hey kids!
SO I just finished my 4th day of work.
I have decided several things.
1. I am going to quit my job.
2. I do not belong hiding in the back of a kitchen cutting meat and making mayonnaise. (I can appreciate people who do, it's just not my thing I guess)
3. I have a very low tolerance for people who are rude, quick to judge and disrespectful.
I do not know when I will quit. I work tomorrow (Sunday 8-5:30) then I have two days off. There is a chance I will do another week, but not likely.
I know you all probably have a lot of questions, and judging by the heaps of comments about my last few blogs, it's understandable. So I have prepared a short FAQ (Frequently asked questions) List. If you question is not answered below, then please feel free to leave a comment below.
Q. You just got a job, and now you're going to quit?
A. Fuck you.
Q. Well Brad, if you quit your job, how will you pay rent?
A. Good question. Visa. (just kidding... thanks Mom... just kidding, seriously Visa)
Q. Shouldn't you have another job lined up before you quit?
A. Yes, I should. And I do. I have an interview Monday morning for a server position at a nice upper scale restaurant. They sound very nice and really want to meet with me.
Q. What if you blow the interview for the server position?
A. I have an amazing track record in interviews. The last four jobs that I interviewed for, ALL four said they would call me in a few days or a week to let me know I got it. And ALL FOUR have called the SAME day, a few hours after the interview and told me I had the job. (Current place aka Shit Bistro, Cross Roads Bar and Grill (Hi Sheena), Swiss Chalet (Hi North Van) and Me-N-Eds Pizza (Hi Pooya). My job at Lighthouse brewery I didn't even have to interview for (they heard about my sweet interview track record)
Q. You didn't really answer my question asshole, What if you blow the interview for the server position?
A. Ok, ok... IF I do somehow blow it, I have a back up plan. While riding to work on the street car, (I take King street car instead of my usual Queen street car) I noticed a hell of a lot more restaurants then I first thought were around. I counted 7 today. 7 places (St.Louis bar and grill, Jack Asters grill, The Foggy Dew, etc) that look nice, and are easy to get to and are pub style (more me). I will drop resumes off at all 7 Monday after my job interview.
Q. What position are you looking to get?
A. Bartender or Server. Prefer Server.
Q. If you kept your current job, how long would it be until you just fucking snap?
A. One, maybe two days.
Q. Have you already thought of what you will tell your boss in case you do snap?
A. I have it written down and memorized in 4 languages.
Q. Is all this bullshit really worth it?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you expect to make enough money serving to pay for rent(600), school(500), transit pass (120), food(fuck me), beer(Im screwed)?
A. I can only hope :) I may have to cut back on the food.
Q. If you had to pick one good thing about your current job, what would it be?
A. The food, but I have only had one meal since I started (no breaks for your 10 hour shifts)
Q. What was it?
A. It was a Chicken Club sandwich
Q. Was it good?
A. It was the best fucking sandwich I have ever had.
Q. Isn't the reason for sticking around?
A. I do love sandwiches... but no...
Q. Do you have to stop typing, shower, get changed, head to Grant and RJs, have some halloween beers and return in time to get a good nights sleep for your early shift tomorrow?
A. Yes, yes I do.
Q. Remember to pick up some beers before you go.
A. THANKS!
...........
More to come, stay tuned.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Grey Gh0st
another day
Hey guys.
I just finished my third day. My boss is still a prick. I'll give you an example.
I was to dice red onion into very small bits for our house made chili. He took the onion, diced up half of it, showing how he wanted me to do it. Fine. So on my cutting board was half an onion that needed to be cut, and half an onion that was already cut up by douche bag.
After he shows me how to cut it, he walks away. A buddy of mine told me nicely where I could find more onion to dice... so I got into the walk in cooler and grab some more. I get back to my cutting board, and just as I start to cut more onion, my boss says
No... You're not listening to me. They have to cut finer then that.
He budges in and again demonstrates how to do it.
But that was HIS onion that HE cut. I had not chopped anything. What a TOOL! I was going to say something, but I just smiled nicely and thank you.
haha... he really lacks some social skills. I feel sorry for people like that. Everyone thinks he is an asshole. He has such a short fuse. As I said to one of the cooks, 'If his kid spills his milk at the dinner table, what does he do? Slap him in the face?'
haha.. That's a John Candy line. God bless you John.
Speaking of John Candy, there are numerous giant framed photos of him at second city. There is a great one in my stand up comedy class room. He still inspires me, even after all these years.
........................
Ok, so sappy sad warning...
First off, I know things are going well for me. School is amazing, my first stand up gig is coming up and I have a decent job.
But after my first day of work, which did not treat me well, I was an emotional wreck. I wasn't going to write about this, but I figured the only people we actually read this are the only people I would ever tell this too.
Multiple times that day, I drifted off into my head. I asked myself.. what am I doing here? Working in this kitchen, here in Toronto? Away from all the love in my life. I could not help but feel lonely and scared. I was breaking down. I could not help but think of my close family and friends, who have helped me get this far. I thought of Dylan, who has been my best friend in so many ways, for more years then I can remember. I thought of him and Deanne, and how beautiful she is, and how happy I am they are together. I thought of the summer nights at Steve's house, and the endless hours of us laughing and being together. I thought of Cliff, and all the amazing times we have had over the last few years, and how amazingly close we have become. I thought of my Mom and Dad, and I thought.. I am doing all this for them. I thought how lucky I was, to be raised in such a loving and healthy environment, where I was told I could do anything I ever wanted and how I still believe that today. I thought of my sister Kelsey, who has been there for me all the way, and will continue to do so. I thought of my friend Greg, who I have shared some amazing times with, and who has sent my some messages over the last little while when I needed it the most, even tho he didn't know it. I thought of my friend Chris Carrol, who has been nothing short of amazing to me with love and support. Captain Conway, who has helped me in more ways then he knows or understands. My friends Grant and Graham who have taken me under their wing over here in Toronto, and have made the transition that much easier. I thought of Marcus and how much I miss him. I thought of my friend Hayley who I have shared so much with over the years, and who I continue to keep in touch with. Don and Hazel Tufford who have been nothing short of amazing in my life. I also thought of Don and his on going support of the blog and him leaving comments that made my laugh and smile. I think of my amazing friends I have met along the way. You know who you are.
I was riding the street car home that day, thinking of all this and I could not help but cry. Cry to myself, in public, on my way home, alone. Cry for all the love I have in my life. Cry for all the challenges I have faced so far. Cry for the amazing future that is ahead of me.
I cry for the fact I am away from the most important people in the world.
I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, I just want you to know how much I love you.
Because I do.
I just finished my third day. My boss is still a prick. I'll give you an example.
I was to dice red onion into very small bits for our house made chili. He took the onion, diced up half of it, showing how he wanted me to do it. Fine. So on my cutting board was half an onion that needed to be cut, and half an onion that was already cut up by douche bag.
After he shows me how to cut it, he walks away. A buddy of mine told me nicely where I could find more onion to dice... so I got into the walk in cooler and grab some more. I get back to my cutting board, and just as I start to cut more onion, my boss says
No... You're not listening to me. They have to cut finer then that.
He budges in and again demonstrates how to do it.
But that was HIS onion that HE cut. I had not chopped anything. What a TOOL! I was going to say something, but I just smiled nicely and thank you.
haha... he really lacks some social skills. I feel sorry for people like that. Everyone thinks he is an asshole. He has such a short fuse. As I said to one of the cooks, 'If his kid spills his milk at the dinner table, what does he do? Slap him in the face?'
haha.. That's a John Candy line. God bless you John.
Speaking of John Candy, there are numerous giant framed photos of him at second city. There is a great one in my stand up comedy class room. He still inspires me, even after all these years.
........................
Ok, so sappy sad warning...
First off, I know things are going well for me. School is amazing, my first stand up gig is coming up and I have a decent job.
But after my first day of work, which did not treat me well, I was an emotional wreck. I wasn't going to write about this, but I figured the only people we actually read this are the only people I would ever tell this too.
Multiple times that day, I drifted off into my head. I asked myself.. what am I doing here? Working in this kitchen, here in Toronto? Away from all the love in my life. I could not help but feel lonely and scared. I was breaking down. I could not help but think of my close family and friends, who have helped me get this far. I thought of Dylan, who has been my best friend in so many ways, for more years then I can remember. I thought of him and Deanne, and how beautiful she is, and how happy I am they are together. I thought of the summer nights at Steve's house, and the endless hours of us laughing and being together. I thought of Cliff, and all the amazing times we have had over the last few years, and how amazingly close we have become. I thought of my Mom and Dad, and I thought.. I am doing all this for them. I thought how lucky I was, to be raised in such a loving and healthy environment, where I was told I could do anything I ever wanted and how I still believe that today. I thought of my sister Kelsey, who has been there for me all the way, and will continue to do so. I thought of my friend Greg, who I have shared some amazing times with, and who has sent my some messages over the last little while when I needed it the most, even tho he didn't know it. I thought of my friend Chris Carrol, who has been nothing short of amazing to me with love and support. Captain Conway, who has helped me in more ways then he knows or understands. My friends Grant and Graham who have taken me under their wing over here in Toronto, and have made the transition that much easier. I thought of Marcus and how much I miss him. I thought of my friend Hayley who I have shared so much with over the years, and who I continue to keep in touch with. Don and Hazel Tufford who have been nothing short of amazing in my life. I also thought of Don and his on going support of the blog and him leaving comments that made my laugh and smile. I think of my amazing friends I have met along the way. You know who you are.
I was riding the street car home that day, thinking of all this and I could not help but cry. Cry to myself, in public, on my way home, alone. Cry for all the love I have in my life. Cry for all the challenges I have faced so far. Cry for the amazing future that is ahead of me.
I cry for the fact I am away from the most important people in the world.
I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, I just want you to know how much I love you.
Because I do.
day 2
Hey guys. I just wanted to write a quick note saying my 2nd day at work was much better. Lots of cool people work there, so they overpower the few assholes.
On the other hand, I got a phone call from a restaurant/lounge yesterday for a server job. I hope to schedule an interview for that very soon. I just tried calling them back but no one answered and I got nervous about leaving one of my crazy over the top messages. I'll try back here in a sec.
Yeah, talking to come of the full time cooks and prep guys, they said the pay is pretty shitty, even with the tip out we get, but it's great for those career oriented cause they learn so much. They also said they have other jobs where they make more money cooking in shittier kitchens. As cool as the Beer Bistro is, if I could get a server job.... I'd probably make twice as much money an hour, with the tips added in.
So now it is my debate. Should I keep a 45/hours a week job that pays shitty and is tough work, or get a relaxing server job where I can shoot the shit, crack jokes and smile all day, but also have inconsistent hours and tips. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....
I have to go... to work!
More to come. Stay tuned.
On the other hand, I got a phone call from a restaurant/lounge yesterday for a server job. I hope to schedule an interview for that very soon. I just tried calling them back but no one answered and I got nervous about leaving one of my crazy over the top messages. I'll try back here in a sec.
Yeah, talking to come of the full time cooks and prep guys, they said the pay is pretty shitty, even with the tip out we get, but it's great for those career oriented cause they learn so much. They also said they have other jobs where they make more money cooking in shittier kitchens. As cool as the Beer Bistro is, if I could get a server job.... I'd probably make twice as much money an hour, with the tips added in.
So now it is my debate. Should I keep a 45/hours a week job that pays shitty and is tough work, or get a relaxing server job where I can shoot the shit, crack jokes and smile all day, but also have inconsistent hours and tips. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....
I have to go... to work!
More to come. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
new job
Hey all.
I got a job at a fancy restaurant called The Beer Bistro.
http://www.beerbistro.com/
Check out the food menu and beer menu if you are so inclined. All the food is made in house, IE we make our own bread, dressings, we even make our freaking ketchup. That's fucked up. For my BEER friendly friends, check out the beer menu under the 'menu' section. 20 beers on tap, and over 100 seasonal bottles. The menu is for Oct Nov Dec. Everything changes (including most of the beers) every three months.
I just got back from my first shift and made a few notes for you my friends.
1. I am full time, but the shifts are 9 and a half hours long. What is that about? So I worked 12-930 today. No break. No meal. Lets just say the first shift was a little rough. *I am normally supposed to receive half hour break, and I do automatically pay 3.25 every shift for a staff meal, whether I eat one or not.
2. I am WAY out of my league in that kitchen. Lets just say my knife skills and kitchen lingo are not up to par. I'm not exactly Gordon Ramsay here.
3. I am a prep cook. I chop and portion shit all day.
4. The owner/chef and I had an interesting first conversation. I'll let you be the judge.
I am using a small knife to quarter two boxes of button mushrooms, this is the first time I have spoken to this man. He is a 50 year old fancy ass rich ass fat ass dude that runs the show.... you probably get the idea this is not a pleasant story... hehe
Buddy looks at me cutting the mushrooms glares at me and says,
Have you ever USED a knife before?
Umm (I pause. I am stunned.. is that a serious question? Wtf do I say to that?)
Well Yes, I uhh.. have used one before
You do it like this, ok? (leans in, shows me, abruptly)
Roger that, sounds good sir, thank you.
Next time you come to work, please clean yourself up.
(once again, stunned. Clean myself up?? What does that mean? I am wearing the chef jacket they supplied, a sparkling white apron, brand new chef pants I had to buy that cost me 60, a hat as needed, I had just got a hair cut so the hair showing was trimmed and proper, I had shaved the day before, and I had trimmed my little chin beard thing shorter then I've ever had it since I moved out here. I thought I looked gooooooood.)
(I pause and reply) Sorry... ? What do you mean by clean myself up?
If you're going to show up to work, you have to be clean shaven.
Oh, ok, yes sir, sorry about that. Not a problem.
(He walks away without looking at me while I respond.)
...
Ok, so I HAD shaved the day before, so I'm not exactly Zack Galifinakis. So I thought that he was commenting on the facial hair. I looked around after and saw THREE dudes with more facial hair then me, plus the dude the interviewed me for the job, massive goatee. What is this guys problem? What a cock sucker. SUPER rude to me. The first thing he said to me was a fucking childish sarcastic "Have you ever USED a knife before?"
How professional is that? Jesus...
He didn't introduce himself, didn't ask my name, or shake my hand. Not the whole night. Even when we crossed paths, or if he'd walk by me. Nothing. I even gave him a smile and a nod as he came up to me, he walks by and doesn't look at me. Walks by. In my opinion, that was a HUGELY disrespectful.
From an improv or writing point of view, he gave me a very LOW status.
The weird part is he was laughing and kidding around with his other managers and sous chefs, so it's not like he was having a bad day.
The other manager Greg was almost as bad. Super negative towards me, for 100% no reason. I showed up, smiling all the way, and worked hard. Both were dicks to me.
On the bright side, those were the only two that acted that way, and they left by 5 or 6. Everyone else was super nice. The guy that was showing me around and telling me what needed to be done was really nice. A couple of the sous chefs online went OUT of their way to make me feel welcome.
So I guess it's fair to say it was an up and down day.
I won't let people shit on me, so lets hope things work out.
Sorry, i just had to get that out of me....
SECOND CITY TERM 2 has started.
My first stand up 101 class was a smashing great time. We laughed, told jokes and just had a fucking great time. EVERYONE (12 people, including me) in the class is really funny in there own way. I am the youngest in the class :)
My first stand up gig will be on SUNDAY DEC 6th @ Absolute Comedy on Yonge Street. I am counting down the days.
My first improv level B class was on Tuesday, and it also went really well. There are 10 people in the class, 9 returning from my level A class, so its good to see them and continue to make friends. The only negative part is, the 3 or 4 people I was closest friends in the previous class with aren't in this one. And its not like they were replaced by anybody. This class is just 3 or 4 people smaller. Shitty. Oh well.. still cool. I really like my teacher as well. He's a pro Second City guy, he did a bunch of shows on the Main Stage and he really knows what he is doing.
I gotta go. I have to get up and work in the morning. God damned 10 hours shifts are going to get old.
I got a job at a fancy restaurant called The Beer Bistro.
http://www.beerbistro.com/
Check out the food menu and beer menu if you are so inclined. All the food is made in house, IE we make our own bread, dressings, we even make our freaking ketchup. That's fucked up. For my BEER friendly friends, check out the beer menu under the 'menu' section. 20 beers on tap, and over 100 seasonal bottles. The menu is for Oct Nov Dec. Everything changes (including most of the beers) every three months.
I just got back from my first shift and made a few notes for you my friends.
1. I am full time, but the shifts are 9 and a half hours long. What is that about? So I worked 12-930 today. No break. No meal. Lets just say the first shift was a little rough. *I am normally supposed to receive half hour break, and I do automatically pay 3.25 every shift for a staff meal, whether I eat one or not.
2. I am WAY out of my league in that kitchen. Lets just say my knife skills and kitchen lingo are not up to par. I'm not exactly Gordon Ramsay here.
3. I am a prep cook. I chop and portion shit all day.
4. The owner/chef and I had an interesting first conversation. I'll let you be the judge.
I am using a small knife to quarter two boxes of button mushrooms, this is the first time I have spoken to this man. He is a 50 year old fancy ass rich ass fat ass dude that runs the show.... you probably get the idea this is not a pleasant story... hehe
Buddy looks at me cutting the mushrooms glares at me and says,
Have you ever USED a knife before?
Umm (I pause. I am stunned.. is that a serious question? Wtf do I say to that?)
Well Yes, I uhh.. have used one before
You do it like this, ok? (leans in, shows me, abruptly)
Roger that, sounds good sir, thank you.
Next time you come to work, please clean yourself up.
(once again, stunned. Clean myself up?? What does that mean? I am wearing the chef jacket they supplied, a sparkling white apron, brand new chef pants I had to buy that cost me 60, a hat as needed, I had just got a hair cut so the hair showing was trimmed and proper, I had shaved the day before, and I had trimmed my little chin beard thing shorter then I've ever had it since I moved out here. I thought I looked gooooooood.)
(I pause and reply) Sorry... ? What do you mean by clean myself up?
If you're going to show up to work, you have to be clean shaven.
Oh, ok, yes sir, sorry about that. Not a problem.
(He walks away without looking at me while I respond.)
...
Ok, so I HAD shaved the day before, so I'm not exactly Zack Galifinakis. So I thought that he was commenting on the facial hair. I looked around after and saw THREE dudes with more facial hair then me, plus the dude the interviewed me for the job, massive goatee. What is this guys problem? What a cock sucker. SUPER rude to me. The first thing he said to me was a fucking childish sarcastic "Have you ever USED a knife before?"
How professional is that? Jesus...
He didn't introduce himself, didn't ask my name, or shake my hand. Not the whole night. Even when we crossed paths, or if he'd walk by me. Nothing. I even gave him a smile and a nod as he came up to me, he walks by and doesn't look at me. Walks by. In my opinion, that was a HUGELY disrespectful.
From an improv or writing point of view, he gave me a very LOW status.
The weird part is he was laughing and kidding around with his other managers and sous chefs, so it's not like he was having a bad day.
The other manager Greg was almost as bad. Super negative towards me, for 100% no reason. I showed up, smiling all the way, and worked hard. Both were dicks to me.
On the bright side, those were the only two that acted that way, and they left by 5 or 6. Everyone else was super nice. The guy that was showing me around and telling me what needed to be done was really nice. A couple of the sous chefs online went OUT of their way to make me feel welcome.
So I guess it's fair to say it was an up and down day.
I won't let people shit on me, so lets hope things work out.
Sorry, i just had to get that out of me....
SECOND CITY TERM 2 has started.
My first stand up 101 class was a smashing great time. We laughed, told jokes and just had a fucking great time. EVERYONE (12 people, including me) in the class is really funny in there own way. I am the youngest in the class :)
My first stand up gig will be on SUNDAY DEC 6th @ Absolute Comedy on Yonge Street. I am counting down the days.
My first improv level B class was on Tuesday, and it also went really well. There are 10 people in the class, 9 returning from my level A class, so its good to see them and continue to make friends. The only negative part is, the 3 or 4 people I was closest friends in the previous class with aren't in this one. And its not like they were replaced by anybody. This class is just 3 or 4 people smaller. Shitty. Oh well.. still cool. I really like my teacher as well. He's a pro Second City guy, he did a bunch of shows on the Main Stage and he really knows what he is doing.
I gotta go. I have to get up and work in the morning. God damned 10 hours shifts are going to get old.
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