Employment

So, I finally (FINALLY) got a job, down at 84th and Amsterdam. It's a serving position at a restaurant that I don't want to name, first because it's the most ridiculous name ever and I'm embarrassed of it, and secondly because I don't want them to Google me and be like HOW DARE YOU CRITICIZE US YOU INGRATE and fire me on the spot.

But let it be said, any place that has "swanky" in the name is, most decidedly, not swanky. It didn't look terrible, though.

Coincidentally, Pat only yesterday had this same place recommended to him by a coworker who is living in NYC. And, in great news, he'll be moving to the city from Pittsburgh to do a rotation at the end of April. Welcome, Pat!

I hope it works out; I'm somewhat concerned about my complete and utter ignorance of the restaurant service industry. I've done a lot of food service in my time (hello, Carmike; hello, Penn State) but never with alcohol or tips or anything (unfortunately). The dress code: all black. Maaaan, I don't know what I am going to do. This will be rough.

They started me tomorrow at 4:00 and have me working Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Sink or swim. I even told them straight up that I would be going home on the 8th. Dad, I think it's very clear which daughter loves you more.

Right now, I'm at St. John's in the cafeteria and wow, I never realized how busy and happening this place is during the day. There's this old guy sitting a few tables over and he went outside for a smoke break and lit up a pipe. Hee! Then he had to tamp it down when he was done and bring it back inside and the back half of the cafeteria smelled like a cigar den for a short while.

Suzy went on an impromptu trip to London a few days ago and I was left with the very serious and dignified position of watching her cat. Luckily for me she has a real bed so I've been having kitty sleepovers and stretching out in a way that I haven't been able to do in nine months. She has the most amiable cat in the world; I can pick her up when she's all stretched out and act like she's kitty Superman and she doesn't even care! I'd lose a pint of blood if I ever tried that with Kitty.

Daniel and I went out to the West Side Market last night because I wanted to pick up grapes and grapefruit and of course we started salivating over the cookies and muffins and prepared baked goods. We were on the cusp of getting this Italian chocolate cake but Daniel's cooler head prevailed and instead we got the Skinny Cow caramel ice cream cones. I couldn't even wait for Daniel to pay for them and opened the box as soon as the cashier scanned it. I grabbed one of the cones and headed outside so I could begin to enjoy (it was wonderful). Apparently, after I left the cashier told Daniel "um, that woman just took one of your ice cream cones". Like we were complete strangers who just happened to be standing in line together and making bad jokes. He should have been like, "Apprehend her!" and pretended like he'd never seen me before.

Grapefruit is still 5 for $2.00. Amazing prices! Grapes are on sale for 99 cents a pound. Green grapes, at least.

Continuing with my timid foray into the culinary world, I have started to make my own soup. This is good news for several reasons: it knocks the price per serving down to like, a quarter; I don't have to make the trip to Target; and I don't have to lug those heavy cans all the way home. The ingredients are a packet of low-sodium chicken bouillon, four cups water, and a cup of green beans and a cup of spinach (frozen). Then some salt and pepper and herbs, and a bit of couscous.

I think next time I make it I will skip the couscous, because I couldn't really tell it was in the soup.

I'm writing so profusely because I am trying to avoid doing real work. Actually that's not true; I just finished my memo to an imaginary principal trying to convince them that the library media specialist should be included in assessing students. Why would anyone do this in real life? Let me shirk all the responsibility I possibly can!