Working where not everyone knows your name
‘HEY BRIAN!” SAID tall, dark and handsome. “Brian!” he repeated. Oh yeah, I thought, he means me. “Yeah,” I said. “How long have we known each…
Glass of water shows complex side of ‘easy’
‘I’M EASY,” she said upon sitting down — a comment that caused at least two other male heads to turn. Another man scooted one barstool closer.…
No matter the price, it’s just not worth it.
IT WAS A Valentine’s Day past, but I still remember her. She was decked out in a way that suggested an attempt at culture, rather than…
When labels can be just plain wrong
THE GREAT MARTIAL artist Morihei Ueshiba was once asked how it was that he never made a mistake. He responded that he made mistakes all the…
When women and men hit their thresholds
‘HEY JEFF,” said one of the two men sitting in front of me. “What’s the difference between men and women?” I assumed that the question was…
A romantic tale of buyers remorse
‘HELLO,” SHE SAID, extending her hand ever so awkwardly. A greeting subtle enough that someone accustomed to looking for such things might realize it was newly…
Four Noble Truths for bartenders
FRIDAY NIGHT and the short young man in a porkpie hat and early 20th-century waxed mustache jockeyed back and forth on the periphery of my vision.…
If papas not happy…
Earlier this week I received two phone calls. One was from my boss at the restaurant, and the other was from a relative. Both were inquiring…
New kids in town should fit right in
8 p.m. on Friday night. The busiest time of the busiest night of the week. And this wasn’t just any Friday night; it was the busiest…
You can’t go back, but you can go forward
“Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall…