I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

Day 2 of the new job is in the bag.  

I’m really having a great time.  And I truly am appreciating NOT working 12+ hour days.  

I also love that the longest part of my commute is parking.  10 minutes to work these days.  

I saw my first regulars from my old job tonight.  

They exclaimed when I said hello, oh you are the host.  I said, I preferred General Manager, but yes, I was the host.  

They were so complimentary of their meal tonight and promised they’d be back next week.  

I’m two days in and have yet to be yelled at.  

I’m two days in and have not been told I suck at my job.  

I’m two days in and have not been made to feel like an idiot.  

I’m two days in and so far none of the staff hates.  YET.  

I’m two days in, and my knee is swollen and stiff, but it is MILES ahead of where I was in August and early September.  

It’s also been fun to get back to writing.   I’ve also decided to be more positive for the moment, since it feels better to write those posts over the horrible ones I was writing a year ago.  Of course, explosions are better for ratings but not so much for my emotional state.  

Thanks again for all the support over the last few days.  

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

WOW!!! You guys know how to make a girl feel special.

I don’t think I’ve ever had so many comments before. And the likes were through the roof.

Thank you all.

I write these posts thinking four people read them, and one of them is Adam and tow of them are my friends Laura and Charity.

So to get home tonight and find so many comments, texts, and messages felt really swell. So thank you.

Somethings to adjust.

A friend reached out to find out why I had a photo of an old woman in my collection of Photos that I had not written about.

That was the fuck up of all fuck ups.

That old woman, is my friend Trish. She is one of the most generous loving, gentle, wonderful humans in the history of humans.

I failed to mention that we had a three-hour coffee date while I was in Kentucky.

Here’s the thing about Trish. When we get together it’s like we last saw each other on Tuesday. We do not dissolve into the past, but instead share stories of our current lives.

She shares stories about herself, about her daughters, whom I love more than life and about her grandsons.

I share stories of Adam, life, work and all the other things I do.

Seriously.

We talked for 3 hours and I finally, had to push away from the table in order to get to dinner with another friend.

And a last thing to mentione about my dear friend Trish, years ago, I was struggling. With life. With relationships. With work. And there was a 90 day period where I seriously considered not going on. And this dear woman, listened to me at 3:00 in the morning, and I’m not sure she even remembers but she saved my life. And for that I will be forever greatful.

She is the best, of the best, of the best, and I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.

Love you dear friend.

As for everyone else who reached out. Thank you. I seriously write these posts thinking 6 people read them. So many people commented that I had no idea read what I write. Old employees. Old employers. Friends from every part of my life. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

As for me, my first day was a winner.

I played restaurant for the first time in four or five years.

10 years ago, when I had just been hired for my first GM job, my bar manager Laura and I used to joke that we were playing restaurant. We’d pull out a catalogue and order bar glasses for our pretend restaurant. We’d do side work charts for our pretend restaurant. We held interviews for our pretend restaurant. And then a month later our pretend restaurant, opened.

And for the last 10 years, as we’ve both moved on to other jobs, we talk often sharing our experiences in our restaurants. And we still call it playing restaurant.

So today, I played restaurant. I made lists. I chatted with the staff. I had a five hour conversation with the owner. I started to plan. I watched service.

And all of this will be manifested into an action plan in the next few months. But for today. It was fun. And it felt good to be in a situation where people respected my opinions and ideas.

It’s been a while.

My friend Jamie told me that I was going back to work too soon.

He might have been right.

At the end of my four hour shift on the floor my knee was huge and although it didn’t hurt, it was terribly uncomfortable.

However, I’m glad I did it. It will get better from here. And Advil and Tylenol when I got home seem to do the trick.

I’ve asked Adam to buy me the largest bottles of Advil and Tylenol he can tomorrow. He’s going to Costco (which just opened here) so I should be able to supply the Northeast corridor with pain relievers for the next 8 years.

Fun story from today.

The Portland version of Monopoly was released today.

We are selling it at the new restaurant.

Every person who came in wanted to know about it.

And my constant joke, which was not even mine, is that there is NO FREE PARKING IN PORTLAND.

And they missed a huge opportunity for a snow ban charge of $185 bucks.

Meanwhile, I sold three games today.

Which is a few bucks toward earning my keep.

Whew!!!!

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

As I mentioned last Monday, long time no see.  

For the six of you who read my posts, you might have noticed that I took a break mid-September.  

The break was facilitated by a separation from my job.  

It was not my idea, but it happened all the same.   I’ve been unemployed since September 15^th.  

The loss of my job, actually turned out to be an amazing thing, though it’s taken me a while to get there.  

The day after I was let go, Adam’s mom passed away, and the employment change allowed me to travel home to Texas with him for a week to get her affairs in order and plan a service. 

That week was one of the sweetest, most loving times we’ve spent together.  It was great to see his family and to just breathe.  

When I returned home, I picked up a new car that I’d ordered prior to the job change.  Not the best timing, but I’d promised myself that when I got to the end of this stupid summer season, I’d buy a new car for the first time in 20 years.  It’s not fun to make payments when you are unemployed, but I’m loving having an adult car.  And who knew that I needed a heated steering wheel and heated seats.  

The job change also allowed me to go on a 10-day car trip.  I started posting about it, and then got distracted.  It was originally a trip to Charleston to see my friend Laura, but then I realized that my 40-year high school reunion was scheduled at the start of the trip, so I went the long way and stopped in Kentucky first.  

I didn’t tell anyone, and I mean anyone I was coming.  

I thought my aunt was going to have a heart attack when she saw me.  

I also saw my friend Jeff who I didn’t even know in high school really, but has become a favorite of mine since connecting on Facebook.  We met and had a Manhattan at noon because why not.  

And then when I arrived at the reunion, it was dark and no one could see my face, and everyone was shocked that I’d come.  For that matter I was shocked that I’d come.  

I’d not seen most of these folks since my 20-year reunion.  And I was moved to tears several times, getting to hug people I’ve known for most of my life.  Everyone was so generous of affection and love.  I don’t remember the last time I felt such love and friendship.  

A big part of the evening, was assuring these folks that the stories I tell on line aren’t exaggerated or false, but absolutely true.  This was quickly over shadowed when I let them know that I no longer worked for the restaurant.  

I was convinced I’d stop by, have a beer and be on my way.  But I was one of the last to leave that night.  

I want to give a big shout out to Millie, Kim, Jason and Jamie.   Millie because she and Jamie planned the event.  Jason for bringing his guitar and playing for me.  Kim, because she’s been my bestie for damn near 50 years.  And Jamie has spent the last 6 weeks coaching me through my knee recovery as he just had one.  PS.  Special shout out to Tina for sharing her bourbon with me.  

From Kentucky, I went to Atlanta to see my friend Stacy.  Stacy from  my first restaurant work days.  Stacy who was my bestie in Atlanta for two years.  Stacy who witnessed the biggest fiasco of my theater career 30 years ago, and I’ve yet to see anything worse happen on stage.  Stacy who I taught to drive a stick shift, and who attended Broadway shows with me back in the day.  

From Atlanta I went off to Charleston, SC to see my work wife Laura.  Laura and I worked together 10 years ago at my first GM job.  She was my confidant and friend and together we learned how to be managers by trial and error.  I taught her how to tell when a staff member was stealing and she taught me to be patient and caring.  I had the difficult task of speaking with her about how to dress and she had the difficult task of being my right-hand person.  For 10 years as we’ve changed jobs and grown and learned we’ve continued to be each other’s work person.  

For three days, I hung out with her and her boy-friend.  We drank beer and bourbon and sat on the patio watching the sun set.  They helped me map out an outline for an idea for a book that I have.  We ate great food.  And more than anything, we shared time with each other.  

Turns out, I have other friends in South Carolina and I got to hug my college bestie’s neck, Mrs. Jayne Violet.  We had lunch and shared old times.  Fun fact.  Jayne’s mom taught me piano when I was in college.  And since we both knew I was never going to be a concert pianist, she taught me chord structure so that I could fake my way through show tunes.  I can still play Maria from West Side Story on the piano, and the sheet music is on my piano even now.  My favorite memory of Jayne is sitting on the swings of Garth Elementary at 3:00 in the morning.  I was so close to telling her I was gay, but just couldn’t do it in the end.  PS.  She played Patty in our production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, to my Linus.  

Then I saw my friend Sonja.  Sonja.  Sonja.  Of my early Kennebunkport Days.  She was in charge of selling my restaurant out for events.  I was in charge of saying no.  I never won.  We hit it off from the beginning and were favorites of each other from the beginning.  Back in the day, on Thursdays, I would invite the marketing team to my office at the restaurant.  Sonja was part of that team.  We’d lock the door, and crack open a bottle of Hilinger sparkling Rose and we’d have a marketing meeting.  It was a way for us to get through the tumultuous summers and just relax for 30 minutes.  And believe it or not, we did get marketing work accomplished.  Sometimes.  

I had one last meal with Laura in South Carolina.  

And then I drove home. 

And two days later I had surgery.  

And my boyfriend and neighbors and our friend group all took care of me.  

And on Wednesday it will have been 7 weeks.  And I feel like a new man.  

And now.

I’m sharing this, because last night Adam and I went to his restaurant for dinner to celebrate that I am starting a new job on Tuesday.  Tomorrow. 

And at the end of this post, I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am that the job change happened. 

I worked hard.  I did a great job.  The numbers, the revenue, the comments, the staff all are proof that I did what I was hired to do.  

Alas, it turned out not to be enough.  

But I am grateful, for the time I had with Adam.  The time I had on my trip.  The time I had to recover.  

The new job, is a bigger roll. It is  Director of Operations.  I will be overseeing a couple of restaurants.  It does not involve an hour drive to work.  Nor will it require 70, 80+ hour work week.  I can take time off.  I can have a life.  And it will be the chance to learn and grow in new ways.  

So, as they say, when a door closes, lock that shit so it doesn’t reopen and move on to the next greatest thing.  

Stay tuned for new and exciting things.  

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

NYC continued.  A few days late.  

Our last day in NYC was Thursday.  

Unfortunately, when we finished up Thursday night, we had to hit the bed, so be up and on our way back to Maine, at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning.  So there was no time to write.  No time to catch you up.  

Then the weekend was crazy.  I was exhausted and trying to get caught up on things that have been let go since my surgery.  

So here we are on Monday, and I’m about to catch you up.  

The trip was great.  My knee survived, although on Saturday and Sunday I knew that I’d punished it.  My knee and calf were swollen and there was more discomfort than there had been.  

Saw my knee doctor to day and he said it was par for the course, and that it was just my knee reminding me to be gentle.  The result of the appointment was that I am to continue PT and that I will go back to see the Dr in a year.  So I guess that’s good.  

Back to NYC.  

Thursday started with breakfast with a friend of Adam’s that we had not seen in a long, long while.  We grabbed breakfast in midtown, with the most intense urgent service I’d ever had.  We were told the specials before we were seated, and had at least 5 attempts to take our order before we were ready.  That being said, we wanted for nothing, the food was good and we probably stayed longer than we should have.  

After breakfast, we a bit of shopping.  Adam was looking for some cologne and I wanted to check out Macy’s.  We also stopped by Astor Place Wine and Spirits to look for goodies.  We bought a nice bottle of wine, and same Amaro’s we can’t get in Maine.  

Then we dropped off our packages, and then headed back north.  A friend of Adam’s from college was in town so we did a swing by to hug her and say hi to her and her friends and then it was off to a very early dinner at Joe Allen’s.  

You can’t be seats at the bar there, when you need to eat quick before a show.  It was our fastest, most casual meal and it hit the spot.  

After dinner, I swung by Iron Bar to say hi to a friend I worked with at the Hard Rock Café.  It was great to see Hailey, and hug her as well.  It was such an intense work environment back in the day that we are all bonded.  For ver.  With PTSD. 

Then we were off to see Appropriate.  It’s a new play with Sarah Paulson and Corey Stoll.  We don’t see a lot of plays, but were excited to see them both live.   It was an interesting piece about family dynamics, family history, and secrets that may or may not have been known.  We both enjoyed it, but I have to admit, I’m still not sure why the front door opened out to the porch and not into the living room.  But alas. 

After the show, we hit up Junior’s for cheesecake to the take back to our apartment.  And an hour later, the lights were off, and we were on our way home.  

I’ll wrap up by saying this trip has made me nervous, since I rescheduled my surgery at the beginning of the summer.  I was told I’d be miserable and that it would not be fun.  I definitely see where they were coming from, as driving for 6 hours was NOT fun on my knee, but I do have to say the pain and discomfort were far better than any of the trips we’ve taken in the last two years. 

We are looking forward to our next trip as EVERYTHING is coming to Broadway next year.    

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

It was a day. Especially for my knee. Not because of surgery.

Because the The Schubert theater seats were built for 6 year olds. I thought I was going to die. My knees were stuck on either side of the chair in front of me and I was fucking miserable.

At intermission we moved to the front row of the mezzanine and it saved my life.

I apologized to the man sitting next to me during Act one because I couldn’t sit still. I told him the chairs were designed for men of the 1920’s not men of the 2020’s. He laughed. Then Adam heard him talking about me in the restroom and how nice I’d been for disturbing him.

That being said.

It was a good day.

First up.

We slept late. Adam and I were both exhausted.

I got up around 11:30 to shower and get ready.

First up.

La bonbonierer.

First rate diner food every time. And we haven’t lived in NYC in 12 years and they still remember us.

Then it was up town to theater torture to see Some Like It Hot.

We saw it in previews in the spring, but it’s closing after Christmas and we wanted to see it again.

It was amazing.

Then we headed down to Hudson yards for the first time and had a cocktail. I had two.

Then it was off to The Shed for the second reason we came. Here We Are. Stephen Sondheim’s last show.

The theater was fun.

The show wonderful. Not a typical Sondheim show but we both loved how off the wall it was. Lots of surprises. And the design was spectacular.

Then.

Fun fact.

NYC shows start at 7:00 now. So. You either eat dinner at 4:30. OR. You eat at 10:00. I’d prefer a 5:30 dinner and an after show cocktail. But alas. It’s now a 10:00 dinner.

Dinner was at Ci Siamo. Which translates to here we are. Appropriately for the evening.

Food was great. Italian. A couple of things outside our norm. The space was beautiful. And we had a great time.

We were the last to leave. Which I always hate. But I’ll write more on that later.

Meanwhile.

My knee is elevated. My club soda is in hand. And I’m about to shower and head to bed.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

It’s late.

We just got home from our 10:00 dinner reservation. And we weren’t the last folks in the restaurant.

Day started at the Waverly Diner. Old school NYC diner. To quote Adam Beckworth. It was perfection.

Then we headed up town walking about 10 blocks before hailing a cab. Destination: Radio City Music Hall. We spent the afternoon with the rockettes.

The show was a spectacle. And fun. And excess. And a great way to spend the afternoon. There was snow. And confetti. And snow fairy drones. And camels.

And fun fact. Even though I’m not a believer I’m still moved by the story of the first Christmas. Especially when there are sheep and camels.

After the show we headed over to Grand Central to check out a bar. That was thoroughly packed. So we went to a different restaurant and had a tuna sandwich and bubbles.

This was followed by a walk across town to The Lantern’s Keep. We hadn’t been there in forever, but after our first visit we looked up the store where they bought their bar supplies. And ordered all our supplies from there. Cocktail kingdom if you’re interested.

A quick cocktail and we were off to the theater.

The real reason for this trip.

Merrily We Roll Along.

Stephen Sondheim’s biggest flop.

Revived on Broadway for the first time since 1981.

It’s my favorite show of his.

This production did not disappoint.

We’d seen a version of this production in Boston pre Covid. This was even better.

I teared up when the overture started.

Was moved to tears a couple of other times.

And really cried during the last song Our Time. It’s my favorite.

Then we were off to dinner.

10:00 reservations we were 15 minutes late for. It’s hard to get a cab after a show.

Balthazar.

Our favorite NYC restaurant.

We ordered what we always ordered.

And enjoyed it a lot.

Then it was a cab ride home and got here at 1:00.

Knee update:

Still good.

Stairs are tricky but I take my time.

But I get better every time.

It’s hard to get in and out of cabs quickly. My range of motion is limited. And I have horrible ham string pain. That only occurs when I stand. So once I’m up it’s gone. Not even close to the pain pre surgery.

Walking is great. Just have to be careful with curbs.

Still doing better than I thought I would.

Two more days to go.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

Hello strangers!!!

It’s been a while. So much to share. But that will come!

In the meantime.

My surgery was almost 6 weeks ago. The recovery has gone well. Not as quick as I’d like. But well.

20 minutes after I was awake and talking to my first physical therapist I asked if I’d be ready to go to NYC at the end of November.

No one would commit. I’ve had 8 different PT people. None would commit.

Well.

Fuck them.

This morning we got in the car and drove 6 hours south.

Fun fact. My knee did not hurt.

My fucking left hip hurt. I had a physical therapist ask me last week if other body parts had started to hurt. I said yes. My ankle. My right knee. My left hip.

My hip hurt on the car.

Knee. Nada.

We arrived at 4:30 and the first photo shows our rock star photo. We actually parked down the street and as we arrived at our apartment a woman drove away Adam Beckworth ran and got our car and we parked right in front.

We got all settled and were off to the theater.

We got up town 90 minutes early so we grabbed a drink and snacks at Gallagher’s steakhouse. It was fun and delicious.

I however looked at my watch that said 6:30 so we grabbed our check to get to the theater. When I got there I discovered my watch was almost 20 minutes fast. Whoops.

I had time for a beer while Adam checked work email.

Fun fact! 90% of the theaters are dark on Monday. We had like three things to choose from. So I convinced Adam that Dracula a comedy of Terror would be fun.

It was fun. But I was more interested in the very tall, very handsome Dracula with a perfect physique.

Did I mention it was funny.

Them his real estate agent showed up almost shirtless and hidden under his modest suit was a 5’4” perfect physique.

Did I mention it was funny.

It was short and sweet and we actually did have a lot of fun.

Next up was dinner. It was 8:30. Our reservation wasn’t till 10:00. So we headed toward the restaurant and went to a bar for a pre dinner cocktail.

We ended up at a bar called Dante where the drinks were awesome. Service was better. Space fun.

Then it was off to the Minetta tavern. Fun restaurant in the village. Great meal of escargot. (Snails for those not in the know). Shrimp risotto. And foie gras. (Duck liver). Then a strip steak and French fries. The whole meal was spot on.

Here’s the best part.

For the first time in almost 2 years I took the subway uptown as I was able manage the stairs.

And.

We walked home. Pain free. Probably a little over a mile. No fucking pain.

Full disclosure.

I’m fat and out of shape. It’s been more than two years since I could walk more than a minimum amount.

And since surgery I’ve eaten a lot of comfort food.

So chubby. Winded. But pain free.

I’ll.

Take.

It.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

It’s my least favorite part of the day.

It’s 3:20.

We turned off the lights an hour ago.

You can set your watch and 30 minutes after lights out Adam is asleep. Regardless of how stressful his job is, the drama in his personal life, or if he is in physical pain.

Sleep is his friend.

I know I’ve written of this, but the not sleeping is the worst part of knee surgery. Worse than the pain. Worse than the physical therapy. Almost worse than the pain before surgery.

Lots of you have provided suggestions. I’ve been hesitant to mix things with the pain meds.

I stopped taking them four days ago, as a friend told me they gave her insomnia.

Fast forward.

Still can’t sleep.

I can fall asleep watching tv.

I can be so exhausted I can’t hold my head up.

I can feel the sleepy as I climb into bed.

But the minute the light is off I’m wide awake.

Yesterday was three weeks since my surgery. And I’ve watched the sun come up too many times to count since then.

Eventually, around 7:30 or 8:00 sleep will find me. And I’ll sleep until 3:00 or 4:00.

I’ll have been in bed for forever for what seems like 5 minutes of sleep.

I can’t sustain this. I’m tired. I’m depressed. The time change is the worst. I want. I need. I have to sleep.

Tomorrow I’m venturing out to buy the stuff. The sleep aids. The melitonin. The gummies.

I want to turn out the light.

Kiss my boyfriend.

And fall asleep.

I’d like to speak to the manager.

From November 3, 2023

Knee update:

Had a follow up appointment on Monday.

Had my staples removed. All looked good.

Had little adhesive strips put over the incision.

Had all my concerns addressed and was assured I’m not special. All is common.

However, I have not been sleeping. At all. I go to bed. Wide awake, even though I was dozing 30 minutes earlier. All night. I’ve seen the sunrise the last four days.

My physical therapist assured me it’s common.

The problem for me is that I can’t handle it.

Ever need to get information out of me. Keep me awake for a day. I’d spill my guts immediately.

That being said. My range of motion is good. I’m able to bend my knee 106. 120 is the goal. I’m able to straighten my knee to 2. The goal is 0*.

I graduated from the walker last week.

I’m now very dapper with a cane. Although I’m using that less and less.

Tonight was a big night though.

I actually got showered, and dressed, put on real pants and shoes, then drove myself across town to attend my friends birthday celebration.

I’d been given the okay to drive on Monday.

I’m tired.

But it felt good to get out of the house.

Definitely improving everyday.

Good morning!!!

Surgeon was just in.

Everything looks great.

He did say that my knee was significantly worse than the X-ray and MRi showed. There was no cartilage at all and was completely bone on bone. Which explained the intense pain that I’d been having.

He actually used the word gnarley to describe my knee.

I’m other news, I’m going home today and will start the real process of getting back on my feet.

Thank for all the support and I appreciate all the people who reached out and were sending along positive thoughts.