Monday, October 9, 2006

   In which bureaucracy sucks and I fangirl.

So, I had my performance review today, and was probably the only person in the entire store who wasn't nervous. I mean honestly, what's the worst that could happen? Geez guys! Still, I made a big fuss at being called, and ended up chatting merrily with my manager, Jason. (Who is the coolest gay man on the entire freakin' planet!) He told me he wanted to give me more than a 25 cent raise, but couldn't - even though I got an exceeds expectations - because there is a chart they have to advise before they calculate your raise. In this, lies a factor in which - depending upon whether or not you were hired before or after a certain date - declares the percentage of raise. Yea, guess what? I was hired after that date! ARGH! So, instead of 50, or even 75 cents, I'm getting a measley 25 cents. Last year it was the insurance, this time around, it's the hire date. Barnes and Noble is out to fuck me over, worse than a horny, pot bellied, balding over the hiller. But, 'cest la vie. On the upside, today I met James Owen. And totally made a fool of myself. Okay, so I'd decided to stay late in order to stay for the event in store tonight. Which meant, I worked the extra hour and a half between the time I was to get out, and the twenty minutes before the event. I got a lot done. I maintained the entire Sci-Fi section, set up the stage in the Children's department for Holiday shoppers, and put up some new fixtures. When I'm all done, I trot over to the main info desk in Zone two, hair a mess, skin shiny, with a heafty sigh. This is what followed (roughly): Anthony: Hey Angelica. I thought you opened today. Me: I did, but I've been waiting all week for this event. *sigh* So, I stayed, and did a bunch of projects. I maintained all of Sci-fi, put up the kids set, and a bunch of other little things to kill time. *pointing over my shoulder* I'm gonna go clock out, so I don't miss it. Man standing by the counter: You worked a longer day just to meet an author? Me: *Naruto grin* Yep. Been waiting all week. I can't wait! Man: *turns to the man next to him* Isn't that great, James? Me: *jaw clangs to floor* ...You're James Owen? Mr. Owen: *holds out his hand* Nice to meet you. Me: Oh my God! *takes his hand and shakes vigorously* I've been waiting ALL week to meet you!!! Haha! And then...I rambled. ^#^ (Hehe…Lindz, I talked about you so much, Owen and his p.r. agent started referring to you as ‘the soul mate’. By the way, they say ‘hi’.) The coolest thing about meeting an author is getting to talk with them. If you guys are unfamiliar with James Owen (my family was - but then...they're mostly geekless. Heh.) he's the author of Here there be Dragons. Which, I highly recommend. I found out a lot of secrets about the series, and yet - there is so much I don't know. While we were talking, he said I was very insightful - 'cause I kept guessing and getting damn near close to his plans. That made me happy. So, there will be eight books in all, released one every October - Here there be Dragons is the first in the series. And they'll also be publishing the Imaginarium Geographica. Just like the Spiderwick Field Guide. Which, by the way, is beautiful! And I LOVE the Spiderwick Chronicles too! Today, I found out, that a second wave of the books were coming, and did a victory dance. I'm so happy! I can't tell you anything more of what I was told, because what I've shared is general information. But, I can't wait for the books to come out each October. I asked Mr. Owen if he'd come back to our store, even when his books take off and he gets really famous. He laughed and said, "I'll be sure to come here for each one. After all, I've never been jumped before." -#- Wahahahaha! So, I told him that was great, and that, as long as he came every year, I would too. Even if I wasn't working there anymore. I was so excited, meeting him, that I was shaking. And when he compared Charles William to Neil Gaiman, I blurted out that Gaiman was a genius. Thankfully, I didn't say what I usually say ("Neil Gaiman is God.") because he said, "I'll tell him you said that." Neil Gaiman is his friend! They hang out and stuff. How much cooler can you get?! Wai!

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