1 Day Oil Lasts 1 Month!

10/20/07: I had a prescription to take 4 x 1000mg (4g) of fish oil gel-caps per day. This cost me $39.76 for a 30 day supply (120) under the brand name of Lavaza or Omacor. My insurance company paid another $120.23 for this. I purchased a non-prescription (OTC) amount of (200) x 1200mg softgels for $14.00. This had saved me $33.46 per month.

NOW, I just purchased the same exact container again! I just paid $3.79 at Walgreens for Theragran-M Fish Oil! These are 200: 1200mg softgels! This is less than two cents per tab, and $1.73/month. I am saving myself alone, $38.03/month, and $456.37/year!

Convergys Lake Mary

I have been working on Convergy's Client account for Charter Communications, since 11/21/05. Until October 2007, it has been Telephone Customer Service for their cable VoIP hybrid telephone service. When hired, we were given the impression that it would not be a sales oriented position. Many of us, including myself have ethics, and lack the interest, willingness and skill for sales.

Since October, many policy changes came into effect. Some were done without any warning or explanation.

1. Most of our stations have been eliminated.


2. Our supervisors are changed as frequently as every week or two. We are often not given any coaching sessions or team meetings. Many of our Team Leaders have resigned, or transfered to other client accounts.


3. Places, where information on our job is provided for us, is constantly changed, and we are not told were it would then be provided.


4. When finally find on our own, information on the correct transfer numbers, a supervisor removes it from our our private notebooks, and not told how to get this information on KMS. We might learn about how, from other Agents on our breaks. It is listed under Cincinnati, instead of our location on KMS! I had to borrow a surviving worn folded list from a peer's pocket, to rewrite it all by hand quickly while I am on a call.


5. The fifty cents per hour we earned, for working during evening and weekend hours, ceased to be paid to us.


6. Our schedules were radically changed against our preferences. I used to work days, with weekends off. I now work nights and weekends


7. We have to work on holidays, and do not necessarily have an extra day off that week.


8. We were switched from Telephone Billing to Television Repair. At training we were told that upper management wanted our call center to be technical oriented.


9. We were then told we are in a sales call center, and that 75% of our performance rating is now based on how high our sales are. We were not given any substantial or formal training in sales, the products we sell, or how to enter the orders.


10. We are no longer allowed to have any time between our calls. We are harassed by telephone calls from our staff, if there are seconds between our receiving calls.


11. As of January, we will be sent home and not paid if we do not wear certain kinds of clothing.


12. We are required to set up our computer stations during our own time. When our stations are given away during our lunch, we must do that all over again, and not be paid for it. In addition, if we are not clocked back into our computers after exactly 60 minutes or 15 minutes, it is a serious infraction, that we are scolded for. If we clock-in five minutes late, we are reported as leaving early, which constitutes job abandonment, and can result in termination.


13. We are penalized for being on a call too long. During the call, we have to show empathy to irate customers with poor service, fix their TV technical issues, sell them products, overcome their objections, put in the order, and make detailed notes notes in their accounts all while keeping them on the telephone until we are finished.


14. We are not given time to read about constant changes in how we need to do our job, while we are getting paid, and not allowed to do so without pay when we are not scheduled.

Here is a letter I sent to Human Resources Payroll, and their reply:

For several weeks now, I have not received an additional amount per hour that I work in the evening, or on Sunday or Saturday. Why is this? Also, after starting my shift in the morning, and being off Sundays and Saturdays for most of my two years here, this has changed. Why is this? Without warning or explanation, I am suddenly given an exclusive night closing schedule, and well as working both Sundays and Saturdays. Why is this so? This means I am due an even greater amount of differential pay. It is as if you are forcing me to work harder, to eliminate my accommodations, and then not pay me for it. This is among many policy changes lately that has changed my plan to continue working for Convergys for about twenty years. I plan to write you future letters outlining the oppressive and unfair ways you are treating me as an employee. I no longer feel valued by you. The differential pay should be an additional hourly pay of $0.50 per hour that I work during a evening, Sunday or Saturday. My Team Leader has sent letters to answer my questions. She or I have not received answers. Give my answers. Pay me what you agreed to pay me for working for you.

Date: 12/26/2007 9:45PM EST
Cannot reply to this message
Type: Payroll
Subject: Re: Differential
Andrew - I understand your concerns and frustrations, however HR Direct is not a part of the policy making process. Please contact your local Employee Relations person or Human Resources Office to discuss your concerns. Thank you HR Direct

You're In!

More Days

On Sunday, 12/23/07, I had my first chance to first find out my schedule for the week beginning next Sunday 12/30/07. It has me off Tuesday 1/1,2,3/08. This causes me much distress. I would much prefer to work these regular work days, and have Friday 1/4/08 and Saturday 1/5/08 off. Management has been begging for Agents to work the days that they assigned me off.

5 Years

12/21/2012
"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine" - REM

Two 2-eye deers with one star idea

Notice that the antlers on one of these these dear deers form a Star of David!






contributed by sibling

Off Days

It bothers me much not to have Friday and Saturday off each week. I have a regimented schedule to do certain tasks every seven days consistently. Also, this encompasses the Sabbath or day of rest, and is not a workday. I can get much more done on a Friday than on a Sunday, since everyone else is working. I also am distressed not to have my two days off consecutively. For this reason, I have programmed my days off as my first priority. My workweek starts with Sunday, and ends with Saturday. Therefore, my preferences, in order of most desired first, are: Friday & Saturday, Thursday & Friday, Wednesday & Thursday, Tuesday & Wednesday, Monday & Tuesday, and Sunday & Monday. So far I have been given my first three choices these past few weeks. This week, it is back to Friday & Saturday, 12/20&21/07.

I just found out, what my schedule is, for next week. Imagine my dismay, finding that I have only Monday and Tuesday off! I do not know why this was done. I was given no explanation. This would mean only working the one regular workday of Sunday, and then having two days off again! Then I might have to work the next nine days in a row! Besides that, many people are not working on this particular Monday and Tuesday, preventing my productivity! These days off dates are December 24 and 25. They are the most lonely and depressing days of the year! I have nothing better to do than to work. I had to trade these two days with two other people’s days off in order to get Thursday and Friday off next week! That is the time I would then need to do my weekly laundry, groceries, postal mail, dishes, refuse, shave, pills, and cleaning!

&rew Air

CafePress: My designs

Card

President

BUllSHit


(Bullshit)

Godsmack

Good Times, Bad Times is an upcoming greatest hits collection being released by the heavy metal /hard rock band Godsmack. The album is being released as appreciation for fans supporting the band for ten years. The project was originally meant to be a boxed set containing all of the band's previous albums, and a DVD. The album will instead include a cover of the Led Zeppelin song Good Times, Bad Times, and the band's acoustic performance from Las Vegas. Keep Away, Whatever, Voodoo, Good Times, Bad Times, The Enemy... CLICK ME!
Release date: December 4, 2007. (I want this)
This was originally posted 10/21/07

AS

What Is Asperger Syndrome? By Barbara L. Kirby Founder of the OASIS Web site (http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/) Co-author of THE OASIS GUIDE TO ASPERGER SYNDROME (Crown, 2001, Revised 2005)

Asperger Syndrome or A.S. is a neurobiological behavior named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a paper which described a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development, but who also exhibited autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. In spite of the publication of his paper in the 1940's, it wasn't until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added to the DSM IV and only in the past few years has AS been recognized by professionals and parents.

An individual with AS, is known as an “Aspie”. Aspies can exhibit a variety of characteristics and can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often an Aspie has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the Aspie may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that an Aspie perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While language development seems, on the surface, normal, Aspies often have deficits in pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.

At this time there is a great deal of debate as to exactly where AS fits. It is presently described as an autism spectrum disorder and Uta Frith, in her book AUTISM AND ASPERGER'S SYNDROME, described AS individuals as "having a dash of Autism". Some professionals feel that AS is the same as High Functioning Autism, while others feel that it is better described as a Nonverbal Learning Disability. AS shares many of the characteristics of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder; Not otherwise specified), HFA, and NLD and because it was virtually unknown until a few years ago, many individuals either received an incorrect diagnosis or remained undiagnosed. For example, it is not at all uncommon for a child who was initially diagnosed with ADD or ADHD be re-diagnosed with AS. In addition, some individuals who were originally diagnosed with HFA or PDD-NOS are now being given the AS diagnosis and many individuals have a dual diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism.

Gobbles & TIMMY!

Being different can save your life. Ask Timmy and Gobbles of South Park fame.

Employed 2 years

I work at a no-collar job.

#3) Convergys, Lake Mary FL.....11/21/05 - present.....2 years.

#1) Bed Bath & Beyond, L.I......02/26/96 -10/01/98.....2 years, 7 months, 3 days

#2) M.H.T. / Chemical Bank, L.I......09/14/90 -04/13/93.....2 years, 7 months

#1) on 6/25/08 for Convergys

Empowered by the Aspie O. S.

Empowered by the
ASPIE
Operating System

My Operating System

More labels

Have you noticed that there are two Odies for you?

My Lake Mary reference has many interpretations: I made and bottled it in Lake Mary. The pink, red, and Mary suggests woman related. It is as if this drink came from a lake full of this drink. Tomato juice suggests a "Bloody Mary"The dot below "Lake Mary" is a period. The color and consistency of the juice is similar to that of menstruation blood.

Homo can be interpreted as human, or homosexual. Closet can be interpreted as a pantry, or denial. Either way, all is of a healthy and natural lifestyle.

Place of employment survey

11/15/07 Annual Convergys survey: I greatly enjoyed filling out the long and detailed annual employee questionnaire. It in addition, gave me the opportunity to express my thoughts. Below is what I wrote:

Accommodations need to be made for the learning needs of people with Aspergers Syndrome. Training is not used efficiently. Training needs to cover more detail at a slower pace. Too much training time is wasted, often for long periods of non-productive work, such as chatting, smoking, and playing games. Refresher classes should be given to those who need and request them. The lack of communication at all levels is appalling. I am not provided the time to acquire the information and develop the skills to do my job efficiently. I continue to be frustrated in not getting the help that I need. I am eager to do my job better. There are tremendously way too many supervisory, managerial, and policy changes. I love my co-workers more than any other people I have ever met. I never know if the company wants me or not. I want to work here indefinitely. The prizes, contests, shouting, promotions, and events result in lowering my moral and motivation instead of the reverse. Too much time and money is wasted on them as well. I prefer to be shown how to help myself using resources, rather that be told to use them. In the 2 years I have been here, I am constantly craving the opportunity to learn how to do my job, and to have feedback on how I could do my work tasks in a more efficient way.

I am A Lerner different.

My name is A. Lerner. I am an Aspie. It is not like you think. I think and learn differently than you. The order of my thinking process does not follow the same order as a NT (neuro-typical person), as perhaps yourself. Aspie is a person with Aspergers Syndrome. It is a high functioning form of Autism. One out of every 15 people are Autistic (Aspie ratio). We are gifted in different ways. Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, and Dan Akroid are Aspies. We all "Aspire" to enjoy in life what others take for granted. I am a learner. Since my thinking order and processing of information and stimuli are different, you could say I learn differently, or I am a little different. I prefer to say "I am A Lerner different." I am the A in Lerner.
Aspies think logically, and love math. Math is the only course I earned strait A's in. It has served Albert Einstein well. Aspies compensate to relate with NT people by acting. I am skilled in dry facetious humor. This has served Dan Akroid well. Aspies think "outside the box", and are non-conformists. I have found innovative ways to survive, and rejected formal and traditional education. This has served Bill Gates well. Aspies love words, phrases, and word play. This has served A. Lerner well.

Thomas Alva Edison said that "Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration." I have 100% Aspieration. I am ASPIErational. Like Bill Gates, I use the ASpie operating system. -2/14/08

Label For Water.

Sign

“CAUTION: Physically Disabled Person may be eaten by a crocodile at the bottom of the hill.”

Originally posted 10/13/2005