There was a shooting this week.

Which brings me to tonight’s post.

I have a friend who works in California who terminated a difficult employee this week. We chat on the phone often.

She tells me the stories.

I worry that I’m going to get a message that he showed up at her restaurant.

Meanwhile.

Every night I tell my staff that they HAVE to check out with me when they are done.

Ultimately it’s so I know who us in the building.

Because I don’t want to get the shit scared out of me when I thin I’m alone.

But ultimately and I’ve never shared this with anyone but just in case something unspeakable happens.

Who is in the building.

Where are the exits.

Where do we meet? What do we do?

I go there.

Even when I think I might be crazy.

But.

Am.

I?

Last week I wrote a post about how shall our community is.

It’s works for good as well.

Tonight a new server started.

He did great. The staff loved him.

Fun fact.

He worked at a very nice restaurant in Portland. I know several people who work there. I checked in with them.

They loved this guy.

And my staff loved him.

I’ll let you know how he works out.

I started hiring for the season in March.

I hired a bunch of servers and a few hosts.

One of those hosts started last Wednesday.

She was fine. But then missed the rest of the week.

She returned today for orientation. Then a training shift.

I won’t go into details but by 5:01 I knew it wasn’t going to work.

Orientation is all about culture. And family.

And I learned a long time ago. If someone is rude to me. They will be rude to their coworkers. They’ll be rude to the guests.

By 6:30 several employees had approached me to say this won’t work.

So at the end of her shift I told her it wasn’t a good fit so she didn’t need to come back.

She laughed and thought I was kidding.

She still thought I was kidding when the conversation was over.

I wish her well. But don’t be rude to the boss.

Let me tell you about my day before service.

I got to work at 12:30 today. I’m not expected until 1:00 but I’m seriously in the weeds.

I had four new employees starting. An interview. A meeting with chef. Phone calls. Emails. Printing to do.

I got to work at 12:30. I checked voicemails. I didn’t return them. I just wrote them down.

Then I spent 20 minutes printing documents for training.

Chef arrived at 1:10 for our Thursday meeting.

I sat down with my first cup of coffee to chat with him. I got ten minutes into my list when Andy arrived for his interview.

I told Andy I was running late. Finished up with chef.

I interview Andy. It’s 1:40. He’s young. But enthusiastic. I’m willing to give him a chance. I ask if he can stick around for my orientation. He says yes.

While I’ve been interviewing him my 2:00 orientation crew has been showing up.

I meet them in the lobby. There are three people there.

The two hosts I was expecting and a person who must be a server. She’s dressed very cute in a dress which confuses me as she should be in all black.

I thank them for being there.

I say I’m still waiting on one server. And that I hope she shows. I’m still confused.

I suggest we move to a big table.

We get there and suddenly two additional servers have shown up. I’m confused. Who’s the lady in the dress.

OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD.

IT’S RUTH!!!

Ruth Is a friend of Adam’s who is moving to the area. Just a few minutes away. I’ve met her a million times.

We’ve been talking about her working for me for months. She’s relocating from nyc.

We had planned to meet.

BUT.

In my head the meeting was Friday at 2:00. Based on our texts it was today.

I ask the group to wait and Ruth and I chat.

We discuss what she wants. What I’m hoping for.

I ask if she can stick around for my orientation.

However. I’m still embarrassed I didn’t recognize her.

Full disclosure.

She was in a dark room silhouetted by the bright outside light. And I’m an idiot. Other than that. All was good.

She stuck around. I conducted my orientation, which was a tour of the space and a chat about culture and hospitality.

I’m still embarrassed.

But. I’m looking forward to having her help. She’ll be a great addition to my team.

This is my life.

Weeds glorious weeds.

So many compliments tonight.

Lots and lots of summer regulars in tonight.

All of them filled with compliments of the tight ship I run.

I have no idea about that.

But I do have a good staff. And they do a great job. And it feels nice to have the recognition.

These are all regulars who’ve been gone for the winter.

Which brings me to Olivia.

She just returned from college. She worked on the host team when I started. I was afraid she wouldn’t return because they were beaten up on a lot last year.

As much as I tried to protect them.

She commented tonight that the regulars are so nice now. I replied, it’s because I spent the winter training them.

And it’s true.

I cracked my whip and they all fell into line.

Just before I started a guy yelled at the team. They weren’t much nicer to me.

Now the family and I are great friends. They follow the rules. I take of them. And they treated Olivia like gold on Saturday when they were in.

They have another reservation tomorrow.

I’ll keep you posted about how long the honeymoon lasts.

Meanwhile I’m glad Olivia is back. I’m glad the regulars know the rules.