We don't cry because its over, we smile because it happened..

Famous last words..  So the last two weeks have gone way to fast and now the Adventurers Club is just a memory. No more Hooplas (HOOPLA), Induction Ceremonies, Balderdash Cups (Go Otis!), Artifact or Aritfake lessons, Talking Masks, Singing Colonels, Club Presidents, Rhythm Rituals, Radiothons, Salutes, Songs about Cows, Donkeys, Toast, Saints and everything else under the sun or Kungalooshs...  

But for me the end started to happen weeks ago, when the club as I really known it slowly was crowded out to oblivion.  While I have no regrets (okay so not asking for time off is one) I missed the club where you didn't have to queue 3 hours in advance for a chance to see the show, where you got to sit down, and had more than 2 inches of personal space to yourself... But I loved every minute of it and wish it could go on forever.. I guess I always thought that I would leave the club before it ever left me. 

Now its just a memory, a stack of 14 cups (did NOT realize I had so many..) a pile of wristbands (every color of the rainbow I think), 600+ pictures (how I wish I wouldve bought a digital SLR before it closed) and thousands of memories. I wish I had more time to let those I love experience the club and get to know it. It it pretty impossible to describe it, its something that needed to be experienced to understand. Now Ill do my best to be a true Adventurer and not forget its stories, songs and legacies with the hope that one day it will be recognized for the gem it was. 

I am happy that we as guests did the club proud the last two weeks showing that while we couldn't change the decision we wouldn't let the Club go quietly into oblivion without showing how proud we were to be Adventurers. One of my favorite quotes was from one of the original cast from the club last Tuesday in the Main Salon which was stuffed to the gills to another cast member, " it is tuesday right?" then turns to the rest of the crowd and says its tuesday ?!?, where have you all been for the last 19 years.. Having the Club hit capacity less than 20 min after opening was great the last day (esp as I was IN the club when it happened- had I been outside I doubt I would've been so impressed..) 

I want to give a huge thank you to the cast and crew of the Adventurers Club and thank them for letting us be a part of the magic and adventure of the place, and know that I am grateful for each one of them. 

Marching along were Adventurers, singing the song of Adventurers... Up or Down, North South East or West, an Adventurers life is best...

For being the first day of fall...

Why does it have to rain all day... sigh- I still haven't decided which is worse driving in a snow storm or a rain storm? Both have their plus and minuses but I really need to find somewhere where there is no precipitation which would leave me living in oh Death Valley... Nevermind.. I shall take rain :)  It doesn't stick around as long as snow. 

Alas off to Adventurer's Club again tonight- Gotta get more cups (WHY oh WHY did they have to make them so neat- I would've been happy with one- and so would my budget)

Kungaloosh!

Where does time go?

I'm still wondering where April, May, June etc went let alone September...  Not much remarkable has been going on- pretty much SOSDD- I did have a job interview today which for knowing about it for 3 hours and working for 2 of them seemed to go okay... Who knows if it'll mean anything... I have yet to come up with a tactile way of describing what happened with my retail career but I don't know if there is a tactile way of saying I was thrown under a bus and left there to rot... 

Alas since I have to be up in T-minus 6 hours I better try to sleep.. 

Sometimes its not what is said its how its said...

So today I saw the sign at work and it shouldn't bother me as much as it does... They are turning the break room into a storage area because they need somewhere to store valuable things etc etc- Okay while it may be true- It sent a VERY strong message that people are less valuable to them than things... Yeah thats a strong morale builder for your team... 

It also shows the blinder mentality that seems to be so present now days as the most basic of questions have received no answer from the ones who made said decision... I don't profess to be the smartest cookie in the jar but when I can think of at least 20 questions as to protocol now- why weren't some of them thought of and addressed before this was decided so there were more reactive statements than a head shrug? Shows the true color of the company these days..

sigh- When I truly matter less than a metal elephant or a ceramic block it makes me so excited to go to work tomorrow and do a good job. 

Today was unproductive

and I really just don't care. I did get to the library to get more movies (STILL can't figure out why I didn't find the library sooner), Post Office to mail pins out and Mart to buy groceries. Which used to be an enjoyable thing but along with other pleasures I've lost its become more of a chore than anything. I end up justifying buying things where before I'd just get it and be done. I used to justify buying a new movie or a new shirt, now I justify buying juice or cereal.. and quite frankly I hate that. When you figure out what to eat by whats cheapest or what uses the most stuff that I already have over what I want to eat... A Mart budget of 20 bucks a week is insane to most but its life now.. I splurged today and bought juice AND a frozen lasagna that was on sale.. sigh... One day I won't have to justify buying juice again... one day

Saying Goodbye-

So after spending the night at the Adventurer's Club I realized I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye to the place... It's become one of my all time favorite places and in less than 2 weeks its gone... No more club salutes, induction ceremonies and hooplas- 

Marching along we're adventurers, singing the song of adventurers. Up or Down, North South East or West an adventurers life is best.. Kungaloosh!

when does it go to far?

Working in the hospitality industry has its days and today was one of them... I am all for providing the best service possible but when it gets abused and stretched to the extreme I loose any sympathy.. For instance when we can "do nothing right" but in all honesty we had no "service failures" (ie everything went out on time, was correct etc) when we are getting railed for the tiniest things it becomes less of good service and more cover your behind (or the ever classic &^% if you do and (*%& if you don't) to the point I'll be there on my day off (and if I wasnt making time and  a half..) to try to help the team survive the day without loosing more to this group...

This is also a good lesson on controlling the amount of chiefs anything has and make sure those chiefs know their place.. Trying to deal with 4 want to be chiefs who do not agree with the head chief makes for a rough day for everyone..

I may just be open minded to much having worked in retail and hospitality for the last 7 years but I think you need to give some wiggle room for service. Things are bound to happen that no one can control and to not let the little things ruin an experience as long as those in charge acknowledge and remedy the situation to the best of their ability... 

sigh- its all just one big learning experience isn't it...

Ramblings

Why is it that some are lucky and some are not? Is it some master check list that divides people into groups? Or is it our actions, both active and passive that decides our fait? Is going about things the hard way really worth it in the end like those people are truly more worthy for the cause or is it just that they were dumb enough to not see the signs pointing them in another direction for which they might have won bigger but gave that up to fight harder for a lesser prize?

I've thought about it a lot last week when looking at people who had what I want (or at least think I want) and seeing so many of them take it for granted, not using it for what they could've. Why are they "worthy" and I am not? For many, I probably have more experience than them, more passion than them and it makes me wonder why are they able to have it but not me.. What about me makes me not "good enough" (yes I put the quotes there for a reason) for them. Is it that I am to good, to dedicated and to passionate to be happy there? Do I think to out of the box to be contained inside it? sigh- if only I knew but getting a true answer out of anyone is impossible.  Which brings back the question- if I choose to fight for this, am I giving up a greater reward or am I fighting for the ultimate prize?

Sometimes you just need to run..

 My run today ended at the beach which I do have to say is one of the perks of living in Florida.. No matter which way you run (except North) you'll eventually run into the ocean...  I love the ocean.  It has a way of clearing ones thinking and washing away stress unlike anything else I've ever found.  

I feel better, though still no idea how to stop the vortex that I seem to be stuck in but better.  If there is anyone with the magic answer, feel free to share but I know I need to have patience and be grateful for what I do have, and in the big picture this is just a blip but I'm more than ready to be done with this life lesson...

What are dreams anyway..

Life has become a reality. Which I haven't decided if its a good thing or not, living in reality. For the last two years I have lived a dream, a dream which others may envy but has now come crashing down. Why, I have no idea. Is it some part of the master plan or is it just the flavor of the month? If I am to learn anything from this I hope to learn it soon rather than having to live in this nightmare for the rest of my life.  I can only hope that looking back at this time in the next few years I can see it was for my own good and I am better for it.  For now its a nightmare... That only seems to be getting worse and I'm starting to loose faith that it will all work out. 

One of my favorite quotes is "they built the track before there was a train in existence to make the trip" I know I need to have faith but its hard especially when at every turn the doors seem to be shutting rather than opening..

Do I just have an unrealistic expectations of to my worth? Am I really only worth 7.25 an hour and I'm kidding myself that I'm worth more? Is the peak of my professional career over and selling toys is all I will be good at? sigh.. I wish there was the magic answer but when I don't know where to turn to even get a truthful answer.. Alas the search continues...