Although, to be perfectly honest, today was rather tame. The first hour brought a fascinating and whirlwind tour through the employment paperwork. The setting for this event was the ultra-femininely decorated "wedding room," where opulent brides-to-be sit and look over wedding albums and fabric colors.
Next up was the thrilling ghost and history tour. The Stanley encourages all of their new employees to take this tour (offered to guests at a hefty price, but free to workers) to get a better grasp on their new place of occupation. The Stanley is certainly full of history. I was interested to hear about the incredible exploits of F.O. Stanley—including the creation of a line of Stradivarius-caliber violins at the age of 10, the invention of the Stanley Steamer, and a breakthrough in photographic film technology. The man was a tireless genius, who also happened to be an amazingly kind man and a very self-expending husband. (He basically built the Stanley for his wife, so that she could have her friends from the East come visit for the summer. Also, he would bring her milk and cookies every night before she went to bed.)
The next part of the tour led us on a tour through the paranormal elements of the Stanley. I understand that if it weren't for Stephen King's The Shining, the hotel would probably have been compost for a new parking garage a long time ago. Interest in the supposed ghosts roaming the Stanley are its bread and butter, but the lady tour guide took it all a little too seriously. I laughed internally watching her walk down the hallways holding the invisible hands of invisible little ghost girls, and at the half of the tour group who bought it. But hey, maybe I'm just the skeptical Scully to their belief-wanting Mulder. It takes all kinds, right?
After a light salad that wasn't so light on my constitution, I hit the (espresso) bar with my Russian manager, Dmitri. Dmitri is 24, like me. But unlike me, Dmitri is a 20-year veteran of the classical violin who graduated from (in his words) the best conservatory in the world. Props, Dmitri.
I was given a refresher course on the art of pulling espresso shots, and a crash course on whipping up delectable fruit smoothies and milkshakes. My 5-year experience with Starbucks has prepared me for probably 80% of this job, and I don't think the other 20% will take too long to seep its way into my dilapidating brain.
I'm still battling the internet demons at my apartment, currently freeloading off an unprotected network in the area (I'm not too worried about some baddie hacking into my bank account since there's nothing in there).
On a serious note: I am doing very well all in all, and am enjoying the rewards and challenges that this summer solitude is presenting. I have been much more active in Bible study and prayer than normal, and I am very grateful for that. Let's pray it becomes a lifelong habit. I am excited about the white harvest of souls that I am in, and hope to be a diligent ambassador to people like Dmitri. Your prayers would be wonderful.
Time for bed. We'll see how much I like this job when my alarm goes off at 5:40 tomorrow morning.
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