OK. ... I have been a little too laid back on these posts for too long. Well no longer. Now I am about to drop some info that I have known for sometime. What I am about to tell you is so simple, so well thought out, so user friendly, you may wonder why I have not given this information sooner. Was I holding out? Maybe I did not think you would be ready for this mind-blowing information. Did I hope some would figure it out for themselves? C'mon, who am I kidding. Do I reserve some shred of fair-play or think that this, in some form or fashion, is common sense. Again, I could keep this monologue up all day, but none of this is quite true.
I have held myself to the Six P's since college, when a Chef I worked for, Chef Ron, thank you very much, taught them to me. And over time I have pulled the S.P's out of the proverbial pocket to use as a teaching tool, and only in a teaching atmosphere does this come into play. Perhaps because that is how it was taught to me; perhaps it was something that is so ingrained into my very work ethic, I forget that maybe everyone else I am surrounded by, doesn't understand the very idiosyncrasies that make up its complex simplicity. Huh?
AAAANNNYYYYWWWWAAY.....
The Six P's. I will put them into verbal form, written here for all to read. If upon reading them, you find that they could be of no use, no matter what career, lifestyle, work place, pleasure procedures, you name it, then tell me how they are wrong.
The Six P's: Proper Planning, Prevents Piss Poor Performance. See, told ya it was simple.
Proper: to be true. Right, and expected
Planning: the act of being, or the honest attempt, at being proactive
Prevents: the process of stopping some act, or happening
Piss: slang : body liquid, most often used as a body of a punch line ie "I wouldn't piss down you back, if your butt was on fire". Or less than pure.
Poor: not rich, either in character, life, friendship, etc...
Performance: what ones work can be measured by.
With me so far. Good.
So taking into account the previous gospel, now put that into some perspective in the day to day life you lead now. Surely someone in your circle of work, play or other, has fallen short in some way or other, by not following this simple phrase to a T. Go on think about it.
Whether its a retail store, gas station, sports team, restaurant, grocery store, or enter item here. Hasn't their been a time when you witness something and your just like, "Idiot! How could you not have prevented that? How could you not have seen that coming? How could you not have prepped that? Bought that? Scheduled them? Cooked that? Fixed that? Anything other than standing their with that stargazing look of stupidity on your face. It would have been better had you not got out of bed, and laid around in your stained undies instead, then allow me to bear witness to your unworthiness!
Why such hostility you may ask? Well, are you asking?
OK, since you obviously want to know. I mentioned a couple of entries ago, that I work with some intellectually challenged individuals. The one who will get my angst today is the Kitchen Manager where I work. I have tried to be patient, I have tried to drop casual hints here and there. I have even attempted to push this individual into a direction where the percentage of success could almost be assured. But apparently the thickness of ones skull, is harder that the verbal pressure that I have applied.
Case 1: Saturday night, I close, run kitchen, sell the food, yada yada yada. I peruse the prep available to me for the night. I find that I am short in a number of areas. I ask him where this product is? His reply is the ol', " Did such and such not prep it?" Uh, were you not awake today? Wouldn't it be your job to ensure that the prep necessary for today's dining festivities to be done, properly, which would ultimately prevent any piss poor performance by this kitchen, and ultimately the restaurant, should we fall short in taking care of our patrons? Would that not be the Plan? See how that worked? Simple really. No thank you. No really.
Case 2: Tuesday morning. I open said kitchen. I have no dishwasher, nor do I have a bread maker. No dishwasher. Bread maker? you mean the individual who single-handidly controls whether or not we serve our hot, delicious yeast rolls to the hordes of people who come from Mooresville, to Hickory, Winston-Salem, and Wilksboro to enjoy there sweet Buttery goodness? The Dishwasher who ensures we have sanitary, clean dishes, silverware, and storage containers to serve up the tasty dishes on a person by person basis? How can this be. The schedule is done a week in advance. You were there 80% of the days leading up to this particular day when two of the most influential people in the kitchen are not present. Mistake? I think not. Scheduling staf-fu? Definitely. Total and complete lack of frontal lobe thinking, that results in numerous others suffering, due to the inability of one person making sure that all the i's are dotted and T's crossed. BINGO! And its no big deal. "I'm off today, so give him a call, to see where he is at. No the regular dishwasher is "On vacation" I asked Humberto to come in today. No I didn't write it down on the schedule, no I didn't leave it in the managers log, no I did not leave a paper trail to ensure that this would not, could not happen." "The bread lady, oh she's at court today, she will be here later on." (Never showed)
Case 3: Saturday night: I am in the dining room. Kitchen is running like a un-well greased machine. No direction being given by the KM. No audibles, in or out, of the pocket. No control. The kitchen is running him not the other way around. Result= Long ticket times, yours truly spends most of his time, putting out fires with dissatisfied guests as to why their food is late, steaks are burnt (literally) yet still served, or where their appetizer is. Not doing pleasant table checks, or chatting it up with guests. Just, "Run Forrest, Run".
Now, am I over-reacting? Put yourself in a similar situation, and now ask that question. It happens everyday, in every walk of life. It has happened to you, and countless others, and will happen again. That is why I live by this creed, the Six P's. To lessen, or avoid altogether this from ever happening to me. It happens, but by simply involving some planning is better than none.
I hope that I have touched some of you with this post. All four of you. If their are more, please forgive me, I have not had the pleasure of "meeting" you. I have not the following that Dhazy or Bhazy have. I am simply....here. Any and all responses to this are welcome. Perhaps you have a little "Sweetheart" that you use, and would like to share.
Until my next rant...
~R
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
September - a helluva month
So September is always a busy month for me it seems. First, it means the coming of my birthday...9/11/1975, yep, 9/11. After that day, obviously things changed, at one point I even considered not celebrating my birthday on 9/11 just so we could focus on that day and not my birthday. Then I realized that what happened that day strengthened this country, gave us a re-focus towards what we need to be watching for, and it was bad, but was, in its own way, good. So I got over the not celebrating bit, and although, I still don't feel like I used to about my Bday, I at least observe it and respect it. Also in Sept, there is another Bday that is important to me, and that is the Bday of my little nephew, KHazy. This little firecracker, is an absolute trip, and he is a little power house of love. His smile is infectious, his lung capacity for belting out a good scream is impressive, and like all Hazy men, he is quite strong for a little person.
The birthday party was a great time.
I got to meet the newest member of the Charlotte branch of Hazys', GHazy. When it comes to dogs, I have always had a close relationship with dogs. Had them all growing up, in college, after college, everywhere I go, I am always making friends with dogs. Now, that doesn't mean that I walk into every situation thinking that I am automatically going to become best buds with any dog I meet, but I definitely believe that if you act like you are afraid of dogs, think that you are afraid of dogs, and really are afraid of dogs, then the dog in question will be able to tell and will react appropriately. Its one thing to be wary of dog(s), and another to be afraid of dogs. Enter GHazy. Now I knew that she was a Rottie, but I didn't have any idea how big a Rottie she was. As I saw her sitting/laying on the ground, I was impressed on how big yet beautiful she was. Having to acknowledge her almost first, since anyone, not known, showing up, could find themselves under most severe scrutiny. So I made a B-line for her, so that I could let her smell me, acknowledge me as a "no Threat" and move on. And I would advise anyone, who is semi-afraid of dogs, to think about that. Greet the dog, let the dog smell you, pet the dog, and you are done. I had a great time petting and loving on GHazy. I was very close to having her role over for more direct tummy rubbing time. Next time GHazy, next time.
And as everyone knows, Football begins in September. Usually right around my BDay. Usually my younger brother KSHazy offers the opportunity to take me to a game, which he did, but I could not go, but plan on taking him up on it in the future. Wedding season is still in effect during September, and not to mention the finale of Top Chef, the beginning of a new season of HEROES, and the getting ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
So as I begin to focus on my fantasy football league, you may begin to see less of me or more of me, it all depends on how well I am doing. But as I stated in a earlier post, I will still try and post.
~R
The birthday party was a great time.
I got to meet the newest member of the Charlotte branch of Hazys', GHazy. When it comes to dogs, I have always had a close relationship with dogs. Had them all growing up, in college, after college, everywhere I go, I am always making friends with dogs. Now, that doesn't mean that I walk into every situation thinking that I am automatically going to become best buds with any dog I meet, but I definitely believe that if you act like you are afraid of dogs, think that you are afraid of dogs, and really are afraid of dogs, then the dog in question will be able to tell and will react appropriately. Its one thing to be wary of dog(s), and another to be afraid of dogs. Enter GHazy. Now I knew that she was a Rottie, but I didn't have any idea how big a Rottie she was. As I saw her sitting/laying on the ground, I was impressed on how big yet beautiful she was. Having to acknowledge her almost first, since anyone, not known, showing up, could find themselves under most severe scrutiny. So I made a B-line for her, so that I could let her smell me, acknowledge me as a "no Threat" and move on. And I would advise anyone, who is semi-afraid of dogs, to think about that. Greet the dog, let the dog smell you, pet the dog, and you are done. I had a great time petting and loving on GHazy. I was very close to having her role over for more direct tummy rubbing time. Next time GHazy, next time.
And as everyone knows, Football begins in September. Usually right around my BDay. Usually my younger brother KSHazy offers the opportunity to take me to a game, which he did, but I could not go, but plan on taking him up on it in the future. Wedding season is still in effect during September, and not to mention the finale of Top Chef, the beginning of a new season of HEROES, and the getting ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
So as I begin to focus on my fantasy football league, you may begin to see less of me or more of me, it all depends on how well I am doing. But as I stated in a earlier post, I will still try and post.
~R
Monday, September 3, 2007
Soooooo, was I in rare form?, I even embrassed myself
So I got to meet my mothers new squeeze a week ago, this past Sunday. (again the tirades of me not doing this more often can begin now) Mike is a really good sport. And I say this because of a couple things...
1) He was put in a situation, somewhat aware of what he was about to face, but not really knowing until it happens.( think, you have to speak to somebody about something that you really don't want to discuss, but you have to, because you have to. example...firing somebody, telling a loved one you have anal leakage, that you experimented in college and it wasn't with drugs...) you get the idea.
2) He did it with dignity, courage, and finally CLASS. I can be a real sarcastic a$$ when I want to be. Whats that? Aww you know its true. But I appreciate you protecting my feelings. I found myself, trying to simply get information, but it ended up a lot different than that. (Spanish inquisition meets Meet the Parents/Fockers)
3) Now I said that my mom told ol Mike that I was probably going to try and embarrass him, and I think I succeeded in that by making him uncomfortable. And that's where the story really takes off.
After our meeting, I started to think: Man he was really a nice guy. He answered all my questions, without getting offended, he even started to joke around as I was asking the questions. Now a normal individual would have probably backed off a little, but not me. He even bought the entire meal we had, and boy did I feel like a jacka$$. I spent the rest of the day/night, and the better part of the week, thinking how much I could have ruined the day had I kept on going. I mean, if the boys Khazy(shout out to you my dog) and Hhazy(you my boy!!) hadn't needed to go beddybye, then their is no telling how far I would have gone.
All said and done, I am truly glad that Mike was a good sport, because I would have felt absolutely terrible had I scared him off. So Mike if you read this, I am sorry again if I offended you, or made you overly uncomfortable at our first meeting. Thank you for dinner, and I truly look forward to seeing you again in the future. Mom, well I am sorry a little bit for what I did, but hey, you admitted that I was going to do it, so since you expected it, then I can't really be blamed by you that much. But much, much love.
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, I can move on to other pressing matters....
So I work with idiots. Huh? Didn't see that coming? Well let me tell you. I work with a great GM. And I truly mean that. He's got a temper, but overall, his focus is on the prize, A well run restaurant. We are beginning a ying/yang relationship, which is beneficial for everyone. But the rest of the yahoos, well, lets just say that sometimes its hit or miss. Personally, if I am a manager in a restaurant, the last thing I would want to do, is stick around after my shift and get Poop-faced in the bar. I mean even after we have closed, still there. To me, it kind of defeats what you are trying to accomplish. That's one of them. Another likes to bring her children there when they are out of school and let them terrorize the place by making a mess all over the place. Yet another is a pot head, and I found this out while I was in training, and he liked to stay locked up in his room, getting smoked out. And finally, the KM is a fella that does not understand food, does not understand ordering, and does not understand how to run a line. All very frustrating things for me. But I keep my comment s to myself, and the staff sees these things, but I am behind my team 100%.
When coming from my background, and moving to a different restaurant, there are going to be subtle differences, but some things you can't ignore. Instead of smoking a cigarette, run some food, seat some guests, manage, anything!! But then again, maybe I am expecting too much from these folks, I mean I live where I live, and the workforce pool is a little shallow.
Finally, I would like to leave you with one thought. If you have a high bar cost (all your purchases for beer, liquor, wine - all bar stuff sold = bar cost) and you have managers that like to stay behind late, after the place is closed, don't you think there is a good chance that something fishy is going on. What do you think? The beer is just evaporating. Please!! And no one thinks its happening.
1) He was put in a situation, somewhat aware of what he was about to face, but not really knowing until it happens.( think, you have to speak to somebody about something that you really don't want to discuss, but you have to, because you have to. example...firing somebody, telling a loved one you have anal leakage, that you experimented in college and it wasn't with drugs...) you get the idea.
2) He did it with dignity, courage, and finally CLASS. I can be a real sarcastic a$$ when I want to be. Whats that? Aww you know its true. But I appreciate you protecting my feelings. I found myself, trying to simply get information, but it ended up a lot different than that. (Spanish inquisition meets Meet the Parents/Fockers)
3) Now I said that my mom told ol Mike that I was probably going to try and embarrass him, and I think I succeeded in that by making him uncomfortable. And that's where the story really takes off.
After our meeting, I started to think: Man he was really a nice guy. He answered all my questions, without getting offended, he even started to joke around as I was asking the questions. Now a normal individual would have probably backed off a little, but not me. He even bought the entire meal we had, and boy did I feel like a jacka$$. I spent the rest of the day/night, and the better part of the week, thinking how much I could have ruined the day had I kept on going. I mean, if the boys Khazy(shout out to you my dog) and Hhazy(you my boy!!) hadn't needed to go beddybye, then their is no telling how far I would have gone.
All said and done, I am truly glad that Mike was a good sport, because I would have felt absolutely terrible had I scared him off. So Mike if you read this, I am sorry again if I offended you, or made you overly uncomfortable at our first meeting. Thank you for dinner, and I truly look forward to seeing you again in the future. Mom, well I am sorry a little bit for what I did, but hey, you admitted that I was going to do it, so since you expected it, then I can't really be blamed by you that much. But much, much love.
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, I can move on to other pressing matters....
So I work with idiots. Huh? Didn't see that coming? Well let me tell you. I work with a great GM. And I truly mean that. He's got a temper, but overall, his focus is on the prize, A well run restaurant. We are beginning a ying/yang relationship, which is beneficial for everyone. But the rest of the yahoos, well, lets just say that sometimes its hit or miss. Personally, if I am a manager in a restaurant, the last thing I would want to do, is stick around after my shift and get Poop-faced in the bar. I mean even after we have closed, still there. To me, it kind of defeats what you are trying to accomplish. That's one of them. Another likes to bring her children there when they are out of school and let them terrorize the place by making a mess all over the place. Yet another is a pot head, and I found this out while I was in training, and he liked to stay locked up in his room, getting smoked out. And finally, the KM is a fella that does not understand food, does not understand ordering, and does not understand how to run a line. All very frustrating things for me. But I keep my comment s to myself, and the staff sees these things, but I am behind my team 100%.
When coming from my background, and moving to a different restaurant, there are going to be subtle differences, but some things you can't ignore. Instead of smoking a cigarette, run some food, seat some guests, manage, anything!! But then again, maybe I am expecting too much from these folks, I mean I live where I live, and the workforce pool is a little shallow.
Finally, I would like to leave you with one thought. If you have a high bar cost (all your purchases for beer, liquor, wine - all bar stuff sold = bar cost) and you have managers that like to stay behind late, after the place is closed, don't you think there is a good chance that something fishy is going on. What do you think? The beer is just evaporating. Please!! And no one thinks its happening.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Opinions are like....
As I finished my last post, I took a moment to reflect on some of my past entries, and the comments made there-of. Before you read any further, please understand that I appreciate any comment left because deep down inside, I care what you think. I want to make each of my readers so proud. I want to leave a legacy of earth shattering, ground shaking, mountain moving, sexually driven orgasmic literature, behind me, so as to be remembered for not who I was, but what I offered. I am more that a pretty face. So when I don't leave a post, every day, or once a week, it is truly for a number of reasons ( and in no certain order):
1) I have absolutely nothing worth writing about. And as we all know, the proverbial writers block must not be present for great feats of literature
2) I am busy spending time with my wife and son.
3) I am busy reading my book of the moment in my special place
4) I am working
5) Or finally, I just don't have the time to sit down a give a dissertation on what idiots surround me on a regular basis.
Honest but true, but for the needs of my viewers, I will try and make a conscious effort to leave a entry at least once a week.
And for my mother, cause I know she will read this, I must first say that I am sorry for not calling on a more regular basis, but you are dating somebody, and you didn't even want to tell me yourself?? How rude. I am truly happy for you, and I hope he knows just how lucky he is, but I thought I was special......
Anyway, Keep leaving your comments.
1) I have absolutely nothing worth writing about. And as we all know, the proverbial writers block must not be present for great feats of literature
2) I am busy spending time with my wife and son.
3) I am busy reading my book of the moment in my special place
4) I am working
5) Or finally, I just don't have the time to sit down a give a dissertation on what idiots surround me on a regular basis.
Honest but true, but for the needs of my viewers, I will try and make a conscious effort to leave a entry at least once a week.
And for my mother, cause I know she will read this, I must first say that I am sorry for not calling on a more regular basis, but you are dating somebody, and you didn't even want to tell me yourself?? How rude. I am truly happy for you, and I hope he knows just how lucky he is, but I thought I was special......
Anyway, Keep leaving your comments.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
My son, growing up Part 1
So, it is without question, that I love my son. It can also be said, that if anyone were to ever, ever, everevereverever, try and hurt him, they would be the recipient of one of the most legendary a$$whippings to ever be seen, spoken, and written about. And I say this, not because I am his father, or because of my love for him, but because, to see any pain on his face, or the mere thought of some low-grade life's reject looking for kicks, touching him, sends into what I call the RED RAGE. Now over the past 4 and a half years I have seen this boy grow from a screaming, pissing, crapping, eating, thing of love to a larger screaming, pissing crapping, eating, thing of pure joy and love. He has just added other tricks to his repertoire. His ability to jump long distances, his balance is an uncanny thing, his strength, his ability to see something once and be able to duplicate it. But in addition to all that, he has other abilities like: to love; I have seen more uncompromising acts of love by this one child then I have seen my entire life. He will just do something that absolutely takes your breath away, and you are just not expecting it. I have seen this child walk up to anybody and just start talking as if they were the very best of friends. "Whats your favorite color, shape, number" are a few of the starter questions that you must answer before he will move on. I have seen him stop what he was doing to go over and talk with another child in the store and strike up a conversation. I have seen this same child, take a simple look from another adult as an invitation to be shown his transformers (whichever one he may have at the time, due to him having so many....AHEM thank you Mother in Law)....
So now we fast forward to his first official day of school. I'm nervous, so is my wife SHazy, and I am the first one up, so I creep into H-dogs' bedroom to wake him, and there he is, eyes open, just chillin' on the bed!! I ask him if he was ready to get up and get ready for school, and he hops up and says OK. OK!? You are OK with it? Bath, breakfast, prepping, primping, teeth brushing, hair combing, he didn't fight me about any of it. About three weeks prior, I came up with an idea ( I am digressing for a moment) and said well, if we are going to give him MORE toys, maybe we could, I don't know.......Learn something in the process?!?! So I drew up a calender, with all the days of the week and month for August. Everyday, he would have to cross out the previous day and learn the day and the corresponding number. He was doing really well, and I asked him what day school starts and he was able to reply, Monday the Twentieth!! Chalk one up for the DAD..... So it should have come as no surprise that he was ready for school. He had been prepped as well as any two parents could prep him as far as what to expect, and what he would get out of it. This is the same child that did not want to go to preschool a year ago. Would not , could not with a fox, would not, could not in a box. Now he is ready everyday to go. It is awesome!!
Other things he does, is want to help me cook. He knows how to shake the saute pan when you saute. How to stir the stew, chili, mixture stuff in pots (enter your favorite pot stuff here) how to season (although not as delicate as me) and many other skills like allowing the egg to slip through ones fingers. And nine times out of ten, he eats it better because he was evolved in the process. AMAZING....BRILLANT....Thank you.
His talking has improved, so as now he can carry on conversations and imply feelings, and thoughts on a much grander scale than when he was 3. Now I look forward to asking him direct questions, because I will get an answer, whereas before, I would most definitely have gotten uber -gibberish and stopped due to frustration.
All in all, I have been completely amazed at how quickly he has grown in the past six months, let alone the past three weeks, but at the same time, I hope that he doesn't grow to fast. I still want to teach him stuff while he is little, because you never know what will come out of his month as a response. Hopefully many of you will tune in at some of his upcoming accomplishments in pertaining to school. If not, that's OK too, because its one thing to read, but another to experience it first hand!!
P.S. Note to all with a young one, reading this, limit your child's computer time to as little as possible, and control what sites he visits (ie NOGGIN, and SPROUT, not JET IX and CARTOON NETWORK) there are some fairly violent games on the last two sites, and that leads to fighting, also, block what channels he watches, for the same reasons. It could be, that you already know this, but we didn't and we learned a valuable lesson. On one hand, Harrison is a whiz at surfing the net, but he is also at an age, where if you don't set boundaries then it could come back to haunt you.
Till next time......
So now we fast forward to his first official day of school. I'm nervous, so is my wife SHazy, and I am the first one up, so I creep into H-dogs' bedroom to wake him, and there he is, eyes open, just chillin' on the bed!! I ask him if he was ready to get up and get ready for school, and he hops up and says OK. OK!? You are OK with it? Bath, breakfast, prepping, primping, teeth brushing, hair combing, he didn't fight me about any of it. About three weeks prior, I came up with an idea ( I am digressing for a moment) and said well, if we are going to give him MORE toys, maybe we could, I don't know.......Learn something in the process?!?! So I drew up a calender, with all the days of the week and month for August. Everyday, he would have to cross out the previous day and learn the day and the corresponding number. He was doing really well, and I asked him what day school starts and he was able to reply, Monday the Twentieth!! Chalk one up for the DAD..... So it should have come as no surprise that he was ready for school. He had been prepped as well as any two parents could prep him as far as what to expect, and what he would get out of it. This is the same child that did not want to go to preschool a year ago. Would not , could not with a fox, would not, could not in a box. Now he is ready everyday to go. It is awesome!!
Other things he does, is want to help me cook. He knows how to shake the saute pan when you saute. How to stir the stew, chili, mixture stuff in pots (enter your favorite pot stuff here) how to season (although not as delicate as me) and many other skills like allowing the egg to slip through ones fingers. And nine times out of ten, he eats it better because he was evolved in the process. AMAZING....BRILLANT....Thank you.
His talking has improved, so as now he can carry on conversations and imply feelings, and thoughts on a much grander scale than when he was 3. Now I look forward to asking him direct questions, because I will get an answer, whereas before, I would most definitely have gotten uber -gibberish and stopped due to frustration.
All in all, I have been completely amazed at how quickly he has grown in the past six months, let alone the past three weeks, but at the same time, I hope that he doesn't grow to fast. I still want to teach him stuff while he is little, because you never know what will come out of his month as a response. Hopefully many of you will tune in at some of his upcoming accomplishments in pertaining to school. If not, that's OK too, because its one thing to read, but another to experience it first hand!!
P.S. Note to all with a young one, reading this, limit your child's computer time to as little as possible, and control what sites he visits (ie NOGGIN, and SPROUT, not JET IX and CARTOON NETWORK) there are some fairly violent games on the last two sites, and that leads to fighting, also, block what channels he watches, for the same reasons. It could be, that you already know this, but we didn't and we learned a valuable lesson. On one hand, Harrison is a whiz at surfing the net, but he is also at an age, where if you don't set boundaries then it could come back to haunt you.
Till next time......
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
A quick pass rather than a bomb....
I apologize that I haven't posted anything in a hot minute, but we are attempting to get our son into school, he starts August the 20th, and that paired with my job, and my wifes business, are keeping me a little busy. SO please bear with me while we go through this transition period, and I will be back to offer once again little tidbits of worthless knowledge that you may use at your leisure.
Oh yeah.........Logan's Roadhouse
Oh yeah.........Logan's Roadhouse
Monday, July 30, 2007
Peanuts on the floor and other disturbing quirks...
So now I work in a restaurant that has a signature item. One in which the honorable George Washington Carver is most notably known about. The item that has been discovered, melded with, mixed with, spread on in some form or fashion, injected into, crusted on, boiled, chocolate dipped, canned, honey-roasted, jalapeno'd (not sure it that is even a word, but don't care), candy bar'd (see there I go again), made into power bars (some good, some bad), dipping sauces (thank you thai!), and even placed on bars where some dirty, nasty, drunk a$$hole goes to the bathroom without washing their hands before plunging their d!ckskinners back into the bowl. That's right! the peanut!!! Now there are very few restaurants that still honor this tradition (mainly because of the safety issues that it presents) so I'll allow you to figure it out. After my first week of surrounding myself in this culture, I was still in that DARDEN frame of mind, that it is so dirty to look at. Millions of crushed up peanuts (shelled and otherwise) thrown upon the floor for the masses to grind, mash, pulverize, and track throughout the entire restaurant, for the remainder of the day. But you know what, after about the fifth week, I started to like it, and I will tell you why:
1) Instant ammo, when you need to get a servers/bartenders/kitchen staffs attention.
2) Instant ammo just for the heck of it
3) Automatic spill cleaner-upper. (just clean up as much of the mess as possible (dressing, grease, ect...) and just pour some peanuts over the mess and start mashing. Within minutes the mess has been converted to a somewhat stable mass of unremarkable uck that looks like the rest of the floor. (Thank you G.W.Carver!!)
Who knew that something so darn tasty was so flexible. Now it is quite fun to launch a few of these across the dining room to see just how far they can go. But practice a little bit, get the air flows just right, add a little altitude to those bad boys and PINK! right on the head. And 9 times out of 10, they will never know it was you, because every ones doing it!
So before you go and judge the peanut, read this and come to understand that just how under appreciated the little legume really is. All this time I thought it was only good enough for the Snickers Bar, but alas, I have realized my folly.
In addition, I must speak about another subject, no less dear to my heart but one that must be addressed. Drama in the restaurant! I have been around for a good bit, (Not my first rodeo) and I am aware that servers will be the same every restaurant that you go too, but I am constantly amazed at how similar the story lines go.
AHEM.....
1) How are you doing today? Answer: I'm tired
Translation: I got off last night, and before I began my night of drinking, smoking and boffing, I made sure that everyone knew how little I made in tips from all the Rednecks, and as it turns out I woke up with some guy/girl that I met at my girlfriends/boyfriends crib.
2) Are you ready to have a good shift? Answer: I guess
Translation: The fact that you have that much energy is somewhat frightening. Are you going to be that way all night, or will it wear off? I am lucky that I can see the computer screen considering that my blood to alcohol level is somewhat compromised at the present moment. I just woke up 30 minutes ago (typically this is given at 5-5:30pm)
3) Whats the problem at your table? Answer: They said they wanted such and such but now they are saying they ordered this
Translation: During the process of taking the order, I magically whisked the left over portion of my higher brain functions away to that special place that I reserve for those times I eat Chunky Monkey ice cream right out of the carton, or when I get that gunk from underneath my toenails, instead of listening to the guest and transposing what they really wanted to eat.
4) Why is this section such a mess? Answer: Such and such was supposed to do this, and told me they did, but when I went to check, they didn't do it.
Translation: Weeeeellllll, lets see If I can put this into Perspective:
ASSUME. I'll let you break it down, now get it cleaned up.
Now I imagine that many of you readers can associate with this situation, but for me to be constantly surrounded by anywhere from 15-20 people, average age of 20, and just some of the most miserable people you could ever meet, then you are a stronger man/woman than I.
In closing, I realize that my past two posts have been rather lengthy, but I have been keeping a lot in.
On the brighter side, I don't drive near as much, my wife and boy are happier, and I can't wait to see just how far I can throw my next peanut!
PINK!!!
1) Instant ammo, when you need to get a servers/bartenders/kitchen staffs attention.
2) Instant ammo just for the heck of it
3) Automatic spill cleaner-upper. (just clean up as much of the mess as possible (dressing, grease, ect...) and just pour some peanuts over the mess and start mashing. Within minutes the mess has been converted to a somewhat stable mass of unremarkable uck that looks like the rest of the floor. (Thank you G.W.Carver!!)
Who knew that something so darn tasty was so flexible. Now it is quite fun to launch a few of these across the dining room to see just how far they can go. But practice a little bit, get the air flows just right, add a little altitude to those bad boys and PINK! right on the head. And 9 times out of 10, they will never know it was you, because every ones doing it!
So before you go and judge the peanut, read this and come to understand that just how under appreciated the little legume really is. All this time I thought it was only good enough for the Snickers Bar, but alas, I have realized my folly.
In addition, I must speak about another subject, no less dear to my heart but one that must be addressed. Drama in the restaurant! I have been around for a good bit, (Not my first rodeo) and I am aware that servers will be the same every restaurant that you go too, but I am constantly amazed at how similar the story lines go.
AHEM.....
1) How are you doing today? Answer: I'm tired
Translation: I got off last night, and before I began my night of drinking, smoking and boffing, I made sure that everyone knew how little I made in tips from all the Rednecks, and as it turns out I woke up with some guy/girl that I met at my girlfriends/boyfriends crib.
2) Are you ready to have a good shift? Answer: I guess
Translation: The fact that you have that much energy is somewhat frightening. Are you going to be that way all night, or will it wear off? I am lucky that I can see the computer screen considering that my blood to alcohol level is somewhat compromised at the present moment. I just woke up 30 minutes ago (typically this is given at 5-5:30pm)
3) Whats the problem at your table? Answer: They said they wanted such and such but now they are saying they ordered this
Translation: During the process of taking the order, I magically whisked the left over portion of my higher brain functions away to that special place that I reserve for those times I eat Chunky Monkey ice cream right out of the carton, or when I get that gunk from underneath my toenails, instead of listening to the guest and transposing what they really wanted to eat.
4) Why is this section such a mess? Answer: Such and such was supposed to do this, and told me they did, but when I went to check, they didn't do it.
Translation: Weeeeellllll, lets see If I can put this into Perspective:
ASSUME. I'll let you break it down, now get it cleaned up.
Now I imagine that many of you readers can associate with this situation, but for me to be constantly surrounded by anywhere from 15-20 people, average age of 20, and just some of the most miserable people you could ever meet, then you are a stronger man/woman than I.
In closing, I realize that my past two posts have been rather lengthy, but I have been keeping a lot in.
On the brighter side, I don't drive near as much, my wife and boy are happier, and I can't wait to see just how far I can throw my next peanut!
PINK!!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Life is a series of choices...DUN DUN DUN!!
I apologize for the long wait, but I hope you enjoy.
So I have recently decided that my time with my previous job (Smokey Bones BBQ) should come to an end. Again this was not an easy choice seeing that I have spent the past 2.5 years with them and 3.5 years with Darden. Seniority, benefits, friends, and a fairly well known, and deserved reputation within the organization as a hard worker, smart, energetic, blah, blah,blah B.S. that they have no problem handing out to any wanna-believer. Don't get me wrong, I did a damn fine job, and I worked hard to get there, but its a crying shame when hard work, and what you want to achieve do not intersect.
Case and point #1: Before I get to ranting, understand that I have delayed this story for a very long time, for out of respect, professionalism, worry about my own rep, or a combination of all three I cant be sure, be let it be known that I have since then thrown those thoughts to the wind. AHEM......
So I was the man (so I thought) my first GM groomed me to strive to be the best, work hard, and I could achieve anything. So I listened. I sacrificed my personal time to do silly things like drive to Greensboro to pick up product, even though it wasn't my fault we ran out; I would accept being sent to neighbor restaurants like Fayettville, Greensboro to assist cleaning up a mess that was created either by circumstance or the idiocrity of previous hires by my previous company. (At this point I must ask that you see the post by my brother Dhazy @ http://innocuousramblings.blogspot.com for he can shed some light of this comment.) all to prove that I am a worthy employee, and worth the time one would spend on me. I even gained a nickname from co-workers for my high energy, yet constructive ways: QCR (Queen City Rob) because I work in Charlotte, and it is known as the Queen City. That was for individuals who may read this and not know me or where I live/work. One day I caught my GM changing Daydots (a program that restaurants use to ensure the proper rotation, usage and quality of products prepared and served at their establishment). Well in Darden, you change a daydot, you will be terminated(or so I thought). So I attempted to reason with Him and he rebuked all comments made by me. So I approached my management team with the situation, and after careful discussion and much debate, we decided to notify our Director of the situation. Doing so, would definitely place me at odds with my GM, possibly have some ramifications unseen, and all in all make me feel bad. So long story short, he was not fired, even though the proof was irrefutable, and I put my name and rep on the line, and lost a good friend in the process, I did it because it was right. My wife thought that I should have come down off my morals, but hey, my momma raised me right. So it comes down to this: Did I do the right thing?
1) I did not become the GM of the restaurant
2) I did not get a raise.
3) I never regained my GM as a friend
4) I eventually left because the woman who became GM is a dolt!(more later)
So did I do the right thing. YES, because I made a choice that was the right thing. The goal was not one based on personal gain but for the good of the restaurant. The guests that dined their deserved fresh food, the employees deserved honest managers, and my soul deserved to not be haunted if I had decided to look the other way.
Case and Point #2: So my first GM left and seeing that I have not been through the LADDR program with Darden I was not qualified to try for the position, so the Northern scourge that came from Ft. Wayne, IN was given the coveted title of GM. She did not have the knowledge of the restaurant, or background, desired. She did not know how to lead, nor how to motivate, nor how to inspire one to succeed. She was a leaner. (LEANER: one who relies on one or more individuals to ensure that the job is done by 1 - giving no thoughts or ideas, but yelling and pointing out the failures of everyone else, 2- having no original thought 3- confusing delegation with laziness at every turn 4- and taking all credit for anything that is accomplished my the rest of the managers) And she leaned on me till I felt as if I was the GM without the pay, benefits ect... The managers would call me before they called her. She would call me before she called the Director so she knew what she was talking about. She would delegate really important tasks to me because she did not have the brain power to accomplish the task. So with all this, I bet you are wondering why I left. Right? I mean I had a nickname, shouldn't I have been content with that?
I left because to stay there would mean that I would never become a GM for my accomplishments but for constantly doing the job all along without pay, until she retired or quit. She did not need to quit or retire because I was making her job too easy. I did everything! So the company was put up for sale, and were not going to open any anytime soon, so why should I stay? Driving 45 mins + a day, 5 days a week may sound good to you, but it starts to suck after 2.5 years. I made the choice that I should have made a whole lot sooner. I chose my family. Family? I spent more time doing things for Smokey Bones than I did my family. Here's the math: 5 days a week X 10 hours a day = 50. Now add in that I never worked only 10 hours a day but more like 10.5 to 11 and the number is more like 54ish. (You must respect the ish factor) now add the hour and 15 mins I use to ensure that I make it to work on time so: 1.25 X 5 = 6 hours. I am up to 60 hours. Now add the drive home. Again, depending on when I leave, it could be anywhere from 45min to 1.5 hours before I get home. So lets just keep it at 1.25 hours. The total is now up to 66 hours. The average person who gets up at 8am goes to sleep at 12am allowing 8 hrs of sleep. a 15-20 min commute, 9-5 job means 8 hours a day and plenty of time to "live" after they get off. My job was get up a 8am (4 year old and all) start to get ready at 12:45 to leave by 1:45 to get to work by 3pm. Close at 10pm, out by 11:30, home by 12:30-12:45, in bed by 1:30-2am, up again at 8. So roughly out of a typical 40 work week, I already work 54, not so bad but by adding my drive time, I add another 12 a week in just driving. That's an increase of 25% just to get to work. Sucks right, so I will spare you when I am a mid, in at 10am and done at 10pm. Get home and everybody is asleep when I leave and when I get home. Did I make the right choice? Yep!
So now, I have finished my training, and are about to embark on the next chapter of my professional career. A restaurant 3 min from where I live. Talk about the good points, put a list on a wall and throw a dart, you'll hit one. I am closer, I am making about the same amount of money, and I get to spend more time with my family. All +'s.
Choices are never easy, and many times they can not be the right ones, but its the people who put themselves out there and try, will ultimately learn, right or wrong, that the choices they choose will lead them down the path that they desire. Have I reached that point in my journey? Have I learned all I need to? I hope not, because then most of the fun will be over. Controlled chaos can be a good thing. No one can know for certainty that the path they have chosen will lead to the proper goal, until one has tried.
I have left a job, where idiots were abound, laziness was often times produced as much as baked beans were prepped, and uncertainty was around every corner. My new job, will most certainly have some of the very same problems, but my choice to leave one headache behind for a closer one, will always strike me as the right one.
So I have recently decided that my time with my previous job (Smokey Bones BBQ) should come to an end. Again this was not an easy choice seeing that I have spent the past 2.5 years with them and 3.5 years with Darden. Seniority, benefits, friends, and a fairly well known, and deserved reputation within the organization as a hard worker, smart, energetic, blah, blah,blah B.S. that they have no problem handing out to any wanna-believer. Don't get me wrong, I did a damn fine job, and I worked hard to get there, but its a crying shame when hard work, and what you want to achieve do not intersect.
Case and point #1: Before I get to ranting, understand that I have delayed this story for a very long time, for out of respect, professionalism, worry about my own rep, or a combination of all three I cant be sure, be let it be known that I have since then thrown those thoughts to the wind. AHEM......
So I was the man (so I thought) my first GM groomed me to strive to be the best, work hard, and I could achieve anything. So I listened. I sacrificed my personal time to do silly things like drive to Greensboro to pick up product, even though it wasn't my fault we ran out; I would accept being sent to neighbor restaurants like Fayettville, Greensboro to assist cleaning up a mess that was created either by circumstance or the idiocrity of previous hires by my previous company. (At this point I must ask that you see the post by my brother Dhazy @ http://innocuousramblings.blogspot.com for he can shed some light of this comment.) all to prove that I am a worthy employee, and worth the time one would spend on me. I even gained a nickname from co-workers for my high energy, yet constructive ways: QCR (Queen City Rob) because I work in Charlotte, and it is known as the Queen City. That was for individuals who may read this and not know me or where I live/work. One day I caught my GM changing Daydots (a program that restaurants use to ensure the proper rotation, usage and quality of products prepared and served at their establishment). Well in Darden, you change a daydot, you will be terminated(or so I thought). So I attempted to reason with Him and he rebuked all comments made by me. So I approached my management team with the situation, and after careful discussion and much debate, we decided to notify our Director of the situation. Doing so, would definitely place me at odds with my GM, possibly have some ramifications unseen, and all in all make me feel bad. So long story short, he was not fired, even though the proof was irrefutable, and I put my name and rep on the line, and lost a good friend in the process, I did it because it was right. My wife thought that I should have come down off my morals, but hey, my momma raised me right. So it comes down to this: Did I do the right thing?
1) I did not become the GM of the restaurant
2) I did not get a raise.
3) I never regained my GM as a friend
4) I eventually left because the woman who became GM is a dolt!(more later)
So did I do the right thing. YES, because I made a choice that was the right thing. The goal was not one based on personal gain but for the good of the restaurant. The guests that dined their deserved fresh food, the employees deserved honest managers, and my soul deserved to not be haunted if I had decided to look the other way.
Case and Point #2: So my first GM left and seeing that I have not been through the LADDR program with Darden I was not qualified to try for the position, so the Northern scourge that came from Ft. Wayne, IN was given the coveted title of GM. She did not have the knowledge of the restaurant, or background, desired. She did not know how to lead, nor how to motivate, nor how to inspire one to succeed. She was a leaner. (LEANER: one who relies on one or more individuals to ensure that the job is done by 1 - giving no thoughts or ideas, but yelling and pointing out the failures of everyone else, 2- having no original thought 3- confusing delegation with laziness at every turn 4- and taking all credit for anything that is accomplished my the rest of the managers) And she leaned on me till I felt as if I was the GM without the pay, benefits ect... The managers would call me before they called her. She would call me before she called the Director so she knew what she was talking about. She would delegate really important tasks to me because she did not have the brain power to accomplish the task. So with all this, I bet you are wondering why I left. Right? I mean I had a nickname, shouldn't I have been content with that?
I left because to stay there would mean that I would never become a GM for my accomplishments but for constantly doing the job all along without pay, until she retired or quit. She did not need to quit or retire because I was making her job too easy. I did everything! So the company was put up for sale, and were not going to open any anytime soon, so why should I stay? Driving 45 mins + a day, 5 days a week may sound good to you, but it starts to suck after 2.5 years. I made the choice that I should have made a whole lot sooner. I chose my family. Family? I spent more time doing things for Smokey Bones than I did my family. Here's the math: 5 days a week X 10 hours a day = 50. Now add in that I never worked only 10 hours a day but more like 10.5 to 11 and the number is more like 54ish. (You must respect the ish factor) now add the hour and 15 mins I use to ensure that I make it to work on time so: 1.25 X 5 = 6 hours. I am up to 60 hours. Now add the drive home. Again, depending on when I leave, it could be anywhere from 45min to 1.5 hours before I get home. So lets just keep it at 1.25 hours. The total is now up to 66 hours. The average person who gets up at 8am goes to sleep at 12am allowing 8 hrs of sleep. a 15-20 min commute, 9-5 job means 8 hours a day and plenty of time to "live" after they get off. My job was get up a 8am (4 year old and all) start to get ready at 12:45 to leave by 1:45 to get to work by 3pm. Close at 10pm, out by 11:30, home by 12:30-12:45, in bed by 1:30-2am, up again at 8. So roughly out of a typical 40 work week, I already work 54, not so bad but by adding my drive time, I add another 12 a week in just driving. That's an increase of 25% just to get to work. Sucks right, so I will spare you when I am a mid, in at 10am and done at 10pm. Get home and everybody is asleep when I leave and when I get home. Did I make the right choice? Yep!
So now, I have finished my training, and are about to embark on the next chapter of my professional career. A restaurant 3 min from where I live. Talk about the good points, put a list on a wall and throw a dart, you'll hit one. I am closer, I am making about the same amount of money, and I get to spend more time with my family. All +'s.
Choices are never easy, and many times they can not be the right ones, but its the people who put themselves out there and try, will ultimately learn, right or wrong, that the choices they choose will lead them down the path that they desire. Have I reached that point in my journey? Have I learned all I need to? I hope not, because then most of the fun will be over. Controlled chaos can be a good thing. No one can know for certainty that the path they have chosen will lead to the proper goal, until one has tried.
I have left a job, where idiots were abound, laziness was often times produced as much as baked beans were prepped, and uncertainty was around every corner. My new job, will most certainly have some of the very same problems, but my choice to leave one headache behind for a closer one, will always strike me as the right one.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Red Power Rangers Birthday
So My son,Hhazy, had is 4th birthday on March the 3rd. It proved to be a fantastic time had by all that were able to come. (Hey, big bro, lil'bro, I know you wanted to be there!) We decided to have it at Michael's Crafts in Mooresville, NC in there craft room. We let all the kids and some big kids, (GiGi, and Nan) get there kicks by painting a what-not box. Right away you could tell how seriously these two beasts took to painting(GiGi and Nan that is). They were talkative, responsive, and even jovial, ....until the paint was passed out. These two were seated beside one another and you could feel the competition juices splashing off them like a sweat off a fat man running up 15 flights of stairs. They got all quiet and were focused on their, (and the other one's) box. Now of course, you ask either one of them, and they would deny it, but I was there, and I have no reason to blow this up. So my Mom went towards this teal box with Florecent Orange strip highlights, you know, the type of highlights that you do that causes the tip of your tongue to stick out the side of your mouth. Yeah, thats the one, and My M.I.L. (Mother In Law - Nan) I believe at first thought she was surrounded my novices' to the painting/artzy fartzy game until she witnessed the tongue tip wagging out of my Moms mouth. At this point, any who were dialed in to the who's and whats, would have felt a subtle shift in the ART ETHER as my M.I.L. decided to open up a can of Picasso Whoopass! She started to kick in some angles, some positive/negative dots, Some shading. I mean It was getting serious! My mom took it to the next level by highlighting the small feet that were to be glued to the bottom of these boxes.
By the time the smoke cleared and I made sure that no innocent bystanders were harmed during the festivities, both ladies seemed proud of there accomplishments, even though neither would ask the other, or anyone else present, who's was nicer. All in all, I am glad to see that the fire still burns brightly inside the two birds, still ready to "GET IT ON" when the need arises. Which brings me to the next part of the party........
Later when the party was winding down, my Mom starts walking by me, with her "little person" apron on. I begin to make the comment that maybe she should take it home and begin a little game of "Housewife" with someone special. You know, the game when "He" comes home to find "Her" in the kitchen with nothing but this lil' apron on. At first I got the typical response...." Uh, I don't think so", but soon afterward I could see the idea blossoming inside her head. Thats what I do, just plant the seed, and let everyone else help it grow. Hey! work your magic woman!!
On one other note, I would like to extend an apology to my Mother, because I believe she is something special! Not just because I broke her butt bone when she was concieving me, and not because she didn't hold a grudge, but because she is SPECIAL! So as I was bragging that My Mom is a big-wig at the hospital, apparently the woman who was assisting with the party, Linda, was a nurse by trade and was looking for that "way in". She heard my moving, and captivating words about my mother, and wasted no time after the party, by saddling up to my Moms and trying to sweeten her up. So again, Mom, I am sorry, that you rock, and I believe you to be the best thing since that Wheat/White bread that came out.
See, not all my posts are angry, and full of piss and vinegar. To all that were able to come to my sons party, thank you and much love.
By the time the smoke cleared and I made sure that no innocent bystanders were harmed during the festivities, both ladies seemed proud of there accomplishments, even though neither would ask the other, or anyone else present, who's was nicer. All in all, I am glad to see that the fire still burns brightly inside the two birds, still ready to "GET IT ON" when the need arises. Which brings me to the next part of the party........
Later when the party was winding down, my Mom starts walking by me, with her "little person" apron on. I begin to make the comment that maybe she should take it home and begin a little game of "Housewife" with someone special. You know, the game when "He" comes home to find "Her" in the kitchen with nothing but this lil' apron on. At first I got the typical response...." Uh, I don't think so", but soon afterward I could see the idea blossoming inside her head. Thats what I do, just plant the seed, and let everyone else help it grow. Hey! work your magic woman!!
On one other note, I would like to extend an apology to my Mother, because I believe she is something special! Not just because I broke her butt bone when she was concieving me, and not because she didn't hold a grudge, but because she is SPECIAL! So as I was bragging that My Mom is a big-wig at the hospital, apparently the woman who was assisting with the party, Linda, was a nurse by trade and was looking for that "way in". She heard my moving, and captivating words about my mother, and wasted no time after the party, by saddling up to my Moms and trying to sweeten her up. So again, Mom, I am sorry, that you rock, and I believe you to be the best thing since that Wheat/White bread that came out.
See, not all my posts are angry, and full of piss and vinegar. To all that were able to come to my sons party, thank you and much love.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
If you're not going to use it, then throw it out!
So today I had to make a delivery to the Hickory area, and as I was heading home, I decided to stop and feed the beast that resides inside my belly. Choices are abound, as long as you take the time to look, but I was in a hurry to get back home, so Wendi's was my choice.
Now let me back up a little bit, and explain a couple of things: A few years ago, most of the big fast food joints upgraded to these new, handy-dandy, fully automated, tell you what your getting, while using bright colors to make it happen, order screens/two-way communicators. (i.e. the big shiny box that you yell into to tell the college graduate on the other end what you want to eat) At first, as was impressed, coming from a guest satisfaction background myself, I thought it was a well planned and released attempt to give back to the people. Everywhere I went at first had these cool do-hickeys. Then one day something strange started happening. The brain surgeons inside stopped using them!
Now, I am sure that you think I have nothing better to do, but sit here and complain about something as insignificant as this, but hey...It's my Blog.
Why have something cool, if you are not going to use it? Its like buying a car you only drive on the third Sunday of every month, or saving the chocolate you got from Valentine's Day, because it just meant that much to you, or buying new socks, and hording them in your drawer, till your other ones fall apart, or saving the 1.23oz portion of steak left over from the meal you had last night, thinking you are really going to wake up the next day and say: "YES I HAVE LEFTOVERS!!!"
I think you get my drift.
So, I have often asked the leaders of tomorrow, when I pull around to the window, to get my total,(again, they are not using the system that does that for them) why they are not using the tella-screen? The typical reply is that it is broken. It must be heartbreaking to have all the tella-screens in the entire tri-county area that I deal in, to not have a single one of them work.
So again I say with feeling: "If you are not going to use it, then throw it out!" Do us all a favor and save the money you put towards the flash, and just give us something free.
While I am on the subject, does anyone out there know how infuriating it is to have the Spelling Bee Champions inside the local MickeyDs try and rush me when I am trying to decide which "one step closer to a heart attack" value meal I will be snacking on. When I said I need a minute, that means give me 60 seconds to at least get through the first quadrant of the menu before asking again.
Now I will tell you, that if I pull up to your fast food joint, and you
(1) don't use your tella-screen the way it was intended to work
(2) rush me by asking three times within a 90 second period if I'm ready
and (3) don't bother to ask if I would like to upgrade to the larger combo of undercooked, and under seasoned fries, It is possible that I may just snap at ya over the loud speaker.
Finally, I must say again that I am a big believer in using stuff, because that is what its here for, so for the love of all that's holy, use it.
Now let me back up a little bit, and explain a couple of things: A few years ago, most of the big fast food joints upgraded to these new, handy-dandy, fully automated, tell you what your getting, while using bright colors to make it happen, order screens/two-way communicators. (i.e. the big shiny box that you yell into to tell the college graduate on the other end what you want to eat) At first, as was impressed, coming from a guest satisfaction background myself, I thought it was a well planned and released attempt to give back to the people. Everywhere I went at first had these cool do-hickeys. Then one day something strange started happening. The brain surgeons inside stopped using them!
Now, I am sure that you think I have nothing better to do, but sit here and complain about something as insignificant as this, but hey...It's my Blog.
Why have something cool, if you are not going to use it? Its like buying a car you only drive on the third Sunday of every month, or saving the chocolate you got from Valentine's Day, because it just meant that much to you, or buying new socks, and hording them in your drawer, till your other ones fall apart, or saving the 1.23oz portion of steak left over from the meal you had last night, thinking you are really going to wake up the next day and say: "YES I HAVE LEFTOVERS!!!"
I think you get my drift.
So, I have often asked the leaders of tomorrow, when I pull around to the window, to get my total,(again, they are not using the system that does that for them) why they are not using the tella-screen? The typical reply is that it is broken. It must be heartbreaking to have all the tella-screens in the entire tri-county area that I deal in, to not have a single one of them work.
So again I say with feeling: "If you are not going to use it, then throw it out!" Do us all a favor and save the money you put towards the flash, and just give us something free.
While I am on the subject, does anyone out there know how infuriating it is to have the Spelling Bee Champions inside the local MickeyDs try and rush me when I am trying to decide which "one step closer to a heart attack" value meal I will be snacking on. When I said I need a minute, that means give me 60 seconds to at least get through the first quadrant of the menu before asking again.
Now I will tell you, that if I pull up to your fast food joint, and you
(1) don't use your tella-screen the way it was intended to work
(2) rush me by asking three times within a 90 second period if I'm ready
and (3) don't bother to ask if I would like to upgrade to the larger combo of undercooked, and under seasoned fries, It is possible that I may just snap at ya over the loud speaker.
Finally, I must say again that I am a big believer in using stuff, because that is what its here for, so for the love of all that's holy, use it.
O' how I do hate racists!!
So, to get through with all the possible questions that may occur during the course of this blog, I should state some basic facts that will help anyone that has the testicular fortitude to continue to read these snippets, on a regular basis.
(1) I am a restaurant manager
(2) I am married w/child
(3) I can comfortably say that I LOVE children, and not in a weird creepy way, and look forward to the future they will bring.
(4) Absolutely, without question, have possibly a unhealthy dislike for all people who dislike someone due to the color of their skin!
I, myself, being of Anglo-Saxon dissent, may have a few people out their who find that hard to believe, but trust me in this one thought: Their is good in everybody, except racism, even in its smallest form.
I will take you on a journey that takes place this past weekend, where I happened upon not one, but two instances in one day at my restaurant.
ONE: I arrive at work around 2:30 for my 3pm shift.(hey don't judge me because my momma raised my right!) Upon "releasing the hounds" inside my clean, yet homey restrooms, I began the daily task of checking the bathroom, as a whole, before traipsing off to my other duties.
AS I open the door of one of my two stalls, I come face to face with the abrasive fact that someone apparently does not care to fondly of all people who fall under the title of the "N" word.** Now, I just don't mean it was written, but written in bold, large uncompromising letters. Not once, but twice. Then if the distasteful, if not poorly verbalized statements, were not enough, the same person(s) felt it necessary to take to artfully portraying these same someones carefully acting out a certain oral fixation on the door to the stall.
Now, this was bad! If that weren't bad enough, these same people, who are about as useful as the sweat that generates off my "boys" between my legs, felt it necessary to duplicate these same ill thoughts on the walls and door of the other stall.
Now vandalism can be dealt with in small amounts I am sure, but I HAVE KIDS THAT PISS IN THAT STALL!!, I HAVE PARENTS, THAT DO NOT HATE, PISS IN THAT STALL, ....sorry......So after the shock value wears off, I begin the process of removing the unoriginal graffiti off my walls. After a coat of paint is removed from the walls, I can rest easier that no one will be tainted from these narrow minded thoughts.
** As a side note, just for those of you that made it this far, a simple note to the above paragraphs. The "N" word can apply to all ignorant people who believe they are better that someone else. Whether you belong to a three "same" lettered group, a bastardized symbol stolen from ancient Egypt, or ENTER HATER GROUP NAME HERE:, it all adds up to one thing...stupidity...............Alas I digress. On with the show......
TWO: As the course of the evening wraps up, I had a table of irate guests who were not pleased with the service that they received. I spoke politely, and assured them that their satisfaction was our number one goal, and that I hoped they came back again, to give us another try. They seemed appeased, they said thank you, but apparently the discussion that took place between me and the FANTASTIC, UPSTANDING individuals at table 26 did nothing to quench their racist upbringing. Upon leaving these people, who are about as useful as the hair that grows on my butt, simplified the entire episode as, and I quote, "its o.k., shes nothing but a incompetent Jap"................. Are you freaking kidding me?!?! You had to take it there? Why not, "she had a off day", or, "well, we just won't ask for her the next time". You had to make the racist comment. I am sure she did not mean anything by not running the 4/40 in 5 seconds to retrieve the glass of water you requested on one of the numerous passes she made to your table because the amount of condiments available on our tables was insufficient for your needs of the night. Or that you did not have a ashtray, in which to smoke a cigarette half-way through your meal, available when the dim light inside the the worthless pile of jelly that sits atop your extremely overweight yet somehow feminine shoulders went off. Or maybe, your just felt bad because you just didn't feel pretty today, due to the dusty haze that covers the single tooth inside that purty mouth of yours, or you were sure that the halter top that looked smashing on you at home, did little to cover the obscene amount of gut that leaked out of all sides.
Whatever the case, it did nothing to correct the problem, but make it worse.
At this point I would like to pause and take a moment to state that if anyone reading this post has become offended: Good. So was I, and I had a front row seat to the entire evening. To all you haters out there, grow up and LET.. IT... GO!
In summation, this is just my first entry folks! It could get a lot worse, or it could get real good. If I get this worked up over poor upbringing, imagine what I will say when I get on the subject of the inner workings of my restaurant, my boss, the way my underwear just don't support me the way they use to, why it gets harder to aim, is the hole getting smaller?, or do I just not challenge myself enough. I mean HEY! there will be some good stuff too! I mean don't prejudge the topic of this post to set the precedence for the rest to come. Check back and see what I stand upon my soap box about next time.
-QCR
(1) I am a restaurant manager
(2) I am married w/child
(3) I can comfortably say that I LOVE children, and not in a weird creepy way, and look forward to the future they will bring.
(4) Absolutely, without question, have possibly a unhealthy dislike for all people who dislike someone due to the color of their skin!
I, myself, being of Anglo-Saxon dissent, may have a few people out their who find that hard to believe, but trust me in this one thought: Their is good in everybody, except racism, even in its smallest form.
I will take you on a journey that takes place this past weekend, where I happened upon not one, but two instances in one day at my restaurant.
ONE: I arrive at work around 2:30 for my 3pm shift.(hey don't judge me because my momma raised my right!) Upon "releasing the hounds" inside my clean, yet homey restrooms, I began the daily task of checking the bathroom, as a whole, before traipsing off to my other duties.
AS I open the door of one of my two stalls, I come face to face with the abrasive fact that someone apparently does not care to fondly of all people who fall under the title of the "N" word.** Now, I just don't mean it was written, but written in bold, large uncompromising letters. Not once, but twice. Then if the distasteful, if not poorly verbalized statements, were not enough, the same person(s) felt it necessary to take to artfully portraying these same someones carefully acting out a certain oral fixation on the door to the stall.
Now, this was bad! If that weren't bad enough, these same people, who are about as useful as the sweat that generates off my "boys" between my legs, felt it necessary to duplicate these same ill thoughts on the walls and door of the other stall.
Now vandalism can be dealt with in small amounts I am sure, but I HAVE KIDS THAT PISS IN THAT STALL!!, I HAVE PARENTS, THAT DO NOT HATE, PISS IN THAT STALL, ....sorry......So after the shock value wears off, I begin the process of removing the unoriginal graffiti off my walls. After a coat of paint is removed from the walls, I can rest easier that no one will be tainted from these narrow minded thoughts.
** As a side note, just for those of you that made it this far, a simple note to the above paragraphs. The "N" word can apply to all ignorant people who believe they are better that someone else. Whether you belong to a three "same" lettered group, a bastardized symbol stolen from ancient Egypt, or ENTER HATER GROUP NAME HERE:, it all adds up to one thing...stupidity...............Alas I digress. On with the show......
TWO: As the course of the evening wraps up, I had a table of irate guests who were not pleased with the service that they received. I spoke politely, and assured them that their satisfaction was our number one goal, and that I hoped they came back again, to give us another try. They seemed appeased, they said thank you, but apparently the discussion that took place between me and the FANTASTIC, UPSTANDING individuals at table 26 did nothing to quench their racist upbringing. Upon leaving these people, who are about as useful as the hair that grows on my butt, simplified the entire episode as, and I quote, "its o.k., shes nothing but a incompetent Jap"................. Are you freaking kidding me?!?! You had to take it there? Why not, "she had a off day", or, "well, we just won't ask for her the next time". You had to make the racist comment. I am sure she did not mean anything by not running the 4/40 in 5 seconds to retrieve the glass of water you requested on one of the numerous passes she made to your table because the amount of condiments available on our tables was insufficient for your needs of the night. Or that you did not have a ashtray, in which to smoke a cigarette half-way through your meal, available when the dim light inside the the worthless pile of jelly that sits atop your extremely overweight yet somehow feminine shoulders went off. Or maybe, your just felt bad because you just didn't feel pretty today, due to the dusty haze that covers the single tooth inside that purty mouth of yours, or you were sure that the halter top that looked smashing on you at home, did little to cover the obscene amount of gut that leaked out of all sides.
Whatever the case, it did nothing to correct the problem, but make it worse.
At this point I would like to pause and take a moment to state that if anyone reading this post has become offended: Good. So was I, and I had a front row seat to the entire evening. To all you haters out there, grow up and LET.. IT... GO!
In summation, this is just my first entry folks! It could get a lot worse, or it could get real good. If I get this worked up over poor upbringing, imagine what I will say when I get on the subject of the inner workings of my restaurant, my boss, the way my underwear just don't support me the way they use to, why it gets harder to aim, is the hole getting smaller?, or do I just not challenge myself enough. I mean HEY! there will be some good stuff too! I mean don't prejudge the topic of this post to set the precedence for the rest to come. Check back and see what I stand upon my soap box about next time.
-QCR
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