Conversational...

 

"Are you chatting up people in the neighborhood, again, Jim?  Shaking some hands and doing some campaigning?" 

No, but thanks for asking.  Joan wanted to go to Sprouts to get some fruit, so I proposed a lunch date at In & Out Burger - we have a new one pretty close to us, and just across the road from Sprouts.  And by "pretty new," I mean it opened last month.  The crowds after their opening were crazy; to the point where they had people directing traffic for the drive-up lanes.  We waited a couple week, then went inside for burgers mid-afternoon... and it was pleasantly not crowded.  Well, except for the number of employees they had roaming around.

Today was much like that previous mid-afternoon visit: we didn't have to wait in line to order, and there were more tables open than occupied.  Easy.  While waiting for our order to be called, a young man employee came by and asked how our day was going.  And then, he didn't leave.  It was clear that he didn't have anything else to be doing, so I would imagine his boss told him to be friendly and chat up the customers.  When we got beyond the "How are you doing?" stage, he started asking us things like "How long have you lived here in Phoenix," then eventually on to "How old is your daughter?"  I think he was stuck for a good reply when I said, "She's just a youngster - only 52."

Looking at him, I would guess he was 14, but they probably have rules about minimum age for hiring... and maybe it was his clean-cut look (seems to be what In & Out looks for in their employees).  He told us he was here for the opening of this place and that they brought him here from northern California.  We visited right up until they called our number, then he went to pick up our food for us.  Nice touch; not necessary.  I was getting concerned that we were going to have to bring him with us when we left so he'd have someone to talk to.

Yeah, kidding.  Sorta.  Mid-meal, a young lady employee came by to see how we were doing.  While we were chewing.  Nice young people.  I know they had a LOT of extra employees while getting open and getting everyone trained, and read that they were bring in people from other In & Outs... I just figured it was from other ones in the Phoenix area, not that they were bringing them in from out of state.

This may be where the next generation of census takers comes from.  ;-)

    

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A Blast From The Past...

I got a phone call this afternoon; the caller ID said it was from Pocatello, ID.  I didn't answer it.  The voice mail came from a friend I haven't visited with since 2011: Captain Brent, one of the captains I worked with in the Tetons.

Brent and I visited for over a half hour, just catching up.  He is 13 years older than I am, and he considered going back to work this summer in the Tetons.  Until he found out he would have to live in a dorm... yeah, with a bunch of (expletive deleted) kids.  Well, that and the fact that he would have to go through the whole process again to get his Master Captain License.  Like me, he let it lapse when he thought there would be no interest in running boats again.  Well, unlike me, 'cause I won't be doing that again.  

Still, it was fun to visit with Brent again.  He was checking to see if "we were still alive and how we're doing."  Answer: yes, and fine.  He still lives in Idaho and was surprised to hear that we moved from the Tropical Tip to the desert: "So, no boat?  Or, are you keeping it somewhere when you need to get away?"

Answer: "No boat, just fine with that, and we have our Roadtrek for if/when we need to get away."  Brent lived on his boat at the marina in Colter Bay when we were both working there.  His kids convinced him that the boat was too much (at his age) and he sold it... thus, why he would have to stay in a dorm if he actually went back there.  I suggested he could buy an RV - we did great with our HitchHiker 5th wheel when we were in the Tetons... pretty comfortable living, actually.  But, I digress.

It was a nice visit.  Brent and I got along well when we worked together.  He invited us to swing by his place if we ever make it back to the Tetons (it is on the way there).  Who knows?  It could happen... I really do like the Tetons.  But, a short visit there wouldn't be the same as getting to spend spring to autumn... but, it is so beautiful there.  And, cool.

A look back...