Dear Diary: August Edition
A lot of my life revolves around August.
For my business, it is both the hardest, hottest, most stressful month of the year and the most lucrative. So it goes.
The money we make in August makes it possible to serve pancakes in January and it carries us all the way through to April - during the months when we come no where close to the margins needed to turn a profit.
I have come to not just accept the seasons but I respect the seasons. I even find comfort now, in the cyclical ups and downs.
The Fall is my favorite. It is, simply, an exhale. September is a secret month of summer that I like to think as my reward for getting through August. The sky is a particular brand of Blue and the clouds are cotton tail white. The water is clear and warm and the beaches peaceful, maybe even a little impressed with themselves. September is nothing short of stunning.
October explodes with color, like the trees are celebrating harvest, taking a final bow. (Yes, Yes pumpkin traffic. Give it a break. It’s like five Saturday & Sundays of the year and makes it possible to have your precious bucolic open spaces that everyone seems to want to protect at every turn yet whines endlessly when farmers are actually making some money. Its exhausting. Suck it up.)
Moving on….
The winter brings a true respite, the antiAugust, if you will. A time to brainstorm and strategize (for August.) Build fires and turn in early. And ski.
The spring offers a certain predictable build up to busy. Spring cleaning, projects, projections and pansies. Training and schedules and lots of anticipation.
June & July are a tease. It’s these months that we are given a false sense of security that everything is working and we might survive the summer with our souls intact.
Then -August. No matter what I do, how we prepare, psych ourselves up or talk ourselves down- it destroys me every year. (And by destroy I mean- I skip meals & work outs, I don’t get enough sleep, I miss family and friends, I hit a limit with difficult customers, I always, always, gain 5 pounds. Half the crew leaves for school and we finish the last two and a half weeks of summer short staffed and stressed.)
I’ve tried everything- Except this. This is the first year in my 15 years of running Augusts at LLK that I wrote my way through. While I may not have walked away completely unscathed, it did hurt a lot less than usual.
The Dear Diary posts became a place to put the madness. I found that my opinion need not be added, as simply narrating was enough to paint a picture of what August looks and feels like. The feedback from both fellow industry folk and lay people alike reminded me that we are not alone. Sometimes all you need is a bit of humor and hope when you are up against August.
Whatever your August may be.
So here they are. The Dear Diary - August Edition- that was recorded in real time. Enjoy.
Dear diary. Aug 1, 2023. Today someone wanted bacon but dairy free and someone else wanted to make sure their grapefruit juice wasn’t too juicy. We tried our best at both.
Dear diary. Aug 2, 2023. Not much to report, today was my day off! So today, at work, I met our newest staff member who is available through the fall! So when over half a dozen of our servers leave for college mid August we might have a fighting chance at surviving through Labor Day weekend! Fingers crossed!
Dear diary - August 3, 2023. Today was a good day! After discussions of potentially blacklisting a customer, we merrily celebrated Kata with a mini baby shower. Then I headed over to the Northforker’s best of awards night! Best breakfast spot and best lobster roll! Not bad. Not bad at all.
Dear diary - August 4, 2023. Please see previous blog post “About that Two Star Review”
Dear diary
Aug 5, 2023
The fact I haven’t made a daily entry everyday for the month of august from the beginning of time is ludicrous. Cause the material sounds made up but I promise you dear diary that I don’t have a good enough imagination to dream up these narratives. I’ll keep it short as the last entry was a little… lengthy. Two parties “forgot” to tip today until our graceful and tactful manager politely asked if everything was ok as they were leaving without gratuity. They seemed to have “forgot” until they were “reminded.” No one seemed particularly embarrassed. Someone asked for egg whites “over easy”
And another gentleman was hanging from the street light lamp post. When an observer asked if I’d ever seen that before I could only shrug and reply, “it’s august, so I’m not really surprised by anything anymore.”
Overall a remarkably functional, smooth and successful Saturday here on the lane.
Dear Diary - Aug 6, 2023
A truly magnificent day! Another Sunday for the books! Truly, the team rocked it and guests were really happy. Really, it was another good day and a great weekend!
But there is one thing. Since I’m in the spirit of sharing this August and literally just finished this same exhausting exchange- here goes…
Stop Being so surprised (sometimes shocked) that this restaurant and this business is run so well “by a woman.”
It’s not a compliment when you’re so surprised.
And you are always in need of additional explanation. The most common follow up question to,
“oh, this is your place?”
Is-
“Oh, is your husband the chef?”
Runner up-
“Do your parents help you run this?”
No. My husband is not the chef. And if my husband was the one in front of you telling you it was his place, would you ask him if his wife helps him run it? No. You would not.
Do I do it alone? Of course not! There’s endless, heroic support from management, back of house, front of house, everyone in my life helps me run this beast. And you all know who you are, too.
But for you sir, you can go ahead and be impressed if you’d like.
But - please.
Stop being so surprised that women are capable. Just. Stop it.
Dear diary - Aug 7, 2023
Someone sent back their dish because it had cheese in it.
Cheese is listed in the description of the dish on the menu.
They did not order it with out the cheese.
We made them a new dish without the cheese.
They asked for a side of cheese.
They added the cheese.
They ate the dish.
And you know what, I wasn’t even mad. I was just like, whelp- I know what I’m gunna do with this lil tidbit. I’m gunna leave it right here.
Oh! Bonus material that I got from a friend over her weekend at a catering gig:
Someone returned a drink because it was too cold.
Dear diary Aug 8, 2023
Sometimes it all just works.
The crews crushes it, people are happy and it all comes together like your favorite song, played live with a good beat and a perfect pace and a good crowd. Those are the days you look around and you say to yourself, “Self! Maybe every little thing is gunna be alright!”
Things overheard today:
“This is our go to spot!”
“We were visiting for a day and a half and we ate almost every meal here”
“What a lovely lunch! The bread alone! :::chefs kiss:::”
“This is our first stop out east, love lane first!”
“Worth the wait for a table!”
“I know I’ll always get something fresh whenever I come here!”
“I just got back from the Drs. and I thought, what will cheer me up? Lunch at love lane!”
Bonus points - our guy Alan fixed our espresso machine so there’s no longer water leaking everywhere. That’s a plus.
And I fixed the kitchen sink so there’s no longer water spraying everywhere!
Yay for gaskets!!
Dear diary August 9, 2023
There are two types of people in this world.
One whom sets off on their own two feet with confidence that their wits and sense of the world around them will eventually, somehow, in faith, lead them to a certain Establishments bathroom.
The other needs turn by turn directions, in paces, or perhaps a detailed map or they become overwhelmed with a fear that they will be irreversibly lost forever in search of an establishments bathroom. Never to be heard from again.
Dear diary - Aug 10, 2023
Was lucky enough to play a tourist with some friends!
Here’s what we DIDN’T do:
-Walk into a place of business without saying hello
-Sit ourselves at a dirty table
-get mad at the traffic/crowds/lines
-ignore servers when asked a question
-Stare at our phones mindlessly
-have unrealistic expectations
-took anything for granted
What we did do:
-Said please & thank you
-Was courteous and friendly
-Ordered from the menu
-Tipped properly
-Waited patiently
-Played silly games & laughed a lot
-stayed present
-Enjoyed each others company
-Had a freakin blast
-recognize how lucky we are to live here, work here and play here
Dear diary - Aug 11, 2023
Today was off the hinges!!!
People are just knocking down the door to get in!
When is a door not a door?
When it’s ajar!
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Anita.
Anita who?
Anita new door!
Also, if anyone knows a good handy man, we’re gunna need a new door. Seriously. Thanks.
(Picture of two staff members holding our very broken front door)
Dear diary Aug 12, 2023
7:56pm. Table sits.
8:03pm. Table orders.
8:17pm. Table throws up their hands, waving, pointing at their table, visibly annoyed, questioning where their food is and why is it taking so long?!?! Where can it possibly be? Can someone check? They’ve been waiting!
8:17pm. Crew investigates all the tickets on the line, it’s only been 14 minutes since they ordered, but regardless, everything is almost ready to be plated.
8:18pm. A report is communicated on the status of there long awaited meal. They are starving. Don’t know if they’ll make it. They are hanging on by a thread here. Send help. Someone. Please. How are they expected to possibly…
8:20pm. The order is delivered. In 17 minutes.
8:27pm. Every bite is gone.
Hangry is never a good look. Pack a snack.
Dear diary - Aug 13
Earlier this week a guy comes in at dinner and sits at the bar. We ask him how he is, answer his questions. He orders a salad and a drink. Gets up to go to the bathroom. Has some food. Gets up to smoke a cigarette. Gets up again to use the bathroom. Eats. Gets up again to smoke a cigarette, disappears for a little bit. Comes back. Pays. Leaves. Arright. Cool.
Comes in another time. Asks the same questions. Gets the same salad, the same drink, does the same thing. Fine. Ok. All good.
Comes in again during lunch. We are packed. He interrupts a server taking an order to get him a drink. She apologizes to her table- asks him to please speak to the hostess as there are no seats anywhere and if he wants to sit at the bar there’s a waitlist.
He says he just wants a drink. Ok she says but give me a sec, I’m in the middle of taking an order. She takes care of her table.
She makes him the drink.
He, annoyed, asks her “where am I supposed to sit, there’s no space!”
Comes in again that same night for dinner complaining that he can “never get a seat here at lunch.” To which I reply- “you can always get a seat here, you might just need to wait.”
Asks the SAME questions. Orders. Bathroom. Cigarettes. Bathroom. Whatever.
THEN. Tonight I check my email. Just now.
And I see a message from my point of sale company saying that there has been a chargeback - which is when someone contests charges on their credit card through their credit card company who then comes back to me and says- you need to prove this charge is legit or we’re reversing the charge.
I pull up the details of the chargebacks with the date, time, seat number and items ordered.
I’ll give you one guess who it was.
So tomorrow morning I will be going through the hundreds of credit card receipts from this week to find the signed copies to scan and then send back to my point of sale company to prove that the charges are legit.
Maybe he’s confused. Maybe he’s not well. Maybe he’s struggling. This is legit what I wonder. Truthfully I do hope he’s ok and maybe he’s just a jerk. Maybe if I see him again I’ll ask him what was up with that?
Who knows?
Maybe it was all just a misunderstanding and we’ll work it out. That’d be nice.
Or maybe he’s just a jerk. Cause if that’s the case then I won’t feel bad telling him - “well, now you really can’t get a seat here.”
Dear diary - Aug 14
Mom & dad are home from Italy! Just in time as the cake supply is dangerously low. I’ve heard grumblings of a revolt, rumors of the masses, Picketing in the streets, angry mobs looting and flipping cars chanting, “we want cake! we want cake!” Things escalate so quickly in August. Good thing they’re back!
Dear diary - Aug 15
It’s wild that we’re in the middle of the busiest month of the year.
In my world- it’s always almost August.
Let me put it this way-
Owning and operating a seasonal business is like being put in one of those glass booths with cash flying all around and you need to catch as much as you can before it gets turned off.
Every business decision, strategy, projection, recipe, idea, schedule, budget- is adjusted & then readjusted with consideration to August.
Every single thing I do or don’t do, buy, fix, invest in, save for, is riding on a handful of weeks.
You’d think all these summers I’d get used to it, but I haven’t. It’s intense having a year round business rely on 2 months for the other 10.
This is, simply, the reality of a seasonal business. Sure- it’d be nice if it wasn’t so extreme, if the lows weren’t so low and the highs weren’t so- well…the highs are kinda awesome. Let’s face it- if you don’t leave a day happy after serving hundreds of people with an army of staff in intense heat covered in sweat and syrup fueled by copious amounts of iced coffee, well then you’re in the wrong business.
I knew exactly what I signed up for, might as well enjoy the ride!
Dear diary Aug 16
You really see some interesting things while standing at the hostess stand.
Cars parked on the side walk, cars parked facing the wrong direction, cars driving on the side walk, cars driving backwards down the length of the street, the infamous 3 point turn and cars parked in the crosswalk.
Some of our patrons have taken it upon themselves to place little plastic cones along the already clearly marked no parking zones in the attempt to mitigate the illegal parking and general melee that can ensue.
Me- I’ve already filed this under my NMP folder so it doesn’t bother me in the least where people park or if they get a ticket. (Cause- Not my problem)
So, while standing outside, greeting customers and managing our waitlist, I found myself half doubled over in hysterics when someone pulled up in a no parking zone, hit a cone, dragged it along their front bumper, scraping the cone along the street, made an illegal 3 point turn backing up *just* at the right angle to hit another plastic cone and drag that along their back bumper before just giving up and driving away.
E for effort everybody, but the cones are not working.
Dear diary - Aug 17
I got a haircut today.
A trim actually. About an inch and a half.
This might not seem significant in the slightest. But it is to me.
Over the years, I have had a habit of chopping off all my hair in August. Ask anyone. This is a real thing.
My hair will be long, like, long- down the middle of my back and one day, typically around, now-ish, I would walk into whatever salon would take me. Sit down. And say “chop it all off.” One time it was like 10 inches. One time it was smack damn in the middle of a shift!
Maybe there’s a psychologist somewhere who can analyze why I do this. Of course, I immediately regret it cause it was completely impulsive- grow it out all year long just to repeat the same thing the following year.
So it’s a huge win that I actually had an appointment, showed up, (not as a stressed out, strung out maniac, but as a functioning human) and just, got a trim.
Progress people, progress.
Here is the very real list I have made my husband promise me I won’t do in the month of August.
1. Quit.
2. Sell the restaurant.
3. Fire anyone. (You know…unfairly)
4. chop off all my hair. Again.
Three out of four usually prevail. But look who’s 4 for 4 and it’s already august 17!
This might be my best track record yet.
It only took 11 years.
Dear diary Aug 18
Let’s rewind a few weeks back.
“Hey Carolyn- phones for you, it’s Tom Schaudel”
Me: oh hey, Tom! What up?
Tom: Well I’ve been giving the grand pleasure of calling around various establishments in the hopes to get your participation in the the Long Island wine councils 50th celebration of Long Island wine county…”
Me: Geezus- they’ve got you asking restaurants to do this? That was a smart move, whoever’s idea that was- who’s gunna say no to you??
Tom: well that’s the idea, and you’ve always been a champion of Long Island wine…
Me: (hand already massaging a headache)
How many people is this? Let me guess- It’s like 800 people isn’t it?
Tom: yup.
Me: and when is this? Hold on- It’s a Saturday in august isn’t it?
Tom: yup
Me: you know Tom, I thought we were friends. Im thinking now’s a good time to lose my number.
Tom: ….
Me: eh, what the heck, sign me up, it’ll be fun!
So, I prepped a summer succotash for 800 people today.
Dear diary Aug 19
Succotash success!
797 tickets sold & fed for the 50th anniversary at Peconic Bay Vineyards for a fantastic event.
566 served and fed at LLK.
Over a 1200 (hopefully) happy humans.
Not too shabby. Shout out to the people who made it happen. You know who you are!
Happy August Saturday everyone!!
Dear diary Aug 20
Someone wise once said - “The problem is, you think you have time.”
Everyone starts off their summer ambitious and hopeful. Images of long, lazy days, going on romantic dates, swinging in hammocks with their kids contently playing in the sunshine, a pitcher of iced cold homemade lemonade at arms reach, with large swaths of time stretched out as far and as wide as the warm golden sand beaches they see themselves strolling along, stopping to pick up seashells, sandals in hands without a worry or a care in the world.
Then, all at once, it starts to slip through their fingers like grains of sand in a tight fist, grand plans of checking out that new place, seeing that live band, throwing that epic bbq, taking that morning yoga class, begin to melt away faster than that ice cream cone you never did get around to having.
Everyone’s left asking one of life’s most pressing questions:
Are we having any fun yet?
I see you, end of summer crowd, panic setting in your eyes earlier each day, not unlike the very sun you hoped to soak in.
So as the sun sets on one of the last Sundays of summer, we do try our best to
whip fun into French toast, love in the lobster roll, peace in a pancake and memories in a mimosa.
This is why we do what we do.
To be a part of the little things in life. This, (if you’re paying any attention) is where almost all joy really lives. I hope you all enjoy it before it’s over for real.
Thankfully, it’s never too late. Until it is.
p.s. Maybe don’t put one hundred percent of the responsibility of your summer dreams and/or disappointments on the people and places serving you. We won’t take all the credit cause we can’t take all the blame. Xo
Dear diary - August 21
11 years ago today
I signed my name on some papers and became the proud new boss of a business and a whole lotta shiny new loans.
For better or worse, in sickness & in health, in good times and in bad - I’ve learned to navigate this crazy ship with as much gratitude, compassion and accountability as I could.
A little older, a little wiser, and never alone, thanks to the small army of the strongest, savviest, most sarcastic, hard working, bad ass crew who’ve been along for every dish & drink we’ve served. Some of you since Day One.
I’ve made a ton of mistakes. So, so many bad calls, bad purchases, bad judgments, bad ideas, lost my temper, lost my shit, lost my mind, lost my faith, lost my perspective. Eventually I find it, sometimes it takes me a minute…or a month…or a decade. Learning from your mistakes is hard, expensive and ego bruising. It’s also invaluable.
I’ve replaced or repaired every piece of equipment, remodeled the bar, reupholstered the banquette, extended our hood, doubled the cook space, reupholstered the banquette again. Revamped the dish pit, revamped the menu, revamped my mind, it’s endless and on going.
Hired, trained, paid and scheduled over 250 different staff members.
Officiated the weddings of: my GM, Nicole and her husband. My chef, Cory, and his wife plus four servers and their spouses including 2 of my best friends (and this fall- my niece!)
Celebrated wins, commiserated loses, survived a pandemic, hurricanes, storms, (literally & figuratively) & worked towards my personal goal of creating a positive place to work and to eat, where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully.
Served a community, one season at a time, for over a decade, adding up to over one million meals served.
One million meals.
When days get tough, doubting myself, my decisions, my capabilities, my purpose, I take a deep breath and realize all the good you can do with a team and a dream.
One thing I’ll always do - come hell or high water - is show up. Not even at my best, but with integrity. With humor. With faith that even in the hardest times, when you show up for people, people show up for you.
Then, and only then, anything is possible.
Cheers to 11 years!
Thanks fam, for believing in me, couldn’t do it with you.
Dear diary Aug 22
Sometimes I pack myself a lunch for work or I don’t eat all day. To a restaurant. That I own.
Dear Diary - August 23
Someone ordered a hot chocolate today.
But cold.
Dear diary- Aug 24
Coffee (obviously) Laundry, oil change, dry cleaners, eat a protein bar.
Check in this morning with chef on end of summer kitchen schedule, orders, menu changes- Labor Day weekend preparedness. Note: order double the amount of eggs.
Changed a gasket in the faucet of the 3 compartment sink but it’s still dripping. Realize I need a different part.
Run to my office. Meeting with my accountant. Update menus. Answer emails, messages, mail. Eat a yogurt.
Run to the library to make copies of menus.
Run to the bank.
Run to the farm stand for supplies.
Run to the parks department to drop off contract/deposit for event in October.
Run home, switch laundry, eat a salad, feed the cat, water the plants.
Run back to LLK.
Check in with my asister manager. (My sister who is a manager.)
Replace dying flowers in flower box.
Replace the new menus.
Replace the part I needed for the faucet. (It stopped the drip.)
Customer on love lane -
“Do you still work here? You’re never here anymore! We never see you! We’ve been here, but you haven’t been!”
Me: “Sorry I’ve missed you, but thank you so much for coming in! I’ll catch you next time.”
This happens. A lot. I know people like to see the owners at their businesses. Especially on the North Fork. Just because you don’t see them behind the counter every day doesn’t mean they’re not hustling. But I see you and I realize you want me to know you you’ve been a good customer. It’s much appreciated! Truly!
You keep showing up and so will I, it just might not be in the way you expect.
Dear diary - August 25
Today a group who had a dinner reservation sat themselves outside and simply texted “here” to the online reservation app.
Must have been their first time using an app that texts you to confirm, cancel or change a reservation.
Or maybe it was their first time making a reservation.
Or maybe it was their first time out for dinner at a restaurant.
Or maybe it was their first time out.
Perhaps after this first experience, they’ll see other diners and learn some advanced dining things, like walking through the front door or be greeted by a host or saying hello. It’s never too late.
Dear diary - Aug 26
What a doozy of a day
There is almost too much to mention- let’s see if I can abbreviate.
A cranky table called our most sparkly sweetest server rude which shocked everyone. Like- shocked us. And she didn’t even know what she did wrong and it jammed her up. Thankfully, the rest of the staff brought her back up and she finished her day and her summer here on a high note. We reminded her of all the hundreds of people we see, don’t let one or two ruin your day. I try to take this advice myself and most of the time I do. But- august, man.
Someone asked for a container of chicken salad to go and when I brought it out, she took off the lid, banged it and banged it on the counter in front of me and asked, “what? You don’t fill these up?”
The septic needed to be pumped. So that was fun.
A grown man at dinner: “what?! we can’t get sandwiches? I want a sandwich! well then I’m not ordering anything” crosses arms.
He got a burger after his temper tantrum settled down. He loved it.
Chargeback guy came back. I asked him what was up with contesting his charge and if there’s ever a question to please call us directly and I’ll be happy to clarify any discrepancies.
He apologized. So that’s fine.
Then he continued to ask if I was “ok” with my nose ring…my eyebrows raised and look on my face that said “are you sure you want to do this?” He answered his own question. “Well obviously, you’re ok with it, if you have it.”
I confirm with a straight lipped smile, and a nod.
“Well I think I know why you have it, you work with all these young people and you’re trying to stay hip…”
Me: shaking my head
“Listen, you’re already on thin ice- why don’t you not analyze women and just drink your wine.”
I also drove home some lovely customers who couldn’t get an Uber or a cab. They were so grateful and I was happy to help. Also, comped a women her drink simply because she was so friendly and polite. And cause I do what I want.
Dear Diary- Aug 27
Today a customer was very disappointed in the size of a share plate brought to their table.
This is an empty plate.
Meant to assist in the sharing of an appetizer or an entree.
The plates were simply swapped for larger ones.
Sadly, this was not enough to remedy the situation.
They needed us to know that we should have known better, that they are paying good money to eat here, that there is no excuse for our poor judgment in the size of that share plate and told the manager three (3) times how disappointed they are in us. Especially since normally everything is great and the food is so good.
I hope they are ok, cause I worry what will happen when they encounter an actual problem. Maybe they are currently dealing with some sort of crisis and an empty plate being too small was a problem that was too big.
Anyway, I hope they are ok.
Dear diary - Aug 28
Today got away from me.
Started out ok.
Checked in at LLK.
Got the mail, sorted a handful of issues.
Brought a sandwich to a friend who’s at San Simeon. He didn’t recognize me at first but once I showed him some pictures he started to remember the whole crew and coming in to the restaurant everyday. Was good to see him, even if he didn’t quite know who I was.
Got to the office a little late in the day but eventually got through all the mail, email, payroll, and bills. The space bar got stuck on my old mac - which caused a string of ridiculous problems. Like- ridiculous problems. Eventually I took the whole key off with a butter knife.
Just finished up now in time to meet up with some friends. Sometimes that feels like nothing short of a miracle.
Dear diary aug 29
Well the sun has set on the last Tuesday in August.
I love Tuesdays. The day went well with some lovely customers, some familiar faces, a few hangry people.
It’s funny, the hangry thing. Like- the urgency becomes our problem which may seem reasonable except when you compare this idea to other industries.
No one walks into a clothing store stark naked demanding to be sold clothes immediately because, “can’t you see, we are all naked and freezing and me and my entire family is in need of clothes right away, don’t just stand there!”
Anyone would assume that at least some responsibility should lie with the person who left their house without any pants on, no?
Obviously, you’re hungry, you’re at a restaurant. Totally reasonable. We have food, yay! This should work out great for both parties.
It usually does.
But hangry…that just causes all sorts of sense and reason to go right out the door. Actually- it usually doesn’t even make it to the sidewalk. We see you coming from across the street, already mad about the wait for a table, the line for the bathroom, the time it takes to cook your food, (which is almost always something you order medium well or well done)
I wonder if we should give out almonds or perhaps some pop corn or a lollipop to these adults, (they are always adults) who left their house without their pants.
Dear diary - Aug 30
I am an optimist. This has been true most of my life (except for maybe a few moments in 2020 when I really struggled to find some light, those were dark days, as we know)
Being an optimist is different than constantly trying to “stay positive.”
All progress starts by telling the truth.
It’s unhelpful and slightly delusional to pretend something isn’t the way it is for the sake of “staying positive.”
Optimism is what comes after being honest.
Call it what it is- if a situation sucks, say so; if you messed up, own it; if you’re struggling, admit it.
It’s what we do next that makes all the difference. Stop assigning blame, wishing it were different or shoulda, coulda, woulda all over yourself.
Gratitude helps. So does compassion and accountability. These are my big three.
I might add humor as well because after all, what’s the point of all this if you can’t laugh a little. Or a lot.
When the going gets tough, like the pure insanity the month of August brings on, I’m ok with admitting: yeah- it’s intense and hot and all these people are challenging and these few weeks determine a lot for the next 10 months so the pressure is real. There’s little room for error and that’s the reality.
Then, and only then, can I confidently recognize how truly fortunate I am to have this month, as crazy as it is, that allows us to do what we love and love what we do. And with a whole team behind me!
Sharing the burden of silly scenarios has added another level of humor and hope that I never knew I needed, so thanks for coming along for this ride.
In the end, we didn’t just survive but thrived. We are better than we were before, learned a few things and stayed true to what’s right.
If you get through a challenging time with an honest and positive perspective - that’s what being an optimistic looks like.
Dear diary - Aug 31
I started this month with one word written on my calendar for Aug 1: surrender
I figured- for my 15th August at LLK maybe I’ll try something new. And it was to stop trying to manage the month.
In the past, I approached august from every angle. From “what we think about comes about, so let’s manifest an amazing month!” to “we all know we’re gunna take august to the face so hold on to your butts” to “if we prepare ourselves for the worst maybe we’ll be pleasantly surprised when it’s not terrible” to “what? I love august! August is the best!” to “just don’t let me sell the restaurant in august.”
This might be the first time that I simply surrendered to the fact that none of it is in my control anyway so might as well just enjoy the ride.
What more can we do? We prepared all year, trained the staff, stacked the schedule, tweaked the menus, polished our policies & procedures, in other words- our best. We’ve done our best.
Like showing up to a test you’ve studied really hard for and you know the material forward and backward.
That was this august.
And we Aced it.
86 August, everybody.
That’s a wrap.
