her little efficiencies

Many, many moons ago I worked for a catering company in Vancouver, BC called Copper Kettle. I was probably 18 or 19 at the time. We'd get sent out on small to medium gigs, and it usually meant going out in a crew of 2 or 3, sometimes more if it was a big event. We'd go to the restaurant, pack up the van with the food, the tablecloths, the cleaning supplies, etc. The motto of Copper Kettle catering was that we leave the space in better condition than we found it. Thank god they didn't advertise that, or we'd be hired to do cleaning with some food service on the side.

It was at Copper Kettle catering that I was first introduced to what I like to call 'little efficiencies'. For example, you're never empty handed - if you're going into the dining room, you either take a clean tablecloth, a tray to collect glasses, coffee for refills, etc. Coming back to the kitchen, same thing - you either pick up a dirty dish, remove salt and pepper shakers to re-pack into crate, etc. The captain would always be reminding us - don't go empty handed.

Something about that has stuck with me, and so I'm always on lookout for my own little efficiencies. For example, I am obsessed with having my metro card out of my pocket, and in my hand in the correct position so that when I get on the bus, it's one fluid motion to dip and authenticate. The idea of holding up anyone that might be behind me while I fumble through my wallet for my card? It's abhorrent to me. If I'm on the subway, and know that I'll need to transfer lines, I always walk to the place on the platform where it's most convenient to exit for the change.

My money must be in my wallet with the heads all the same way, and I must have cash on me at all times. Now that I'm a Canadian living in US and have gotten used to all the money being the same color it's a bit easier, but at the beginning, the obsession with smooth, organized cash was a bit stronger.

You'd think this weird quirk would manifest itself in an organized household....far from it. Thank goodness we're having a houseguest this weekend, it will provide the impetus to do a whirlwind clean on Saturday morning. Two adults, two hectic jobs, lack of storage space and months of not having use of our deck have made us fall into some bad housekeeping habits. Our landlord is supposed to be providing us with a storage spot in the basement which will be a big help, but for now we'll just have to be as efficient as possible in hiding things.

thanks for listening.

April Fools Day

Have I mentioned my job? It's great. I'm so lucky. But the people that I work with are not the friendliest. My clients are decent for the most part, some of them even fun and the kind of people I like to hang out with. My co-workers? Not so much. There's not a lot of brainstorming or round table discussions or chats around the water cooler. Therefore, no real opportunities for a quick chat, or a 'how was your weekend'. Believe me, I don't want to hear someone's life story or stand around for hours while they blather on. I do however, like the social protocol of a greeting, a sincere acknowledgment, and then off to work.

Everyone (mostly everyone) knuckles down, does their work, and leaves. I used to be the type of person who'd say hello to everyone as I came into the office, and say "good night" as I was leaving. That nicety has been worn away, as I was usually talking to myself. Actually, there was one other guy, since fired, and he and I used to joke about the social experiments we'd do. We'd come in and say a pointed "good morning" to someone, almost trying to goad them into acknowledging us, and most would reluctantly reply with a half hearted mumbled 'good morning' back. I guess we were trying to show them that it wouldn't kill them to be civil, and that it was quite easy to just say hello, but we soon tired of our game and said good morning only to each other. Now that he's gone, I find myself wishing I had ONE SINGLE other person (beside my husband, we work in same office) that seemed pleased to see me in the morning as I walked into the office, and would say cheerily as I left "see you in the morning". Such a simple thing.

I keep trying things to see if people will follow - a month ago I announced that the G&T cart would be going around the office at Friday at 5pm. At 5pm, I started making drinks (buying everything on my own nickel) and passing them around. Lots of people seemed really appreciative, and to the few who said "we should do this more often" I would reply - great idea, why don't you do it next week? Let's start doing this weekly. What do you think happened?

Maybe I can give it another try - maybe I should have a tougher skin. Maybe I should tell my boss that if he didn't come in before everyone else, lock himself in his office, walk right out the door at the end of the day, he could lead by example. It always starts at the top, doesn't it? I don't think he needs to walk around the office asking about kids baseball games, but would it hurt to say hello to a few people as he waited for the microwave to ding?

Time to get going. Get ready to get into office where I will try again not to be part of the problem. It's tough going.