Road trip here we come!

In case I forget to tell you, Anna and I will be going on our first road trip this weekend. We’re actually leaving on Sunday since her band has a gig on Saturday night. We’ll be headed to Saint Louis to meet up with a couple of friends, spend two days there then we’re off to Chicago to spend the rest of the week. We’ll be staying with Anna’s sister, Gretchen and while we’re there take in the sights and sounds of Chicago. Al and Karen will be there too since Al will be attending a conference. We’ll definitely be meeting up with them that weekend because a week from Saturday, we’ll be helping Anna’s aunt who has MS at an MS event. I’m looking forward to it for sure. For me, I guess my vacations are slowly starting now. We’ll be going on this trip, then the end of June we’ll be headed up to North Dakota and the end of July we’ll be headed to the Twin Cities – I’ll be attending a national aging conference.

The past weekend was really nice. I got to help Ann and Harley with some yard work. The weather was nice so it make working out in the yard pleasant. I spent three hours outside and things definitely looked better once the work was completed. We went to their favorite Chinese restaurant just a couple of minutes from where they live to have lunch. I’ve been there a couple of times and the food is just fine by me. After lunch I showered and got ready to work in the restaurant. Things were kind of busy especially after last weekend when it was so darn quiet. Faculty Lounge had a gig and Aaron, my manager made sure I left with ample time to spare to hear Anna’s band play. This was the first time ever I’ve heard them play from start to finish. For some reason or another, I’ve always end up coming when they’ve already started and most of the time they were already into their second set. There were a couple of people from the young adults group who were there and some guys from the restaurant came too including Aaron. Those who have not heard them before were more than surprised by how good they sound. Talk about a fun night.

Yesterday, the restaurant was steadily busy and I got to wash dishes for the very first time. Aaron had fired the dishwasher after giving her more than her fair share of opportunities to work. So, we really did not have a dishwasher. Between brunch and dinner when things were quiet, the both of us were back in the sink washing the dishes. That was a new experience and most definitely something else I can add to my resume! We made a pretty good business although the last hour and a half, I was running on pure adrenaline. All in all, it was fun and in many ways, I’m glad I have the day off from the restaurant today. This evening is the first time they will be open on a Monday serving both lunch and dinner. I hope business is good.

Oh, I forgot to mention two things to you. I’ve been “promoted” to be a team leader when Aaron is not around. What that basically means is that I’m the restaurant manager in Aaron’s absence. His day off will be on Tuesdays and that’s when I’m responsible for things. I’ll be closing the restaurant and making sure it’s ran well. I’ll always refer back to him if something major were to happen, but it’s pretty much me on Tuesdays. The owners and Aaron were looking for someone matured whom they could trust and also someone who worked more hours. I pretty much fit the bill. I’ve closed the restaurant twice now and it’s really not difficult. On that note, when I was working on Saturday night, I had one table where I thought I did a pretty good job as their server and they asked to speak to the manager. More often than not, it’s never a good thing when someone wants to speak to the manager. So, when Aaron arrived at the table, the guy wanted it to be known that they were extremely happy with my service and thought I did an immaculate job as their server. He wanted to make sure Aaron was present when he gave me the compliment. Aaron was more than happy to tell him that I was the floor manager and that I had all the qualities to make me a good manager.

Deep down, I really appreciated the compliment, but anyone who knows me, know that I’m my worst critic. I set a very high standard for myself and I know when I’ve done a good job or I had bombed. At the same time, it was a good feeling to be complimented by the customer. More and more customers are recognizing me so that’s a very good sign. Looks like all is well at Paradise!

That’s the news from me for this week. Don’t think I’ll be able to write next week since I’ll be on vacation. We’ll just have to see.