When the crowd is out for fun…Deliver!
It wasn’t a particularly busy weekend…school’s were closed this past week for mid-winter break….a lot of people take the time for a mini vacation….well, February isn’t really known for being one of the busier months of the year anyways…but Saturday was probably one of the most fun nights we’ve had!
We had two groups in the lounge who were having a rip-roaring good time…and then it got better. They were singing along, dancing, the two groups were joking around with each other…the makings of a perfect evening out for everyone.
I went over to talk to the two groups for a minute…..I was sort of swaying to the music, snapping my fingers, and one woman looks up and says “We’re gonna have a dance-off!” she immediately got up and started dancing again. I just stayed by the edge of tables….kept swaying, snapping my fingers, Deb was singing “We Are Family”, and when she got to the line “I got all my sisters and me,” she and I (being pseudo sisters-in-law) were pointing at each other, in time to the music of course. When the song was finished, the woman who was dancing, looked over at me and said, “HEY! What’s with the sideline dancing?!?” (You know what? She was right.)
On the next song, Josh, the busboy, came out of the kitchen wearing some goofy glasses he had found, was be-bopping around a little….told him, “Go over by that table, wear those goofy glasses and dance!” So he did! They loved it!
Turns out Deb decided to sing Donna Summer’s “Last Dance!” to close out the evening. I called Josh to come behind the bar with me, we put together a really quick choreography that just popped in my head…..we’re dancing, right arms waving in the air, “Okay now! Spin!” Deb was pointing at us, the two groups were hooting and hollering…then it hit me, “Get them to join in!” I told Josh, “Follow me!” And a Conga Line was born. Those who had been dancing got up and joined us! We circled the lounge for the duration of the song! One of the guys at the tables pulled out his phone and was madly snapping pictures! What a riot!
So you see, it doesn’t matter whether you can dance well or not, it only matters that if you want, you do. We only get one go-around in this life…so screw your inhibitions and dance!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Happy Hour, yeah, maybe for you.....
Happy Hour’s were designed to get people in the bar during the slowest part of the day. You can get a glass of house wine or a draft beer for half price. Appetizers are also available at half off. Well drinks are $3.00. You’re getting a really good deal! You can have a few drinks, an appetizer, and your tab will be under $20.00. However….if you are there for a couple of hours, (taking up space) nurse a couple of beers and your tab is $4.00.….don’t rip off your bartender by leaving a shitty tip. A dollar doesn’t cut it. Especially on a Friday night when we cold have filled those seats with people who want to order a meal, at full price and don’t really care about Happy Hour.
Oh! Then there’s the guy who thought he was really clever by pulling out a tab from his pocket, from two days before, and wanting to know why the price of a drink was different on each tab. Let me explain…..what you ordered wasn’t a well drink, but we gave you a deal anyways…a deal you technically shouldn’t have gotten….so I told him we discounted a drink that was never meant to discounted, but we did it. So he asks, “Why the difference in price?” I told him (again) “It never should have been that low in the first place, so you got a deal either way.” He should have just dummied up and accepted the fact that he was getting a deal, but no, he’s gotta push it. Guess what? You’ll never get another deal on a call brand. You want a deal? Drink the cheap stuff!
A couple of days down the road, same guy, (still thinking he’s clever) wants a Long Island Iced Tea. There are 5 different liquors in that drink! By well drink, we mean rum and coke, vodka and tonic, you get the gist of it….so this guy is gonna argue that if it’s made with well brands, then it’s a well drink. And then! He wants to add a 6th liquor to it. He claims that a little Kahlua really rounds it out. But Kahlua is a call brand, he says, and wants to know what we can substitute for it. Tia Maria? Hell no! (That’s more expensive than Kahlua!) I tell him “Kamora.” It’s a less expensive knock off of Kahlua. Then he asks what can be substituted for Grand Marnier, which has an orange flavor, and is also expensive, not to mention the fact that they’re not made with that anyways, unless you wanna pay up the ass….which would be a waste anyways…once you start mixing that many things together it all starts to taste the same…..so he suggests Cointreau, another expensive liqueur, “Uh-uh, you get Triple Sec“, an inexpensive brand, used by most when concocting this drink. Really guy, you’re not that clever, and you keep on proving that over and over again.
So now he thinks he’s a getting a multi shot drink for $3.00 Uh-uh. See, we know what we’re doing…..I grab a glass, put some ice in it, shake it down, let the ice settle, put more ice on top so it’s got a dome of ice over the top of the glass. As soon as you start to pour alcohol over the ice, it begins to melt a little, settle a little more into the glass. Not much room in there now for anything. He’ll be lucky to get a ¼ shot of each. But the glass will be full…oh, I almost forgot, he also did not want any sour mix in it…and for people like him, that means he thinks we’re gonna make up for that with more alcohol. Not gonna happen!
So guy, by thinking you’re so clever and we’re so stupid, you’ve pissed us off. Sure, you’ll get your Long Island Iced Tea…..but it won’t be the $8.00 version for $3.00, you’ll get $3.00 worth. Should have just stuck with rum and coke….you would’ve gotten more booze that way. Idiot.
Oh! Then there’s the guy who thought he was really clever by pulling out a tab from his pocket, from two days before, and wanting to know why the price of a drink was different on each tab. Let me explain…..what you ordered wasn’t a well drink, but we gave you a deal anyways…a deal you technically shouldn’t have gotten….so I told him we discounted a drink that was never meant to discounted, but we did it. So he asks, “Why the difference in price?” I told him (again) “It never should have been that low in the first place, so you got a deal either way.” He should have just dummied up and accepted the fact that he was getting a deal, but no, he’s gotta push it. Guess what? You’ll never get another deal on a call brand. You want a deal? Drink the cheap stuff!
A couple of days down the road, same guy, (still thinking he’s clever) wants a Long Island Iced Tea. There are 5 different liquors in that drink! By well drink, we mean rum and coke, vodka and tonic, you get the gist of it….so this guy is gonna argue that if it’s made with well brands, then it’s a well drink. And then! He wants to add a 6th liquor to it. He claims that a little Kahlua really rounds it out. But Kahlua is a call brand, he says, and wants to know what we can substitute for it. Tia Maria? Hell no! (That’s more expensive than Kahlua!) I tell him “Kamora.” It’s a less expensive knock off of Kahlua. Then he asks what can be substituted for Grand Marnier, which has an orange flavor, and is also expensive, not to mention the fact that they’re not made with that anyways, unless you wanna pay up the ass….which would be a waste anyways…once you start mixing that many things together it all starts to taste the same…..so he suggests Cointreau, another expensive liqueur, “Uh-uh, you get Triple Sec“, an inexpensive brand, used by most when concocting this drink. Really guy, you’re not that clever, and you keep on proving that over and over again.
So now he thinks he’s a getting a multi shot drink for $3.00 Uh-uh. See, we know what we’re doing…..I grab a glass, put some ice in it, shake it down, let the ice settle, put more ice on top so it’s got a dome of ice over the top of the glass. As soon as you start to pour alcohol over the ice, it begins to melt a little, settle a little more into the glass. Not much room in there now for anything. He’ll be lucky to get a ¼ shot of each. But the glass will be full…oh, I almost forgot, he also did not want any sour mix in it…and for people like him, that means he thinks we’re gonna make up for that with more alcohol. Not gonna happen!
So guy, by thinking you’re so clever and we’re so stupid, you’ve pissed us off. Sure, you’ll get your Long Island Iced Tea…..but it won’t be the $8.00 version for $3.00, you’ll get $3.00 worth. Should have just stuck with rum and coke….you would’ve gotten more booze that way. Idiot.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Laryngitis
This is an excerpt from my book: “The Bar Wench From Hell”, available at Amazon or the Barnes & Noble website:
The only time in my life when I have gotten laryngitis, and ONLY laryngitis, was on a Friday night shift. I didn’t have a cold, or the flu, or any other symptom of anything, but I lost my voice. Completely! I couldn’t utter a peep, or an ahh or an umm. There was NO SOUND!
Of course, on the plus side, the phone would ring and there was nothing I could do about it.
Overall I felt great, but it was as if someone had stolen my vocal chords. I found it a wee bit cruel that the Friday night crowd should take such delight in my tribulation. I believe that they were under the misguided influence that they could get in the last word due to vocal incapacitation. HA! (middle finger) HA!
So what do you do when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, or Veal Picatta. I had so darn much fun that night. I never realized what a wide variety if sign language I knew or could make up to fit the moment! And all those ass holes made sure the night was fuckin’ laugh after another. It was kind of them to supply me with challenges the entire night, so as to keep me on my toes, and them constantly on the verge of getting shitty drinks.
When the Friday Night Supper Club decided it was time to order, they went through the usual routine and wrote out their orders on bevnaps. Since they were some of the front runners in the “Let’s Pick on the Poor Mute Bartender Contest”, I was careful to give their written orders a little extra scrutiny Dave and Betty got their order kicked back for poor use of abbreviations. I boldly ex’d out their abbreviation of chick noo, which they use for chicken noodle soup. I told them this was not a restaurant approved abbreviation. I am the only one who has to read these homemade bevnap orders, so I let this slide for the last 6 or 7 years, but not tonight!
They tried crossing it out and writing over it, but I sent it back again with a note on the back: “Too sloppy. Can’t read. Please rewrite.
In an effort to cut down on waste, I started to save some of the notes I had written and had them neatly sitting on the back of the bar. All I had to do to make my thoughts known was to turn around and pick up the appropriate bevnap. I had “Dumb Ass” and “Eat Shit” and “You’ll pay for this later,” and the most fearful of all was a simple “Uh-huh.”
The only time in my life when I have gotten laryngitis, and ONLY laryngitis, was on a Friday night shift. I didn’t have a cold, or the flu, or any other symptom of anything, but I lost my voice. Completely! I couldn’t utter a peep, or an ahh or an umm. There was NO SOUND!
Of course, on the plus side, the phone would ring and there was nothing I could do about it.
Overall I felt great, but it was as if someone had stolen my vocal chords. I found it a wee bit cruel that the Friday night crowd should take such delight in my tribulation. I believe that they were under the misguided influence that they could get in the last word due to vocal incapacitation. HA! (middle finger) HA!
So what do you do when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, or Veal Picatta. I had so darn much fun that night. I never realized what a wide variety if sign language I knew or could make up to fit the moment! And all those ass holes made sure the night was fuckin’ laugh after another. It was kind of them to supply me with challenges the entire night, so as to keep me on my toes, and them constantly on the verge of getting shitty drinks.
When the Friday Night Supper Club decided it was time to order, they went through the usual routine and wrote out their orders on bevnaps. Since they were some of the front runners in the “Let’s Pick on the Poor Mute Bartender Contest”, I was careful to give their written orders a little extra scrutiny Dave and Betty got their order kicked back for poor use of abbreviations. I boldly ex’d out their abbreviation of chick noo, which they use for chicken noodle soup. I told them this was not a restaurant approved abbreviation. I am the only one who has to read these homemade bevnap orders, so I let this slide for the last 6 or 7 years, but not tonight!
They tried crossing it out and writing over it, but I sent it back again with a note on the back: “Too sloppy. Can’t read. Please rewrite.
In an effort to cut down on waste, I started to save some of the notes I had written and had them neatly sitting on the back of the bar. All I had to do to make my thoughts known was to turn around and pick up the appropriate bevnap. I had “Dumb Ass” and “Eat Shit” and “You’ll pay for this later,” and the most fearful of all was a simple “Uh-huh.”
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Weathering the storm....
It used to be a lot easier to make money in the restaurant industry…..back in the late 80’s, all through the 90’s…..people went out multiple times a week……now they’re lucky to be out once a week. We’re all fighting for the same dollar. There used to be plenty of customers to go around, now we’re all fighting for the same ones.
Many are looking to get more bang for their buck….like those who want to sit in the lounge every time they come in….and they’re looking for many different reasons. Some wan to sit back and be entertained….others are looking for conversation….and still others want to join in and be part of the fun.
Even for those who want to be part of the fun, they’re looking for someone to lead the way, so sometimes you have to play the part of the fool. Not in an idiot sense…but in the sense that you can’t be afraid to have a little fun. There are songs that the singer sings, that seem to have universal sing-a-long parts…..maybe just a word or a phrase here or there….but no one wants to be the only one…for fear that no one else will join in….for fear of looking stupid. So you gotta put yourself on the line and lead the way. You’ve gotta show them it’s okay to have fun.
Whenever Debra, the singer does Petula Clark’s old classic hit “Downtown”, there is a perfect opportunity for all to join in and be a part of something. You know, “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go”….(everyone) “DOWNTOWN!” You may be the only one on the “DOWNTOWN”, but others will join in…they just need to know you’ll be there with them…..and there will always be the ones who simply want to soak in the environment, and get their fun vicariously through others. But there has to be an environment for them to soak in.
When Debra sings “New York, New York”…she tells everyone that the bartender has a little choreography to go along with the song. Everyone looks towards the bar and wonders what she is talking about. This all started when I told her each time she sang it, I felt like breaking out with some high kicks….so one day we just started doing it. It’s always at the same point in the song…so she leads up to it….”She’s warming up back there”…..”She’s getting ready”…..”We’re almost there”……”Here it is!”…and I do my 4 or 5 high kicks. (Just the fact that at my age I can still kick my foot higher than the bar and everyone sitting at the tables on the other side can see it, is a feat in itself)
Silly? Yes. But fun…..and there a lot of people out there thinking the same thing…”I wish I had the guts to do something like that.”
So yes, it’s okay to be the fool and have a good time….there will always be those who have a good time through you. And through our antics, we delivered more than just a good meal.
Many are looking to get more bang for their buck….like those who want to sit in the lounge every time they come in….and they’re looking for many different reasons. Some wan to sit back and be entertained….others are looking for conversation….and still others want to join in and be part of the fun.
Even for those who want to be part of the fun, they’re looking for someone to lead the way, so sometimes you have to play the part of the fool. Not in an idiot sense…but in the sense that you can’t be afraid to have a little fun. There are songs that the singer sings, that seem to have universal sing-a-long parts…..maybe just a word or a phrase here or there….but no one wants to be the only one…for fear that no one else will join in….for fear of looking stupid. So you gotta put yourself on the line and lead the way. You’ve gotta show them it’s okay to have fun.
Whenever Debra, the singer does Petula Clark’s old classic hit “Downtown”, there is a perfect opportunity for all to join in and be a part of something. You know, “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go”….(everyone) “DOWNTOWN!” You may be the only one on the “DOWNTOWN”, but others will join in…they just need to know you’ll be there with them…..and there will always be the ones who simply want to soak in the environment, and get their fun vicariously through others. But there has to be an environment for them to soak in.
When Debra sings “New York, New York”…she tells everyone that the bartender has a little choreography to go along with the song. Everyone looks towards the bar and wonders what she is talking about. This all started when I told her each time she sang it, I felt like breaking out with some high kicks….so one day we just started doing it. It’s always at the same point in the song…so she leads up to it….”She’s warming up back there”…..”She’s getting ready”…..”We’re almost there”……”Here it is!”…and I do my 4 or 5 high kicks. (Just the fact that at my age I can still kick my foot higher than the bar and everyone sitting at the tables on the other side can see it, is a feat in itself)
Silly? Yes. But fun…..and there a lot of people out there thinking the same thing…”I wish I had the guts to do something like that.”
So yes, it’s okay to be the fool and have a good time….there will always be those who have a good time through you. And through our antics, we delivered more than just a good meal.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
NO, it's not okay......
To the family who had dinner in the lounge last week, and upon finishing decided to move up to the bar to finish their drinks….no, it’s not okay to plop your 8 and 10 year old daughters down on a bar stool. I don’t care how cute you think it is to see your kids bellied up to the bar…..it’s against the law…..and I overheard you saying this to each other…but you did it anyways….not to mention the fact that there are a limited number of seats, and you’re inhibiting my ability to earn a living by taking up two of them for your kids….actually I won’t make any money at all since you brought your drinks with you, and don’t plan on purchasing anymore. You are not the exception to the rule, keep your kids away from the bar.
To the couple who wanted to purchase tickets for the Dinner Show, but refused to pay for them, or leave a credit card number to hold their tickets…..”Oh, we know the owner”….(pretty much everyone in here knows the owner)…..doesn’t cut it…..so when you arrive for the Dinner Show, if you even remember to, don’t be surprised if you find it’s sold out and you don’t have a seat….they are reserved for those who paid up front or left a credit card number to hold the seats….you are not the exception to the rule.
If you have a banquet scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and you show up at 11:30 a.m…..it’s not okay. Allow me to explain something….we arrive an hour and a half before the scheduled banquet time to set everything up…..there are no little elves running around in the middle of the night setting up the tables to your specifications….…..nor are they in the kitchen preparing food “just in case” you arrive way too early…..(nor is it okay to arrive an hour and a half late) there are a number of reasons why we ask you to select a time (many of which seem to be lost on you) and again, you are not the exception to the rule.
To the couple who wanted to purchase tickets for the Dinner Show, but refused to pay for them, or leave a credit card number to hold their tickets…..”Oh, we know the owner”….(pretty much everyone in here knows the owner)…..doesn’t cut it…..so when you arrive for the Dinner Show, if you even remember to, don’t be surprised if you find it’s sold out and you don’t have a seat….they are reserved for those who paid up front or left a credit card number to hold the seats….you are not the exception to the rule.
If you have a banquet scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and you show up at 11:30 a.m…..it’s not okay. Allow me to explain something….we arrive an hour and a half before the scheduled banquet time to set everything up…..there are no little elves running around in the middle of the night setting up the tables to your specifications….…..nor are they in the kitchen preparing food “just in case” you arrive way too early…..(nor is it okay to arrive an hour and a half late) there are a number of reasons why we ask you to select a time (many of which seem to be lost on you) and again, you are not the exception to the rule.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Women I can't identify with......
Jackie and I worked a baby shower this past weekend. We were guaranteed 40 people, and we got 40 squealing women.
Why is it when a group of women get together, they all greet each other with artificially loud “Ooooh’s” and “Ahhh’s” and all the other gibberish that comes out of their mouths?!? I like to greet people in a joyful manner, but I find it can be done without the squealing.
Jackie was the first to enter the room, upon the arrival of the women. (A group of 10 was the first to arrive, to finalize the decorating of the room.) The swinging door burst open as Jackie came flying back into the wait station announcing “There are too many chiefs in that room!” We decided that beverage service could wait until they stopped cackling and sat down.
We had an 8’ by 5’, “L” shaped gift and cake table set up. Plenty of room, that is, until they deemed it necessary to place pictures the length of the 8’ foot span. We had to drag in another table for the cake. (You can only fit so many tables in a room) We put a nice white tablecloth on the new cake table, which they promptly covered with a blue plastic table covering, that screamed “It’s a boy! It’s a boy! It’s a boy!” Guess they felt obligated to use it, even tough the balloons that were scattered about the room screamed out the same message. (Ever stop to think that all the money spent on silly decorations, that’ll get thrown out in a couple of hours could’ve bought a really nice, useful gift?)
And why is it, at (any) gathering, people completely forget the purpose of an aisle? I have yet to find a definition that states that an aisle is a congregational area in which to stand in groups and block the passageway of all others. Nor is it an area for placing large gift boxes because you covered the table with pictures.
Oh! And when we are trying to traverse the room with a tray full of beverages and say “Excuse me,” do not look at us like we told you we are going to remove your molars.
Let’s use a little common sense people! Stop squealing and take a seat! The chairs are there for a reason! (And no, you cannot move them into the aisles so you see better.)
Why is it when a group of women get together, they all greet each other with artificially loud “Ooooh’s” and “Ahhh’s” and all the other gibberish that comes out of their mouths?!? I like to greet people in a joyful manner, but I find it can be done without the squealing.
Jackie was the first to enter the room, upon the arrival of the women. (A group of 10 was the first to arrive, to finalize the decorating of the room.) The swinging door burst open as Jackie came flying back into the wait station announcing “There are too many chiefs in that room!” We decided that beverage service could wait until they stopped cackling and sat down.
We had an 8’ by 5’, “L” shaped gift and cake table set up. Plenty of room, that is, until they deemed it necessary to place pictures the length of the 8’ foot span. We had to drag in another table for the cake. (You can only fit so many tables in a room) We put a nice white tablecloth on the new cake table, which they promptly covered with a blue plastic table covering, that screamed “It’s a boy! It’s a boy! It’s a boy!” Guess they felt obligated to use it, even tough the balloons that were scattered about the room screamed out the same message. (Ever stop to think that all the money spent on silly decorations, that’ll get thrown out in a couple of hours could’ve bought a really nice, useful gift?)
And why is it, at (any) gathering, people completely forget the purpose of an aisle? I have yet to find a definition that states that an aisle is a congregational area in which to stand in groups and block the passageway of all others. Nor is it an area for placing large gift boxes because you covered the table with pictures.
Oh! And when we are trying to traverse the room with a tray full of beverages and say “Excuse me,” do not look at us like we told you we are going to remove your molars.
Let’s use a little common sense people! Stop squealing and take a seat! The chairs are there for a reason! (And no, you cannot move them into the aisles so you see better.)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday Fever!
Yay Friday! Looking forward to Friday Fever!
Okay, so I’ve had this nasty cold all week….been laying low….drinking a lot of fluids…..mostly juice and Gatorade….finally feeling on the up side……annnnnd….it’s about 50 degrees outside….this is like a mini spring fever…..most of the snow has melted…this is the weather that brings everyone out of hibernation.
You can almost feel the electricity in the air…..(I can even hear birds chirping outside! In February?!? Go figure, they must have thawed out)...can’t wait to get to work tonight!
Ticket sales for the Celebrity Impersonator Dinner Show are blasting off…..book sales are going well…..(both of which happen in the restaurant on a nightly basis) The other bartender will be back tonight….so I get to run around the lounge, work a few tables, work the bar….I was gonna say kind of like letting a kid loose in a candy store, but we’re talking about the lounge here, so I’ll say it’s like letting a drunk loose in a liquor store with an empty shopping cart waiting to get filled up.
Yes! It feels good to feel good again! Of course, knowing that I have a secret stash of M&M’s in my apron pocket helps. Hey! Chocolate is a very important food group.
Then, there is always the element of surprise that comes with any night…..last week it was when one of the servers inadvertently lit a table on fire while serving the Bananas Foster Bread Pudding. But hey, it’s all in a day’s work.
So enough rambling……let’s get on with Friday Fever! Can you feel it?!?
Okay, so I’ve had this nasty cold all week….been laying low….drinking a lot of fluids…..mostly juice and Gatorade….finally feeling on the up side……annnnnd….it’s about 50 degrees outside….this is like a mini spring fever…..most of the snow has melted…this is the weather that brings everyone out of hibernation.
You can almost feel the electricity in the air…..(I can even hear birds chirping outside! In February?!? Go figure, they must have thawed out)...can’t wait to get to work tonight!
Ticket sales for the Celebrity Impersonator Dinner Show are blasting off…..book sales are going well…..(both of which happen in the restaurant on a nightly basis) The other bartender will be back tonight….so I get to run around the lounge, work a few tables, work the bar….I was gonna say kind of like letting a kid loose in a candy store, but we’re talking about the lounge here, so I’ll say it’s like letting a drunk loose in a liquor store with an empty shopping cart waiting to get filled up.
Yes! It feels good to feel good again! Of course, knowing that I have a secret stash of M&M’s in my apron pocket helps. Hey! Chocolate is a very important food group.
Then, there is always the element of surprise that comes with any night…..last week it was when one of the servers inadvertently lit a table on fire while serving the Bananas Foster Bread Pudding. But hey, it’s all in a day’s work.
So enough rambling……let’s get on with Friday Fever! Can you feel it?!?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
It was the late 80's, early 90's......
It was the late 80’, early 90’s….when we were the Herc’s girls…(Herc's is the name of the place where we worked).... average age was about 33.….We were all in good shape…….we were all pretty……and we wore big hair. Not hideously big like Texas Big Hair…..hell…,no other state does Texas Big Hair, and there’s a good reason for that, it’s stupid. (Even the former Texas Governor’s hair was a tad too big. Ya just don’t‘ see those do‘s on older New England women.) Anyways…..we wore big hair and it was great. And we wore a shit ton of make-up.
The one’s that were married, lived the single life vicariously through those of us who were single. We were a very fun group. We worked together, we partied together, and we were very good at both.
Okay, flash forward 20 years! (Did ya?) Now we’re all at a reunion, with about 50 other people, all former employees or customers. The reunion is at the place where I currently work. I’ve talked about it before, but not from this angle. I had two fellow servers working with me that night….Nate, who is in his mid-twenties, really quick, can jump back behind the bar and help out, and I knew he’d like the crowd, (we’ll find out just how well in a minute) he’s got an excellent sense of humor…..and can be rather candid at times….Janette was also working with us…..she’s in her mid 30’s, an absolute rock, you can’t fluster her, annnnnd she has a really good time!
We’re rockin’ and rollin’…..a lot of these people haven’t seen each other in years….everyone’s having a blast!
About ¾ of the way through the night, Nate walks over and says, “All night I wondering who all these M.I.L.F.’s were…..then I start talking to them and find out they are my old high school buddies’ mom’s.” Yes, I did laugh out loud.
So to all us former Herc’s girls…….WE STILL GOT IT!!!! UH-HUH!!!! (Never would’ve known if Nate hadn’t been so candid) (Thanks, Nate)
The one’s that were married, lived the single life vicariously through those of us who were single. We were a very fun group. We worked together, we partied together, and we were very good at both.
Okay, flash forward 20 years! (Did ya?) Now we’re all at a reunion, with about 50 other people, all former employees or customers. The reunion is at the place where I currently work. I’ve talked about it before, but not from this angle. I had two fellow servers working with me that night….Nate, who is in his mid-twenties, really quick, can jump back behind the bar and help out, and I knew he’d like the crowd, (we’ll find out just how well in a minute) he’s got an excellent sense of humor…..and can be rather candid at times….Janette was also working with us…..she’s in her mid 30’s, an absolute rock, you can’t fluster her, annnnnd she has a really good time!
We’re rockin’ and rollin’…..a lot of these people haven’t seen each other in years….everyone’s having a blast!
About ¾ of the way through the night, Nate walks over and says, “All night I wondering who all these M.I.L.F.’s were…..then I start talking to them and find out they are my old high school buddies’ mom’s.” Yes, I did laugh out loud.
So to all us former Herc’s girls…….WE STILL GOT IT!!!! UH-HUH!!!! (Never would’ve known if Nate hadn’t been so candid) (Thanks, Nate)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
When everything irritates you....
There are days when you take everything in stride and nothing bothers you. But every irritable thing seems magnified, when you have the granddaddy of all colds. You know the feeling….your sinuses are so stuffed up that you become a mouth breather….on the plus side, you can still breath, but then your lips and throat get all dried out…..it takes a good 15 seconds to get that sneeze out, and you sneeze so hard it feels like half your brain is gonna shoot out….of course then there are those intermittent periods when your nose decides (all on it’s own) to suddenly run, and your standing at a table taking an order….and then all that is topped off by the coughing fits, in which you’re sure you’re going to hack up lung……
With all that being said, enter the first two customers of the day…..being the first two, they have their choice of EVERY table in the place….. So they choose one, sit down, peruse the menu, and then decide they want to switch tables…..great…..not that it’s a huge deal…. pulling the extra settings from the new table, resetting the old one…..but any movement I make seems to resonate with each step, sending that echo effect from my feet to my snot-filled head.
Then there’s that darn tea box! Two women at another table decide they want hot tea…”Do you have any green tea?” “I’ll bring out the tea box.” I hate the tea box, it’s a monumental waste of time. It’s big, it’s cumbersome, and it means an extra trip to the table…..invariably people stare at it, for a long period of time as though they had suddenly lost the ability to read. And they ALL ask the same question…..”Do have more tea in the back?” C’mon people! There are 10 different teas in the box! Choose one! Why would we be hiding more in the back?!? Finally, after poking through all the neat little stacks of tea packets, (to see if we had anything hidden underneath the packets on top), They point, and say “I’ll take that one.” You mean to tell me that after practically rearranging the entire box…you’ve suddenly lost the ability to pull one packet out?
Let’s not forget the coffee drinkers…the one’s who point at their half filled cup and tell you, “This coffee is cold, bring me a fresh cup.” Are you new to drinking coffee? Do you not realize that when you pour a hot beverage into a cup, let it sit for 15 minutes, that eventually it will cool to room temperature?
I feel like crap, and you’re being a moron….all I want to do right now is sneeze on you.
With all that being said, enter the first two customers of the day…..being the first two, they have their choice of EVERY table in the place….. So they choose one, sit down, peruse the menu, and then decide they want to switch tables…..great…..not that it’s a huge deal…. pulling the extra settings from the new table, resetting the old one…..but any movement I make seems to resonate with each step, sending that echo effect from my feet to my snot-filled head.
Then there’s that darn tea box! Two women at another table decide they want hot tea…”Do you have any green tea?” “I’ll bring out the tea box.” I hate the tea box, it’s a monumental waste of time. It’s big, it’s cumbersome, and it means an extra trip to the table…..invariably people stare at it, for a long period of time as though they had suddenly lost the ability to read. And they ALL ask the same question…..”Do have more tea in the back?” C’mon people! There are 10 different teas in the box! Choose one! Why would we be hiding more in the back?!? Finally, after poking through all the neat little stacks of tea packets, (to see if we had anything hidden underneath the packets on top), They point, and say “I’ll take that one.” You mean to tell me that after practically rearranging the entire box…you’ve suddenly lost the ability to pull one packet out?
Let’s not forget the coffee drinkers…the one’s who point at their half filled cup and tell you, “This coffee is cold, bring me a fresh cup.” Are you new to drinking coffee? Do you not realize that when you pour a hot beverage into a cup, let it sit for 15 minutes, that eventually it will cool to room temperature?
I feel like crap, and you’re being a moron….all I want to do right now is sneeze on you.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
What day of the week is it, anyway?
Ever have one of those days, where you can’t figure out what day of the week it is? That’s how it was at work last night. You know it’s Monday, the calendar has it plainly spelled out……but then you arrive at work, it’s 4:00 p.m……..and suddenly the mood is a little festive. There’s usually one server there at 4:00...another shows up at 5:00, and another at 6:00. Yesterday there was a whole herd of them, all getting ready for a busy night, like it was a Friday. Monday’s are usually so slow, we don‘t even bother with a bartender….and at 4:20, I’ve got people sitting at the bar. What made it even feel less Monday-like, was the singer was there!
By 6:00 p.m. we were in full tilt boogie mode! It became apparent that a lot of people are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day no matter what day of the week it falls on. Guests were ordering bottles of wine and surf and turf! Two couples were dancing….they were requesting songs…singing along…one of the dancing couples told us the song they had just danced to was their wedding song. The singer asked how long they had been married, 20 years! Another couple shouted out 32 years! Then another….37 years! (They wanted to know if they got a prize… I offered them a salt shaker. It was the first thing I grabbed) It felt like a lively Friday night!
(Please! I’m easily confused! Take Sunday for example….I was so used to going to work at 1:00 p.m., that upon my arrival, I found out I wasn’t even scheduled!)
For a night when we are not used to being busy, everything went smoothly. There were no fires to put out, literally or figuratively. What do I mean by literally? Oh, last Saturday, one of the servers, Tiffany, was serving a Bananas Foster Bread Pudding, over which we pour a little Don Q rum, and light it. Seems a little of the rum spilled on the table…and when said rum was lit, well, it all lit. Tiffany calmly pulled the cloth napkin that was hanging from her belt and blotted it out. (She won’t live this one down for a long time)
Although somewhat confused this morning, I’m reasonably sure it’s Tuesday. (Only because I can hear then garbage truck outside)
By 6:00 p.m. we were in full tilt boogie mode! It became apparent that a lot of people are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day no matter what day of the week it falls on. Guests were ordering bottles of wine and surf and turf! Two couples were dancing….they were requesting songs…singing along…one of the dancing couples told us the song they had just danced to was their wedding song. The singer asked how long they had been married, 20 years! Another couple shouted out 32 years! Then another….37 years! (They wanted to know if they got a prize… I offered them a salt shaker. It was the first thing I grabbed) It felt like a lively Friday night!
(Please! I’m easily confused! Take Sunday for example….I was so used to going to work at 1:00 p.m., that upon my arrival, I found out I wasn’t even scheduled!)
For a night when we are not used to being busy, everything went smoothly. There were no fires to put out, literally or figuratively. What do I mean by literally? Oh, last Saturday, one of the servers, Tiffany, was serving a Bananas Foster Bread Pudding, over which we pour a little Don Q rum, and light it. Seems a little of the rum spilled on the table…and when said rum was lit, well, it all lit. Tiffany calmly pulled the cloth napkin that was hanging from her belt and blotted it out. (She won’t live this one down for a long time)
Although somewhat confused this morning, I’m reasonably sure it’s Tuesday. (Only because I can hear then garbage truck outside)
Monday, February 14, 2011
The bar is not a parking lot.......
Ya gotta love that Valentine’s Day fell on a Monday this year….and Monday, not being a popular night to go out, made the weekend busier. Friday brought us what is now becoming our usual Friday night crowd. Some are there to hit the last couple hours of Happy Hour, some just go out every Friday. The other bartender was out of town on Friday, so that left me as a solo act. Had a full bar most of the night….we were on a wait for tables, so I’m assuming that it was part of the “Let’s get a jump on Valentine’s Day crowd.”
Saturday had us lined up with a lot of reservations, again the pre-Valentines Day thing, so we knew we would have a line at the door with all the walk-ins. We have a small amount of seating in the lobby…so when that gets filled, and the host or hostess tells you are welcome to wait at the bar in the lounge, let me tell you what that really means.
It means: You are welcome to sit at the bar and BUY A DRINK!!!! It does not mean that you can park your butt at the bar, and just sit there. “Oh, we don’t want anything, we’re just waiting for a table.” That is not okay with any bartender! We have a limited number of seats…we make our money from the people who sit there and order drinks, or decide to have dinner at the bar. We only have 11 bar stools, so if a party of 4 comes in, sits down, and doesn’t want anything, you just cut my ability to earn any income, by a third. I am pointing this out, because many of you (the ones who parked their butts) don’t seem to understand this concept.
It gets even more frustrating when you see more people wander in, who would like to order something, but it is too crowded. Oh sure, some will order drinks, and are content with standing…..others just walk away. I see dollar signs flashing before my eyes, flying out the window. I can think of no business that allows people to wander into their lobby, or whatever, cop a seat, and just pass the time. If you go to a hair salon, they don’t let you sit at a chair with a dryer attached to it, or sit in a chair at a shampoo sink…those chairs serve a purpose, they are tools of the trade…..and so are bar stools.
What if you were at work, (no matter where you work) and someone came in and told you, “We’re going to hinder your ability to get anything done for the next 30 minutes, so just go stand in a corner, and by the way, you’re not getting paid for this time”…well… that just wouldn’t fly, would it.
For those who are now enlightened and will think twice before doing this, we thank you. We’re just trying to earn a living. If you’re elderly or handicapped, and no able-bodied person sitting in the lobby has given up a seat for you, we’ll find somewhere for you to sit.
There are days when we are on our feet for 8 to 10 hours at a stretch, sometimes longer, so really, we have little sympathy because you have to stand for 15 minutes.
For those who can’t seem to grasp this concept, and think it’s their God-given right to plop their butts down wherever they feel like it, well, you’re just inconsiderate and self-centered. Probably always have been, probably always will be.
Saturday had us lined up with a lot of reservations, again the pre-Valentines Day thing, so we knew we would have a line at the door with all the walk-ins. We have a small amount of seating in the lobby…so when that gets filled, and the host or hostess tells you are welcome to wait at the bar in the lounge, let me tell you what that really means.
It means: You are welcome to sit at the bar and BUY A DRINK!!!! It does not mean that you can park your butt at the bar, and just sit there. “Oh, we don’t want anything, we’re just waiting for a table.” That is not okay with any bartender! We have a limited number of seats…we make our money from the people who sit there and order drinks, or decide to have dinner at the bar. We only have 11 bar stools, so if a party of 4 comes in, sits down, and doesn’t want anything, you just cut my ability to earn any income, by a third. I am pointing this out, because many of you (the ones who parked their butts) don’t seem to understand this concept.
It gets even more frustrating when you see more people wander in, who would like to order something, but it is too crowded. Oh sure, some will order drinks, and are content with standing…..others just walk away. I see dollar signs flashing before my eyes, flying out the window. I can think of no business that allows people to wander into their lobby, or whatever, cop a seat, and just pass the time. If you go to a hair salon, they don’t let you sit at a chair with a dryer attached to it, or sit in a chair at a shampoo sink…those chairs serve a purpose, they are tools of the trade…..and so are bar stools.
What if you were at work, (no matter where you work) and someone came in and told you, “We’re going to hinder your ability to get anything done for the next 30 minutes, so just go stand in a corner, and by the way, you’re not getting paid for this time”…well… that just wouldn’t fly, would it.
For those who are now enlightened and will think twice before doing this, we thank you. We’re just trying to earn a living. If you’re elderly or handicapped, and no able-bodied person sitting in the lobby has given up a seat for you, we’ll find somewhere for you to sit.
There are days when we are on our feet for 8 to 10 hours at a stretch, sometimes longer, so really, we have little sympathy because you have to stand for 15 minutes.
For those who can’t seem to grasp this concept, and think it’s their God-given right to plop their butts down wherever they feel like it, well, you’re just inconsiderate and self-centered. Probably always have been, probably always will be.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Doing more than just your job.....
It’s good when you like your job, it’s great when you love where you work!
I love that I get to do a variety of things…..bartending was always my first love….I get to do that…but because we are in a re-building period, I also work the floor, and banquets. But what really makes this interesting, is I get to put on events.
The newest event is a celebrity impersonator show. The singer and I got together, started talking and came up with format for a show. We sat down and talked to the boss, he liked the idea and gave us the go ahead.
The great thing about this place, is we have the room do things like this. It’s going to be a dinner show. Our first show will include Cher, Karen Carpenter, Lady Gaga and Marilyn Monroe impersonators. What a great line up! I’ve worked with these impersonators before, and they are incredibly talented!
Tickets are only $25.00! That includes your entrée and any side dishes that come with it, a salad, bread and a great show. Pretty solid deal. Our first show is Wednesday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are already selling!
We’re the only one’s in this area doing a show like this! We just want you to sit back, enjoy a great meal, a great show, and enjoy yourself.! We understand that money is tight in our current economic situation…..so for $25.00, you’re getting a really good bang for your buck.
We have a limited number of seats, so call early for reservations. I can’t think of a better way to perk up your winter doldrums. (Unless of course, you’re going south)
Call us at: 734 - 453 - 2002.
I love that I get to do a variety of things…..bartending was always my first love….I get to do that…but because we are in a re-building period, I also work the floor, and banquets. But what really makes this interesting, is I get to put on events.
The newest event is a celebrity impersonator show. The singer and I got together, started talking and came up with format for a show. We sat down and talked to the boss, he liked the idea and gave us the go ahead.
The great thing about this place, is we have the room do things like this. It’s going to be a dinner show. Our first show will include Cher, Karen Carpenter, Lady Gaga and Marilyn Monroe impersonators. What a great line up! I’ve worked with these impersonators before, and they are incredibly talented!
Tickets are only $25.00! That includes your entrée and any side dishes that come with it, a salad, bread and a great show. Pretty solid deal. Our first show is Wednesday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are already selling!
We’re the only one’s in this area doing a show like this! We just want you to sit back, enjoy a great meal, a great show, and enjoy yourself.! We understand that money is tight in our current economic situation…..so for $25.00, you’re getting a really good bang for your buck.
We have a limited number of seats, so call early for reservations. I can’t think of a better way to perk up your winter doldrums. (Unless of course, you’re going south)
Call us at: 734 - 453 - 2002.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Gotta love the small world thing......
It seems the older you get….the smaller the world gets……
Last night, two old friends (and co-workers) stopped in for a drink, and to purchase one of my books. In the meantime, another guy sat at the other end of the bar. Then a couple came in and sat in the middle of the bar. My two old friends and I were reminiscing about the days when we all worked together…. I walked down to the other end of the bar, the guy who was sitting there (who could not hear our conversation) mentioned that the two ladies looked familiar…..I explained that we all used to work together at a place down the road, a number of years back…..turns out he used to go in there….we all knew some of the same people. Cool.
Then the woman, (one half of the couple seated in the middle of the bar) said, “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation…..You used to work down the road?” “Yes.” “And your name is Gretchen?” “Yes.” “Did you at one time bowl in a Wednesday morning league?” “Yes.” “And you used to play racquetball with Terry?” “Yes.” “You used to bowl with my mother.” Turns out I had met this woman before, I remembered her and her mother.
Then I heard the man, (the other part of the couple) mention a name. I quickly turned around and said “I know him!” He said it took him about half an hour to remember this guys name….”Yes, I knew him well…he worked the afternoon shift, and would stop in five nights a week after work.” More connections.
Thennnnnnn…the guy at the end had a friend join him….yup, you’ve got it….he too knew used to go in the old place…
I love this “Six degrees of separation”……and when you’ve spent your entire life in the same area….the “separation” is usually a lot less than six degrees. What fun!
A little while later three more guys came in, they too were from the old place.
I only had a total of 10 customers last night…each group of two or three, total strangers to each other, (or so it would seem) but we all had a connection. Ya gotta smile!
Last night, two old friends (and co-workers) stopped in for a drink, and to purchase one of my books. In the meantime, another guy sat at the other end of the bar. Then a couple came in and sat in the middle of the bar. My two old friends and I were reminiscing about the days when we all worked together…. I walked down to the other end of the bar, the guy who was sitting there (who could not hear our conversation) mentioned that the two ladies looked familiar…..I explained that we all used to work together at a place down the road, a number of years back…..turns out he used to go in there….we all knew some of the same people. Cool.
Then the woman, (one half of the couple seated in the middle of the bar) said, “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation…..You used to work down the road?” “Yes.” “And your name is Gretchen?” “Yes.” “Did you at one time bowl in a Wednesday morning league?” “Yes.” “And you used to play racquetball with Terry?” “Yes.” “You used to bowl with my mother.” Turns out I had met this woman before, I remembered her and her mother.
Then I heard the man, (the other part of the couple) mention a name. I quickly turned around and said “I know him!” He said it took him about half an hour to remember this guys name….”Yes, I knew him well…he worked the afternoon shift, and would stop in five nights a week after work.” More connections.
Thennnnnnn…the guy at the end had a friend join him….yup, you’ve got it….he too knew used to go in the old place…
I love this “Six degrees of separation”……and when you’ve spent your entire life in the same area….the “separation” is usually a lot less than six degrees. What fun!
A little while later three more guys came in, they too were from the old place.
I only had a total of 10 customers last night…each group of two or three, total strangers to each other, (or so it would seem) but we all had a connection. Ya gotta smile!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Thoughts to ponder.....or not
I was thinking about tablecloths the other day……I worked at a corporate restaurant that used white tablecloths. And then they would put a big piece of white paper over it. I remember the first time I encountered the white tablecloth with the white butcher paper on top of it. The first thoughts that ran through my mind were, (and I don’t remember the exact order) What’s the point? This paper is really annoying. This a round table, you’re using square paper, that’s ignorant. This paper is really annoying. It hangs over the edge in a most obstructive way. Pretty tacky way to get more use out a tablecloth.
Then I got to add to the list after I started working at the corporate restaurant……while resetting a table, and putting the white paper over the tablecloth (which was not changed) I caught the edge of the paper with my finger Oh shit! I just got a paper cut! And then while clearing a table, I went to roll up the paper Oh shit! I just got a paper cut!
It’s also a little embarrassing when one of your guests says, “Have you got a band-aid? I just got a paper cut”
It was nerve-racking every time you would see parents let their kids and babies play with the edge of the paper.
I can understand that every business wants to save money….cut costs wherever they can….I had heard from a reliable source…that it costs the restaurant $1.25 for every tablecloth they use. That can add up pretty fast….especially since some tables are large and require more than one cloth. So let’s get more uses out of tablecloth…..we can cut our costs if use each one at least twice…..three times if we can…..
A significant savings? Over time, I’m sure it is. But in the meantime, try not to think about whether that cloth under the paper was changed or not….or how many people inadvertently wiped their hands on while reaching for their napkin…..or perhaps a small child decided to wipe his face on it……we’ve even found gum, stuck in them……
Then I got to add to the list after I started working at the corporate restaurant……while resetting a table, and putting the white paper over the tablecloth (which was not changed) I caught the edge of the paper with my finger Oh shit! I just got a paper cut! And then while clearing a table, I went to roll up the paper Oh shit! I just got a paper cut!
It’s also a little embarrassing when one of your guests says, “Have you got a band-aid? I just got a paper cut”
It was nerve-racking every time you would see parents let their kids and babies play with the edge of the paper.
I can understand that every business wants to save money….cut costs wherever they can….I had heard from a reliable source…that it costs the restaurant $1.25 for every tablecloth they use. That can add up pretty fast….especially since some tables are large and require more than one cloth. So let’s get more uses out of tablecloth…..we can cut our costs if use each one at least twice…..three times if we can…..
A significant savings? Over time, I’m sure it is. But in the meantime, try not to think about whether that cloth under the paper was changed or not….or how many people inadvertently wiped their hands on while reaching for their napkin…..or perhaps a small child decided to wipe his face on it……we’ve even found gum, stuck in them……
You can do anything you want to.....
I had mentioned some time back, that I started over at 50. I owned a successful title research company for 7 years….then real estate took a serious dive…..the information I was gathering was quickly becoming available on the internet….and in the blink of an eye, it was all over. There was no immediate answer to replace the income, so with the business gone…I lost my house that I had lived in for 18 years, lost the house that was supposed to be a quick flip, but the market dried up too fast, was in debt over my head…..and no solutions in sight.
So am I really starting over…or starting anew……or is it just a continuation of the journey?
Perhaps sometimes we need to be pushed into a corner to find out what we are really capable of. Perhaps sometimes we become too complacent, and only begin to look for solutions when we are forced to, and this is where the real learning begins. The answers are out there, but you’ll never find them if you don’t keep your eyes open.
I had started writing my book during the title research days. This is where I learned about self-discipline. No one is going to make you sit down and write, you have to discipline yourself to do it. Tried going through traditional channels to get published, and after a year, realized it was to no avail. So I decided to seek out a local publisher, so I talked to people, kept looking, and then one day, it seemed as if one was delivered to me. Suddenly I was a published author. Then my publisher ran afoul of the law, and I never got paid. But this is not the end of the line.
A friend looked at the business model of the company that published my book, and said “You can start your own company.” This is where I learned to listen to the “You can”, and to ignore all those who said, “You can’t do that.” So with a little research and a certain amount of frustration, I now own a publishing company. This is also where I learned that no man is an island….we must seek answers, ask for help. I’m terrible with computers, setting up my new book file felt like climbing Mt. Everest at times so I kept looking until I found people who would help me…..and help comes from some very unexpected sources at times.
So I go to my job everyday, to eke out my survival…I’ve got several other irons in the fire, all which must be handled in the most economical way possible, since I don’t have any money…some may pan out….some will not.
But nothing will pan out, if you never try. Keep in mind the old saying, “Obstacles are the things you see when you take your eyes off of your goals.”
You can do anything you want to…..you just have to want to do it bad enough....
So am I really starting over…or starting anew……or is it just a continuation of the journey?
Perhaps sometimes we need to be pushed into a corner to find out what we are really capable of. Perhaps sometimes we become too complacent, and only begin to look for solutions when we are forced to, and this is where the real learning begins. The answers are out there, but you’ll never find them if you don’t keep your eyes open.
I had started writing my book during the title research days. This is where I learned about self-discipline. No one is going to make you sit down and write, you have to discipline yourself to do it. Tried going through traditional channels to get published, and after a year, realized it was to no avail. So I decided to seek out a local publisher, so I talked to people, kept looking, and then one day, it seemed as if one was delivered to me. Suddenly I was a published author. Then my publisher ran afoul of the law, and I never got paid. But this is not the end of the line.
A friend looked at the business model of the company that published my book, and said “You can start your own company.” This is where I learned to listen to the “You can”, and to ignore all those who said, “You can’t do that.” So with a little research and a certain amount of frustration, I now own a publishing company. This is also where I learned that no man is an island….we must seek answers, ask for help. I’m terrible with computers, setting up my new book file felt like climbing Mt. Everest at times so I kept looking until I found people who would help me…..and help comes from some very unexpected sources at times.
So I go to my job everyday, to eke out my survival…I’ve got several other irons in the fire, all which must be handled in the most economical way possible, since I don’t have any money…some may pan out….some will not.
But nothing will pan out, if you never try. Keep in mind the old saying, “Obstacles are the things you see when you take your eyes off of your goals.”
You can do anything you want to…..you just have to want to do it bad enough....
Monday, February 7, 2011
It doesn't take long to get cabin fever.....
We’re so used to doing what we want, when we want, where we want, that when Mother nature socks it to ya with a snowstorm…..we’re only good for about a day, before cabin fever starts to hit us. Last Wednesday was a snow day for all the schools….many businesses were closed…..everyone was stocked up on groceries…..it was like a free day off in the middle of the week….a get out of jail free card.
But, by Thursday, everyone is itching to get out….and when Friday hit, it was like opening the flood gates! They poured in the door Friday night! We’re Free again!
We were packed, and everyone wanted to have a good time! And we did!
The rush started early…the staff was all “adrenelined” up…..The place was rocking…all were in a festive mood….we had all the elements for a dream weekend…..cabin fever had hit hard……Saturday should be just as busy……this will definitely make up for being closed on Wednesday.
Ah, but the best laid plans….blah blah blah……..can be stymied once again by Mother Nature. Rumors of more snow started spreading Saturday morning….maybe a couple of inches….maybe just a dusting.
By the time I was heading into work Saturday afternoon, I had to take a broom outside with me to clear the snow off the car. There was a good 4 inches on the car, and it was still coming down! The roads sucked, big time….there weren’t even any tire ruts to follow….just random tire trails that ran out after 50 yards….and then the snow kind of jerked your car around a little.
So much for the dream weekend.
However we were all entertained by the busboys predicament as he tried to exit the parking lot at about 5:00 p.m. He got his car stuck on the road, right in front of the entrance to the parking lot. (Not a good spot) A police car happened to be driving by and stopped to help. The cop got in the busboys car and tried rocking it out, to no avail. So then he decided to push the busboys car with the police car. (We were all watching in great amusement, with out noses practically pushed up against the window) So the cop car pushed the little car…after a few tries, he got it shoved back into the parking lot. Then the cop car got stuck. (C’mon, ya gotta laugh) Being a heavier more powerful vehicle, he had it out in a couple of minutes. Shows over, time to go back to meandering around a mostly empty building. Saturday sucked.
What about Sunday? Unless you’re working in a sports bar, Super Bowl Sunday brings everything to a screeching halt. And… we are not a sports bar.
Oh well, maybe next weekend will be the things dreams are made of.
But, by Thursday, everyone is itching to get out….and when Friday hit, it was like opening the flood gates! They poured in the door Friday night! We’re Free again!
We were packed, and everyone wanted to have a good time! And we did!
The rush started early…the staff was all “adrenelined” up…..The place was rocking…all were in a festive mood….we had all the elements for a dream weekend…..cabin fever had hit hard……Saturday should be just as busy……this will definitely make up for being closed on Wednesday.
Ah, but the best laid plans….blah blah blah……..can be stymied once again by Mother Nature. Rumors of more snow started spreading Saturday morning….maybe a couple of inches….maybe just a dusting.
By the time I was heading into work Saturday afternoon, I had to take a broom outside with me to clear the snow off the car. There was a good 4 inches on the car, and it was still coming down! The roads sucked, big time….there weren’t even any tire ruts to follow….just random tire trails that ran out after 50 yards….and then the snow kind of jerked your car around a little.
So much for the dream weekend.
However we were all entertained by the busboys predicament as he tried to exit the parking lot at about 5:00 p.m. He got his car stuck on the road, right in front of the entrance to the parking lot. (Not a good spot) A police car happened to be driving by and stopped to help. The cop got in the busboys car and tried rocking it out, to no avail. So then he decided to push the busboys car with the police car. (We were all watching in great amusement, with out noses practically pushed up against the window) So the cop car pushed the little car…after a few tries, he got it shoved back into the parking lot. Then the cop car got stuck. (C’mon, ya gotta laugh) Being a heavier more powerful vehicle, he had it out in a couple of minutes. Shows over, time to go back to meandering around a mostly empty building. Saturday sucked.
What about Sunday? Unless you’re working in a sports bar, Super Bowl Sunday brings everything to a screeching halt. And… we are not a sports bar.
Oh well, maybe next weekend will be the things dreams are made of.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Let's end the week on a snow note......
Two days after the big snowstorm, and the snow is still playing a factor. I was surprised how busy lunch was at work yesterday…..the main roads are now all clear now….the parking lots are all cleared......I wasn’t surprised how slow dinner was. As soon as evening hit, it got bitterly cold.
Before I go any further, let me explain the parking situation, here at the house. We live on a corner of 2 side streets. There is no parking on the street that runs along the side, so many park on the grass (which is covered with 8 to 10 inches of snow) between the sidewalk and the street. We, however cannot park in the front of the house, due to the fire hydrant…..so we park on the side. The street on the side of the house got plowed again last night, the snowed got shoved underneath the cars, thus rendering any attempt at moving said vehicles useless. Oh, we tried many things, pushing, rocking, digging some snow out….nope, we were stuck….. longest stretch of movement: 6 inches.
The saving grace here, is that my son works for a towing company, they needed him to get to work, so a truck came and pulled us both out. Yay! The not so good part…..I have to go out and shovel a path…..I’ll just think of it as my workout for the day.
It’s funny, no matter how old you are, there is a certain fascination with watching any type of machinery like this in action……as I did….all bundled up, standing on the sidewalk with my coffee in hand. This wonderful piece of machinery accomplished in minutes, what would have taken us a couple of hours, had it been necessary for us to dig our way out with shovels. And it would have taken a LOT of shoveling!
Gotta love winter!
Before I go any further, let me explain the parking situation, here at the house. We live on a corner of 2 side streets. There is no parking on the street that runs along the side, so many park on the grass (which is covered with 8 to 10 inches of snow) between the sidewalk and the street. We, however cannot park in the front of the house, due to the fire hydrant…..so we park on the side. The street on the side of the house got plowed again last night, the snowed got shoved underneath the cars, thus rendering any attempt at moving said vehicles useless. Oh, we tried many things, pushing, rocking, digging some snow out….nope, we were stuck….. longest stretch of movement: 6 inches.
The saving grace here, is that my son works for a towing company, they needed him to get to work, so a truck came and pulled us both out. Yay! The not so good part…..I have to go out and shovel a path…..I’ll just think of it as my workout for the day.
It’s funny, no matter how old you are, there is a certain fascination with watching any type of machinery like this in action……as I did….all bundled up, standing on the sidewalk with my coffee in hand. This wonderful piece of machinery accomplished in minutes, what would have taken us a couple of hours, had it been necessary for us to dig our way out with shovels. And it would have taken a LOT of shoveling!
Gotta love winter!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
What if you threw a party and no one came.......
So just like the title says….What if you threw a party and on one came? What if you went to work and there was no one there? Not one car…..not even a sign of any cars….no tire tracks in the snow……yup…..I’m gonna take this as a “We’re Closed.”
A little heads up would have BEEN NICE!!!!!!
But I do have to admit it……it was pretty funny. I was chuckling…….
Starting last night we got our big winter storm…..the one that had everyone running to the grocery store for 2 days before it hit…..by about 9:00 last night all the schools were closed for today…..to tell you the truth…I was kind of hoping we were gonna be closed…. never got the call…so I went in. To nothing. I’m still laughing about it.
Now I get to go home and play with the snowblower!!!! Only I have to wait for my son to get home because I don’t know how to start it. (Hey! I’ve only used a snowblower once!) So he got it started….began walking down the sidewalk…and I’m trailing right behind…..I feel like (Oh hell, I WAS) the kid trailing behind saying “Hey! I wanna turn too!”
There was quite a bit of snow so I had to do it in layers, or just do a narrow path at a time. Then I realized everyone else’s lines were straighter than mine…so I wanted to fix that. My son thought I was nuts. I was having fun! This sure beats shoveling!!!!
I saw a lot of people out snowblowing today…..most of the time they doing more than just their own sidewalk…so that in itself tells me it’s fun…..because they always do more than just their own sidewalk! So all day I watched all the other kids having fun. Thank God I didn’t have to work….I finally got my turn!
A little heads up would have BEEN NICE!!!!!!
But I do have to admit it……it was pretty funny. I was chuckling…….
Starting last night we got our big winter storm…..the one that had everyone running to the grocery store for 2 days before it hit…..by about 9:00 last night all the schools were closed for today…..to tell you the truth…I was kind of hoping we were gonna be closed…. never got the call…so I went in. To nothing. I’m still laughing about it.
Now I get to go home and play with the snowblower!!!! Only I have to wait for my son to get home because I don’t know how to start it. (Hey! I’ve only used a snowblower once!) So he got it started….began walking down the sidewalk…and I’m trailing right behind…..I feel like (Oh hell, I WAS) the kid trailing behind saying “Hey! I wanna turn too!”
There was quite a bit of snow so I had to do it in layers, or just do a narrow path at a time. Then I realized everyone else’s lines were straighter than mine…so I wanted to fix that. My son thought I was nuts. I was having fun! This sure beats shoveling!!!!
I saw a lot of people out snowblowing today…..most of the time they doing more than just their own sidewalk…so that in itself tells me it’s fun…..because they always do more than just their own sidewalk! So all day I watched all the other kids having fun. Thank God I didn’t have to work….I finally got my turn!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Yay for the snow!!!
I love snow, and I love snowstorms! Yesterday I was eagerly awaiting it’s arrival and constantly checking the weather radar on my computer…..I thought that was really cool….I was watching the clouds move across the state….not to mention most of the Midwest.
They were predicting thundersnow….the last time I heard thundershower was when my son was in pre-school, and he’s 24 now. And that is still the last time I heard thundersnow, apparently I slept through that. However I did wake up at 6:30 to sound of snowblowers. It was hard to tell how deep the snow was…..there were no cars out for a while…over the next few hours I think I saw 3. Then there were 2 ruts in the road mashing down the snow.
I went put a little while ago to clean off of my car….I had to take a broom with me…I was toying with the idea of doing some shoveling…but it wasn’t nice light fluffy snow, it was heavy, so I decided to leave that to my son and his snowblower.
I’ve got to go to work in an hour….not expecting to be very busy…..everyone raced to the grocery store the last two days….no need to go out.
So if you decide to go out tonight…..you walk into a restaurant and you are the only one’s there….you exclaim, “BOY! I bet you’re glad to see us!” Let me dispel a myth for you…..(especially if it’s within 2 hour of closing time) NO! we’re not! On night’s like these, it really isn’t worth our time to be there for just a few people, and all we want to do is cut our losses and go home. (Sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts.)
Sometimes we all need to take a snow day!
They were predicting thundersnow….the last time I heard thundershower was when my son was in pre-school, and he’s 24 now. And that is still the last time I heard thundersnow, apparently I slept through that. However I did wake up at 6:30 to sound of snowblowers. It was hard to tell how deep the snow was…..there were no cars out for a while…over the next few hours I think I saw 3. Then there were 2 ruts in the road mashing down the snow.
I went put a little while ago to clean off of my car….I had to take a broom with me…I was toying with the idea of doing some shoveling…but it wasn’t nice light fluffy snow, it was heavy, so I decided to leave that to my son and his snowblower.
I’ve got to go to work in an hour….not expecting to be very busy…..everyone raced to the grocery store the last two days….no need to go out.
So if you decide to go out tonight…..you walk into a restaurant and you are the only one’s there….you exclaim, “BOY! I bet you’re glad to see us!” Let me dispel a myth for you…..(especially if it’s within 2 hour of closing time) NO! we’re not! On night’s like these, it really isn’t worth our time to be there for just a few people, and all we want to do is cut our losses and go home. (Sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts.)
Sometimes we all need to take a snow day!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Gotta love the "No red tape".......
Once again we’re taking a look at the difference between corporate restaurants and one’s that are privately owned. (And breathing a deep sigh of relief)
Deb, the singer and I have been cooking up an idea for an impersonator show at the restaurant. We have all the elements….the talent (which in it’s own self-explanatory way is the most important element) the equipment, the know how, all we need is the place….and where we work is the perfect place.
If this were a corporate restaurant, we would probably never get past the general manager. And if by some very slim chance we did, it would either get hung up in corporate, or shot down immediately.
So we were both off work yesterday and stopped in to talk to the owner…we presented our plan to him….he’s heard the talent before and knows what he’s getting (always a plus)…he liked what he heard and gave us the go ahead. Not only that, he gave us the biggest and best room in the place! This is gonna be so cool!
It’s great to talk to the man in charge, who can give you the answer on the spot…no red tape, no corporate b.s…..just a straight shooter who knows how to make a decision.
What’s that? Oh! You want to know who’s going to be in the show? Well, let me tell ya…. We’re going to take a trip through the decades, for many (like me) it will be a trip down memory lane, with a look at what’s popular today.
Ladies and gentlemen! May we present: Karen Carpenter, Marilyn Monroe, Cher and Lady Gaga!!!!! You’re gonna love this!!!!
Deb, the singer and I have been cooking up an idea for an impersonator show at the restaurant. We have all the elements….the talent (which in it’s own self-explanatory way is the most important element) the equipment, the know how, all we need is the place….and where we work is the perfect place.
If this were a corporate restaurant, we would probably never get past the general manager. And if by some very slim chance we did, it would either get hung up in corporate, or shot down immediately.
So we were both off work yesterday and stopped in to talk to the owner…we presented our plan to him….he’s heard the talent before and knows what he’s getting (always a plus)…he liked what he heard and gave us the go ahead. Not only that, he gave us the biggest and best room in the place! This is gonna be so cool!
It’s great to talk to the man in charge, who can give you the answer on the spot…no red tape, no corporate b.s…..just a straight shooter who knows how to make a decision.
What’s that? Oh! You want to know who’s going to be in the show? Well, let me tell ya…. We’re going to take a trip through the decades, for many (like me) it will be a trip down memory lane, with a look at what’s popular today.
Ladies and gentlemen! May we present: Karen Carpenter, Marilyn Monroe, Cher and Lady Gaga!!!!! You’re gonna love this!!!!
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