This week, others have been harshing my mellow.

Since I took early retirement a few years ago, each and every year I’ve had a percentage increase in my pension, often resulting in between £10 and £15 extra a month. For reasons known only to themselves, the tax office has split my ‘tax free allowance’ between my pension and my salaried, part time job. Makes no sense to me, but there you go. The raise this year on my pension was less than £3 a month, and out of that, I paid 40p tax. WTF! Was it worth the effort? Worst percentage raise in 3 years. They give no reason for such a paltry raise, though I suspect Covid would be cited if I asked.

In work, managers and customers have been bringing me down. One asked if there was a specific type of milk available. I told them, if it’s not on the shelf, then we don’t have it. Clearly not satisfied with this response, they asked me to check. I dutifully left my trolley – hey, I’m only picking for 6 customers, but what the hell, no biggie – asked where the milk storage was, and went and looked for this VIP. I looked, I really did, but we didn’t have any, so I relayed this to the customer. She then asked, when will it be in? I replied I didn’t know as I don’t work for deliveries. Honestly, what is it with customers that think we all know about all departments? Each person works for a specific department, and unless you’ve transferred across from a previous area, there is no ‘sharing’ of labour/staff. Besides, what’s the point of having items out the back, and not on the shelves? If it’s out the back it’s not making money, is it?

In another aisle, I was trying to get special bread for a customer, however the 4 people stacking shelves like dervishes were not to be moved. I picked what I could, then stated the item wanted was unavailable. They made me feel very harassed and stressed. There was no consideration for others who have a job to do too.

Another day a colleague and I were both going for a new trolley. I asked if she minded if I did the frozen pick, she stated she didn’t. The supervisor saw this and rebuked me, saying I must take the next available trolley. Both trolleys were picked, the colleague wouldn’t have been any slower than me, so what’s the point of nit-picking in this way? On my final trolley, I asked if I could take a smaller one. They said no, take the next one, and if I didn’t finish in time, someone would relieve me. As it turned out I had plenty of time to complete the pick, but I did not rush, and went out of my way to ensure I finished dead on time. Nit picking does not engender good relations, so why do it. When this supervisor is off, there’s a very different vibe there; people are happier, and more willing to work overtime. Hmmm

I have to ask, what is it with musicians – and I use the term lightly – remaking oldies that were bouncy and happy, into something suitable for a funeral dirge? It’s been a crappy year for many people, things are finally looking up, so we need happy music to lift our spirits not dreary crap that has us looking for the razor blades!

Other than that, I’m good LOL. Extra bonus in work, great wine offers, a full larder, full freezer, and I’ll even be able to save some money this month to the treasure chest. Sorted!

Enjoy what’s left of the weekend; raining here, makes me almost glad I’m working. Almost…