Alright, so I left off somewhere around March 2009. The new SM was being trained under the guy who originally hired me at HMV, so I was cautiously optimistic that an outside hire SM would actually be a good fit. My reservations were somewhat selfish, in that what I needed to move forward in the company was more of a knowledge background in HMV-specific things.

So new SM eventually comes over from Chinook (with me delaying my scheduled week vacation again because of the decisions of upper management), and states that for the first 3 weeks he'd just be observing essentially. I'm alright with that, but a bit suspicious, like he's waiting for me to make some mistake or do something differently than they do at Chinook. The three weeks pretty much pass uneventfully.

(While writing this I just remembered that I forgot to type in the September 2008 time period that during the Christmas Regional Meetings I mentioned to the DM that in the future I'd be looking to be transferred to the Nanaimo HMV store, as I had great friends on the Island and that it was the closest store to them at the time.)

Anyways, after the 3 weeks the SM starts putting his stamp on things. He begins to push a lot of procedures that Chinook does on a regular basis. Which is fine... for Chinook. I'm not knocking the store, but Chinook has something like 15 people working at a time, whereas my store opened with a maximum of 3 people usually. The same systems can work in different environments, but not the exact same way. There were subtle clashes between the SM and I, mostly just conversations about why things were done one way versus a differing way.

The new SM came from a "big box" background, managing a Canadian Tire store, and various other vocations that he mentioned to me over many, many conversations / time wasters in the office. Still cautiously optimistic at this point, but April 2009 would set in motion the events that led to my resignation from HMV.
( April 2009 )
( June - July 2009 )
( August 2009 to October 2009 )
( The beginning of the end )

So as I was tossing and turning last night trying to fall asleep, thinking about how boring unemployment is and how much of a loser I feel like sometimes, and hating myself for letting myself get put into the position that I was unfortunately put into, and still feeling completely justified in quitting for my own sanity's sake, I decided I just wanted to write it all down so I could ... I dunno. Read over it myself, reaffirm that I made the right decision? I don't know. Let's just see how it goes. This is all based on my point of view, and yes, there is some conjecture made on my part in some instances. I feel I was justifiably paranoid.
( June 2006 )( October 2006 )( January 2007 )( June / July 2007 )( October / January 2008 )( Spring 2008 )( June 2008 - August 2008 )( Boxing Day 2008 )( January - March 2009 )

• 17:06 Less Tweeting due to Fallout 3 DLC today... well I guess 1 is more than none so more.. how confusing #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 14:36 sneezing is not my friend #
• 07:05 I would like to write a haiku about my love of NyQuill #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 11:07 having the plague is horrible... I don't think I can infect via tweet though, so you're all lucky #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 17:28 For Scribblenauts fans, a text dump of the full dictionary rush68.net/u/files/scribfull.txt #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 13:52 Oh my goodness oh my goodness it's PICKLES DAY #
• 13:53 @nathanjwieler I'll agree with that assessment. Type in "god" and "death" or "hell" and let them fight it out! #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 22:10 and when I touch you I feel happy inside ... #inappropriatebeatleslyric #
• 09:30 bit.ly/3FDJUG #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 21:47 @SashaGrey weird, I saw that in my store tonight #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 13:28 @nathanjwieler what's that? #
• 13:29 Abbey Road '67 - '68 is all done with too.. going for the Daytripper accomplishment #beatlesrockband #
• 14:10 Abbey Road '68 - '69 is complete... one more venue to go .. the Be Sharps performed on a likeness #beatlesrockband #
• 14:46 #beatlesrockband story mode has been completed... I'm sure there's loads more stuff I need to take care of, but hurrah #
• 16:47 Let's go hang out by the quarry and throw things into it! #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 21:41 hey douchebag, if you're reading this, GET OFF YOUR FUCKING PHONE WHILE I'M SERVING YOU.. I'm a goddamn human being too y'know... fuckface #
• 10:49 Almost finished the Cavern Club... Beatles Rock Band is pretty fun stuff #
• 11:04 Take that Ed Sullivan Show! #
• 11:36 Shea Stadium has been rocked #beatlesrockband #
• 12:05 The Budokan is done #beatlesrockband I'm sure you're all riveted by this #
• 12:46 Abbey Road '66-'67 is in the past #beatlesrockband #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 13:28 I'm actually pretty stoked for LEGO Rock Band.. kinda sad, but any new Rock Band things I get stoked for.. Beatles Rock Band on 9/9/09 #
• 10:40 @nathanjwieler Family-friendly songs, and it's Rock Band.. I just want more and more song selection is all.. and LEGO is awesome #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 17:37 @diorabaird1 hey now, I've been dealing with it for 30 years to a totally fun result #
• 19:40 "Linger" is kinda hard for this deep-voiced dude to sing.. apparently I do have "serious skills" though #
• 21:22 @shAiLIEN I'm a Rock Band guy... fuck Guitar Hero #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 07:09 @juliebenz Spike or Angel? #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 10:25 Haven't been tweeting as much lately, too much Arkham, Rock Band 2 and Simpsons S12.. also lovely girlfriend @hugkissfuck #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 12:58 @NathanFillion why are you representing America as Mr. Twitter? #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 18:25 good god Arkham Asylum is so kickass right off the bat... and fuck you Twitter for taking forever to post this #
• 18:25 THREE TIMES IT TOOK TO POST THAT #
• 19:10 @heartflood The Joker is pretty badass looking.. I don't really want to have to sleep tonight #
• 08:43 @andy_sayers Cool beans, thanks.. do you still have Barton Fink? #
• 09:02 @buckdiddy yeah, sleep was necessary, unfortunately #
• 09:41 Scarecrow level of Arkham Asylum is almost making me weep with terror #
• 11:03 @heartflood it's pretty much the best Batman game ever conceived #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 21:53 @trailingthought Arkham Asylum comes out tomorrow! #
• 21:55 @trailingthought I'll probably be raving like a lunatic about it... PS3 exclusive is the option to play as The Joker... squeeing like a girl #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 10:09 MXC brings me such great joy #
• 11:45 RT @tshirthell New shirts for all you boys and girls: bit.ly/5CIOA #tshirthell RT-3 random ppl win free tees #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

• 15:36 @nathanjwieler Nothing interesting or open? #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter