Who signs your paycheck?
After meeting Eddy and writing my previous blog entry, another bakery staff started sweeping around the entrance. She was working quietly and did not say anything while several customers entered and left the store. She has not (yet) wondered where her paycheck comes from, I guess.
apanese version of this entry is here.
apanese version of this entry is here.
Worker dilligency
A few days ago I wanted to visit a local cafe, but had to move to a chain bakery nearby as the cafe was too crowded. I am not a big fan of chain restaurants, and this one had disappointed me with stale coffee and rancid cookie in the past. But I went there anyways for free wifi.
My tea was not very hot to begin with, as the staff poured hot water into a cold cup and handed to me. After getting myself situated at a corner table, I noticed air coming from the vent, cooling my tea even more. "Should have driven extra miles to Mr. G's!" I thought.
Then, a worker came around and started cleaning the tables, straightening up the chairs, picking up trash and asking each customer if everything was okay. Two minutes after I asked him if the vent air could be stopped, air was off and heater was on. He certainly came back to check with me again. I was so impressed with his attitude (especially after observing other workers idling) that I asked his name (Eddy) and wrote a compliment on Yelp.
Hard work is not easy to teach. By the time a person is old enough to get a job, his/her ethic has been pretty much established. Meeting Eddy reminded me to find someone with high morale for Snappy's.
Would I hire Eddy? Probably not, as he would need more challenge than Snappy's can offer. He is studying to be a chef.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
My tea was not very hot to begin with, as the staff poured hot water into a cold cup and handed to me. After getting myself situated at a corner table, I noticed air coming from the vent, cooling my tea even more. "Should have driven extra miles to Mr. G's!" I thought.
Then, a worker came around and started cleaning the tables, straightening up the chairs, picking up trash and asking each customer if everything was okay. Two minutes after I asked him if the vent air could be stopped, air was off and heater was on. He certainly came back to check with me again. I was so impressed with his attitude (especially after observing other workers idling) that I asked his name (Eddy) and wrote a compliment on Yelp.
Hard work is not easy to teach. By the time a person is old enough to get a job, his/her ethic has been pretty much established. Meeting Eddy reminded me to find someone with high morale for Snappy's.
Would I hire Eddy? Probably not, as he would need more challenge than Snappy's can offer. He is studying to be a chef.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Quick check
Sue the alteration business owner called me last night. She saw no construction is on progress at Snappy's and was concerned if my plan is still ongoing. I explained to her that we, my landlord and architect and I, are all taking it slow but that I have not changed my mind.
Really appreciate someone is thinking about my business.
Really appreciate someone is thinking about my business.
Efficient transportation?
A few days ago I was driving on freeway and 4 Caltran cars, all occupied by single drivers, running along from San Leandro to Oakland. I have no idea exactly where they were driving from and to and what they were doing.
But my question was:
"Why are they driving 4 separate cars? Is that really necessary?"
I am not interested in spending my time to investigate further, but if I ever observe the similar situation, I, as a tax payer, may ask one of the drivers.
But my question was:
"Why are they driving 4 separate cars? Is that really necessary?"
I am not interested in spending my time to investigate further, but if I ever observe the similar situation, I, as a tax payer, may ask one of the drivers.
Technology - high and low
Without easy access to my email account, I begun communicating via more classic means such as telephone and even cards. Most of people I know have cell phones, but not all of them use text messaging system. Speaking on the phone, especially on awkward issues, actually reminded me how simple resolving a conflict could be.
I have also started carrying blank cards to write something like "Hi! My computer has been down, but that should not prevent me (from) keeping in touch with you. How are you?"
Low-tech communications have their own advantage: being more personal!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I have also started carrying blank cards to write something like "Hi! My computer has been down, but that should not prevent me (from) keeping in touch with you. How are you?"
Low-tech communications have their own advantage: being more personal!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Another blank
A few weeks past again before I could update my blog.
I am still using Mr. Lion's iBook but also have been busy with my jobs. The work I am busy with is supposed to be toward Snappy's Cafe preparation, but I admit my days have been driving me around (not vice versa) lately. Need to return to basic of managing my time.
At the same time, however, the income from these jobs relieves me from feeling as if I am running out of money for the cafe. (Well, for now. You just don't know what happens with the high unemployment rate out there.)
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I am still using Mr. Lion's iBook but also have been busy with my jobs. The work I am busy with is supposed to be toward Snappy's Cafe preparation, but I admit my days have been driving me around (not vice versa) lately. Need to return to basic of managing my time.
At the same time, however, the income from these jobs relieves me from feeling as if I am running out of money for the cafe. (Well, for now. You just don't know what happens with the high unemployment rate out there.)
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Generous people at Mr. G's
My laptop was revived and then crushed again yesterday while I was trying to restore Japanese font. It showed the BSD again, so I gave up.
Later on the day I went to Mr. G's cafe's 6th anniversary party (will write more about it separately) and saw bunch of regular customers. One of them was Mr. Lion who has recently purchased a small lap top. I wanted to ask him how he liked it since I was now interested in something small like his.
When he learned my old Dell crushed finally, he offered me with one of his old iBooks, saying "I haven't used it for a while but am sure it still works. Do you want it?"
I have accepted his kind offer and am now typing this blog entry. I have been using PC last 15 years or so, so there are a lot to learn on this Mac, but this is a GREAT help for me to research and shop around my new lap top.
Thank you, Mr. Lion!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Later on the day I went to Mr. G's cafe's 6th anniversary party (will write more about it separately) and saw bunch of regular customers. One of them was Mr. Lion who has recently purchased a small lap top. I wanted to ask him how he liked it since I was now interested in something small like his.
When he learned my old Dell crushed finally, he offered me with one of his old iBooks, saying "I haven't used it for a while but am sure it still works. Do you want it?"
I have accepted his kind offer and am now typing this blog entry. I have been using PC last 15 years or so, so there are a lot to learn on this Mac, but this is a GREAT help for me to research and shop around my new lap top.
Thank you, Mr. Lion!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Back, finally!
About 2 weeks ago my computer had a "BSD" (blue screen of death) and crushed. It took a while to revive 7- (or 8?) year-old lap top, but I can finally update this blog! I still can't type in Japanese, but will eventually figure out. 
