raforlife

[raforlife]

Marketing professional here -

Need to drop some truths -

- boycotting the product will get you nowhere. The grocery stores purchase inventory up front and then turn around and sell it to the consumers. Boycotting the product will only hurt grocery stores (won’t shed any tears over Wal-Mart but your mom and pop grocery stores, bodegas, the like, will all hurt as a result)

HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

-Make a stink on every social media platform

-Make comments on their social platforms on posts that don’t even matter or are relevant

-Use trending hashtags related to this as part of your comments.

- @ mention the company in your complaint

-Click on paid ads, let the page load, and then close the browser (companies pay Google for spots and they pay per click)

Why is this important? An enormous budget is allocated for marketing - like, millions of dollars.

When we get a bunch of trolls making comments, creating hashtags, etc. The marketers on the other end take note - it messes up their social calendars and metrics if enough people get pissed and distracts from their original messaging. You know how much of a pain it is to redo an entire social calendar because all anyone can talk about is this issue? A LOT. It can take weeks to do this.

It will also inevitably get sent up the chain to management because all the interactions, likes, etc. we are getting is all negative PR.

Hit ‘em where it will actually hurt - their reputation and marketing dollars

So, this hasn't crossed my dash yet. (Not blaming anyone, there is soooo much going on in the world and I'd also missed it in the noise).

There is currently a strike at Frito-Lay. in Topeka. These workers are striking because:

They were being forced to work 84 hour weeks. The company's best offer so far is a 60 hour cap. This is shit we fought for a century ago, people.

Their generous offer also includes a whole 4 percent wage increase...over the next 2 years. I'm not sure what COL is in Topeka, but... Well, it's better than the entire 77 cents they've apparently gotten in the last decade.

There's also a report that a worker literally collapsed and dropped dead on the line and the foreman's response was to make them move the body out of the way and put in a replacement. (However, this is unconfirmed and, of course, the company denies it).

There have been multiple OSHA violations at this plant over the last few years, including a forklift accident that's under investigation.

They've now been striking since July 5 but, of course, it only hit the national media yesterday.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/07/14/frito-lay-strike-forced-overtime/

So, why am I signal boosting this?

Because Frito-Lay is refusing to budge. They are attempting to make the excuse that union leadership agreed to the 60 hour work week and crappy pay cut...when union leadership only agreed to put it to a vote.

And this means that we need to put the thumbscrews on them. Remember, this is about 19th century style working conditions.

So, I'm calling on my followers to boycott Frito Lay's until the strike is involved.

Frito-Lay owns:

Lay's

Doritos (Sorry. I really am. I KNOW there's no good alternative to Doritos, although Zapp's are good if you can find them).

Fritos

Tostitos

Cheetos

Ruffles

Sun Chips

Baken-ets

Chester's

Cracker Jack

Islen plantain chips

Funyuns

Grandma's (the cookies)

Matador Meat Snacks

Maui style potato chips

Miss Vickie's

Munchies

Munchos

Rolled Gold

Sabritones

Santitas

Simply

Smartfood

Stacys

The Walking Taco

NatuChips

PopCorners (this one wasn't on their website, but was bought by Pepsi's in 2019 with the intent of adding it. So best avoided just in case). Yes, this really is more than half of the snack aisle. Suggested alternatives:

Kettle Brand Chips

Zapp's (If you can find them. My supermarket had them once and not since, so I'm guessing the culinary cowards in this neighborhood were afraid of "Voodoo" flavored chips).

Pringles

On the Border for salsa.

Wise Cheez Doodles

Bugles

Utz

Store own brand alternatives, if your store has ones that are any good.

Cheez-its

Check before you buy and let's tell these people they don't get to treat workers like that.

[raforlife]

From a former RA: I wish you all the best this year. Fun Online Program Ideas: Trivia/jeopardy and you split the hall into teams that they can create a groupme for to chat privately before answering. Baking night (how to cook in your dorm in quarantine). Videos/Movies night using things like netflix party.

Love it! I’m a former RA myself but I thought it’d be nice to keep it going for all those who currently live that res-life!

[raforlife]

What RA training is going to look like this year...

Jokes aside, whether you’re a returning RA, new RA, or whether your university is even welcoming students back to campus, stay safe!

Our jobs are often considered essential even before COVID-19 happened and we’ll show up like we always have and always will. Care for your residents - this is new territory and comes with added stress of being away from their families and trying to navigate a “normal” university life amidst the pandemic. Of course, always care for yourself as well. Raise your hand if you need help, this is new territory for us too and we’ll learn as we go.

Feel free to send in any tips or tricks or fun program ideas that are pandemic-friendly! Let’s get through this together!

[raforlife]

Coordinating your outfit when going out so that your residents don’t recognize you...

[raforlife]

When residents start leaving for break...

How you look:

How you feel:

[raforlife]

How every RA would love to handle a judicial meeting...

[raforlife]

Quiet Hours in a nutshell...

[raforlife]

Basically

When people say you look exhausted

[raforlife]

When you let the new hire lead the confrontation...

[raforlife]

Returners going to training like...

[raforlife]

Where is the lie tho?

I think I post too much about being an RA.

#reslife #ralife #rashenanigans

[raforlife]

Hi, I was wondering how you moved on from RA life and if you left it behind you? I was an RA for two years and my last year was really rough. I'm trying to move on from the experience and sort of close that door behind me because I keep dwelling on how difficult it was. Any advice?

Wellllllllll......I actually stayed an RA/CA all the way from sophomore year through graduation; so I didn’t exactly leave it prematurely! However, my last year and a half was pretty rough because I was mentally checked out and focused on graduating. Thankfully, I came to the realization during my last semester that my time as an RA and as a student in general was coming to an end, so I wanted to “go out with a bang”. 

Now this could be totally different for you, and you might even laugh at my experience, but here’s what I did:

My “thing” all throughout my time as an RA was my door decs. I was quite literally “famous” for them both with my residents and coworkers and Tumblr as well. I always took pride in them and it was the most enjoyable part of my job! So I dedicated my last semester to doing the best damn door decs I could crank out! As dumb as it sounds, it gave me the most incredible closure. I felt like I was leaving on a great note and I will always remember the very last door decs I ever put up! (My Frozen ones). 

The point I’m getting at is to find the thing that you love most about being an RA and capitalize on it. Go out with a bang and do the very best you possibly can! Not only will you remember it, but it’ll make you feel good about your time there and it’ll likely give you the closure you’re looking for.

However, as I just reread your question, it has occurred to me that it appears you have already left the position and have some regrets of some sort. If that’s the case, then the best way to get closure is to think back to all the accomplishments you’ve done during the position. Whether it was a great door dec, bulletin board, program, or you helped a resident with a problem, I’ll be willing to bet you made a difference in someone’s life during your time there. That’s what you need to be thinking about; not the stress or the difficulties because those are over and I doubt five years from now you’ll even remember them. 

Look back on your time as an RA with pride and enjoy the next part of your journey! :)

[raforlife]

I just received notification that I receive the position of Resident Assistant. I also recently completed my first year. I have doubts about the job because I was placed in a dorm with lots of upper class men. How do Ideal with the 3 year age difference. Who wants to listen to a 18 year old when he ask to turn the volume level down when you are 22?

Don’t panic! It’s definitely tough but not impossible! The biggest thing that will help you is “establishing dominance” in the first floor meeting. That sounds very “dictator-like” but let me explain!

During your first floor meeting, you need to put on your big RA pants and basically “lay down the law”. I always tell people that it’s much easier to lighten up than to toughen up. Trust me, I’ve actually gone through both sides! So during the RA meeting, set the rules in a strict tone. Don’t go super mean or hard-ass, but basically tell them that you have a job to do and that the rules are there for a reason and that you won’t hesitate to do what you have to do. 

It’s much much easier to lighten up and be easy going once they respect you and the rules!

Good Luck! Let me know if you need more help!

[raforlife]

not-duty-related late night/early morning incident person here. it was a medical emergency that my resident didn't feel comfortable going to others with so they came to me. I've been really lucky that my floor is pretty quiet at night and seems to get along well, so i haven't had to redirect anything yet

Perfect example of what I mentioned a couple posts ago! If you’re not on duty but it is an emergency, of course respond and do what your training dictates! 

I’m happy to hear that your residents trust you so well to want to come to you when something bad happens! That means you’re being an excellent resource for them! Keep it up!

[raforlife]

Hi! I'm a second year RA and I plan to be an RA again next year. I really don't think I have it in me to do this again. My residents this year are terrible, so bad my HD offered to let me move floors. This year has been so bad and I don't want to have a miserable senior year if I'm a third year RA. I can't stand all of the restrictions anymore and I feel like I'm suffocating. I could live with my aunt next year but don't want to take advantage of her generosity. Any advice? I'm lost.

It really sounds like you’ve already made up your mind! Which is NOT a bad thing! You are able to recognize that you know you wouldn’t be able to give your residents an experience both you and they deserve, you feel suffocated, and you want to enjoy your senior year. I think you are very wise for evaluating your current state and making a decision that will both benefit you and the future residents. If you aunt has offered you to live with her, by all means, do it! You probably wouldn’t be there that often to begin with anyway. If you do not want to stay with your aunt, consider finding a place with your friends to split the costs.

It really doesn’t sound like you’re that lost! :D  I hope the experience hasn’t drained your life source so much that you regret your time, but I hope you can move on from it and enjoy your last year of college! You can do it!

[raforlife]

Hi! I was hoping you could give me some advice. I'm currently in my second year as an RA and this year has been draining. I'm going to be a third year RA next year. I was wondering if you had any tips about how to refresh over the summer and how to avoid/deal with burn out next year?

That is pretty tough! I was also pretty burned out after my second year and I’m gonna be honest, it was super hard to get it back my third year. Not to freak you out, but I probably didn’t get much of it back at all my third year with one exception: door decs. 

The key here is to find the thing you love most about being an RA. For me, it was door decs! I always put everything I had into them because I was quickly realizing that my time as an RA was running out. While there may be times where you just can’t freakin’ wait til you’re done, you have to enjoy it while you can because like college itself, it is temporary! 

Over the summer, be sure to relax as much as possible: take full advantage! You know you’ll be doing it right if you start to feel antsy like you should be getting stuff done! That usually happened to me and by the time it came to return to campus, I was refreshed and ready to go! 

As for mid-year burn out, it can really be hard especially when your courses start to get more rigorous! The one thing you need is a huge SOMETHING! Whether it’s a program, door decs, bulletin board, whatever. Pick something that you have as a responsibility as an RA and just go over the top! I know it sounds like the total opposite of what you would actually want to do when you’re feeling burned out, but pushing yourself to pull off something super incredible can really give you a great, refreshed, “I can do this” feeling when it’s done. For me, it was pulling off my Disney and Frozen door decs. I did those the last two months of my time as an RA and it really left me with a great feeling, like I really knocked it out of the park!

Overall, try to remember that your time as an RA is limited! Whether you decide to ride it out until graduation or just finish one more year until you move on in your college career, take the time to savor it! Looking back, I know there were times when I was ready to just quit, but then I would remember that I only had (x) amount of months left and it really put me back in perspective! 

Good Luck! Reach out again if you need more help!

[raforlife]

Hey! I'd love to know how you did the mickey and Minnie Disney themed door decorations! (ideally in as much detail because I would love to do them) thanks!!

Of course!! Those were my favorite! 

Ok, so I basically googled a Mickey head to use as a stencil. I laminated it so that it would be more durable for tracing. So I started with a crap-ton of black construction paper and just cranked out 70+ mickey heads. 

Now for the clothing and pieces, I honestly drew it free-hand. The thing that helped the most, was that I used the black mickey heads and traced the bottom of the head on the various colored construction paper I was using for the clothing so that the clothing would fit properly on the head. I was fortunate enough to have almost every color of the rainbow at my disposal so it was easy to get the construction paper I needed. Additionally, it really helps to have a picture of the character you’re trying to do in front of you! I’m DEFINITELY no artist whatsoever! You’d be AMAZED to see how well you can actually draw if you’re doing it with the character in front of you!

For the Disney font, I went to www.dafont.com and downloaded a free Disney font which I then wrote out the names in Microsoft Word using the font. 

I found that glue sticks worked the best for the clothing so that I wouldn’t have any leaking sticky glue issues.

Good Luck! Keep in mind, these took me a solid two to three months to do, so make sure you allow yourself time! They are super worth it though because I had residents going door-to-door guessing what each character was! Have fun! Let me know if you need something else explained!