Today was my first full day in San Francisco. I toured the city in three inch heals and a full suit, in the rain no less. Well it only rained in the morning and in again late evening, but still it rained! I was a trooper...can you tell I am proud of myself? The day started at 8:15 when we left the hotel for the office. As you read this, keep in mind that I was a follower during this adventure to the office. With 12 people going to the office together, you really can't have more than 2 people leading you. Of course the two people picked (they were chosen because they brought their maps down from their rooms), got us lost. One took us to the wrong Academy building, and the second one missed a turn while in route to the correct building. Needless to say we left our hotel at 8:15 which should have been about a 5 minute walk (10 minutes tops) and got into the correct building at 8:43, GOOD ENOUGH! That meant that we were still 2 minutes early. Not as early as I would like to be, but at least I wasn't late. HATE HATE HATE being late.
First things first...ID badge! That seems like a great idea after having spent 28 minutes walking in the rain (of course I didn't have an umbrella). I got my ever impressive ID badge (I actually got a good picture) so its now official. I am actually employed, I didn't think it counted signing the new hire paperwork...it was all about the badge. You can't get into any of the buildings without a badge and now I think it is safe to say that I will get student discounts when I get back to Denver. After all, I have a student ID, so why wouldn't I get the advantages of a student discounts? We met with three department directors today. All of which are extremely passionate about their department and the school as a whole. I am very excited about taking a class or two, taught by these most impressive artist and industry workers. They have such a firm grasp on the real life, and they incorporate real life scenarios into the class. No two classes are the same, even if taught by the same professor semester after semester. It was refreshing and extremely liberating!
Towards the end of second department director meeting, we came down the stairs to look at faculty bios and sample work that they post. The director asked if we had had an earthquake because all of the art work had fallen off the wall. It was really strange, but I thought she was kidding. All the artwork was up when we entered the building an hour and half earlier, and I had been in the building the entire time. One would think that I would be able to feel an earthquake. Well apparently there was a little rumble in the earth today. I talked with the other 12 people training and they all confirmed that yes the building did shake. At one point during the meeting, it the room we were in acted like a fast train went by and shook the building a little bit. I immediately remembered thinking that there must be train tracks near this building and I thought it was odd that I hadn't remembered seeing them on my way into the building. Never would I have ever thought we had an earthquake. Silly me!
After our three department director meetings, we were set to go explore the city. Six of us decided to make the 15 minute journey to China town...man those hills are steep! Chinatown seemed to be a little bit of a let down for me. I was really expecting fake coach purses, bargaining for stuff I don't really need or want, but I buy because I never get to bargain in anything else. It was nothing of the sort. Quite a few restaurants (no one spoke English) but that was pretty much the extent of everything. We did a little shopping on our way back to the hotel, but again no bargaining...it was 1 price take it or leave it! Talk about disappointing. We did happen to walk the wrong way home (roughly 5 or 6 blocks out of the way), but I am sure we could use the exercise. After all, it wasn't like we didn't already walk about 3 miles during the day. :) Right before we reached our hotel, I stopped and got a 6 pack of Anchor Steam...how could I not get a beer from San Francisco? I figure it was my way of giving back to the local economy.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
San Francisco.
I am staying at Fusion Hotel near Union Square in San Francisco. My room is extremely intimate and yet very Feng Shui. I have pretty much no view, but who really spends time in their hotel room anyways? Check in was a breeze, the front desk clerk was amazing. As there were nine of checking in at the same time. He was quick, efficient, and pleasant...it was a nice surprise. :). This was my second pleasant customer service experience in San Francisco and I have only been here roughly 5 hours.The first unexpected pleasant customer service was right after I got off the train in Union Square. When I purchased my train ticket, I didn't seem to push the correct buttons, so of course it wouldn't release me back into civilization...I was being punished by having to live in a train station. Right when I was trying to figure out that I wasn't going to be able to leave (the computer screen was flashing "see attendant") there the lady appeared. She pushed the right buttons, and even gave me a refund voucher for my troubles. I thought to myself, is this really happening? I screwed up by not pushing the correct ticket and yet, this lady wanted to give me a discount...Awesome! I love San Francisco!
Okay on to dinner time. I am starving by this point. I just spent an hour roaming the city streets waiting on the crew to meet for dinner, so my stomach was growling up a storm. I had just walked into H & M and decided I'd ask the security guard where I should eat for dinner. Shockingly enough he said the food court in the mall. I kind of looked at him like he had five heads...I couldn't believe he would recommend the food court to a tourist. As I moseyed my way back to the hotel lobby, I was relaying the story to a couple of the ladies in the group. She said, I asked the same story and the bellman told me the same thing. What is going on with this food court business? Of course being tourist we have to check it out...totally a gourmet food court. The food court of all food courts, is really how this food court should be known. Unfortunately, being Sunday night everything closed at like 8pm...but it was incredibly impressive. I am looking forward to giving that food court another opportunity.
I am off to bed, I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. Back to work- suit style! :)
Bye Bye Bakers
Bakers has been home to me for a year. It is my second home, my second family...it is wonderful and has been very good to me. Friday was my last day and honestly, I might actually miss it a little bit. It gave me the opportunity to meet some extremely wonderful people who will be in my life for the rest of my life.
If you have never worked in a restaurant, you need too. You need to become part of the service industry family. You need to reach out and hug the people in the "industry" and their desire but great dislike for providing an actual service. I absolutely loved having to not think, to listen to people actually struggle with their jobs. I felt like a genius, and we all know that is definitely a stretch for me. A person's true character comes out when they work in the "industry." Easy money comes in and easy money goes out. They don't even bat an eye until it is all gone and they look up with this puppy dog look like "what just happened?" It is actually rather cute to watch everyone do it. Majority of them don't have checking accounts, let alone savings accounts. They live an entire cash only life style and its amazing to see how they justify the things they do. I smile thinking back over the past year, listening to the stories of picking up shifts at the end of the month because they aren't going to make rent. I am glad that I got to meet the people I did, make the friends that have now become family, but most of all I am glad I got to live the life style. I got to appreciate the gifts that my parents gave me, but weren't really gifts (more like mandatory life obligations)...trust me I view them as gifts now.
I have such appreciation for the strength of women I worked with. All very different, but all brought something special to the table. They taught me some incredible life lessons...lessons that I hope I will be able to pass down to my children. I got off work on Friday and it was amazing to see the friends all come over and say things like "remember when..." Bubbles & Boo came up to partake in the fun and they got a few good laughs listening to the crazy things I would do at work to make people smile. I got one of the best compliments of my life, while working at Bakers..."you always have a smile, do you take happy pills or just smoke a lot?" I laughed and still laugh. They all know me and the lack of drugs I do...I might be one of the only people that worked in the "industry" and didn't pick up smoking. SMOKING anything that is! I did pick up a few tricks here and there. I am now one of the few that can carry three full 16 ounce pint glasses in one hand or 5 shot glasses in two hands. It isn't everyday that people can pull that off. I wonder if I could win a talent show for that?
The Bakers crew is my Colorado family and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are all wonderful!
If you have never worked in a restaurant, you need too. You need to become part of the service industry family. You need to reach out and hug the people in the "industry" and their desire but great dislike for providing an actual service. I absolutely loved having to not think, to listen to people actually struggle with their jobs. I felt like a genius, and we all know that is definitely a stretch for me. A person's true character comes out when they work in the "industry." Easy money comes in and easy money goes out. They don't even bat an eye until it is all gone and they look up with this puppy dog look like "what just happened?" It is actually rather cute to watch everyone do it. Majority of them don't have checking accounts, let alone savings accounts. They live an entire cash only life style and its amazing to see how they justify the things they do. I smile thinking back over the past year, listening to the stories of picking up shifts at the end of the month because they aren't going to make rent. I am glad that I got to meet the people I did, make the friends that have now become family, but most of all I am glad I got to live the life style. I got to appreciate the gifts that my parents gave me, but weren't really gifts (more like mandatory life obligations)...trust me I view them as gifts now.
I have such appreciation for the strength of women I worked with. All very different, but all brought something special to the table. They taught me some incredible life lessons...lessons that I hope I will be able to pass down to my children. I got off work on Friday and it was amazing to see the friends all come over and say things like "remember when..." Bubbles & Boo came up to partake in the fun and they got a few good laughs listening to the crazy things I would do at work to make people smile. I got one of the best compliments of my life, while working at Bakers..."you always have a smile, do you take happy pills or just smoke a lot?" I laughed and still laugh. They all know me and the lack of drugs I do...I might be one of the only people that worked in the "industry" and didn't pick up smoking. SMOKING anything that is! I did pick up a few tricks here and there. I am now one of the few that can carry three full 16 ounce pint glasses in one hand or 5 shot glasses in two hands. It isn't everyday that people can pull that off. I wonder if I could win a talent show for that?
The Bakers crew is my Colorado family and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are all wonderful!
traveler!
I have been know to hop in a plane and travel 3 hours for a luncheon for work. I have been flying since before I can remember, but it never gets easier. I am by far the worst traveling companion I know. It is down right sad, how pathetic I am. My stomach gets in knots, I begin to break into a cold sweat and I am feel like I am going to toss my cookies at any moment. It really makes traveling not fun. Unfortunately, today is no different!
Willie picked me up to take me to the airport. I had already warned him that I am a terrible terrible traveler and that I need to be at the airport at least an hour and half early. I don't care that I sit there and wait, I would rather sit at my gate, then stress getting in the car, getting through security or running to my gate. All of which I have done in the past and hated every minute of it. At the moment, I am sitting in front of my gate, typing on the computer. I happen to be sitting next to a guy that lives in San Francisco and was kind of chatty at first but has since calmed down. It was a pleasant but short conversation (remember I try not to talk to strangers). Not that I want to be rude, but I honestly want some "me time" to relax before flying. Everyone always says that its all about me anyways, why should today be any different. :) Just kidding.
We stopped up at baker's street after Willie picked me up for a calming drinking. Of course jack on the rocks and homemade ginger ale waited for me from my favorite bartender "Anita Mandalay." Willie and I sat, he drank his green bud light, while my stomach began to calm. Jack always does the trick. It is probably in my head, but no matter what a little "jack" brings me back to reality. After my blood pressure came back to a relative normal number, it was time to become a passenger. Willie drove me to the airport and I haven't felt safer with anyone else behind the wheel in a long time. With the sun roof open and country music blaring, I had nothing to do but enjoy the moment. Willie knows I am a challenged passenger, but he was sensitive and respectful of my dislike for not being in control. I made it the airport in plenty, and I do mean plenty of time to make my flight, there is a good chance that I could have crawled to my flight and still made it. I am finally at peace when it comes to this flight. Lucky for me my flight is delayed, more time to sit and talk to strangers :).
Willie picked me up to take me to the airport. I had already warned him that I am a terrible terrible traveler and that I need to be at the airport at least an hour and half early. I don't care that I sit there and wait, I would rather sit at my gate, then stress getting in the car, getting through security or running to my gate. All of which I have done in the past and hated every minute of it. At the moment, I am sitting in front of my gate, typing on the computer. I happen to be sitting next to a guy that lives in San Francisco and was kind of chatty at first but has since calmed down. It was a pleasant but short conversation (remember I try not to talk to strangers). Not that I want to be rude, but I honestly want some "me time" to relax before flying. Everyone always says that its all about me anyways, why should today be any different. :) Just kidding.
We stopped up at baker's street after Willie picked me up for a calming drinking. Of course jack on the rocks and homemade ginger ale waited for me from my favorite bartender "Anita Mandalay." Willie and I sat, he drank his green bud light, while my stomach began to calm. Jack always does the trick. It is probably in my head, but no matter what a little "jack" brings me back to reality. After my blood pressure came back to a relative normal number, it was time to become a passenger. Willie drove me to the airport and I haven't felt safer with anyone else behind the wheel in a long time. With the sun roof open and country music blaring, I had nothing to do but enjoy the moment. Willie knows I am a challenged passenger, but he was sensitive and respectful of my dislike for not being in control. I made it the airport in plenty, and I do mean plenty of time to make my flight, there is a good chance that I could have crawled to my flight and still made it. I am finally at peace when it comes to this flight. Lucky for me my flight is delayed, more time to sit and talk to strangers :).
Monday, March 9, 2009
1 time
This is the first time in my life that I have felt like an equal. I have always held my parents on a pedestal. A pedestal that I will eventually reach, a pedestal that when I do reach it, I will one day be a success. It is weird to see or here my mom talk about how her daughters are successful. After all, if you asked either of us you would say we are little kids stuck in grown up bodies figuring out how the world works, one step at a time.
Yesterday was the first time in my life that my mom reached out and asked for advice. Advice on a real-life situation, an opinion that could essentially change her life...not a drastic change, but a change none the less. I finally felt as if I was a friend, an adult friend that she could lean on. Don't get me wrong, she has leaned on my sister and I for support through random acts but nothing overly pressing...or maybe it has been overly pressing but I never really took anything that serious. Yesterday, my eyes were opened and I was an equal to my mom. I could tell she saw me not only as her kid, but as an adult that had a decent head on her shoulders with a little life experience that might be able to give half good advice. I loved the fact that the one of the two people who I think always have an answer, looked in my direction for guidance. Well maybe guidance is a little bit strong, but she looked in my direction for a balanced opinion.
I don't think she knew what she was getting into. She opened my eyes that I am an adult. In doing so, I was able to use one of the quotes she has told me a thousand times..."you will get more bees with honey than vinegar!" She acknowledged that I might be on to something and that is good enough for me. I don't need praise, I don't need acknowledgement of success, because honestly I don't believe I am successful. I am not my mother, she is successful! She has raised two daughters that she now looks to for advice. What an honor to be called upon for advice...no longer am I just a kid, I am now her friend.
Yesterday was the first time in my life that my mom reached out and asked for advice. Advice on a real-life situation, an opinion that could essentially change her life...not a drastic change, but a change none the less. I finally felt as if I was a friend, an adult friend that she could lean on. Don't get me wrong, she has leaned on my sister and I for support through random acts but nothing overly pressing...or maybe it has been overly pressing but I never really took anything that serious. Yesterday, my eyes were opened and I was an equal to my mom. I could tell she saw me not only as her kid, but as an adult that had a decent head on her shoulders with a little life experience that might be able to give half good advice. I loved the fact that the one of the two people who I think always have an answer, looked in my direction for guidance. Well maybe guidance is a little bit strong, but she looked in my direction for a balanced opinion.
I don't think she knew what she was getting into. She opened my eyes that I am an adult. In doing so, I was able to use one of the quotes she has told me a thousand times..."you will get more bees with honey than vinegar!" She acknowledged that I might be on to something and that is good enough for me. I don't need praise, I don't need acknowledgement of success, because honestly I don't believe I am successful. I am not my mother, she is successful! She has raised two daughters that she now looks to for advice. What an honor to be called upon for advice...no longer am I just a kid, I am now her friend.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Skinny Jeans
Why are guys wearing skinny legged jeans lately? Teenager boys walking through the neighborhood, the lead singer in the band "Joe For Nothing" and the weird guy Russell Brand that was on Jay Leno tonight all wear skinny jeans. I acknowledge that I am usually one or possibly two steps behind on the fashion sense, but I don't get guys in skinny legged jeans. I think they look absolutely horrible, besides the fact that it they don't seem comfortable and they never fit over the shoes properly. It is like they are wearing spandex!
Today I decided to ask everyone why guys wear skinny jeans. I got some responses that I actually expected like (I have absolutely no idea or only you would ask that question). One of my friends said, I think that guys wear skinny legged jeans so they can share a pair of jeans with their girlfriend. I responded with "you think that is really the case?" She enlightened me about her friend who has a boyfriend and they actually share a pair of skinny legged jeans. What is that guy thinking? It doesn't look good. I could careless if it is European, its ugly! We are in America and we might as well continue to dress like that.
I don't really want guys in huge baggy pants that fall down with every step, but there has to be a fine line. What ever happened to wearing pants that fit you. Not skin tight, but also not falling off. Leave a little to the imagination guys...stop wearing skinny jeans!
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