This SF Life

The Plan So Far...

I've been working at this restaurant in Oakland for 6 days. I still really like it. Unfortunately, there isn't an insurance option. But, there are other benefits that are really cool.

I wish I was already set up in the bay area. Spending four days a week in Oakland and the rest of the week in Sacramento is already getting hard. My friends that I'm nice enough to let me stay while I'm working don't go to sleep that early. Sleeping in their living room is making it easier for me to become less of a light sleeper. Getting up at 530am is kicking my ass.

It's a good thing for me that it is only a part-time job, at least for right now. I'll have the chance to pick up hours doing prep or working the bar.

I'm not getting nearly as much sleep as I would like to be. So I'm looking forward to the day when I'll have enough money to find a room. I think I should have enough money for a security deposit and first month's rent (and possibly last), which will probably be between $1,000 and $2,100 for a room around $700 a month, in six weeks to two months. I wish I could afford an apartment by myself...that's not going to happen for a while.

#84. Be friends with my ex.

84. Be friends with my ex.

I wonder if this is possible.

My ex-girlfriend and I were together for 5 1/2 years. She was my best friend at the time, even when were we arguing and even when I did leave her to spend 8 months in school in San Francisco. I have to admit that most of the time was strained and more complicated than it should have been. Unfortunately, we were more of a match in bed than anywhere else.

We haven't spoken to each other in over 2 months. I do miss my best friend.

I don't know how our last conversation ended up the way it did. But, I'm glad it was over the phone and not in person. I think she really would have taken a swing at me. We threatened each other and yelled over each others voices. Neither one of us was listening to the other. She said something about coming to find me and I told her to please do and make sure to bring the money. (She owes me $230.)

A few days later, I told her I was moving. We managed to wish each other well without the anger of the previous conversation.

How I plan to do it?

I'm not going to do anything. But if I ever do have a conversation with her, I'll try to be as much of an adult as I can.

09/10/06:
I got a text from her this morning that said something about closure

I Finally Have a Job.

If you've ever worked in a restaurant, then you know that the stress turns up when service begins. You already know that you have to get those plates out as quickly and as perfect as possible. You have waiters staring at you wishing you to hurry up. Your chef is questioning you or if you're unlucky, yelling at you. In the back of your head is knowing how impatient customers can be, which leads you back to the waiters.

I don't miss that part about working at the French restaurant in Los Angeles...The French are some stressed out people.

Today was my first day as the assistant pastry chef at a restaurant in Oakland. There's a lot of responsiblity but there is also no stress.

I work from 630am to 2pm. That's really early for me but I have the rest of the day for myself. I get to leave early if I'm done. It's four days a week but I'll also have the opportunity to pick up hours doing prep for the dinners. Or I can pick up another part-time job.

I work on the days the pastry chef has off. I'll really have to pay attention to what I'm doing, but also, I won't be micro-managed.

The pastry chef is really nice and helpful. She's into the science of baking and is constantly asking me questions. I have a feeling she's going to keep me on top of things.

So far I haven't seen any blown up egos. I know, I'm giving this flowers-and-sunshine view of the place... it is only the first day.

Job Hunting Part IIb

I have an interview on Tuesday for one of the restarurants in Oakland. It turns out that the position of assistant pastry chef was previously held by someone in my class. But she's moving. We'll see what happens...

Job Hunting Pt. II

The interview at the Bakery in Emeryville went well. But I won't know for sure if I'm in the running until the end of this week. Because, of course, they have more interviews. Even if I am offered the position, I don't think I'll be taking it. The shopping center where the bakery is located is on an Indian burial ground. Something doesn't sit right with me on that one...

My cakes Chef at CCA is leaving the school tomorrow. He bought a bakery. I might have to hit him up with a job. But it's all the way out in San Bruno.

I found three more positions to apply to...It's all a matter of time. I'm going to get a fucking job somewhere. Hanging out a mom's all the time ain't that cool. Besides, I'm running low on cash to make the trip out to SF.