Hey SG
I don't know why I thought about this blog but I did. I figured I'd give you an insight about what I've done in my life as far as work goes....because a lot of people don't know what I've done or do :)
I've been a retail rat for nearly 13 years now. I've dealt with it all. In between the retail jobs, I've done other things but retail has always been my main source of income....probably why I'm dirt poor lol.
Every retail job I've been at....I've been a manager. I was either hired on as a manager or started as a peon and was a manager within 2 months. It's just who I am. People see me as a leader I guess. It must be the Aries in me :)
As a manager I am laid back but rule with a iron fist (according to my employees). Work should be fun and enjoyable but don't slack off or I'll be on you :) I respect all my employees and always tell them that I am no different than them....I just have keys. People will work for you better and harder if you respect them....and they respect me. I always end up being the "favorite" manager....according to them. I am nice and courteous but I expect you to do your job. I am open for questions but don't ask me the same question 100 times because I'm not going to keep explaining something to you. I also don't feel I should have to babysit employees....if they have worked for the company long enough, then they should come to work and just get started working. If I have certain jobs for them to do, then I'll let them know. People who constantly need me to tell them what to do get on my nerves.
Lets see....first job when I was 17 was Chuck E Cheeses in St.Louis....and yes...I did have to dress up as the mouse (Because I know you were wondering lol). I started there as a peon and within 1 month became a team trainer. I am an extremely fast learner. After a month of being a team trainer I became an assistant manager. I worked at that store for a few years.
i used to write a joke of the day when i filled out the work board everyday.
Also, back to being the mouse. People seem to forget that there is a person in there...and just because the person has a suit on doesn't mean they've lost all their human rights. If you hit them...it's still assault. lol. I have been beaten up by adults in that costume....one guy even got arrested. I mean...ADULT MEN....beating up a person in a costume...just because they think it's funny. Seriously.
After Chuck E Cheese's I went to my dream job...GameStop. I was hired on as an asst manager...and then got my own store eventually. I worked for that company for 6 years. I started in St.Louis and then transferred to a store here in Vegas.....and that's when it went sour. The districts out here are NOT fond of female managers. The DMs and AMs just have this hatred towards women. I worked out here for a year and half at GameStop before literally being pushed out by the AM (area manager). He would berate me, harass me, constantly pick on me...even though my store had the most numbers than any in the district. He just wanted me gone because he didn't like me. Eventually he lied and got me fired....for something HE DID. That whole thing still upsets me and that was over 4 years ago. Even after calling HR....he eventually got fired but I still have the black mark on my record. It still haunts me because I didn't do anything wrong.
This is me working really hard at gamestop (Mind you....this is like from 2008) lol
I loved that job but honestly wish I had never moved out here if I had known the district out here was horrible...however I did meet my boo at GameStop....he was my third key....yea....I was his boss lol. (and I was married at the time too....ugh...i know. BUT we were separated so... lol) Now he is a store manager here...so I still get my free games and stuff >.<
me and my boo
we don't get out much since we both work a lot and my medical stuff has gotten pretty bad....but when we do...we like to party!
After leaving GameStop...I went BACK to Chuck E Cheese's and got hired on as an asst manager for the stores out here. I worked there only for year because I got diagnosed with MS while I was there....I was going through a hard time and the company outright REFUSED to deal with it. I couldn't work the long hours (11 hour shifts)...they didn't want to deal with my numerous doctor appointments....they even tried to fire me because of it. (which is against the law here in Nevada). Eventually I said Fuck You and just left.....
I then went to the job I am at now. Hot Topic. I love my job...and I hate it >.< The amount of stupid people that walk through the door still amazes me. I got hired on as an asst manager....I was an asst for a little over a year and then I had to step down due to my medical issues. The stress and over working myself was making me worse. I ended up in the hospital for a month. So now I'm just a peon but the employees still treat me as if I was their manager. I always tell them....I don't have control over this...I'm not your manager anymore. Hot Topic is a wonderful company. They are so understanding with my medical stuff it's amazing. They understand that there are going to be days that I'm gonna have to call in because I can't get out of bed and they have never given me any hassle. They work around my dr. appts. and everything. They are my family.
my Hot Topic family for our halloween days.
bowling together...see? family!
I find it funny that I'm very anti-social but at work....when dealing with customers....I'm super talkative and the best seller they have. I just know what people want. (maybe it's because I've been doing it for so long). But put me in a social situation with lots of people and I clam up and have anxiety attacks....it's weird.
In between doing the retail I also modeled for awhile. I started modeling when I was 18....as soon as I could. I got offered numerous magazines, including car mags, Maxim, the list goes on. I even shot for Maxim and then when I thought the spread was coming out...I found out that they had picked someone else.....it crushed me. I modeled for awhile until I had a bad experience with a photographer who was too touchy. He was a popular photographer in St. Louis and when went in to shoot with him, he was touching my breasts, back, belly(like physically grabbing them and rubbing them)....it made me so uncomfortable that I actually quit modeling until SG. Even now I still get anxious when I go to shoot with photographers I don't know....but so far all my experiences with SG photographers have been wonderful :)
Old modeling pic before all the tattoos heh
I also sell my artwork...I've even had a sculpture go into a German Museum (I used to live there). That was when I was 13 lol....LOOOOOONG time ago. I've sold paintings for diners, cafes, you name it. I've even designed tattoos for people. Sadly the art market has dropped a lot.....so I'm working on some new projects that I'm hoping will bring in some cash. I do love to draw....I just don't like restrictions of commission work. So I tend to draw what I like and then put those up for sale....someone will hopefully find them interesting. Not only do I draw but I love taking photographs. Now....all my schooling has been for film photography so I'm still learning all the digital stuff. But I love natural light and playing with the non-conventional stuff.
some old drawings (like 10 years old)
newer drawing
self portrait my dark side and light side
newer painting
self portrait to show my photography
I guess that's about it....hopefully that will give you a little insight on me outside of the house and SG.
XoXo
Mara
Check out my latest set and lets make it the one!! The White Room