Google recently released their Page Creator, a website construction and storage tool. I signed up for an account, and recently received an email telling me I had access. I checked it out, briefly, and you can see my attempt, along with a brief review of the service.
I'll continue checking it out.
Well, we bought a new car. New to us, any way. And pretty new overall. A 2003 Saturn Ion, cranberry in color, 5-speed manual transmission. Very nice. I'll post pictures soon.
I've also started training at my new job, and so far, I love it. The Property Management System they use seems like it's a breeze to work with. Many times working at the Holiday Inn I've wished that certain functions were easier to access, or that it was easier to switch from one to the other, and this program focuses on that.
The staff members are also fantastic, from the desk clerks, to the managerial staff, to the wait staff, everyone is very friendly. And thes pressure I felt at being hired is starting to ease some, as my supervisor told me today she expects I'll be up to full speed within 6 to 8 weeks. I was definitely expecting to be up before then, and I thought they were too, so I guess my learning curve will be somewhat more realistic now.
Anyway, I've got more work tomorrow, so I'm off to bed.
More about the job:
I will be working morning shifts most likely. This works out great for me, cause I'll get to see sunlight and Bridget again. Also great for them, as they have a night manager who comes in at 3.
I will be working 5 days a week, and weekends, as they are very busy, will be part of my work week. I can choose my "weekend" from the rest of the week.
I will be in charge of ensuring smooth operations at the front desk. Making sure everyone is following protocol, that deposits are beng taken, rooms correctly assigned, etc. I will be in charge of scheduling the front desk, and I will be tasked with being the emergency on call guy, which is cool, cause I've been doing that for years anyway.
I may actually start training before my 14 days is up at the Holiday Inn, on my days off there, to a) get a head start, and b) earn some more money. Both are good.
Really, working for Jay wasn't that bad. He was a decent guy, good sense of humor. He just took his employees for granted. Bridget told me I was being used, but I don't think so. I just don't think it occurred to Jay to do that.
But, I am glad to be starting somewhere new. Somewhere with fellow co-workers. somewhere with upward mobility. Somewhere that PAYS.
So, the day of my interview it decides to rain like God is flooding the earth again. Driving through Many, I can barely see the truck in front of me - and we're stopped at a red light. I kept having mini-flashbacks of flipping the van.
Despite my misgivings, I did make it to the resort fine, and by this time it's stopped raining. I showed up 30 minutes early, not knowing how much the rain would slow me down, so I sat in the car and listened to the radio, then called Bridget, and finally headed inside. After a few minutes, a desk clerk went to tell the lady I was meeting that I was there, and then the interview started.
It wasn't really an interview, even. She gave me a rundown of the history of the place, who owned what, we talked a little bit about my experience at the Holiday Inn, and then she went to get the General Manager. The man is large, and his hands are HUGE. And by so big, I mean... hmm... meaty. He doesn't even try to close his hand around yours, cause there's just too much of HIS hand.
Anyway, the GM talked as if I already had the job, we briefly discussed a pay range, and then he gave me a tour of the place, which is gorgeous. Pricey, but gorgeous.
They wanted to hire me right then, but the job they were hiring me for didn't exist yet - they needed authorization from the corporate office to create it, which might take a few days. So They handed me some paperwork to fill out, and said they'd be in touch.
I come back for lunch with Bridget, we discuss pay stuff, and I head back up there to turn in the paperwork, ready to ask for the very top of that pay range. I walk in, and the lady says, "Hey! We got you approved!" Wow. So what could have taken a few days instead took a couple of hours, cool. Now to talk money. She leads me into the GMs office, and he says, "We got you the top of that pay range." I was speechless - I hadn't even had to say word one about it.
I think the thing that excites me the most about this job is that hiring me excites THEM. They are ecstatic about me starting work there. The people I've met seem fantastic.
I'm very much looking forward to working there.
Tomorrow morning I will be interviewing for the position of Front Desk Manager at Cypress Bend Resort. I'm nervous - much more nervous than I've been for anything in a while.
I don't know a whole lot about the job, really - learn most of that tomorrow. It's a full time salaried position. I'm hoping that means benefits. I'm hoping the pay is nice. I'm also hoping it includes discounts at their massage parlor.
They have a MASSAGE PARLOR.
And condos, and a golf course, and a marina, and a restauarant, and an amphitheater, and ballrooms... it's a REAL HOTEL.
The lady I spoke to seemed very excited to talk with me; I hope that carries over through the interview.
I'll let you know more... well, when I know more.
A 5-minute documentary on one of the oldest martial arts forms in the world.
