A Cross-eyed McFatty!

So I have been working at Ipie Forest Drive for the past week. I have had a good time even though I've had to work kinda hard. FD is so much busier that NE. I know about half the staff from when I worked here a couple of years ago, so it was fun to catch up with all of them. I went on Thursday to meet my new Applebee's training manager. He was very nice but unfortunately cross-eyed! I mean really, how do you talk to someone who is cross-eyed? I've been told to just stare at the brim of his nose, but it doesn't work. I can't help but stare at his eyes, but then I go cross-eyed too. I also met the assistant manager while I was there. He was just as tall as he was wide. He was wearing a bright blue shirt, and all I could think of was the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka. I am going to HELL! I am probably going to be a Fatty McFat one day too. That will be my punishment. Tomorrow is my last day working for Shitler! Woo Hoo! I never have to talk to him again. I just hope I don't ever have to work for anyone as douchy as him. I am looking forward to my new job so much, even though I have to be up before 7 a.m. every day next week. I can dig it because I have Thursday and Friday off...you can't beat that! I can't tell you the last time I actually had a Friday off without having to kill someone :) My quality of life is about to increase drastically...I don't know what to do with my two days off every week. I haven't had that in three years. Well, I'll let you know all about my adventures as an MIT. I'm sure that it will be interesting. Keep it real!

I'M OUT!

It is my last night as the GM of Ipie NE. I am actually sad. I didn't even think that I would be at all. Maybe it's the wine that is making me emotional, or maybe it's the fact that I am actually going to miss the drama of "As the Pie Turns." I have a chance to start over and forget about all the crap that has happened while I was here. However, it was an awesome learning experience and "The Pie" is being left in the best hands possible...Boyd. He has been the GM of Forest Drive for the last 3 years, and I know he'll do a great job. My head is hanging kind of low right now for I am giving up all that I have been working so hard on for so long. I have such a great opportunity ahead that I should be excited as hell, but I can hardly think about that right now. I made some great friends while I was here, and as a matter of fact, it was their last night at "The Pie" also. Melissa is moving on to Arizona's Steakhouse and Ashley is focusing on graduating college. I know that I'll be keeping up with them and a few others. It has been such a love/hate relationship that I know it is time to end this. Tomorrow is a much brighter day!

If you're going through HELL, keep on going!

And it gets worse. I honestly can't complain a whole lot because I really don't have to care much longer, but every one's attitude around "The Pie" is terrible. I guess it is hard because I've been a staple around hear from day one. Maybe I should call myself the glue that holds it together. I don't mean to sound cocky or arrogant, but most everyone around here expects me to hold their hand and wipe their ass. I think it is mostly my fault for letting it get so far out of hand. I was thinking about it the other day, and I feel like my relationship with my staff and management is like a love affair gone bad. Honestly, if you are dating someone and you treat each other the same way for so long, old habits die hard. I dated a guy for a long time in high school and our relationship thrived on fights. We broke up and got back together a year later, and (of course) I believed things would be different. They weren't! We fell back into our old habits and things didn't work out again, thus leaving us both miserable. A lot of people expect me to go above and beyond all the time because that is what they are used to. My problem is I want to work with others who want to excel and do a good job too. It gets tiresome to be the only one who cares and the only one who puts in the effort to make things better, most everyone else is just trying to get by. At this point, my KM isn't speaking to me because I refused to take a delivery when I was getting off work. His brother was the delivery driver but refused to take the delivery because someone hurt his feelings and wouldn't let him take a catering order a few days ago. Boo F***in Hoo! I am not going to do someone else's job because his ass is on his shoulders. I suppose a realization is emerging amongst most of my staff members. I am still putting in the same effort I always did, but right now I don't care what they think of me. I am making them do their work, and I refuse to hold their hands any more. I only have 9 more shifts to get through, and then who's going to do it for them? I can guarantee that the person coming over to take my place is not going to be as nice as I have been to them. If you give someone an inch, they will take a mile...I've been walked on for long enough.
On another note, I am so excited about my new job! I can hardly contain my enthusiasm. I am ready to get on with it and start learning some new things. I went to fill out my paperwork at the West Columbia location. It was awesome. They did $2500 during the three hours I was there...for a freakin' Tuesday lunch. We don't usually do that all day on Saturday if that tells you anything. I am going back to the style of restaurant I know and love. There is a list for everything they do...I LOVE LISTS! I know that sounds weird, but really I love to check lists off and feel accomplished when I am done. I am going to be a much happier human being now that I am going to be a part of a real TEAM! YEAH!

As "The Pie" Burns

Two more Sundays and I am out of here!!! I have been so excited since Thursday that I can hardly stand it. Once again, Poor Steve! I went from total sadness to extreme joy in seconds. I think I was dancing and singing for about two days...it was really starting to get on his nerves. However, my emotions are almost back to normal (well as normal as they ever were). It is going to be really hard to leave "The Pie," but I will. I have been at NE since before the walls were up and the toilets were installed. "As the Pie Turns" will continue on without me I'm sure. It was fun working with all the crazies, but honestly I hope there isn't nearly as much drama at Applebee's. I am slightly worried this restaurant will tear itself apart when I leave, but I guess it all depends on upper management and the staff's willingness to step it up. I hope it goes well, but I need to stop worrying about it. I will be training at the Applebee's in Lexington for two months, and then I will be placed in one of their 7 Columbia locations. I can't wait to actually have some solid training. I think it is only going to get better for me from here. Wish me luck in not hurting one on my staff members between now and then! :)

YEAH! I GOT IT!

WOO HOO!!! I got the job at Applebee's! I am so excited. It was hard putting in my notice, but it's all over and done with now. HAPPY TIMES!!! I am starting May 7th and I can hardly wait. I am looking forward to learning and growing more as a manager. Well, gotta go, but I wanted to let the good news flow.

Worrying & Waiting

I've been a nervous wreck the past few days. I had all my interviews and everything last week. The last I heard was that they "loved" me. I am very worried I did not get this job...I mean when will it end! Poor Steve. I over analyse everything as it is, so the past few days has not been good for him. Anyway, we are having a baby shower today for one of my servers. She is having a little girl and is due any minute. As long as it doesn't happen at the restaurant, it's all good. After that, I am going to visit my parents in O'town. Hope ya'll have a great day...mine will be much better once I get a phone call!

Mexican Pictures

As you can see, we had an awesome time in MEXICO!! The Iguana came running after me when we were at the Mayan Ruins. Scary but fun! We went snorkeling in Grand Cayman but later got ripped off at Margaritaville with $11 Margaritas. Everything is way over priced there. We got to see the most amazing sunsets every night on the ship and even a few dolphins in Key West. They had a formal night and my dad and Steve dressed up in their tuxedos. We all had lobster except for Steve...he opted for the steak (he ate steak 5 nights in a row). Steve even got to eat Mexican food in Mexico...it wasn't Taco Bell (his all time favorite restaurant) but it was very good and the salsa was out of this world HOT! When the crew turned down our beds at night, they would make us fun animals out of towels. I only put a few of the pics on here, but each night Steve and I would pose with the animals! We layed out, drank some beer and mostly relaxed the whole trip...it was amazing. It would not have been the same without my parents there...Thank you guys for making this a very memorable trip! I can't wait to go again! Enjoy the pictures!