Oh, Seattle, as much as you've changed, there's still plenty that's the same. Still have the most tame homeless folk in the country, the worst parking, crappy drivers (seriously, I have seen more accidents and near accidents in the last 14 days than I saw in 4 years in the Bay Area, and also, why all the snotty looks and cranky hand gestures? Makes one nostalgic for the ghetto mamas in their SUVs who were completely oblivious to everything around them...almost) - and you still have on-ramps to the I-5 in all the places I remember them, one way streets right where I left them, and most of all - Michael's Market/Deli, just off Fairview, still right there where I need it, all night. How delightful to go in there, grab a bottle of wine, and stand behind the biker couple who were debating which condoms to buy...and there's still a late night Subway next door - not that I'd ever eat there ever again, but it's kind of nice to know some things NEVER change. Back in the day (yup, I'm that person...) Dawnie G and I would wander over there to buy a couple of bottles of cheap champagne and I would buy a pack of clove cigarettes - because apparently, I couldn't wait to do damage to my lungs then, so that now, 25 years later, I can take 12 days to get over a flu virus....anyway, to the best of my recollection that was the first place that ever sold me booze, and while I'd like to believe it's the same surly Asian college student serving me, I'm pretty sure it can't possibly be: that dude would be like....my age now :)
Anyway. Still frigging sick, still sore throat and coughy, but fever seems to have subsided, so that's a plus. Got to work most of the night with Chef GMB, as he let He Who I Will Be Replacing But Hasn't Been Fired Yet go home early tonight - and it was awesome. I jacked a pizza early on, but re-fired it quick like, and asked for help when I needed it. He and I have a similar sense of humor, and best of all - he's matter-of-fact when he needs to be, and easy going when he can be. He ran the filet trim I did last week as an app tonight, "beef crudo" and sold it out: full on awesome. Just goes to show you that if you are creative, there is no loss in product - because I didn't screw the meat up, I just had a bit more trim than I should have, but it worked great for that preparation: so people actually got something awesome because I kind of fucked up - but again, since I hadn't done that for years, getting one less than I was supposed to: not too shabby. It was nice to see it being sold, at any rate. My pizza special of the day didn't sell much, but pizza business was slow in general (oddly) though I did get to do a mini calzone trio (boooo, lame app, stupid bar menu) but overall, and in the end, I got a "great job" and a fist bump (...) as GMB left. It turns out, he's also only been cooking pro for 5 years...so, there's that. Interesting stuff, and after another week, I'm looking forward to inviting people I know in. Probably start doing dessert menu items next month, and....and, well, it all seems good. I was a little panicky last week, a bit overwhelmed and mostly deathly ill - but it's settling out. Now, to get some paychecks stashed away so I can move into the city. I'd like to be somewhere at the foot of either Hill, or maybe something in that South Lake Union/Belltown-ish area....or, maybe north again, on a quick and constant busline...'cause I'm already over driving. Anyway, off for the next couple of days, hoping to do some real writing, check in on family (that I don't live with), and maybe go see a movie or something...who knows? Singer guy and I were supposed to meet up, but then he had work stuff in LA, so not sure what will happen with that next. Oh, am also reading the Cherie Currie bio, as Jules loaned it to me. haven't met up with Debra yet, but looking forward to that as soon as her Actual Job Holding/Grad Student self has some time....and, uh, still working on touching base with Xerox Rodney and some sort of ad-hoc Kinko's reunion...summer beckons...wow, I might be able to go to Bumbershoot at least one day this year....which would probably be all I could tolerate anyway...hrmmmm.
Also, yeah, I still miss smrge.
