Bike, Fender, Star Wars

Riding the bike is getting easier by the day. It was rough at first and I am still trying to nail down the best route through the downtown grid. It is a fairly smooth ride until I end up near the freeway overpass. Then the fastest and most bike friendly path is subjective depending on the time, day and moment. My legs are coming back again. I hadn't ridden seriously since last July, but my speed is improving. A better seat would probably be a good idea though, since I never seem to be fully comfortable sitting on what feels like a baseball bat.
The days at the store have been very slow. We have met some interesting people and filled a few orders, but we haven't seen anything resembling a busy day. Hopefully that will turn around once we get a real sign on the building. I noticed looking at it from across the street that it didn't have a noticeable "this is a paint store" appearance. Besides the blue banners at the top of the windows, there's not much to visibly alert passers by that we are there. Soon enough I'm sure we'll have something more iconic outside.
Tomorrow and Thursday I'll be working at the warehouse. I haven't been there as much lately because I have worked full forty hour weeks at the store for about the last six weeks. This is the first week in a while that I've been put back on part time hours, so I am a little more available for my second job. Last Friday I dropped in there unexpectedly and sold my old Fender four by ten half stack to Gordon. Most of that day was spent twanging on the house Stratocaster. I was extremely rusty, but after a half hour I started to get some of the old chops back. It felt good to open up the volume on that amp in a room that could take the rumble. We're kicking around the idea of seeing The Phantom Menace in 3D tomorrow. It's been out for a few weeks now and I want to catch it while it's still in theaters. Either way, there is a lot going on in the next few days. Hopefully light sabers will be included.

Back In The Saddle Seat

I finally took my bike in for a tune-up since I am going to be two-wheeling to and from work from now on. I cashed in on a great deal through Groupon. A full works revamp for $37 with a coupon from Rex Cycles on E Street in downtown Sacramento. They did a fantastic job and I had it back in two days post drop-off. On top of the usual tweaks and tightens they upgraded me into some sturdier metal foot pedals. My main gear cable was replaced, as were my brake pads. I also purchased a cable lock so I can park it outside. Of course I couldn't wait to take it for a spin as soon as I brought it home, so I took to the new route bound for the store. Taking my time about it, thirty minutes was all it took. I'm sure I could make it faster than that on an early morning with less traffic, if I were really trying to get there quickly. Nice to know it's about the same time as driving to Rocklin in a car. The savings on gas however is like a raise, or at least a better daily lunch. Gas is headed back to four dollars a gallon again, and I'm dropping out of the motor scene at the perfect time. If not for my warehouse job, I wouldn't need a vehicle at all. I mapped it out, and there is no way I'm riding to Industrial Avenue. That's way too ambitious and there's no good way to get there. At least I am able to minimize my dependence on gas for the most part.

First Day

Today we opened the new store to the public for the first time. It was very quiet at first. We were rather concerned that we might not get any customers, but by late morning we had some visitors. We didn't rake much on our first day but we did better than some Saturdays and Sundays that I've had in the past. Unfortunately the day was mired in technical difficulties. You could say there was some assembly still required. Still we met some friendly people and we were even the beneficiaries of a welcome basket full of baked goodies from a local coffee house called Coffee Works. They were quite neighborly and they found a customer in me. Overall things turned out alright.

Eruption

Today was my first day working with JA. Wednesday will be my last. He has been promoted to fill our Rocklin vacancy and is stepping in as I'm stepping out. I'm hoping the whole shakeup isn't too much of a shock for our regulars but change is inevitable and sudden. I saw the new store this morning and it looks ready to me. L was putting away some final items and doing cleanup. She even got locked out of the office but like a true ninja found a way through the ceiling tiles. In Rocklin business was slow but I enjoyed chatting with the new queso grande. Afterward I took a drive to the Applebee's on Arden Way. It was where we were to have a birthday party for Jake who just turned eleven. The wait was two hours and we just couldn't do it. We met the kids at the local Round Table Pizza at Howe and Arden. The dining was okay but I was just too damned tired to do enjoy the food. My niece and nephew had a good time though and that's what it's all about. Tomorrow morning I'm stopping by the new store to drop off one more box of junk and then it's off to Rocklin for my last Sunday there. It will also be my last shift with BB. I will miss her off the wall laugh, and her mother is my favorite customer. Parting with friends is no fun, but it's all for the better. As Monday draws nearer I find it difficult to think of anything else. The only other thing that gets more attention right now is the uninvited wisdom tooth that has decided to erupt in the left side of my jaw.

SWSacramento, Like It

In an effort to draw attention to the new Sherwin-Williams store location in midtown Sacramento I have put together a Facebook page for it. Facebook is the fastest, easiest, and most cost efficient way to reach the public. By posting a Facebook page we have a public stage to announce upcoming events and specials, along with information about our products and tips for do-it-yourselfers. It also gives us a forum where our customers can leave comments and suggestions, which helps to solidify our relationships with clientele. Any time someone clicks Like on the SWSacramento Facebook page, they become able to see updates to our status, and all their friends can see what they have Liked. There is simply no better way to declare our arrival. The store is set to open on February 13th, 2012, and I anticipate a welcome response from Sacramento.
Sherwin-Williams, Sacramento

New Tread

Today was such a rainy day. I woke up in the middle of the night and I could hear the howling wind, as well as the shifty silhouettes of tree branches whipping randomly. I knew business would be slow today, and it was. I  closed the shop without much to take note of except the usual last minute gallons ordered for the next day. The store seems different with my boss and her stuff gone. Plus there is the continuous lack of knowing as it pertains to new management. With all the leaders in Nashville for the week there  is a sense of limbo around the place and no one knows what to expect. Except for me of course. I know exactly what to expect in the coming weeks. There will be no dull moments at the corner of 33rd.
In the meantime I will be getting the bicycle tuned up soon. I found a great deal on Groupon. I purchased a full scale tune-up from a local bike shop near to the route I will be taking to work  for only $37. That should leave room to pick up a new tire with some tread and possible new pedals too. My feet slip constantly on the old ones that I am using now, and they have split apart on the sides. This reminds me that I also need a lock. This is turning out to be expensive after all. Still, it will have to be cheaper than driving to Rocklin four days a week.

Folsom and 33rd

Things are looking up. I am transferring from our Rocklin location to the new store at Folsom and 33rd Street. It is an old historic building which was a popular bakery for many years. It appears very old from the outside, but is brand new on the inside. I won't post pictures of the interior since it is unfinished. The whole move is very exciting for me. I've been given an important role in a crucial move for the company. We have been in long need for a store in the downtown/midtown area to bridge the gap between Arden and Elk Grove. I'm looking forward to the challenge of building up a store from scratch. I think it is going to be a great experience. I will also be saving a great deal of money on gas by riding my bike. The route is already planned and is less than five miles from home.
The midtown area is a complete and total switch from the atmosphere of suburban Rocklin. There are people everywhere, on all sides of the building. Businesses are all around on Folsom, and then the streets intersecting are narrow residential passages. The store sits right on the corner, and it takes on unusual dimensions due to the acute angle of the sidewalk. This is part of the building's character, along with a lofty, wide open feel. The floor was being installed when I took a look at it yesterday. The next time I get down there it will be further along, as shipments arrive every day.
L's last day in Rocklin is Friday. From there she will fly out to Nashville for the national annual sales meeting, along with the rest of the managers, sales reps, and higher ups. This is the week every year when all assistant managers are in charge, with no one to bail them out, and no reps to call for help. Somehow we all get through it. When she gets back we will see if I am going to the new store right away to help set up, or if I will continue in Rocklin until my replacement is found.