “I can quote anything from MLP!”

I froze.

My group (who know me so well) all turn and point to me with cheer on their faces and wide smiles as they know how much of a fan I am. I just sat there with a big grin on my face.

When it came to my turn, I was a bit nervous. While I have been outspoken about my Bronyism with my peers and coworkers, this was a meeting at my corporate offices. Could I brave the waters that I would be treading? I was of two minds about saying something when they first asked what made us special.

But a certain fellow manager spoke out and had given me courage.

I proudly stood up and let everyone know that I had an online blog (with a wonderful readership [Thank you!!]) and that I too was a huge fan and supporter of all things Pony.

I want to say thank you to this fellow PonyGal who gave me the strength to ensure that I would stand up. You keep rocking it. It fills me with joy to know you are out there.

Hug a pony my friends.