I skate through life. Ask any of my former teachers, my friends, my parents, anyone who knows me. They can tell you with no doubt in their mind, that I am a slacker. I've had most of life handed to me on a silver platter, I've gotten through on luck, a little bit of skill, and smooth talking. Lately though, I have begun to realize that there is more out there than I've been living. While there stands a lot to be gained from fooling everyone around you into getting what you want, there is also a lot to earn from straight up hard work.
About 2 weeks ago, I started working at this restaurant down the street, a restaurant that shall remain unnamed, you stalkers you. In these few short weeks, I have realized real fast that good looks and charm, whatever little I have, will not get me through this. I am going to have to work my ass off to achieve what I want to do. So far, I have been insulted more times than I can count, put down on everything I have done, and generally been informed that I have no right to be in a kitchen, let alone try and cook anything. Just today, I was informed that none of my goals are going to come true, that all I am doing is a waste of time. I am not motivated enough, I am not smart enough, I am not strong enough. I was laughed at for wanting to achieve something that this man thought I could not do.
The worst part about all of this, is that it is all simply a teaching technique. While, yes, I am fairly certain that the man I am working for is certifiably insane, he is still trying to help. I guess that's how it goes in real life. You have to go through an initiation process, however strange it may be. You can't simply jump into anything with no hassle; you have to be taught by the crazy.
So far, in my humble job as a prep chef in the restaurant business, I have done absolutely nothing but garnish food, or perhaps prepare a side dish or two. I have stood next to a ranting and raving chef, of a good 6 foot 5 stature, ranting and raving, going from position to position for 6 hours. This man went from hating the Culinary, to praising it, and back again 4 times in one conversation. He told me that it is useless 30 times, and then told me I would never survive because it is so intense 29 times. He informed me that I need to take initiative 10 times, then when doing so, I was pushed out of the way 11 times. This man, is nuts.
He is not only crazy though, as my complaints seem to indicate. He is also trying to teach me in everything he is doing. We had a conversation about how he started his business, about where he started, how old he was, what he had done with his life. I got a little peek into this man's psyche, where I started to understand where the crazy comes from. He's been through a lot, seen a lot, and done a lot. I can learn from this. True, I may not get the lessons that he intended, which he means to be about cooking. But I will be getting a lesson in life, in work ethic, in how a good business is truly run.
I am going to stick this out as long as possible; hopefully for the entire 6 months leading up to the CIA, as it is required that I have experience for the school. I also have more motivation that that to stick it out though. For one, the happenings at this place give me great blog material, as you've only heard a tip of the iceberg on this eccentric man, but of course for the learning value as well. I will keep you posted on the job, and life as it comes.
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