All Consuming Thought And Explode

      So, it's been a while since I've last posted, and a lot has gone on in that time. Many things video game/ music/general nerdness-related have all happened, but there's really only one thing on my mind tonight. If anyone's really been reading any of this, and for the very few people/person who know me on the outside world, you know I work in the restaurant business (heck, if you even read my s/n you prolly figured I work in a restaurant.) But I've been with this (rather large) company for almost 3 years now. I've learned just about everything there is to know about it, and I've moved up the ranks. I'm now sitting (sort of uncomfortably) at Assistant Culinary Manager, which in and of itself is a made-up title, but I can use it on my resume, so do with that what you will. But what is real is the fact that I can be held responsible for the kitchen at any given time, and am expected to perform my boss's duties when they are not there. Which is all well and good, but the pay I'm making is only slightly high for a cook. I'm not greedy, but I have expenses just like everyone else, and I'm living paycheck to paycheck.

I'm sick of it.

     The job is, to say the least, a very high stress position, and when you add in the fact that labor cost sees me as a cook and not a manager, they can only schedule me by myself. Mind you, my superior is paid over double what I make, and the only things she does that I'm not expected to do are the food order and the schedule (which I am expected to do when she's unavailable e.g. vacation). Also, she never steps on the line to cook. I have a problem with the leader of the kitchen not being a strong cook, to assist when needed. But, I digress, this is all just background. In short, I'm a strong worker, and more days than not, feel like I'm the only thing holding the place together. That being said, our district manager offered me a position as a culinary manager...

Me.

Manager of my own kitchen....

(cue heavenly chorus)

Do you know how long I've waited for this opportunity to arise?!? Over three years. So, here's the details:

1) I get all the previous responsibilities dumped on me in full, added to the task of rebuilding this kitchen (cuz it has apparently fallen to crap)

2) My pay will double, jumping to appr. $30k/yr. Financial security = assured.

3) I will have a 1.5hr commute to work one way. Home life goes way down as I put in 50-60+ hrs a week at the job then spend another 15-18 hrs/week just driving. 

4) Job is in a crappy part of town, overall not a good area, higher crime, etc. 

5) I'm only going to be in this area for maybe another year to year and a half, if I don't get shot in a drive-by or something while I'm out there (kidding...)

So, there is my internal debate laid out. I feel like I'm closer to a decision now that I laid all the points out to where I can see them. I feel like the cons outweigh the pros, but that pro is very hefty. So anyway, there's that.

Now, for the SOTD!!! (yaaayyyyy! I know, you missed it, right? >.< )

Well, for those of you who remember the post that featured Dead On Arrival by Fall Out Boy will remember that there was also a song on there from Patrick Stump called This City ft. Lupe Fiasco. Well, Pat's solo album has been out for a little while now, and I wanted to share one of the songs off of it. It's a pretty decent album imo, with elements of Fall Out Boy mixed in with his own style. The album is called Soul Punk and is aptly named. I don't regret buying this album in the slightest, and I'll keep jammin to it until I get sick of it, which isn't likely. So, without further ado, I present Explode, by Patrick Stump, enjoy.