Cancer Sticks.
January 31, 2005 3:52 a.m.

ugh, I really need to find a new job. I need a job where where my pulse isn't racing at 4am because a few bastards were mean to me and trying to keep me afraid.

Ugh...I've alluded to this a million times without actually doing an entry on it...even though I've meant to.

I'm so sick of everyone cigarette Bullshit!!!!

What is this Customer is always right bullshit? No, the Customer is Rarely right. I want that on a t shirt or a button or a sticker, something, I don't care what.

Somewhere along the lines some CEO came up with the catch pharse as a means to get more people to come to there store and spend more money...but really they don't get what it means. somewhere along the lines people started believing it....believing that no matter what they could treat people like shit and it's okay and they just have to take it...no matter how wrong they are.

We live in a world where The Man can read our email and tap our phones and search our houses,...Legally!!...they can arrest us, throw us in prision indefiantely with no charges filed....

Constitutional rights just being tossed out the window!!! And are people angry about this? NO! ...NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!

But they do get angry as hell if I take away there Non Existent right to consume. ...You don't have a right to buy! That's not written in the bill of rights. No! I can legally refuse sales to anyone I want ...of course as long as I'm not specifing a specific group to exclude. ....No. If you walk into my store...ask to buy cigarettes and can't produce ID....I don't have to sell you anything! You can get mad and curse at me and call me a bitch,...but come on...this is my job here! I don't have to sell it to you. I can deny sales to you because you cursed at me. I can ban you from my store....that is my right as a merchant. I DON'T HAVE TO SELL TO YOU!!!!

I don't have to sell you lotto tickets if I don't want to. I can refuse to sell you Anything I goddamn please.

Now...granted my corprate office might not like it...I might lose my job if I refuse to sell you gum and kick you out of my store....but the law would be on my side. You Do Not Have the Right To Buy! Honestly...when did people get in in there heads that this was a right...

and you know,...if you are one of those people that is going to throw a big fit just because you can't buy your smokes because you don't have ID,...Don't Blame Me! I'm just like you, I'm trying to keep my job. I like having money for food and rent. I don't like being unemployed being depressed and wondering where my next rent check is coming from....feeling like a failure everytime I feel like I have a good interview and not getting the job. It sucks. .....And you know...it's as much of a pain in my ass to card you as it is for you to be carded....and you know what...all you have to do is show it to me and I will smile, hand you your smokes and continue making polite converation with you...maybe even make you laugh or tell you something you didn't know before.

Keep your ID in your wallet and your money as well. Flip open your wallet...when I ask and all is good. That's no skin off your ass.

But think about me...everytime someone buys smokes from me I have to wonder....is this the person with the cops? Is this a corprate sting? Will I get fined or lose my job if I don't card this person? ....Is this someone that is going to freak out and yell at me and call me a fucking bitch because I carded them? Is this one of those people who blends into the crowd that has nothing to physically distingish them from every other 20 something guy I've seen all day? The guy that's going to curse at me for carding him everyday even though I don't reconize him. The guy that is always mean to me, rude...ignoring me...who has me so upset that I can't remember his face...the guy who comes in looking different every day...clean shaven one day....full beard and a hat the next. I can't be expected to remember everyone...and damnit! I'm better than most! I know almost everyone's names and faces, I know what the do...they are my friends. But if you yell and curse....or are ruded and disrespectful. I'm not going to ask for you name...and when I know your name, that helps me remember you!!!

"Help ME ....Help YOU! ....Help Me! Help YOU"

I live in FEAR of having to ask for ID. I'd be so happy if I only had to wait on my nice regulars or people who are definately physically looking over 30.

That's the thing....Federal LAW. If I card you....it's not that I think you look under 18,...most of the time that's not what it is.....IF YOU LOOK UNDER 30 I HAVE TO CARD YOU!!! Not under 18, under 30.

Yeah...I know, it's a stupid bullshit law and i don't think it is helping the problem...but that's out of my control ....Write Your Congress person! ..Say, "Hey. I think this Law that says I have to look over 30 or be carded is bullshit. Go and change this law or I'm going to vote for someone who will" ...now maybe one letter won't make a difference...but if everyone I've seen get angry about this issue sent a letter...something would definately get done! Seriously, I've considered typing one up and handing them out to people when they get mad about it.

but ...to go back to my original point....I was paranoid at my last job...always afraid of screwing up...getting fired...and Well...there was that job I had for a week (what the hell was that about, that place had issues) ...But ...my good job...I always thought I was on borrowed time...always thought every day would be the day they let me go. ..the point is....am I ever going to have a job that doesn't cause me to be abnormally afraid? or do I just have issues.

There's a really awesome gallery job I applied for....I hope I hear back from the, but I don't know.