Do I really need a title ??

I don't think I do, but I guess I can't post without one.

I have become dull. No, really !

I go to work, and come home. Sometimes I sleep. Then I go to work and come home. I might get out for groceries. I close my eyes, I open them and I go to work and come home.

I am in a rut.

On the flip side of this highly entertaining blog, work is just that -- work.

I am still getting the choice shifts, the 2-11's, because (and I quote): "I can't work nights ... I have a family at home you know ....." Hmmmm. Does this mean Andy and the kids are chopped liver ??

I also have keys, so sometimes I get to open. Like today when everyone else was scheduled for training. And there was one other person in with keys at 10am. And no ASM's until 2. And she called in sick. And I started at 5 and couldn't go for any kind of break, because I was the only manager in the building. Sigh.

But to my credit, my departments had a fantastic year in 2006. We were able to make plan in both, and comp some decent numbers. I have also managed to train 2 people and get them promoted elsewhere in the building. John gets to go to Hardware as DS, and Lorne gets to go to Tool Rental as DS. I have new department specialists, and have managed to hire some pretty decent people.

Inventory is upon us, and we look pretty good. HD is restructuring again, they have eliminated the ISM position, it will now be looked after by the Special Services Manager (which we have to hire for ...), and they are hiring someone called Zone Managers for each district who will address nothing but customer issues. They will be the only point of contact, and will deal directly with the installers on issues - so no more headaches at store level for us ! Yay !

Of course, that's the idea. Whether it works out that way or not is something else.