Back to school, back to school....

I seriously think my life could revolve around Tommy Boy and Adam Sandler references. So if you don't get something I might have said, or I make a comment which might be taken the wrong way, it's more than likely from one of those two sources. But anyway, remember when you were younger and you just spent your summer vacation playing kick the can or swimming at the pool all day or just doing whatever it was that you needed to do before you headed back to school in the fall? Remember that feeling of excitement mixed with fear of what that first day of school was going to bring? Remember how you couldn't sleep for fear of missing your alarm, or maybe you were just too excited to sweep? I was all those things last night and this morning. For starters, I'm a ding dong and didn't really get myself adjusted to the Eastern time zone before this morning. I hadn't gotten used to going to bed by 11 pm so I spent as much time as possible reading as much of my book as I could. Thought I was going to actually finish the thing until I closed it around 11:30ish and told myself to try and fall asleep. That didn't work. Staring at the ceiling for 30 minutes didn't work, so I decided to push play on the rest of the terrible movie I was watching. Now, I love Brad Pitt just as much as the next girl, and maybe more so, but The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was really bad. I mean, one of those movies where when it ends you ask yourself if you seriously just spent that last 2.5 hours wasting your life on this. The only reasons I kept watching were 1.)Brad Pitt did keep getting better looking, until he was 19 and then it wasn't Thelma and Louise good looking, it was Madame Tousue's wax museum creepy looking. It was bizarre. and 2.)I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next. Which in most circumstances would call for a really good plot, but totally bombed when it came to this particular movie. I'm no Siskel or Ebert, for that matter, but I have been known to like a good movie every now and then. Hell, I'm even trying to get through the 100 greatest movies of the past 100 years and finally starting to like those. This was just pure garbage. I guess everyone has to pick a dud every once in a while. But I've been told that The Mexican was bad too. I'm just glad you have your looks to pick you back up Brad, but one cannot survive on Oceans movies alone. So, after the movie ended and I still wasn't tired, I tried to convince Scout to hop back on the bed so at least I might be able to pet her to sleep. She wasn't buying any of that so I turned on the light to try and find the pen that mysteriously disappeared upon my arrival into the shower. It's amazing the stuff you will do to make yourself go to sleep. After looking through both drawers again. Under the bed. And yes, even petting Scout's belly to see if there was any possible way she could have swallowed the thing whole, I gave up and turned off the light. A cousin once told me that one could never count backwards from 300 and try to fall asleep and make it to zero. I do that every now and then to see if it works. I get bored around 150 and give up b/c my brain takes over. Same thing happened last night/this morning. 165 don't forget you have to drop your dry cleaning off in the morning; 160 call the groomer, Scout needs a bath; 155 must email Laura about watching Scout this weekend; 150 why am I doing this still and where is that damn pen? At last check the clock struck 1:33 and the next thing I knew I was asleep. I don't know why I ever fear of sleeping through my clock when I have my own four legged one that pets me at 6:30 ever morning. No, literally, she does. If she's on the ground, she jumps up, curls right up next to me and puts her paw on whatever body part is closest. If she could talk, I'm convinced she would tell me that she's awake and ready to play now. It is cute, but this morning it felt like burning. Since I'm sure you were all dying to know, I did finally find that trick of a pen too. Someone....eh hemm...took it in the other room while I was bathing and starting tearing that thing apart. I found bits and pieces all over the living room floor. One mystery solved! I would call that a good day!

It's time for another Tommy Boy reference everyone. I tried to find the clip on YouTube but was not successful. Remember that scene in Tommy Boy when he's getting off the plane and his luggage comes off in trash bags? I had that moment flying back from Cali this week. You see, although I flew out on US Airways, my return flight was on Continental. I was about 99% sure that my bag weighed a little more coming home than it did flying out, but considering that I was able to pay the overweight bag fee, I was not concerned of my bag being rejected. So I roll up to the counter and tell the lady at the desk that she might as well take my credit card b/c this is going to cost me. Allow me to play out the scene for you.

Extremely nice Continental desk clerk: As long as your bag doesn't weigh over 70 pounds you'll be fine.

Me: Oh, that's going to be an issue b/c I know it's over 70 pounds.

ENCDC: Well, let's just put it on the scale and see.
Me: No, I assure you this bag is over 70 pounds.

ENCDC: We don't take bags that are over 70 pounds.

Me: (absolutely dumbfounded look) What do you mean you don't take them? What would you suggest I do?

ENCDC: Any bag over 70 pounds is considered cargo. You could go buy a bag.

Me: (to myself-where? at the bag store that you have conveniently located at the airport BEFORE security) What else you got?

ENCDC: Well, let's open your bag and see what we can do.

So together we open my gigantic suitcase and take out the two bags of laundry and my jewelry case.

ENCDC: There! You've made weight.

Me: Okay, but what do I do with these other bags? I already have my two carry ones that you say I can have.

ENCDC: Yeah, that's an issue. Okay, let's see what else we can do.

Back to opening the suitcase again. Now with my dirty laundry in bags on the floor. Meanwhile a line is forming behind me, so I have now become the customer in the bag check line that I hate. The person who seems like this is the first time they have ever flown. It's embarrassing. But right as I'm about to crawl into my suitcase and just tell her to zip it up, it dawns on me that I have a hanging garment bag. So I take that sucker out, replace the dirty clothes bags and hope for the best.

ENCDC: Yeah that still weighs too much.

Me: (breathe, breathe, breathe)

Take out the two dirty laundry bags and put it in with the other garments, still able to zipper.

ENCDC: One more thing and you should be set.

Open the bag again and this time take out some gifts that I bought.

Me: Can you deal with 70.5 pounds? Can I get away with that?

ENCDC: Yep, let's get this done.

So I hand her my Delta frequently flyer card to add my numbers to the ticket.

ENCDC: We don't take that. We don't code share with them anymore

Me: (tick, tick, tick) Work with me here, what do you take?

ENCDC: United, US Airways...

Me: Wait, you are code sharing with US Airways, but you have completely different baggage policies? I'm so confused.

ENCDC: Well, you see...

Me: Nevermind, that's fine, what gate?

So, I bid my baggage adue and head home. As I arrive in DC, I see a strange bag coming around the belt. Everyone is looking at it, and even I am smirking a little bit. B/c it's actually in a Continental garbage bag. It's exactly like Tommy Boy landed in DC and was on my flight and I didn't even know it. As it gets closer, I realize that the bag is actually mine. I'm mortified! But at the same time I take a picture b/c this is classic!

The lesson of the story is to not judge a bag by the content of it's character, b/c that POS could be yours!

Thank you for your patience

So last week was a bit of a blur. After opening two mornings in a row and having the rest of the day to myself, I quickly learned that working ONLY 10 hours a day was a thing of the past. In the interest of time and attention span, I've decided to make a list of all the things I learned on my trip.
*If you think that packing one long sleeve shirt "just in case you need it" is enough, think again. You're better off packing one short sleeve shirt "just in case" b/c it doesn't get warm in Monterey.
*Working out alwasy starts out with the best intentions. If you don't think being on your feet that long and running back and forth carrying trays isn't a work out, I suggest you do that for four days and let me know how you feel. Needless to say, P90x is in the past.
*NorCal and SoCal are like two different planets. One should not lump the entire state of California into one stereotype. The people of Monterey are "normal". I felt like I was around my people in that place.
*Just because you have flats doesn't mean they are meant to be walked on for 12 hours a day. When someone tells you to go buy gels for your shoes, you should probably go ahead and do that. As a matter of fact, your rule in buying shoes for the food and beverage business should be, the uglier they are, the more prone you should be to buy them. Cute shoes are great and I'm bummed I didn't get a chance to break them out, but if I had worn heels at all last week, I would have been without feet.
*Sometimes your life and the people that you meet do come full circle. Remember the Shake Weight guy that I met at the beginning of my trip? Well, apparently I worked with a girl whose boyfriend worked at this club where that guys ex girlfriend works. The boyfriend and his buddy were telling a story about some guy they know that bought the Shake Weight and I couldn't believe my ears. I've only been in town two weeks and already know the locals. More signs that I belong here.
*Sleep when you can and as much as you can, b/c when you're not sleeping, you're working. I got home last night around 11 and just so happened to wake up at 11:15 this morning. These time zone things are a beating.
And last, but not least *embrace the people that you meet. It's never to late to meet new friends and keep the old. I've made some amazing new friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life.
I can't put into words what an amazing time I had or the people that I met, but I am so glad I had this experience and look forward to what this means in my life! It's nice to have found my happy place again.

Bloody stumps

Okay, I think my feet have finally had it. After running around for another 10 hours today my feet have finally said uncle. Walking to the shuttle stop, at 3pm, after my shift ended, I didn't think I was going make it.
Arrive work: 5:10 am.
Start running around: 5:11 am.
Set up coffee room, stock big bar, start to get hungry. Actually grab a piece of toast, first "meal" of the day: 7:30, after my first employee arrives so that I don't have to leave the room vacant. Set bar up, run inventory, realize I already have way too much staff for the day, 9:00 am. (More people are arriving today, so we're thinking we're going to be a little busier than normal. Not the case. It's so nice outside that people decide to use their good common sense and walk the course and follow the players instead of sitting indoors with us, drinking. I would however, at this very moment, kill someone for an ice cold bloody mary. As long as I didn't have to get up to get it.)
Lunch rush hits don't even realize the time: 1:30 pm. (Only supposed to be at work an hour longer)
Next shift of managers arrive: 2:00 pm (Still running around getting liquor and supplies for the room)
Arrival of Sully. You know the guy who landed the plane on the Hudson "just doing his job": 2:30. (end up staying a little while b/c this guy is a rock star and so humble about it. Yo, Sully, I called up for firewood today and didn't get fired, that was just doing my job. What did you do today?!?!?)
Was told to leave b/c I've been here for too long: 3:00 pm
Finally ate something for the day 3:01 pm
For a frame of reference I would like to think about what Jack Bauer would be able to accomplish in the same time period. Here are the things that we did similarly: Didn't eat, didn't loose cell service (b/c I can't bring mine in), didn't pee, didn't sleep, didn't stop moving.
Here are the differences: I wasn't even close to saving the world, getting near the President (unless the one at Pebble Beach counts), or making someone pay for their mistakes. I did yell at a guy for going down and picking up a few bottles of wine that I needed to order. And there was a part of me that wished I could have tortured him to the point of crying, but to actually do it would have been magical.
If I am able to pick myself up and bring myself to get to the other room, I might be able to accomplish one thing today, and that's not have my feet fall off. But until then, I'm going to once again remain on the la-z-boy until further notice.

There is early and then there is EARLY

On the schedule for this morning I was to be into work at 5:30 am. This is not that big of a deal, however, although I was in bed by 9, I was not able to go to sleep. It's like one of those toss and turning things where all you think about is how much you need to go to sleep and how much you would enjoy going to sleep b/c you know how early 3:15 in the morning is going to come. But all you do is lay there, willing yourself to close your eyes and have them remained closed for the next 6 hours. I seemed to wake up ever hour at :32 past. It was like my body clock was working over time. I think I finally fell into deep sleep around 12:32 and was woken up at 3 am by my neighbor rolling home. Since I can hear them cackling outside right now, I should go out and thank him for the wake up call, but since my eyelids weigh about 400 pounds, I think I'll stick to the la-z-boy. So, I wake up no issue. Had been told all last week that I should be through the gate with an hour to spare. Unfortunately I was through the gate with an hour 15 to spare. The shuttle only took minutes and I was at work by 4:45 this morning. Needless to say, 10 hours later and about 5 miles on my feet I still got a little bit of crap for going home at 3 and am making myself stay awake for the next couple of hours b/c I have to make it to at least 7 before I crawl into bed. What I would really like to do is curl up in a ball, in my bed, and sleep until the morning, but knowing that I'll be up around 10 and not be able to go back asleep is keeping my eyelids stapled to my head. It's getting harder and harder though. I could put on a TV show, but I could really fall asleep if I'm not moving my body. I have all clothes ready to go for a run, and actually on my body, but I really can't get the darn thing off the couch right now. So, I'm downloading games to play so that I can keep my hands busy for the next couple of hours. Here's to hoping I can fall asleep by 9 tonight!

Jim Grey conversation=unfortunately 1
Tiger sighting=1
Baby daddy search results=0

Hasta manana

What I did on my day off, by Katherine Galanty

I couldn't quiet decide what I was going to do today. But upon laying in bed for almost 45 minutes trying to amp myself out of it, I chose taking a trip down to Big Sur. Both locals and tourists have been telling me the entire time that I need to take a drive down Hwy 1 to Big Sur. Thinking that I know I've already done this once I couldn't imagine what all the hype was about. I hop on the computer real quick to see if I can find an exact place to dine for the afternoon. Considering that most of the spots were described as "the most romantic place in the world" or "sexiest destination" I figured that doing my research was well worth the time. After a brief time and a few web pages, it's almost like this restaurant description jumped out and grabbed my attention. One of the most picturesque dining spots in California, this restaurant overlooks 50 miles of coastline. There is no romance there, I should be fine. So after returning my Friday and Sunday night movies back to Blockbuster and almost hyperventilating thinking that my ID and credit cards had been taken out of my purse, I counted to ten and hit the road. It's a quick 30 minute drive down the coast to the place they call Big Sur. And let me tell you. This thirty minutes is the most breath taking drive you will ever have. You have crashing blue ocean waves on your right hand side and rolling green and brown hills on your left. It's almost worth it to take a bus so you don't risk driving off the cliff into either sight. There are a number of stopping points where you can get out of your car and take it all in. Considering that I hadn't eaten all day, I took a rain check and continued driving. Telling myself that I can stop on the way back. Almost there I realize that my phone has wasted so much juice trying to find service that it is almost dead. Hoping that the restaurant is just around the corner, I turn the phone off and breathe a little easier. It's amazing how much we rely on our phones that when we turn them off for any other reason than being in an airplane, we sometimes panic. I, however, knew that someone knew where I was so if anything were to happen, I would be fine. I pull into the parking lot, instantly find a spot and knew this was the place. I walk about a mile up these really steep stairs to get to my final destination. When they say a room with a view, they aren't kidding. I'm not intentionally showing these pictures to make you all jealous, who aren't here, but I HAD to share this view of where I was eating lunch

So, obviously these were taken with my phone and not the best quality blown up, but you get the idea. And you can tell I didn't steal these from the internet b/c if you notice in the picture on the right there is the top of a bottle of wine in the corner and I just can create that :o) It was amazing. Way better than my expectations for the trip. So, with a glass of wine (yes, at lunch) a bowl of soup and a book, THIS is how I spent my day off. And you are all expecting me to come home and not miss this place?!?!?!?!? My days off at home are spent catching up on DVR or laying out at the pool. This totally puts that to shame!

Not much to report

I know I've been a little behind in catching everyone up lately. This hospitality business is tough! You don't eat on a regular schedule, you don't sleep on a regular schedule and you certainly have zero desire to work out after you've literally been on your feet for 8.5 hours minimum. But I've loved every single part of this experience. Well, besides getting locked out of the apartment, which, by the way, Landlord Laurie blamed me for as I so happily received some phone calls the next day from the guy whose apartment it is. But whatever, he believes me so I have nothing to worry about. The people are so nice. The weather is amazing. And, unlike SoCal, there is not much traffic to speak of. I've really met some awesome people and if nothing comes out of this jobwise, I think I've made some lasting friendships. As mildly apprehensive as I was in the days leading up to this journey, I'm very glad I did it. I've either been too busy, or too relaxed to think about anything work related so I have to sit and think on that one for a bit. It's so hard to believe that The Open starts tomorrow. Thankfully I have the day off. I think if I had to work another shift without a break my feet my actually fall off. I don't know how, but I mustered up the strength to work from 11-7:30 last night and meet one of my new friends out with her sister and room mate. I met them at a cute little tapas cafe in downtown Carmel. If I haven't said this yet, everyone in their life should take a trip to Carmel. It's just this really cute little town that you just feel awkward driving through b/c you should be on foot. It's just somewhere that you should sit and have a glass of wine. I feel like it's just a small Italian city in the US. Case in point, I show up a half an hour after everyone else and already have a glass of sangria waiting for me. It's like the city just gave me a big ole hug when I walked in the door. Two carafe's later, the four of us are heading out to a bar where our GM is performing in a band. I'm not even kidding. The GM of the restaurant at The Lodge at Pebble Beach is in a punk band. This is the moment I knew I was among my people. Here I am, in the bowels of a Mexican restaurant which, on occasion, is converted into a live music venue, watching my boss jam on lead guitar and vocals. All this after he offered to get us all Patron shots, which I graciously declined. It all almost seems too good to be true. And had I taken him up on his offer of shots, it might have been. Who knows how long we were there, but someone thought it would be a good idea to go next door to the "hip hop" bar. Now, I know I haven't been here very long, but I do remember being told that downtown Monterey doesn't really have many options. And if you were looking to go dancing, which for the record I was not, that you were going to have to go to this one place and that there were a lot of young people there. The clientele was not the issue in this place. The fact that no one told me Dave and Busters turned into The Platinum Club at 9 pm is what was blowing my mind. I'm not saying a real D&B, but remember when you would watch Happy Day reruns with your parents and they would all go down to the malt shop that had a juke box and when you put a quarter in, everyone started dancing. That's what this place reminded me of. On one side of the place there were air hockey tables and pool tables and I'm pretty sure some video game machines and on the other side, which is where I was dragged, was the dance floor illuminated with some sweet Disney laser light show beams. I'm not saying I had a bad time, b/c I didn't. But it is most definitely a place that one would go after they had been drinking for about 19-20 hours and this was their last stop. Little did I know, my escorts were at that point. I could have sworn that I was matching them drink for drink and really thought that I was ahead for a little while, but somehow the tortoise WAY outran the hare on this one. After getting jiggy wit it for about 2 hours, my friend was ready to go, or really too drunk to function. Here's where things get a little tricky. Her room mate drove them here. My keys were in the room mates car. The room mate was missing and went home. But the sister had the car keys. Trust me, last night it was more confusing than that b/c I had an extremely slooshy drunk girl in the mix trying to make everything right. So, we grab the car keys from sister, I attempt to get drunkstuff outside without getting her, or myself, arrested. Leave her on the curb while I run to the room mates car for my stuff. Come back to find her wandering in the middle of the street. Grab her, get her to the car where she proceeds to tell me to go straight to get to her house. When, within seconds, her eyes are closed and her motor skills are gone. And once again, I am in a town to which I have absolutely no direction and no clue as to how to get where I'm going. Thinking that waking her up might do more harm than good, I stop the car and get my GPS on the mission for me. It just so happens that it was way easier than my frantic mind was thinking. Upon pulling into her driveway she begins the drunk girl heavy sighing/breathing. Thinking that she's actually going to puke in my car, I quickly remove her from the vehicle and walk her to the door. As she's standing there, she can't find her keys....to get into her house. So, what does she do? Well, she reaches in through the window and just opens the door. HO-LY CRAP! You haven't been stolen yet?!?! Maybe this is the total distinction between the east and west coast. I wouldn't live on the ground floor in an apartment without thinking that hatchet Jack might be outside my window and this girl just reaching in, drunk as a skunk and opens her door. Needless to say, I received a call at 8 am this morning asking if I was okay and how did she get home last night. This kids is why you don't drink :o)