Florida 2007
Thursday, October 11th, 2007
Where to start? That holiday was well needed. It didn’t quite blow me away but it definitely took the edge off of what was starting to boil at work. Seven nights in Orlando without a single drop of sunscreen and I return unburned and sweetly tanned; at least on the visible parts.
It was the first time I had flown on an aeroplane since my last holiday, which was all the way back in 1998. Damn – was so close to being able to tell people that I haven’t had a holiday in 10 years. It was exactly how I remembered it – cramped and long. The flight out took off at 12:50 local time and was actually fairly comfortable. A good book and Blades of Glory kept me entertained for most of it. The food wasn’t half bad either. The dessert was a little chocolate mousse that was heaven in a pot.
The weather on arrival was dismal with thunderous showers all night but thankfully that was the worst of it. Florida showers fall hard and fast and without warning. Although they were prevalent during our stay they were few and far between and short lived.
Read on..
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I need a vacation
Sunday, September 30th, 2007
This holiday is very much needed. In less than twenty-four hours I should be well on my way across the Atlantic for a week of sun and thrill rides. In a way it has come at a good time, because work is becoming evermore stressful, but in another way it is most unwelcome as for the next two weeks there is an air of uncertainty over my future.
I need a promotion desperately, and am willing to take pretty much anything right now. So long as it encompasses more money and authority then it is a step forward. Right now, all the extras that I do that are above and beyond my pay grade are simply not worth my effort. I get paid the same wage as all the other food and beverage guys and yet do more work.
In the last two days I have found out that a guy in my place is being given the position as assistant food and beverage supervisor, or something like that. The question begs – assistant to who? It’s certainly not me. I don’t think it would be the General Manager either because he doesn’t spend any time in our department to oversee anything. The only other possibility is assistant to a new Operations Manager, who I have heard rumours of. There was even a mention of a new one being in place by the time I got back from holiday, and any ops manager who comes along will surely be putting in a significant presence in our department in our very heavily food and beverage orientated hotel.
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Pay Day
Friday, August 31st, 2007
It’s the last Friday of month which means the wages I have earned between the days between 6 weeks ago and 2 weeks ago are landed in my bank account, and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Today I forked out the hefty sum of £383.87 to the local garage for a service and MOT on my Peugeot 206. Turns out it needed a reasonable amount of work done on it, and in the short drive from the forecourt to our driveway there is a noticeable difference.
I already knew that I would need new front wheel arch lining (that greyish bit of plastic that stops dirt and rubble from flying up from under the wheels and in to the engine) but was more surprised to find out one of the wheel rims had a buckle in it, which had ultimately caused tyre damage so those needed swapping. There was also a puncture in another tyre caused by a screw but that was able to be repaired. Few other bits and pieces thrown in for the service were new brake pads, a rear wipe blade and a couple of litres of anti-freeze.
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Discipline this… too
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
Had my disciplinary interview today, much to my surprise. I thought I was just going in to balance the cellars and do some keyline checks when the head of human resources hands me a letter requiring my attendance to the investigative interview in about half an hour.
It did not go well at all. I should have lied. I wish I had lied. The truth is painful and the truth is what they got and now it’s going to bite me in the ass. I admitted that I did not follow company procedures with regard to taking room charges so I’ve pretty much dug my own grave. All that’s left is to curl up in it and die.
I am so freakin pissed with the general manager right now that I am certain to be leaving my position soon, and it should come as no surprise. About 12 weeks ago I announced that I would be resigning without immediate effect, as so that the company would not be left in the lurch whilst a number of staff were taking holiday. Reasons for this included lack of progress, lack of proper management or supervision within my department, unfavorable working conditions and the unlikely prospect of any of these factors being given due attention in the near future. I was persuaded to stay with the promise of change that comes under new management and more attention to my personal development.
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Discipline this
Thursday, August 23rd, 2007
The General Manger wants to issue a disciplinary to me and my two friends. I guess he’s pissed off that a number of guests swindled their way out of paying for about £300 worth of drink on Saturday by faking signatures all night.
You see, when a guest arrives at the hotel they can preauthorise their room account with their credit card which allows them to charge goods and services to that account during their stay. Everything is tallied up to a single bill which is paid for at reception. At the time of check-in, they are issued with a room charge card which has on it the booking name, the room number and signature of the card holder. When a guest wants to charge to their room account, we staff are required to ask for this card for proof of residency in the appropriate room. The customer must then sign their itemised till receipt which is retained by us and used as evidence of purchase should there be any queries by the customer when they come to pay their final bill.
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