Jan 8, 2024 22:11:08 GMT iron maiden said:

Jan 8, 2024 22:00:13 GMT iNCY said:

Et tu iron maiden ?

I live in Canada. I like getting sick and not bankrupted in one fell swoop. 

Okay, that doesn't make you a socialist though... Unless you think that everyone should be paid the same regardless of their work ethic or skills.

Isn't that just being a developed country.

<_< Well minus 1...

Jan 9, 2024 0:43:25 GMT iNCY said:

Jan 8, 2024 22:11:08 GMT iron maiden said:

I live in Canada. I like getting sick and not bankrupted in one fell swoop. 

Okay, that doesn't make you a socialist though...

Not according to my congressman.

I work at a liquor store and actually get along well with my customers. What pisses me off is when my fellow coworkers tell me: "You're too helpful with the customers."

Allow me to explain: When a customer asks for a particular wine, liquor, etc, I go out of my way to check and see if we carry the product. If we do not have it, I check to see which other store has it. I tell customers what the product tastes like, what food it goes well with, what type of grapes does a blend use?

Some people in my store tell me that I am wasting the customers time by being too helpful. I ask them "How am I wasting peoples time when I am answering their questions?" I swear some of the people at my work just dont care about customers.

That's dumb. What is 'too helpful'? How asinine. If you go out of your way for a customer, they are more likely to come back and spend more money there.

I go to my local Wine and Beyond to talk gin with the guy there and value and appreciate his insight because we have similar tastes and he is very knowledgeable and will go out of his way for me. I have 4 liquor stores blocks from me but drive 15 minutes to his store because of this.

Jan 9, 2024 18:15:20 GMT iron maiden said:

That's dumb. What is 'too helpful'? How asinine. If you go out of your way for a customer, they are more likely to come back and spend more money there.

I go to my local Wine and Beyond to talk gin with the guy there and value and appreciate his insight because we have similar tastes and he is very knowledgeable and will go out of his way for me. I have 4 liquor stores blocks from me but drive 15 minutes to his store because of this.

Exactly! I literally told my boss that if one more person told me I was too helpful, I was going to punch them in the face. I was half joking with him, but still...

I once saw a coworker of mine get asked if there was a particular vodka we had in stock. She told him: "What you see is what you get". I was quite satisfied hearing her get chewed out by the customer, who then called Head Office the next day to complain about her.

The last argument I got into was I was doing a return for another customer. When the return is finished, 2 receipts get printed out; one for the store and one for the customer. A different coworker of mine told me I had to keep both copies, to which I responded: "Why am I keeping both copies when one copy clearly states "Customers Copy" on the receipt?!"

The horror stories I can tell you about the Liquor store of Ontario are quite maddening.

Is that a private store Joey or LCBO?

Manitoba still only has government run liquor stores. Beer and wine stores exist, but otherwise unless you're a distillery and produce your own alcohol and sell it, all liquor sales go through the Provincial government.

Jan 10, 2024 18:47:12 GMT Foos said:

Is that a private store Joey or LCBO?

Manitoba still only has government run liquor stores. Beer and wine stores exist, but otherwise unless you're a distillery and produce your own alcohol and sell it, all liquor sales go through the Provincial government.

It is the LCBO. The store I work in is the size of a shoebox, but I prefer that then the giant one I used to work in. I can tell you so many stories that happen in that store, its ridiculous. 

Ahh the old LCBO. I remember when you couldn't even get beer there and had to walk across the road to The Beer Store.

Is yours old enough that it still has a cooling station or are those all removed now?



The one in my hometown looked exactly like the one in the picture and when I was younger I wanted to stick my hand in it SO BADLY.

Jan 10, 2024 23:19:45 GMT RT said:

Ahh the old LCBO. I remember when you couldn't even get beer there and had to walk across the road to The Beer Store.

Is yours old enough that it still has a cooling station or are those all removed now?



The one in my hometown looked exactly like the one in the picture and when I was younger I wanted to stick my hand in it SO BADLY.

I believe they were all removed by the time I started working there. It was rumored that it was bad for the wine, but I never got a straight answer from my fellow coworkers. Apparently its thing in the past but I would be quite surprised if a store or two still had them.

Jan 11, 2024 2:40:14 GMT Joey said:

Jan 10, 2024 23:19:45 GMT RT said:

Ahh the old LCBO. I remember when you couldn't even get beer there and had to walk across the road to The Beer Store.

Is yours old enough that it still has a cooling station or are those all removed now?



The one in my hometown looked exactly like the one in the picture and when I was younger I wanted to stick my hand in it SO BADLY.

I believe they were all removed by the time I started working there. It was rumored that it was bad for the wine, but I never got a straight answer from my fellow coworkers. Apparently its thing in the past but I would be quite surprised if a store or two still had them.

I was back in Ontario in the summer visiting my family and the LCBO closest to where my mom lives looks like it was one of the first ever built and I was hoping they had one. They did not. They must have all been removed because kids kept sticking their hands in them.

Starting to wonder if I'm holding myself back remaining a custodian. I find I'm so restless and constantly finding projects. It's to the point that any area maintenance over my office basically doesn't do much for our building because it already has to be a big project for it to ever reach them otherwise I'd handle it. Spent the better part of a week tinkering with this light fixture in an attempt to replace the ballast or convert it to direct wire. Watched a few videos but they didn't really help much. I took apart a working converted fixture (and risk it not working when I put it back... first rule of maintenance: if it's working WALK THE FUCK AWAY) and took notes on all the wires. After snipping and stripping and destroying all my wires I bought a few rolls of assorted colors and... I got it working this morning.

Oh man it was such a relief. When I replace the ballast it powered on, but wouldn't turn off with the cord. Messed around and this time fixed the power issue... now it won't turn on at all. Really shocked I managed to get it working for the LED. There's so many lights with dying ballasts (or wires might be loose dunno) that I wanna fix... eventually. I feel like after teaching myself this it's like being in a Metrodvania game and getting a new power that opens up more of the map.

Still I feel like I may have peaked as a janitor. Maybe I should really look into those career center courses. By time I do have a chance to move up, I want to be ready and teachable as that's been something I've been afraid of.

Jan 18, 2024 23:31:51 GMT @ness said:

Starting to wonder if I'm holding myself back remaining a custodian. I find I'm so restless and constantly finding projects. It's to the point that any area maintenance over my office basically doesn't do much for our building because it already has to be a big project for it to ever reach them otherwise I'd handle it. Spent the better part of a week tinkering with this light fixture in an attempt to replace the ballast or convert it to direct wire. Watched a few videos but they didn't really help much. I took apart a working converted fixture (and risk it not working when I put it back... first rule of maintenance: if it's working WALK THE FUCK AWAY) and took notes on all the wires. After snipping and stripping and destroying all my wires I bought a few rolls of assorted colors and... I got it working this morning.

Oh man it was such a relief. When I replace the ballast it powered on, but wouldn't turn off with the cord. Messed around and this time fixed the power issue... now it won't turn on at all. Really shocked I managed to get it working for the LED. There's so many lights with dying ballasts (or wires might be loose dunno) that I wanna fix... eventually. I feel like after teaching myself this it's like being in a Metrodvania game and getting a new power that opens up more of the map.

Still I feel like I may have peaked as a janitor. Maybe I should really look into those career center courses. By time I do have a chance to move up, I want to be ready and teachable as that's been something I've been afraid of.

I think it is awesome that you can fix things and be willing to have a go, just be careful with electricity man because you could kill yourself or someone else. If you want to try something else, maybe do some courses?
In my experience the hardest part of any trade is to have a problem solving mindset, you seem to have that, so it is really only the skills you rely on.

I am not really an electrician any more, I mean I am still qualified but I don't do electrical work on a daily basis, but I do look after all the electrician type tasks at our church.
I am finding the same thing that with the rise of LED's they have stopped making ballasts and starters for fluro's.
I have had a couple of ballasts die lately and I was able to buy a whole new light fitting cheaper than the ballast.
We do have some troughers though where I have done the same upgrade you did.
Essentially you are taking the starter and ballast out of the circuit and running power directly to the tube.

You should get yourself a cheap multimeter, it will be very helpful when things aren't working like you expected.

You could start a side business. My friend and his brother are deep in the business of installing and maintaining seasonal and permanent decorative lighting. They get $8 - 15 per foot installed. They lease the lights out so the business or house pays every year. The permanent lighting is the way to go since it doesn't require a take-down at the end of the season and you can charge more.

^ permanent lighting guys are making huge bucks here. It's the 'big' thing cause no one wants to be putting them up and taking them down in -20C every year.  Plus it's fun to be able to change the colors depending on the holiday, if it's hockey game day etc. The company my friend works for they have a contract with a builder and for X number of dollars you can tack it on to your home price.  I mean what's another 4K when you are dropping 400-600K so most people have them on new houses now. 

How about being just a general maintenance person for people. Not as solid maybe as a permanent position but you'd be your own boss. My mom and I hire one a 3-4 times a year to take care of our 'punch list' of things we do not have the time/skillset for.

I just recently did a bunch of ballast and light orders for my Maintenance group (which is pretty much what you do except they do it on site) and like iNCY said, there has been some changes in ballasts. For instance all of a sudden they just stopped making 200W ballasts. You can fire a 200W bulb on a 250W ballast, but there's nothing dedicated to 200W anymore.

Maybe iNCY is right in taking some general electrical repair courses to beef up your skillset and further challenge yourself.

I was brought to my attention that my boss posted on a job website that we're hiring. So I checked it out and it gives the usual stuff job description, pay, benefits, ect... It ends with people with a criminal record are encouraged to apply and I don't know how I feel about that. I believe in second chances but I don't want to work with shit. 

I mean unless you've been rummaging through your boss'/hr's files you probably already are...

@ness I know I am and when there is a problem they are usually part of it.

Jan 21, 2024 18:49:32 GMT bodyslam said:

@ness I know I am and when there is a problem they are usually part of it.

Turn in that one guy so the office knows everyone is on notice when bodyslam clocks in.

Jan 21, 2024 18:53:16 GMT @ness said:

Jan 21, 2024 18:49:32 GMT bodyslam said:

@ness I know I am and when there is a problem they are usually part of it.

Turn in that one guy so the office knows everyone is on notice when bodyslam clocks in.

with as much hell raising as I did last year, trust me they know

Jan 21, 2024 18:35:27 GMT bodyslam said:

It ends with people with a criminal record are encouraged to apply and I don't know how I feel about that. I believe in second chances but I don't want to work with shit. 

If you are looking to employ someone in sales or management you might as well hire someone with the relevant experience. 

I get an email from the Big Boss of one of my sites looking for materials from an order from AUGUST that the client (who is copied on the email) is looking for and complaining about. First of all, there is nothing for this order on my Committed Cost report that I run weekly so I'd think I'd know if there was an outstanding order from AUGUST.  I find my order to the vendor, my order confirmation and the requisition I sent back to site to confirm my purchase. The guy still says he hasn't seen it.  Now, I happen to know AP does not pay any invoice without a signed packing slip or approval so I ask them to pull it for me. Imagine my surprise when I scroll up and the signature on the packing slip is from the GUY (our client) LOOKING FOR THE ORDER and making a stink about it. 

So I happily attach it and reply to all and just to be extra c*nty I screenshot the signature and attached it to the body of the email so it's right in his face when he opens the email. 

It's been an hour and I've heard nothing back other than the Big Boss calling to thank me. I'm guessing dude might have found his order after all along with a cup of STFU. 

The email can sometimes be a force of good.

Jan 24, 2024 22:54:30 GMT iron maiden said:

I get an email from the Big Boss of one of my sites looking for materials from an order from AUGUST that the client (who is copied on the email) is looking for and complaining about. First of all, there is nothing for this order on my Committed Cost report that I run weekly so I'd think I'd know if there was an outstanding order from AUGUST.  I find my order to the vendor, my order confirmation and the requisition I sent back to site to confirm my purchase. The guy still says he hasn't seen it.  Now, I happen to know AP does not pay any invoice without a signed packing slip or approval so I ask them to pull it for me. Imagine my surprise when I scroll up and the signature on the packing slip is from the GUY (our client) LOOKING FOR THE ORDER and making a stink about it. 

So I happily attach it and reply to all and just to be extra c*nty I screenshot the signature and attached it to the body of the email so it's right in his face when he opens the email. 

It's been an hour and I've heard nothing back other than the Big Boss calling to thank me. I'm guessing dude might have found his order after all along with a cup of STFU. 

I never email suppliers or colleagues with a customer in copy, I think it is very unprofessional.
It is also risky that someone does a reply all and says something they shouldn't say because they don't realise the customer is copied in.

When I was managing work cover claims, I had a team member who had been off work for an extended period of time email through his certificate of capacity.

He was a scumbag who faked an injury to avoid any changes to his role.

My boss, saw this email come through and couldn't contain her excitement/frustration until I got into work - she forwarded it off to our Injury Recovery Specialist, basically calling him a scumbag who faked an injury to avoid any changes to his role... but managed to CC him in the email.

Oh, the hilarity. Not really.

I would download the PDF as a separate file, and then attach the new one if and when I sent it off to avoid any cross over, as this sort of stuff usually gets temperamental if feelings are hurt.

Jan 25, 2024 3:00:00 GMT iNCY said:

Jan 24, 2024 22:54:30 GMT iron maiden said:

I get an email from the Big Boss of one of my sites looking for materials from an order from AUGUST that the client (who is copied on the email) is looking for and complaining about. First of all, there is nothing for this order on my Committed Cost report that I run weekly so I'd think I'd know if there was an outstanding order from AUGUST.  I find my order to the vendor, my order confirmation and the requisition I sent back to site to confirm my purchase. The guy still says he hasn't seen it.  Now, I happen to know AP does not pay any invoice without a signed packing slip or approval so I ask them to pull it for me. Imagine my surprise when I scroll up and the signature on the packing slip is from the GUY (our client) LOOKING FOR THE ORDER and making a stink about it. 

So I happily attach it and reply to all and just to be extra c*nty I screenshot the signature and attached it to the body of the email so it's right in his face when he opens the email. 

It's been an hour and I've heard nothing back other than the Big Boss calling to thank me. I'm guessing dude might have found his order after all along with a cup of STFU. 

I never email suppliers or colleagues with a customer in copy, I think it is very unprofessional.
It is also risky that someone does a reply all and says something they shouldn't say because they don't realise the customer is copied in.

Normally I agree with you. I also don’t like when someone emails the world, but I should note that the guy who works for Imperial Oil who I referred to as ‘the client’ is a field guy who emailed the big boss who then forwarded it to me and our two guys at site looking for information and then copied the Imperial Oil guy who initially sent the email.

When I attached the information and clicked reply all (4 people) I simply said ‘see attached invoice and packing slip signed by X X’ and then the screenshot and pressed send. Did I have to do that…no, but he wasted my time and I was annoyed. I wanted him to feel like a moron because this wasn’t the first time and no one has ever accused me of being professional.

About a month ago I got a weird screen on my work laptop. It asked for a key to unlock my computer, so I emailed IT. They sent me a code which unlocked my laptop with no other explanation. I didn’t think much of it until it happened again a few days later.

This time I inquired deeper and asked what this was about. They told me that some older laptops have been getting this screen because the hard drives are failing. I said that’s not good, what are you doing about it? They said they are planning on replacing all the laptops beyond a certain date this summer.

They didn’t seem too worried about it but I was. I am special in this company because I work on a project in northern Alberta that does not stop for anything. We’re talking millions of dollars from a company worth billions. We work 7 days on 7 days off and there is zero room for error.

So I inform IT of this and say look, if this happens to me when I am on site and you can’t send me a key right away because it is outside of normal business hours, I am fucked. My laptop is my entire life at work. I can’t do anything without it.

They tell me to wait until summer and there is nothing they can do.

So I involve my boss. He agrees with my point 1000% and lo and behold, less than 24 hours later I get an email saying I have been approved for a new laptop and it is on its way to my office.

This happened a few days ago when I was already on site for my shift. I can’t pick up my new laptop until Tuesday when I am back in Edmonton.

AND GUESS WHO’S LAPTOP IS LOCKED UP AGAIN. ON A SATURDAY. WHEN I HAVE PROGRAMMING FIXES SCHEDULED TODAY.

THANKS IT YOU FUCKING NECKBEARD ASSHOLES. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WEEKS AGO.

How does your company not have a 24 hour emergency IT line?

RT Just tell them you need your work laptop for HNIC predictions. Foos

Jan 27, 2024 14:31:37 GMT RT said:

About a month ago I got a weird screen on my work laptop. It asked for a key to unlock my computer, so I emailed IT. They sent me a code which unlocked my laptop with no other explanation. I didn’t think much of it until it happened again a few days later.

This time I inquired deeper and asked what this was about. They told me that some older laptops have been getting this screen because the hard drives are failing. I said that’s not good, what are you doing about it? They said they are planning on replacing all the laptops beyond a certain date this summer.

They didn’t seem too worried about it but I was. I am special in this company because I work on a project in northern Alberta that does not stop for anything. We’re talking millions of dollars from a company worth billions. We work 7 days on 7 days off and there is zero room for error.

So I inform IT of this and say look, if this happens to me when I am on site and you can’t send me a key right away because it is outside of normal business hours, I am fucked. My laptop is my entire life at work. I can’t do anything without it.

They tell me to wait until summer and there is nothing they can do.

So I involve my boss. He agrees with my point 1000% and lo and behold, less than 24 hours later I get an email saying I have been approved for a new laptop and it is on its way to my office.

This happened a few days ago when I was already on site for my shift. I can’t pick up my new laptop until Tuesday when I am back in Edmonton.

AND GUESS WHO’S LAPTOP IS LOCKED UP AGAIN. ON A SATURDAY. WHEN I HAVE PROGRAMMING FIXES SCHEDULED TODAY.

THANKS IT YOU FUCKING NECKBEARD ASSHOLES. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WEEKS AGO.

I wish this story even remotely shocked me, I tell my big customers that I'd rather go to the dentist than deal with their IT departments, not even joking.

My equipment needs 24/7 remote connection because that's when the plants run. I start talking to the IT departments 6 months before the machines are installed and to this day in over 20 cases they have never once had their shit together.

I once had a machine down for 3 days and had to fly to New Zealand to do a 20 minute fix on a machine that I could have done remotely.

I have long told my customers that they should have a downtime code to put against the IT department as they are completely without accountability.

I have a situation now where the IT department is refusing an always on connection and wants me to do it with TeamViewer even though it defeats the whole purpose as someone has to log me in from the other side and generally I get called when there is nobody experienced available to diagnose a fault.