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.