Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?

I know the images that we are witnessing on local and national news are horrific and unfathomable. Each minute passes with reports of a city crumbling that is very near and dear to me. I cannot express the grief that I am feeling as I watch CNN with my hands covering my eyes. I didn't live there very long, but since 1991 it's been part of my soul. The culture, music, food and people are fascinating, decadent, poor, happy and now very sad. The hardest part for me to deal with, is that the city will never be the same. Never. All I have are the wonderful memories of the people I met and the places that I've been. To Kristi, Scott, Melanie, Chris, Lori and the other people of New Orleans that I worked alongside and were invited into their homes, I hope you are safe. Unfortunately, I was in Manhattan one week after 9-11. It was chaos. A warzone. People were scared. The city was quiet. I cannot imagine New Orleans being the same way. Just a few weeks ago, some of my close friends and I already had our flights booked to visit the city in October. I miss it already....

Boot Essentials

Well...I'm less than one week away from my excursion to Italy with Alli and Linda. Here's a quick rundown of the itinerary.....

• 9/6 Linda and I depart the Tampa airport in the morning (with an assist from our private chauffer Scott). We catch up with Alli in Atlanta and all hop the pond together. We do have a 4 hour layover in Paris on the way to Florence.
• 9/7 We land in Florence at 2pm and stay in the city for two days. Our hotel is a short walk to everywhere.
• 9/9 We leave for Siena via train/bus/rental car and stop in Greve for the Chianti Classico wine festival. We'll be staying here.
• 9/11 We head for the town of San Gimignano and staying here.
• 9/12 We're off to Pisa for a few hours and stop in Lucca. We're staying here.
• 9/13 We return to Florence for our last two nights. We're staying here.
• 9/15 We're booted out of The Boot.
  

Louisiana 1927

Lyrics by Randy Newman


What has happened down here is the winds have changed
Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain
Rained real hard and it rained for a real long time
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline

The river rose all day
The river rose all night
Some people got lost in the flood
Some people got away alright
The river have busted through clear down to Plaquemines
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangelne

Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tyrin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away

President Coolidge came down in a railroad train
With a little fat man with a note-pad in his hand
The President say, "Little fat man isn't it a shame what the river has done
To this poor crackers land."

Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away

Date Night

Want to know a secret? I have a date tonight. Yup! The
anticipation is giving me some somach churning, which
will grow into the size of the new cage at Butterfly
World here in G'ville. Still unsure about the clothes
selection for this evening's activities.
Unfortunately, the one person I would feel comfortable
asking is in Colorado (thanks a lot!). I can only
truly ask a woman's perspective because guys are
clueless when it comes to mixing and matching. We
think a pair of jeans and a polo shirt, but that is so
cookie cutter and B-O-R-I-N-G. For some reason, men
think it's OK to wear sneakers to din-din, but that is
a fashion faux-pas. Only to the gym. Period. I am at a
slight disadvantage in the post, because I know she
reads this blog, so I can't reveal my date night
secrets. However, I will leak one huge bit of advice.
When you go to a restaurant, don't fit your ugly butt
down in the best seat at the table. What do you mean
you say? Let your date get the spot where she can scan
the room. Really. She will appreciate it. If she gets
the worst seat (i.e. the one opposite the wall where
she has only one view, which is you), she is forced to
only focus on you. If men have the "scanning" seat, it
gives them an opportunity to watch the activity of the
room (i.e. other women!), which draws away from you
paying attention to your date. Women don't want you
looking at other women, and they want your undivided
attention. So make your date happy by sliding your
tush over to the other chair. Hey, I'm no expert, but
a little dating ergonomic seat arranging may get you a
second date (or a third)...and that's my plan :)

Bowl Baby Bowl!

This quickest of posts is designed to accomplish a few
things. For starters, I am now able to post to my blog
remotely via e-mail. I will continue to keep my site
updated when I travel which makes me the happiest of
the happy. I've been checking into buying a new camera
phone (so I can upload photos when I'm thousands of
miles away from G'ville), but the stuff they have at
my cell company is too expensive and quite
frankly...EL STINKO. My plan runs out in January so I
might play the waiting game.

The second thing I need to inform you is that the new
Dragonfly-owned drive-thru/casual sushi restaurant
that is opening in 6 weeks near Archer Rd and 34th
will be called Rolls and Bowls. I cannot wait!

Speaking of Bowls it's that time of year to leap into
a new bowling league. This 36 week commitment will be
quite fun and a nice break to the work schedule. Now
to come up with a team name. Any ideas?

No One Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Funny thing after working a long day yesterday and winding down with a nifty phone conversation about shoes....I couldn't fall asleep. I tried to do some sheep calculus around midnight, but to no avail. I grumpily got out of bed around 2:30am and had breakfast (why not...it was morning). When my alarm went off at 6am, I was already in the shower. I did a 12 hour round trip to Tally for the day and passed on my Tuesday Night Investment Club (i.e. poker) due to exhaustion. If I sleep now (8:15pm), I'm doomed, so I'll wearily post. Here's something fun to evoke some responses. Enjoy the THIRD DEGREE!

1. What is your favorite guilty pleasure movie?
2. What is your favorite phrase of the moment?
3. What is your favorite cereal that has no nutritional value whatsoever?
4. What is your adult movie actor/actress name? (name of first pet and the name of first street you lived on that wasn't a number...I'm Cookie Lakeview)
5. Dark or Milk chocolate?
6. Can you whistle?
   
7. Name one song that you know all the lyrics.
8. What was your worst job?
9. How do you like your eggs?
10. Ever bitten off more than you could chew?
    

12.5 Hours

That's how long I worked today, and I'm not finished. Just scarfed down a salad (how healthy of moi!) and now off to pick up some stuff to bring along with me to Tally in the morning. Some of you are managers in some respect, but today, I out-hustled, out-maneuvered, out-operated and out-trained all of you. Today, my company got me for a bargain. Disagree? Come with me and following the dancing latte...

7:20am - I get to the store. Not quite busy yet, but the onslaught is about to begin. I check my total sales from Sunday (blew away my budget) and labor seems to be in line. Not a bad start to the day.

7:30am - I hit the floor and grab a till. The customers are starting to crescendo, but like an orchestra conducter we string together a symphony of cup calling, pastry grabbing and smiling. I love this part of the day. How efficiently can we get a customer through? Each store partner plays a vital part in the production. We crank out 42 customers in this half hour.

8:00am - I'm worried. Why? My shipment is not here. We had such a busy weekend that we are almost out of sugar (yes sugar!), espresso (yes espresso!) and soy. It should have been here at 7am. Where are they? Another 42 customers pass through our doors. The shift on duty looks tired from opening the store at 5:30am and not getting any sleep the night before. His day will get worse.

9:30am - Just had one of my partners leave for the day and the customers keep coming. We were able to send a couple of my staff on breaks and offered another partner to take hers too. She passes. Her mistake.

9:35am - My assistant manager comes in late. She apologizes as she walks by. She looks sick. I ask her to to start the morning payroll process.

10:30am - I'm trying to hold it together. I'm pooped and so is the partner who should have taken her break earlier. I ask my ASM to assist on the floor so we can get the person off her feet. I ask my shift to go to Panera Bread (yes Panera!) to get sugar. We're out. Really. I'm embarrassed and Panera owes us for the lids and coffee filters that they borrowed in the past.

10:35am - A current partner from a store in a different state drops by to see her schedule. Within my company, we accept partners from other stores around the country once they are certified. I however, did not authorize her transfer and proceed to tell her that I don't have any space for her. Sorry. She's upset. I tell her to leave her information and I'll see what I can do.

10:40am - I need a break to eat a banana. I neet with my ASM to review our week. She's in pain. I really like it when she's happy. I discuss the plans for our new manager recruit who starts today. In two months I will make him into a mirror image of me. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

11:00am - My shift is executing some morning duties which should have taken 1 hour. It takes over two. We try to troubleshoot, but to no avail. We have to call our help desk.

12:00pm - While my ASM tries to print out a document, she's impatient and the system crashes. I have to reboot and now the registers are offline. BRILLIANT! The POS screens are frozen. Time stands still. Today is an ordering day for paper goods and we must enter it online by 1pm. Last week, we beat the cutoff by 30secs after we lost our ethernet connection and had to use dial-up. Today, the system returns to its old self and we're cool.

12:15pm - One of my best partners comes into the store and quits. She's moving away, effective immediately.

12:16pm - I call the girl from 10:35am. You're hired. She's very happy. There is much rejoicing.

12:30pm - The shipment is still not here. Now I need to track it down. I call my distributor and the person on the phone proceeds to tell me that they misplaced it at the warehouse and should be at the store within the next 2 HOURS! Things I wish I knew 4 hours ago.

12:45pm - The new manager recruit is now at the store. He is supposed to meet with my DM from 1-2pm before I get a crack at him. I introduce myself and scurry away to find out the location of my boss. He's at the stop light on the corner. Then out of nowhere, the truck driver with our shipment is in my cafe. I quickly escort him out the back and clear a path for our shipment. I have one hour to get this shipment checked in and organized. I normally have allotted 4 hours, but that window was missed earlier this morning. Time for warp speed.

1:15pm - I'm sweating bullets from unloading and seperating product. While the driver drops the product off with his hand truck, I'm furiously trying to put stuff away.

1:30pm - My DM pokes his head in my back room and informs me that one of my shifts passes the final test on becoming my second assistant manager. I high five my soon to be ASM #2. There is much rejoicing.

2pm - The shipment is checked in and organized (with help from ASM #1). Now I have to sit down with my newest manager project. I'm sweaty, doggone tired and wired, but it feels good to sit down. The shift from 5:30am is still knee deep in one of his duties that must get done today. He should have left at 2pm. He's spent. I think he leaves around 3:30p....

2:30pm - The partner who is transferring to my store pops in to give me her schedule. My DM informs me that another manager wants her too and committed this morning (after I said no). I tell him that I need her tomorrow after one of my best partners quit. I win. Whew! That was close.

3:00pm to 5:00pm - I'm showing the new guy the ropes. It's what we call the First Impression. During this time, I'm interrupted 10 times from phone calls, partner questions and customers. One of the phone calls rips my heart out. I can't discuss that here.

5:15pm - I'm 10.5 hours into my day and have yet to make a schedule and organize my desk. I contemplate going home and trying to finish another day. That day may not be until Wednesday cause I'm off to Tally tomorrow. I stay.

5:30-8:00pm - I create a schedule and file papers. Next weekend is the first home football game. I have to post the schedule immediately to see if there is any fallout from those who want to go to the game. Once its posted, it's the partners' responsibility to get it covered, not mine.

8:10pm - I'm home. Hungry and dehydrated. I'll write a new post about my day.

9:30pm - It's raining and I'm off to pick up some stuff at another store.

9:31pm- My post is done....

Single in the Sinkhole City

Just got home from a wonderful date, so I'm in a good place. The single life of a 37 year old, divorced, bald dude in a college town can be quite tricky. For starters, everyone knows everyone around these parts. If I go anywhere, I'm going to run into someone. A friend, co-worker, customer or ex may be lurking around the corner at Target, The Top or the Shell up the street. A few weeks ago, I was hanging out with the "Poo" bros for a night of "hopping" and everywhere we went (and we literally went everywhere) there was a person that one of us knew. It's a cool feeling of being around a familiar city, but it's hard sometimes to date in seclusion. One time I met a first date at Market Street (bad decision) and was surrounded by my drunk comrades telling stories about me. Of course once she left they all chimed in on how "HOT" she was and if I wasn't going out with her again, then I should pass along her phone number. Yeah, I do all the work and you come in to pick up the save? Don't think so. I absolutely dig the build up right before I meet someone for the first time. My favs are picking out the right clothes, making sure every hair on my scalp is shaved and the final moment of sheer terror ("WHAT AM I DOING? WHO AM I? WHO ARE YOU?"). I always like to get there early so I can get comfortable in my surroundings. I keep my dates active, fun and interesting because I want to have a good time too. Hey, it's my night/day out and I want to dance, sing, bowl, eat dinner and laugh, laugh, laugh. I'll talk about anything. What do I have to hide? Some see dating as a chore, but I see it as an exciting opportunity to connect with a human being that a few weeks ago, I didn't even know existed.

Post Du Jour

It's late and I'm tired after working until midnight at the shop. It's getting busier and the students are starting to affect business again. We are just beginning to crank it up (which means over 700+ customers a day) so I'll be keeping the store open until midnight starting next Friday. Can't wait!
So...I need a new phone, but I like my old one. The battery is losing its luster after several minutes of gabbing, so I ventured onto Ebay (for my first time) to pick up a new one. I researched it a long time like a shark circling chum in the water and I finally found it under $10. Got it this week and it fits, but the cover doesn't. I bought an larger battery so I can continue to call my horoscope hotline, but now realize that my phone is a slightly different model. POOP! Someone suggested I should fix it myself, but an exposed battery held with duct tape is just to idiotic even for me. I have my eye on a camera phone so I can blog and post photos from my travels....
Speaking of travels, yes I'm going to Italy soon. But now I have another trip planned for October. Fall Gras in the Big Easy with a fun group of friends. It's an off weekend for Gator Football (who will be in Baton Rouge/Red Stick) so we will watch the game at a local N'Awlins watering hole called Cooter Browns on that Saturday. The night before, we're gonna catch Robert Cray at Tipitinas. On Sunday, we hope to catch the Saints and Falcons at the Louisiana Superdome. Oh yeah, in between we plan on frequenting Pat O'Briens, Lafitte's, Tujaques, Molly's, Chart Room, Port Of Call, Camille Grille, Acme Oyster House, Parasol's, Mid City Rock and Bowl, Jaques Imo's, Mothers, Liuzzas (By the Track), Clover Grille, Cafe DuMonde, Cosimos...whew...and others....That is one wonderful city. Did I mention I got my plane ticket for $98? Yeah...oh know...
If you are interested in joining us, contact me at rob_ostrow@yahoo.com.

O' Brother, Where Art Thou?

Gimme a Hug Bro!
Originally uploaded by dublwrap.

I have a big brother. Love the old, graying, balding lug. We're actually have gotten closer as we are getting up in our ages. There are a couple of funny connections between us. First, we're both Capricorns. I was born on Dec. 25th and he on Dec. 31st (what were my parents thinking?) Second, we have the Guinness Book of Records of the longest game of "Your It" (37 years), which still goes on to this day (he's IT by the way). Third, we once did a mini triathlon and both almost died in the freaking choppy Atlantic ocean (that was fun!). Fourth, we are both pretty fast for our age/weight. He's a gazelle on the tennis court and I can run the base paths with reckless abandon. Fifth, we formed a formibable duo on the soccer field playing for the Green team in the Ringwood Borough soccer league in New Jersey (I was on defense, he on offense).
Now there are some differences: First, he's adopting a baby. What a wonderful thing to mention in this post. I'm so proud of him and his new bride (yeah!). My cousin recently adopted a boy and is the happiest baby on the planet earth. Even my best friend is adopted! Second, my brother is funny 90% of the time while I'm pushing 46%. Third, his musical choices are getting a little too Lawrence Welkish while mine are little like a Jackson Pollack painting. Fourth, he loves the import cars while I putter around in a Ford Explorer with 145,000 miles. And finally, he's three years older, several inces shorter and lots o' pounds smaller than me. I'm okay with that because his my bro and I love him.

Liquored Up and Lacquered Down

Once it was called Skeeters. Then it was Brick City. Now it's called Abbey Road. It can only be the name of the new club located at 238 W. University. Apparently someone sunk a crap load of euros into renovations and upgraded the sound and lighting. It would be fun to go to that venue and not bleed from the ears when a band has their amps on "11". Guess what? One of my fav bands is coming to Abbey Road. Who? Southern Culture on the Skids! Yeah! When? October 21st. This is the band that brought you famous ditties like "Carve that Possum", "Banana Puddin", "Eight Piece Box", "My House Has Wheels" and "Too Much Pork for Just One Fork". My first encounter was strictly by accident. Me and a couple of good friends drove downtown to go to Market Street and parked my car next to the old Covered Dish. Some dude came out and yelled, "You can't park there, unless you are going to the show". We asked "What kind of music?" He replied "Trailer Park Trash from North Carolina for only $5". He had us at "Trailor". Needless to say the band played surf music with wacky lyrics and whipped oatmeal pies, pudding and fried chicken into the crowd. Nothing better than a meal and a show!!!! Come join me for another whimsical night of songs about Little Debbie snack cakes!!!!!!

Rollercoaster...of Life

In an earlier post, I mentioned that my life has its ups and downs. I haven't had a bad life mind you, but have had some dirt track lows and Eiffel Tower highs. Even in poker I may be up one point and then I'm storming out of the room after being beaten on the River. I sense a pattern here....Yin and Yang. Black and White. Good and Evil. Yankees and Mets. FSU and The Law. Leno and Letterman. Tennessee Volunteers and brushing. Left and Right. I-95 and the Turnpike. Creamy and Chunky. Joanie and Chachie. Apple and Microsoft. Opposing forces that differ yet somehow coexist. How does one walk the line between both and still be happy? Is it therapy? Nah. Beer? Nope. Mad Libs? Not even close. Exercise? Are you kidding me? It all starts with the way you wake up in the morning. Yep. Wake up in a bad mood? Ding Dong...the day is gonna be a stinker. Wake up next to a beautiful woman? It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunshiney day. Cigarettes for breakfast? You're lucky you will make it to lunch without being fired. Bowl of Cheerios? You'll get that promotion. Shoes don't match your belt? Stay away from the copier. A clean crisp ironed shirt means you'll get that great parking spot. No matter what happens today, there will be a tomorrow morning (hopefully) to start it all over again. This time with a good night's sleep and a smile.

Three

It's very late and I had a less than perfect day. Three really crappy work things occurred today, each one nibbling away at my soul. I always work in high gear. I have no choice, My store is busy. Lots of partners and customers. I try to give it my all 100% of the time. I'm not perfect and learned long ago not to sweat the small stuff. Recognition for your effort is key for developing into a worker who can further contribute to the company. Decisions that do not foster growth will lead to turnover and unhappy employees. A few decisions have left me with a major decision to make(cue Clash song here). Lately, I've been coming in second with my company and that's not enough for me. Do I wait 6 months to step up to the plate in order to be runner up? I'm tired and losing patience...

On the flipside, there was no way that I was going to stay home and sulk so went out to celebrate a friend's birthday and then went off to UC to see really tall men in drag. Nothing like a gay bar with friends to keep your mind of things.

Damn Right I Got the Blues Part II

Great googily moogily what a show! I couldn't stop smiling. Friends, great music and adult beverages = happiness. First of all, I have to shout out to the following people for attending tonight's throw down - John, Guido, the Pooser Bros, Beland, Elizabeth, Scott, Chris, Amanda, Marshall, Rino, Matt, Nick and Kelly. Fourteen friends at Common Grouds witnessed an amazing show. Highlights? Sure there were some highlights. Let's see...happy hour at Market Street was not too shabby with appearances from Craig and Wendy and Jeff. Abita Purple Haze raspberry wheat was my apertif of choice (I used to have a few when I lived in N'Awlins). All music goers stocked up on happy hour and meandered over to the venue before 11pm. We missed the first act (perfect timing) and Jimbo Mathus and the Knockdown Society took the stage by force. We knew we were about to experience something special when Jimbo lept from the stage and danced, played, smoked, drank and sang with the audience. At one moment, he took off his guitar, placed it on the floor and flung the mic over his shoulder so he could "get down" with Kelly on the floor. I was in my element. All my friends were spred throughout CGs and I was able to hang out with everyone long into the sweaty evening. My ears may be ringing, but you can't wipe the smile from my face.

Damn Right I Got the Blues

Off to work but need to remind you about tonight's show - Jimbo Mathus. The guy is a Mississippi Delta blues genius. He formed Squirrel Nut Zippers years back which embraced the sounds of Jazz and Jump Swing and who could put on a live show like no one else. Warning...tonight will not be anything like SNZ. Expect a brilliant blues show featuring a guitar player worthy of performing with Buddy Guy on tour (which he did). I will see ya at Common Grounds...

Want / Have

Want / Have
Six pack abs / Four pack of Yoo-Hoo
Hole in one on #14 at Masters / Broke club in clown's mouth on #18 at Putt Putt
Winning hand in poker / Losing at Uno
The Meaning of Life / The game of Life with missing pink pegs
Three square meals a day / Round bologna and Yoo-Hoo
A puppy / Accidentally licked by neighbor's chinchilla
Catching a foul ball / Catching foul odor by sitting downwind from smelly fat guy
Massage from a beautiful woman / Spam message selling me hair products
Flat screen , high definition television / Etch-A-Sketch
9-5 Job / 24-7 Job
A nice outfit when I go out on a Friday evening / Breakaway pants, speedo and a Jeff Gordon t-shirt
A funny blog posting / This one

May We See Your Photos Please

How about some random pictures from Stubbies on New Years Eve....

From the home office in Seattle, Washington...

I invite you to a sneek preview of what comments circumvent inside my noggin on a typical day at the Latte Factory...

1. "Where are my pants?"
2. "Think I'll go wash this demitasse cup...for the 67th time today"
3. "Did that person just order a vodka tonic Frappuccino?"
4. "Is this your 5th time here...this morning?"
5. "Does this drink have 3 shots of espresso or 30?
6. "Time to put my business degree to good use and snake that toilet"
   
7. "I look damn sexy is this apron"
8. "Mocha? Oh! I thought you said egg yokes!
9. "Beam Me Up Biscotti!"
10. "No Shirt, No Shoes no Iced Decaf - 1.34 shot of espresso- Venti 3.12 pump of sugar free Hazelnut - organic - upside down - extra caramel - Caramel Macchiato for you!!!!"
    

The Boot

So, I'm going to Italy in September. Really. Not lying. No, you can't come along. I'm actually going with a couple of wonderful people for 10 days. Three friends wandering around Tuscany will be a trip of a lifetime. I've never been to Europe and actually have never been out of the country except to go to Quebec. Canada doesn't count. Some of you may disagree, but traveling up to see our neighbors to the North is like living in South Dakota and then visiting NORTH DAKOTA! Yippee...but I digress. I received my first passport in the mail recently. It's pretty cool and my picture came out sweet! I wore the wig so I can keep customs on their toes. The plan is to fly into Florence and spend the first couple of nights exploring the city. We will then escape to Siena, but recently a wonderful wrench was thrown into our plans. The day we leave Florence, there is a Classico Chianti wine festival in Greve starting that morning! We couldn't have planned it any better. We hope to tour a vineyard, visit the cities of Pisa and Lucca, eat lots of cheese, see a museum or twenty and just...BE. That's the best part. We plan on fitting in (i.e. limited luggage, attitude and everything American) and embrace the culture. Two of us are in charge of the itinerary which continues to morph into a dreamy escapade. One of us is in charge of learning Italian. We can't lose her or we'll end up at a McDonald's in Slovania. I'll keep you posted on our progress so stay tuned....

Hitting the Links

I'm still new at the blog thang and just uncovered a secret from my best friend. Change my browser from Safari to Firefox and now I can create links in my posts.
Just for that, I will link to his newest blog which puts mine to shame.

The Boy is Back in Town

It feels great to be back. I've got things to do, so here's a taste....

Jimbo Mathus 8/10 - gville -(The founding member of Squirrel Nut Zippers)
Pol Parsley 8/18 - gville - (The Thai Elvis)
Los Lobos 9/22 - jax - (The originators of Tex-Mex music)
Steve Forbert w/ Del McCoury 9/23 - jax - (amazing alt-country and bluegrass)
Old Crow Medicine Show 9/30 - gville - (nouveau bluegrass that cannot be missed!)
Delbert McClinton 9/30 - jax -(Austin blues that will be missed, unless I can clone myself)
Legendary Shack Shakers 10/28 - jax and 10/31 - tampa - (only one word can describe this band - lederhosen)
Papa Grows Funk 11/4 - clearwater - (the best funk band in New Orleans)
John Hiatt w/ Lyle Lovett 11/6 - jax - (do you really need an excuse to see this show?)

E.T.A.

Thanks to all who participated in my escape. It's fascinating how quietly I exited the building through the back door. It's much more difficult to get back inside. The estimated time of my arrival to reality officially begins at 9:30pm this evening.