Evil Empires

Hey I am still around, despite not being seen by many people and hiding away. I have just sold my social life to a big faceless/evil empire cooperation known as BP oil limited. I have been working shifts that have meant that I have missed many social gatherings and things that I would have liked to attend. I did enjoy ice skating the other night despite the blisters and 8 hours of standing up the next day. My course starts up on the 18th so that will be great I am looking forward to accessing the now dusty catacombs of my brain. BP is going through a procedure known as "accelerator" to the laymen this means "Mcdonaldisation" ie: the standardization of all BP owned stores world-wide. This has in resulted in 45% of management staff in the North Island leaving (or being made redundant), it has also been referred to as "streamlining" or "synergism" I think the BP head office have been reading to meant Dillbert cartoons, and I am sure that when the sun shines at the right angle my boss has spiky hair!
What will "accelerator" mean for me, the average BP employee? Our forecourt policy will change- rather than offering to help (as many of our customers enjoy and thank us for) we are now only suppose to serve if asked for help, and that includes windscreens, oil and water. This policy change can only be because New Zealand is a dinosaur when it comes to Forecourt service being one of the only countries around that will still offer service. In Australia many forecourt attendants will refuse to serve people for fear of being sued for damaging a car or using the wrong fuel. I know people appreciate service on the forecourt and I think that a Service Station NEEDS to offer SERVICE, I understand that a large number of our customers are able and willing to fill their own cars, but what of those that aren't? are they to be neglected and told to go to another station? (good luck in finding one that will still offer service). Alas I think another dinosaur has become extinct.
"Accelerator" has also meant the redundancy of many stuff that have been at BP for 14 years, I know this is sad and depressing and I in no way condone staying at BP for that long but these employees should be valued. In one of our staff meetings it was pointed out that there was no use in fighting these "improvements" because they will happen regardless of what we think...Read "you are being steam-rolled, have a nice day, please come again."
Ah my frustration with Evil empires continues....
In terms of another Evil Empire and to respond to Remy's comment regarding Manchester United I think I will take this opportunity to point out two things
a) Man U lost 2-0 to Norwich who are LAST in the Premiership and
b) Liverpool recently beat Juventus who are top of the Italian league and have conceded only two goals in the Champions League that was until they met Liverpool who beat them 2-1 including a goal from Luis Garcia that was one of the best football goals you will ever see.
Good bye from ah disgruntled employee of an Evil Empire (does this make me an evil minion?).