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……
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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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