The closest store we have to a department store here is the KMart in Chippewa Falls. I went there to find bird seed the other day for my cockatiels and picked up one that was 40% off. After going through the register and then realizing that I didn't get the 40%, I went to the customer service counter where a woman was waiting in front of me. I guess they were short clerks and the one they called wasn't showing up so the manager came up and started helping those who were supposed to go to the next line even though they showed up way after me. It was extremely annoyed.
The woman in front of me was taking forever so the whole wait wasn't worth the amount and I just left. I wasn't happy. It happened the same day I gave my burrito to my son and went without dinner that night. lol
I used to not complain about such things but I've found that people are getting more rude by the year. I'm just not going to put up with it any longer.
I don't really blame KMart because the poor guy was just blasted by all the hungry shoppers that day. He could have asked if I was waiting in line for an actual customer service issue instead of shopping though. The problem I had were with the rude women who just clamored at the desk to get their things purchased. How rude they were.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Operations Supervisor in Eau Claire
Barnes and Noble is hiring an Operations Supervisor for their college bookstore. The ad claims to be in Eau Claire. I wasn't even aware the was a Barnes and Noble in Eau Claire. I used to love going to the one in California.
Apply for it here.
Apply for it here.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Taco John's in Chippewa Falls
I should have figured something was wrong with a place when they offered tater tots with Mexican food. UGH
I accidentally ordered the wrong thing because their menu isn't very clear. I got some gross meat and potato burrito. What's worse? The last time we went they forgot my guacamole. So, this time he told me he'd give me a freebie guac on the side. We get home. There's no guacamole AGAIN.
So, I won't be going there again. Just like the McDonalds here, I've had it. There's two places I won't return to because every time I go they never get the order right. They offered to correct it but I didn't get it. I think you might remember the Chippewa Falls McDonald's saga. After messing up my order I sent them a letter and whoever wrote back to total defense and was extremely RUDE about the whole thing and didn't even offer to make amends.
Now Wendy's is a place I'll go back to. When the lettuce in my salad at Wendy's was a little icky looking and I didn't notice until I got home they sent me a coupon to exchange the salad without even asking me to come back. That's service and that's where I'll go from now on.
Now it's too late for me to go get dinner and I'm not eating that gross meat and potato burrito. I mean, I admit to accidentally ordering it, but they should really fix their menu so it's easier to read.
I accidentally ordered the wrong thing because their menu isn't very clear. I got some gross meat and potato burrito. What's worse? The last time we went they forgot my guacamole. So, this time he told me he'd give me a freebie guac on the side. We get home. There's no guacamole AGAIN.
So, I won't be going there again. Just like the McDonalds here, I've had it. There's two places I won't return to because every time I go they never get the order right. They offered to correct it but I didn't get it. I think you might remember the Chippewa Falls McDonald's saga. After messing up my order I sent them a letter and whoever wrote back to total defense and was extremely RUDE about the whole thing and didn't even offer to make amends.
Now Wendy's is a place I'll go back to. When the lettuce in my salad at Wendy's was a little icky looking and I didn't notice until I got home they sent me a coupon to exchange the salad without even asking me to come back. That's service and that's where I'll go from now on.
Now it's too late for me to go get dinner and I'm not eating that gross meat and potato burrito. I mean, I admit to accidentally ordering it, but they should really fix their menu so it's easier to read.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
School Software Consultant
CESA is hiring a school software consultant. I have no idea what the pay is. For more information, click here.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Traffic and Speeding on N aka Elm Street
I live on Elm Street so I'm no stranger to the horrible traffic. I really worry about kids around the neighborhood because people drive so fast it's terrible.
Would you folks please learn how to slow down? Just because the speed limit increases to 55 down the road doesn't mean you can travel at that speed before then. It's still a residential area.
Would you folks please learn how to slow down? Just because the speed limit increases to 55 down the road doesn't mean you can travel at that speed before then. It's still a residential area.
Technical Support Specialist
BigDotOfHappiness.com in Menomonie is hiring a Technical Support Specialist. The list of qualifications is long and supposedly the job pays between $40K to $60K. It looks like more of an IT job than a Tech Support job though. What do I know? I've only worked in the industry for 20 years. For more information Go here.
The State's Alcholol Problem
Well, this article in the Chippewa Herald is no surprise. When you have an average of two bars per block in each downtown area of each city and then some, I think we do have a real problem.
Perhaps it's trying to keep warm in the cold or maybe it's trying to stay trendy with your friends. Maybe it's boredom because there is nothing else to do. All I see are people wasting what little they make here and trying to drown their problems in a glass of booze.
Think about it, do we really need so many bars? In downtown Chippewa Falls alone, I can think of at least 4 bars within just a few blocks from each other and the the blocks aren't that long. Heck, we even have two neighborhood bars on either side of the hill.
So, I think they're right and it is a problem. Where to stop it? I have no clue. I stopped social drinking after I turned 21 because it was no longer fun to sneak into the bars. Unfortunately for many, it's not as easy.
Perhaps it's trying to keep warm in the cold or maybe it's trying to stay trendy with your friends. Maybe it's boredom because there is nothing else to do. All I see are people wasting what little they make here and trying to drown their problems in a glass of booze.
Think about it, do we really need so many bars? In downtown Chippewa Falls alone, I can think of at least 4 bars within just a few blocks from each other and the the blocks aren't that long. Heck, we even have two neighborhood bars on either side of the hill.
So, I think they're right and it is a problem. Where to stop it? I have no clue. I stopped social drinking after I turned 21 because it was no longer fun to sneak into the bars. Unfortunately for many, it's not as easy.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Eau Claire Paying Its New Employee $92K While Cutting Other Jobs
I don't get this. Eau Claire is cutting five jobs and opening two new ones, one of which pays almost $100,000 per year. Now, where I come from originally that is a good salary to pay an IT manager or programmer at a high tech company. I'm sure the government jobs pay a little less. In wisconsin we pay our IT people are ridiculously low $14.00 per hour or less and a the manager a few dollars more. I wonder how many $15.00 per hour IT jobs and others they will close to support this $100,000 per year position?
They claim they're going to take it out of the property taxes so whenever this guy gets a raise either your tax might go up or someone else gets fired because how can the County pay someone that much when the wages for others are so low? In order to raise money for government officials you must raise taxes somewhere because that's where the pay comes from.
So, those who make very little don't have to pay into the state or federal system except with their blood, sweat and tears. Then the ones in the middle must take the burden because they don't have a lot of write-offs. The wealthy also need to pay, and they do pay a lot, but it doesn't hurt them as much as it hurts the little guy like me.
It's no wonder why there are so many people not making it here and going to the State for money. Get more and better jobs people. We all can't feed cows and work at restaurants all our lives. We need tech jobs, and I don't just mean industrial tech jobs. I mean real tech jobs like the way it used to be with Celestica, Silicon Graphics and Cray. California and Texas gives them great candidates who study other things than agriculture and they get tax deductions for doing certain things. As far as I'm concerned, Doyle chased them right out with his proposals. Bring the tech companies back and bring back good paying jobs like the person in the article will get and you'll get your high paying tax base back and companies will make more money by investments. It's common sense.
Read about the new job here.
They claim they're going to take it out of the property taxes so whenever this guy gets a raise either your tax might go up or someone else gets fired because how can the County pay someone that much when the wages for others are so low? In order to raise money for government officials you must raise taxes somewhere because that's where the pay comes from.
So, those who make very little don't have to pay into the state or federal system except with their blood, sweat and tears. Then the ones in the middle must take the burden because they don't have a lot of write-offs. The wealthy also need to pay, and they do pay a lot, but it doesn't hurt them as much as it hurts the little guy like me.
It's no wonder why there are so many people not making it here and going to the State for money. Get more and better jobs people. We all can't feed cows and work at restaurants all our lives. We need tech jobs, and I don't just mean industrial tech jobs. I mean real tech jobs like the way it used to be with Celestica, Silicon Graphics and Cray. California and Texas gives them great candidates who study other things than agriculture and they get tax deductions for doing certain things. As far as I'm concerned, Doyle chased them right out with his proposals. Bring the tech companies back and bring back good paying jobs like the person in the article will get and you'll get your high paying tax base back and companies will make more money by investments. It's common sense.
Read about the new job here.
Telecommunications Field Tech
Shawntech is hiring a Telecommunications Field Tech in Eau Claire. Interested? Visit their website here.
Bridge St. Station
There's a new diner in town and its good. Actually, I haven't been fortunate enough to go there myself, but I do know people who work there and eat there. Rumor has it the place is pretty darn good. I know they smell good because whenever I pass by I want to stop and eat. I'll review it when I get the chance to afford it.
Some people are a little wary of the prices, but who wouldn't be when the wages in town are so low. Don't complain to the restaurants, complain to your boss!
Bridge Street Station
212 N. Bridge St.
Chippewa Falls, WI
Some people are a little wary of the prices, but who wouldn't be when the wages in town are so low. Don't complain to the restaurants, complain to your boss!
Bridge Street Station
212 N. Bridge St.
Chippewa Falls, WI
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Chippewa Ford Closing
Okay, so I'm kind of annoyed at the local Ford company. I don't drive a Ford so it has nothing to do about the car. What annoys the heck out of me is why did this company close down without selling the company and offering the 40 or so employees jobs? It's not like we have an abundance of jobs in the area.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The Chippewa Herald
The Chippewa Herald is the local paper for Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. For more information visit www.chippewa.com
Garage Sale on Locust Lane
NEW ITEMS OUT TODAY...
Open Today-Tomorrow - 8am to 5pm... 3612 Locust Lane (near UBC & Presto)
IF IT'S NOT MARKED it's a quarter!!
* Baseball Cards (Two HUGE books - a couple of Long Boxes - LOTS of LOOSE
cards... MAKE AN OFFER - I just want to get rid of them!!)
* Engine Blocks ($150 for 2 of them, one on an engine stand)
* Tools - $5 to $20 ... loose tools 25 cents each or 5 for a buck!!
* 3 yr old great 35 MM Camera w/ batteries & Film
* Boy PREEMIE CLOTHES (some neutral)
* Fisher Price Jungle Climber w/ slide (OUTDOOR TOY) (interested parties
never came through) $100
OBO
* Fisher Price Wave Climber w/ slide (OUTDOOR TOY) $65
* Bouncing Horse Toy $30
* Few Baby Items
* CHILDRENS BOOKS
* Clothes Infant to size 8/10 and adult (size 16 to XXL) and such (A lot of
18m to 3T)
(not really marked - 25 cents each unless otherwise marked - added to MORE
AND
MORE)
* House Hold Stuff (Mugs out now, more being added through the day)
* Umbrella Stroller never used $5
* Knick Knacks ...
* Wedding Cake Topper
* Bride Groom Glass
* Baskets with Fake Flowers for Decoration
* FISHER PRICE LITTLE PEOPLE TOYS (More added later today)
* TUG BOAT SAND BOX (on hold)
If it's not marked, make an offer... No reasonable offer refused -
everything must go (or it's being donated) ... New stuff out each day...
Today is the last day until Next Weekend - and then it'll be a HUGE Sale!!
Open Today-Tomorrow - 8am to 5pm... 3612 Locust Lane (near UBC & Presto)
IF IT'S NOT MARKED it's a quarter!!
* Baseball Cards (Two HUGE books - a couple of Long Boxes - LOTS of LOOSE
cards... MAKE AN OFFER - I just want to get rid of them!!)
* Engine Blocks ($150 for 2 of them, one on an engine stand)
* Tools - $5 to $20 ... loose tools 25 cents each or 5 for a buck!!
* 3 yr old great 35 MM Camera w/ batteries & Film
* Boy PREEMIE CLOTHES (some neutral)
* Fisher Price Jungle Climber w/ slide (OUTDOOR TOY) (interested parties
never came through) $100
OBO
* Fisher Price Wave Climber w/ slide (OUTDOOR TOY) $65
* Bouncing Horse Toy $30
* Few Baby Items
* CHILDRENS BOOKS
* Clothes Infant to size 8/10 and adult (size 16 to XXL) and such (A lot of
18m to 3T)
(not really marked - 25 cents each unless otherwise marked - added to MORE
AND
MORE)
* House Hold Stuff (Mugs out now, more being added through the day)
* Umbrella Stroller never used $5
* Knick Knacks ...
* Wedding Cake Topper
* Bride Groom Glass
* Baskets with Fake Flowers for Decoration
* FISHER PRICE LITTLE PEOPLE TOYS (More added later today)
* TUG BOAT SAND BOX (on hold)
If it's not marked, make an offer... No reasonable offer refused -
everything must go (or it's being donated) ... New stuff out each day...
Today is the last day until Next Weekend - and then it'll be a HUGE Sale!!
Home Coming Moved at Chippewa Falls High School
The Homecoming Game is moved to Friday, September 21, 2007. The dance is now moved now September 22, 2007. These events have placed the Homecoming Week to September 17 to September 20, 2007.
More information available at http://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/
More information available at http://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/
REM by Amanda Steiger
Available at Chippewa Publishing
Rem by Amanda Steiger
When Sophie finds a broken, abandoned android in the city dump and takes him home to repair him, she is amazed at how life-like, how human he seems. His name is Rem. His programming is the most sophisticated she has ever encountered.
Why, Sophie wonders, would anyone abandon such a remarkable android?
Hungry for answers, she probes deeper into Rem's past and unearths a sordid history of abuse, betrayal and unlikely love. Against her better judgment, Sophie finds herself falling in love with Rem. When his old owner appears and tries to reclaim him, she is unwilling to give him up.
Unique among androids, Rem has the power to choose…and soon, he will have to make the most painful and difficult choice he has ever faced.
-- EXCERPT --
In her basement workshop, she laid the android on a padded table. She adjusted the bright overhead lamps and examined his damaged right eye. A spider-web of fine cracks covered the entire surface. It would need replacing. No problem, she had plenty of spares. Carefully, she cut the eye out of the socket and slid a new one into place, inserting the optic wire into the small hole in back. The color wasn't an exact match, but it was close enough that no one would be able to tell from a distance.
She wondered how he'd gotten so badly damaged. Could be that he'd just gotten old and worn out, his owners had thrown him away, then some punks had found him and trashed him for the fun of it. "Sick bastards," she muttered. Lightly, she touched the android's cheek. Though cool, it was as smooth and yielding as real skin. "Never mind. Pretty soon, you'll be as good as new."
It took a while to clean the gunk out of the deep gash in his stomach. She scraped away the worst of it with a chisel and wiped the exposed cables with a damp cloth, careful not to further damage the frayed and severed wires. That done, she took her toolkit from underneath the table, opened it, and got out a set of magnifying goggles, which she strapped onto her face and switched to the times-100 setting. She picked up a slender, pen-sized fuser and went to work.
When she finally took off the goggles and glanced at the old, battered digital clock on her wall, she was not really surprised to see that four hours had passed. Time always slipped by when she was working. She took a few minutes to get some instant soup from the kitchen before returning to her workshop, sliding the goggles back into place.
Another four hours later, she leaned back, wiped the sweat from her brow, and studied her handiwork. Not bad. All the superficial damage had been repaired. Now, all that remained was to see how much data had been left intact in his CPU. Unless his previous owner had flushed his brain before throwing him out, he might still have his old memories. A little chill of excitement ran up her spine.
© Amanda SteigerRights Reserved
Cover art by: Stella Price
Edited by: Jana J. Hanson
Proofed by: Marge Conrad
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: General
Word count: 6,600 words
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
