The new job is hectic and stressful. We did a soft opening last week, so we're open, but not aggressively advertising. We'll have a grand opening in the next couple of weeks. I'll be doing 6 day weeks for the foreseeable future, but we need the money, so I'm not complaining. The owners are good people, but very, very specific about how they want things done. As a result, a lot of staff walks on eggshells. I'm just keeping my mouth shut, doing my best, and working to make their vision what they want it to be. Once we get to that point, I'm sure things will level off, and we can relax a little bit.


On opening day I made a HUGE rookie mistake and was read the riot act from Chef Anne. I completely had it coming, but still felt like a jackass for screwing up. Later in the day I pulled her aside to apologize, and she stated directly that she wasn't interested. Motives for our actions were irrelevant, only results. A customer doesn't know the difference between a mistake, and a failed recipe. The result will still be 1 less customer. I appreciate her directness even if it comes as a result of me screwing the pooch.

For the first time in while, I feel like I'm learning again, and not just atrophying my skills for a paycheck. I"m not even close to being the most skilled person in the kitchen. I will get better by working here. It's just stressful to worry about doing something wrong, or sub par. Having a family to support is a huge motivator to not only "get by", but to improve and grow. I have high hopes for this place, but know that my destiny is in my own hands, and success will be hard earned.

I'm working all day shifts now, so I'm having a tough time acclimating to the time change. It's getting better, and I'm taking better care of myself, so I'm hoping some of the weight will come off and I can get myself in better shape. I don't want to be a fat middle aged burnout,...

The new job is hectic and stressful. We did a soft opening last week, so we're open, but not aggressively advertising. We'll have a grand opening in the next couple of weeks. I'll be doing 6 day weeks for the foreseeable future, but we need the money, so I'm not complaining. The owners are good people, but very, very specific about how they want things done. As a result, a lot of staff walks on eggshells. I'm just keeping my mouth shut, doing my best, and working to make their vision what they want it to be. Once we get to that point, I'm sure things will level off, and we can relax a little bit.


On opening day I made a HUGE rookie mistake and was read the riot act from Chef Anne. I completely had it coming, but still felt like a jackass for screwing up. Later in the day I pulled her aside to apologize, and she stated directly that she wasn't interested. Motives for our actions were irrelevant, only results. A customer doesn't know the difference between a mistake, and a failed recipe. The result will still be 1 less customer. I appreciate her directness even if it comes as a result of me screwing the pooch.

For the first time in while, I feel like I'm learning again, and not just atrophying my skills for a paycheck. I"m not even close to being the most skilled person in the kitchen. I will get better by working here. It's just stressful to worry about doing something wrong, or sub par. Having a family to support is a huge motivator to not only "get by", but to improve and grow. I have high hopes for this place, but know that my destiny is in my own hands, and success will be hard earned.

I'm working all day shifts now, so I'm having a tough time acclimating to the time change. It's getting better, and I'm taking better care of myself, so I'm hoping some of the weight will come off and I can get myself in better shape. I don't want to be a fat middle aged burnout, and won't be able to keep up with my job, or my kid if I am. So I'm using everything that's going on as a catalyst for making my entire quality of life better. Less alcohol, more exercise and movement. It would be nice to go into springtime lighter and healthier.


Bob has a million teeth and is toddling around pretty well. He still prefers crawling, but he can take 6 or 7 steps before crapping out. It's very cute. Still no words, but it will be soon. He understands a lot more, and attempts to mimic us. I think his bottleneck is vocalization, not comprehension. He also has new teeth coming in all the time, so that could make it difficult too. Imagine trying to take Spanish lessons with dental work going on. He pudgy, healthy and happy. All the girls on Market Street have crushes on him, and he flirts with all the ladies when I take him out.

Other than that, not much. Liz and I are on opposite schedules, so we spend most of our time passing each other in the night. it's a necessary evil, but we do what we have to.