Post Valentine's Day Hangover

Wrapped up Valentines week and finally had some time to Blog. Now that I am out of the restaurant industry Chris and I were looking forward to being able to hang out together that day. Our big plans were to go see the movie Safe House. Romantic eh? We swore months ago that we would never go see The Vow. I can barely make it throught the trailer without wanting to cry. And now with the prospect of losing memory on the table there is NO WAY I'm watching that crap. I was off work early but Chris had to work late and we missed the movie. Instead we headed out to the buffett at Red Rock Casino for dinner and played our favorite Las Vegas game Girlfriend or Escort: The Valentine's Day Edition. We witnessed some very interesting fashion choices and some very odd pairings. I made a bouquet of tissue paper flowers for Sharon. She was admiring the tissue poms I made to decorate Chris's bosses office so it seemed the perfect Valentine's Day gift.

 Sharon's Valentine's Day Bouquet

Chris's bosses cublicle that we decorated for her birthday.

Did you notice I mentioned I got off work early? Who knew that I would get the first job I applied for? Well that's not entirely true. I sent out 30+ resumes to various positions on craigslist the second week I was here. It's rough sorting through Craigslist ads trying to figure out which ones were legit. 100's of ads go up everyday and maybe 15% are legit, and most of those are sex-work related. (Although I am seriously considering a part-time gig as a "phone girl". Although I am not sure I could keep a straight face and not laugh). Well I ran across an ad for temporary help at a local bakery. They needed someone to answer phones over Valentines Day weekend for $10 an hour. I can do that. It sounded perfect because I could make $300 quick. Plus, I didn't really want a job yet. I have never been unemployed and wanted a month or two off.

So I headed up there to find out they hired someone else an hour earlier. I was bummed. But I told the woman at the counter that if they ever needed any other help to please call me. I am an experienced baker and decorator as well as capable of answering phones. I even showed her pictures on my phone of cupcakes and cakes I have done. She took my info and said that if the phone girl flaked they would give me a call.

Well the following Friday I got a call from the manager. She asked if I was looking for a more permanent job. Her evening girl was taking some medical leave so it was temporary but long term because she would be gone months. I said "Yes!" and danced around the room! I was so excited! She offered me the job on the phone and told me the details and asked if I could come in the next morning and meet everyone before I really accepted, so I did.  And yes, I was really dancing around the room singing " I got the cookie job! I got the cookie job!" To celebrate we went to the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey match. It was Pink the Rink night and I got a kick out of the pink jerseys.

Well I am going to use pseudonyms from here on out. I had to sign a confidentiality and non-compete agreement in order to work there...and it has been interesting.

Little Cookie Shoppe is a cookie only bakery that specializes in designer cookies and cookie bouquets. It's run exactly like a flower shop but sub the flowers for ornately decorated cookies. I started the day before Valentines Day so it was crazy busy. They told me that it is the biggest holiday of the year for them and it would cool down to normal on Wednesday. I loved the first two days of my training. There was so much to do and so many gorgeous cookies to assemble. Wednesday and Thursday were awkward. I spent my two shifts navigating awkward silence with the woman I was hired to replace, Penelope. Friday and Saturday I finally got to decorate some cookies and those days were a lot better. Yesterday I worked by myself and it was the best day yet. No awkward silence and plenty to do since I was by myself. And for reasons I will not disclose, I still feel very sketchy about the whole situation and am still looking for another job.

And yes, people do ask you to write suggestive things on the cards. It's a riot. And I've already had 2 phone calls wanting penis cookies for a bachelorette party. We don't do anything erotic. But there is definitely a market for an erotic bakery in Las Vegas.

But here is a picture of my first bouquet from start to finish. From baking to decorating to assembling.

 And I am pretty proud of this Crown Royal cookie. I had to free hand draw the barrells, mugs, and bottle.

And everyday I lock up at 6 and get to see this awesome view of The Rio and The Palms.

In other awesome news, I have two friends in town this week and I am so excited to see familiar faces!

And my second MRI was finally approved by my insurance and scheduled. I'm ready for more answers. I just finished reading Awkward Bitch: My Life with MS by Marlo Donato Parmelee and while it wasn't the best written book, I really identified with her symptoms and feelings. I'm going to read some fiction before I tackle the Richard Cohen novel.

Also, Chris and I have a tentative plan on how to celebrate my upcoming 30th birthday. Since I will be in Vegas and none of my friends are here we are ... well as soon as we book it and make it official I will ummm... reveal... the surprise :)

And I am working on my Las Vegas Bucket List. I will publish it soon also.