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In the comments JP said he wanted to see the blue hair. I tried to save the unsuspecting from the sight, but the photo wouldn't take there, so here 'tis. Can't do anything about the hairline (short of plugs), but at least folks aren't looking at the bald spot any more. Luke still has nothing to worry about.
Update:
My semi-blue-haired partner wants in and may effect an antidote for those whose eyes have glazed over from the first picture.
All right, a day in the life post and a political comment. I'm hiding in my office while my employee shows a customer around the store. I may have newly minted blue hair but I'm still too old (not good looking enough or not gay enough- take your pick) to be a shoe or clothing salesman. Plus she's cuter and the client is a guy. Nuff said. Plus everyone here seems to speak Spanish. Verdad.
Oops. More clients. And they're cute. Be right back.
Oh well. They turned a few price tags and bolted. Not the store for the faint of heart. As I was saying. Day in the life. We've been open a week and everyone is settling in. I like my crew even if the women seem to want to perpetuate as many stereotypes about women working together as they can muster. I'm used to it. I'll survive the spilt milk. My guy employee is cool and knows his stuff. The guard is the strong silent type and takes his job seriously. He scans the neighborhood at night when I load my crap into the car, and it's pretty obvious he'll crush anyone who deigns to attack either me or my crew.
Another damn customer. Bought nothing. Always when I'm trying to goof off. Still fixing little things like installing more lights in the storeroom, nailing the schedule to the wall and fixing the sink in the bathroom. I still have to change the lights in the shelving units but that will need to happen next Sunday.
Call from the mechanic yesterday and says I have to physically come into the shop, which is on the other side of the city, with my credit card. The service won't take it otherwise. So I sent the better half. Instead of charging what I told them to charge as a deposit, they made a charge over my limit and it was declined. Now I get to spend the morning tomorrow on the phone talking to my bank, then go back across town myself and charge the thing.
Yes, the car. Bought it for 8,000, spent 2,000 on repairs. Still overheated when I was in the mountains. Bought 2,500 in parts from the States and brought them and it to the (new) mechanic in December. Knew the heads where gone, knew the lifters were toast. What I didn’t know was the block warped. Found that out in January when I came back from Brazil. New block from the States 4,000 plus 750 shipping and 1,000 import taxes. Last week they called me into the shop to approve a parts list, labor to reassemble the thing and previous machining for the heads. $7,000. That's over 25 grand for a 22 year old car. Add that to the 17,500 for the little French replacement car and I could've had a real sweet ride.
They fixed the neon sign finally today. My screaming rampage over the phone on Friday seems to have helped. My salesgirl just sold a t-shirt for 25 bucks. Nice. Picked these cool things up in Sao Paolo at the Japanese Society. Excellent custom screens with Japanese motifs, Kanji and cute Chinese blouses for the girls. Manga stuff too. They are selling the most, likely because the price is less than half of the rest of the stuff. Sold a couple of BeGoth figures Saturday also.
A teen girl with goth eye makeup came in with her Mom today, my perfect customer. She pleaded and moaned and tried on two pair of boots. Mom said they'd return next week. "But I NEEEED them by SATURDAY!" "I'll ask your father." She'll be back, with or without Mom or Dad. At that age it's either get the boots or suicide. That's money.
Yesterday was Sunday, which I had planned to spend in splendid isolation, but the little lady invited friends to the house. I came downstairs to eat and chat for about a half hour before retreating back to the bedroom to read. Three months of intense work followed by the first week of finding out everything I did wrong (as well as right). Morphine would've been welcome.
I'm off to further refine the layaway plan and write instructions for the crew how to do it on the computer. Still no espresso machine but I have to find the right one. I want one that the crew has to manipulate a bit more than just push a button, but I can't have a gigantic one, and any of the home-pro machines that I've looked at look like they'll break within the first week of strenuous use. Somebody recommended an industrial supply place about two clicks from here but the French car is in the shop today: to investigate a noise that appeared just after the last time it was serviced. It's taxi time tonight.
Oops. Almost forgot the political comment. ABC is planning for that hot little stick of a creature Ally McBeal to star in a show as a conservative TV pundit.
Flockhart recently explained, "I really want to go back to work. It just seemed like the perfect time and the perfect project."
Perfect. She needs the work and a bunch of liberal Hollywood types need someone to push a fantasy version of a TV conservative. The producer says, "She's not Ann Coulter. She's not insane." Well thank baby Jesus they don't actually plan on her being insane. Jeesh.
You want good comedy? Have someone play a liberal TV pundit and make fun of him. Or her. You wouldn't even have to write scripts, just transcribe any Sunday talker and mug for the camera.
Opened the doors yesterday, July 17th, 2006. Still working out bugs and training staff but it sure feels good. Typical shakedown cruise problems: video feed not working, computer crashed, backup-ups beeping like crazy when we still had power, neon sign failed in the rain (they'll be out tomorrow to fix it), but all is well on this second day. Mostly.
The lights I installed in the cabinets have to be changed to the tune of $600 as they're heating up too much. I need to use low voltage.
The stress gradually drained during the day yesterday and I slept well. The store looks pretty cool and I have a few pictures after the jump if you're interested.
I'm kinda pissed I'll be missing this due to delays with the store. I've always wanted to go to Berlin and I blew my one chance to go with my friend Gail before the wall came down. I still have the postcard she sent and remember her impressions of Checkpoint Charlie. If anyone reading this goes to the show please send pictures or cards. Maybe next year if I survive that long.
Playing a little hookie from the store this morning, this birthday of the United States. I just got off the phone with my import agent, and even though the people in Miami said my shoes were loaded a week ago, they're not due here until this Friday. Both blessing and curse, of course. I want to get the store open as soon as possible, but I also want it to be perfect when I do, which means I need another week anyway.
The reason for the call from my import agent wasn't about the shoes though, it was about the engine block for the car. Supposedly they sent a document to me last week to sign and return, but I never saw it. The block has been in country for about two weeks just waiting to go to my mechanic. The car has been waiting since December. The paperwork is a nightmare.
Local gringo buddy Charlie called last night and we'll be off to the White House tonight to take in some fireworks. The White House is sort of an institution around here for rich visitors. It's up on a mountain in Escazu with a spectacular view and a helicopter pad. The main attraction is the restaurant, but it's also a boutique hotel and you can rent Harleys there. The owner drives a Hummer with a faux Presidential seal on it.
Which brings to mind that I've been itching to have lunch again at the Gran Hotel de Costa Rica on the Plaza de la Cultura. It's smack dab in the middle of San Jose and one may dine al fresco amongst the local riff-raff separated only by potted plants. Right across the plaza is the Teatro Nacional, which is a pint size replica of the Paris Opera House. Having lunch at the Gran Hotel is a must-do to enjoy a plethora of stereotypes both foreign and domestic. They even have a piano player.
So, Happy Birthday America from Costa Rica, and don't blow off too many limbs or digits. You know you don't want to read the Nanny's scolding in tomorrow's paper.
Yeah so, quiet lately, but busy. Couple more pics of the store: First one is an overview with all the lights in place waiting for the mirrors and merchandise racks to be hung.
I was painting the register counter and main tables today, tomorrow more painting to finish the black touch-up on the shelves, then the red. All the inventory is loaded into the database, just waiting for the shoes to actually get here, then I can open. The clothes are pre-hung on the second floor, gee-gaws are waiting for dry and clean shelves.
The projector and screen go in tomorrow, and as far as construction goes after that, all that's left is the coffee bar (and espresso machine, of course). I can open without that though if the shoes get here first.
Here's a partial shot of the front window logo. The ladder was up to run wires and hang speakers. The neon guy will be in early this week to add a blue tube beneath the store name on the main sign and adjust the red tubes below so they light the 'catchphrase' better. It's really cool looking but I'll wait to post a picture until it's finished.
It's been a little over a year and a half since Grandma passed, and my little project wouldn't be possible without her. Grandma always said she'd be my bookeeper if I ever got a running business off the ground, and Gramps would be in heaven hanging out at the coffee bar talking up all the women. Miss you mucho Grams, and thanks for everything. And nudge Gramps for me, will ya?