Thursday, October 15, 2009

Sherlock & Mary at it again

I have very happily completed the newest Mary Russell stor, The Language of Bees by Laurie R, King. This one kept me drawn in and wondering what was going to happen, when & by whom! There's nothing worse than a mystery that I figure out too soon. Sherlock's son gets himself into a bad way & calls for his estranged father's help. You know it can't be that simple but I don't want to write much else so I don't give anything away.

This read took me back to the earlier Mary Russell novels, when I was first introduced to her & was instantly drawn into her world. If you love a good mystery, start with The Beekeeper's Apprentice just in case you want to read them all like I did.



To be "in the business" again.

I also finished Waiter Rant by Steve Dublanica on my trip. This totally reminded me of the days when I worked in the restaurant business. It brought back so many memories, the fun times, the not so fun times, the really weird times... There is so much truth in this book I recommend it to everyone that reads my blog (that means you, Tahnia!). It's an easy, light read & I guarantee that you will learn something. When I was in the business my crew swore that everyone, and we meant everyone, should be required to work in food service for at least six months of their lives. Everyone.

I love the explanations of why some people work in this business, especially when they are well educated, there does seem to be a smear on the idea that there's something temporary about working in this business. I felt it after I graduated with my BA & still worked at the restaurant I had been in for 5 years. A certain amount of shame at still working there, waiting tables, for tips, not for a "real" salary like others my age. When I did leave and got a "real job" I took a $10,000 pay cut & worked more hours. Think about that for a minute.

I also really liked what Mr. Dublanica wrote about how people let their guard down when they eat, how you can really get to know someone's true self just by watching them in a restaurant. This is very true. I learned so much about human nature when I worked in the business. Much of my job required that I watch my tables at all times so I could be there when the diners needed me. With this watching I couldn't help but see things that I normally woudl miss. Like the little nuances between partners, how they really treat each other & how they treat strangers, or help (like me).

One of the most important lessons that I learned was that you can't please everyone all the time. This may be the most important lesson learned, this has helped me in my current life and career & helped me with my own trouble with perfectionism. Some people may never learn this lesson which could cause them unending duress in their lives. Work in a restaurant for six months, you will learn to let go & relax a little more, life is just too damn short!


Sunday, October 4, 2009

I'm back in Love Again




This summer I was able to read Kanga and Baby Roo Come to the Forest & Piglet is Entirely Surrounded by Water by A. A. Milne. I'm back in love with Pooh! I don't know what was in my corn flakes before but Edward Bear & crew are delightfully entertaining. I took more to our trip to CR but I wasn't able to read them much & sure didn't take them in. I will write more about my travels with Winnie the Pooh later.