Hey everyone, not that I can stop people from going out shopping tomorrow, but if you do go out, please please PLEASE be kind to the employees. Friendly reminder that a lot of them will be missing time with their family to be there, and for a lot of places it is not an optional shift, or one that pays extra. So just be kind and respectful of the employees out there. Remember:
1. Something being out of stock is not their fault
2. Yelling never solves anything
3. No they cannot hold sale items for you
4. It’s not their fault if the store didn’t have enough of an item
5. Yes they realize how early you got there, they know this because they had to be there to serve you
6. They are not going to ruin your Christmas by not having something, just wait a bit, said item will be in stock again
7. No they cannot call another store it’s going to be extremely busy
8. They are going as fast as they can to get to everyone, please be patient
9. They realize the line is long, please do not complain to them about it
10. Do not belittle them. They do have to serve you, yes, but that does not mean you treat them like shit
Happy holidays, and be safe out there!
We decided to have a shopping day and treat ourselves after a flurry of conventions and selling our art and books. It’s so strange looking for things that aren’t cosplay related, lol, but I got myself a new outfit to go with my new natural hair <3
From my writing side: It’s Thanksgiving and on my cosplay page I started with a bizarre thanks, so I’ll start one here too. I’m thankful for the person(s) who broke into my apartment all those years ago and stole our laptops. Because of you, we were not only introduced to the delicious Keys Cafe, but it forced my partner and I to start over in the roleplay we had been doing since college. Because of starting over, we came up with the idea of “the Storyteller,” and ended up taking those rpg logs and turn them into “the Hunters” series and are now about the publish our first book, “Seeking the Storyteller.”
So thanks for being a jerk who breaks into people’s houses, because of you we got a book series going.
From my cosplay side: I’m thankful for the bully I got. I’m thankful for their ignorant remarks about my cosplay, because if not for that person, I never would’ve fried chicken in response, would’ve never written that article, and would’ve never gotten so many wonderful fans like you all. If not for such a simple minded individual I never would’ve stood up for myself and for others in such a way, so thanks internet bully, because of you I got the support of some really incredible people.
Though I guess honestly I’m thankful for fried chicken, for being so yummy and symbolic in such situations ^^
My heartfelt thanks: I’m thankful for all of you, for being here and following me. It’s really great that you take time out to comment on my posts or say things to me at conventions or send me messages. You all are terrific :) And if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving for whatever reason, you still have my thanks today and every other day for now until whenever. Thank you to all of you for being fans of me and my work. Thanks for reading what I write, for supporting my work, and just being all around great people. When the books take off and I go on Ellen and do some sort of terrible dance, I hope you’ll still be there cheering me on.
My friends and family thanks: I love you. Short and simple, because you already know <3 It’s been an interesting year with some ups and some downs, but thanks for being here for all of it. From first time book publishings, to jobs I depended on being cancelled at the last minute, you all have pretty much kept me sane through all of it, so thank you.
Black Friday/Whatever Thursday reminder: behind the cut because it’s long.
Me: Thursday morning.
Mom: O.K.
This is the conversation we had this weekend. I thought nothing of it, because my parents always ask when my conventions are, and tell me to call when I get there, ect. ect.
So imagine my surprise when there’s a knock on my door and it’s the mailman with a package from my mom? Turns out she just, randomly on Saturday, went on a shopping spree for herself… and for me. Lane Bryant was having a killer sale so she decided to just, ship me some ridiculously cute clothes!
When I got the box I thought it was more books for me to sign and ship back to her, but noooooo. So I called her and it went a little something like this:
Mom: Daughter.
Me: Mom…?
Mom: *chuckles* Yes?
Me: Uh… I have a strange question…
Mom: O.K.
Me: Did you… go out and buy me cute clothes?!
Mom: *laughs* Well… yes I did *laughs more*
It turns out my mom is feeling really motherly lately, and has decided to spoil me a bit? Uh… I don’t mind AT ALL, it’s just… I was kinda speechless. I mean she already came down for my birthday, and when the book came out, and is also going to come for Thanksgiving, just… wow! I told her that I can’t wait for this whole book thing to take off so I can just, you know, randomly mail her stuff. I’m not really the type to ask my parents for things, and my parents know that, but I guess my mom has decided to catch me off guard. Huh. I thought that when I turned 30 I’d stop shrieking into the phone like an excited when I got things from my mama ^^;;;
Here’s some pictures of the things I got. And yeah, she was asking when we were leaving for con so she could get the clothes to me in time. She got me 3 super cute shirts, 4 pairs of jeans, a pair of pants, and some really cute shoes. So not only did my mom spoil me rotten, she knows how to shop for me and gets me things she knows I’ll love
This next part isn’t posted on Facebook, because I don’t want her to see it and she doesn’t have my tumblr. I think I get where this is all coming from. I mean yeah, I’m currently unemployed because the job I was supposed to start last month got cancelled. My mom actually covered my bills for July and my unemployment went through for August, so we’re doing pretty good. I’m still looking for a job, of course, but with conventions and the book and royalty checks coming that’s also a good sign. But anyhow, I digress.
My brother’s birthday is next week, so I know she’s feeling extra motherly. On top of the fact that I just turned 30, he wasn’t here for that. He also wasn’t here for my book coming out, and just… I think it’s this quiet thing between me and her, how we don’t have to say, “I miss him,” or, “I wish he was here,” and even the normal, “He’s always here just blah blah blah,” we just… know it’s going through our minds. She flat out told me that she’d move to Minnesota if it weren’t for my uncle (they live together) Not like, right next door or anything, but at least in the same state. We don’t see each other often, but I’ve seen her a lot this year (at least for us, so far she’s been down here twice). I have this feeling she wants to be here for all of the things we’re doing (conventions, books, cosplay) and be a part of it, somehow. It’s that time of year when my brother is on our mind, so suddenly she’s been down to see me twice, really spoiled me rotten on my birthday, and now this package. I’m the only child she has now, and I can’t imagine what it feels like for her to watch me take these creative steps in my life without my brother being there to see it, too.
They had a bond that I know I wouldn’t understand. It’s not bad or anything. She had him when she was 16 and his dad wasn’t there, so the two of them sort of grew up together, you know? She had help with him, but I feel like they had this connection because she was a young, single mom who made sacrifices for him. He grew up into a fine young man, and took good care of the people he loved, and I know it’s because of her. So yeah, I think it may be hitting a bit hard, and she likes hearing me call and being like, “HOMG MOM NO WAY YOU BOUGHT ME THE THINGS!”
Since I know that some people are going to go Black Friday shopping (and maybe even “Brown Thursday” which I will never ever like, I don’t care how you try to justify it to me, stores should be closed on the holiday, period, and that includes opening at midnight because that still means the employees have to work on Thanksgiving, they have to come in and get everything set up)
Here’s some things I’d like you to keep in mind:
1. Be kind to the sales people. A lot of them are sacrificing time with their family to sell you the things you want. A lot of them don’t get a choice and are told what shifts they have to work, and have to work them for an incredible amount of hours. At my old store, every single keyholder is working 12 hours, no matter what. This is a very exhausting day for them, so please know that they are doing their best.
2. It’s not the salesperson’s fault. It’s not their fault that the lines are so long and you have to sometimes wait half an hour, or longer. It’s not their fault that they can’t get from behind the counter to help you, because there’s a ridiculous line they have to try and take care of. And most importantly, it’s not their fault if the store is sold out of the thing you want. Despite what some people may think, stores don’t come stocked with a million pieces of an item. It would be nice, yes, if they have enough Wii Us and all that for everyone in the city, but they won’t. And it’s not their fault. So please don’t take it out on them. Don’t yell at them, don’t complain about how long you’ve stood in line, don’t bitch about cutting time into your holiday to stand in line especially since these workers have cut time into their holiday to deal with your yelling. Chances are, they’ll get more of that item, and you can come back. And before you ask, no they cannot call another store to have them hold it for you, and that goes for any items on sale.
This is the first time in seven years that I don’t have to work on Black Friday, and I’m going to enjoy it. For those of you who have to work that day, just know that I feel for you, I’ve done that dance before, and I understand.
