bragging rights

so let me start this off by saying that i really don't care too much for people who brag a lot. maybe it's not necessarily the bragging itself that gets me, but the arrogance that is sometimes very prevalent. soooooo, if this sounds arrogant, give me a pass, because what i'm about to say is the truth, the whole, truth, and nothing but the truth (so help me god). 

i have the coolest job ever.

i mean, seriously, i do. i used to always hear people say "well i love my job. when you find something that you love to do, it doesn't feel like work" blah, blah, blah, and would think to myself, "yeah right. you are afraid your boss can hear you, so you're sucking up." well, i totally stand corrected. i get it now. one of the coolest aspects of my job is that i literally learn something new everyday. over the last 9 1/2 months, here's some of my favorites:

1. when ordering commercial items in bulk quantities, always make sure you have a way to get the items off of the 18-wheelers. i was shocked to find out that unlike deliveries to your home, it is not the driver's responsibility to get the items onto your property. they will leave and you will be shit-out-of-luck if you have no loading dock, forklift, or lift gate...which brings me to...
2. lift gates are your best friend. if a sky lift isn't available, lift gates will save your ass and at least get your items off of the truck so they're in your possession. in my case, i could usually sucker ask someone nicely if they would help unload the items once they were off the truck, but others may not be so lucky. 

   

   these little jewels take all of your crap and
   place it nicely on the ground.

3. never underestimate how ridiculous a delivery truck driver, sales representative, customer service rep, [fill in the black with any type of vendor you can imagine] will be... 
4. and when you do, try to stay calm. they lost your order (or didn't place it at all)? they promised a delivery for today but are telling you that it will now be another three weeks (which could jeopardize your opening timeline)? the rep you're working with is just a bitch? take a deep breath and try to relax. if you don't, they are still an idiot, nothing gets accomplished, and you slam down the phone and are still pissed off. 
5. after you hang up that phone, you best get yourself to writing one very...hmmm, what's the most appropriate (and tactful) adjective to use here...we'll go with firm...write one very firm email. copy everyone you can think of on it...your bosses, their bosses, hell, the lady down the street that is always griping about something...whatever. but make sure your complaint is in writing and is specifically addresses all of the issues. 
6. understand that everyone will lie to save their own ass. don't take it personal. just whip out your email(s) that lay out what actually went down, cross you arms, and grin, because you just let them know what's up. 

that's just the tip of the construction-iceberg, kiddies. i haven't even touched the help-to-open-a-restaurant-from-the-ground-up-iceberg. it's got some goodies, too. but in all seriousness, i love going to work and not knowing exactly what's going to happen. it keeps me on my toes. 

the main thing i want to brag about, though, is the perks of my job. yesterday, one of the bar managers asked for my assistance. "sure!" i said. "what's up?" 

"will you test this cocktail i just had the bartender [who's in training] make? we want to make sure it tastes good."

damn. that's exactly what i didn't want to do today--taste-test delicious cocktails. or how about this?

the other day, i got to meet with a potential client who is getting married in december. we go tho go look at rooftop and talk all about the plans for her big day. i gave her several ideas of how she could use our venue and she loved them all. every single one. she also proceeded to make me feel like the smartest human being on this earth. i didn't hate it. 

i also didn't hate wednesday night. michael and i met up with our friends, caycee and lauren, at urban rio, the restaurant that i've been helping with for it's last mock-service dinner. we got to enjoy the most delicious food (which-might i add-i've been able to test several times along the way) and hang out and enjoy each other's company. caycee's sisters, mckenzie and allie, even came by our table for a bit, where mckenzie dominated "the most delicious chicken sandwich EVER!!!" here's a sneak peak into our night. not bad for just another day at the office. :)

the most bomb salad ever. spinach leaves, strawberries, queso fresco,
 jicama, tossed in a hibiscus vinaigrette. yum! and don't worry, it wasn't
all salads-and-such. we got down on some delish beef empanadas, chicken
skewers, beef double-stacked quesadillas, prickly pear margaritas and more! 

allie, mike, me, lauren, caycee, and kenz...and lots of dirty plates!