To share some of the craziness that is my work life, here is a snapshot:

• Alarm goes off at 5:30am, snooze until about 6am. Get coffee, pretend I work for a viable firm, and log onto the computer.
• Check FB, email, and pretend I really don’t need to log onto the banks to see that we don’t have enough money.
• Log onto the work bank accounts to move money around to cover payroll and assure there are no bounced checks.
• Notice we have $12k in the general account, but are overdrawn $22k in the payroll account. I also notice my payroll check is one of the checks that is flagged to bounce. I transfer the $12k, knowing we will pay the smallest checks first to avoid nsf fees (which, in itself, is hilarious to me – we pay about $3,000 a month in NSF fees), and think how a bounced payroll check will mess up my budget.
• I log onto the other bank account and see that there is not enough to cover the $10k deficit. I look back at the payroll account and see more checks have been presented. Now reaching a $15k deficit.
• I realize that the owner just paid his buddy for the loan, one that really is “not essential” as he doesn’t report to credit bureaus and, quite frankly, all money needs to really go to payroll or food for business. This payment is for several thousand dollars and hurt us tremendously, but the owner didn’t “want to look bad or admit to his friend that we are having a short financial crunch”. Um, short? Well, I think, he will find out soon enough when his check bounces.
• I write an email to the boss, which I do every morning, listing the expected checks that will bounce as well as the expected COD shipments scheduled for the day. The deficit for the day is around $37k.
• I attached the ongoing list of IRS/EDD/SBOE debt that is past due FOR THIS YEAR ONLY, reminding the owner that any one of these entities can and probably would levy our accounts again (at least) or shut us down (at worst). This amount is over $800k. He says not to worry. I envision IRS officers storming the location where I work and wonder if they will have real bullets in their guns.
• I arrive at the office and already see the war wounds on the AP Bookkeeper, who has to field calls from angry vendors. The latest? One that was promised $17k from the boss and wants to pick up the cashiers check. I take the call, inform the vendor that unfortunately I cannot get the cashier’s check as there are not enough funds in the bank. He asks for a check and I respond, “well, I COULD write you a check, but it will bounce. So I will not be doing that.” “But [the boss] promised!” I hear. I say, “well, I am sorry. The reality of the situation is we cannot act on that promise.”  I think he may have cussed at me at that point…….
• We receive about 20 calls indicating the boss told vendors that he was getting a loan and “would bring their account up-to-date”. Unfortunately, said loan has not appeared, I have no idea if it really will appear, and if it did we would not be able to meet those promises. You see, the loan is for $1mil, of which $100k goes right to the boss. Rumor on the street is that he is also planning to use about $200k to open a new location in Las Vegas. And remember the IRS/EDD/SBOE debt of over $800k? Doesn’t add up.
• On a side note, I remind the boss that he promised me $900k from the loan and I am concerned that several key people have shared about his supposed need for the LV money. He tells me that is not true, he only “needs a little”. I ask for the exact amount I will be getting. He doesn’t answer. I send the IRS/EDD/SBOE list again and tell him what vendors are telling me he is saying and that it will be impossible to pay anything towards their debt and that I am concerned he is setting up expectations with so many and that so many will be very angry when it doesn’t happen. I remind him that we get yelled at all day and that this is like putting gas on a fire. No response.
• I receive a call from our tax advocate, who was hired to negotiate the over million dollar debt we owe IRS/EDD for previous years. (That is for withholding taxes, not income taxes). She reminds me that she can’t negotiate as long as we continue not to pay. I tell her the boss won’t flag it and really, we don’t have the money anyway.
• The boss calls and tells me how sales are up and everything is hunky dory! He has been in the business all his life and we are the best locations in the world. I stare at the ceiling as he continues with his daily pep talk.  The office phone rings and I am being flagged – it’s an angry vendor who wants to talk to me.  I flag them to hold and continue to stare at the ceiling as the boss’s version of things unfolds in my ear.
• I receive another collection letter from an attorney, add it to the stack, and write an email to the boss indicating another lawsuit is in order.
• I print out the new Worker’s Comp policy for the boss to sign, along with the letter declaring we have been in violation of the law since he didn’t think to get coverage for the new locations he opened at the beginning of the year, under his second company name. He said it’s not a big deal.  I write a check for the deposit, knowing it will bounce, and set it aside to mail.
• I go home and the cycle begins the next day.

Sigh. Gina out!

So here are some observations that have occurred over the last few weeks:

• I pretty much walk to two banks my work uses each day.  Since I am dealing with business accounts, I stand in the Merchant line instead of the LONG line at one of the banks.  However, merchants often take longer than consumers so the shorter line might prove to be deceptive.  One day a man was ahead of me and was doing business on his cell phone.  He walks up to the teller, stayed on the phone, and then asked for a deposit slip!  Now, maybe its just me, but I get my deposit slips or withdrawal slips ready BEFORE I get to the teller!  But anyway, he KEEPS talking on the phone throughout the whole transactions; picture him balancing his cell phone as he tries to fill out the deposit slip and add the checks he is depositing…….while loudly talking on the phone (which seemed to echo off of the security plexiglass).  It was a LONG wait day and just made me shake my head a bit…….
• During my walks, I have to cross a major thoroughfare (I have mentioned the dangers of crossing in previous posts!).   Invariably, the following happens: I get to the crosswalk and push the button for the signal.  Even if someone who is walking up SAW me push the button, they usually walk in front of me and push the button again.  And the cycle continues as each new person walks up (even if they’ve already seen 5 people push the button).  OCD at its finest.
• This one makes me laugh a bit!  I usually get one woman at the bank who I confuse when I ask for multiple cashiers checks.  Since the form needed assumes you need one cashiers check, I usually write *see list*, which I provide with the form.  EVERY time I get this teller, she goes through the process and asks, “You want the cashiers check made out to see list?”  I am THIS close to saying, “are you serious???”

That’s all I have today.  Lots going on but don’t have the energy to write about it!

G

So I accomplished a lot this weekend; FINALLY finished my office – I am now officially unpacked!  Woohoo!  In fact, I am typing this post from the comfort of my desk, sipping my morning coffee, and enjoying my split-screen set-up!  Yes!

So, one of the amazing bennies of living where I do is that “the outdoors” are much more pleasant to deal with.  Unfortunately, SCV is often too hot to enjoy much more than the swimming pool.  However, although it WAS pretty warm this weekend, it was workable.  We got to go kayaking through Naples, which is a gorgeous island of sorts off the Long Beach Marina.  That was AWESOME and great exercise, too!  Then we hung out on 2nd Street to take in the community and also I was able to get my hair cut.  We checked out a sandcastle contest that was pretty cool and then we did some shopping.

Yesterday, I spent a lot of my time unpacking the office, but DID find time to ride my bike down to 2nd Street for more fun.  I didn’t realize there are so many hills in LB!  🙂  But it was fun and again, more great exercise.  I LOVE IT!

I hope these activities are easily incorporated into the fall and winter as well!

Gina OUT!

For those of you who have been readers of this blog for a while, you may remember how I shared living and working in the SCV and The Valley were very different than the good ol’ OC.  Well, now that I reside in beautiful Belmont Heights/Long Beach, I would like to articulate how different THESE part are!

However, first I’d like to mention that today is my Grandma Minard’s Birthday – if she were still with us, she would have turned 91 today.  However, the Good Lord thought fit to call her home in May 1999, so it’s been a while since she has blown out any candles.  I miss her SO MUCH and will be smiling all day thinking about all the wonderful memories I have about and with her.  I LOVE YOU GRANDMA!

Okay, so I still work in the Valley, and due to problems at work, now WALK to two banks every morning there as well.  Crossing a major street in the Valley is VERY dangerous!  But that calls for a different post in itself!  ANYWAY, you may remember I said – in general – Valley peeps are impatient, rude, drive like crazy people, and THE TRAFFIC FREAKING STINKS!  If you run into a nice person on the street, the first thought is to beware as they are either crazy or about to rob you.

However, there are VAST differences I’ve noticed so far in LB.  First of all, everyone seems overall laid back.  Not as much impatience, cars don’t freak out and rush forward if you dare to put your blinker on the change lanes, and the sort.  People actually say HI when they pass by walking on the street and may even add, “Have a nice day!”

And the neighbors?  In the SCV, no one talked to each other.  You could walk by and they wouldn’t even look at you.  Once I said hello and was looked at like I was crazy.  (maybe they work in the Valley, too!)  But here, about 12 neighbors have come over, introduced themselves, offered help, etc.  There are A LOT more people who walk, ride their bikes, etc. and everyone interacts.  It is glorious.

So, what have I deduced from this?

1)  The ocean must be better for personalities than smog!

While the reason I moved was not the most relaxing, I am thankful that things worked out the way they did!  I am less than a mile from the ocean, love my neighborhood and neighbors, my new landlord rocks, and it all rocks.  So I am thankful AND becoming less uptight (AKA “de-vally-ized”) with each day!

Now, if you wouldn’t mind praying with me that my payroll check will clear……..

I am not sure what to post, and I know it’s been a while.  I have started a few and never posted them…..yeah, the lifestyle of the unmotivated!

We moved successfully, if not with a few bumps, and are now settling in nicely.  Kenny LOVES being so close to the beach!  We rode there one night and it was AWESOME!  The kids love that there is a huge olympic pool right on the beach, too.  So that part is awesome.  This is also a very nice neighborhood – quiet and about 10 neighbors stopped by to welcome us.  Even Gracie is loving it!

I am sad to report that all my complaints about Du-par’s before were NOTHING compared to the crud that is happening now.  Each day I become a bit more weary with the shenanigans that go on and the unrealistic optimism I feel I am supposed to display when being basically yelled at throughout the day from people who want money.  The biggest group of these people, lately, are the check cashing places trying to collect on bounced payroll checks…….sheesh.  But even worse, the “golden child” of the firm, who the President loves, treats us the worse and I am really getting tired of it.  Sigh.

Hey, if there are any labor lawyers out there – I have a question.  We have an internal policy (aka the President said so….) that we NEVER process a workman’s comp claim because, if we have no claims, then we get a dividend back from our insurance.  One person said they hurt their leg and has been off for about 6 weeks.  The President has paid several bills, including for an MRI, and we have been paying their salary when off, but the employee feels as though more needs to be done and is tired of the President telling him that “he does not have a workman’s comp claim”.  I have raised my concerns, too.  However, the President claims that we have a right under California law that says we can treat “first aid” without filing a claim.  If a person has been off work for 6 weeks, has had about 6 doctors appointments including an MRI, and such…….is that considered first aid?  What are the requirements for filing a workman’s comp claim?  The President says, “well, we could file it, but they would just deny it because this injury would be rejected.”  Said President is NOT a doctor……..so if anyone knows, let ME know!

Okay, I must get ready for work.  I will write again, I am sure!

Gina OUT.

By Journey LIVE, with Steve Perry and I was actually a paying fan of this band thankyouverymuch!  Gotta love the hair……

by Willy Porter.  If you’ve never heard him, you should check him out – he’s an amazing guitarist and performer.

By Sugarland, Little Big Town, and Jake Owen.

Love this……and will be listening to it as we finalize our move!

So, basically, this is another rant about life and my strong opinions.  So, if you’ve read this blog more than once, this is going to be old news for you and you’d best go onto your next site!  🙂

• It’s beyond me how people think they are NOT being rude when they leave their grocery cart behind your car!  My parking lot at work is a crazy one; there’s a McDonald’s, a Trader Joe’s, and other smaller stores, not to mention Du-par’s.  Parking is an issue, and many spots are very narrow.  Alas, one day I am coming out to leave from work and a young, fit lady was putting her cart behind my car.  When I walk up to put my stuff in the back of the car, I thought that’d be enough for her to move it.  Nope.  Then I had the GALL to ask her to take her cart, as she was obviously wrapping up her stuff and heading to the driver’s seat.  She looked at me with shock, was obviously appalled that I would suggest such a thing, and told me that the parking places were too close and she didn’t want to walk the cart back to Trader Joe’s.  I said, “Seriously?”  She said yes and got in her car.  Well, yes 2.78 readers, once she got in her car, I pushed the cart from behind my car to behind hers and got in my car.  I have never seen so many F-word chains and middle fingers in my life.  And I wonder, was it REALLY my responsibility to take back the cart??????  My decision – NO.  Her decision – YES, and I was therefore a {fill in the blank}.
• I have been amazingly blessed by FaceBook and the dozens of connections I’ve made with people that  would have otherwise remained as memories to me OR whom I’d only see every 10 or so years at reunions.  In fact, I have forged friendships with some that weren’t really close to me during high school, and that is awesome!  But there are also interesting, and perhaps negative aspects of FB as well.  This springs up a lot during shows like American Idol and the like – people on the East or Central time zones post status updates such as “I can’t BELIEVE Adam is in the bottom three!” when us poor West Coast people scream “NO!”  Some try to be nice and say, “Hey, don’t spoil the ending for us PDT peeps!”, while others are much more direct.  Sadly, I have seen 90% of the time the “guilty” people get ‘tude when called on their actions.  This recently happened to me as well; someone made mention to something that happened in Harry Potter’s latest movie, which I guess occurred in book 6.  I called her on it, I guess nicely, and she said oh no, you could tell it was heading that way, the way this happened in book 2 bladda bladda.  When I said, “wow, you’re assuming I have even gotten that far!  Maybe I am on book 1!  So seriously, you ruined a plot that has been building for over 4 books!  Thanks!”  And her response?  “You are SO behind, shame on you!”  Is that really an excuse for putting on FB the ending of a 6 or 7 book series?  COME ON PEOPLE, SPOILERS SUCK!  And for those of you that are my FB friends who live in non-Pacific time zones who habitually put the results of shows such as American Idol up, I have removed you from my live feed…….just saying……
• I won’t grumble about this next piece too much as this economy has done SO MUCH to so many people and my frustration seems petty in comparison.  I have lived in my present home for 4 months.  When I applied for it, I said I had a dog and also, due to circumstances I won’t list here, had other items that made me an “good” tenant instead of a “stellar” tenant.  Primarily due to the dog, I was asked to provide a two month deposit.  So, basically, within 48 hours I had to come up with three month’s rent.  It was harrowing.  It was stressful.  It sucked.  But, thanks be to God, I managed it and here I am today.  So it is a bit frustrating to realize that, at the point that Mr. Owner Dude, -who asked this ALMOST impossible thing of me – was doing this, he was already in default on his mortgage.  He had already stopped paying it, had already been threatened with foreclosure, had already had a good indication that he would be losing his house.  He knew my 12 month lease and my lease payments were just gonna be gravy for him and that he would never have to access or even USE the deposit, as he knew he would be losing the house.  And that is fine, I HAVE enjoyed living here the 4 months I have.  However, I am VERY thankful Mr. Owner Dude never had access to my two month deposit, nor that I will ever meet him face-to-face.  (On a side note, I am sad to report that two other condos on our street have been foreclosed on this past week, too.  This is sad proof that many are still struggling during this recession.)
• On that note, I have some real life feedback on people’s responses to problems.  For example, I first learned of the problem Mr. Owner Dude was having when a notice of auction was posted on my front door.  It stated that the property I was leasing was going up for auction on 7/16.  I mentioned this at work, and a person who might own a business first responded by saying, “Oh good, you should buy it!”  Wow.  Okay, let me just say, when you are living in a house valued at $5Million, can take thousands of dollars out of your firm at any time without accounting for the funds OR paying taxes for them, inherited vast amounts of assets, yet cannot even do the bare minimum required by law in the state your business runs……maybe you shouldn’t say to your employee whose paycheck probably will bounce this Friday  “oh good, you should buy it!”.  Oh, and this whole bullet point is fiction, if you were wondering…..RIGHT.

Okay, the bitch-fest is over.  Not sure I feel better, but at least this has been updated, right?

Check out the dirty fun here.  We had a blast and I was only sore for a couple days.  🙂