The Evil Monsters of Wall Street, and other mythical tales...

I was working out at the gym this morning...on a really great machine that simulates running (which I've always wanted to do, but my joints don't agree with), and CNN was on...the newswoman I was watching was telling a story about the CEO's of 7 major companies that accepted "bail out" money, and how their salaries were going to be cut in half, essentially, by order of our government. She read emails from viewers about this...the rancor and the damnation...troubles me.

This country...this world...was built on men and women who achieved. Men and women who were tireless in their devotion to what they believed in, and to achievement itself. One of the rewards for achievement...is money. And the reward for failure...is loss. But in the wake of "these hard economic times," I wonder if we've lost sight of a few things. Money is not evil...it is a freer...it gives us the capability to do many things, travel, learn, give...and the people who wrote those damning emails...would like more of it, I'm sure. So it can't be money itself that they're so upset with, can it? Are they upset because the CEO's have more than they do? That they aren't suffering as the "average" American is? Should they be? I would garner that none of these people are "average." And I would also go so far as to say that they have suffered...in ways that the "average" American hasn't. They've given up their time, their leisure, their hearts and souls to their dreams. Dreams of achieving, enriching, accomplishing...because that's who they are.

I have a decent job. I earn enough to buy things that I want, and to take care of my puppy. I've chosen thus far to not have children, a wife, a mortgage, and I still pay taxes...every week, I pay taxes...taxes that go to fund programs like WIC...and for the food stamp program. Are these bailouts? Because I have yet to see anyone pay me back for this...let alone thank me. And the companies that we "bailed out?" They're paying us back...with interest...and they're thanking us...by forcing their TOP talent...to take less money than they are worth...and yes, they ARE worth the money. They are talented, and they keep this country running...we just don't have the good sense to know it and to thank them for it in the wake of a terrible recession that is hurting ALL of us. Because we blame THEM for the recession. I will be the first one to say that questionable business decisions do account for part of this recession. But the people we are damning...well...they aren't necessarily the ones who are to blame...and there are others that should be questioned in this scenario. A group of people that have thus far gotten off scot-free...and are receiving help...a bail-out of their own...who are they? The people that decided that they want what these CEO's have...more...and more than they could afford. The mortgage crisis is not the fault of the companies...it's the fault of the consumers...the ones who saw the beautiful house that they wanted and took whatever terms they could to get it. And without reading the fine print...without figuring out if they could AFFORD what they were buying...they went ahead and did it. And the industry crashed...because so many people could no longer afford their homes...because they didn't read the fine print. And who is holding THEM accountable as they walk away from their mortgages...their responsibilities? They're leaving in droves, and screaming when they can't get a "bailout." Really? I would much rather send my taxes to the "greedy," "money-hungry," "monster" CEO's, than the group of looters that now demand to be given help for doing nothing except screwing up their own lives. And I would do it, gladly.

Is there anything...

...that Melissa Etheridge can't fix?

I'm sitting here, avoiding the painting I should really be finishing...listening to Breakdown and thinking that doing the right thing is always the hardest thing...but it is the easiest route to peace. And if I would have listened more closely to her a long, long time ago...well...I would have known something I wasn't ready to know and it wouldn't have made a damn bit of difference...

But still...she rocks the hell out me...

Excuse me, Mr. Obama?

What in BLAZES were you thinking? (I just might throw in a "tarnation" before I'm through here, too.)

A cop makes a judgement call. He was wrong. The man that he made the call about behaves badly, and the cop then arrests the man. But the fact that the cop was wrong about WHO owned the house has nothing to do with anything other than he was being cautious, and trying to do his job the right way. Is there grey area here to discuss? Certainly. Has a conversation been started? Yes, certainly. Should our President weigh in on the discussion? NO.

He's the President of the United States. His opinion of the situation was, by his own admission, ignorant of fact and equality. He also FUELED racial tension with his own remarks that basically make it sound like he's just another suffering person that is tired of "the man" beating him down. I have news for our 44th...he IS "the man" now.

Not only that, but he is also a personal friend of the victim who gave the cop a hell of a time for trying to protect his house. So it begs the question, should our President, the man that should see not black or white, throw out some derogatory remarks about the police in question when he had no knowledge of what actually took place, AND one of the participants is a friend? Uh, no. Bad idea. Bad example. Be a statesman, Mr. Obama, with a tad bit more dignity and thought for the men and women that keep us all safe to sleep in our beds at night...the ones who risk their lives to protect homes and cars and other stuff that you can't take with you. A bit more respect, MR. President, if you will.

What's good?

Since I'm apparently in the mood to bitch about my job (yes, I know I shouldn't be bitching when everyone is out of work...), I'm going to continue on with something else that drives us all crazy behind the counters.

"What's good here?"

Really?

REALLY?

I've lost count of the number of times I've wished to look such a question dead in the eye and say, "nothing...everything here tastes awful, you should run over to McDonald's as fast your indecisive little legs can carry you." But no. The store I work for is HYPER-customer service oriented, and so I am stuck answering the question...and I used to actually suggest things to people, silly girl that I am...not realizing that the majority of people will think on your suggestion for a moment and then find some reason not to like it. For instance...

"What's good?"

"Well, I really like the chicken pesto sandwich."

"Oh, I don't like pesto."

"Ok, well...my other favourite is the Italian grilled cheese panini."

"There's no meat in that? Don't you have anything with meat?" (Mind you, this person is staring at a case that is full of sandwiches made with meat...the ONLY vegetarian option is the Italian grilled cheese.)

And that's where I gave up...long ago. I decided that I made only just enough money to make the sandwich, not actually decide for them WHAT sandwich to make, and so I've come up with this neat little way to bounce the ball back into their courts...

"What's good?"

"What do you like?"

This usually produces a panic-stricken look that I take secret delight in. And then a hem...a haw...

"Well, don't you have anything to suggest?" Read: I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DECIDE THIS!!!

"Well, the problem is that we all have a different set of taste buds, so what I like most likely won't be what you like."

Such a stumper that one is...you can see the wheels turning...is she being rude? Unhelpful? Bitchy? What's her problem? Why can't she just tell me what to eat?

Really?

I wonder how some people make it through the day...truly.

Tips

I'm a chef. Well...to be perfectly honest...I'm a cook. A cook has to go to culinary school to be called a chef, and all the chefs I've met (yes, all 2 of them) guard that title as though it were the very last morsel of food they will ever taste again. So I'm a cook...a damn good one, but a cook nonetheless. I also manage a large group of people in a gourmet food store, which is a job I love...some of the people that work with and for me...wow, I can't imagine a day without them...but we'll get to them in due time.

For now it's good enough to know that on Thursday nights, I'm a cook. I do wine tasting dinners for 15-60 people...and I dearly love doing it, because it gives me a moment to be creative and have it appreciated by others...strangers who don't know me from Adam (and if anyone would care to explain the "Adam" thing at some point, I'd be most grateful) come to sit at my table and taste what I have to offer...that should be reward in and of itself. It's not.

I have a great front of the house girl, Stephanie, she keeps her head cool and the water glasses full and knows her way around customer service so that I don't have to worry about that end of it...a moment of silent thanks for Stephanie.

*MOMENT*

Stephanie and I bust our asses for these dinners...we both feel a sense of import and elegance whilst doing this (despite the fact that some diners arrive in shorts and flamingo-laden shirts) and try to make all the events special ones. The food I serve isn't 5-star, maybe 3...4 on a really great day. Last night we had Epoisses as a starter, which is a creamy, earthy, grassy camembert from France...paired with some hearty honey wheat crackers, and fresh bing cherries. The main was salmon poached in white wine, garlic, peppercorns and just a kiss of olive oil...and dessert was a simple vanilla bean ice cream with a cabernet reduction sauce and fresh raspberries...so...not 5 star...but still. The total for a tasting with 5 wines and the food is 22.95 per person, not a bad deal all the way 'round, in my opinion...

...and what do you suppose people tipped on that total? Guesses? Anyone? Anyone?

13%

I'm here to tell you...13% is an insult these days...a slap...a spit...a...well, you get the idea. STANDARD tips are around 20% now...10%? That's gone the way of the Bush administration...they are no longer, but there are apparently quite a few people who still long for the days of killing for oil and other adventures of that sort...

PEOPLE! Think for a moment...if you can't afford to leave a decent tip for outstanding food and service...stay home and make some hamburger helper.

Please.

Beginnings...

...hmmm...I suppose something profound should be coming your way right about now...but I've got nothing. ;)

Ok, let's start with this...I think about 10,000 different things a day (more or less)...and I always think I should blog about them...people INSTRUCT me to blog about them...the gods are screeching at me to blog...fine, uncle...I'll blog.