Almost a month ago I talked about my experience at work where a guy exposed himself in our store here. I haven't really talked much about it since then, but so much has happened!
Honestly, every day since it has happened I always think, "I wish I would have done this." Or, "If only I would have gotten him out of the store sooner." Or, better yet, "I hope he comes back because here's what I would do if he did."
But, we didn't get him out early. And, we didn't call the cops that night. I keep thinking that if we would have done things differently, there might have been a different outcome.
Here's what I did do. I called the manager at Starbucks because we had been told that he visited there first. I told him my story. He told me theirs, and they sounded very similar. I asked him if they had video surveillance there, and they did. So, he called the cops and a case was started.
Within a couple of days I was giving my statement to one of the finest detectives on the city police force. Seriously, this guy is awesome! I felt silly, recounting what happened, but he assured me that it was all ok. We did the right thing by keeping the customers unaware of him, and, he said he wished someone would have called that day. I know, I know. But, we did call, and that's what matters.
We didn't hear much for a couple of weeks. The detective showed up at work about two weeks ago and said that he was able to get the surveillance video from Starbucks. They were able to get a good picture of the guy. They were able to get a name and were working on getting warrant out for his arrest.
Last Saturday night I had to look at a lineup (on paper) and give a statement. That was a bit intimidating because: 1) I've never done that before and 2) the guys all looked very similar. What a lineup should be, right?
Here's where we are TODAY: I received a call from the D.A.'s office telling me I need to testify before a grand jury on Wednesday. AND....my co-worker was being interviewed by the local news tonight! I believe the thinking behind that is that he's done this so many times but no one has ever reported it to the cops. They're hoping others will recognize him and come forward to say that it's happened to them too.
Whew! This has been a bit crazy and exciting and fascinating! I'm curious to see what happens on Wednesday since I've never had to testify in front of a grand jury.
Update 6-18-13: Here's a very brief article by KOIN news on the guy. If anyone's even interested in seeing what he looks like.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Yarn Along
I finished turning the heel of my sock, which means it is progressing! I think that turning the heel and knitting the gusset are my two favorite things about making socks. And, while I love the design of this sock, my next few pairs are going to be simple.
On the reading front, I've decided to embrace summer reading and re-read the Harry Potter series. This will be my third time to read the series. Maybe I can get through Dumbledore dying without crying. Maybe. While I have a few good non-fiction books waiting for me on my shelf, I just wanted to get wrapped up in a good story.
How do you embrace summer reading? Do you read "fluff" mind-candy? Do you use the time to read books that are a little more thoughtful?
Link up at Yarn Along!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
It's finals week!
Yesterday I had a meeting with the Vice Principal in the counseling office. It was good that I waited until yesterday to have this conversation. Over the weekend, my frustration and anger had subsided and I was able to go in with a clear head and a list of what I wanted to accomplish.
The VP is a very nice gal, and she let me open up with expressing how frustrating the entire process of filing for credit for proficiency has been. She listened, which was much more than the school district administrators had done. She apologized for the confusion. She, too, had been confused about the entire process because she had as much information as I had. She felt in the middle of the parent and student and the school administration. While I understood her place, I still find it amazing that she never knew what the correct process was from the beginning.
We decided to pursue one of the classes that we petitioned for in the fall. Since it's Health 2, I think it can easily be done. We mapped out the next two years of school and realized that Brianna's only 3 credits shy of graduating on time. And, the credits she is shy on are elective classes. So, that makes it a bit easier to get her some classes. She'll probably take two half-credit classes this summer, then she has one more summer to get another full credit in. I also learned that they will be incorporating work/life experience starting next year, so if she can get a job, she can earn up to one more credit for that.
We were able to talk with Brianna for a few minutes during her class time, so she had some input as well. She wanted to switch some classes around for next year, so we worked with her on that. I want her to own completing her education as much as I want to advocate for her.
Her schedule for next year is as follows:
Algebra 1
Biology
AP Language Arts
Science Fiction Literature
AP US History
Child Development
Acting 3
Spanish 1
Weightlifting
I can remember sitting in a meeting with a representative from OCEANetwork (Oregon's Christian homeschool association) listening to her speak about homeschooling in high school. Two things stuck out at the meeting. First, it was said that once you decide to homeschool in high school, there's no going back. It's better to complete the high school experience at home. Secondly, don't ever sign up for dual credits with the community college or the high school, because you never know what influence will be placed upon your child at a "secular" school.
To address the first, I am here to say that you CAN switch from homeschool to public/private high school during the student's high school time if you want to. Just know, it may be a pain in the ass, but it can be done. I believe that it is much easier for the student to do that after their Freshman year. Any thing after that will require much more work on the student's part to catch up and graduate on time.
As far as the second "concern" brought up by the speaker....whatever. I know that sounds really juvenile of me to say, but, really? If we have raised our kids well enough to be confident in themselves and to treat others with respect, they will do fine. Besides, they are going to be spending more time "out in the world" than they ever will in our homes. It should be our goal as parents to get them ready to experience what the world will bring their way. And, most likely, their experiences will be much different from our own. We are not called to make "mini me's" that will follow along in our footsteps in life. They are their own person, and as parents we need to embrace that.
The VP is a very nice gal, and she let me open up with expressing how frustrating the entire process of filing for credit for proficiency has been. She listened, which was much more than the school district administrators had done. She apologized for the confusion. She, too, had been confused about the entire process because she had as much information as I had. She felt in the middle of the parent and student and the school administration. While I understood her place, I still find it amazing that she never knew what the correct process was from the beginning.
We decided to pursue one of the classes that we petitioned for in the fall. Since it's Health 2, I think it can easily be done. We mapped out the next two years of school and realized that Brianna's only 3 credits shy of graduating on time. And, the credits she is shy on are elective classes. So, that makes it a bit easier to get her some classes. She'll probably take two half-credit classes this summer, then she has one more summer to get another full credit in. I also learned that they will be incorporating work/life experience starting next year, so if she can get a job, she can earn up to one more credit for that.
We were able to talk with Brianna for a few minutes during her class time, so she had some input as well. She wanted to switch some classes around for next year, so we worked with her on that. I want her to own completing her education as much as I want to advocate for her.
Her schedule for next year is as follows:
Algebra 1
Biology
AP Language Arts
Science Fiction Literature
AP US History
Child Development
Acting 3
Spanish 1
Weightlifting
I can remember sitting in a meeting with a representative from OCEANetwork (Oregon's Christian homeschool association) listening to her speak about homeschooling in high school. Two things stuck out at the meeting. First, it was said that once you decide to homeschool in high school, there's no going back. It's better to complete the high school experience at home. Secondly, don't ever sign up for dual credits with the community college or the high school, because you never know what influence will be placed upon your child at a "secular" school.
To address the first, I am here to say that you CAN switch from homeschool to public/private high school during the student's high school time if you want to. Just know, it may be a pain in the ass, but it can be done. I believe that it is much easier for the student to do that after their Freshman year. Any thing after that will require much more work on the student's part to catch up and graduate on time.
As far as the second "concern" brought up by the speaker....whatever. I know that sounds really juvenile of me to say, but, really? If we have raised our kids well enough to be confident in themselves and to treat others with respect, they will do fine. Besides, they are going to be spending more time "out in the world" than they ever will in our homes. It should be our goal as parents to get them ready to experience what the world will bring their way. And, most likely, their experiences will be much different from our own. We are not called to make "mini me's" that will follow along in our footsteps in life. They are their own person, and as parents we need to embrace that.
Friday, June 07, 2013
The end of a decade
Today's the day! It's our "official" last day of homeschooling. Next week we'll continue with a little math review, finish our grammar book, and do one last week of spelling. Other than that, we're done!
No more plotting and planning. No more scouring the internet looking for the best deals on books. No more questioning myself on whether or not we're doing the right thing. No more arguing over whether or not the work was done completely or in the best way.
Homeschooling has been good. We'll still be doing it, in a round-about way. I just will be a "learning coach." There will be an official teacher. I look forward to that.
On the high school end, I found out earlier this week that unbeknownst to me, we went about the process of applying for the credit for proficiency the wrong way. It seems that we have started the process at the end of it, not at the beginning. Never mind the fact that when I started this entire process in January I was never told that we were going about it in the wrong way.
After a frustrating and infuriating conversation with two school board employees, we are no where. Monday I am meeting with the vice principal to ask a few hard questions and make a plan for the next two years. Brianna will need to take a summer school class to catch up. She's not thrilled about that, but, oh well. If she wants a diploma from the high school, it's what she has to do.
 |
| The very last lapbook for history! |
Homeschooling has been good. We'll still be doing it, in a round-about way. I just will be a "learning coach." There will be an official teacher. I look forward to that.
On the high school end, I found out earlier this week that unbeknownst to me, we went about the process of applying for the credit for proficiency the wrong way. It seems that we have started the process at the end of it, not at the beginning. Never mind the fact that when I started this entire process in January I was never told that we were going about it in the wrong way.
After a frustrating and infuriating conversation with two school board employees, we are no where. Monday I am meeting with the vice principal to ask a few hard questions and make a plan for the next two years. Brianna will need to take a summer school class to catch up. She's not thrilled about that, but, oh well. If she wants a diploma from the high school, it's what she has to do.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Yarn Along
The weather has warmed up a bit, and I admit that I have not done too much knitting this week. I don't like to knit when my hands are sweaty. Last week, when it was cooler, I started on a Honey Cowl, but now that it has warmed up, the last thing I want in my hands is super warm alpaca.
The other reason why I haven't been knitting as much is that I started the book, Outwitting History. If you haven't read it, it is the story of a man who sets out to save as many Yiddish books as he can. How in the world would a book about a man saving books be interesting, you ask? It's all in the story telling, and it has me not wanting to put down this book. In fact, I take it with me on my way to work and I read as much as I can at stop lights. It's that good and interesting.
Since I have been drawn into a good read, the sock is slowly progressing. But there's still work done, so I'll call that good.
Although, I did actually have the thought last week that if I want to do any Christmas knitting, I should probably get started. *Sigh*
For school (only one more week left!), we're reading Lemony Snicket's, All the Wrong Questions: Who Could That Be at This Hour? So far, it's just ok. It's not as amusing as The Series of Unfortunate Events.
Link up at Yarn Along!
The other reason why I haven't been knitting as much is that I started the book, Outwitting History. If you haven't read it, it is the story of a man who sets out to save as many Yiddish books as he can. How in the world would a book about a man saving books be interesting, you ask? It's all in the story telling, and it has me not wanting to put down this book. In fact, I take it with me on my way to work and I read as much as I can at stop lights. It's that good and interesting.
Since I have been drawn into a good read, the sock is slowly progressing. But there's still work done, so I'll call that good.
Although, I did actually have the thought last week that if I want to do any Christmas knitting, I should probably get started. *Sigh*
For school (only one more week left!), we're reading Lemony Snicket's, All the Wrong Questions: Who Could That Be at This Hour? So far, it's just ok. It's not as amusing as The Series of Unfortunate Events.
Link up at Yarn Along!
Friday, May 31, 2013
It's the end of May?! Already?
It's been a strange week. Usually when there's a holiday on a week day, the week seems to fly by fast. This week seems to have crept by slowly. Maybe it's because I worked all day Monday instead of hanging out at home.
Maybe it's because this is one of the only weeks of this month where we're not celebrating something. It's just a regular week (with one day off - sort of, for me).
Maybe it's been the on and off rain downpours. I think my poor veggies are drowning. Really, I've just wanted to snuggle up with the pup and knit or read all day (ok, I'd rather watch Gordon Ramsay).
Maybe it's knowing that we only have two weeks of school left. Really? That does make it feel like the school year has whizzed by.
In reality, even though the week has seemed to creep by, the month seems to have flown by. Can it already be the end of May? I actually had this thought yesterday, "If I'm going to do any Christmas knitting, I should probably get started." Ugh.
Here's to the end of the week!!! Hip, hip, hooray!
Tonight Brianna will be in her first play! Break a leg girly!
And, to end on a somewhat randomness from this post, the police detective who is on our flasher case came by work last night. He let me know that Starbucks turned over video of the guy. It seems that he stood on one side of the counter with his pants down shaking his booty and junk for almost two minutes prior to flashing the female customers! With no-one seeing him! Holy cow! Folks, this is a busy Starbucks. I guess people are just not that interested in what is going on around them to have now seen him. Even the police officer was amazed at that. And, they have him on camera purchasing a drink before that using a card. So....they may have a name on this guy! Justice can be sweet.
Maybe it's because this is one of the only weeks of this month where we're not celebrating something. It's just a regular week (with one day off - sort of, for me).
Maybe it's been the on and off rain downpours. I think my poor veggies are drowning. Really, I've just wanted to snuggle up with the pup and knit or read all day (ok, I'd rather watch Gordon Ramsay).
Maybe it's knowing that we only have two weeks of school left. Really? That does make it feel like the school year has whizzed by.
In reality, even though the week has seemed to creep by, the month seems to have flown by. Can it already be the end of May? I actually had this thought yesterday, "If I'm going to do any Christmas knitting, I should probably get started." Ugh.
Here's to the end of the week!!! Hip, hip, hooray!
Tonight Brianna will be in her first play! Break a leg girly!
And, to end on a somewhat randomness from this post, the police detective who is on our flasher case came by work last night. He let me know that Starbucks turned over video of the guy. It seems that he stood on one side of the counter with his pants down shaking his booty and junk for almost two minutes prior to flashing the female customers! With no-one seeing him! Holy cow! Folks, this is a busy Starbucks. I guess people are just not that interested in what is going on around them to have now seen him. Even the police officer was amazed at that. And, they have him on camera purchasing a drink before that using a card. So....they may have a name on this guy! Justice can be sweet.
Friday, May 24, 2013
21 years
I can't think of a better way to celebrate.
I love you Brian! Thanks for the many years of love, laughter and letting me lose many games.
One of the perks of working retail
Image source
Something interesting happened at work on Tuesday night. It certainly was a first for me. Let me break it down.
Most of Tuesday night was quiet. We were in process of putting away a delivery when a disheveled man walked in the door. This is not unusual for us because we are one of the first stores that people can see when they're walking to or from the transit center. We're used to getting people who are a little "different."
I was behind the front counter and the man walked up to me. He asked for a safety pin because his belt had broken. He also mentioned that he couldn't walk like "most guys" with low pants because he didn't have any underwear on. Nice. Immediately I wanted to get him out of the store, so I offered him some tape or a paper clip so he could be on his way. However, he decided he needed to stay there to try to fix his pants.
Let me just also mention that while he was trying to fix his pants he said, "Well, it's not like you won't see much. I don't have an erection or anything." Ewww.....!
He then decided to walk around to the other side of the counter where both my co-worker and I could see him. I caught an impressive look of long butt crack at that point and turned around. I told him I wasn't going to watch him. He asked for help holding up his shirt and I told him, "No. Not gonna do that."
He asked to use the bathroom so he could fix the problem without being a bother. I took him back there. Looking back now, I should have made him leave the store. But, you know, I was trying to be nice and I try to see the good in people (until the ugly bad comes out).
By this point (he's in the bathroom), we had a family come in - a couple with four kids. He came out of the bathroom and stopped close to my co-worker. He asked me for help again. I told him no. He asked my co-worker for help. She told him no. As she stood up from a unpacking a box, and turned around, he had his pants down at his knees and was standing at attention. She rolled her eyes and told him, "Ummm...no." (This is where I laugh every time. Her response was brilliant. Plus, she said there wasn't much to see.)
At that point he walked to the back of the store to get his pants up. My co-worker saw the security guard walk by and went to talk with him. He bolted out the door and headed to the transit center. This all happened within 5-10 minutes.
We later found out that we were the third store that he had been to. I called the manager at the Starbucks where the guy did the exact same thing he did in our store. Obviously this guy has a pattern. The manager went to work at filing a police report. They have security cameras, so they may have captured an image of him. Wednesday night I gave my statement to the police officer.
My co-worker and laughed about it the rest of the night. Honestly, if it would have remained to be just us in the store, I could have brushed it off. However, the guy was pretty bold to drop his pants with a big guy standing 10-15 feet away from him and a bunch of kids not even further than that. All of the red flags were there and I should have acted upon it sooner. It was a bit comforting to know that we were not the only place he targeted. Hopefully they'll be able to catch this guy so that he doesn't decide to go farther with his problem.
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