I Need a Breath of Fresh Air

It has been a crazy week, holy cow. Three big events:

1. Michele was fired. I know it's not really a good thing to wish this upon anyone, but this woman's nickname amongst all her employees is "Dragon Lady". Need I say more? Michele used to send the GM nightly emails about which server or employee she had in her sights for that moment - everyone around her always "needs a wakeup call", or "needs a serious discussion", or she's "burnt on their attitude". Almost every employee at one point or another has been deserving of termination in her eyes. And it never once occured to her that she might actually be the problem. At almost 50 years old, she has no sense of self-awareness....no possible clue that it might be her own ego or shortcomings that could be causing all the interpersonal issues on the restaurant floor. Honestly, I just have no patience for that kind of attitude - I know that I am in no way perfect. I have my moments of Type A Control Freak crap here at work, but if I end up with a real problem in front of me....I usually question myself first. How can I make this situation better? And 9 times out of 10, a quick moment of self reflection solves the problem.

Not Michele - the smallest issues become a federal case, and it's always somebody's fault. Normally I let Michele's crap flow in one ear and out the other, but about a week ago, she got in my face, raised her voice, and demanded her way or the highway. I was a little shaken by her total irrationality, and by how rudely she was willing to treat another human being. It's not the first time she's been hostile with me, but by God......it was the last.

It's already a happier place here...

2. I got my raise. I had a really awesome conversation with one of the owners on Tuesday - he asked me to stop by his home (a flipping amazing beachfront compound) to talk about my request, and about some other things going on at Mala. I was taken by surprise - while I was marvelling at the Christmas card on his desk from Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones - he flat out asked me what would make me happy. He let me know how much he valued my contribution at Mala, and how much he appreciated my keeping things in order there - something I hadn't heard before. I was surprised at how good it made me feel!! But I was definitely caught off guard, and in hindsight, I wish that I'd asked for more, but c'est la vie. He called me today to let me know that he was going to give me the raise. It was awesome, and it will allow me to fast track paying my dad back some money and start saving for a reliable vehicle, and be able to do outcalls for massage.

(2a. Jace, my one regular weekly client totally gave me a raise too. He upped my rate on his own just because he thinks I'm worth it. That was cool too.).

And saving the best for last.....number THREE.

Bradley and I had a real conversation about moving in together. Next month marks one year that we've been together (where did the time go???), and I feel as though we're following a very natural and easy path of being a....I don't know. A team? Partners? I'm not sure how to describe the fact that I just feel like we're very easily facing the world together now - a united front, interdependent. It's more romantic than that....I don't know how I feel about the term soul mate, but if I beleived in that....Bradley feels like mine. I've never felt this with anyone before, and I don't know if it's a factor of Bradley being the right man for me, or if it's just that now I'm ready for a truly serious relationship......maybe it's a little of both. But it doesn't really matter....I love him deeply, and can't imagine my life without him.

I've been thinking lately about moving out of my house (sniffle) to save some money, especially since there are so many places for rent out there right now. In talking more seriously about it, Bradley and I have more and more started hinting around at our future together. We had a really great talk last week about our relationship, and then this week we had an official conversation - I'll be moving in to his place with him when it's done. He had already been figuring out extra storage and closet space for my stuff and my shoes.....sneaky bastard.

It was such an easy conversation. I mean, of course there will be some getting used to...some adjusting, but I'm not scared at all. We spend every night together as it is. The only drawback is that it's in North Kihei, so it will be a hefty trek to work and back every day. I suppose that's more motivation to save pennies for a car. :)

I'm so flipping excited. I love this boy so very much that I can't even think about it too hard or I get all teary and emotional.

Anyhoo....that's 6-8 months in the future, when the place had passed inspection and all that jazz. So I've got some time in between, and I'm in the process as of this week of looking for a new interim place to live. I've been looking with Ryan Robinson - he's the front man for the band I've been singing with on occasion. He's a cool guy, and I'm hoping it works out - he does have some limitations on where he can live because the band needs to practice, so we'll see.


I believe that's all the craziness for this week so far. B-rad and I are thinking about a quick Hana trip this weekend - maybe leave tonight and head out for some overnight fishing at Wainapanapa. That would be fun, haven't been in a while. I'm just hoping for good weather - it's time for this rain to vamos already!