This morning I started reading a Lauren Bacall's autobiography. In the first chapter, she describes meeting Bette Davis for the first time when she was a young teen. She was completely star-struck, but Miss Davis was as gracious as she could be, even sending young Miss Bacall a handwritten letter thanking her for her visit.
Where I work, I have occasion to meet celebrities from time to time. Although I am not star-struck, there are a few whose company I really enjoyed: Jane Seymore, Natalie Cole (and her delightful personal assistant,) and Martin Landau, in particular. But Miss Bacall's book got me to thinking about James Marsden.
On a quiet night just after Christmas, Amanda, one of the waitresses, came out and told me that James Marsden was in the bar. When I could, I wandered in, and sure enough, there he was. A smaller person than I had imagined (I found out later that his prince costume included a lot of padding), and I was struck by how ordinary (though extremely handsome) he looked. Just a guy hangin' with his buds.
Later I came in to return some glasses that had been left outside. I stood listening to something the bartender was saying, and when I turned around to go, Mr. Marsden was standing right behind me. I smiled and nodded hello in a profesional manner. He stuck out out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm James." Just a regular guy. So cool.
"Hi, James. I'm Ron. What brings you to town?"
"I'm actually from here. I'm visiting family over the holidays. I didn't know about this place. My friends brought me to see it." (Later I wished that I had offered him the tour.)
I responded with some kind of acknowledgement, and then told him a story having to do with one of his movies that had been amusing my family for a couple of weeks. He laughed, but I couldn't tell how amusing he actually found it.
After he had gone, I looked up his bio online. His page on Wikipedia made it sound like one day he just packed up and left for Hollywood and became an immediate success, though I know that's probably not true. I started thinking about all the things I would have liked to have asked him, all of which can be summed up in one broad question: "How did you get where you are today?" Tom Cruise is eight days older than me, and I'd like to ask him the same question.
Looking back on my life, I'm realizing more and more that the life I'm living now is the result of choices I made when I was in my teens and twenties. Same for them. And although one is from the same place I'm from, and the other is the same age, our lives are astronomically different. So how much of that difference, and the decicions they made, resulted from planning, persistence, knowledge, discovery, or pure dumb luck? Many of the choices I made in life were a result of my own self image. Is it the same for them? Has it ever held them back?
Of course I'm just using them as examples. I actually wonder the same things about everyone I meet. It's probably the reason I enjoy biography so much. I've often said that the only difference between any one person and any other person in the world is their life experience. One's nationality, religion, race, occupation, celebrity or obscurity, etc. are just components of that experience, so evaluating another person based on those things is a pretty worthless exercise. Everyone is a fascinating person if you can find the time to hear them. We're all stars waiting to be discovered.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Valet Welfare
One of the reasons that I'm glad I work alone is that I don't have to deal much with the politics of working with someone else.
There is a guest who stays at our hotel frequently, Mr. MK, who is a generous tipper. He usually tips the valet $100 on the way in, and again on the way out. This has created some conflict among some of the valets, because greed has gotten in the way of teamwork. This is a bad thing, because, as my boss has pointed out, if Mr. MK ever gets wind of this, the big tips will probably stop. In fact, he may take his business elsewhere.
Last night, Mr. MK and his party arrived in two trucks, he and his friend in the monster pick-up, the ladies he picked up at a bar in the SUV. The ladies arrived first. I was returning from the garage when I saw the pick-up pull in. When I got outside, the last remaining afternoon valet, JY, was writing him a valet ticket. "Did you guys take care of my ladies?" MK asked.
"I did," I responded.
Mr. MK handed John a $100 bill, and went to join the ladies in our bar. JY went inside, clocked out and went home. This hardly seemed fair to me, but I didn't say anything. The ladies left about three hours later, and still I got no tip. And I had all night to think about it.
The morning valets arrived just before 7:00am, and when KE came into the office, he found me finishing up my clerical work. "I'm taking MK this morning." I said. I explained what had happened last night, and that Mr. MK had requested the truck at 8:00.
"You ought to go ahead and pull it around now before Bossman gets here, so he won't gripe about us splitting it," KE said. I hadn't realized that Bossman was going to be there. To me it was good news. But now we've arrived at the crux of the problem.
We have two valets with a reputation for greediness: KE and RB. It all started the day that KE came in to work early, got Mr. MK's keys, and pulled the truck around two hours before Mr. MK would be leaving. When RB asked about it, KE said that Mr. KE had requested that the truck be out there that early. Relentless interogation by RB forced KE into a deal where they would split the tip if RB got Mr. MK's luggage. But while RB was upstairs, he asked Mr. MK about the truck, and the lie was now exposed.
Over the next few weeks, deciet and dirty tricks ruled, until finally they came to an agreement. They would split the MK tip among all the valets working at whatever time Mr. MK left (usually a four way split.) Sort of a Valet Welfare system. The wrench in the works was Dane, who had originally taken care of Mr. MK, and considered him to be his own guest. (KE also has a pet guest.) Management intervened, and Dane now has dibs whenever he happens to be working on a morning when Mr. MK is staying with us.
KE came back to the office to tell me that another valet had just arrived, and I needed to move the truck now. Then he stood there a while and watched me ignore him. After he left, and I had finished my task, I went out and found that Bossman had arrived. I took him aside, and and explained the situation to him, including the part about KE expecting me to participate in the welfare plan. I had no intention of doing so, of course. I mean, I understand its purpose, but it's just stupid.
He pointed out that just as JY had stayed late and snatched my tip, now I was doing it to someone else. He also scolded me for not having said something to JY. But he understood where I was coming from, that I wouldn't even be there if I'd been treated fairly to begin with, and therefore he allowed it.
I felt sorry for him later. KE was mad, and he explained the whole welfare plan to Bossman in heated tones while I eavesdropped from behind a column. To him, giving up the major portion of one's money to those who had done nothing to earn it was only fair, and I was being greedy.
When KE had gone to get a car, I outlined my work philosophy to Bossman:
Do your job.
Do it well.
Work as a team.
If there are rewards involved, don't begrudge your teammates their reward.
With that in mind, Mr. MK should be placed in the rotation just like every other guest. Outside of Dane's priveledges, it's luck of the draw that determines who gets him. Period.
While we were still discussing this, Mr. MK and his friend came out. I pocketed my $100 and went home.
There is a guest who stays at our hotel frequently, Mr. MK, who is a generous tipper. He usually tips the valet $100 on the way in, and again on the way out. This has created some conflict among some of the valets, because greed has gotten in the way of teamwork. This is a bad thing, because, as my boss has pointed out, if Mr. MK ever gets wind of this, the big tips will probably stop. In fact, he may take his business elsewhere.
Last night, Mr. MK and his party arrived in two trucks, he and his friend in the monster pick-up, the ladies he picked up at a bar in the SUV. The ladies arrived first. I was returning from the garage when I saw the pick-up pull in. When I got outside, the last remaining afternoon valet, JY, was writing him a valet ticket. "Did you guys take care of my ladies?" MK asked.
"I did," I responded.
Mr. MK handed John a $100 bill, and went to join the ladies in our bar. JY went inside, clocked out and went home. This hardly seemed fair to me, but I didn't say anything. The ladies left about three hours later, and still I got no tip. And I had all night to think about it.
The morning valets arrived just before 7:00am, and when KE came into the office, he found me finishing up my clerical work. "I'm taking MK this morning." I said. I explained what had happened last night, and that Mr. MK had requested the truck at 8:00.
"You ought to go ahead and pull it around now before Bossman gets here, so he won't gripe about us splitting it," KE said. I hadn't realized that Bossman was going to be there. To me it was good news. But now we've arrived at the crux of the problem.
We have two valets with a reputation for greediness: KE and RB. It all started the day that KE came in to work early, got Mr. MK's keys, and pulled the truck around two hours before Mr. MK would be leaving. When RB asked about it, KE said that Mr. KE had requested that the truck be out there that early. Relentless interogation by RB forced KE into a deal where they would split the tip if RB got Mr. MK's luggage. But while RB was upstairs, he asked Mr. MK about the truck, and the lie was now exposed.
Over the next few weeks, deciet and dirty tricks ruled, until finally they came to an agreement. They would split the MK tip among all the valets working at whatever time Mr. MK left (usually a four way split.) Sort of a Valet Welfare system. The wrench in the works was Dane, who had originally taken care of Mr. MK, and considered him to be his own guest. (KE also has a pet guest.) Management intervened, and Dane now has dibs whenever he happens to be working on a morning when Mr. MK is staying with us.
KE came back to the office to tell me that another valet had just arrived, and I needed to move the truck now. Then he stood there a while and watched me ignore him. After he left, and I had finished my task, I went out and found that Bossman had arrived. I took him aside, and and explained the situation to him, including the part about KE expecting me to participate in the welfare plan. I had no intention of doing so, of course. I mean, I understand its purpose, but it's just stupid.
He pointed out that just as JY had stayed late and snatched my tip, now I was doing it to someone else. He also scolded me for not having said something to JY. But he understood where I was coming from, that I wouldn't even be there if I'd been treated fairly to begin with, and therefore he allowed it.
I felt sorry for him later. KE was mad, and he explained the whole welfare plan to Bossman in heated tones while I eavesdropped from behind a column. To him, giving up the major portion of one's money to those who had done nothing to earn it was only fair, and I was being greedy.
When KE had gone to get a car, I outlined my work philosophy to Bossman:
Do your job.
Do it well.
Work as a team.
If there are rewards involved, don't begrudge your teammates their reward.
With that in mind, Mr. MK should be placed in the rotation just like every other guest. Outside of Dane's priveledges, it's luck of the draw that determines who gets him. Period.
While we were still discussing this, Mr. MK and his friend came out. I pocketed my $100 and went home.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
German Expressionism
Shadie the schnauzer is en celo. We don't want schnachsunds, so we put Fritz the dachshund in the garage all day, and blocked up the doggie door with a window screen held in place by a couple of gallons of paint. Shadie was in the backyard. They could look at each other, but they couldn't touch. This afternoon we decided to go see a movie. We didn't want any strays jumping the fence to get at Shadie while we were gone, so we put her in the garage, and put Fritz in the house. I thought she would probably be able to punch through the screen if she wanted to, so I replaced the screen with a sheet of masonite.
When we got home, Gaby let Fritz out, and went out to check on Shadie. That dog had knocked over one of the full paint cans, spilling it in a big puddle in front of the doghouse. Furthermore, there were little white pawprints all over the garage. Needless to say, it was bathtime for Shadie, but it was too cold and too late to hose out the garage. Maybe tomorrow if it's warm.
The movie, btw, was "The Wrestler." Well acted, well produced and directed, but oh so depressing. Mickey Roarke deserves the nomination, but I think the Oscar will still go to Sean Penn.
When we got home, Gaby let Fritz out, and went out to check on Shadie. That dog had knocked over one of the full paint cans, spilling it in a big puddle in front of the doghouse. Furthermore, there were little white pawprints all over the garage. Needless to say, it was bathtime for Shadie, but it was too cold and too late to hose out the garage. Maybe tomorrow if it's warm.
The movie, btw, was "The Wrestler." Well acted, well produced and directed, but oh so depressing. Mickey Roarke deserves the nomination, but I think the Oscar will still go to Sean Penn.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Time Travel
This morning I was reminded of the reason I wind up going to work at the beginning of my week on almost no sleep.
First of all you should know that I work nights at a hotel. I go to work at 11:00pm and usually get off between 7:30 and 8:00am. The plan is to be in bed before 10:00am, and I'm usually up around 5:00pm. Ideally, I should stay on the same schedule on my days off, but it never seems to happen. And it's all Monday's fault.
I worked Sunday night this week, and Monday I slept till five. I had a long talk with the househusband about things that had been troubling me of late, and then hit the treadmill for a mile and a half. Then we went out to a colorie laden dinner to celebrate Valentines Day and the second anniversary of his moving in with me. (When one works nights, one rarely celebrates a holiday on the actual date.) After that we went out to the club, which is our Monday night habit. Afterward we came home and went to bed. This is where things go wrong every week.
We were in bed by 3:00am, only ten hours after I had gotten up. So, naturally, I was awake by 8:00 this morning. I predict, despite my best intentions, that I will be asleep by Midnight tonight, getting up around 9, and then by the time I get off work Thursday morning, I will have been up for 24 hours or more. I'll sleep 12 hours, and then go right to work. When I get off Friday morning, I won't be sleepy at all, even though I have to get up early in order to spend time with the kids. I'll go to work Friday night dog tired, and be dozing off on my way home Saturday morning. I'll catch up with my sleep on Saturday, and Sunday and Monday I'll be back on a normal schedule, afterwhich the whole cycle starts over again.
It's amazing thatI don't have more migraines.
First of all you should know that I work nights at a hotel. I go to work at 11:00pm and usually get off between 7:30 and 8:00am. The plan is to be in bed before 10:00am, and I'm usually up around 5:00pm. Ideally, I should stay on the same schedule on my days off, but it never seems to happen. And it's all Monday's fault.
I worked Sunday night this week, and Monday I slept till five. I had a long talk with the househusband about things that had been troubling me of late, and then hit the treadmill for a mile and a half. Then we went out to a colorie laden dinner to celebrate Valentines Day and the second anniversary of his moving in with me. (When one works nights, one rarely celebrates a holiday on the actual date.) After that we went out to the club, which is our Monday night habit. Afterward we came home and went to bed. This is where things go wrong every week.
We were in bed by 3:00am, only ten hours after I had gotten up. So, naturally, I was awake by 8:00 this morning. I predict, despite my best intentions, that I will be asleep by Midnight tonight, getting up around 9, and then by the time I get off work Thursday morning, I will have been up for 24 hours or more. I'll sleep 12 hours, and then go right to work. When I get off Friday morning, I won't be sleepy at all, even though I have to get up early in order to spend time with the kids. I'll go to work Friday night dog tired, and be dozing off on my way home Saturday morning. I'll catch up with my sleep on Saturday, and Sunday and Monday I'll be back on a normal schedule, afterwhich the whole cycle starts over again.
It's amazing thatI don't have more migraines.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
One Question IQ Test
Here's a one-question IQ Test to help you decide how you should spend the rest of your day.
There is a mute who wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing one's teeth, he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done.
Now, if there is a blind man who wishes to buy a pair of sunglasses, how should he express himself?
Think about it first before scrolling down for the answer...
He opens his mouth and says. "I would like to buy a pair of Sunglasses".
If you got this wrong -- please turn off your computer and call it a day. I've got mine shutting down right now. You know you missed it too, so shut down your computer.
There is a mute who wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing one's teeth, he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done.
Now, if there is a blind man who wishes to buy a pair of sunglasses, how should he express himself?
Think about it first before scrolling down for the answer...
He opens his mouth and says. "I would like to buy a pair of Sunglasses".
If you got this wrong -- please turn off your computer and call it a day. I've got mine shutting down right now. You know you missed it too, so shut down your computer.
When the sirens go off, it's time to go outside and stare at the sky.
Oklahoma had it's first round of tornadoes for the year today. This is very early. Gaby, my partner, says he's wondering if he'll be able to live in Oklahoma living with this kind of stress. They don't have tornadoes in Chihuahua, and every storm frightens him. They frighten his mother, too, and when she hears about today, she'll be calling in a panic.
When we need a storm shelter, we go to my parents house. On the way, I was amused and Gaby was astonished by the number of people standing outside staring at the sky. When he questioned me about it, I told him, "They're from Oklahoma. That's what we do."
My parents' neighbor has a teenage son who has got to be one of the dumbest kids in town. (One time he dragged his trampoline to the driveway in front of the garage door so that he could jump on it from the roof.) This afternoon he got up on the roof during the thunderstorm to see if he could see the tornado five miles northwest of us. His neighbor saw him and asked how he got up there, and would he be able to get down? I yelled over that one good lightning strike, and he would slide right off. We did not see whether he got down before it started hailing.
When we need a storm shelter, we go to my parents house. On the way, I was amused and Gaby was astonished by the number of people standing outside staring at the sky. When he questioned me about it, I told him, "They're from Oklahoma. That's what we do."
My parents' neighbor has a teenage son who has got to be one of the dumbest kids in town. (One time he dragged his trampoline to the driveway in front of the garage door so that he could jump on it from the roof.) This afternoon he got up on the roof during the thunderstorm to see if he could see the tornado five miles northwest of us. His neighbor saw him and asked how he got up there, and would he be able to get down? I yelled over that one good lightning strike, and he would slide right off. We did not see whether he got down before it started hailing.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Page 2
Kate Winslet is going to win the Oscar. I believe that I can speak with some authority here, because I have seen "The Reader," and I haven't seen a performance as perfect as this one since Gealdine Page in "The Trip to Bountiful." Such a sad, complex character conveyed with so little dialogue. She remains a mystery through most of the film, and then in that moment when you understand, you realize you've known her all along. Masterful.
"Slumdog Millionaire" will win best picture (as it should --awesome film!), but "The Reader" is definitely worth the nomination.
"Slumdog Millionaire" will win best picture (as it should --awesome film!), but "The Reader" is definitely worth the nomination.
In The Big Inning...
Ok, so why a blog?
My cöworker Jessica said that my opinions were well thought out, and that I had a sense of humor. Damn. Now I have to be witty and intelligent. I just don't need that kind of pressure.
My cöworker Jessica said that my opinions were well thought out, and that I had a sense of humor. Damn. Now I have to be witty and intelligent. I just don't need that kind of pressure.
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