Mt. Everest

I am insane. That is the only explanation. Tomorrow is my last day at the brewpub I was farting around at, and Saturday is my first full day as "chef".

Literally.

Full day.

As in, today being my first day off training, and knowing that we are losing a cook at the new job Sunday, I took it upon myself to make a first draft of the schedule for next week.

I also learned today that the restaurant owners are Nepalese Sherpas. That have climbed Everest. Twice.

You know what else I learned? In order for my schedule to be what any other businesses consider normal full time, I need 2 more cooks. Otherwise? I am looking at.... oh, 70+ hours a week. I'm scheduled to come in at 3 on Saturday. For us to be properly prepared? I am getting my ass in there at least at 1pm. Probably earlier. I will have to be Nepalese Sherpa strong for the next few weeks. Now, on the plus side, I will be making goddamn bank. But there is being prepared for something, and then being pummeled with reality. Can I do this? Absolutely. No problem. Without question. Will I be OK?

...Well, right now I'm just going to relish the serenity of this quiet night, and silently apologize to my body and liver for the hell it is about to endure.

Wahoo! WaHo!

My wallet may be in danger. As well as my arteries.

This new job of mine is creating some crazy changes in my life. It's a 9-5 job, for starters.  The kicker? Nine at night until five in the morning. Sleeping in until 3pm is no longer a luxury,  but necessary,  and I love it. These hours actually allow me to spend time with my dogs and friends, something I have been sorely lacking in the past 6 months. The downside? Work is within 2 minutes of my favorite place to eat, Proof & Provision; next to an Arby's,  and a half a block from a Waffle House- two other restaurants I will go to town at. If I have any weakness, it is food. So having these options so excruciatingly close? It is going to take everything in me to exercise control. Especially as I have already been to the fast food joints a few times in the past week, and P&P once as well... and am intending on going back there tonight (J is coming tonight, I have a good reason GODDAMMIT DON'T JUDGE ME!!!).
If I haven't mentioned it before, P&P is everything I could ever want from a restaurant- great food, incredible cocktails, warm staff, cozy atmosphere, and a flow of clientele that doesn't get crazy-busy until I get to work anyway. I adore it, love it, and cannot recommend it enough. Getting to go back after months of going without was the best treat I could give myself! Nate Shuman,  one of the South's best bartenders and mixologist extraordinaire was there- he has taken care of me since the first time I ever stepped foot in P&P, and getting to catch up with him was a lot of fun. Everyone needs to find a bar like this for themselves... but if you're in the metro Atlanta area,  I guess I can share mine...

Proof & Provision
Open Tuesdays through Saturdays
Dinner Only
(404) 897-1991
Www.proofandprovision.com

Returning to an earlier point, J is coming tonight!!!!!

Through a stroke of serendipity last week, he and I got to spend a day in New York City together (story for another day), and it had been about a month prior to that that I had seen him before,  so I'm feeling pretty spoiled right now, haha! I get the feeling it's going to be a good visit this time, too. I mean, it's usually a good one, but we were talking on the phone the other night and he made a few comments that gave me the idea that this relationship is progressing in a positive way.  Cannot WAIT to see him!!! <3

Hours and hours and hours...

For the hundredth time in months, I find myself unable to sleep. It's a bit of a side effect of my lifestyle that I need to re-acclimate to. At the moment, it's primarily my job that I'm re-adjusting to- when I was in retail, I had a sleep schedule closer resembling normal people. Then for a couple months after leaving retail, I was kept awake by financial stress. Now, I'm back to sleeping, kinda. When I work, I work evenings. I go in around four, and get out... Well, late. By all accounts, I should be sleeping like a baby after the asswhoopings I've been getting on weekends. Then my days off try to make me think I'm normal. Ha.

There's something else that's been keeping me up, though. J. This is new for me. I love talking to him, and I spend an inordinate amount of time doing so. Texts, phone calls, any scrap of time is precious to me. See, he and I have a long distance relationship on top of us both being in kitchens. When I was younger, I tried many long-distance relationships that failed miserably. I swore them off. Then I met J. When we met, I had no idea who he was. He was just a guy in a bar (how we met is a story for another day). What attracted me to him, and continues to do so, is the fact that he gave me his time. Still does. Time is expensive! If you break it down monetarily, like a server does, minutes add up to hundreds of dollars. Hell, even cell companies charge obscene amounts for minutes.

I learned early that time is valuable. As a kid growing up in a military family, time spent with friends was short. You don't take the friendships you manage to retain for granted. So, when J showed me he was willing to invest his time getting to know me, it was the most romantic gesture I had ever seen. He even actually picks up the phone and legitimately CALLS. That is waaaaay too rare these days. Especially with him owning a place, but also opening a second? He takes time to talk to me, even with a full plate.

So I take time to daydream. Will this work out long term? I have no idea. But he makes me happy enough to hope that it will. Never underestimate the impact 5, 10 minutes can make. Those few moments to you can mean hours to someone else.

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." ~Dr. Seuss