Mr. Maxxinista

     The final week of my employment at TJ Maxx. I honestly thought I'd never see it coming, as often as I told myself it was time to quit. Now that I'm finally leaving, it's really sad. First of all, this wasn't a "BOSS SUCKS, PAY SUCKS, JOB SUCKS, I QUIT!!" kind of leaving. I mean, as often as I complained that I was bored or didn't feel like going into work, I really did, and still do, enjoy that job. What kind of place lets an Eighteen Year old wear V-Necks and a Mohawk to work, or do his best James Earl Jones impression over the intercom for the closing announcements?

      This is the place where Life Skills truly kicked in for me. They don't teach you the same skills in a classroom that you get working a register, doing stock. School teaches you to be a Student, a job teaches you to be an adult. I've had some true struggles there, one of my biggest learning to be comfortable as a salesmen with complete strangers. I remember trying to sell TJX Rewards Credit Cards my first few months and just being absolutely terrified. Now, it's a breeze for me to make my world-famous pitch; "Can I interest you in saving 10% by being approved for our Rewards Card?" I could sell ice to a Polar Bear, I tell you what.

      What am I going to miss the most there? Most definitely the people. There's "The Regulars", the ones you see in there every day shopping for wonderful deals. The children, of two types of course, bratty and sweet. The shopper (you know who you are) who is still deciding which Tennis Skirt is going to look the best while the store has been closed for the night for at least ten minutes. My co-workers, Associates, Managers, people that make my shift a little easier. The friends I made, the ones I've learned to put up with, and the very very very select few that, in all honestly, really grind my gears.

So to you, I propose a Cyber Toast. Non-Alcoholic, of course. Gotta keep it Straight Edge.


To the boy who spent an entire shift his first night and worked straight through his break on something that takes him 30 minutes now.

To the woman who paid a Forty Dollar total in rolls of pennies.

To the customer that pointed out everything I did wrong or different during my first week, the first time I felt insecure at the workplace.

For every credit application I filled out, and the sense of pride that closely followed.

To the people in charge of making the playlist for the store. More specifically, the one that chose Paula Cole's Where Have All The Cowboys Gone, Tears For Fear's Sowing The Seeds Of Love, and Faith Hill's This Kiss.

To the place that didn't fire me after all my screw ups,

accidents,

call outs,

and three months worth of injury leave.

To every co-worker that made me smile, or laughed at one of my stupid jokes.

To all the memories.


This blog is for you.


Sincerely,

Reed Owens, Mr. Maxxinista