Work and lack of sleep....

I closed last night.  Closing manager, closed.  Plus there was the release of growlers that just went into effect in AZ.  We began filling them at 12:01 and so we were busy.  Not crazy busy but busy due to time constraints.  I think I filled 36 growlers and not in the most easy or efficient way. In the past, I have filled growlers from the tap.  Here, they want us to use a hose attached to the tap and fill the growler.  Wouldn't be a huge issue if 30+ plus people were not waiting around, patiently, for their growler.  Or, if the hose would fit on the tap easily.  Fun times, indeed.
Also, midway thru the growler fill, one of the servers informs me that there was a crackhead in the women's bathroom picking at their eyes.  My thought is this--what the eff do you expect me to do about it?  Can't you see that I am BUSY/UNAVAILABLE.  It's laughable.
I finish the growlers and eventually make my way to the women's bathroom.  It wasn't that much vomit.  Still, I couldn't get past the smell or the desire to gag myself.  I have an issue with throw up.  I loathe cleaning up my own (on rare occasions) and especially despise picking up other people's.  It's infectious, too.  I see it and I have the urge to throw up myself.  Yuck!
I clean it up as the other manager had stayed around to help me close.  It wasn't truly his managing shift and I was unprepared to do it in a quick fashion.  It was my responsibility to deal with the afternmath of the crackhead.
I clean the bar, print up the reports and walk thru the restaurant.  I head towards the office and begin the nightly paperwork.  The other manager walks in and helps me out.  We leave and it was 3 o'clock.  I drive home and realize that I forgot to move the grates behind the taps or place cookie sheets under the taps to control the spillage.  I obsess about what else I might have missed.  I was so focused on the vomit factor and doing the paperwork that I rushed through my normal bar stuff.  Plus, I was tired and dehydrated.  Contacts firmly attached to eyes.  Ouch!
I shower, pour a small glass of wine that I think I want and get ready for bed.  The wine was not soothing or what I wanted at 3:30 a.m.  I finally go to sleep at 4.  I wake up at 7:30.  No bueno.  I consider attending the noon yoga class and recognize that my lack of sleep will ensure vertigo while trying to perform a hot vinyasa flow.  No yoga for me.  I feel like this is a waste of a day because my sleep is off and I have no energy to get outside of bed.  I close tonight and so I will be getting up, shortly, to prepare myself for another night of absolute fun.  Actually, lately, work has been great.  I am doing more of what I would like to improve on and drinking more wine.  Who wouldn't like that aspect of it?
Happy Thursday!  There is always tomorrow for hot vinyasa flow.  I purchased a 50 class package at a great rate on Monday.  So worth it.  I always feel amazing after attending a yoga class~

Venice

Beautiful.  My last day in Italy spent in a gorgeous city.  We took the train from Codroipo instead of trying to find a parking space.  That would have been a nightmare.  I did not fully understand til we arrived.  There is no parking in Venice, really.  Limited availability for sure.  Plus, entering the city from the train is spectacular.  You arrive and walk out to find water everywhere.  Yes, it is gorgeous!

We headed out.  Passed numerous tourist driven restaurants and bars.  I had no interest in sitting in one of these establishments.  I heard the most English spoken in Venice, too.  My friend referred to Venice as Disneyworld.  Yes, I would concur.  Lots of tourists, people watching and souvenirs to snatch up of Venice. 
I found a few souvenirs that spoke to me for certain people.  I won't say who since I still haven't sent them out.  Soon, however.

I purchased postcards when we arrived at the train station and postage.  I wanted to make sure that I got that task out of the way.  We sat at a bar with locals and I wrote my cards.  I enjoyed a spritzer and people watched.  We dropped the postcards off and walked around the city.  We stopped to eat local fare--fish with onions and a ham & artichoke sandwich on white bread.  I loved the sammie but the fish with onions was just okay.  Glad that I tried it.  Don't know that I would make a habit of it, however. 
We walked towards San Marcos Square and walked across numerous bridges.  I wanted to release some of Brian's ashes in Venice and so I told Agnese that would be an intention of mine.  I had not released any in Geneva or Paris.  Paris was gloomy and Geneva was rushed.  Venice seemed ideal.  All of the water/bridges inspired me to find the perfect spot.
Mid day, I did.  The bridge was unoccupied and there were a few cafes along the road.  It was ideal.
That night, we had dinner with her family to look forward to after a train ride back to Codroipo.  We arrived at the station minutes before a train would leave.  An hour and a half later we arrived.  We met up with Debora and her brother for a few glasses of wine.  I wanted to find a way to thank her parents for their hospitality.  Thankfully, there was a wine shop open that I could do just that.  I realize that I should have done more.  Her family invited me into their home, treated me like family and spoiled me with their culture.  I had a lovely, lovely time in Italy.  Two bottles of wine was not enough.  I will find a way to say thank you to them in a more heart felt manner.
We had the final dinner--fish, bruschetta, dessert.  Lots of conversation in italian/spanish and then we said our goodbyes.  My flight to Munich left Venice early and it would take at least an hour to drive there.  I started to feel sad that I had to leave.  I wasn't ready.  I regretted not taking more time off to explore Europe.
Instead of going to bed, we met her brother at a local bar.  Monta negro for Debora and Agnese while I drank a few beers.  Then, it was time to go and I was sad.  I said goodbye to her brother and hoped that I would wake up on my own the following morning.
I did.  Showered, packed up the remainder of my things and headed out to Venice.  They walked me into the airport and shared a final coffee with me. 
The trip was successful.  Mostly, because of my company.  I need to thank the Goddess for introducing me to Agnese.  Otherwise, I realize, my trip to Europe would have been completely different.

Moving onward

Woke up, frantic.  I could make my new place a dungeon for sure.  You know, the blinds could be adjusted to be suitable for sleeping all day.  That could be my next project.  Blackening my shades to make it more suitable for sleeping.
I went to work.  Easy shift.  Talked to a rep and arranged to have dinner after my walk thru with my former land lord.  I clocked out, left and headed to old place.  I wanted to re-mop the kitchen floor.  While I was "cleaning", my landlord called, hoping, to postpone our appointment.  I wanted no part of that.  I wanted to get it over as quickly as possible.  I mean, I had worked all day, cleaned the old rental and the last thing I wanted was to hang out in the heat and wait for her to show up.
My old land lord arrives and thanks me for cleaning place.  Granted, I did a decent job.  Definitely looked better than when I moved in.  I noted that I avoided the blinds since they were unstable as she noted when I moved in.  Verbatim--don't open them.  I tried to open them and they fell from an unstable base.
Regardless, we complete the walk thru and she thanks me, again, for cleaning the place.  She mentions that the new tenants would be moving in tomorrow.  In my mind, I am like--wtf?...you aren't steam cleaning the carpet?  Or, cleaning/changing the blinds?  I am surprised.
I call my dining companion and mention that I am finished with the domestic things.  I leave and head to my new home.  I try to call the local electric company to turn off my service.  I figure why am I paying for my landlord to have her guy do repairs?
I call and am placed on hold. I give up and head to supper.  We arrive at this local byob place.  Brightly lit, byob and foodie friendly.  We order pierogies with beet salad, beets and potato salad.  The wine rep orders a meat inspired dish with tomato basil salad, broccoli & green beans.    I ordered flounder with shrimp, tomato basil salad, peas, cole slaw and rosti (similar to hash browns).    My friend brought a white from burgundy.  Delightful.
Yes, I loved the meal.  Conversation was interesting.  My friend lives out loud and is passionate about wine.  I love that. 
Yes, tonight was lovely.  Food delicious, wine lovely and conversation genuine.  I returned home and finally got thru to APS.  45 minutes on hold...yay!
Now, I am relaxed, happy and enjoying wine.  Life is grand!
 

Monday, the way I choose to spend it...

Day off.  Super productive.  Woke up, went to old place to vacuum, clean bathroom, kitchen and bed room before taking Vegas to the airport.  I knew that I needed to organize my new place, clean the old place, turn off the electricity, buy a yoga pass (30% off sale, today only) and maybe get a massage.  Ambitious, sure, but doable.  I needed to accomplish organization/cleaning today.
The yoga pass, well, that was cherry. I mean, yoga is not cheap.  I had purchased a package earlier this year and knew that my pass was about to expire.  I was hoping to make it til September on 9 classes. 
I took Jonny to the airport and headed towards a dollar tree.  I needed to get a mop to clean the old place.  I found laundry detergent, hand wash, bleach, a mop, light bulbs and a few other necessities (gatorade).  I packed a bag to head to yoga and after yoga clothes.  I love my yoga class but need a shower before doing anything else after the class.  Seriously.  I am unable to do anything til I shower.  I sweat entirely too much.  Shower must happen.
Yoga class was inspiring.   I missed it and due to the sale, I purchased another yogi towel.  Awesome.  Now, I don't have to wash my towel daily.  I can alternate it.
After yoga, I had a quick bite to eat and a glass of wine.  I wanted to check in with this local business and see what they wanted to do about the car that side swiped Veronica last Friday.  Yes, I was out to dinner with friends.  Instead of self parking I had the valet park it.  I had a few beer while eating pizza and b.s.ing with friends.  The guy drove my car up.  My friend asked me when I had eff'd up my car.  Shocked.  I got in the driver seat and considered my options.  I had no idea when my car had been hit.  I knew it did not look that way prior to me arriving at the restaurant. I drove around the block and returned to said restaurant.  I asked the valet what happened to my car. 
I know that this kid knew my car had been hit when he dropped it off.  That is what is suspect about the whole thing.  Kid barely looked at me when he handed me my vehicle.  Odd behavior, for sure.
Then, the manager of the valet said we are not liable and you should call the police.  Awesome suggestion.  Yes, super intelligent after I have drank a few beers with pizza.
So, I returned today to see if I could talk to a manager.  I understand the whole valet thing.  However, this parking lot has both self park and valet which leads to issues like mine.  Actually, i think whomever hit me also hit another car on this departure out of the parking lot.  Awesome.
No manager available.  Figures.  I noshed on some cheese, proscuitto and a glass of wine.  Paid the tab and headed to my prearranged massage. 
I liked this therapist.  I thought I did.  Today, I arrived ten minutes before the appointment.  I was excited. The first time I received a massage from this girl, it was stellar. 
Today, she asked me what I was looking for and I told her I was in the middle of a move and really wanted to relax.
She told me she had looked at my client file and knew that I didn't like trigger release therapy.  She continued with....last time you were here, I would have done it to you and so maybe you don't know what trigger release is.
WTF?  Great way to start a massage.  I was super annoyed.  I do know what trigger release is.  I know that I don't prefer it.  I loathe it actually.  I understand the importance of it, post massage, but during it, I do not enjoy it.  I could be dead and someone could be poking me with their fingers for ten minutes and that is what trigger release does for me.
The massage was awful.  I couldn't get the therapist's comment out of my head.  Then, I couldn't stop thinking about work.  55 minutes later (exactly), I tipped the girl and headed out.  The front desk girl asked me how it was.
I told her fine.   It was an okay massage.  Not good.  Definitely, not great.
The girl understood that I was hoping to stay more besides fine.  I told her what happened and she thanked me.  Apparently, this therapist has made inappropriate comments in the past. 
I went to my old house and cleaned under the stove and attempted to mop the place.  Cheap mop.  Didn't function outside of two floor strokes.  Tomorrow morning, I see myself purchasing a differnet mop.  I had a prearranged meeting with land lord for walk thru tomorrow.  Ready to hand over keys...
Yes, productive day.  Ready to continue onward in my life.   
I did manage to organize a little of the new rental too.  I can see the light. 

Monday activities in Italy

Monday morning, we woke up and went running.  Initially, the idea was to meet Francesca at 6:30 and go running at the beach.  Honestly, I was a little afraid.  6:30 would come early and I had not been running in weeks. 
Still, I wanted to go and was committed to doing it.  I woke up and heard no movement in the house.  I decided to continue to sleep and wait for Agnese to wake me up.  At 8 o'clock, I made my way downstairs and met up with Agnese.  The run date had been delayed.  Thankfully.  I drank some water and waited for Francesca to pick us up. 
The run was spectacular.  We ran at a park and it was a beautiful day.  I remembered why I enjoyed the activity and why I wanted it in my life.  I admitted how unhappy I was to run in Phoenix.  It is too hot and I despise it.  I have a hard time, mentally, running when it is 105+ degrees in the desert. 
We ran for 45 minutes and then returned to Agnese's house.  I needed to exchange money and she had something she needed to do by herself.  I had a map to the bank and was about to head out when her mom returned and explained that her son was going to pick me up and take me to the bank. 
We met Agnese for prosecco, followed by lunch with her parents and then headed out to find a soccer jersey.  Drove to a few towns to search for the spain jersey to no avail.  We looked at three stores before finally finding the shirt. 
Dinner was with her family that night.  We celebrated her aunt's birthday and again, the conversation flowed.  Her aunt spoke a little English and I met Agnese's boyfriend that evening too.  We ate bruschetta with tomatoes.  Following the bruschetta, we sampled a calamari salad with tomates, capers and potatoes.  The main course was fish.  I loved the calamari salad.  The fish had too many bones in it which was challenging to enjoy.  Still, it was delicious and we concluded the meal with cake. 
We retired to their family room to talk more.  Her grandmother was still in a talkative mood.  She was talking to her grandson while he attempted to watch tv.  It was hilarious.  I loved her grandma butshe likes to talk, a lot.  When she feels ignored, she threatens to leave or go to bed.  I enjoyed my time with her for sure.
That night, I realized that I had one final day in Italy and I was sad.  I regretted not extending my trip. I could have arranged to be gone for two weeks instead of 9 days.  That way, I could have visited Croatia, more of Italy or who knows where else?  Instead, I played it safe.  I didn't want my boss to get annoyed with how often I travel.  I try to be out of town once a month.
I know that I had grandiose plans of what I would do in Europe.  Visit Budapest, Rome or Milan.  My trip was delightful and not at all what I expected. It was better because I spent time with Agnese and her family.  That was an amazing experience.  Seeing/being part of their livelihood and culture.  I would not have been able to do it, in that way, had I insisted on going to Rome.  I did go to Paris, Geneva and spent a day in Venice.  Ridden with tourists for sure.  I will comment on day trip to Venice later.  Must organize my house now.

wine tasting & pizza

I felt foolish.  Sleeping in til eleven thirty.  I had woken up, a few times, earlier in the morning but heard nothing.  Her dad turned a light off at one point and the fan flipped off.  I only mention it becuase the following day he said he was surprised that I slept with the fan on my face.  I do live in Arizona and the fan is currently pointing towards my face...both of them. 
Instead of showering, I threw on a top and hurried downstairs to meet them.  I was led to believe that we would be wine tasting.  I figured that it would be a short venture and I could shower in a couple of hours.  Little did I know that I would be enjoying a leisurely lunch and a prosecco tasting. 
Debora met us and we dined as a family.  Bruschetta, mozzarella, quiche, some veggies and wine.  Ample prosecco and red wine.  The meal concluded with an after dinner drink and I skipped the dessert portion.  Dessert was offered but I declined.  I wasn't interested (can you believe it?)
A short while later, we drove around the area.  Grapes, grapes, grapes and beautiful landscaping.  I would have taken more photos but my battery was on the fritz.  This, after, a few weeks of purchasing the latest camera.  Makes me a little annoyed with canon as the previous model had a lens error that led to its demise.  For the time being, I will make due with a battery that had little life in it.
I digress.  We stopped at a tasting room and toasted life with prosecco.  The entire day was full of conversation.  I wish I knew Italian--I do.  I understood parts of the conversations based on hand gestures, passion and words, but, I had no way of including myself with speech.  I did, however, with english or random spanish.  Still, it is not the same. 
Lovely day and in continued.  Debora, Agnese and I chose to keep drinking.  We ended up at the restaurant we had dined at the previous night.  I believed we would have one, maybe two beverages.  That was naive.  We had multiple beers and then considered the food factor.  I switched from beer to wine as it was filling me up too much.  We talked politics, travel, school, personal history, love, etc.  Eventually, Francesca met up with us, too.  Soft spoken, kind and knew english.  She spoke a little of it but understood what I had to contribute to the conversation.

Debora knew of a pizzeria that was worthy.  Magnificent pizza.  We walked up to the establishment and it was full of patrons either finishing up or waiting for a table.  It had this raw vibe of local people.  I am not explaining that well.  It was a place frequented by local people.  I kept referring to farmers as people of the earth.  Meaning--earthy, hard working. Again, not doing this justice.  With more time I could describe the feel of the place and the people that frequented it.
Anyways, we were seated.  Debora ordered this appetizer and then we sampled pizza.  I think this was the pizza.  I think, my favorite meal, of the trip.  Perfection.
The restaurant was too bright inside and sparsely decorated.  The focus was on the food.  My first glass of wine was pure crap.  Agnese kept telling me that people do not drink red wine in the summer.  My reply was that I didn't care.  I prefer red wine, always.  In this case, though, I returned to prosecco as beer was no longer an option either.  Too filling.
Finally, we stopped eating, drinking and Francesca gave us a ride home.  There was a promise of meeting in the a.m. for a 6 mile run.  Thankfully, I had drank a bunch of water throughout that day to ensure a healthy pace. 
Debora tried to convince us to have an after dinner drink.  We declined and the next day, I was extremely grateful for that decision.  Waking up at 6:30 to run at the beach would have been unpleasant is all I am saying.
Sunday showed me another typical Italian meal, conversation and ample drink.  I did manage to imbibe a few cups of coffee, too.  Lovely, lovely day.

Meeting the family

Codroipo, Italy.  Lovely town.  We arrived and immediately I was welcomed into the family.  Her mom and Dad greeted me, graciously with a kiss on both cheeks.  Her 88 yr-old grandma was charming and extremely talkative.  Her brother arrived and one of her cousins with her baby.  This kis was one month old but looks 3 months old due to how long he is.  He was cute and they kept saying--all he does is eat.  Isn't that what most babies do? 
Anyways, we sat down to lunch and her dad poured me prosecco.  From this moment on, the prosecoo freely flowed.  The lunch began with bruschetta and tomatoes with basil and olive oil.  Next, there was mozzarella and burrata with more tomatoes.  Followed by proscuitto and melon.  All the while we talked in a mix of italian, spanish and english.  Her grandmother refused to speak english but she did know spanish.  In that way, we were able to communicate, somewhat, with each other.  She had eyes that always sparkled and a beautiful smile.  She loves to talk.
The lunch continued with homemade pasta with pesto.  After finishing the lunch, coffee was passed around with a digestivo and dessert.  Of course I couldn't refuse more dessert. 
Her family would not let me help with the clean up either.  That was odd and I felt terrible.  I was raised to be the first one up when you are a guest in someone's home. 
After lunch, I could have taken a nap and I probably needed it.  I am realizing, today, that I am still experiencing jet lag days after returning to the States.  I think I had it in Italy, too, just chose to ignore it so that I could enjoy more of their livelihood. 

We went shopping and enjoyed a glass of wine in a nearby town.  Her brother joined us and it was lovely.  Watching people enjoy life, wine or a spritzer (since it's hot and easier to drink than red wine) and listening to conversations.  I loved every minute of it. 
I did take a nap afterwards.  I needed it.  Our night in Turin was restless.  We needed to wake up early and my sleep was affected because of it.  I wanted to make sure that I had ample time to shower and that it wouldn't delay our departure.
That night, we had plans to meet up with Agnese's friend, Debora.  She speaks english, had traveled, and met Lindsay, too.  I figured why not?  We met at a restaurant that seemed hoigty toity.  I was dressed casually, like Agnese, and Debora looked smashing.  Ready for a wedding reception. 
The first restaurant had incredible wine, too.  I could have stayed there just for that aspect.  However, we had dinner reservations at another spot. 

We were seated outside.  After some discussion on what we would eat, I chose pasta and they chose steak and a pork chop.  I was handed a plate of proscuitto.  No joke.
We toasted with prosecco and moved on to a refosco.  Delightful.  The entire evening was fantastic.  Lots of conversation, food and wine.  I had my first monanegro (digestivo) and took in another experience in Italy.  When we went to pay, Debora had treated us already.  Insanity.  I was shocked and then insisted that we should meet again.  I was shocked by so much generosity.  It was nice, too.
I slept like a baby that night.  Looking back, I think it was related to jet lag.  Finally, at eleven thirty, her mom came up to tell me we would be heading out soon.