In transit to Griboedov's

http://www.tonylama.com/

Today, I could be anything.

I feel free and open. My time at the hotel allowed me an opportunity to see myself in vocations I never before considered. I don't know, but I am open.


My new job will be with my parent's architecture firm. They need someone to come and help them manage the office's affairs. I am going to do that. M-F. 40hrs weekly, weekends off, holidays free. I am sold.

I can now be one of the guests at the front desk who say, "I used to work for hyatt."


I still don't know what to think, but I am happy.

To the entire Hotel Staff:

Allow me to begin by saying that I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and energetic staff. The excitement that each one of you brings to this environment allowed me to work through days that I found quite difficult. Thank you all for opening yourselves to me.

Tuesday, I received an employment offer that I accepted. I am writing to formally submit my two weeks notice. My last day will be Friday February 16th. I begin at the new office Monday the 19th.

I leave knowing that you all care about this hotel very much. It shows through your dedication. I hope that during my time with you that I assisted at times when I was needed. This new job will allow me to spend more time with my family. I’ll be around on the evenings and weekends.

Thank you again for the opportunity to work with each and every one of you.


with warm regards,

the hotel gabacho

Tonight, I write my formal 2 week notice for the hotel.

I'll be completely done and at a new job February 19th.

Powdering in albuquerque.

19 degrees outside and a bike.

One of the more enjoyable rides of the year.

I can see how people can ride in minnesota each winter. One has to build up to it. It is not as unpleasant as it might seem. I guess people run all through winter. They can bike too apparently.

Here you go ytoud leachim happy things

going down?
11. walking with a sunrise
10. the smell of cold weather on someone walking into a warm building
09. the smell of rain
08. being surprised by the unexpected
07. the jack of nobs or the jack of heels (either one)
06. brownies
05. the moment water boils
04. blowing out a candle
03. a bike ride where I am not going to work
02. baby smiles
01. steam off coffee

I have tried on a number of occasions to post. usually, it turns into stuff about work. My schedule is the same as ever. Last week, 6 days a week. this week, 6 days. next week...6 days. Friday begins our slow season and I wait for it like a kid for christmas.



That isn't what I am wanting to talk about. I am reading my first book in more months than I can count. I think the last one I read was Anne Lammot's "Operating Instructions" and that was right before Tobiah was born. So four months? Maybe?

I am reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I was always interested in the title and the apparent subversive material. I looked at those who read it and knew that for someone it meant something. Now that I am reading it, I can see that it is a rather well thought out book. It is giving my mind the chance to do some stretching.

The interesting thing is that yesterday I forsook all other house/life duties to read for about an hour. I had to leave for work and on my way I realized that my pace on the road was slower than usual. I wasn't pushing myself in the traffic flow. I even took a less populated road to work.

For the first time in quite awhile I was able to slow myself down just a tad. I think the book did it. I had other things to think about than my job and my commute.

In other news, Last month marked a year since we sold our car. I have been riding/walking/bussing to work for a year now. This little experiment has influenced me in many different ways.

My definition of 'around the block' has changed. I realized this last night when a guest asked how far a hotel was from our hotel. The embassy suites is on lomas at the interstate. I could walk there in about 15-20 minutes. I told him, "not that far". He asked, "How far is that?". I told him to take a cab. My longest walk is from here to the hotel. It takes about 40 min. I have yet to walk farther, because if I need to I can take public transportation.

Also, I understand now what a car is useful for and what can be done on other transport. My daily commute is perfect for a bike ride. The amount of time I would gain by driving I would lose with parking. It also appears that I could cross the city in about the same amount as a car stuck in rush hour. A car is nice when dealing with multiple people and a little babe (although tobiah has few complaints about his carrier now, he likes to look out and see the world around him).

I despise the public bus. One, it is slow. One sunday morning, I missed a bus at central that was going to take me down to work. I started walking and beat the next bus to downtown (a 30 min+ walk). Usually if I am going a few blocks I can beat the bus to my destination. With my bike, I will wait longer at the bus stop than it would take me to ride to where I need to be. Plus, the bus attracts many people I find it difficult to deal with. Yesterday, I stood at a stop and an intoxicated man came up and called me a Nazi, becasue I wore an olive wool topcoat and a hat. He then said, "goodbye hitler" as I got off.

This city's mayor says that he wants to be a city that embraces public transport. I see it as a far goal to reach. So much is missing from the current system. I am a healthy person who can walk rather quickly. I feel for those with any measure of hindered mobility. The elderly manage on the lines, but I imagine it can be difficult at times.

well cheers.