Happy, happy..

...birthday to meee!!

Tending Bar

In my previous posting about me taking a break from staffing & doing something I have a passion for, something like...counseling. Well, I'm taking this temporary gig to help dad out. I work at the restaurant like 1-2 nights a week/weekend, hostessing and now the restaurant needs a little help at the bar on Sundays. I told him I would tend bar temporarily & bring in the Sunday football crowd, which has become somewhat stale. I think it's because of a couple of the newbies behind the bar who either don't have much of a personality or they just like to get drunk while their working! Anyways, I never really cared for bartending and my dad was never keen on the idea of me working behind the bar. I have done it a few times a long time ago when I was younger & didn't know how to handle certain comments from people as I do now, but now I understand the difference.

We have our regulars, our Cheers crowd and they've been coming in for years. Our Briars crowd & any customers we have get such a kick out of me working there, let alone the bar. I analyze a bit, I can hold a steady conversation & converse pretty well. There is a certain way to talk to each individual. I don't change the way I talk, I'm a straight forward kind of gal, which people do know & respect, I think. It's all about body language, everyone has different personalities so I'm good with people, at least I think I am. I can sell & b.s. and that's a big part of a bartender's job, that and being a counselor....kind of like a psychologist. I can put some of my major to good use here while bringing in a good business for the football season.

The bulk of the business in the restaurant is the dining area, but we need more business in the bar area so this will work out for a little while. It'll be fun too, and I'm good at marketing, advertising, and recruiting our competitors customers (we don't really have any, they just think they are...no competition here, nooo way!). I'll have specials running throughout the day, like pools running, food, draft & bottle specials. We've already had a meeting on this tonight & discussed all of this so there are no surprises. I was informed who I can buy back & who I cannot...due to those who never pay their tabs, no nice!

I'll ask some of the guys what their opinions & suggestions are. People always like to express their ideas and when you use them, they feel like they have contributed in some way. It gives them something else to chat about at the bar too. Like that hospitality saying goes, 'Customers are always right", right?!

I'll be taking photos to post & share some funny & good stories...I'm also starting next Sunday, wish me luck!!

Supporting Events

I missed the 2005 Komen NYC Race for the Cure this morning in Central Park because I was training new staff at the restaurant. There is a walk/run for Support-A-Connection next Sunday that I go to almost every year.

I watched the Tunnel to Trade Center run on the tele this a.m. and I was really touched by it. This family from Staten Island who lost one of their loved ones on 9/11 pulled this event together. Many fireman, families & people showed up to run or walk and give their support. It was just really nice to see & I started my day out on a positive note because of that. There are morning's that I don't even watch the news because it's depressing & sad. I know that what goes on in the world is reality but at times it can just puts a damper on the day. Like with what's going on with people and the hurricanes right now. I guess what outweighs the negative is the positive, people getting together & providing their support, and care which is really nice. So whatever we can do, we should because if we were there we would appreciate the kindness.

magnet from jeannie

magnet from jeannie
Originally uploaded by kalz.

Thanks for the magnet Jeannie, this is one of my fave's! (p.s., Jeannie is the gal who cordially introduced Pinot Grigio to me, yum-yum!!)

Jeannie & her boyfirend, Mike got me the cutest card to welcome me as their neighbor's...with moon's & star's on it, which are my absolute fave. I have them everywhere in my place, huge moon & star fan over here..

I've known Jeannie & Mike for years, they are a very caring & sweet couple. Mike referred me to the mover's who took care of me on my bill when I moved in. He also just placed a new screen in for my front door. They'll do just about anything for anyone, they like.

Well, back to my magnet..here is a pic of my fave magnet for my fridge that Jeannie gave me. Jeannie is a magnet-a-holic, she has a kazillion of them on her refrigerator & Mike does not want another added to her collection (she always seems to get them from pals who are traveling & know to get her one anyways). We always joke around about how I have a weirdo-magnet on my forehead, guys I attract, ya know inside joke, had to be there kind of thing...just like the 'flirting with myself story' from The Briars. We are always laughing, having a good time & they really are good friends & now, my neighbors.

Magnet reads:
'As you slide down the bannister of life, may the splinters never face the wrong way'

I don't know what it is about this quote but it's just great!

labor day weekend ~ 2005

eleni, me, sophia, christina & eleni
Originally uploaded by kalz.

I went to Queens & Long Island to hang with my cousins this weekend, and we had a good time!

We had so & I mean so-much-food! Everything was great, cousins Jimmy & Maria had family & friends over their new house for a bbq. I love our get togethers because you end up being full for like a week...and we get to spend time with one another which is really nice.

Before we went out we started to Greek dance out into the kitchen, then we were going to continue out on the deck where everyone was and then down around the pool...but hmm-hmm someone 'kota'd' (chickened) out, yeah Ari...

I'm with Lucy

I watched this funny flick this weekend. It's about the dating roller coaster ride us gals 'in the market' can relate to!

After being dumped by a guy she thought was perfect, Lucy (Monica Potter) jumps headlong back into the New York City dating pool. After being set up on a series of blind dates, she meets five eligible bachelors, each with his own strong and weak points. There's the jock (Anthony LaPaglia), the lover man (Gael Garcia Bernal), the surgeon (David Boreanaz), the divorced writer (John Hannah), and the rule-abiding office worker (Henry Thomas). Is one of these five very different men the right one for her, or will she have to start all over again? This charming romantic comedy is a comic and truthful look at dating in the big city.

Helping Out

Here is a link to Hurricane Katrina's Help Center. It is good to help out in any way that we can, helping others enriches our lives.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/katrina/help.center/

There is also a site where you can post your thoughts or prayers ~
http://www.katrinaprayers.com

Imagine this...

Everyone I know knows or should know that Imagine by John Lennon is my favorite song in the universe! Well, now you know. On GSmith's blog, http://realityhole.wheelcipher.net/ there is an interesting remake of my fave song that I'd like to share with you all. Click on the link below to listen or go to the blog & scroll down to 'Imagine this', read his thoughts while you're there.

http://67.15.157.3/~waxaudio/Mediacracy_07_Imagine_This_192kbps.MP3