Jonah Days

Some days your job does not just cleave your sanity from your soul, or nibble away at your sleep and your body. Some days it swallows you whole. Naturally, that is not what I had planned. When I took this job, I thought it would be challenging. I never thought about what it would do to me to be torn between my bosses and my clients, alternately threatening and cajoling my suppliers, dancing like the organ grinders' monkey for health inspector (who really is very nice) and all that. But I adjust. I eat a bit less, I sleep a bit more. I knit when I can think straight enough to read the patterns. I may screw a few things up but I will persevere. This job will not push me, will not break me. Even Jonah got out of the whale in the end.

Call me Ishmael.

Walk with Heroes

It's been 8 years since we walked with heroes. Firefighters and policemen, soldiers and civilians, who rushed into the thick fog of war to help those who needed them. On that day 8 years ago, we saw a city burning, a field in shreds, a fortress fallen. But on that day, we also saw those who knew that by doing what they did, they might never go home, but someone else would. They stood up, they offered their own lives for ours. Think of them today, and remember when we walked with heroes.

It's Good to Be Chef

Although sometimes I miss the days when it wasn't my responsibility. When it wasn't my head on the block day after day. Being Chef doesn't mean you get to sit on your butt while everyone else does the work. Being Chef means you work harder than anyone, because it's your kitchen. And the person who will be judged by what comes out of it is you. When you have no dishwasher, you are the dishwasher. You are the maintenance person, the vegetable chopper, the floor mopper, the stock unloader, the server, chief cook and bottle washer. You are everything. You make decisions, and you better make them fast, because you only have a few hours before 280 kids are going to come in hungry.
The first week has had a few challenges, power outages, parent complaints, late deliveries and corporate visits. Trying to hold up standards that no one wants to support. Crumbling facilities, breaking equipment, lousy wiring, and sketchy staffing. My nerves are shot, I'm tired and my feet are killing me. This kitchen might be cursed, but it's mine. It is as Master Yoda once said, "Do, or do not. There is no try."

On the plus side, it's good to know I can still cook.

Things You Can't Do with Only 3 People

You cannot feed 200 kids. You can't punch cards, run dishes and replenish the line. You can't collect cash or write down names. You can't even breathe.
Today was ok though, considering the manic craziness that is the first day of school. Kids got fed, kitchen got cleaned. the world continued to revolve on its axis. There was no plague of locusts, also no one died.

Some days that's all you can ask for.

The End is Near

The end of summer, that is. Next week I am back in the trenches at my new job, getting supplies ordered, getting organized, badgering the facilities people to hang up whiteboards, mop hooks and (hopefully) dropping a new receptacle so I can plug in my mixer. I have so many lists that my lists have lists right now. Not to mention a decided preponderance of sticky notes. I'm ready to get back into work, a bit worried that I won't remember how to batch cook, or that my food will be icky. All crazy talk of course, I know. Everything will be fine as frog hair. In the meantime, I'm going to grab some relaxation time, as it's the last I'll have for a bit.

Gentleman, start your engines...

Meet Sabrina Rose

SABRINA fair
Listen where thou art sitting
Under the glassie, cool, translucent wave,
In twisted braids of Lillies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair,
Listen for dear honour's sake,
Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save!

That little poem there is by John Milton. It is about a water-sprite who saved a virgin from a fate worse than death. And for those of you who know your films, an Audrey Hepburn film, later remade with Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford. Also, it's the name of a teenage witch. All very appropriate for my new (to me) car.

Yes it is a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. Gorgeous, leather interior, heated seats/mirrors and every bell or whistle you could put on a car. Less than 24K miles on it. Rides like butter, and schools those little Mazda 3 like nobody's business. Zoom Zoom that, Mazda.

"So, Sabrina's the virgin?"

"Sabrina's the savior."

Behind the 8 Ball

So, I got a promotion. I am now Chef Supervisor at a different school. Money is still not fabulous, but I have good hope. We are starting out behind the eight ball this year. This account has been mismanaged and has posted a loss for two years. So I have to go in shooting to kill to pull this thing out of the hole. It won't be pretty, but I didn't go into cooking to be pretty.