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Hot dog orders were piling up. Doggie Dude was sinking fast. All the food in the Café is frozen and those hot dogs were double frozen. Doggie Dude was rolling them on the grill just to speed up thawing. Once nicely cooked and brown he stuck them in the bun and it was taking too long to nicely cook and wrap.
I have wrapped presents and sandwiches and I’ve unwrapped plenty of hot dogs to dress them. It couldn’t be hard. Doggie Dude needed to concentrate on cooking them. I watched him wrap one and I was trained. Like Skywire said “It’s easy.”
I had a job! Anxiety was gone. My job was secure because those suckers disappeared every time we’d get one in the hot box. Princess had a hungry customer wanting 12 of them.
Princess and Princessahs were shouting their orders for us: 10 hotdogs, 5 chicken tender meals, 6 squirrely fries, 3 ¼ large cheeseburger meals. Doggie Dude and I are wondering what these people look like that are getting all this food. Hadn’t anyone eaten before they came? Blackberry was checking his blackberry for Lord knows what between every customer. “One more plain burger meal. 12 squirrely fries. Eight hotdogs.” all the Princessahs yell.
Tender Chic was working the deep fry baskets of fries and tenders with both hands, fries flying everywhere as she filled meal and jumbo orders. “This is really hot. Watch. I’m coming through.” “How many orders do you want?”
On a scale of 1 to 10 this Chinese fire drill was a 12 and rising! No one had worked together or done the job before and we were drinking from the fire hose.
“They just radioed me The National Anthem’s started. Stop.” yelled Pipper. Yea! Finally I can stop and turn around and see who’s ordering all this food. A Flying Squirrel rule is to stop what you’re doing, remove your hat, and stand stone still while the national anthem is played. We’re told “Don’t worry about the customers. They’ll catch on.”
I’m loving this. I can be an anthem nazi when it comes to respect and exhibiting proper behavior when it’s played. My world travels have given me much pride and high regard for our symbols of freedom and all that America stands for. That’s enough about my soap box now. Back to the fire drill.
Customers waited in line patiently. Nothing better than starving customers to serve. They kept us informed of game status when they left the stands about 60 minutes earlier. No kidding – that’s what they said and they were pleasant. They knew we were doing the best we could. Princess did have fries thrown at her by one woman. I wish she hadn’t done that. Someone was waiting for that order.
My legs are beginning to ache and my feet are throbbing. I wrap another hot dog. Does anyone have some aspirin? Where is the rubber mat to stand on? Oh, there isn’t one. Tennis shoes are little cushion on this concrete floor. I forgot my spongy insoles and my binoculars. How unprepared can one be?
Life with the Flying Squirrels at Pinecone Hollow Cafe - Part 1
It was April 15. With my tax extension safely filed and out of mind off I went to work at Pinecone Hollow Café. It’s the third-base third-floor concession stand at the Diamond, home of Richmond's Flying Squirrels. My official uniform is standard issue: ball cap and red t-shirt proclaiming FUNN STAFF. Decked out with khaki pants and tennis shoes, I met my co-workers for this exciting sold-out opening night. And the fun began.
Actually it was a Chinese fire drill – squirrel style. This blog is about life at Pinecone Hollow Cafe. Names have been changed to protect the obvious.
Placido quickly told us some rules – shirt tails tucked in, no eating on the job, etc. Skywire cruised in to show us how to work the newly-installed, never-used cash registers. “It’s easy. It only takes 2 minutes to learn. I’ll be around to help.” He said as he reeled off instructions. It’s a touch screen with the menu in print so small binoculars are needed to see it. And I didn’t have them with me. What was I thinkin’ leaving home without them!
What a team we are. Placido is the manager and boss of Pinecone Hollow. Tender Chic whips out yummy squirrelly fries and chicken tenders, Burger Boy flips the burgers and Doggie Dude grills hot dogs on the 'back line'. I’m part of the ‘front line’ with Big, Blackberry, Princess and assorted Prettys. (I’ve been on front lines before because I’m short and this is a whole different front line.)
My teammates are in their late teens, early twenties, one 40-something and I. For most it’s their only job, for others it’s a second job. Honestly I wouldn’t know any of them if I weren’t here. And that’s why I’m here – to stretch and grow personally.
The view from our nest is a beer stand against earth-toned gray concrete interrupted by people cruising by - unless they're standing in line waiting for food. There is always a breeze coming down the concourse. A sliver of grandstand seats and sky is visible through an arch.
It’s Opening night – sold out at 9,000+ tickets. And 5,000 of them are standing in front of our cafe to get their food and beverage!
We'll learn how it all works in a jiffy. We're ready.
The concern I had about reading the screen was for naught as the register shut itself down in the middle of my second sale. Mr. Skywire "I'll be around" was nowhere to be found. And no one knew how to fix it. Such relief I felt.
And anxiety. Instantly I was jobless and scads of people were lined up for food. Oh no! PLAY BALL!
Actually it was a Chinese fire drill – squirrel style. This blog is about life at Pinecone Hollow Cafe. Names have been changed to protect the obvious.
Placido quickly told us some rules – shirt tails tucked in, no eating on the job, etc. Skywire cruised in to show us how to work the newly-installed, never-used cash registers. “It’s easy. It only takes 2 minutes to learn. I’ll be around to help.” He said as he reeled off instructions. It’s a touch screen with the menu in print so small binoculars are needed to see it. And I didn’t have them with me. What was I thinkin’ leaving home without them!
What a team we are. Placido is the manager and boss of Pinecone Hollow. Tender Chic whips out yummy squirrelly fries and chicken tenders, Burger Boy flips the burgers and Doggie Dude grills hot dogs on the 'back line'. I’m part of the ‘front line’ with Big, Blackberry, Princess and assorted Prettys. (I’ve been on front lines before because I’m short and this is a whole different front line.)
My teammates are in their late teens, early twenties, one 40-something and I. For most it’s their only job, for others it’s a second job. Honestly I wouldn’t know any of them if I weren’t here. And that’s why I’m here – to stretch and grow personally.
The view from our nest is a beer stand against earth-toned gray concrete interrupted by people cruising by - unless they're standing in line waiting for food. There is always a breeze coming down the concourse. A sliver of grandstand seats and sky is visible through an arch.
It’s Opening night – sold out at 9,000+ tickets. And 5,000 of them are standing in front of our cafe to get their food and beverage!
We'll learn how it all works in a jiffy. We're ready.
The concern I had about reading the screen was for naught as the register shut itself down in the middle of my second sale. Mr. Skywire "I'll be around" was nowhere to be found. And no one knew how to fix it. Such relief I felt.
And anxiety. Instantly I was jobless and scads of people were lined up for food. Oh no! PLAY BALL!
Every Woman's Edge
In a recent radio interview for www.radiogogirl.com hostess Jen Towner asked the age-old question. “How do we get our sexy back?” That implies sexy got lost. Just look at today’s women and you’ll see that indeed their sexy has gotten lost. Glimmers of it are few and far between.
I’m not talking cleavage and too tight clothes and skirts up to your bum.
I’m talking about every woman's essence. It’s nothing you can hold in your hand like chocolate. It is a feeling, an attitude, a confidence, an edge that every woman has.
Sexy got laid aside to work careers for pay and to work your other non-paying job for family. Nothing is left for the woman part of you. Tired you fall into bed, too tired for more than sleep. The next day you get up and do it all over again.
No wonder sexy got left out or tossed out with dirty diapers. Now back to Jen’s question "how do we get sexy back?"
There’re several tips for busy gals on the go with fast careers. Here’re two to start with.
First fall in love with your best feature. Cherish it like your best piece of jewelry or favorite person. Whether it’s your eyes, shoulders, legs, bum, chin or whatever, own it and adore it.
Tip # 2 is Smile. Yes, smile. You can do that on the run. Smiles light up you and everyone around you. People hear them over the phone and respond positively. And it takes only 14 facial muscles. Wouldn’t you rather have smile than frown lines?
The professional woman’s authenticity shines when she’s sexy and owns that part of herself. Sexy is the edge every woman has.
I’m not talking cleavage and too tight clothes and skirts up to your bum.
I’m talking about every woman's essence. It’s nothing you can hold in your hand like chocolate. It is a feeling, an attitude, a confidence, an edge that every woman has.
Sexy got laid aside to work careers for pay and to work your other non-paying job for family. Nothing is left for the woman part of you. Tired you fall into bed, too tired for more than sleep. The next day you get up and do it all over again.
No wonder sexy got left out or tossed out with dirty diapers. Now back to Jen’s question "how do we get sexy back?"
There’re several tips for busy gals on the go with fast careers. Here’re two to start with.
First fall in love with your best feature. Cherish it like your best piece of jewelry or favorite person. Whether it’s your eyes, shoulders, legs, bum, chin or whatever, own it and adore it.
Tip # 2 is Smile. Yes, smile. You can do that on the run. Smiles light up you and everyone around you. People hear them over the phone and respond positively. And it takes only 14 facial muscles. Wouldn’t you rather have smile than frown lines?
The professional woman’s authenticity shines when she’s sexy and owns that part of herself. Sexy is the edge every woman has.
More Lessons from The Celebrity Apprentice
Round three continues gals (Tenacity) against guys (Solidrock). They were to produce an advertorial (whatever that is) for Norton 360 and Life Lock. As usual group meetings decide the project manager and tasks are handed out to make the winning project. Winning is the goal.
Here’re some lessons learned from celebrities in this show to raise money for their fave charity.
1. Be clear about every area of the project, especially the outcome you want. Summer couldn’t explain clearly to their photographer what they were doing so he knew how to capture what she wanted.
2. Know how to use a computer. Rod Blagojevich couldn’t turn the computer on to do research he was asked to do. I don’t care if he did run a state with 60,000 employees, as he says. This is 2010 and he needs to know computer basics, like how to turn it on and type more than hunt and peck.
3. PowerPoint can have too much copy on it. The guys presentation had so many words explaining what the product did that it couldn’t be read. The type looked like scribble because it was too small. Don’t they know pictures speak a thousand words?
4. It’s OK to quit. Darryl Strawberry volunteered to be fired because he 'sorta' wanted to go home. His body language and degree or lack of participation from the beginning showed he was so over The Celebrity Apprentice.
If you want to learn business, how the dice rolls, and how to deal with egos, tune in. The lessons are too many to count. And talking straight, like Donald Trump does, is the best practice of all. You may not like it and he doesn’t care. It works.
Here’re some lessons learned from celebrities in this show to raise money for their fave charity.
1. Be clear about every area of the project, especially the outcome you want. Summer couldn’t explain clearly to their photographer what they were doing so he knew how to capture what she wanted.
2. Know how to use a computer. Rod Blagojevich couldn’t turn the computer on to do research he was asked to do. I don’t care if he did run a state with 60,000 employees, as he says. This is 2010 and he needs to know computer basics, like how to turn it on and type more than hunt and peck.
3. PowerPoint can have too much copy on it. The guys presentation had so many words explaining what the product did that it couldn’t be read. The type looked like scribble because it was too small. Don’t they know pictures speak a thousand words?
4. It’s OK to quit. Darryl Strawberry volunteered to be fired because he 'sorta' wanted to go home. His body language and degree or lack of participation from the beginning showed he was so over The Celebrity Apprentice.
If you want to learn business, how the dice rolls, and how to deal with egos, tune in. The lessons are too many to count. And talking straight, like Donald Trump does, is the best practice of all. You may not like it and he doesn’t care. It works.
The Coaches Voice
“I could hear my coach clearly. His voice was loud telling me what to do.” Speedy Peterson said. While he was almost suspended 50’ in the air twisting and turning his body with skis attached, he could hear clearly every word his coach was saying.
“I was really calm for some reason,” Peterson said of the moments before the jump that moved him from fifth to second place in the final round of the night of the 2010 Winter Olympics. “I was just out there for myself having fun. It was everything that I could have imagined.”
You can see his jump at http://tinyurl.com/y9pbbtn.
Isn’t that how the best times happen? You’ve practiced til you could scream and you know you’re ready. You take the chance and go for it. When you show up fully being 100% you, knowing your support team is there for you completely and having fun like you’re ‘in the zone’, you are a winner.
Many times clients tell me that when they do something they've been coached on in our sessions, they hear my voice saying, “Why are you doing that? How does get you to your goal?” Having your coach in your corner, showing up and doing your best can be the road to a gold medal in business and life.
“I was really calm for some reason,” Peterson said of the moments before the jump that moved him from fifth to second place in the final round of the night of the 2010 Winter Olympics. “I was just out there for myself having fun. It was everything that I could have imagined.”
You can see his jump at http://tinyurl.com/y9pbbtn.
Isn’t that how the best times happen? You’ve practiced til you could scream and you know you’re ready. You take the chance and go for it. When you show up fully being 100% you, knowing your support team is there for you completely and having fun like you’re ‘in the zone’, you are a winner.
Many times clients tell me that when they do something they've been coached on in our sessions, they hear my voice saying, “Why are you doing that? How does get you to your goal?” Having your coach in your corner, showing up and doing your best can be the road to a gold medal in business and life.
February Resolution Done!
I’d heard about the Sunday afternoon jam @ Cary St. Café. Off I went on 2010 Resolution to do something new for February.
As many as 15 musicians of all ages and sizes gathered with fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass to jam Sunday afternoon. They filled the tiny stage. Colorful instrument cases spilled onto the floor.
They played lively tunes easily with finesse. The rhythm set even a person without rhythm tapping feet and moving to the beat.
Friends played cards at the bar after solving the crossword puzzle of the day. A student played on his Mac. Groups of 2 and 3 drank their adult beverages and gabbed – each talking louder than the other to be heard. Universal cheers went up from hockey fans watching the Canadians vs. USA in Olympic ice hockey.
Jessica kept me supplied with favorite snacks - chips with their signature homemade salsa and diet coke.
Like Cheers where everyone knows your name, there was camaraderie for everyone on a chilly Sunday afternoon in February at the Cary St. Café.
As many as 15 musicians of all ages and sizes gathered with fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass to jam Sunday afternoon. They filled the tiny stage. Colorful instrument cases spilled onto the floor.
They played lively tunes easily with finesse. The rhythm set even a person without rhythm tapping feet and moving to the beat.
Friends played cards at the bar after solving the crossword puzzle of the day. A student played on his Mac. Groups of 2 and 3 drank their adult beverages and gabbed – each talking louder than the other to be heard. Universal cheers went up from hockey fans watching the Canadians vs. USA in Olympic ice hockey.
Jessica kept me supplied with favorite snacks - chips with their signature homemade salsa and diet coke.
Like Cheers where everyone knows your name, there was camaraderie for everyone on a chilly Sunday afternoon in February at the Cary St. Café.
To Make or Not To Make Resolutions
Who hasn’t made a resolution to ditch it a few weeks later. Resolutions don’t work, I think, because they’re declared in a moment of irritation, they’re not fun and they are not connected with values. 2010 is the year I resolved , that’s right resolved, to do something I’ve never done before every month. They are the only criteria: haven’t done it before and do it monthly. My January resolution came early.
The thermometer said 22 degrees. (That's enough to turn me back. I don't like cold.) The sky was clear, the sun shining brightly. It was my first resolution day - the day I was going to laughter yoga at Yogaville. I’d read about it and decided that would be fun since laughing is a favorite activity. I signed up for the full day package, including lunch and dinner. This first time I’m jumping in completely.
I’d heard about Yogaville for years. The two hour drive went quickly as I wondered what the day would be like, who’d be there, what the food was like. The temperature was 18 degrees as I pulled into the parking lot.
The friendly host in the Visitor Center greeted me with “Welcome. You’ve come a long way. You need a cup of tea.” “First I need the restroom.” I said hurriedly. “It’s down the hall there.” said a sock footed woman. Information had said to wear warm socks as shoes weren’t worn in the buildings. Note to self: wear slip on shoes next time.
Registration was in the building across the grass (make that snow) square. I took off my shoes the second of eight times, to be told the proper building was behind me. Finally I got to the right building. The sock footed woman was Renee, who told me what to expect.
Laughter is very therapeutic. It produces endorphins, T cells to fight infections, reduces stress and exercises muscles. It’s contagious. And it feels good. Just try to be with someone laughing and not giggle at the least.
Laughing makes you hungry, too. After a round of Yoga Laughter, excitedly I went to lunch, curious to experience it. And tt was an experience. The salad bar had the usual fare. The hot lunch was various veggies. Nowhere was there meat or white bread, my usual lunch sandwich. I ate at the table designated the silent table to see if I could eat in silence. That was easier than drinking hot tea without my customary spoonful of sugar. Lunch affirmed I am a carnivore.
After lunch I toured Yogaville, 800 plus acres bounded by the James River in Buckingham County, Va. It is mountainous, beautiful and well kept. Buildings are scattered around the property. Lotus is the focal point, a picturesque place of meditation, and geese feeding in surrounding ponds.
After I raided my car to find a sweet peppermint treat, another laughter yoga class rounded out the day. This time my voice was hoarse and my face hurt from laughing. A nap and diet coke would’ve been perfect.
Dinner was served at dusk. Again the salad bar was the usual fare. Very tired broccoli and shriveling baked potatoes rounded out the veggies. Both screamed out for butter, sour cream, cheese. None to be found. Don’t even think about sugar. And so went dinner. Note to self: bring candy.
After dinner for the last time I put on my shoes, laced them up and walked to my car. A resolution was complete as I left Yogaville. The temperature was 34 degrees.
Still yearning for meat and sugar, eight miles from Yogaville I stopped at the first convenience store and bought a Milky Way. It tasted soo good as I drove down the highway headed home. And the next day the lunchtime juicy hamburger on squishy white bread was the best food I’ve eaten in ages.
Who says resolutions are hard to keep?
The thermometer said 22 degrees. (That's enough to turn me back. I don't like cold.) The sky was clear, the sun shining brightly. It was my first resolution day - the day I was going to laughter yoga at Yogaville. I’d read about it and decided that would be fun since laughing is a favorite activity. I signed up for the full day package, including lunch and dinner. This first time I’m jumping in completely.
I’d heard about Yogaville for years. The two hour drive went quickly as I wondered what the day would be like, who’d be there, what the food was like. The temperature was 18 degrees as I pulled into the parking lot.
The friendly host in the Visitor Center greeted me with “Welcome. You’ve come a long way. You need a cup of tea.” “First I need the restroom.” I said hurriedly. “It’s down the hall there.” said a sock footed woman. Information had said to wear warm socks as shoes weren’t worn in the buildings. Note to self: wear slip on shoes next time.
Registration was in the building across the grass (make that snow) square. I took off my shoes the second of eight times, to be told the proper building was behind me. Finally I got to the right building. The sock footed woman was Renee, who told me what to expect.
Laughter is very therapeutic. It produces endorphins, T cells to fight infections, reduces stress and exercises muscles. It’s contagious. And it feels good. Just try to be with someone laughing and not giggle at the least.
Laughing makes you hungry, too. After a round of Yoga Laughter, excitedly I went to lunch, curious to experience it. And tt was an experience. The salad bar had the usual fare. The hot lunch was various veggies. Nowhere was there meat or white bread, my usual lunch sandwich. I ate at the table designated the silent table to see if I could eat in silence. That was easier than drinking hot tea without my customary spoonful of sugar. Lunch affirmed I am a carnivore.
After lunch I toured Yogaville, 800 plus acres bounded by the James River in Buckingham County, Va. It is mountainous, beautiful and well kept. Buildings are scattered around the property. Lotus is the focal point, a picturesque place of meditation, and geese feeding in surrounding ponds.
After I raided my car to find a sweet peppermint treat, another laughter yoga class rounded out the day. This time my voice was hoarse and my face hurt from laughing. A nap and diet coke would’ve been perfect.
Dinner was served at dusk. Again the salad bar was the usual fare. Very tired broccoli and shriveling baked potatoes rounded out the veggies. Both screamed out for butter, sour cream, cheese. None to be found. Don’t even think about sugar. And so went dinner. Note to self: bring candy.
After dinner for the last time I put on my shoes, laced them up and walked to my car. A resolution was complete as I left Yogaville. The temperature was 34 degrees.
Still yearning for meat and sugar, eight miles from Yogaville I stopped at the first convenience store and bought a Milky Way. It tasted soo good as I drove down the highway headed home. And the next day the lunchtime juicy hamburger on squishy white bread was the best food I’ve eaten in ages.
Who says resolutions are hard to keep?
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