Saturday, August 8, 2009

the garden

This weekend we are working on putting in the vege garden.

Determined not to let our business completely rule our lives I am pushing to have something to do while at home with the boys. Outside, making messes and having fun. Because there are lots of parts of life that aren't fun and don't involve happy play time with Mum at the moment and this MUST change.

Vege garden, chooks and plenty to keep two boys busy.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

two plates and a knife

There is a type of customer out there who drives me nuts.

They are a pair of women, over 65. They are smart casual dressed, in well pressed pant suit. You do know what I mean. Uptight doesn't even begin to describe them.

They come in and proceed to order. One coffee each, and one sweet item to share. Two plates and a knife please. And they sit and sit and sit with their purchase of under $10 between them.

They will complain about the service. The waiters can spot them a mile away and they know these low spend table sitters do not tip, so they won't bother with them.

What makes me nuts is why can't they just buy something each to share. Then you can taste two freshly baked goodies. You came out anyway. What's the point of a coming all this way for coffee and half a bun?

I know that being a food person means that I want to eat. I am interested in how food tastes, what tastes good, where I can get it and who makes it. I eat without concern for cholesterol, vitamin content, weight gain or guilt. I know other people do not do this. They go through life on a quest for fibre and fish oils, grappling with their desires, struggling to suppress the urge for mud cake and croissant.

Until they're 65 and sitting in a cafe on a decaf soy latte, trying to saw a monte carlo in half. What a shame.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

gen y need not apply

A long term staff member of ours left today, as in quit. No notice, no warning, no explanation.

How can he do this? No, that's not an indignant, self pitying 'How can he do this to us?' question. I mean how can he just decide one day that he's no longer going to work? What of his own responsibilities?

Well since he's a gen y, he's still living at home with Mum and Dad well into his late 20's. Having his ego massaged, being told he's a golden child, no need to stress your self daahlink. So he can quit his job without worrying about making the rent or paying his bills or having to feed himself. That's all being done for him. He's so comfortable, he can just quit and mooch around home, having his washing done and playing the Wii until he feels like working again.

Gen Y may have been told they are on the path to milk and honey, the best jobs for the most money are coming their way. And it may be true, but gen y are not going to conquer the world with all their wealth, because they are going to starve to death once their boomer parents die.
Like Aztecs, this golden age generation will just disappear. And the rest of us will be like 'oh yeah, remeber those little f**ers, geez thank god they're gone, weren't they a waste of time...'

We aren't pissed that you've left, loser, it's that you gave no notice. Even one week would have been enough. But no, just the walk out. Hard to believe someone could be so short sighted. Quitting does not bode well for a decent reference, does it?

in the Queen's english

Advertising for staff avails me of some spectacular and extraordinary resumes. Here are some highlights of what I have been reading lately...

Potential employees assert that they possess the following qualities-

Willingness to sacrifice pleasure and rest for the sake of work. (! I love this candidate!)
Profound knowledge of the hazards of institutional baking work and ability to observe adequate safety precautions.
Remarkable ability to operate bakery equipment and to plan and maintain the required production.
In-depth ability to assist in the instruction and supervision of others in baking operations.
Uncommon ability to work under conditions of high temperatures. (Instant connection here, since I too possess this uncommon quality.)
Have a quality to give presentations and convince and motivate masses through effective communication and knowledge.

and to win me over..
I would be more than honoured to work in your esteemed organisation and give a dedicated and unmatched service to the best of my potential, if and only if given an opportunity.
or a last ditch attempt..
we are 2 guys looking for this job we have a car and we are avilable.

You know what? I started this post because I thought it was amusing. I have read so many emails and resumes, all but begging me for work in twisted, funny student english, in bad, should-know-better, Aussie english. People doing their utmost to convince me that they can do this job and are willing to write anything to get a go. But right now, it's making me sad.

Resumes, however lacking do build a picture of someone, and so many of my applicants obviously have aspirations in other fields. Microbiology graduates, aeronautical engineering graduates, people with real qualifications and genuine intelligence attempting to build life here, starting off by baking.

Yes, baking does require intelligence, commitment, grunt and sweat. I know some of you out there can do this job. But why? Doesn't this country need micro biologists and aeronautical engineers as well?

Please lord, just send me some bakers and find jobs for the others as well.