Of Rich Experiences...

While working at Outback Steakhouse in Madison, WI as a server, I made more money than I did as a teacher (With Master's Degree) in South Phoenix, but that's just a side note.

Last night, I had a sort of flashback dream to that Outback kitchen one cold December night...

I was a hard worker. A team player. My boss loved me. He loved my hustle and new that he could depend on me - which meant that when there was extra work that needed to be done, he'd send it my way.


We knew something was wrong due to the odor that was radiating from beneath the stainless steel salad line at the front of the kitchen. The drain was clogged. "Trini, help us out! Get down there and open that baby up." I shuddered. I realized that being a hard worker in this setting had not gotten me ahead at all - it had just gotten me screwed.

I handed off a ribeye to a coworker and assumed the position flat on my stomach on a greasy outback kitchen floor, reaching my entire arm back under the counter. I felt around the floor for the drain - it was backing up with water - and stuck my hand down inside. Committing myself elbow deep into the drain, I pulled up a heaping glob of rotting greens, thousand island, ranch, and caesar. When the mass came in to view, the involuntary convulsions of my stomach jerked me to my feet, and I ran to the trash can - projectile vomit spraying the side of the can, glob of greens dripping from my elbow, cooks screaming, "Cuidado Buey!" I can still remember the stench.

I went back three more times to the drain to finish the job.

I don't know why I had this memory in my sleep. All I can say is...Life is Rich. I don't know how I can arrive at this conclusion...only thought is this: if there are no downs, there can be no ups. Hungry anyone?