NYE 2008

I have never been a fan of NYE...never. There is a lot of pressure to find the most "fun" thing to do around town. Often people keep their options open, just in case something more promising comes up. And in my experience, it has rarely been as exciting as the hype surrounding it. Although I think it is nice to reflect on the year passed and be with friends, I do not think it is neccessary to do this on a specific pre-determined day. Sometimes reflections can come at the end of a week, a day, or even a couple of hours later.
I find that I reflect most, during my time alone. I think of the good and the bad things and what I have learned from each one (at least the ones I can remember). I constantly think of how I can improve myself on a daily basis. Do I always act in ways that will improve myself as a whole? Nope. But I do think about it.
This NYE I will be working for a few hours, then going home early. I will most likely reflect, because I am sick and getting better is more important to me than getting drunk, especially on "Amature Night". By this, I mean the people who go out only on NYE and cannot handle their liquor, only to be hurling on Market Street by 12:15.
No offense to those who do partake...please do! This year, it's not for me. And it if isn't for you, don't give in to the pressure. Take it easy, reflect and realize that it isn't much different from last night. Happy New Year!

What Have I Got Myself Into?

So because this blog is public, I will not be so blatantly obvious about the details of everything I do, as usual. But I will say that things have changed in my life pretty dramatically- i.e Changing jobs after 6+ years at the same hotel, chained by the "golden handcuffs" (as the refugees call them).
But I figured it was a good thing to do, you know...LEAVE and try something new- opening a huge restaurant from the very start. Opening day is quickly coming, and things have been rather hectic as one would imagine. Mostly, I find it frustrating to get things done in a timely manner.
Its rather difficult to juice a case of limes without an electric juicer, or to make a lime-yuzu curd while a man 10 feet away is cutting a hole through the wall. Not to mention the wretched sneezing fits I have had from travelling through the site to the kitchen! But things definitley could be A LOT worse. Here are the top things I LOVE about the new job (not in any particular order) so far:

1) All new equipment- Any of my friends who are cooks can totally relate to this. It is nice not to have to go through piles of sheet pans to find the one that is the least warped to bake a level cake on. Or to actually FIND lids that match the bottoms of those different-sized Cambros? Whoa!
2) All new people- Its' nice to not be the only new-kid-on-the-block. Chances are, if you are confused, everyone else is too, so you don't look like the only jack-ass in the place.
3) I was found, and wasn't looking for the job- Yeah, that feels pretty good when someone believes in you so much that they rally to get you in there, especially when they can get someone else for less. Thanks to my famous headhunter!
4) Stepping out into the unknown- I kinda like somewhat of a routine. When I get comfortable and I can do my job with my eyes closed (like at the hotel), I just go through the motions and I am not learning. I am learning again. Learning=Growing.
5) It takes me less than 10 minutes to ride my bike to work and I have parking- Bikes are faster than Muni. Bikes are way less annoying than Muni. Bikes are cheaper than Muni. Annnnndddd... I have secure parking in a garage which is great because I don't have to worry 'bout my Marin getting messed with.
6) The place is GORGEOUS! Really nice. Its gigantic but you can tell they did not hold back on anything at this place. From the plates to the cocktails, to the decor, to the food. Its friggin' cool and I am really impressed. And being a cynic, I am not easily impressed ;0)

Of course there are things I don't like about the new job, but they aren't too significant. It's just a cool time right now and I am excited to bust some ass and show 'em what I got.

What is it about the rain?

Rain is often an inconvenience for many. People complain about it as though it is the most wretched thing on earth when water is the number one thing that sustains all life. Okay, okay, there are some times when rainy weather is not desired, like when I was in Phoenix at spring training and the A’s-Giants game was rained out. That was a major bummer for sure. Usually though, I welcome it. I love how clean the air seems during and after the rain. It rinses away the film of nastiness that cumulates on the sidewalks during the warm fall months in San Francisco. The sound of it soothes me and brings back comforting memories of being in the house I grew up in, eating fondue with my family and retreating to the floor in front of the fire and watching a movie.
The first day of rain is always very pleasant for me. I was thankful to not be working and be able to enjoy it, taking care of some errands along the way. I strolled around with my umbrella, and my thoughts and I was able to process some things that I needed to tend to.
Something I had been thinking a lot about was the negativity in the world, more specifically in my own life. This has been on my mind for quite some time, but only recently am I actually taking steps to reduce the negative influences in my life. Not to say that I am cutting everyone out of my life who has sucked at one time or another but more to be mindful of how negative people affect me, who I spend my time with and how I spend my time with them.
As I get older, my time becomes more valuable. I have eliminated some unhealthy relationships, especially in the past year or so. If this means I don’t get to do a bunch of things I don’t really want to do, just for the sake of being social, then so be it.
My relationships are very important to me. I take them very seriously. I enjoy nurturing those I care about and sometimes people take advantage of that generosity. Sometimes I find myself giving much more than I am receiving. That is my fault. But I am learning.
And the rain comes as a reminder to me that I am progressing and making these positive changes. Sometimes, it just washes away the outside film, revealing something that we might not have noticed if the weather had remained the same.

Apartment Living...

When I first found my $1000+ a month studio, 6 years ago, I was so happy to get a place of my own. I had a great deal subletting a 2 bedroom apartment for $600 a month for 4 years previoulsy, but this place was going to be ALL MINE! Until I realized that it seems I live in a building that is like ONE BIG house with lots of rooms and lots of room-mates. This is the part that sucks. You hear things you don't want to hear, want to relax when others want to play music, and most of all, you have people on all sides of you. Chances are you are annoyed, and being annoying at the same time.
This comes to my crazy neighbor downstairs...she calls the apartment manager for any noise she hears AT ALL. In fact, the manager (lets call her Toni) thinks this woman is insane too and needs to move to a quieter place, like a soundproof chamber located in the middle of Death Valley. This would be great. Because after having a friend over last night to discuss recipes after (ooooooo!!!!) 10 pm on a "school night", she decided to bang on my floor (her ceiling) to try to make us hush up and go to sleep. Well, that angered me as well as my guest and I wrote a nasty letter to let her know, I was not going to alter my life, to make hers better.
Whats the point of this rant??? Well, I realized that all of us in our petite little homes, are just trying to live our lives. Perhaps we should not take the noise that others make, so personally. We can and should be somewhat considerate but not overly so, as to ruin our own fun. We need to get our 1000+bucks-a-month-worth, right?

Cups is here!