would you like fries with that?

What's wrong with this picture?

Outsourcing Drive Thru operators?

seriously?

i think i read that article from the Huffington Post earlier this week - i just didn't have the time to blog earlier - though i meant to bookmark it...

But yeah - some chains like Jack in the Box & Taco Bell have been testing using out-of-state people on the phone taking people's orders at the drive thru.

Why? what is wrong with hiring from the local community? the people who would be spending money in your town - perhaps even in your restaurant!

Don't these people realize that they're shooting themselves in the foot?

If ya keep pushing down wages & downsizing in order to turn a profit - you have fewer people making money to spend on eating out at your establishment.

What's wrong with letting someone earn an honest living and get paid a fair wage?

I think i even wrote a blog about how some fast food operations are running smoother now that fluent English speakers are applying for jobs now that they've become desperate... so the customers are happy - there are fewer mistakes with the orders - the business is efficient and there's less loss... and i believe they were seeing higher profits as a result.

I guess other chains or fast food restaurants in other cities feel that it would be more beneficial to pay some servicing company, and pay someone sitting in some remote phone bank to take people's orders - rather than hiring someone locally and paying them directly...

I find this sad. I also think that it will turn out disastrous... as they're just being expedient without seeing the domino effect this will create.

A Resolution to Stick to

I intend to meet up with my friends more often.

Sounds easy, right?

Easy enough - but it does take effort. True friendships last a lifetime. Sometimes they endure years of neglect - yet can pick up where things left off.Daniel(11 yrs), me, Courtney (11+yrs)

Something I like to make on occasion are croissants - from scratch. Yes, they're easy enough to buy at the market, or a patisserie... but I'm working on improving my technique and finding the right recipe.

So I decided to whip up a couple of batches and invite a whole bunch of people over for a

New Year's Day Brunch.

Lisa (17 yrs - though we lost touch for 10 yrs), Matthew (2 yrs)

I posted the time as 11am to 1pm and sent out about 80 emails - knowing i'd get less than 40% return due to the fact that it was so early - and many people were out of town - and another percentage don't check their emails/facebook/myspace accounts that regularly.

Carlos (11 yrs), Julie K (28 yrs), Michelangelo, (11 yrs)

Of those who did show up (22 total!) - I couldn't have been happier! I had some family, some new friends, but mostly old friends - who i've known for over 10 years. And many who hadn't seen one another for years. It was a great reunion. A great way to rekindle friendships... and a lovely gathering just for the sake of getting together.

The year 2009 will be one of getting together with friends - new and old.Julie K & Joan (10 yrs)

Have a Healthy & Happy New Year!

Almonds that taste like...

Almonds

They're a good, healthy snack. Helps curb the appetite if you're out and about and need a pick-me-up.

I was in Reno for Christmas, with the family "K" - they've adopted me into their family... And when there's snow - there's skiing.

We all sat for our Apres-Ski drinks... and I pulled out my snack baggie of Almonds. Raw Almonds.

Me: Raw Almonds, anyone?

Vince: Raw?
- They're not roasted? or Salted?

me: Nope - just plain Almonds.

April: But they're not flavored?

Me: Uh, no - just Almonds.

Dom: But what do they taste like?

Me: Almonds! They're almonds that taste like almonds! (me, dom, vince, julie k)

Do Almonds really need to taste like anything else to be enjoyable? Jeez! They taste fine on their own if you can appreciate the taste of something in its natural state. Why does everything need to be flavored/salted/x-tremed to be worthy of consumption nowadays?