A Word about Eating Meat / Animal Rights

- I do not support animal testing. Never understood why it was ideal to experiment on something that cant say "ow, that hurts" or "I feel sick". I always felt that people who test on animals need to test on the human animal, put those in our prisons to good use. At least they can explain what hurts and where.

- While I do not support animal testing, this doesnt mean I dont eat meat. I'm the youngest daughter of a hunter and my dad is a member of the National Rifle Association. Eventually, I'll have my hunting license and be a proud owner of a handgun. And I DO support the 2nd Amendment.

About the "dreaded" HOT TOPIC

I worked there for a cumulative 4 years. What I mean by that was around my 3 1/2 year marker, I said "screw it" and put in my two weeks. Around Christmas time, I was re-hired as a seasonal employee, after suffering for two months at Pac Sun. Dont get me wrong, Element and Metal Militia are great brands and the jeans are nice, but Pac Sun was far from my thing.

Back to Hot Topic. I'm actually tired of hearing the "emo" jokes, how lame the store has gotten and how it makes it so easy for "gothlites" to get ahold of the wrong material.

Um, HELLO! If they really want to get involved in a lifestyle, Hot Topic makes it easier to afford those CDs, those shirts, those pants (( regardless of chains and straps or cock-huggin' skinnies, and believe me, I own several pairs of skinnies and they work wonderfully with knee-high boots )).

If it werent for getting hired back in 2004, I wouldnt listen to half the music I listen to today, thanks to that company. I wouldnt be as close to figuring out who I am as a person, thanks to that company (( and the amazing managers I've had through those years, one of which I want to be a bridesmaid for my wedding, the other of which is going to be one honoured guest )). And catering to my vanity, I wouldnt have acquired as many goodies. I actually learned how to coordinate clothing with footwear and accessories, and the company actually helped develop not only my clothing style but also helped me alter and expand my music horizons.

I dont care what people say about the store or the company, fact is, there are many people whom the company has helped in some way, be it learning of new music, or helping an employee mature (( and I can tell you, there are numerous coworkers that HAVE been there for me during hard times, even the most recent of hard times )).

The company had great perks, but the best part was some of my coworkers and whom I left the company as. I grew up a bit and that company helped, or at least the people I met within it.