Big Changes

Three more months left at my job at The Crazy House aka the world's busiest airport. It has been insanely busy and only getting busier with each and every shift. We go on a wait every single night and are balls to the walls busy from the time I walk in until the time I stagger out, drenched in sweat but my pockets stuffed full of cash.

I'm blessed to work at (hands down) the greatest place in the airport. It took me well over six months before I even felt halfway, kinda (sorta) comfortable as a server.

Actually am still learning and growing but feel I have hit my stride as a professional server. It's all thanks to Fifth Group, our parent company who teach you skills and empower you with great management and top notch quality product to sell.

As my skills have improved, so has my compensation for giving this job my all.  It's a seasonal restaurant and the menu changes for times a year. You're always learning and growing at least four times a year.

Let me put it this way, I'd never even heard of the word "Charcuterie" before working for Fifth Group. Now it's my Go To word when pitching appetizers, especially to Europeans. They love their meat and cheese boards like I love hot wings and crinkle cut fries.

I've learned to pronounce, enunciate and  describe things properly and not use the word y'all or fixin.

It ain't easy to do but I done it!

My second year there have turned out to even amaze myself. Every single paycheck gets bigger and better. I read my guests like a book. I know who wants to chat and know who wants to be left alone, yet never having to ask for one thing.

I hit another milestone just this past week. My best shift ever.

Eighteen percent is added to every check, whether charged or in  cash goes on my next paycheck. Anything extra given, I walk with the same night. So I made $334.41 going onto my next check. I made an extra $194.73 charged and another fifty extra in cash.

I'm a firm believer in taking care of my support staff which consists of bartenders, food runners and server assistants (who take excellent care of me because I take excellent care of them). I tipped out around fifty dollars but still made well over five hundred for myself. Not bad for a fifty six year old plate slinger.

Now in just three months I'll have to start all over again at a new place, and dreading it. I don't like changing jobs, this old dog finds it hard to learn new tricks. I worked for Johnny's Pizza fourteen years, then thirteen for LongHorn. Had a four year stint at a local family owned restaurant then moved to the big time a little over two years ago at the airport.

My only consolation is that after learning the ropes from Fifth Group, think I can handle any restaurant.

Guess we'll see!

I put "Five star restaurants in Orlando" into a Google search and the number one hit turned out to be a restaurant my brother took our family to one time when we visited him a few years back.

I think I'll try that one... if they'll take an old skinny broad who finds it hard to learn new tricks.


Here's my dilema. I'm leaving my fantastic job but having to transfer to the Orlando airport to keep all my insurance and benefits. The swankiest place in the Orlando airport owned by the Concessionaire  I receive my pay and benefits through is On the Border or Longhorn.

I've come too far in my chosen career to take that  big of a step back (just saying) but will have to until I can find a street side job.

Tim has insurance through his company but isn't as cheap as mine is with a world wide huge conglomerate. If I can find a job making the money I do now, will be able to add us all on to his policy and just pay the difference myself.

I'm just going to once again have faith in my skills as a server and maybe buy a new dress for an interview.

All the higher ups at Fifth Group already said they would write me excellent letters of recommendation and tell me I'll be 'Prime Pickins'. Orlando is the number one destination city for vacations and Fifth Group is largely known as a premiere restauntier in the south east.

I'll feel uncomfortable starting a new job again and most probably feel uncomfortable for another six months after taking it, but having my family all under one roof again will be worth every uncomfortable day.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

If I've made it this far...

 Always have faith in yourself. If you don't have faith in yourself, you'll never succeed.

Til next time...COTTON

It's Simpler Than You'd Think

With everything recently going on wrong in the world, everyone suddenly feels the immediate need to voice their opinion in every form of social media.

Let the finger pointing begin.

It saddens me how many hate filled posts I read. It's the President's fault. It's the Muslim's fault. It's the homosexual's fault. It's the anti gun people's fault. It's the illegal immigrant's fault. It's the Democrats fault or the Republicans fault.

Let's start with the Republicans and Democrats theory.

Total number of Americans eligible to vote	218,959,000
Total number of Americans registered to vote	146,311,000
Total number of Americans who voted in the 2012 Presidential election	126,144,000
Percent of Americans who voted in the 2012 Presidential election	57.5 %

Not exactly the way to change things if you ask me!

I was talking with some younger (twentyish) co workers a few weeks ago while in the back hall at work waiting for our menu meeting to start before our shift. They were all griping about what a crappy country we live in and how huge corporations are really in charge. I asked each of them if they voted? Not one of them did or ever had. They said if they had would never make a difference.

I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but felt like I was surrounded by six wooden spoons.

That may be the dumbest thing I ever heard come out of their mouths (and I've heard a lot ).

Number one that's a sad state of affairs when the youth of today and our future down the road feel that way.

Total "Apathy" if you ask me (lucky for me this is my blog so no one had to ask) that's sad they are so dense. I didn't have time to tell them the meaning of the word before the menu meeting started so just left it alone and made a mental note of their obliviousness of how a democracy works.

Yes the system has it's flaws but until 100% of us all cast our vote, nothing will change. Voting is a very underused privilege.

Number two, shut up about about illegal immigrants. This country was started  by immigrants.

The problem isn't immigrants, the problem is the perception that all immigrants are bad people. Trust me, there are more than enough bad people in this country and most certainly aren't defined by ethnicity but their actions. Thank God  Native Americans didn't have access to social media... we'd all be in the dog house, so to speak.

Number three;

The above is from an article in the Wall Street Journal. So people think we don't need we need stricter gun control laws? Facts don't lie.

Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy.

I've never owned a gun nor has my husband. My parents never owned a gun either but can "bet your sweet bippy" if  had, would've been secured and kept out of the reach of any of us three kids or anyone else's reach.


Number four.

Enough said.

Who in this world can choose their own sexual orientation and why in this world should anyone else  care about who they were born to be?

I'm more worried about people being good or bad. Isn't that what we all should be worried about?

I'm no rocket scientist by any means but even  I  get it and is a pretty sad sign when I'm smarter than billions of others.



Number five:

Don't even get me started.

I have many Muslim friends, near and dear to my heart.

Now we're just talking about flat out Racism.

Once again, there are good people and bad people.

Bad doesn't  discriminate.

It lashes out and unleashes venom to anyone who's not really listening to reality, in my opinion.

Number six. (don't worry, I'm almost through)


Yes I consider myself a Democrat but have always voted for the person, not the party. I have voted for many (okay maybe a few) Republicans.

Here's my thought on the past eight years. My husband (a good hard working man) was out of work for about two years. We almost lost our home. We made it by with help from many, many friends and totally with government assistance. It was embarrassing to apply for but much needed and most definitely appreciated.

In four year's time have constantly strived to move ahead. We have and are now sitting pretty good thanks to this government everyone is bashing to death.

There are good people in this world and by far outweigh the bad.

It's up to us good people to overcome the bad. It's up to us here in America to exercise our privilege to vote and have our voices heard... and make a difference.

Yes there are many things wrong with our system but is still (luckily) the greatest  and most powerful nation on earth.

It's time to embrace our greatness as a nation, admit our flaws but come together as one. It's time to hug a person you normally wouldn't hug but also time to stop and listen to their story. Try to empathize in life, not just hear.

We need to throw away hate and embrace life with love and gratitude.

Problem solved if you ask a waitress.

Never be silent. Be the sound of something great and make the difference.

If you don't cast  your vote when so very fortunately privileged to do so...you are the sound of silence.

 Til next time...COTTON

Memories

While cleaning out drawers and closets for our move, came across twenty small VCHS tapes I had stuck in a box. I never use my camcorder anymore but did a lot when the kids were younger. I don't think I've watched any of them for about ten years or more. Someone told me they transfer them to DVD form at Sam's club so last payday went and joined. They called less than two weeks later and told me were ready. I picked them up yesterday. They filled up nine DVD's and gave me two copies of each.

I worked in the yards for almost six hours (obvious from the above feet) and came inside to cool off with a cold one.

I spent the next four hours cruising down memory lane. It was wonderful. My own Diddy died in 2002 from West Nile Virus but got to see his face again and hear his voice.

I got to see all three of my kids grow up again, from kindergarten graduations to beach trips with my sister and her own two. I come from a pretty entertaining family, let's just put it that way.

A lot of people aren't as fortunate as me. I come from a very closely knitted family unit which has always been tight. Of course we have disagreements but at the end of the day simply agree to disagree. I know people who haven't spoken to their family members in decades. That simply wouldn't work for us. We're a crazy eclectic clan of nuts and wouldn't have it any other way.

This is one of my favorite family photos from a family reunion a few years after my own mother died in 1977. It pretty much says it all.

This was about a year before I married Tim, but he attended with me. His family is also wonderful and love them to death but they have some issues with staying in touch. That's sad to me. You only have one true family and should be one with no restrictions or hard feelings.

Webster's defines true as "Fundamental; essential" and is exactly what family means to us. Yes, once again I am blessed beyond belief. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my own family and know for a fact (proven over the past half decade) is nothing they wouldn't do for me.

There's just us three sibs left now, but are left with each other and is a wonderful feeling to have.

A happier childhood and memories I couldn't have asked for. The loss of our mother when I was just seventeen was tragic, still is... to all three of us. The loss of my father was a tremendous blow as well but God took him quickly too and us sibs huddled even closer.

Watching those videos last night flooded my thoughts with how lucky I am. I still love my family and my family stills loves me, with all my many faults. Faults simply don't matter in my family... love does.

Counting down the weeks until my own little family is back together again in Orlando. Work is off the chain crazy for me, the summer travel season hit early and still have the Olympics to go. I'm making incredible money and coming home every night totally exhausted but once again blessed beyond belief. I'm socking away every penny I can and thankful for the opportunity to do so.

Case in point.

Really? One dude just having dinner before a flight? I think I've reached the pinnacle of my career as a server but it came just when we (my family) needed it the most and Thank God for it every day.

And bonus point have my sibs supporting me along the way.

I saw the most fascinating video the other day which made me realize what true family is all about. It's a unit who sticks together, let's everyone do their own thing but always have each other's back.

I come from an amazing troop as well.

Til next time...COTTON

It's a Nut House Now

It may only be June 9th but summer is in full swing at the world's busiest airport. I used to call it the Crazy House but has quickly turned into a Nut House. I'm making money hand over fist but certainly earning every penny of it, and the hard way.

I got to work about 1:45 and by 2:30 had about ten tables going at once.  We ran poor Massey ragged for eight hours straight as our server assistant/food runner but in true Cotton style she knocked it out of the park...and then some. There's a lot I haven't done right in my life, but raising lazy kids isn't one of them.

I even got to a point early this afternoon when had to tell the hostess "No" when she asked if I could take another table? She even came up to me at the computer when I was putting an order in and had to raise my hand to stop her from even talking to me. I was ringing in dinner orders for five different tables and drinks for three more.

Once all was said and done (and rung in) I apologized to her but had so much going on could barely think, much less listen. That little hamster in my head was running so hard on his little wheel I felt sparks coming out of my ears as sweat trickled down my back.

And then, just like that they all left at once to board their flights.

Then it started all over again.

Massey came up to me and said "You're seated at table 103. Hot guy from Game of Thrones."

She was right... on both counts.

He stops in our restaurant when flying out about twice a month. This was the first time I'd waited on him. I welcomed him back and he smiled at me.

Be still, my beating heart!

He was dressed in a suit and tie and looked good enough to eat. Instead, I fed him. He asked for suggestions and took all three offered. He was quiet and wore Beats on his head. When he asked for the check, I did my same ole same ole and presented the check with a (Hersey) kiss goodbye. He paid in cash, leaving me ten extra bucks on top of the added eighteen percent. The next time I walked by he stopped me.

Be still my beating heart...again!

He took off his headphones and asked if he could perhaps have another chocolate? I smiled and gave him a handful, adding "Next time it will cost you a selfie with me."

I work in a Wonderland. A crazy, hands down Nut House but the most amazing place I've ever been paid to work.

And just like that, he was gone.

I had another customer, a single man sitting two seats down from him on the banquette. After Big Red left, my other customer said "I kept trying to take a picture of him but the battery in my phone died."

I'm down to twelve weeks left at my current job. Twelve spectacular weeks of nonstop semi controlled chaos and money out the wahzoo. My husband is a huge fan of Game of Thrones and can't wait to tell him I waited on Tormund Giantsbane.

I never ask celeb's for pics with them but trust me, will give the big dude my entire bag of Hersey Kisses next time he comes in for one.

Then again, just like that ... I'll be gone.

It's been a fantastic two and a half years at the Crazy House and so very glad my daughter got to experience part of it with me.

Then come early September...

us Clampetts will load up our truck and move to Orlandy.

Flat that is... retirementhood.

I can hardly wait.

Till next time...COTTON

Love That Francine

Massey and I both worked tonight. As different as we are, in some ways are just the same.

She came up to me at work around five after going to the restroom which happens to be located across the atrium from the restaurant. She said "I think your friend Jessica is sitting at the bar at Lorena Garcia, typing on a laptop".

I worked with Jessica at the "Western Sizzler" aka LongHorn back in the late nineties. Massey hasn't seen her in probably about ten years but has a memory like her momma.

She was one of only a small handful of people I still consider dear friends. That's her on the right and another on the left. (shout out to Lisa too)

So I wandered across the atrium to see if Massey was right. I haven't seen her in quite a while either, but Massey was right... it was her! We chatted for a few minutes and guess Massey saw us talking from the restaurant so came over too.

Let me say that she is one of the most lovely persons you'd ever be lucky enough to meet. She's smart, beautiful and not necessarily in that order. She's also sweet without a mean bone in her body.

When Tim and I were at our lowest point, years after she'd graduated from Ga. State University and had moved on from LongHorn, was married and had a great corporate job with a pretty huge restaurant.

Faithfully, every month or so we would receive an envelope in the mail. No note or message but filled with about thirty or forty free meal cards for the place she worked.

Sometimes was the only way I had to feed my family at the time and my kids even came to recognize her envelope in the mailbox and would be excited beyond anything to see it when checking the mail. They would sit at our kitchen table and divvy out the cards between them.

So tonight, she wandered across the atrium about an hour later and asked for my table. She had returned from a work trip and waiting for her husband to arrive on a later flight from a fishing trip with their youngest son.

She had a couple of hours to wait and was working from her laptop. I ordered her some fried goat cheese balls, our signature appetizer and immediately decided (without telling) her visit would be on me. Most excellent time to Pay It Forward!

I introduced her to one of my managers, another favorite person of mine in the world and after telling him later I wanted to pay her tab said he'd comp all of it  except alcohol ( not legally allowed) but she only had two glasses of wine over a three hour period.

So when the time came for her to leave, told her the tab was taken care of.

She fed my kids for years and was glad to do something nice for her.

We hugged, took the above pic together and had an awesome time chatting and laughing. Luckily my section of tables was slow and had plenty of time to converse. I told her some of my airport stories (trust me have plenty) and learned some of her own stories, raising two youngsters of her own.

So after she left, went to clear her table.

Under her napkin was one of the sweetest notes I've ever gotten. Massey said I should have it framed, and just might!

And under that note, was a beyond exorbitant cash tip.

How awesome is that?

She is one of two girls (who other happens to also be named Jessica)  I worked with at LongHorn and are both dear to my heart and for some reason love an old skinny woman.

Funniest thing I remembered about her tonight after her leaving.

When she worked with me at LongHorn years ago, my kids were still little and watched PBS all the time told her one day she reminded me of Francine on the PBS show Arthur.

I also still remember her saying "Thanks, so I look like an aardvark?"


Jessica is the Kardashian of aardvarks and yes I'm a mental case...but an extremely lucky one.

Can my life get any better?

COTTON

Another Day Clearer and Closer

 

When it comes to work am a creature of habit. I know my schedule and is the only way I can tell what day of the week it is.

My nephew got married last week so took two days off in a row for their rehearsal dinner and wedding.  My usual off days are split. I told my managers at work to schedule me any days they wanted as long as I could have those two particular days off.

The little hamster inside my head who runs on that wheel got all confused. I haven't been able to keep up with what day it is for almost a week.

I had to write on the calendar when I am supposed to work and have to look at it every night.

Life could be worse.  I could be out of work and have nothing to write on my calendar.

Been there done that! 

I'm seemingly (not) suddenly at one of the best places in my life. It was hands down a hard five year climb but think (know) has made me a better person.

I've had more than a few people contact me about how we got through the biggest financial debacle of our life.

I can't say for certain but am pretty sure is because we never gave up.

I spent three years paying NSF fees and most probably funded the building of a new branch for my bank.

When our mortgage company tried to scare us with foreclosure, getting six months behind for the first time in fifteen years after being on time for every payment before...almost dared them to.

The only reason they wanted our house is because were three years from payoff and wanted to profit from our loss.

Always fight.

We chose to be players, albeit paying late fees. My husband took a job way beneath his potential but after six months was rewarded and has soared after almost two years of living a thousand miles away from us. (Huge thanks to Vicki for the recommendation)

I stepped out on a limb, fumbling then tackling the greatest serving job ever. It's a nightmare to even get to the job but once through the hoops of parking and TSA security have made more money than I could ever dream of making.

Almost thirty years ago Tim married me in a big ole borrowed hat and pair of borrowed shoes. I got my dress for seventy bucks at a JCP outlet and had it altered to fit my tiny bust.

I've shrunk about twenty pounds the last decade from fret and worry but am busting out now.

When you think you can't, you can. Even when you think all is lost, what's the harm in keeping on? It certainly beats the alternative.

If you don't try how will you ever know if you can succeed?

You can just live, or you can live your life.

Not ashamed to say that after all these years of struggling, was totally worth it and would do it all again in a heart beat.

Three months to go!!

COTTON

Gravy

Twelve weeks from today we'll be packing up the house we've lived in for over twenty years and moving to Florida to join my husband. We're still undecided but thinking maybe Melbourne or Cocoa Beach area. With Tim's new promotion, is manager of deliveries over the entire state now and will travel quite a bit but his home office will be in Orlando. I've put in for four days of vacation the first week in July and will hopefully find something then.

The past two and a half years have gone by in a furious but overwhelmingly awesome blur and quite often wonder why all this goodness happened to me?

I ponder on it more than I should, probably because am a worrier by nature.

Was never a worrier when young, single and incredibly stupid (with a pretty good figure) but since marrying and bringing kids into this messed up world have realized the fragility of life and how much it means to be a hard working good and trusted person.

It means everything.

I've sometimes done the wrong  thing with good intentions and kited more than my fair share of checks during our crisis but have never done nothing.

Nothing means zero or as the Clampetts said, naught. You have to wake up every day and continue to give life your all. The fact you even woke up is a blessing to begin with, the rest is simply gravy.

Sometimes the gravy doesn't thicken like you'd want or may be watery or without flavor... but it's still gravy. Something added as a bonus.

My last job, worked thirteen out of fourteen available shifts a week solid for over two years just to make ends meet. Sometimes even that wasn't enough but was fortunate enough to work  for a family owned restaurant who took care of or loaned me the rest, interest free.

That was awesome gravy, and the gravy which got us through.

Then I hit the lottery of a life time. A job with so many logistical challenges but also with the sweetest gravy ever. Financial freedom from debt.

And all along the way, were blessed with friends and sometimes even strangers who read or heard of our struggle and gave selflessly to our cause.

Oh, we've so got this now and don't you think for a minute we'll ever forget the love. If you want to be loved... you have to love. If you want to be helped, you have to help others as well, even when struggling yourself.

Our struggles have been the strongest part of our life and marriage. Without them, we'd be a weak, watery and tasteless gravy.

It's pretty good to feel like you used to wake up dreading taking another single step but seemingly just like that, you're tasting the best gravy ever.


My life is good, my life is full and not too sure how I got here but glad I did.

Til next time, COTTON

It's Bad When I'M The Normal One

I've always been a little (maybe lot) crazy. I kind of like being crazy, beats being dull. Since working at the world's busiest airport have met my match, time and time again. Not necessarily passengers but even people you encounter from the commute to and from. Hands down, MARTA has the most nuts and after riding it for almost a year had seen quite enough.

Then once caught up financially and making extremely good money decided to drive directly to the parking deck. It cut more than three hours off each work day and seemed well worth the twelve bucks a day.

Once again, when you work at the international terminal at the airport...there's always a hitch. During peak travel season the deck is sometimes full and would have to drive back around to domestic to park then shuttle bus back around to international. I only had to do that once, I got pretty good at talking my way into the deck telling them would take my chances at finding a spot. Sometimes it would be far away from the elevator or on the fifth floor but at least once parked was only five minutes away from the security checkpoint and then at work in less than two more.

We (us airport employees) got all excited when they built a new parking deck, not on airport property (but close to) and not run by the airport. They boasted an opening special rate of $8.25 per day which is a significant difference.

We were all bummed out when they (FastPark) told us they wouldn't allow airport employees to park there. After being open several months and never once filling up the lot suddenly changed it's mind.

It's a dream come true!

I still ride the shuttle with all the same peeps, just a different, new shuttle and save four bucks a day. They even let us earn reward points. For every seven days of parking you get one free. We were all initially ticked at them but once they welcomed us have been great. They pick you up at your car and you never wait more than one minute. They also take you back to the exact spot you parked and even give you a free bottle of cold water when you leave.

When we rode the other shuttle, always had to wait for passengers to fill up the bus and always tried to sit at the front so could shoot out the door before all the suitcases were unloaded.

So tonight after work, Massey and another co worker rode the new shuttle back to our cars. We love it. They have a blinking timer and after pulling up wait just two minutes before leaving for the parking deck. I was on one side of the bus and Massey and our friend sat together on the other side. The timer was ticking down when a small asian woman in an airline uniform climbed aboard and squeezed into the first spot. The driver even knew her name and welcomed her aboard. A woman at the back of the bus obviously knew her and said "Why don't you come sit by me?" The woman patted her seat and said she needed to be near the front to get off first. Her friend said "Why? They take you right to your car."

When the driver picks you up at your car after parking they write your parking spot number down on a ticket and give it to you. When you get back on the bus after work, hand the driver your ticket which lets them know the exact spot your car is located in the parking lot and will drop you off right beside your vehicle. It's awesome.

We (me Massey and co worker) kind of chuckled but let it go. The moment the bus took off and left the shelter of the terminal raindrops dotted the windshield. Our little buddy freaked out, looking out all sides of the bus and lamenting "Oh NO, is it really raining?  Oh my God!"

It was barely drizzling.

Guess that was fear factor number one with her. Turns out she had plenty of others.

When we pulled into the lot after leaving the airport, the driver announced she would start at row J and continue on to A.

The little lady started to immediately fret again, actually wringing her hands while saying "I'll just get off on J because I'm parked on I, not A.

The driver calmly said "You don't have to walk in the rain, I'll take you to your car."

Our little freak just got more agitated, thinking the driver was going straight from row J to row A without stopping again and make Ms. Liu have to wait even longer. I was on one side of the shuttle bus, Massey and our friend sat on the other. Several other passengers also tried to explain it to her but she wasn't picking up what they were putting down.

Immediately my cell pinged to notify me of a text and after looking across the bus at my co worker and Massey (both smiling and busy on their cells) knew exactly who was texting. I just looked at them both, smiling (almost laughing) and said "I don't even have to look...I know."

One text read:  "Shut up woman, they're going to stop for you I promise!"

Followed by the other one texting: "Crazy lady, I want to push her out the door."

I think everyone else on the bus felt the same way. It's not rocket science,  it's a shuttle bus drop off.

The woman ended up getting off  on the same aisle as Massey and me. She literally ran to her car and cranked up immediately. Massey and I got in my car and drove around to the exit to pay.

There she was, pulled over to the side of their office and going inside for yet another unknown reason. I thought maybe she had to go use the restroom so cut her some slack and tooled on up to the pay station.

I handed the woman my ticket and $8.25. You know me, I had to ask.

"So do you happen to know Ms. Liu who also parks here?"

Her response:

"Girl, I finally just quit trying to even talk to her."

I chuckled and grabbed our two free Dasani water bottles from the cooler and told her not to forget to remind Ms. Liu to get hers. Just as I was saying the words and pulling out, saw Ms. Liu walking up behind the attendant booth from her car (still parked by the office) and knocking on the booth.

Massey sent our co worker (who got off the shuttle after us) a text on the way home telling her about what happened at the pay booth. Our co worker responded:

"Yes girl! She held up the damn line forever!! The lady apologized to me when I got to the window. She said that lady is always causing some kind of mess."

I'm not sure what our crazy new friend does at the airport but certainly hope it has nothing to do with Homeland Security or we're all screwed.

It boggles my own tiny mind when people can't even figure out the little  things for themselves.

(blog now continuing to the next day)

I told my co worker today that wish I had videoed the entire bizarre event with my cell phone and promise to if (and when) it ever happens again.

I know everybody has their thing  and have quite a few things  of my own. (no shame in that)

I kinda (almost sorta) miss riding MARTA because never get to see my little buddy anymore who could zip her purse like nobody's bidness.

I actually admired this woman who obviously has issues and things of her own but still maintains a job, travels to and from every day on (not so) rapid transit  and earns a paycheck. Come to think about it may be the most interesting person I've met in my tenure at the world's busiest, craziest airport.

Our executive chef rides MARTA everyday to work. He lives two minutes from a line and is fortunately convenient for him to use.  He still sees her all the time, doing her thing.

Kudos to her ... and she's a hero to me.

 

It makes me feel better to know at least all my cylinders are still firing but trust me, also know I'll be the star of someone's cell phone capture sooner  than later.

They should consider working at the world's busiest airport taking a class called "Psychology 1000 and then some."

Can't even imagine what the next three months will unveil.

It's most definitely been a learning (and life) experience.

Til next time... COTTON