Pettin Dolphins and ridin the Kraken

One of the little perks that comes with my Universal ID pass is getting into all kinds of parks here in Orlando for FREE. Yes, I know you're jealous now. Today I opted for SeaWorld. It was actually a lot cooler than I remembered it being when I was a kid. I had such a great time. As you know, I like to learn, and well, I can't think of a better way. I got to pet and feed the dolphins...that was amazing. I touched a sting ray...that's all I could handle of that...too slimy, gross. They kind of looked like giant shitake mushrooms. I talked to the sea lions. One just loved me! And I got completely soaked by the dolphins and Shamu...drenched really. Still fun. I'm so pathetic though. The Shamu show was all serious and they had a little make-a-wish kid there who got to get up close to the whales. I got a little teary eyed. HAHAHA! All emotional and shit. Penguins, manatees, sharks, otters...I loved all of it. Most fun I've had since I've been here. If I get the chance I'll go back again...even if it's just to pet the dolphins and ride this off-the-hook rollercoaster...the Kraken...ooooohhh...scary.

Down Home Mississippi Boys

Chilled in the VIP room with 3 Doors Down tonight.

Good guys.

Good show.

Good night.

"I can think of a few other ways to use my scissors, bitch!"

The following are excerpts straight from the employee handbook for Hard Rock. I quote:

"Authentic. Just like rock...we are not fake, canned, counterfeit, copied or mass-produced. Passionate. Just like rock...we're not afraid to show or express our strong beliefs. Dominated and moved by powerful emotions, we're born with the ability to make our voices heard. Irreverent. Just like rock...we're critical of what is generally accepted or respected. As the world seeks to conform, we strive to push the envelope...sometimes crossing the line of acceptance. Unpredictable. Just like rock...we crave to be different."

So, after reading that, I was sitting there bored, in my little room. I've been so uncomfortable in my "uniform" of a bottled up t-shirt (black with black and more black) that I decided to revamp it. I walked to Walgreens, bought a pair of scissors and cut my t-shirts, rearranged them and made them comfortable and very rock and roll. I loved the change and everyone else I encountered seemed to like it as well. I even talked to the Director of Operations, who didn't have a problem. I went the whole day without any trouble and then without warning, one of the retail managers (a woman...probably jealous that she didn't think of doing something that cool) stopped into the manager's office and began verbally attacking me about the t-shirt. "You're out of uniform. You're going to have to buy a new one. Who did you clear that with...before or after you cut it? Well, get in uniform." I was actually a little speachless afterward. All the other managers in there with me just rolled their eyes and said not to worry about her. But I kind of want kick the living shit out of this bitch. She embarrassed me and spoke to me as if I were a child (hopefully not though because that would be child abuse) and then ran off as if she had the last say in the restaurant. I'm so steamed over this I can't even express my anger. I don't even deal with this lady. I'm not doing my retail training here. She has absolutely no say over me what so ever, yet she felt compelled to yell at me in front of my peers. Lou told me after she left that he was completely embarrassed, and couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.

Unbelievable! Won't she be thrilled when I come to work tomorrow in a shirt that's even more altered!

Funny that a company that states how "Rock and Roll" they are can have a tree the size of a California Sequoia shoved up their ass.

"ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT!"

Nothing here sings, not even The Lark

Eleven o'clock. I pick up my phone to check the time. I've repeated this action every fifteen to twenty minutes hoping somehow time has managed to speed up. The result never changes and I am left staring at the same mark on the wall which has kept my attention entirely too long. The only light comes from a desk lamp and the hazy glow of my computer screen. I am surrounded by silence. This silence is far from peaceful and not at all comforting. It's not the kind of silence you hope for when your neighbors are blasting their techno or kids are yelling on the streets.

This silence is unsettling and forced.
This silence reminds me I am alone.

My eyes continue to drift aimlessly as my mind races. I search constantly for the clarity I was hoping to find here, the perspective. My thoughts gain speed and I am carried into a whirlwind of images and memories. I want to run, but my body is paralyzed by the sting of emptiness around me. Trapped.

I check the time again.

My cage, the room with all the comforts of home, my tomb.

I allow my memories to penetrate and I have the sudden urge to paint, but I have no means. Splashes of color soar through the empty room from my core, the place where I've kept them safely locked away. Imprisoned. How ironic that when I'm unable to share my creativity it wants to break free of of its holding cell.

I feel an overwhelming swell from my heart that wants to give love and receive love, but cannot.

I want to sing, but everyone knows that The Lark never sings when captive.

So, I cry

Damn you Betsey Johnson Bitches

So, I found two other malls today. I think they're like rapidly growing mold down here, popping up and infiltrating every open space. I went to see Pirate's of the Caribbean 2, spent some time at the Van's skatepark at mall number one and then travelled to mall number two to do some high end shopping. I actually found this amazing dress at Betsey Johnson and was all ready to buy it until the sales girls made me feel so inferior that I had to leave. What the hell!!! It was a complete Pretty Woman moment and I feel like going back with the dress from another store and saying, "you work off commission?" "Big mistake!"

Although my day was filled with activities, I was really lonely. I'm probably driving everyone nuts calling or IMing all the time. I'll be less of a pain the next five days...they will be busy work days and I won't have time to be a bother.

More fun in the sun

My adventure today started at 10am when Gene and Lou called to see if I wanted to go to ihop for breakfast. Um, yeah, you don't need to ask me twice for that one. I love breakfast, any time I can get it. Sorry Amanda, but I even love breakfast at night. The first ihop we went to is just around the corner, but it was so packed with tour groups we opted to find a different one. This is not a difficult task seeing as though there are hundreds of ihop's in Orlando. We didn't have to drive far. After a fabulous cinnamon french toast combo meal, I was ready for anything. What I wasn't counting on was being stranded at the ihop for the next two hours. That's right, I said two hours. Our rental car had a little problem. We were stuck in park. We could start the car, but it was completely stuck. We tried everything and finally had to call Budget to either pick us up or bring us another car. And so the wait began. A couple hours later, we had a new rental and were off to explore more of our surroundings.

We spent quite a bit of time at Downtown Disney, checking out shops and restaurants in the area. The sun was blazing and we were melting but we treked onward. After hours of exlporation we made our way back to the hotel. I immediately hopped in the shower to cool down. Just as I was about to rinse off THE FIRE ALARM WENT OFF. It was so high piched and loud. I was completely soaked and had to throw on what ever clothes I could find. I grabbed my laptop and ipod (can't lose those precious items) and joined the masses in the lobby only to find out it was the punk ass kids who've been running up and down the halls yelling and fighting and playing around for the past two days. Damn kids.

Once I collected myself and finished getting ready it was time for the next adventure. Lou has some family here and the three of us took a little drive to have dinner at their house. The deal was that we all pitch in on food and Gene does all the cooking (he's an amazing chef). On our way, we stopped at an outdoor mall/factory outlet. Very much fun. I think I'm actually starting to get to know the area a little better and how to get around which will help when I have those moments of sheer boredom.

Dinner was fantasic, but what made it even more enjoyable was the family atomosphere. There were four generations of women there and I loved spending time with Grandma and Great Grandma. It made me miss both my Grandmas so much. My heart hurt a little. I'm glad I didn't have to stay in my hotel room alone again all night. I'm so grateful for my new friends and the experiences we've shared...thanks guys.

Now, if I can only get my visitors down here..

Out of Sight

...out of mind.

I still exist.

Welcome to Sunny Florida

Today marks the end of my first week of training and I am SOOOOO tired (Editors note: Rochelle was about a month pregnant here, had no idea, maybe contributed to her tired ness??). Long days and a lot of information to take in has taken it's toll on my little body. I have been enjoying my time here and I've started to make some friends, which is good so I don't become a total hermit. I may spend some time with coworkers tomorrow, exploring new places and venturing further than the Walmart down the street.

I feel so accomplished and close to proficient in the kitchen. Who would have thought, me...the domestically challenged one...would be able to make alfedo sauce, baby back ribs, BBQ sauce, wings, apple cobbler, salsa and pico, guac, and the list goes on. I'm a culinary genious (ok, not really, but I like to think I could be). No complaints on the fruits of my labors yet. Yippee!

Last night I spent some time with Carlos and a few other Orlando Hard Rock peeps. Carlos was an ops manager in New York and then transfered to Orlando. It was so great to see him, catch up and fill each other in on all the drama going on in both locations. Oh, people still think he's Vin Diesel. Hilarious really, they stare and I think some of them actually contemplated approaching him for an autograph.

Tonight I think I'm keeping it low key. I was trying to find a place that rents movies, but couldn't find one. So, I'm just going to kick back, relax, flip through mindless TV and make a little list of things I want to do on my weekend off.

I miss everyone!

How pathetic am I?

I'm sitting here in my hotel room, I just made toast because that's what I have here, and I'm all teary eyed from watching the Miller brothers on America's Got Talent...a show I have only seen tonight and only for about 20 minutes. Wow.

Anyway...

Since I am at a safe distance from the New York subway system I think it would be a perfect time to finish the book I've been reading, The Mole People. Yep, that's right Amanda. I'm reading it and I'm all freaked out but I can handle it because I'm in Florida...no tunnels.

Tomorrow's another 6am start. Oh boy. Another night of not sleeping well because I'm worried about getting up. Good thing I bought some Sleepytime Tea.

So this is how it's done

First day of training...just orientation. I love and hate those days because they are easy and slow. The Orlando cafe is a very well run ship and it's easy to see why...they have space. I could cartwheels in the prep kitchen. Everyone was very nice and welcoming although I did feel a hint of sarcasm when I told them I was training for New York. They all think we are a joke there. Whatever. I know what I'm getting into.

I'm kind of on a regular schedule here which will be a strange experience for me. I'm so used to getting home at odd hours, staying up even later and then getting up early. I might actually get some sleep here.

I'm already so lonely. There just isn't anyone to talk to or hang with. I consider myself a very independent person, but I do need that human interaction. I miss talking to Ty, you know, when he's busy watching something on TV or working on the computer not really listening and I'm just venting away. It makes me feel less like a crazy person when I have someone to vent to rather than talking to myself.

I'm ready for visitors! Come play with me!

Xmas in July

I'm coming to you live from New York on my new little toy...a brand spankin' new MacBook. It's so pretty. I just love it, but I've always been a PC girl, so it will take some getting used to. So far, I think I'm doing okay. This will absolutely save me while I'm in Orlando for 7 weeks. That's right, I said Orlando. And yes, I will be there for SEVEN weeks. I don't have much time to write tonignt. I'm super tired and still have laundry and packing to get done. I'll try to throw in some details tomorrow.

Until then...

Immunity Defense OJ

I think I'm getting sick.

Yuk.

(Editors note: I'm laughing pretty hard right now becasue I totally knocked Rochelle up on July 4; I am 99.9% sure I knocked her up with Brody on July 4, she wakes up on July 5 sick, hilarious)

2 Anticlimatic

The fireworks...not so great. Bummer.

The roof party with my friends...worth it. As was the homemade chocolate cake. Yum.

Back to the grind tomorrow.

Fireworks Aficionado

7/4 Fireworks Aficionado

Four years in New York and this will be the first 4th of July that I dont have to work at night. I am determined to see some fireworks. Ty has to work, so its just me and the big city. One of my friends is having a little rooftop party near the East River and Im thinking that will be my best option. Yeah, fireworks! And thats about as patriotic as I get. Im actually more excited about the new little yellow dress I get to wear tonight. Yippee!

I sure wish I had a big plate of pancakes right now. I dont think any holiday is complete without pancakes. Although, I would be equally happy with French toast. This is truly how exciting my life is right now.

Im just so happy I dont have to work today. It was so incredibly busy last night and I can only imagine today will be much worse. Hahaha! Im not there, so its not my problem. I find out tomorrow when Ill be leaving for management training and where. I have three options, Orlando, Vegas and Niagara. Im all for two of the three options, which to me seems self explanatory.

Okay, Im out. Still craving pancakes and thats exactly what Im doing next.