Sharing a margarita with Bob & Arlene Mayfield from Redmond

ANZAC Day

Monday is ANZAC Day and we will all finally get a chance to take a breath, have a meeting, and do a little more staff training because we will be closed. It has been a wild ride over the past week or so. Let's see . . . We have had a near drowning, a sign code showdown, a fire evacuation and, biggest and baddest of all was a total plumbing failure. I'll wait for Tyler to tell the story of the near drowning and his heroics. Conor can relay the sign code saga and his coming of age JB-style. The fire evacuation was not such a big deal, other than it disrupted everything for about an hour on a busy weekend evening.

The plumbing. Oh my. Late Thursday night we got a call at home from Conor saying the drain under the steam table was backing up. JB said told him to call a plumber and went back to bed. The phone rings again, Conor was pretty insistent that this was more than a plumber call. All of the drains were backing up in surges. JB walked down to the wharf at about 10:30 pm and I didn't see him again until 4:30 am. He, Mike, Conor and Tyler spent the entire night sucking sewage out of the pipes with the shop vac, using buckets and brooms. There was a major blockage, and we are the fortunates at the end of the line. Security was called, Prince's Wharf Management showed up, the wharf plumbers we pressed into service . . . it was one gigantic mess. In absolute desperation they finally cut the pipe under the wharf to relieve the pressure, even though they had 3 big pump trucks pumping all night long at the entry to the wharf. We had to close on Friday because it took 14 hours for the enviromental cleaners to do their thing and to get the restrooms working again. (You have to have working restrooms if you have a liquor license.) Turns out there are 4 pumps, but one was on the blink. PW Management didn't take care of the problem. I guess they were too busy hasseling Conor over the signs.

We are ready to begin marketing Mexicali Fresh, and will begin distributing "Burrito Bucks" at the University this next week. Nobody knows what Cinco de Mayo is, but we are planning a celebration. There are enough Americans around who will want to party. We are going into the slowest season of the year, but have the British Lions Tour (Rugby) coming in June. When the All Blacks play, everyone says it's like the Super Bowl for weeks. Many of their supporters will be staying on a cruise ship docked off our wharf, and ground-central for the Lions is next door at Float. It is estimated that 15,000 Brits will descend upon Auckland for those 5 weeks. We are looking ahead to some exciting times.

Thanks to everyone for all of the positive wishes - we can feel your vibe all the way down here in Middle Earth.

Hamish and the finished mural. 

Hamish beginning the mural 

Open for Biz

We opened Thursday morning, April 14, 2005. We had some issues with power that prevented opening on Monday or Tuesday, then we opted to do another day of training on Wednesday, so Thursday was the day. We started out slow, then got slammed for lunch and have been going full tilt ever since. All we have done is set out a sandwich board, so all of our business is just locals from the Wharf. That's just fine for now until we get our speed up.

On Wednesday night JB and I went to see the Neville brothers - a concert that we had purchased tickets for over a month ago. We were so tired we almost bagged it, but ended up taking a cab at the last minute - dirty clothes and all. Wow. When Aaron Neville finished with Amazing Grace and a beautiful rendition of Bob Marley, we were both energized.

Malcolm and Mike have been covering the mornings, Tyler and Conor have been covering nights. JB in conquering payroll and the books, I am paying attention to our personal bills for the first time in 2 months, as well as teaching two online classes at COCC. We are getting busier every day, but things are going pretty darned well. All of us have finally gotten a little sleep, and it's starting to have an effect on short-term memory and the bags under the eyes.

We have such a great team. Words just can't do justice to everyone's contribution: Mike, Malcolm, Tyler and Conor. Wow, what a team! JB and I just look at each other and grin.

The Laptop Brigade 

Taste Testing

Oh man, Friday was rough. We regrouped and managed a respectable showing on Saturday. We have issues with electricity, plumbing, rice and point of sale. Things are looking really great, but will probably hold off our opening until Tuesday or Wednesday. We have some great employees . . . a veritable UN. Let's see, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, England, and the very strong Brazillian contingent. Did I mention the Kiwis and five very exhausted Americans? More words later, check out the pics.

Wish You Were Here 

Limping Toward the Finish Line

I thought I should post a note and let you all know we are moving forward at break-neck speed. If I don’t write tonight, chances are there won’t be another post until after we open. What an eventful day we had this Monday, April 4. Malcolm got the POS server and terminals in place and talking to each other (although we do have a minor problem with them seeing the Internet connection). Our coffee machine has been installed and Tyler christened it with a spray of milk on the floor and ceiling. The invites for the preview parties (Fri and Sat) have been perfected by Conor (see image). First food deliveries and smallwares have been ordered and checked in by Mike. Employees are hired and orientation is on Wed from 10-12.

Probably the biggest event has been JB’s obligatory injury. It happens every time. He was trying to rearrange the new Alto-Sham and dropped the corner on his left big toe. There are three big, strapping young men here who could have done the job, but nooooo. As we attempted to walk home tonight we got as far as Provedor (next door) before asking Mikey to drive us home. Of course we won’t be going to the ER, but will opt for self-medication.

And a very public and heart-felt congratulations to our nephew Kyle who is graduating from UNLV. Way to go Biff!