Thank You Marilyn King !

[Lena]

Hello

[Lena]

We're back up !!!!!

Moi found a saved old post in her favorites and posted this entry so from tomorrow all new posts will be found here...................

[Alf Huckham]

It's back!

Simple really- can't believe I didn't think of that

just in process of bumping mine!

[Lena]

FRUSTRATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

My spelcheck works everywhere but at FF today ..................

Don't have several hours free time to go over every word myself so will try later .Have to think this is the result of the big bang here at FF

In brief met my mentor April for lunch yesterday and had a great time . as epected learned we are from TOTALLY different worlds ! Although both from big familys her folks were definitely UMC , had a good marriage, and loved there kids. All are doing great except one 25 year old guy whose bipolar and a alcoholic . Was nice to have one eprson among al the dcotors ,lawyers, profesors she rattleld off in her family moi could relate too.....................

Did see too how oin our own seperate ways on the same page about work .Both want to do a good job and willthrow alot of effort into doing that . Although for April since its her carer while with moi it's more like being motivated by fear since I want to kep the job since it's better money & conditions better then when I was a bartender .

Some very helpful hints about what she calls office deportment and with my big issue of getting a handle on management culture. At several points talking to her about that was like being back with a shrink ............... But with what I saw as cognative therapy I made a break thru and am very happy about that ...............!!!!! Am digging up old memorys about when moi was put in new situartions ( and I don't mean sexual situations ) where I had to have some faith in myself and abiltiy to learn .Like moving from Lawrence county to Bragg being part of army world with a new family, all those yankees and foreigners then coming here to the big bad city to live. In the end it all worked out , although here my way of fitting in here could have got me killed/sent to prison/pregnant many many times ................ More on that when spellcheck works ................


Today in white turtleenck and tan corduroy slacks with a red gstrings & nude knee highs . At work tonite the navy blue skirt suit uniform with the matching mutli coloeed blouse & navy blue heels !

[Lena]

FRUSTRATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

My spellcheck works everywhere but at FF today ..................

Don't have several hours free time to go over every word for spelling so will try later .Have to think this is the result of the big bang here at FF

In brief met my mentor April for lunch yesterday and had a great time . as epected learned we are from TOTALLY different worlds ! Although both from big familys her folks were definitely UMC , had a good marriage, and loved there kids. All are doing great except one 25 year old guy whose bipolar and a alcoholic . Was nice to have one eprson among al the dcotors ,lawyers, professors she rattleld off in her family moi could relate too.....................

Did see too how in our own seperate ways on the same page about work .Both want to do a good job and will throw alot of effort into doing that . Although for April since its her career with alot of pride mixxed in while with moi it's more like being motivated by fear since I want to keep the job since it's better money & conditions better then when I was a bartender .

Some very helpful hints about what she calls office deportment and with my big issue of getting a handle on management culture. At several points talking to her about that was like being back with a shrink ............... But with what I saw as cognative therapy I made a break thru and am very happy about that ...............!!!!! Am digging up old memorys about when moi was put in new situartions ( and I don't mean sexual situations ) where I had to have some faith in myself and abiltiy to learn .Like moving from Lawrence county to Bragg being part of army world with a new family, all those yankees and foreigners then coming here to the big bad city to live. In the end it all worked out , although here my way of fitting in here could have got me killed/sent to prison/pregnant many many times ................ More on that when spellcheck works ................


Today in white turtleenck and tan corduroy slacks with a red gstrings & nude knee highs . At work tonite the navy blue skirt suit uniform with the matching mutli coloeed blouse & navy blue heels !

[Lena]

Yipppeeee Spellcheck is back working today ................ Moi really needs it to dot is blog since am such a bad speller and make so many typos they have to be corrected or nobody could understand what I've written . Also it takes way too much time for me to go line by line correcting everything .............it's really hell for a non compulsive person like moi


Falls is here, very crisp and cool outside this morning . A very fall kind of day complete with the leaves on trees finally starting to change .I like it , summers drag on for to long here and the fall is exciting what with not just new weather ( cold weather makes me feel deeper for some reason ) but also all the holidays coming around the corner .The cats were both in the window all excited about the leaves blowing across the front lawn , think they believed they were mice. Wonder when we'll be getting the first snowfall ?


I had lunch with my boss/mentor April yesterday .Quite the bonding experience, complete with girl talk . She really is a good person , very honest and sincere who won't back stab you . Also pretty dedicated to doing a good job for the sake of doing a good job which you don't see much off anymore . Karin says to be careful with what I say around here since as I always say the world's full of snakes . That's ironic coming from her since Karin has always said I'm too cynical and suspicious . Glad to see a little bit of moi's street sense is rubbing off on my too trusting gf whose from the sheltered world of middle class suburbia . Maybe it's just jealousy since I've been talking so much about April lately ? After all she is hand walking me thru starting out as a manager . Am now giving some thought to not mentioning April so much ...........


Our lunch really had 2 parts , the first being April and I first making small talk ( mostly about the weather and how nice the restaurant was ) then about ourselves and work . As expected moi learned she's from a completely different background then me .Her dads a lawyer, her mom just retired as a school counselor , I had to mention how I knew plenty of them starting in kindergarten going right thru 12the grade which also no surprise had April's eyes bugging out . But like me is from a big family with 3 sisters and 2 brother.But thats where the similarity ended, all seemed to be doctors ,lawyers, or professors.The only one I could relate too was her younger brother whose 19 and stays home all day getting high listening to heavy metal .Moi however didn't mention that and kept the sad truth about eh siblings to her self . Actually I didn't have to say anything since am sure my silence about family told it all and she had to have heard about me from Brendan he Food & Beverage manager who for years was like a Big Brother.


We had more in common when the talk shifted to what else but work .Ironically enough we both got in the hotel business by accident . She was working on a doctors degree in Russian studys at Columbia University in NYC and got a pt job at a big hotel downtown . While working on a big report /book called a dissertation to get her degree she sent out resumes but no one was interested . So decided to take some time off and make some money working at the hotel full time.Management liked her and within a few weeks was a a manager .The rest as they s y is history .She's done real well and actually likes the hotel business too, feels good seeing the front desk run smoothly and helping out the guests . You have to admire her dedication . She plans to get a MBA after her dissertation is done ,then after telling em that she rolled her eyes saying 'Whenever that will be ....... : I was almost to embarrassed to talk about how I got in the business after that Just said how after a disaster working in a nursing home where the smell of urine drove my allergies wild ( left out how I was accused of stealing from several residents, actually only stole from one ) and got a job as a breakfast waitress at the MARRIOTT but that wasn't working since I was either late from sleeping in from too much partying the nite before or was dead tired from coming right from partying to work . April laffed at that , bringing up how in school she could be tired from either staying up all nite talking to friend at the dorm or studying ( the idea of studying all nite left me cold , I couldn't do it ) but then a opening on afternoons in the bar for a cocktail waitress came up so I jumped at . Made it a point to laff at myself for having been so immature and a hick , saying how I felt so sophisticated and ambitious being a cocktail waitress .She laffed and told me not to feel bad since by her second year in college she thought she was THE all time expert on Russia..................that made me feel better She also liked/respected how I decided to move up to being a bartender including even the part about getting out of having to be on my feet in heels all day .She nodded approvingly when i said how being bartender looked good since the pay was better and you got treated better . Mentioned too how I wud have never even thought about applying for the job if it hadn't been for the encouragement of my bf at the time . She looked a little shocked about me mentioning having been with a guy since am sure like everyone else at work she assumes I'm a lesbian ( there wasn't enough time for me to get into the whole complex subject of my sexuality ) but then said how that was good advice .It was too I said , saying how Rusty really was a great influence in so many ways Then she asked if she could be as so bold to know whatever happened to him so I dropped the bomb saying wifey didn't approve of his seeing me and made a issue about it .That seemed a little shocking to April and she was good enough to let the whole subject drop .


I mentioned how I love her dedication to the job and see how thats why she's so motivated and respected .She blushed . Then maybe opening up a little too much as Karin warned against mentioned how i want to do a god job too but have always worked on fear .Meaning how have always been scared of being poor again so make sure I do a good a job as possible without getting to fanatic about it so I hold onto my job whatever it is . She laffed at that saying fear can be a good motivator . Did see though how I should get more of her attitude about pride and dedication although heaven as my witness don't ever want to become one of those colossal phony ass -kicking hotel people .But then again April isn't one of them , being a person committed to doing good at what she's doing . A real insite for moi about approaching your job ..................


Did bring up how am nervous about fitting into manager land .After all like allthe other managers moi never went to college and hasn't gone thru the career training program . She laffed at that saying thats how she felt after making the jump from being a desk clerk to actual manager of the whole front desk ,it just takes time she says .Bringing up how at 23 with only 6 months experience most part time she was bossing around people alot older with years of experience in the hotel business and it drove her insane . But one nite after crying about all the pressure from April's oldest sister told her how if she could learn to speak and read ( they have a whole different alphabet ) a language as complicated as Russian then she could handle anything . April finished up saying just keep doing your job the way your doing and be nice to everyone ( the managers ) and you'll be fine . I hope so .....................


After that some office gossip ..............she warned me never to get caught in a room alone with Roland the purchasing agent since he has a record of making passes .I laffed and said no problem there , besides guys like him with mullets and handle bar mustaches who wear velour sport coats were never my thing . Although her mouth was full April started to laff and had to use her napkin. After finishing she said how it's really true what they say about my sense of humor .


On the way to work gave some thought to my anxiety about living in manager land and took some solace ( new word ) from how a born winner like April had the same feelings .Good to know your not alone in the anxiety department !!!! But then thought more and more about how April's sister had told her how if she was smart enough to learn about Russian then she could learn the ins and outs of working with people in the hotel business.That had a real cognitive therapy ring to it like the social worker used in my last adventure in psychotherapy ................... So thought what experiences I had that I could turn to to do what April did and came up with a few. More about them tomorrow but do feel better and more confident about how to deal with the other managers.....................


Today in black wool turtleneck dress from THE MARILYN KING COLLECTION with my black boots with a black cami & bikini briefs & nude garter stockings . At work the navy blue skirt suit uniform and matching multi coloerd blouse with navy blue heels ...............

[Lena]

It's really coming down outside this morning , even some thunder . I like that .............

Am feeling pretty good. At last think I have found a way to deal with the ton of anxiety inside me about fitting into manager world . It hasn't been easy ................... You'd never think the experience of a woman up to New York 7 -8 years ago could have any effect on me here and now but it has . Yesterday when we were talking about angst about being a boss April told me how all her nervousness and fear began to go away after her older sister told her not to get too wound up since if she could learn to speak and write Russian she could also learn to get along in hotel world, including being a boss . And it worked , good lord if there was ever a hotel professional and great manager it's Ms . April ................... That was really classic cognitive therapy that my last analyst told me about ,where you use confidence and lessons from the past to overcome fears of today ...............


Of course moi doesn't have Aprils exact experience to go on . I don't speak Russian and if you listen to some of the yankees and west coast people who stay at the hotel where I work there's doubt I even speak english what with my still pretty thick hillbilly accent . In fact if I was to look to school for any help it wudn't work , I'd be back to square one since I had to have been one of the worst students of all time .If I had not been so much in love with my first real gf Judy in 12th grade I probably would have dropped out like my mom and older sisters did before me .But do believe there's some other things I can draw on to give me some spine & spirit ...................


My gf says I should be the most self confident person on the planet since considering what I've gone thru starting with coming from a psychotic family that included a father who hated me and the slums and and am still alive or stuck in crap for like like all my sisters !! Not to mention no longer poor white trash but now solid working class nibbling away at being middle class . If it was only that easy .............. Maybe that would be a good thing to talk about with a shrink . Word really like to be superwoman ...........


As for me am feeling better about handling being a manager starting with the fact I actually have a lot of experience in hotel work .May not know the big things like setting all the prices but after 10 years in this business do have a good idea of how things run . Starting with but going beyond how most managers ( excluding a few of us ) are lazy and he hours do all the work & that corporate doesn't really care about anyone any level .! But also how since it's the hospitality industry you always have that smile on your face ( as phony as it can be 90% of the time ) and for a hotel to work best you have to work as a team . Have had most of my experience in the bar but also have seen other departments . Including the family restaurant where I've waitressed and been a emergency supervisor , Room Service where I've been a waiter, and security since I help with pat downs of female detainees and know everyone . Not to mention the bell stand from all my sexual hi jinx with Marcus the bellman when he worked here ( I still m'bate thinking about the times he put that huge thing of his in me at various places all over the hotel ) and being friends with Cedric . And have seen /heard about all sorts of things & how they were handled for better or worse from the billions of other managers and staffers I've worked with over the years . Also there's the fear factor .Have seen many many managers & supervisors blow it for themselves not keeping a eye on how things work preferring to act like big shots /get into office politics/ play musical beds . Leading to situations where the job doesn't get done or gets done in a sloppy way , little problems morph into big problems ,and all sorts of monkey business goes on by the staff .......... The next thing you know those managers & supervisors are out the door with nobody to blame but themselves !!! .


Also from facing new situations in the past starting at 10. That's when after my mom got married again we left Lawrence County Kentucky for army life at Fort Bragg North Carolina . Talk about a huge radical change in life we all had to make !!! Back in Lawrence Country everyone was pretty much the same being a 'billy and poor with us being related to what seemed like everyone around for miles .But then after a 2 day car trip ( we stopped by Atlanta which was the first city I ever saw , my neck hurt from looking up at all the skyscrapers ) there we were in totally different place May have still been America and the south but felt like I was another planet and was suddenly homesick and scared .Had all sorts of anxiety disorders from headaches to a upset stomach and bed wetting . It was all so army and with all these strange people like yankees, foreigners , and blacks . They all talked funny too , some not even speaking english . From the start at school we were all mocked about being hillbilly's and the way we talked .The school didn't care either, if we'd been black or like those jews from Russia who stayed by us and the other kids picked on us the whole planet would have stopped but with us it didn't matter since we were white trash from the hills . At the end of the first week I felt like I was at war ....................


But then after being picked on real badly by some girls in gym decided I could either sit and cry my eyes out, commit suicide like a mixed race girl had done the year or just keep going on the best I could . Moi figured she'd never have friends but would have to settle for being happy when I made it thru another day at school without being called a name or laff at ....................


Then a miracle happened , after about 2 months made my first friend ( Paulette Beacham , a black girl whose dad was a NCO too ) and then for some reason everyone either liked me or didn't bother me . By winter I felt at home and had a whole posse of friends most of who were black or yankees too . A big part of things working out was just keeping on keeping on and learning how things were done there .After that came to LOVE being around so many different kinds of people and seeing new things . About the same thing happened when we moved 2 years later to Fort Benning down in Georgia . Was ostracized and/or picked on at the start . But it only lasted a week or so . There I made it a point to hit the girl who was picking on me the most ( she had to take it since her daddy was a lower rank then our step- dad ) and also came across some girls I knew from Bragg who were like instant family . Again like Bragg most were black or yankees and we all had a lot of fun together .


When we came to Louisville I was a little nervous since it was the fist city I had ever lived in and to our surprise we stayed in a 70 % black area that was also very violent . But in what I now know was cognitive therapy figured if I had managed to make the jump from the hills to army life outside things would probably work out in Louisville.Had plenty of help fitting in too since some of my people were already here and cousin Francie who was my age and also full of the devil herself had a whole posse that took me in . After maybe 2 weeks it was like had lived there my whole life and was always busy exploring new places and experiences .............like my aunties bf but that's a whole other story .


So if I can do all that hope I will be able to do my manager job without the angst including learning how to deal with the other managers. Really is a huge relief ................................ Don't like using over worked cliches but does indeed feel empowering !


A busy week-end .....................but should be great ! Work tonite then hit a Halloween party in the TRIANGLE where I'll be in the infamous old hooker chic cocktail waitress uniform from work sans undies .Karin can't come since she'll be to work but will hook up with Carla and Judy . Tomorrow work and then Karin and I help with Freida's ' round the clock poetry slam , will pretend I'm back in 1960 when moi would have been a real outlaw Then sunday up to Mr.& Mrs .Simms house to see the whole family including the new addition , baby Wesley .


Now in a t shirt and pj bottoms but head in to work in a lite purple turtleneck dress and brown boots.At work the navy blue pant suit uniform with nude knee highs and black heels

[Lena]

We finally reached 100 hits since Wednesdays ...................that's a lot less then the 100-150 this thread averaged every day ( more on week-ends ) but still the numbers climbing back up . The big bang really cut down on traffic all over the site including this blog ............. Hope to see us get back to the old number this week


Work work work ...............I'm really getting to be a career person instead of my old self being a person who had a job . Like a careerist I find myself thinking & talking about work all the time .Must be quite a bore to Karin & my friends . But happy have not turned into a company person ...................yet ! I guess having work on my mind so much comes with the job . All the younger managers are the same way . I'm both looking forward and hating the idea of going to one of there regular get together since you know all they'll be talking about is WORK!!!!!!!!! Am also feeling better about dealing with manager world because of what I posted yesterday about taking the attitude I've found myself in new situations before and did all right what I have to do here is try to learn and believe in moi !!!!


Last nite spent a few hours at the bellstand which is part of my training but in truth was a real waste of time . The bell captain Bob Goode ( who they say was once a boxer) told me all about how bellman have to be nicer then nice and see themselves not so much as hotel employees but in business for himself . Also split up tips when there big groups with the bell captains getting a % off the top , the importance of the guys looking good, and the big new trend in bellmanism of uniforms with a built-in back brace . After that it boiled down to how are there to Carry luggage and do anything to help the guest like shine shoes and drive the limo . Bob also made a pointed comment about how I have to already know a lot about the bell stand from having been friends with Marcus who was a bellman but left for the service.


Right after he said that I looked at Bob to see a little evil smile on his face and said how Marcus and I did talk about work but we're usually concerned with other things . not expecting to hear that Bob broke into laughter then apologize but saying " You really are something else " Marcus and I were classic f*ck buddies , we went to the same high school but he was a few years after me .A big jock too who played center on the basketball team . Being a white and at the bottom end of the school food chain in popularity a guy like him would have never looked twice at me back at school .But at work we were friends and like I said lovers. We either got high or f*cked all over the building , from the women's locker room to penthouse on the roof . One of my favorite things to do with him was m'bate while he held me .in the same old hooker chic cocktail waitress uniform I wore last nite to a Halloween party I'd use both hands to hold myself around his neck while Marcus rubbed his giant penis at my holiest of holys .That was usually followed by me giving him face.Then it was back to work in moist undies.............. His body was great fringe benefit ................


After that was on the floor smiling at everyone and responding to many things .Also had to welcome a special guest , this time the head of FEDERAL EXPRESSES Asia operations . He got the whole treatment of the hotel limo from the airport , me falling all over him including escorting the man to his suite , a masseuse as he requested and a turned down bed .Also had fun talking to a very smart 4 year old girl in from Oklahoma City who had all these questions about the hotel .I loved her curiosity and brains but do hope she doesn't go in this business since she's so smart .


After work headed to the big Halloween party down to the Triangle at a girl bar .Moi changed into the old hooker chic cocktail waitress uniform( a gold vest with white nehru shirt & red bow tie with a faux leather black mini ) at work in the locker room leaving the undies off . Must say it felt very free and naughty to be commando But mindful of my new job left completely covered in Karin's trench coat . I thought I looked like a spy and the security who walked me to my car didn't even suspect[eat anything . Karin was at work so met Carla and Judy who were there with a group of women they knew . Although the place was pretty full with costumes galore . The usual ones .........WONDERWOMAN , DRACULA's , a BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN , THE CATWOMAN , and both female and male characters from PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN . A few SARAH PALINS too, the best one was guy .Carla was in a nude sheer body stockings which is so not her but then again it's HALOOWEEN . Judy was a 19th century maid , a characters from one of all those novels she's always reading Everyone at the table thought my costumes was sleazy enough ( one of the women Martine comes close to Shoshana in getting worked up about sexism so she was both amazed and disgusted by it ) but all were even more 'impressed' when I lifted up the front hem to show them my hairy little thing ................... There were alot of OMG's and OMG's I DON'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT and OMG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !! I just smiled saying in a pretend shocked way "Whats wrong with showing the human body ? "


Good music and dancing .At one point Carla and I with about 4 other women were doing the can can then back at the table we got Ina big laffer filled talk about our favorite lines from movies. Seeing Carla with her breasts rubbing against her nude body stockings hamming it up doing JESSSICA RABBIT 's " I'm not bad ,I'm just drawn that way " almost had everyone in hysterics with her having to a few encores.Judy did her usual funny imitation of the villain on THE L-WORD saying " I'm f*cking Dawn Denbo and this is my lover Cindy " which we all loved .You hear someone doing that at every dyke party .Then I did my imitation of Rita Hayworth from GILDA as she looked at a man she wanted to tongue bath saying in her seductive way "Sure I'm decent " then pulling up the StrapOn one side of her dress. Moi tryed to do the best Rita she could but since I wasn't in a strapless gown for the same effect had to partly spread eagle stretching one leg out putting my foot on a empty chair once game exposing my holyest of holys.............everyone called me things like a show off and hussy .Maybe so but was I having fun !


After awhile the combination of all the people and all the noise got too much so a few of us headed down the street to a hole in the wall place for gay guys . The place was doing good but we managed to get a table and talked . Sad to say even though it was out there for everybody to see the for some reason the guys were n't interested in looking at my holyest of holys................ Was very nice and as usual moi drank too much . Judy drove me home in my car with Carla following . Thank the stars she did too since I was in no shape to have done it ................


Today taking it easy then work .After that late nite fun working the poetry slam at Frieda's coffee place over by UL .Heading out looking beatnick ........ in a blue check shirt and black skirt and black flats with a pointed toe.All covered up again by Karin's trench coat At work the uniform of navy blue skirt suit & nude garter stockings with new black heels .

[Lena]

A huge 14 hits here in the last 24 hours !!!

Thats terrible , we usually get at least 100-150 and more then a few times on week-ends wud get 200 or more. The big bang change in format really nuked this blog .I feel like someone who owned store on a road that did plenty of business until the government put in a expressway a few hundred feet away and all of a sudden the traffic died up and the store went under..............


Do hope and expect things here to change once the readers drift back . And while I write this blog for my own amusement do think it has just so much to offer all of humankind ............... At the very least after reading my tales of lunacy folks can appreciate there lives own more........... Maybe saying "Hey I 'm not as pathetic as that woman in Kentucky so maybe things aren't all that bad after all ? "


Moi is in semi-bad shape this morning .Am alone,Karin's done ran off on me .Not to have sex with that bitch Nevin again( ) or on some cleaning frenzy with her analer then Anal cleanliness freak mom but about a hour away since her baby sister has gone into labor.Diane;'s water broke last nite about 10PM or 22000 here so right after work Karin raced off there passing her parents also headed to the hospital on the way . As of 15 minutes ago Diane and Karin as her coach are still in the delivery room .TBH as cynical as we both are about two people as childish Diane and that fool Matt she's married to we ( Karin more then moi ) stil excited about the baby 's I guess I am softy underneath...........


Am also walking wounded today and in more then a little pain . Stupid ass me wore new black heels for the first time at work last nite forgetting how new shoes especially those heel things need breaking in .From the second I put them on in the locker room they hurt but I figured after a hour or so of moving around they'd be alright . NO ! After 4 hours they were still tight and actually more painful .Not only di my feet hurt but the pain spread up to my legs then back and finally neck .It was horrible ! At 8PM I decided to get rid of them and into another pair of shoes . After wobbling in stuck pig pain across the lobby and getting into the executive office area I took them off to my great relief .Then wa sable to walk like a normal way down to my locker to get into the black flats .They felt better then the heel things but were no great relief since I had open sores on the back of my arche and blisters on several toes and the ball of my right foot. They'd stick with me for the rest of the nite and it wasn't fun !!! . Wonder if I can file a workman's comp claim for being hurt wearing heels ?


Although we weren't renting out too many rooms the hotel had two events going on . The usual wedding in the Grande Ballroom where Rafael and Cassady were working the bar . Rafael leaves next week but will be back pt . Cassady too was as always in a new pair of shoes, this time these absurd gold gladiator sandals that went up her leg .She is so sure new shoes and often way out there ones make her so sophisticated . Talk about the emperor's new clothes .............. Said hi to both but they were so busy there was no time to talk .Rafael did join me in rolling my eyes as Cassidy's new shoes . Siobhan was running the show too ,she was a little stressed but still her usual strong and committed self with her beautiful orangish red hair and wonderful smile .They really did a smart thing making her ass't manager of Banquets .Like they tell you too do introduced myself to the brides daddy who was paying for everything , although nobody at work says it am convinced next to providing beds the hotel business is built on superficial friendliness . He was a nice 60 something who was boasting since he's now married his last daughter off he can start saving for retirement .But think since he's a rich eye doctor that really wasn't true . In keeping with the rule of superficial friendliness offered to do anything I could for them and all they had to do was ask . I am so good at being a phony ..............


After that checked in on a bar mitzvah or really what they were calling a bas mitzvah for a 13 year old girl across the hall.The father there no nice guy , instead a real intense 40something who seemed annoyed with everything . I guessed he was a real perfectionist or even dickhead ...........now think he was both .. Although he was bitching about something that happened at the temple , how the DJ looked like a fool , and with me in this nasty in your face way old me the soup had been cold as if it was the greatest crime in history & he also wanted 25% off the bill . First looking concerned then with a huge phony smile all over my face told him I couldn't authorize any refund but if he calls Banquets on monday they'd be happy to do what they could.............fat chance he'll het a penny back .Then when some big state supreme court judge came up he automatically switched from being such a asshole to being Mr.Nice Guy falling over the big shot so much I almost expected him to start licking the man............. Later told Siobhan how I'd saved her from that warhead and she thanked me laffing saying he drove them nuts trying to get the hotel to charge less for everything and wanting to throw in a free suite for him , free champagne , & valet parking .......................


Most everyone looked like the people at the eye doctors daughter's wedding across the hall.but that's the great American UMC for you . The bar mitzvah crowd though definitely had more women from there 70's to 40's in fur coats . Am sure most even came just to be able to wear there furs . Generally more jewelery too, under the chandaliers the reflection off the diamonds could blind you .


My favorite was one woman about 40 in black shades and a black cocktail dress with a huge gold chain or maybe imitation gold chain around her neck with a Bloody Mary in hand who seemed semi-out of it .Out of nowhere she came up to me asking about rack rates then went into some long tirade about work and keeping up with the mortgage , her psychiatrist, and her kids .Her hubby who for some reason struck me like a real jerk complete with a diamond stud in his ear came up for a second with another Bloody Mary for her and out of the corner of my eye I could see him chatting up this fresh as a glass of cold milk looking 20 something .As tedious as her self absorbedness was didn't mind standing there listening since I didn't have to wak and suffer the pain from doing so .But then when she started talking about plastic surgery and how her oldest sister had her vagina redone I decided enough was enough and pretended I'd just been beeped and left or really escaped . In less then a minute she'd latched onto some other poor woman who was now the audience. Siobhan told me later how that woman was gulping down Bloody Marys all nite with her hubby coming on to the younger woman and her kids running around like they were wild animals .You meet the crazyest people in-this business and they do say it takes all kinds...............


A jillion kids too, all well dressed coming from money and at a important thing in there religion . Most of the boys sticking to themselves being boys . It's good at that age but moi has too much experience with men whose boyhood lasts into the 30's . many of the girls were very 13 too, there gawky pubescent bodys seeming out of place in the designer dresses there moms had got them . A few though were 13 going in 18 all eager to be grown up and sophisticated but not knowing what they were doing . They reminded me of myself . Bob in security found one girl giving face to a older boy in the fire well while Siobhan found a group that had snuck into a empty conference room to get high . Moi had the door locked right after hearing that .

Was happy to get off and out off the heels.Then as sore as my feet were went to work Frieda's poetry slam .More on that tomorrow.


Despite being hurt am still going over to the big get together at the Simms today .I wudn't miss it for the world . Will love seeing everyone again since they really are like family to me even thug I de-virginated both Damian and Jackie .But that was years ago and the relationship evolved into me being a family friend . They also have some pretty special women of their own now too , just like moi does !! Dressing up but down . no jeans since the Simms are old fashioned and family get togethers always called for looking nice.But nothing fancy since don't want to stand out .Sooooooooooooo, in a pink turtleneck and tan corduroy slacks . Also nude knee highs and my good blue clogs that have plenty of room so my feet won't torture me .And I think almost a whole can of band aids on my feet ............

[Lena]

A busy day ahead ................the usual big meeting at work then we go out for Obama .


Karin's still a hour away at her sisters who at 21 going on 15 is now a mother I wish her luck .Especially since even though she doesn't know it she has two kids, baby Nick and her husband Matt whose 28 going on 15 himself........ Moi will be seeing the baby next week and despite my low opinion of the parents am actually looking forward to it .Karin should be back around noon when we meet up .


As I promised more on working the poetry slam at Frieda's coffee boutique on saturday -sunday . After finishing at work changed out of my uniform and into the funky old blue check shirt & back skirt along with taking of then putting on my stockings again after I used several band aids to bind up the hideous looking & painful blisters on my feet caused by the too tight new pair of heels . All totalled had 5 band aids and a pad .


The poetry slam was was fun even though I was there so late on the midnite shift with the crowd dwindling down to about 15 people by 3AM along with a homeless wino who happened by .As confused & scared by the anarchy at home when I was a kid and see how people need order am still convinced there's a definite place for for non traditional and rebelliousness in life. People /society needs things like l that including 24 hour poetry slams are a part of it .Help keep all of us /society from getting too settled and stagnant like dead scum in a pond .


Frieda was frantic as usual , she may look so non traditional in a white T shirt and blue janitors pants but inside is a definite workaholic and perfectionist when it comes to work . May have come from her German mom who she ways was that way herself who practically net 24/7 working full time ,raising 4 kids,and according to Frieda having the cleanest house at whatever army camp they were at .Eeeeeck ! Too much for this definitely non compulsive hillbilly Frieda said Karin had been there helping earlier in the evening before she had to go to work and as a special piece of info told me no Nevin had shown up . Thats good since am sure she still wants to break us up even though Karin isn't interested . Frida did laff saying Karin was great as far as talking to the customers and poets about poetry since her passion is poetry but not the greatest server on the planet I could see that real easily , but then again what does Frieda want for $25 Oh well it's not exactly working a lunch rush so it all worked out and Karin's knowledge and passion for poetry must have added to the atmosphere. Moi 's first job was handling the door to screen and collect the $5 cover . Not bad duty really , just had to sit on a stool and could take my shoes of to give my abused and aching feet a rest . .Later worked the coffee bar again barefoot giving my poor feet a rest and for the first time we've worked those leaving the waitressing to somebody else.


The best poets were the first on when I got there , doing a encore of the number that they had done earlier that according to Frieda had brought down the house . It was more a parody of angry beatnick poetry then a real poem but still real good and very very funny .The sense of humor was ala our WHITE TRASH here...........caustic but funny .The 3 guys and girl were all around 17-18 and reminded me of some of the briter and funnier people we've had here like LORS and LEXANNI ......very smart & havinga good time . They all looked like beatnicks in things like shades and berets .The girl did a poem they all wrote with the happy title of LIFE SUCKS AND THEN YOU DIE !!!! The guys played a clarinet , trombone and guitar to a upbeat tempo for a minute or so with the girl then coming on and going on about how friends are so two faced & selfish and don't even know who you really are and only want something from you finishing up with yelling out LIFE SUCKS AND THEN YOU DIE !!! The guys played for a minute or two more then she went on about her folks only caring about having a big house and big car and what there friends think of them and not the kids once more ending up saying LIFE SUCKS AND THEN YOU DIE !! .The guy splayed again then she came back to talk about school and going away to college wondering what's it all for since there's always war and now the economys ruined yelling again her final LIFE SUCKS AND THEN YOU DIE ! The guys again playing on with the crowd applauding loudly as Frieda said the people done before


The others were nowhere as good or fun . The ones that stand out were this short fat Mexican who did a poem completely in Spanish with all I could understand was VIVA MEXICO or as he said VIVA MEHEECO . Was he really saying we Mexicans are taking over your country slowly but surely ? Then This tall thin guy with a poinytail who I Think performed there before doing some poem that had a line about men being scared of there own femininity .............he wud have been killed in minutes in my old neighborhood.


Moi was doing fine energy wise but by 4AM was slowing down . I ended up leaving half dead and barefoot at 5AM . Walking to my car with no shoes on ( since the blisters were now too big to get shoes on without cutting into them )and being so tired brought back old memorys of allthe past times leaving someone else's place after a nite of playing bump & grind getting next to no sleep . Some cops drove by and started laffing at the site of me , you could tell what was on there dirty minds . I bet they told all the other police at breakfast about the tart they saw earlier coming from what they wud have guessed was a nite of sin ....................


Back home after feeding the varmints had about 6 hours of sleep then after posting went to the Simms.More on that domani ................


Today in a navy blue crew neck sweater, white shirt , and charcoal grey skirt with nude thigh tops and my good blue clogs for the manager's meeting . Then out to help elect BARACK OBAMA as PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES !!!!!

[Lena]

Have been soaking my wrecked feat all morning , do hope the blisters go away or go down . At present there so big I can only get into clogs or the Dr.Scholls .and can't wear either at work later . It's more then just getting into shoes , the foot trouble has spread up my legs to my neck and it's not pleasant at all ! The only option left if the swelling doesn't go down is to lance them and risk infection .


Wrecked feet non-withstanding moi has been very busy .Sunday went over to the Simms in the Indiana suburbs and also ended up there in Indiana again yesterday working for Obama . Not to mention a big meeting at work that as far as this hillbilly is concerned only produced alot of hot air ............


I had a great time over to Mr. & Mrs . Simms house ,moi was really honored to have been invited over to see the new baby . I always loved being around the Simms since I first met them at 15 . In fact wanted to be part of there family since they were so UNLIKE my people . Although also poor back then but not now the Sims all loved each other and got along real good . They also about he only family balk or white for blocks around that had a father in the house who also had a job and have never done hard time . The house was spotless and the cops never came by to settle fights or looking for someone .The folks worked 2-3 jobs and still found time to push there kids to act right and do well in school . Things that you really don't see in what some call the permanent underclass..............


Although I was such a little asshole and at times not good to them ( like when at 15 my cousin Francie and I were caught nekkid in the shower with Damian the oldest son ) they were always good to me too . No big lectures or lessons on how you should act and also no money but they were just nice which was more then enough for me . And although I didn't get it at the time they set a great example of how familys and people should act. Best of all back then there was always food at the hosue .The only negative was there auntie Bertniece who hated me , wud cal me the 'hillbilly devil girl ' telling the boys to stay away from me . She'd always scowl too and even though she knew it never said thanx or told anyone how at 16 I talked 2 of my sister's homies out of mugging her.For years I thought it may be racial or since she's the one who caught the three of us in the shower together .But later learned she hated any female no matter how old or what race who dated /married men in her family since she was estranged from a a son who had married a girl she didn't like . She even hates her nephews women Deidre and Gloria who are both black and nice .


Pulling up from all the cars parked outside I knew there wud be alot of people there. And there were , the house was packed with relatives and well wishers . You could feel the happyness in the air along with it being hot since there were so many peopel and the sounds of what seemed to be a thousand children coming from the basement It was nice in so many ways .................seeing baby Wesley and his prouder then proud parents , Mr. & Mrs Simms again who were always good to me , there other son Jackie and his fiance Deidre ,along with a few other familiar faces and even there auntie Bertniece whose always hated me . I was there for over 4 hours having a fantastic time talking to many people ,getting to hold the baby , and eating then eating some more which is very out of character for hyper weight conscious moi .But then again Mrs. Simms and the ladys from her church are pretty good cooks .


Mr.and Mrs Simms are doing fine .Both hugged me when I arrived She seems to have beat breast cancer, no trouble in 2 years since her lumpectomy . Mr.Simms was in a designer sweat suit his daughter the rich bind trader Marlene got for him . I told him he looked like a coach at the Olympic and he thought it was funny . Marlene was there all the way from Atlanta with her husband and 3 kids. They smell of money and then some . Marlene as fixing to leave for college when I first met the family so am not as close to her as everyone else but we still get along . Her husband is a nerd type , reminds me of EDDIE MURPHY character in NORBIT, but himself a rich bond trader .And from what I could tell a pretty good husband and father . Of Course Marlene had one of the best to set a standard . There Benz SUV was parked out front .


Baby Wesley whose 4 weeks now is coming alive , noticed his eyes were going all over the place seeing everything .Even got to hold him for 10 minutes before I was s forced to give him up to the waiting line of other folks wanting to hold him too. Must say in 15 years of knowing him his daddy Damain never looked happier.Being a daddy suits him fine . We didn't get a chance to talk all that much but he was happy about me being promoted, saying his mom had told him that as if if it was about something good happening to Marlene or Jackie .That felt great and I had to fight back the tears . He's now a first lieutenant and about to go to Okinawa Japan , the same place from the Clint Eastwood movie FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS .Thats good , no taliban or terrorist shooting at him like they did when Damian was in Afghanistan then Iraq. His wife Gloria now a captain was more at ease then at the local wedding reception 3 years ago . She seemed happy being a mom too, had a wonderful glow about her and heard her saying how she's never felt more fulfilled in life then being a mother . That's something from a woman with 2 degrees and being a officer in the marines .She congratulated me too on my move up the food chain saying her mother in law was real happy and proud of me too. I had to tell her to stop since at that point I really was about to cry . Considering where I'm from family wise and what I did to myself you can't describe how fantastic it feels knowing rock solid folks like the Simms care about moi ......... She understood and smiled also thanked me for the present for baby Wesley , got him a book and gift card from the bookstore which is what Karin's sister in law who lives in a world of babys always does. We got interrupted by her dad,a Detroit police who was eager to get on the road back home since he was on days the next week and had to get up early .Just said hi, wud have liked to have asked him about the fool they had as mayor up there whose now in the calaboose.


Jackie and Deidre are getting married in june and wanted my address for the invite . They seemed real happy and also relieved since they joked that they won't have to put up with anymore nagging about when they wud get married .Deidre is a loan officer at a bank now and says she's not doing much of anything with housing down so there moving her to the trusty department . Jackie's almost done with his MBA and working pt for FedEx , may stay on after graduation but says he's got some ideas about starting his own business. Damian cam over and started kidding his bay brother about re-upping in the marines saying he could go back to Iraq for more fun .Don't have to say that didn't go over too good with Deidre ! Jackie shook his head saying no more war or marines for him since if getting shot at and also yelled at by his sergeants wasn't bad enough the stale or spoiled food provided by Chaney's Halliburton company did him in !!!


Jackie and Deidre were soon surrounded by well wishers so moi headed to the kitchen for a drink , my second . But on the way noticed not many people were hitting the bottle so not wanting to have anyone bringing up the snow bird who was a alcoholic switched to soda .t was hard too, once moi starts drinking it is real difficult to stop and DOCTOR PEPPER sugar water is definitely NO substitute for red or even beer . Amazing what you hear just passing by people talking .........some men were going on about the world series , three middle aged women were all caught up in a talk about the politics of there church choir, and a girl about 18 was saying how she just started beautician school and loves it . While in the kitchen ran into a friend of ours from high school , Ladon Mitchell who looks totally different , not a teen age kid in hip hop clothes but a real buppie type who you could tell is always thinking how to make money . Asked about my friends Corvah and Shaniqua not knowing nobody has heard from her in years and the family thinks she's dead .Kind of a downer to talk about , especially at a meet the baby party . We switched back to Corvah and I asked him about his brother Yancy who I sat by in home room who Ladon say is now a truck driver for a moving company . Gigi Weston too who had ben a cheerleader and always acted above us all , nicer now Is married with a baby working pt at city hall. Then she appeared , auntie Bertniece who was staring at me as if I was the devil or in klan robes. I made it a point to say hi and being a polite church woman she said hi back . Moi saw that as a victory then quickly go away from the old girl before she did something like call hillbilly devil girl again or make me start cleaning ..............


I left with when most of the other guests did ,wanting to give the Simms time to be together alone . Mr's . Simms even had asked me to stay but as much fun as that wud have been I had to get out since my feet were killing me . Once in the car the clogs came off and back home hopped in the tub to soak them some more which felt very good .


The meeting at work yesterday was for 77 minutes and nothing important was really said or decided on ......... no surprise. Just a boring meeting withe everyone bored .The only good thing was I was at work and not on my feet in agony .


More soaking ahead and if the swelling isn't gone Karin's going to do some lancing and re-bandaging . Today going out in a white cashmere vcrew enck sweater and gray glenplaid skirt fromthe MARILYN KING COLLECTION . Also a white cami , bikini briefs &, garter belt with nude stockings .At work the navy blue skirt suit and stripe blouse.

[Lena]

Not much to say today , that happens . I know you all count on reading fascinating account's of mt fascinating life ( ) but the pickings are slim today .Sorry .


Do know that this being FF more then a few will like or even be salivating at the ongoing story of my hurt feet . The crisis may at last be passing , I knew having to wear those things wud get me in trouble and it did . Ouch!!I spent about 2 hours in the tub yesterday soaking my feet and sore back & neck . That was nice, also added bubble bath and red wine to the therapy . A long hot bubble bath really is one of life's simplest and greatest pleasures . Moi felt very refreshed after getting out with Karin professionally bandaging up my feet . There were band aids on every toe and the right sole of one foot that has a huge water blister .We also put band aids on the inside of both heels I wore last nite. It really was a big production but needed if I was going to make it thru work . All the effort was worth it , I wasn't in any pain and could get around . Although had my shoes off whenever I was sitting at the MOD desk and behind the Front Desk . We go thru the whole bandaging routine again today ...............


The issue of being hurt got me thinking about having trouble in your life.Most of us don't want trouble that is for sure It's scary ...........who wants there life turned upside down ? Also being sick /hurt like moi is adds pain to the problem .But it also makes you appreciate the good things about your daily life.A crisis always has moi just wanting things to go back to normal . As Including being able to walk normally again , as I wobbled across the hotel lobby the other nite I swore I wud never complain about but actually enjoy having to walk someplace again .


Karin is still caught up in her sister having a baby .Infant so is the whole family, her folks have thrown themselves into grand parenthood & her brother Phil and his wife Denise went down last nite to see baby Nick . In the process seeing the parents , baby Diane and baby Matt ......... Although it 's hard to relate to any of it and wonder if I'm not a little bit jealous of Karin's enthusiasm for her new nephew must say I am impressed with there happyness as a family .That didn't happen with my people , babys were welcome since they meant more welfare money but except for that there was definitely no happyness and joy among the relatives . My mom wud usually smile at the first news then get upset wondering where the baby will sleep since she already had more people staying with her then old Mother Hubbard .She'd often be excited about the new baby for a day or two then lose interest going back to being all concerned with men and partying .My sisters could get down right nasty when one had a kid , being jealous of the attention the new born got and also seeing the baby as a rival of there kids. If moi ever has a bay I wud like my family to know about her/him and for the child to meet there relatives. But wudn't expect any happyness from the family and also I'd make sure my child wud never hang around with them unless somethings radically change .


Am very happy to see Obama leading in the race . I wrote about working for him in MEMEBRS , it was fun . Both in trying to help the bst man win and also being a tiny little part of the whole political process. Do plan to do it again . Also am happy our Republican senator Mc Connell may lose which everyone thought was impossible .He was real popular but the fact he was so pro-little georgey really has hurt him . I saw him at more then a few private partys I worked as a bartender and he is nice and you can tell very smart .Has a Asian wife whose a big shot herself .But he blew it by being too loyal as if he was a non-thinking robot to that fool from Texas.Adios lap dog !


Last nite saw another person surprised /shocked that I'm a manager now This time the ex concierge Betty Buckley whow as fired the other year who was at the hotel seeing a friend . Betty is about 55 and still attractive with blonde hair & a good body and has a real southern lady aura about her till she opens her mouth when the swear words flow out non-stop or when she was angrily complaining about other staffers e never hit it off, a on going problem I have with some who are concierges.Betty tryed passing herself off as a rich woman doing the job for fun but that really wasn't the case, she was holding on by her finger tips . She was so angry and mean even when not drunk ass he often was ( she'd always complain about the black employees and was told she wud do a mean spirirted imitation of hillbilly accents calling us 'moutain nigggers " ) too you just wanted to stay away .Moi said hi when coming across her in the lobby but all old Betty could do was stand there after seeing my name tag saying I'm ass't manager and looked shocked like she'd just seen space ship land . After a few very very awkward seconds she managed to say something like hello and "Your still here ? " then left . A real lady .................


Am going to hop in the tub for some more soaking .When Karin gets back from her dentist a and probably BABYS R' US she can wrap moi all up again . Today heading out in a red sleeveless v-neck sweater & black skirt from THE MARILYN KING COLLECTION along with a white shirt & nude thigh tops with my good brown clogs for comfort .At work the same navy blue skirt suit uniform and the coordinated dark striped blouse.

[Lena]

Another day .....................

Yesterday Sarah 'the Alien Queen " Palin was in town for a rally .I didn't go although wud have enjoyed seeing that freak of nature just for the sake of saying I saw her . I'd put it right up there with the time at 7 back in the hills when we went over to Arvel Felts to see his 2 headed cow


Although I missed out on seeing the old right wing /born again and I'm so holy fakir did have some experience with her anyway .Wrote about in MEMBERS , at the coffee boutique some radical supporters of McSame & the Alien Queen were campaigning lying and being nasty claiming among other things Obama wud take every one's money and give it to terrorists and 'n%ggers' .I blew them off and the manager tossed the fools out . The other nasty effect was to much traffic, all those people ....teh racist , the ignorant and just plain misguided tied up our streets something terrible .Really was hard to get around and it too moi double the time to get to work .


Work was intense with big and little things happening all nite . Even though my poor feet are still in pain moi was running around so much it didn't matter though . Small stuff like inspecting and noting rip in the carpet of one of the conference rooms . may sound trivial but if anyone trips on it that wud open the door for a lawsuit and also wud hurt business since no company is going to pay the big bucks to have meetings in what looks like a falling apart hotel.Also again a simple enough sounding thing but more complex in reality task of first finding a mislaid check for a fired employee and then after that ( was like looking for a needle in a haystack till we found it under some papers in PERSONAL ) to get him to sign a paper saying he got his money even though he wanted to go on and on dissing the corporation and his ex boss.I do understand but as a manager was not supposed to let someone go on with a big tirade like against the company & management and also had other things to get too. So had to in a nice way so he wudn't blow up at me cut the guy off and get him out the door ( I personally walked him to it ) and then get myself back on the floor .


The big thing was reports all nite of people smelling smoke . That was so scary I worryed about hyper-ventilating , after all don't want a catastrophe to happen and handling a burning hotel like cooking and learning a foreign language is way way way beyond moi's abilitys .The reportsalways came from the upper guest floors.The engineers & securitys and I were running all over the place trying to verify that but in only one case could smell anything remotely like smoke , then smelling like metal .We even started pulling the grates off the heating ducts in the hallways and when standing on a ladder took turns sticking out heads in to smell only to again come up with nothing . I know some of those horny bastardss looked up my skirt too. Couldn't smell anything so called the Fire Department going to great lengths NOT to tell them the hotel was on fire so we wudn't get a fire engine which wud cause a big panic but asking if they could send someone to check .It should have been easy but wasn't with me having to speak to not just the 911 operator but 2 supervisors .In the end we had 4 fireman pull up in a red fire chief car with some equipment who were there for over 90 minutes checking everything and in the end said there was no sign of fire. Had to fill out a huge report on it and also get statements from the engineers and securitys involved .The head enginer Mr. Stevens already called about it this morning & he's on it now .Hope he fixes whatever it was causing all the reports ( 8 in all ) so moi won't have to be jogging all over the hotel again checking out reports of fire tonite or face a towering inferno !


TT my friend Leslie for about 5 minutes too yesterday in the car . She's fine , was happy to hear about my new job when I told her a few weeks ago but yesterday didn't ask about it at all . Les is always her own favorite topic Has a new bf , a 43 year old guy who works at the college she's going too.She says he loves listening to her many many sex storys the wilder the better which she sees as him respecting her & being open minded but to me says over -grown teen age horn dog or voyeur or maybe even p-e-r-v-e-r-t . Money has to be involved .Her son in first grade Grady is having trouble learning to read which was bad to hear . So did I then being a dyslexic . At least he talks which moi wasn't doing much of at that same age .Although she may be doing sex for pay with her bf whose 16 years older Leslie too is getting more and more into born againism .Not that she's become religious on the outside but is watching all these religious entertainment shows we get on tv here that mix folksy talk , a child like simple minded version of religion , and far right wing politics .


More soaking and wrapping of my feet this morning .Then back to work and going in early too to observe the gift shop . It's cooler so in Karin's long trench coat .That will cover up my short dress too. Today in the navy blue wool jumper dress with the hem a few inches above my knee from THE MARILYN KING COLLECTION with a white turtleneck . Also off - blue thigh tops and my brown boots . At work the navy blue skirt suit and this time a white oval neck top .

[Lena]

Friday and Halloween here, once only a kids holiday but not getting more and more popular with adults .Karin will have to handle the trick or treaters by herself since moi will be to work .Last year we all got together and decorated the entry way of the house but no one took the lead this year so it didn't happen . Will mention to Karin how someone should greet the kids at the front door since we don't want them running around the building or any pervert/burglar/yahoo getting in with them .


My poor feet are getting better at last . Since it can be disgusting will be brief, some blisters burst and we lanced others luckily with no open sore resulting as we feared .Not only my feet but legs & back feel alot better .As does my mood in general . You really can't underestimate taking care of your feet since your whole body rests on them and most important they get you around .Form now on will completely break in any new pair of shoes before wearing them at work


Worked for a few hours in the gift shop last nite .The manager Suzanne is real nice, a doctor's widow in her 50's who everyone thinks works mainly for either pocket money or something to do since she stay in this gorgeous house with 3 fireplaces , drives a Range Rover , and has a stable of horses . Really a nice person , a real switch from the old Concierge Betty Buckley who I saw the other nite and wrote about here. That pig Betty was always trying to one up everyone , was racist & snob , a phony who claimed to be old southern money ,and also had the mouth of a 18 year old soldier with every other word being a profanity ( was she Randy's mom ? ) , wud lie to get other employees in trouble , and could get either even meaner or pretty wild when drunk like she was alot .There's was a story I believe about her at the annual employee holiday party getting so drunk she was sandwiched by a desk clerk and bellman .


Suzanne however is so good .... ... friendly to everyone & trys to one up anyone , doesn't have a mouth like a 18 year old soldier , and is always friendly . Runs a good shop too that turns a profit ..About the only thing you could diss her for is being too UMC coming from a world thats so well off and protected , she liked little georgey but is no sanctimonious snob since Suzanne has been known to cry when hearing about how hard some of the women we work with have it in life. Working the Gift Shop was just as easy as I thought since you basically just ring up people but for the manager alot more complicated since there's a mountain of paperwork from scheduling , inventory ,filling in for staff who didn't make it in , to balancing out receipts, ordering inventory , and more too.Don't think I could do her job since since am not a detail person and anything to do with figures for money scares me .


Back on the floor had to help soothe some guests when the computer network was down for about 30 minutes . Some were indeed pretty testy ! Also met with Mr.Stevens the head of engineering who was in late to handle any reports like last nite of the smell of smoke . Must say it felt odd that him being 20 years older and a expert on construction was reporting to moi . Happy to say no smoke reports last nite and this hi tech gizmo Mr .Stevens was using didn't come up with anything from the air ducts .Met to with Arlo Guthrie's people, he's with us for 2 days . I didn't even know who he was but after hearing his manager talk and since he's performing at the Palace which only gets top name acts got the idea many like him .After checking on the www found he has a huge niche with those baby boomers.The manager gave me some free tickets that I passed along to Suzanne who laffed saying back then her hippy younger sister loved one album of his and she'd try to call her to see the show .
The hippy younger sister is now something called New Age Facilitator but married to a psychologist who no doubt pays the bills since I have never heard of anyone hiring a New Age Facilitator whatever that exactly is..........



Stopping Frieda's coffee boutique on the way to work .Skipping my usual STARBUCKS where I had the run in with the nasty McSame supporters I wrote about in MEMBERS CHIT CHAT the other day .Want to escape the same old same old and do pick up on all the energy at Frieda's place by UL .Today in a yellow v-neck sweater from THE MARILYN KING COLLECTION along with a white blouse and tan A-line skirt with nude garter stockings and my Dr .Scholls and briging along a jean jacket for when I leave work . At work tonite the navy blue skirt suit and navy blue heels .

[Lena]

Yesterday was a interesting day that had good , bad ,& looney .I guess like life ?


The good part started with great weather .Although it's been so hot we've hardly had much of fall yesterday was a Indian summer day when no matter what the calender says it was summer like . Being around 70 degrees with plenty of sun .The leaves changing colors added to the beauty too. People in general seemed to be smiling more and in a better mood .


Moi went over to Frieda's coffee place by UL and it was real nice there . The university area was extra pretty . Hopping too with students and staff finishing up the school week with me overhearing more then a few people talking about the week-end with a gleam in there eyes . Moi just wanted to walk and walk soaking it all in .Frieda's coffee place was hopping too , coming in saw the two 60 something professors who I have always gotten along with real well and who call me Barefoot Princess since the first time they saw moi there I was working without shoes on . . They were heading down the stairs as I was heading up them .There were smiles all around and no doubt to the joy of there male ego I hugged both . We chatted for a few minutes there on the stairs at one point having to step aside for a big group coming in . They wanted to know how I was , one of the guys saying how he had relatives stay where I work and he looked for me when he came over to see them . But missed me since that was when we were back east on vacation . They had to rush to class but moi agreed to drop in next week to talk more. Happy to say both are OBAMA supporters .


Frieda had quite a crowd on her hands and was no doubt happy since that means more money . The place looks great , very cheery with a fresh coat of yellow but not glaring yellow paint on the walls and with shining wood floors . The small used book store is gone with a small yoga studio operating there now which Frieda says is not doing all that well and will likely be gone by winter.She was worryed about there paying rent and finding a new tenant .As always new staff too, I swear her employees change weekly . The ones yesterday were a black girl dressed like a African in a britely colored caftan and matching head dress and this pre - yuppy in a purple HARVARD BUSINES SCHOOL T shirt and tan Capri pants .


Seeing me in the yellow v-neck sweater from the MARILYN KING COLECTION and tan skirt Freeds as I sometimes call her joked I looked like Martha Stewart .She's the diva of UMC taste here despite having done time in a federal prison ......... I told her with my new job I can't come in any old way but have to dress the part . Asa MBA herself Frieda understood too, laffing saying hows she so happy to be out of the corporate world since she doesn't always have to be in what amounts to a uniform . I can relate although am happy to wear a uniform at work even though I don't have to since it cuts down on buying clothes . Frieda too said two of the guys who brought down the house with there mock cynical beatnick poem of LIFE SUCKS AND THEN YOU DIE at the poetry slam were in last week and told her they got hired to do it at a party then at the party got hired by someone there to perform next week .They have a cash cow on their hands now ..............


I always wondered where Frieda got all her energy from with more then one person wondering if she's actually bipolar and figured out a way to escape the lows . And after hearing her yesterday go on about her life was wondering again, she'd be a jillionaire if she could put all that energy and focus of hers in a bottle or pill . She's raising 2 kids alone, has two coffee places going , is a partner if the rehabbing of a small apartment building which may turn into a FT career , and is at present dating a woman who writes news for a tv station and every now and then sport f*cking a penis person professor from UL . Even with a daily doses of blow moi could never do all that ..............


The looniness came in when a fight started . Our nice talk got interrupted by a escalating argument on the other side of the room and Freida had to handle it . It wasn't between young people or the group of assholes who came in that think they are the smartest & coolest people in the planet either .Came from a group of adults from there 30's to 60's were talking about the election and that went way too emotional .The main trouble maker was this one woman professor or staffer about 60 who I hve seen there before.Not good people at all.............seemed to be trying to move in on another woman's husband and is ALWAYS complaining about people being bigoted against her since she's jewish . Yesterday she blew up complete with swearing & shouting at one man since she says Obama will stab Israel in the back and he didn't agree . She was just so angry and fanatic it was amazing yelling away with a beat red face and spit coming out of her mouth ..Moi never really thought educated and UMC people get like that but there she was in a white heat hollering & name calling away like my sisters do . When Freeds asked her to calm down she started calling Frieda a anti-semite and dyke . Nasty nasty nasty . The man whose she had been lashing out at was good , saying nothing . But the woman just wudn't stop .with althe anger and abuse .


Finally Frieda told her to leave or it 'd be 911 time .The woman was startled at that then called the guy she was arguing with and Freida a few more names then left . Once out the door many including some people who looked very jewish applauded. Frieda just shook her head asking in exasperated way "Why of all the coffee shops around town does she have to come here " I can relate , have asked myself that many many times when dealing with drunks in he bar .......... Dealing with the public can be so much fun at times ................. That woman had me thinking that she was acting no better then a nazi who ironically actually hated her people .


Work was fine .Wore the navy blue skirt suit uniform and had no problems with my feet in heels . Coming in Capt'n Tom raved about my depending on how you see at it retro or Martha Stewet look saying how I looked like the prettyest girl in his high school . Did they even have high schools in the 1960's ? Since the hotel was busy I didn't have to observe other departments and could do my job . We had three functions going on including a wedding reception which is rare for a friday .Mr.Stevens the head of Engineering was there too again to respond to any smell of smoke reports .Some crazyness too in my day , saw this 30 something blond blue eyd UMC type woman totally convinced complete with a huge smile all over her face that McCain will win next week no matter how behind he is in the polls . Then she switched moods getting angrier and angrier about how the 'liberal media " has been lying about Obama's lead claiming McSame has been winning all along .............? I bet that woman also believed all the lies they used to tell us about how we were winning in Iraq too Bad news too ,Leon the doorman who I've always liked and got along with was fired and I had to have him posted or banned from the hotel if he showed up . The cops arrested him for pimping and the general manager worrys he'd be doing that at the hotel .Too bad , Leon was always nice to everyone and worked hard.


Today play tennis with Cindy at a public court then lunch . Work tonite ..........in the navy blue pant suit uniform and black heels sans undies ............