Karma - You Make Me Smile

As the saying goes, Karma is a b&%$. Since I took over my latest restaurant two months ago, my junior managers, one of whom was running the place until I took over as GM, have been trying everything they can think of to work against me and make thing difficult. They've even tried to get me fired. They have about 75% of the staff thinking I'm a terrible manager and incredibly mean and just ... well, an asshole. So, a couple people have gotten other jobs and, rather than give notice, they have just walked out in the middle of their shift. Today we had one more as a no-call, no-show. I heard she had an interview for another job, so I'm assuming she got it... and this is her way of telling me she gave me a two week notice two weeks ago.

The funniest thing about this whole thing, is that if it keeps up this way, the two women who were looking to get rid of me so they could run the place (into the ground) just as they have for the last few years, will be there alone with a very, very small crew. I've already given my notice. I'm done in a week. They can have the place. I've had more than enough. And since they've run off all the staff under the guise of me being a terrible manager, they can feel free to try to rebuild a crew in a town of 1500 people were any applicants at all are hard to come by. Have fun, ladies!

I know how ugly these kinds of battles can get. I've been there before. The main difference is that when I was in this situation before, I had the unwaivering support of my boss. That's not the case here. In one breath he tells me I have his complete support and in the next breath makes it evident that he's scared to get rid of the people who are causing the problems - simply because they've always been there through all of the GMs who have come and gone. Well, there is a reason that GMs don't last in this particular location. It's these two women! I guess I can't make him see that, so it's time to move on.

When you hear from crew members that someone said this or that or whatever about you, you take it with a grain of salt. But, when I walked out into the dining room during lunch today only to hear one of my junior "managers" telling a customer that the manager is worthless and doesn't know what she's doing, etc... well, then I tend to believe everything I've been told about what is said behind my back.

Funny thing is, I know that I'm damn good at what I do. I've been doing it for a long time, and I've had great results. When you mix going to work for a company who cares absolutely nothing about you as a person, with undermining behavior of the people who are supposed to work for you, then it's just not worth it. I could go on and on, but I won't. Suffice it to say that I am closing this chapter of my life and starting a new one. This one, as short as it was, was still pretty ugly. At some point, though, I'm sure I'll find that it has helped me in some way, shape, or form, to become a better person. Right now, though, I am too close to it and it does nothing but tick me off and make me irritable. LOL. So, out with the old and on to brighter days!

Time for a Change

I guess there comes a time in everyone's life where they realize there are things in the world that are more important than money. Well, don't get me wrong. I've always known that. It's just that this job has made it crystal clear to me. 60 and 70-hour work weeks coupled with two hours of driving a day has made me seriously reconsider my career choice. I'll be changing jobs in a couple of weeks - I'm going to be in an hourly position as a server and bartender. It'll be less money, of course, but definitely more peace of mind.

For the last five months I've been able to do nothing but work. Oh yes, I've gotten in a little fishing here and there. Don't get me wrong. But as far as quality of life goes, I'd put it in the "nonexistent" category. Some weeks I sleep and work and sleep and work - and that's it.

So, on to better things, I say. It's going to be tough for a while, money-wise. There are still bills to pay and whatnot... but we'll figure out a way. We always do. Making ends meet shouldn't take away your entire life. I've always said that. Looking back, I'd rather deal with Country Kitchen and all of the crap we went through there, than deal with what I'm dealing with at work now.

So, here's to: back to blogging; back to writing; back to fishing; back to life!!