I don't feel like sitting here all night tonight, so this might me quick. Or it might not.

New hire in the deli started yesterday. (Actually, she's worked in the store for a while, but just transfered to the deli this week.)

Training her reminds me very much of myself six months ago. I understand exactly how she feels when she asks, for the third time in an hour, with apologetic embarrassment, "I know you told me earlier, but what's that code for sandwiches again?"

Stayed an hour beyond what I was scheduled tonight, partly trying to help her with her chores (and teach and answer questions), and partly finishing my own because everything was so damn busy that we were all running behind.

Though I was supposed to have been gone at 2200, I felt guilty when I finally left this newbie behind at 2310, with hopefully enough info for her to be able to finish by around midnight, when she was scheduled to get off.

I almost contemplated doing something that various others have been known to do at times, but which I have steadfastly refused to do myself out of principle as well as practicality: Clock out, and return to help get stuff done "off the clock." Almost.

She still had a fair amount to do, but I think it was mostly under control.

Through this, I also come to understand how those who were training me must have felt the first few nights I did the closing shift as a clueless newbie. They wanted to help me as much as possible, but they also needed to get home, and management does not exactly smile on overtime if it is not deemed absolutely urgently necessary. (Apparently, training time isn't factored into the budget, even though it should be.)

Oh well. So much for brevity.

Another thing though. I found that I was actually enjoying my job more when given the opportunity to teach it to someone else. It's almost vaguely analagous to the fulfillment I felt when working at the preschool. There's a joy that comes from imparting knowledge, even if that knowledge, in and of itself, is dull or meaningless. I suppose it also doesn't hurt to have a bright and enthusiastic pupil, as is the case here. I feel like I have a new little sister at work now. :)

...

This morning, I woke up and watched The Matrix Revisited again. (The exhaustive documentary about the making of the film that spawned this great legacy.) Amazing all over again. I love what the Wachowski Brothers did with that movie.

Before Thursday night, I intend to subject myself to original classic in all its grandeur again. I'm due for another viewing anyway.

On that note, I did successfully manage to acquire a ticket to the Thursday showing of The Matrix Reloaded at 1900 MDT. w00t!

...

Meandering back to another semi-related topic... I'd like to share a revelation that I've had. (Quoting Agent Smith out of context, I am.)

Not too long ago, I stated that when confronted with difficulties and trials, on the job or elsewhere, I often found myself adhering to the tried and true philosophy passed down to us by the sages long past. Whenever you aren't sure what to do, ask the simple question: WWXD. What would Xena do?

Recently, I have realized that in my current circumstances, attempting to follow this ideal has been a grave mistake. By asking this question of myself whenever I confronted with a difficult customer, or problems dealing with superiors, I have unwittingly doomed myself to utter failure. Now, I have seen my mistake.

What would Xena do if some rude idiot walks up to the counter and starts hollering, interrupting while one is dealing with other customers, making impossible demands, and being a general all around asshole?

Depending on the day of the week, Xena would: a) knock them out cold, b) pinch their nose and say "Be nice", c) throw out a wittily apropros insult, or, when worse comes to worse, d) chakram action!

Obviously, when working in customers service, if one has any intention of of keeping one's job for any duration of time (an assumption which I admit might be questionable in my case), none of these approaches is going to win any merits.

I had been looking at it all wrong! I now only recently have realized the only truly correct maxim to follow can be summarized with a different set of letters: WWGD.

Any guesses what it means? (Highlight the text below if you're stumped.)

Brevity. Do I have it tonight?

Emphatically, no.