Call me self-centered and old-fashioned, but I miss the days when I could go through a check-out line and the cashier or sales clerk focused on ME and made ME the center of the world.
Now, I'm lucky if I can get through a line and get a simple "hello" or a smile.
No, today's it's more common for me to come across some kid talkin' all their "Bizz-ness" on their cell phone.
"What he say?!?"
"Ah, no he didn'!! You tell 'is stinky ass 'at ya ain't takin' that sh** no mo!"
In her mind, she pays no attention to my evil eye as she drags my Kashi bars across the scanner. The tapping of my left foot grows louder as one hand rests on my hip and the other fiddles with my tie. She can carry on a conversation in warp speed about last night's drama at the hooka bar, but my mocha ice cream is in a melted mush and my grapes begin to ferment into wine because she's too darn slow to scan and sack my groceries. What's worse... the woman doesn't even bother to look up when my order is complete. She continues her chat on the phone as she waits for me to swipe my debit card.
And there it is in a moment. Another face-to-face transaction without any face-to-face interaction.
What has this come too?!?
Now, we can go to many stores and not even require any interaction with a cashier. The minimum wage worker is being successfully outsourced to a machine at do-it-yourself check out lanes. They're especially common in the store that talks a lot about rolling back prices.
Maybe they oughta roll back my bill for making me scan and sack my own groceries.
03 September, 2007
27 August, 2007
The Fortune Cookie That Proved to Be
I wouldn't call myself overly supersitious, but today's events unfolded right in line with a simple message I got from a fortune cookie last week.
After a delicious meal at the Bamboo House with colleagues last Friday, I got my fortune cookie with a simple message that read, "Opportunity awaits you next Monday."
Wow, I thought. That's funny because I've been thinking about new opportunities lately.
Fast forward to today, Monday. At lunch, I was called back into the office to talk to the president of the foundation where I work. There was a position that needed to be temporarily filled with our commission and they wanted to tap me for it. The person who does it now was needed to work on a special project for a few months and the commission turned to the foundation to support it.
So, I have a new opportunity at hand which I accepted, moving me away from the program I'd been working for the last year. Trust me, I had long been ready to move on.
It's amazing that all this happened after the little messsage from the fortune cookie. Now, I just have to play the lucky numbers on the back.
After a delicious meal at the Bamboo House with colleagues last Friday, I got my fortune cookie with a simple message that read, "Opportunity awaits you next Monday."
Wow, I thought. That's funny because I've been thinking about new opportunities lately.
Fast forward to today, Monday. At lunch, I was called back into the office to talk to the president of the foundation where I work. There was a position that needed to be temporarily filled with our commission and they wanted to tap me for it. The person who does it now was needed to work on a special project for a few months and the commission turned to the foundation to support it.
So, I have a new opportunity at hand which I accepted, moving me away from the program I'd been working for the last year. Trust me, I had long been ready to move on.
It's amazing that all this happened after the little messsage from the fortune cookie. Now, I just have to play the lucky numbers on the back.
16 August, 2007
Good Eatin' in the A-T-L
My job requires me to travel a lot, and one of the best perks of traveling is definitely the ability to explore new restaurants. I've been in Atlanta this week for FEMA training and I managed to squeeze in a culinary tour of the area (especially around the FEMA office).
For great barbecue, you've gotta "put some South in your mouth" and try Old Hickory House. I had the barbecue pork platter, which is served with sauce on the side (thank goodness!)and had a rich smokey flavor. The platter came with your choice of sides. The fried okra was crispy and fresh and the broccoli casserole is a blend of creamy rice, broccoli, and cheese. The peach cobbler is also a great treat.
For lunch one day, some colleagues and I went to Northlake Thai Cuisine in Tucker. When you walk in... wow!!! There were collective "oohhh!!!" and "awwwhhhh" as we walked into the beautifully decorated restaurant. It certainly wasn't what we expected in a restaurant tucked in a strip mall behind the Kroger's. Among the dishes ordered by our table: the Poached Chilean Sea Bass, the Mango Chicken, and my own order-- the Masaman Curry with Beef. The service and presentation was top notch and formal, yet the price was very reasonable. Oh, and I can't forget the Thai tea... what a refreshing treat on a hot day. The serene and calm environment was a pleasant change from the sterile classroom room we sat in all day.
Another lunch was spent at Little Cuba Restaurant in Chamblee. They have lunch specials that are named after "I Love Lucy" show characters. I had the Vaca Frita lunch special of shredded beef and served with a heaping helpin' of white rice, black beans, and plantain chips. Yummy!
I can't write about my trip without mentioning the great hot dogs I had at the Braves v. Giants game. You can't go to a baseball game and not have a hot dog! The food was a real treat... the bonus was watching Barry Bonds hit a home run. His 759th, I think.
My final night in Atlanta was spent at the French-American Brasserie, or the FAB, located downtown. They serve classic French cuisine along with many cuts of steaks and a variethy of seafood. I decided to go the classic French route, starting with a the soup du jour, a creamy rich broth with mussels and herbs. I should've started and stopped right there. Expecting a cup of soup, I was pleasantly surprised to get this more-than-bowl-size tureen of tasty liquid gold. The soup, coupled with the fresh crispy French rolls, would've been enough for me. However, I had ordered the coq au vin, the classic French dish of chicken cooked in wine, served with mushrooms, chunks of bacon, and a side of egg noodles. I also ordered a side of ratatouille, a hearty stew of vegetables. It hard to imagine going to a French restaurant and passing on dessert, but I had no choice. I had no room. I even had to take my leftovers home, and I confess that I enjoyed coq au vin for breakfast.
My last culinary treats were at the airport... Paschal's in Concourse C had great fried chicken, and because I had a few hours before my flight, I burned off excess calories roaming different councourses and stopped for a pick-me-up at Caribou Coffee in Concourse E.
Now that I'm back in Tally, I have one thing to focus on... lose the weight I gained in Atlanta.
For great barbecue, you've gotta "put some South in your mouth" and try Old Hickory House. I had the barbecue pork platter, which is served with sauce on the side (thank goodness!)and had a rich smokey flavor. The platter came with your choice of sides. The fried okra was crispy and fresh and the broccoli casserole is a blend of creamy rice, broccoli, and cheese. The peach cobbler is also a great treat.
For lunch one day, some colleagues and I went to Northlake Thai Cuisine in Tucker. When you walk in... wow!!! There were collective "oohhh!!!" and "awwwhhhh" as we walked into the beautifully decorated restaurant. It certainly wasn't what we expected in a restaurant tucked in a strip mall behind the Kroger's. Among the dishes ordered by our table: the Poached Chilean Sea Bass, the Mango Chicken, and my own order-- the Masaman Curry with Beef. The service and presentation was top notch and formal, yet the price was very reasonable. Oh, and I can't forget the Thai tea... what a refreshing treat on a hot day. The serene and calm environment was a pleasant change from the sterile classroom room we sat in all day.
Another lunch was spent at Little Cuba Restaurant in Chamblee. They have lunch specials that are named after "I Love Lucy" show characters. I had the Vaca Frita lunch special of shredded beef and served with a heaping helpin' of white rice, black beans, and plantain chips. Yummy!
I can't write about my trip without mentioning the great hot dogs I had at the Braves v. Giants game. You can't go to a baseball game and not have a hot dog! The food was a real treat... the bonus was watching Barry Bonds hit a home run. His 759th, I think.
My final night in Atlanta was spent at the French-American Brasserie, or the FAB, located downtown. They serve classic French cuisine along with many cuts of steaks and a variethy of seafood. I decided to go the classic French route, starting with a the soup du jour, a creamy rich broth with mussels and herbs. I should've started and stopped right there. Expecting a cup of soup, I was pleasantly surprised to get this more-than-bowl-size tureen of tasty liquid gold. The soup, coupled with the fresh crispy French rolls, would've been enough for me. However, I had ordered the coq au vin, the classic French dish of chicken cooked in wine, served with mushrooms, chunks of bacon, and a side of egg noodles. I also ordered a side of ratatouille, a hearty stew of vegetables. It hard to imagine going to a French restaurant and passing on dessert, but I had no choice. I had no room. I even had to take my leftovers home, and I confess that I enjoyed coq au vin for breakfast.
My last culinary treats were at the airport... Paschal's in Concourse C had great fried chicken, and because I had a few hours before my flight, I burned off excess calories roaming different councourses and stopped for a pick-me-up at Caribou Coffee in Concourse E.
Now that I'm back in Tally, I have one thing to focus on... lose the weight I gained in Atlanta.
12 August, 2007
All's Quiet... What a Scary Feeling.
A mix of things...
Last week, I was in Daytona Beach for a meeting at a hotel right on the water. It was a pleasant diversion from the hurried pace I'm always at when I'm on the road.
After getting there by the late afternoon, I quickly checked in and a group of us went to the lounge to grab drinks and sit outside on the veranda. It was a real treat... the space shuttle Endeavour was about to take off.
It made me think back to my childhood when normal television was interrupted for shuttle launches. I used to love them... now, it just seems so normal.
***
Anyway, the trip was great, especially since the meeting I went to was really casual. I met with a group of people I'd worked in the past. They're mostly women who are like second moms to me.
This weekend I helped train 14 youth who are part of the LeaderSHEEP for the youth group. We have an amazing group this year! Everyone was so cooperative and energetic throughout the entire weekend, which is always a great sign. It's events like these that rejuvenate and motivate me.
I don't know how many years I have left in youth ministry, but I think I'm good for a few more after this past weekend.
***
Three years ago this week was when the horrific 2004 Hurricane Hell began for me. Charley struck on Fri., Aug. 13 (yep, Friday the 13th). After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the 2004 hurricane season was a major point of my career.
All's quiet right now this hurricane season... hmm...
Last week, I was in Daytona Beach for a meeting at a hotel right on the water. It was a pleasant diversion from the hurried pace I'm always at when I'm on the road.
After getting there by the late afternoon, I quickly checked in and a group of us went to the lounge to grab drinks and sit outside on the veranda. It was a real treat... the space shuttle Endeavour was about to take off.
It made me think back to my childhood when normal television was interrupted for shuttle launches. I used to love them... now, it just seems so normal.
***
Anyway, the trip was great, especially since the meeting I went to was really casual. I met with a group of people I'd worked in the past. They're mostly women who are like second moms to me.
This weekend I helped train 14 youth who are part of the LeaderSHEEP for the youth group. We have an amazing group this year! Everyone was so cooperative and energetic throughout the entire weekend, which is always a great sign. It's events like these that rejuvenate and motivate me.
I don't know how many years I have left in youth ministry, but I think I'm good for a few more after this past weekend.
***
Three years ago this week was when the horrific 2004 Hurricane Hell began for me. Charley struck on Fri., Aug. 13 (yep, Friday the 13th). After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the 2004 hurricane season was a major point of my career.
All's quiet right now this hurricane season... hmm...
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