From Ho-Hum to WTF!!!

The morning was cool and cloudy with the forecast screaming of severe thunderstorms throughout the day.  Took the umbrella and walked to work.  The clouds increased and the winds became stronger, but no rain.

All staff arrived on time and opening the restaurant went smoothly. A few families with small children arrived to enjoy a leisurely luncheon as the sun made a sudden, unexpected appearance.  Then, they were gone.  A few diners trickled in once in a while, but we were almost at a dead stop.

All of a sudden, as if out of nowhere, a party of 8 arrives, followed by a party of 17, followed almost immediately by a party of 6, then another 7, and another 5.  Forty-three diners within 10 minutes. No joke!  A few minutes later a party of 9 waits to be seated, (tracking sand everywhere) having come directly from the beach.  Although I was saddled with 2 new servers-in-training, they performed beautifully and everyone eventually left full and happy. 

Of course, large parties don't simply eat and run - especially a party of 17 - so our shifts had to be extended to care for the guests and clean up afterwards. The busboys aren't scheduled until 4 pm, so the servers all helped one another and I pitched in as I could. By the time I left at 5:10, I was reeling from the somewhat controlled chaos, wondering how we got through all that without a single major issue.

Ya'know, it's the summer season and today was a reminder of what can happen, and how quickly a situation can change.

Didn't hang around for an AS cocktail (the bar was packed with Happy Hour customers) but headed home where I am now enjoying a martini with 2 festive olives.  Cheers!


BTW:  The Ladybug is the official insect of the state of Delaware. See, you visit here and learn something totally useless, unless you play Trivial Pursuit.

And so it goes.
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