For the Love of the Game

Sometimes you have to be your own biggest fan. When there's no one else to help you up, dust you off, and tell you good game, you have to do it yourself. Or sometimes that's how it seems.

So here I am reminding myself of why I am here in the first place. Because sometimes the hardest part about having a goal, is remembering it.

Eat, drink, travel, write and get paid for it. Once I realized that everything in my life pointed to this very destiny, I knew, I just KNEW I was destined to do anything and everything that had to do with eating, drinking, traveling, and if I had time...writing.

So picture this...I'm in a small town in a small restaurant at a small table on a small island in Greece with a small group of people. One of them being my best friend but the others are a very odd, very eclectic mix of people who don't necessarily follow the same rules or believe the same beliefs or hell, I don't even think we all spoke the same language. But there we were. Sharing a meal. Drinking some local wine. And cheersing for today. Because at that moment, it didn't matter where we came from, what we believed in or what language we spoke. Because food (and wine) is a universal language. And it almost always translates.

And that's it. Sometimes that's all it takes to remind me that it's not about where you are or where your going but who's plate your eating off of! As I watch this restaurant work, with the love and the pride that goes into every dish and every pour, it's then that it all makes sense for me to be right here, right now, managing Love Lane Kitchen. While it's not always easy, it's always worth it. And I feel thankful. And I realize it's not about being dusted off or told good job, but to be here for the love of the game.

And then all of a sudden there they are, the people around me, who were there all along just waiting to tell me, "thanks." Whether it's a customer, or a staff member, or even, yes, believe it, my boss- Someone, somewhere had a "Thank You" when I was least expecting it.

That's when it becomes clear that's it all a matter of awareness, of attitude and most of all, of gratitude.

Lost Love

Do I really need to start this off with "I know it's been awhile but (insert lame excuses here)"

Now that that's out of the way...I'm happy and sad all at the same time to say that the restaurant I blogged about months ago (nine to be exact but who's counting) is, well, to say its not the same would be an understatement. To say I am not entirely happy about the changes would be a lie, but let's face it, change sometimes sucks.

Only because you get cozy and comfy and wrapped up in your little world that goes around and around smoothly, seamlessly. Unfortunately, that also means your not necessarily growing or coming or going. And while you may be doing your best on this lovely, joyous little merry go round, eventually, something has to give. Because really, although that path is pretty, it is after all, a path. To somewhere. Right?

So, while I'm still very much on mine, so are all my fellow (and former) co-workers. Miss Jennilee Morris has accomplished maybe one of her biggest goals she has set for herself yet...maybe. She's got some pretty bad ass goals. This past November she became the new owner of Country Corner Cafe. Her own place. Kind of like Oprah having her own network. It's that big. And awesome. I can fill an entire blog about how proud and happy I am for Jenni. Maybe I will... And once that gets cozy and comfy they'll be even bigger things. Always. And she's taking Kim with her. Punks.

Chef Ben decided to sail away to the USVIs but was ultimately grounded due to complications of a previous matter. That sounded good right? Anyway, he never went. And since he already had his mind wrapped around leaving, he did. You can find him at Bahia, where the hot sauce is hot and the cheese is melty and gooey.

Cory moved to Florida to be closer to family. He's probably fishing right now, or playing video games. Or playing a fishing video game.

So, while moving is sometimes moving up, moving over, or moving on, it almost always leaves those in the original place feeling a little nostalgic for what was. For me, it's the ease of working with my friends who made work fun, who encouraged me to do my best (and who was there for me with a beer or 6 when you need it). And who happen to all be an awesome team of managers and chefs.