Flying to Macedonia

            Well after almost a year and a half from when I applied the came has come for me to head off to begin the Peace Corps.  It's been a long waiting period and the word that comes to mind for me is: Relief.  After the Azerbaijan debacle I'm relieved that it's actually happening. So let's get started on the journey to Macedonia.

             I flew out of Knoxville direct to our staging location in Philadelphia. (I almost missed my flight out because I left a swiss army knife in my bag. I tried to put it back in my checked luggage but it was too late so I left it and went through security, sprinting to the gate and just made it before they closed the doors!) I met up with a couple other volunteers and we Ubered it to our hotel. We had our orientation sessions for the day, going over security, passports, etc. 

             The next day, Saturday, we went to JFK and flew out on Austrian airlines. Here's a word of advice, if you can ever fly Austrian Air do it, they were great. We landed in Vienna then connected to Skopje and finally bussed it to our hotel/school that we're at now. The jet lag was tough by the time we landed but after a couple meals and an early night I'm feeling much better. We start our language classes today and I'm excited to begin that. 

Bags are packed and ready to go. I forget the pillow too.

One last Mom selfie.

Heading in to Philly.

Our orientation/staging was long but productive.

Hahaha.

The NYC skyline was looking spectacular despite the clouds.

With over 40 of us flying together we dominated any and all lines.

Yeah I've got two passports now.

Austrian Air was simply fantastic. 

Pre flight pic. 

Part of the reason Austrian Air was great was their efficiency. They opened doors to the front of the plane and the back.

The Vienna airport also had couches and great wifi to use. 

Land ho!!

This is the Skopje airport. The sign says, "Alexander the Great Airpot".

Macedonia has some beautiful scenery. 

            Alright, that's where I'm at so far here in Macedonia and I'll update you after we get settled in following a couple training days.  Hope you enjoyed your weekend. 

Serving: Where Yes Means No

"I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver.  Then they'd really be educated." Al McGuire

            Serving isn't a glamorous profession nor one that saves lives.  However, waiting tables is something most people have experienced for themselves and everyone has eaten out at a restaurant. So I'm going to share five lessons I've gained from working in the hospitality business.

1. How to Listen.

             When people sit down at your bar or table you greet them with your smile and then you listen to them.  You listen to hear if they're stressed or trying to relax. It's your job to understand the guests needs and provide an experience that lifts their mood.  After working for a bit I realized that most people want to be entertained or to feel special.  Very few people are there for the food it's the way you make them feel that makes them happy.  That all starts from listening.

2. Teamwork

            Without a doubt you will work with some of the most interesting, unique, strange and diverse group of people put together under one roof in a restaurant.  You all go in the trenches together, while trying to smile, with 15 different orders/things in your head. I was never bored going to work and I'm convinced that after working in a restaurant anyone can work together.  I met people that were aspiring singers, actors, former professionals who were burnt out, students, single moms and, yes, just plain losers. 

             However, I was constantly surprised by how the work magnified the character of a person.  Someone who looked like they were going to be a great employee cracked almost immediately on a Friday night.  Meanwhile that loser I mentioned was handling the rush without breaking a sweat and always had a smile on their face.  They just couldn't apply that outside of work. 

            Because of the nature of the work you form a tight bond with your coworkers, you learn the value of honest communication, how to consolidate your steps and the importance of what problems a smile can solve.  I also experienced some of the most genuine help from people covering each other's shifts when family was sick, a gig came up or they needed a break.  You might only be making $2.13 an hour but they'll have your back.  Oh, just don't try and date a coworker it rarely works out. 

3. Class is unequal to money

            Ahhhh, this is where the server horror stories spring from.  The $30,000 millionaire, the snobby old lady, the bitchy housewife, the "walk in five minutes before close and order the most difficult thing to cook guest".  The celebrity who wants a "special" table.  The regular who thinks they're a celebrity.  The annoying bar guy who talks to everyone.  The awkward couple that never speaks during their meal. The "I just want to take out one ingredient and I'm going to make so many requests so it's like my own dinner". (I really didn't like those guests).  

            You'll see all kinds and eventually you learn that education, money nor status doesn't equal class. It's a person's character that defines their class.  Yes, I've served some very high profile people but it was the regular people who viewed themselves as "special" that required the most patience.  I will say that Robin Williams, Jon Meacham, Bernard Pollack, Ted Danson, Reba McEntire and Patrick Monahan were the biggest "celebrities" I saw/served and all were extremely classy.  Reba was just hilarious and a lot of fun. 

4. Out of Rhythm

            I feel that the hardest thing about serving isn't the guests it's the hours. You're completely out of rhythm with normal society.  You can't hang out with your 9-5 friends because you're working when they're not and vice versa.  Good luck dating a 9-5'er. You'll be sleeping when they go to work and they're sleeping when you get off work.  You want to enjoy a holiday better get that shift covered by the new person weeks in advance.  You're on your feet for hours and hours.  (One weekend I worked a Friday double, Saturday night and a double on Sunday and I walked 26 miles.  I made $1,000 but that's a marathon.  Yes, a freaking marathon. I stopped using my pedometer after that.)
            You most likely will make good money, unless it's dead and that's the worst, but you're not investing in yourself or your career.  It's also emotionally draining. You're constantly handling the needs of other people, other employees and then when you leave work the needs or expectations of friends and family.  If you don't love working in the hospitality business then it's draining and difficult to stay disciplined on your goals both daily and professionally.  With that being said it's also semi-automous and allows you to hustle after what you really want in your free time.  That's why so many actors and musicians work as servers or bartenders. 

5. Yes Means No

            Lastly, working in the hospitality business teaches you how to answer any question or remark from a guest or coworker by learning how to say No by saying Yes.  For example, "Yes sir, I can bring you a delicious steak.  Unfortunately, our ribeye is sold out but I highly recommend our NY strip."  is much better than saying, "Well sir since you came in five minutes before close I can't give you a ribeye steak.  Yes the cooks would love for you to wait 15 minutes before ordering so why don't you just get the NY Strip."  The former is the proper way to answer the latter is how you get fired.  It's like that with almost every question to a guest. 

            This wording of an answer is what anthropologists call High-Context communication.  The answer isn't directly implied, if it was you'd be fired, so it's implied indirectly.  We American's are Low-Context communicators, which means we're very specific with our questions, our answers and we expect a clear response.  That isn't possible in hospitality.  

           Since I enjoy writing, I clearly view the world as a narrative. So I applied that to each and every table that I served.  I applied that to the way I worded things, less is more btw, to consolidate my steps, to smile and to just say "I'm sorry" if everything else failed. Follow the Yes means No rule and everyone's happy.  

Final Thoughts

            I won't miss the work but I will miss the people. I learned some very important lessons from serving and I'm a better person for it.  I've learned a little humility, to carefully listen to someone before assuming you know what they want.  I've learned that anyone can work together if you have a common goal. I've also learned to be flexible and adjust on the fly.  I've also become extremely focused on my professional goals in life. I can always go back but I never want to.  I know that I'll use those lessons and many more in the Peace Corps and beyond.  Lastly, if you've got a great server story or want to share another lesson let me know! 

MIke Horn

           Well the World Cup is over and it's back to dealing with soccer withdrawal.  Since Germany won the final, I came across a story that highlighted how a man I admire helped motivate them to focus on winning the Cup.  That man is Mike Horn and he's an explorer and adventurer.  Some of his accomplishments include completing the first solo journey around the equator without motorized transport, solo-circumnavigating the Arctic Circle and he went to the North Pole in complete darkness.  Those are all incredible and, frankly, ridiculous achievements but how do those achievements apply to the Germans winning the World Cup or to our daily lives?
            When it comes to the German soccer team Mike told them, "They must be well prepared and they have to respect the opponent."  I'm sure Brazil agrees they were prepared but they clearly weren't respecting their defense!  He also said that, "Some play to win and some play because they are afraid of losing.  This is no different to what people fear in their daily life."  What he means is that no matter what you do you cannot underestimate the moment.  For Mike if he doesn't stay focused then he'll probably die.  Now it isn't life or death for us but you must stay focused on what you enjoy and work hard to achieve your goals.
            I know that since I decided to apply for the Peace Corps the most difficult thing for me has been waiting to leave.  It's allowed me to learn how to appreciate the little things, to be patient and to take it step by step.  

US Soccer/4th of July

            After a remarkable showing of support by the American public, the US soccer team experienced what is known as a "reality check". We're a good squad but we've got a ways to go to compete, consistently, with the top teams in the world.  I believe that'll happen when our best player, and not the best athlete in America, is wearing the #10, instead of gloves.  I do feel privileged to have watched Timmy play the greatest game of his career and I fully support his nomination for Secretary of Defense. 
            I loved seeing all the pro soccer/Timmy Howard memes but my favorite one isn't PC but accurately sums up how Middle America feels about itself.

            I hope everyone had a great 4th and appreciated the red solo cups, bikini's and lake views. I certainly did.

US Soccer

            Last night the stage was set for US soccer to jump from cute fringes to mainstream.  I was at Dan McGuinness, the official spot for Nashville's American Outlaws. ESPN, CBS and local news outlets were all there and the crowd didn't disappoint.  It was an electric atmosphere and packed to the rafters.

The crowd was filling in three hours before kickoff.

An hour before kickoff.

Singing the anthem.

            What you can't see is the 25ft TV outside the bar that was being watched by hundreds more.

            Again, the atmosphere was fantastic as it was part bar, part club.

            After the defensive gaffe, we played extremely well, Jermaine Jones provided a wonder strike,  and then Deuce scored to put us ahead. Here's the celebration after that goal. I love the guy rocking out on the snare drum.

            If you've ever wondered if soccer will be popular in the US then yesterday proved you don't have to wonder any longer.  More people watched the US vs Portugal game last night than any other soccer game in American history.  If you combine Univision then it surpasses the BCS title game.  That is beautiful to me.  What wasn't beautiful was the ending but that's soccer. I'm glad we played so well against a quality opponent with a massive audience watching. If we tie or win against Germany then we move on.  Not easy but possible.

            See you out on Thursday.

World Cup Fever

            How can you travel and not experience the world religion that is futbol?  I love my college football but soccer is the world's game.  So every four years the world gets on the same page and watches it's favorite sport.  I've been excited for months but lately, I've been posting a lot of videos, links and thoughts about the World Cup so I'm consolidating them here for you.  

            

             If you're a beginner and you just want to know what the heck is going on when you turn ESPN on and you don't see Skip Bayless yelling then click here:  Soccer for Beginner's.

             To my fellow junkies don't worry our fix is only hours away!  If you're worried about missing a game, don't be.  Just click on this World Cup schedule and enjoy.

             One of the things that I love about watching the World Cup is that it creates unforgettable moments.  The drama, the buildup and somehow snatching victory from defeat. Of course for US that means watching the Algeria goal, which never gets old.  I remember exactly where I was when that goal was scored and the euphoria it created.  This World Cup I believe that we'll get the Ghanian monkey off our back and I can't wait to see it.  We are one nation, one team. 

            As promised, here are a couple of great commercials for this World Cup.

            Beats by Dre, Neymar.  This one has it all, the build up to a game, a father's love and a sexy Spanish woman. 

            Not to be outdone Nike released their version of the Incredibles.  I love Zlatan and so does he.

            Five hours and counting and we can finally enjoy joga bonito in action y'all.

*When the opening ceremony is going on, you'll see a person wearing an exoskeleton similar to the one from Elysium.  It's not science-fiction but a person who is paralyzed controlling the machine with their thoughts.  Read the story here.

The Little Brother Goes Off On His Own

            This past month my little brother graduated from college at UT and normally that's celebration enough. However, he went ahead and planned things out so that he's already accepted a job in Beijing. (His minor was Chinese and he's nearly fluent in Manderin). I'm really proud of him for doing what I didn't and that's moving forward immediately after college.

            Before he's going to Beijing, he'll be living the post-college dream of traveling through Europe, going to Wimbledon and swimming in the Greek Isles. So instead of giving him cash to spend on beer, I got'em a man's watch.  It's solar powered so hopefully the Chinese pollution and haze won't be a problem. 

 We had one last get together in Nashville before he headed out. 

He didn't rub it in that his summer is gonna be Legendary. Nope not once.

It's a little bitter sweet as I won't see him again before I leave for the Peace Corps. Every problem is an opportunity in disguise though so we'll just have to meet in the middle and visit India together. Enjoy it bud!