#melowedding2022 - Not so Melo

Canada Day is a day to Canada's confederation.  But Canada Day 2022, it was more then that.  It was a day to celebrate the marriage of two very good people.  It was a day to celebrate the marriage of Jayme and Deanna.  I've known them for a good five-years.  But they've become friends in that time.  Jayme and I along with the rest of the guys have had a bunch of good times thus far since I've known them.  The reception was another.  There is more to come.

The reception was at a quaint little venue in the heart of the hood part of Alphabet Soup on 20th.  Never heard of it prior to this.  That's besides the point.  The reception was a great time.  A banger as they say.  The drinks were flowing, there was food all around (they classed it up with McDonalds cheese burgers and Junior Chickens), dancing, laughs, and an all around good time.

I was hoping to get ready to rumble for the garter belt.  But c'mon Jayme.  You could have done better than that.  He just tossed it on the floor.  So I went and got it.  The bouquet toss was as you expected.  Women always rumble for the bouquet.  But seemingly a first, someone used their dress to block.  Jaclyn got the bouquet.  The ones that got the garter and bouquet had the option to dance.  So we did.  Why not?  The song played for the dance was "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from the Lion King.

Jaclyn, thank you for the dance.  Riley, you have a good one.  Don't let her go.

Marriage is something that people think you have to do.  It's something that needs to happen right away in your life.  Jayme and Deanna have been together for 18-years or so.  They're proof that you don't have to get married right away.  They've enjoyed life, had kids, and built a great family.  It's admirable.

People come and go in your life, but some stay.  I'm grateful that they're in mine.  Thank you to my cousin Drew for introducing me to Jayme and Deanna.  They are good people.

Cheers to Jayme and Deanna on their wedding on Canada 2022.  Congrats, bay-bay!

I'm Moving On

On June 9, 2022, I submitted by resignation from my position with Club Demonstration Services Canada.  I've been at the Costco South Saskatoon location since November 2017.  Honestly, I don't remember applying for this job.  During the interview I was asked to do an example of selling something.  I did frozen.  I rattled it off pretty easy.  Ironically?  Coincidentally?  I did pizza when I did on the floor training.

When I got a couple of guys hired recently, I don't remember the interview as in-depth as this.  With things constantly changing, there is a lot to learn.  With all the changes over the years, I've adapted to become one of the top sales advisors at my location.  My monthly, some weekly, and some daily sales figures lend credence to that.  Not bragging or blowing smoke.  Just acknowledging how well I've done.

I've risen to sales lead (team lead) where I've been given other responsibilities.  I go above and beyond to make sure co-workers are ready to launch with their demos.  I've trained a number of people.  Again, this has nothing to do bragging.  I've worked hard at this job.  People have noticed my dedication and hard work.

Even though people are sad that I'm leaving, it's something I have to do.  My boss has acknowledged many times that I work hard and that I'm a top seller.  She also said that the only way I'd move up is if one of the other two supervisors left.  I did at one point want to be a supervisor and she knew I did.  But earlier this year I didn't want that no longer.  It was more of that I deserved to be based on performance and how hard I work.

It was bittersweet when I told my boss that I'm leaving.  I never thought I would be at this job for this long.  Over four and half years.  I met good people both within Club Demonstration Services and Costco employees.  I've been slowly telling people that I've moving on.  Sure some people some co-workers are wondering why I'm leaving, but it's just the way it has to be.

I posted a status on Facebook about moving on.  I was vague about what the job is.  It's an order picker with Maple Leaf Foods.  It is a good opportunity with a great company, great pay to start, benefits, etc..  I will be able to pay off debt.  I will be able to afford a place when I find one.  I will be able to afford my meds and insulin.  Those are the three most important things.  In due time, I will find a vehicle.  Nothing fancy, but something that gets me from point A to point B.

Some said I could work the weekends for CDS, but that's not happening.  This new job is full-time with the opportunity for overtime if I want it.  Working seven days a week at times would is a no.

In that Facebook status, I thanked everybody who came to see me at Costco, who bought stuff I was selling, and just talked.  Speaking of talking to people, Costco members will talk to us.  They tell you things you don't think they would tell you.  They open up.  You learn a lot about people.

You can come see me when I'm on shift.  My last day is June 24.  My first day at Maple Leaf Foods is following the Monday (June 27).  I will try to make it out to see them once in awhile.

Here's to new opportunities, learn new skills, showing them I can work hard, and basically improving myself personally.  The latter is pretty important.  In the future, if I need it, I know I can count on my boss for a reference.

Again, thank you everyone.

"Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes

Yesterday at work, my demo was messy, but it was a fun one. My product was pineapple chunks. I was blending it was ice cream. People were loving how simple it was. Some were saying it tasted like a pina colada. So I was telling people that I could sing them a song about pina colada.

"Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes was the one I defaulted to. Sorry, Garth Brooks. One member didn't want me to sing your "Two Pina Coladas" as they didn't like country music. One member said it was the me singing the former that brought her in.

I finally decided to look up the lyrics to "Escape (Pina Colada Song)." Aside from not knowing the last two lines of the first chorus (haven't memorized the rest of the song), I found out I was mishearing lyrics. I always thought it was the following.

If you like making love at midnight

In the dunes of a caves

The lyrics are actually:

If you like making love at midnight

In the dunes on a cape

Looking up what a dune and a cape is (still not exactly sure), it makes more sense based on the song having a beach theme and whatnot. Poor Rupert Holmes and his resentment towards the song.  All the awards he has won for musicals he's written yet people know him as the guy who wrote that song about pina colada.  Regardless of your stance on the song, I like it.  It's unmistakable and catchy.  You can't help but sing along.

YouTube link