Another job, better rewards

Creativity is hard. It’s like a job where you have to constantly be working in order to get the results that you want. But after a while, it gets a bit better still never any easier or any harder. However, it’s all worth it in the end. So work hard and try to create something even if it’s just one sentence, one line, one beat, one note with a silly idea, etc. It’s still better than nothing.

And now the weather:
Classical Music Mashup by a variety of classical artists

~ Stacy N.

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What I learned about customer service

I've been working at a movie theater for seven months, and I've learned a lot. For example...

• Be nice to other people because you don’t know what’s going on in their life. And kindness really does go a long way.
• Compliments help.
• Keep your temper.
• Sometimes people can be pretty rude and messy and very self-entitled.
• Have a loud voice.
• Kids are generally pretty sweet, adults are occasionally tough to work with, and seniors are either angels or devils.
• Why the food at the movie theaters are so expensive is because that helps pay the workers, and that is what keeps the movie theater running in the first place. Most of the money made on movie tickets goes straight to the movie studios (hence, the reason why box office sales are so important within the movie world), very little actually goes to the movie theater itself.
• Patience can go a long way.
• Know where all the bathrooms are in the building.
• If you’re a person of color be prepared for, “where are you from?”, awkward stares, rude racist customers, and/or the occasional funny joke made from another person of color. An example would be, “so do you not serve any white customers then?” (That was actually said to me in real life).
• Be prepared for the dumbest questions, such as, “are you closed?” The answer to that should be obvious: you’re in a dark concession stand, obviously cleaning up, and there’s a sign on the counter that says: “SORRY WE’RE CLOSED, PLEASE GO TO THE OTHER CONCESSIONS STAND.” Or another obvious answer would be the fact that the building is already locked for the night, but there are still some people who demand to come in anyways.
• Don’t lash out at the customers who come in, literally, a second or two before you’re supposed to close down for the night.
• Be honest with the customer.
• Communication is key.
• Take advantage of your breaks.
• Try to help your customer out as much as you can.
• Be wary of the liars.
• Double count your money.
• Avoid doing head slams in front of the customer. No matter how much you want to because of the stupid, self-entitled, the customer is always right culture that Americans have.
• There will be a lot of mental cursing, though.
• Try to smile.
• Have thick skin because you will occasionally get really rude customers.
• Just remember that there are people who have your back (your coworkers, bosses, other customers who’ve been/are in the same position).
• Apologize, a lot.
• Avoid the urge to spit in the customer’s drink (just don’t do it all together if the customer can clearly see you filling up their drink).
• “Have a good one/day/night/afternoon!” will be your number one saying.
• Carry around more than one pen.
• Sometimes managers are your friends, sometimes they’re not. Try to be their friend anyways.
• Be patient when you’re training the new people, understand that you were in their position once.
• Try to avoid work romances (all the more awkward if you two break up).
• Remember to breathe.

Note: I have never done a few of the things listed above, such as the spitting in the drink one or engaged in a work romance. However, based on common sense and a fear of not wanting to get fired, I know better than to do that.

And now the weather:
Stressed Out by twenty one pilots

~ Stacy N.

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I'm almost twenty... in eight more months

I'm always looking up, aren't I?

I’m scared of my twenties. I’m scared of growing up, still confused and lost as ever about what I really want to do. I’m scared of being hurt and being more cynical than ever. I’m scared of financial debt and possibly crappy jobs. I’m scared of that inevitable tiredness. I’m scared of losing myself amongst all of this hopelessness, that’s found in almost every corner of the world. I’m scared of getting lost in a never ending routine that leads me to nowhere.
Yet…
I’m excited to find myself in unexpected places. I’m excited to be able to make choices that I know are right for me. I’m excited to continue to fall more in love with myself each day. I’m excited to learn more about a lot of things (feminism, English, languages, etc.) I’m excited to expand my horizon. I’m excited to continually look deep inside of myself and consciously change all of the problematic things that are still embedded deep inside of me (no matter how hard it may be). I’m excited for better changes that are actually helpful for the community. I’m excited for, hopefully, a better future, no matter how rocky that future may be.

And now the weather:
Stiches by Shawn Mendes, cover by Alessia Cara

~ Stacy N.

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Another poem about society's downfalls

This poem addresses a lot of society's downfalls such as racism, murder, fat shaming, classism, banned books, sexism, rape, and homophobia. So watch at your own risk.

 ~ Stacy N.

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Too personal for a Valentine's Day post

Photographed by Rinaldo R

I almost want to be in a relationship with someone. To get to know another person on a deeper level. To let them see the sides of me that I don’t dare show anyone. To be vulnerable with them. But I can’t, and I won’t. Because being vulnerable with someone also means accepting the risk of being hurt and thrown away. Of becoming nothing.
Which hurts.
Especially after all of this effort in starting to become something in this beautiful, crappy world. However, I now realize that no matter what kind of shit happens, I’ll always still be something. Something important on a very personal level. And I’m still trying to see that.
But it’s hard, it’s hard, it’s hard.

And now the weather:
Stars by Alessia Cara

We could be stars...

~ Stacy N.

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Letters part 2

Winter California car rides

Dear dog that I used to own,
I miss you. You were so fluffy, cute, and kind (except for when you started barking at the door whenever someone knocked). You were fun to play fetch with (though you were very attached to your tennis balls). As well as fun to go on walks with (except for that time when you rolled in your own poop).
I wish we kept you longer.
~ Stacy N.

And now the weather:
Like I'm Gonna Lose You by Meghan Trainor & John Legend: Cover by Clara C & Joseph Vincent

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Another (mini) existential crisis

Text reads: At the edge of the pond / someone who looks like me / is holding hands / with someone who looks like you. / I begin to wonder  who I am / because I don't look like me. - Zachary Schomburg
The poem is a little part of the bigger poem titled "The Pond" by Zachary Schomburg.

And now the weather:
Just Give Me A Reason by P!nk ft. Nate Ruess (Jun Sung Ahn Violin Cover ft. Sarah Park)

~ Stacy N.

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