Bugs...yuck.

Today was supposed to be the day that I go into work later, but alas it was not meant to be. My boss called at 10:40 asking if I can open at 11:00. She was ill, and being that we are a food establishment, that is highly frowned upon. There are only three of us trained to open, and two who have keys to the shop. Thus, yours truly had to go in earlier than originally intended.

My boss has been sick on a Friday before. It could be in part of the partaking of drink and song at Karaoke night at a local pizza joint. Hmmm, was this the case again? Alas, I don't know, and I'm trying not to get to pissy about it.

Anyway, to the bug situation. Apparently we have gnat infestation that coincides with the spider infestation. The gnats are everywhere! We have looked everywhere and have become so anal about cleaning, that it can't possibly food particles that are left out. And those gnatscan get into anything! I swear, I think they can teleport through plastic wrap. I found seven under the plastic wrap of some bread dough I had placed out to defrost! I'm just glad they weren't actually stuck in the bread dough, rather they just kind of hovered above the loaves, I really wouldn't have liked to through out the dough because of some dead bodies.

The bug man, or hunk man as I like to refer to him, came and rescued us from the vicious gnats and spiders. However, in his destruction of the horrid creatures, he discovered a nest of crickets in a drain. Our mighty defender once again triumphed and dispatched the offenders quickly!

Alas, my story ends on a happy note. Just when I'm completely fed up with my job, my boss informs me that I am getting a raise. Not bad for 1 month on the job! I can say without hesitating that I do not believe my future lies in kitchen management (the next foodnetwork star, maybe), I think I'll be able to return to my PhD work after all...just not quite yet.

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I have blogged! Well, my new job has me working an average of 12 hour days, so by the time I get home, I'm exhausted. But hey, at least all this time on my feet is making my legs and butt look good! See there's a bright side to everything.

I just went to the ATHE conference in New Orleans, and I must say I enjoyed the conference and the city. The conference had highs and lows, high point--I remember why I do theatre, low point---I remember why I'm taking a break.

The ex and I had part of our honeymoon in New Orleans. The cruise we were on stopped in the Big Easy for the day. We didn't see much, just the French Quarter and the river walk. Well, the conference coincided with what would have been the fifth wedding anniversary. Well, during my free time on that day, I went to the same places we had gone and reclaimed them for myself and created new memories. I'm not erasing the old ones, but I'm acknowledging the past and embracing the present. (Wow, that sounds really corny, but you get my drift.) Anyway, life is too short to stay angry. If you spend your time angry, you'll miss all the good things life has to offer. Carpe Diem! (Ok, I just had the song "Seize the Day" from Newsies pop in my head, definitely time to call it a night when your blog triggers a theme song!

The fastest dishwasher on the face of the planet...

So today was my first day at work. I got to sanitize all of the new kitchen hardware. The dishwasher, is an industrial strength dishwasher. From beginning to end, 1 minute flat! If I had one like that at home, I wouldn't have any dirty dishes sitting around ever again. Yeah, but sure would take up a good portion of space.

Before I could run all of the hardware through the dishwasher, I had to remove all the little stickers off the stuff first. Now, I know I am new to this business, but wouldn't it make sense for a restaurant supply company NOT to put sticky labels on the items they know have to be sterilized? Makes sense to me...but hey what do I know.

Finally moved in, now to get on with life.

I have finally finished moving into my honey's place. Now "our" place, but that will take some getting used to on both our parts. Ares is testing his boundaries every step of the way. Just when I think he might have kicked using the furniture as a scratching post, he goes and does it on another piece of furniture that hasn't been covered with the sticky pads or no scratch spray. Today he has been in his carrier for a total of three times. From 5 to 7, then again from 8:30 to 9 and 9:30 to 10. He is now sound asleep. Just like with any animal, he'll adjust. If he doesn't then I guess Ares and I will move again. (Like I'd ever get rid of my cat!) :) But I don't think there will be any need to worry. The boys and I will just have to learn a new routine and figure out each others' boundaries. I know for sure that if Ares is in his carrier too much, it will have the adverse effect and instead of behaving he'll act up even more.

My job starts tonight. I was called this morning by my boss saying she needs help setting things up. So for the next two days I'll be setting up a kitchen. There's a good chance I'll be kitchen manager by the end of August. I have a chef's coat and everything. I'm looking forward to the change of pace.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is on our list Saturday. Only we're going to see it at the IMAX up in Detroit. The last scene is in 3-D. Not too much longer and the seventh book comes out! I'm going to try to improve my knitting so that I can get the Harry Potter knit book and make my stepsister a House scarf for Christmas. I think she's a Ravenclaw if I'm not mistaken. Someday I'll tackle Dobby's socks, but that might still be a long way off. Oh, dear...if I start talking about the different stitches in knitting somebody smack me!