2005 was crap.

As some of you know, 2005 was a pretty damned horrible year for me for innumerable reasons - those close to me know what those reasons are and I shan't be entering into them here, but needless to say 2006 could not arrive swiftly enough. As the clock struck twelve on new year's eve I decided that come hell or high water I was gonna get things back on track again and wrestle back the control of where my life was heading by doing things that I wanted to do - my way.

About 2 weeks ago my good friend Simon (who was also my manager at my record store job previous to TK Maxx) had phoned me asking me if I was interested in attending an open day for a new state-of-the-art, 11 screen multiplex cinema that is due to open in town on March 20th. Considering just how awful my job had become since Christmas, I jumped at the chance. I could spend quite some time here writing up all the crap i've put up with at TK Maxx, along with the humorous asides relating to how I used to regularly serve up a cold side platter of sarcasm at the newly-installed boss, but he doesn't deserve any more of my personal sacrifice, so screw him.

So, back to the cinema openday. it was held in the town hall, and we filled out application forms, and were then led into a side room in groups of five for what i'd guess would be called a focus group. We were introduced by a manager of another cinema branch to the new manager and assistant manager, and told a little about the company. they are called Cineworld, and are the fastest growing cinema chain in the UK, and are looking to branch out into Europe.

We were eash asked to tell them a little about who we were, and give them some background info. The first two people in the group seemed completely disinterested to the point of sheer apathy - which i'm sure did them no favours whatsoever. I can talk the tail off a donkey so did my thang with some zeal, and the remaining three of us seemed to come across well - enough to leave a lasting, positive impression I felt - which I guess is what it's all about. They thanked us for attending, and said that we would all hear by Monday evening if we were going to be called back for the secondary, (more formal) interview process.

5pm last Saturday, I got the callback - would I like to attend an interview at 5pm on Wednesday? would I ever! at this point, I should mention some of the 'perks' of the job - free admission for myself and two others at any time when not working, if I work past 11pm, they will pay for a taxi home - add into this that they seem to genuinely care about their staff, their welfare and training it made TK Maxx look decidedly lacklustre.

Wednesday couldn't come quick enough but finally came around, and I informed my boss at TK Maxx that I had a doctor's appointment and as such, would be leaving work early at 4pm. normally each days delivery is processed by myself (it shouldn't be, but it is) but the preceeding days delivery had backed-up with 2 unprocessed cages due to the depot sending out hundreds of small boxes of glassware that should have only arrived wrapped in bubblewrap. So to unpack, price and process all of that was taking some considerable time. by the time I left on wednesday, there were those 2 cages as well as 5 pallets of stock still left to process. The boss can't say he wasn't warned, as I had told him numerous times when he started to make sweeping changes that it would only take one problem for it all to come crashing down around his ears. I prided myself on having that stockroom organised and tidy prior to his arrival, and he screwed the lot up. (I'd already handed my notice in the week before, but had been persuaded to stay, only because he knew he was screwed without me - and I told him as much to his face).

I raced home, washed, changed and made my way to the local film studios where the interviews were being held. Arriving 15 minutes early, I composed myself and thought through a few things I was going to say.

The interview was held by the Assistant Manager whom I had met on the open day, and the Area Manager. I made sure to use the Assistant Manager's name as I thought this may impress that I had remembered her. The interview itself was lo-key, relaxed and chatty - although still quite formal. I didn't feel that nervous and felt pretty damned composed and 'up' if the truth be known, so I guess my enthusiasm showed, and my feedback about previous job positions and their responsibilities etc played out well. The Area Manager asked me about my previous experiences with regards Assistant Managerial and Supervisory roles, and informed me that they would be looking for people with my experience to take up such roles at cineworld, and asked me: 'do you think you would be interested in such a position?' of course i would, i'd love to!

Chantelle (the Assistant Manager)asked if I had any problems with the uniform to which I quipped: 'as long as you don't expect me to dress up like a giant box of popcorn I don't think we'll have any problems there' to which they both laughed which was cool. =D

They asked me if I had any questions of my own, which I did, one of them being when would they be contacting applicants regarding the outcome of their interviews, and they told me that they would be doing so by the end of trade on Friday - and that they would be contacting everybody they had spoken with to let them know either way. The interview ended with the Area Manager saying it had been a pleasure meeting me, and that he'd really enjoyed our 'chat' - so I left there on a high knowing it had gone really well. However, due to the volume of people who applied (their were 60 jobs going in all), I didn't want to think I had it in the bag - I don't know about you, but more often than not I find a little pessimism keeps disapointment at bay.

Long, long, loooonnng story short (too late!) I got the call yesterday, offering me the job. I'm SO psyched! needless to say i've not been back to TK Maxx (ironically have a few days off with accrued holiday, and due back next wednesday) so shall be handing in my one days notice (one day due to being on a 3-month temp contract which I wasn't going to renew regardless of getting the Cineworld job) So, let's see how the boss handles things now it's HIS responsibility. As far as I'm concerned there, I felt he severley hampered and compromised my position as Stockroom Manager and he made his bed so he can lie in it.

So.... things are finally looking up, 2006 has started off on a good footing, new challenges, new experiences, and I finally feel like i've taken control of my ship again and I'M the one steering it into clearer waters.

Induction is on the 7th, and I start my employment with them on the 20th - one month of training prior to opening. So I have a couple of weeks off to recharge too!

Go me.

good for you! that's excellent news. sounds like a fun gig!!!!

Thats great news nana!

too many words, I guess it's all good....

buy me a beer when in London.....

abierman said:

Read the thread dammit!

REDFEATHERS said:

hey, I'm still wearing my undies only....

abierman said:

I might do, I might not - that all depends if you read all my wordy words

BananaCologne said:

you tell him!

abierman said:

why not just take them off, and join me in a glass of wine?

REDFEATHERS said:

Well, he'll do anything for a beer - ain't that right dude?

BananaCologne said:

anything????

REDFEATHERS said:

Ask me again in a few weeks

BananaCologne said:

Well done anyway! So are you out celebrating tonight?

Congrats!

Hurray for free movies! (to show I actually read it all)

HamsterHuey said:

--> nana <-- Huey

REDFEATHERS said:

Ignore her protestations Herman, she only wants me for my tongue

BananaCologne said:

Your Pringles Tongue!

REDFEATHERS said:

What can I say, It's made many a man happy

BananaCologne said:

What about me?????

REDFEATHERS said:

Whataboutchu?

BananaCologne said:

I’m not a woman
I’m not a man
I am something that you’ll never understand

REDFEATHERS said:

I'm not your lover
I'm not your friend
I am something that you'll never comprehend

http://www.bluemoontalent...rvello.wmv

go 'Nana!

BananaCologne said:

You’re just a sinner I am told
Be your fire when you’re cold
Make u happy when you’re sad
Make u good when u are bad

dawntreader said:

BananaCologne said:

Go Nana...Go Nana GOOOOO!!!!!