I think I'm beginning to get used to the random and occasionally frightening things that come out of the mouths of my customers. I mean, before I took this job, it had been a while since I worked with the actual public. At the law firm, I saw people, interacted with them, and rarely ever had time to breathe because they kept me so freaking busy over there. But. Most of the people I interacted where either lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, or random support staff. I very rarely ever came into contact with actual clients, and when I did, they weren't the so-called bad ones. My point? When I first started working at the hotel, I think it shocked me a little how . . . weird people have become since the last time I worked in customer service. Now, though . . . I don't know. I guess I've gotten used to it because people have to work really hard to even make me blink these days.

They can, however, still make me laugh. It never fails to amuse me when someone - a grown man, no less - comes in and whispers, "Do you sell condoms?"

It takes all my strength to direct him to the vending machine without laughing. 'Cause seriously? It's not like I didn't know that's what you were here for when you checked in with your girl friend ten minutes ago. Half the time it takes all my strength not to just tell him to grow a pair and ask me like a man. *rolls eyes*

I guess what I'm trying to say with all this babbling is that I've either gotten used to it or have become a little more numb than I was a few months ago.

Edit: Edited to fix the fact that I didn't read the "restore to saved draft?" draft before hitting post. *headdesk* There was more here, but it wasn't important. I got my point out.

How is everyone?

Dear Idiot just checking into room 103,

Stupidity is not a handicap! Park elsewhere!

Thank you,
Your rather friendly for being so pissed off GM

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So I have yet to find a replacement for Carl. I have one housekeeper interested in moving up to the desk, but since I'm down four housekeepers (two just stopped showing up, one quit because I told her she couldn't have Saturday off because we were short staffed and at 100% occupancy, and the other was having difficulties with her pregnancy and her doctor put her on bed rest), I can't move her up to desk until I get at least one more housekeeper. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please.

1. *snicker* The people in the room directly above the office are having sex. Loudly. I swear it's like they've completely forgotten there's a person down here - and that anyone checking in can hear them. Unless they haven't forgotten and just don't care, and if that's the case, more power to them. The only thing about the situation that bothers me is that the guy that checked in is an ass. He told me he was alone, thus was only charged for 1 person.

. . .

Wow. They're done. 5 minutes. Possibly less. That's . . . kinda sad, actually.


2. Employee who was out for surgery returned today. Now, keep a few things in mind before I start my rant here. She's worked here, at this location, for nearly 12 years. She should know more about this job than I do, yet she doesn't. Why? She can barely read. She can't type. She refuses to ask for help on things and makes way too many mistakes for my liking. I think she's a wonderful person, but as an employee . . . I just don't see us meshing well now that I'm the boss. She hasn't worked since I took over as GM. I know she needs the money, though. I just . . . I don't think she's going to work out at the front desk with the new area manager. We have too many hoops to jump through. And she's not physically capable of going back to cleaning rooms. I hate to already be thinking that there's going to be problems, but . . . I worked the audit last night. I was here when she got to work. It took her five minutes to remember what her password was to access the computer, and it's been the same for her entire employment. Then she couldn't remember her code to either the safe or the key machine, and I had to go print the records to get those. Then she checked someone out and let them leave - I was in the restroom - without checking to see that they had a zero balance. They didn't. They owed us for one night. That's not setting off to a good start. At all. *sigh*

3. We have a police dog certification center just up the street from us. Since pets stay free, every six months or so we get the cops and their dogs in town for the class. Right now there are 20 cops and 20 GORGEOUS police dogs staying at my hotel. This morning, one of the cops came in for coffee, clearly after a run, and had his dog with him. I was out putting fresh donuts in the breakfast area and the dog came up and sat down behind me. Now, instinct told me, 'cop dog! don't move!' right? Well, the guy goes, "she wants to say hello." So I turn around and hold out my hand. She licked the donut sugar off my fingers and then - I swear - rose up on two feet, put her front paws on my shoulders and licked my face. The guy instantly told her to get down, but I just started laughing. Hard. She (the dog's name is Cosette) sat back down and let me pet her for a few minutes. I looked up at the cop, and he's just baffled. Apparently she never acts like that. I told him I have a German Shepard of my own, and asked if maybe she just smelled Annka and realized I was a dog person. He said that could be it, but that she hadn't acted like that with any other dog owner, ever. Here's the thing. She looks JUST LIKE Annka. I brought in a picture of her today on the off chance that he might come in again this morning. I'm not saying I think they're related, the dogs, I'm just saying it's cool. 'Cause Annka doesn't look like a normal Shepard. She's red and black instead of silver. In any case, I have a fan in a beautiful dog named Cosette. :)

4. I let it slip to one of my desk clerks, her name is Kelley and she's actually really cool - and so potentially friend-like I'm hoping we'll be able to balance being employee/boss with being friends - that I'm writing for NaNo. She thinks it's the most awesome thing she's heard in a while and asked if she could read the finished product. It was . . . cool, in an odd way. Not many people in "real life" know I write. Letting her read it would be a huge step for me. I mean, I let you guys read my shit all the time, but that's different. You're my friends and I know you like me. My insecurity is showing. Ignore me.

5. Nothing bad or horribly interesting has happened lately. Not since that whole big dramatic thing I last posted about. We're slowing down . . . a good/bad thing. Good in that drama, while it makes the world go 'round, drives me batty at work. Bad in that less people = less money.

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NANO: If we're not friends on lj and you didn't know I'm writing, and you're writing too, buddy me? I'm Here. :)