Finding Your Thing & A Restaurant Update

On Saturday morning I awoke to what sounded like the deck being removed outside my bedroom window.  Oh, I should mention it was 8:00.  Who does this?  My landlord that's who.  If you follow me on twitter or are a regular reader of this blog you know he is chock full of surprises that range from inconvenient to, okay, more inconvenient.  Let's all pause and remember the wet saw activity of a couple months ago.  Better yet let's not.  Anyway, there I was all dazed and confused thinking it was the middle of the week when it struck me:  it's bloody Saturday (not to be confused with Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 sorry I couldn't resist)--the one day I have to truly sleep in.  Thanks landlord!

I pulled the covers over my head and tried to drown out the noise.  No dice.  By then it was mariachi madness minus the margaritas.  They were full swing singing away outside and it was a lost cause.  As I laid there in bed trying not to light on fire with frustration and exhaustion, a ladder went up outside the window and a man went climbing by pausing to look in and give me a wave.

Oh yes he did.  'Time to exit,' I said to myself.

Hopping up I quickly went to the closet, pulled out what appeared to be the makings of an outfit and ran into the bathroom to toss cold water on my face.  Where do you go on Saturday morning when all you want to do is sleep?  The Chef's restaurant.  Okay it was the only place I could think of where I could lay down.  While there I grabbed some pictures to show you how it's coming along.  I also seriously contemplated drinking 85 bottles of wine.

Sign's up.  Looking kinda snazzy.

Yellow's gotta go.  Designer's working on an alternate plan. 

Fine in theory--too much in reality.

Design people pipe up with ideas on that wall.  He's open to suggestions.

A couple weeks ago it was this.  

Remember when it was THIS?? Holy mother of night and day or what, huh?

But now it's this!  The transformation is really pretty crazy.

And yes the picture quality is whack.  

I guess that's what you get when you're up before the early bird.

The other side of the wall is the redone bar area.  Truth:  my fave room.

Sad fact:  spotted the cream colored barstools last night on the Bachelorette. 

Ahhhhhh yes.  I found a keeper.  Prepare for greatness:

It's a sign.  There's one called The Birdman, too!! 

I'm starting to think dressing on the fly is my forte. 

10 second outfit.  Realization:  I need more flats.

ps-do you love the wood beams?  I love the wood beams!

Anyway.  That was picture onslaught 2011.  It's a pretty exciting time for The Chef.  His dream is coming true.  Sounds cheesy, but it really is true and that is a fun thing to witness.

You know something that's surfaced in this restaurant process?  Watching someone close to me fulfill a dream that meets their natural talent and ability has left me once again wondering what my thing is. If we're all born to do something, and I believe we are, what is my thing?  I'm an Executive Recruiter and I'm good at it, but is it my sole thing?  I don't think so or wouldn't I know it?  Do you ever find yourself wondering this?  It's the old what am I supposed to be when I grow up question.  Problem is what if you're technically somewhat grown up and you still don't know?  Maybe I'm not grown up (okay I'm gonna ride that wagon around for awhile).  Do you know what your something is?  

Oh, you can also check out the menu at The Corner HB -- he's hoping to be open on the 15th.  Good night Irene that's a week away!  Will keep you updated...

Restaurant Update...Pass the Knick Knacks

Okay am I the only one out there who is so glad it's Friday they wanna marry it?  This week went by in a blur of boxes piled everywhere, hectic days at work, the car locked in the garage, and yesterday morning a gas leak.  Yes friends I said gas leak.  Just what I need:  to kick off in the confines of my own home without one last swig of Don Julio on a Friday night.

Seriously though:  gas leak = no bueno

Thankfully it's all fixed, however the car is still in the garage.  One thing at a time, Carrie - this has become my mantra.  I do believe the Chef and I are chanting it in our various locales throughout the day.  He's up to his eyeballs in renos and building codes and inspectors, so it's been a wild one.  Here's to a light at the end of the tunnel for each of us.  In the meantime here are a few pictures of what's going on.  This was very early in the week and I kinda got wound up in the artifacts so this is less progress and more me making a mental note of things I wanna cart out of the place.  Is there such a thing as Asian boho chic when discussing interiors?

 Here's what it was....

Aaaaaaand....

Here's what's left of it. Pretty much cleared out.
They primed the ceiling today so I have to get in there for some more update pictures.

And to make sure no one runs off with (read:  the Chef is persuaded to sell)
that dragon.  Not sure where I'll put him, but he's pretty cool.

As is this fabulous screen.  Mother of Pearl!  On the screen and also one of my
fave expressions however that alone may not be grounds enough to escape with it.

Whatever the case may be hopefully I'll have time to bust over there and get some more updates before the end of next week.  What do you guys have planned for the weekend? Saturday will find me glued to the maison as I try to get the clutter out from in front of the television so as to resume the 30 Day Shred.  I'm actually terrified of the pending pain of diving back in.  *ouch* *ouch* *ouch*  Perhaps I'll make time to take in some fresh air, but that would involve taking a shower and readying myself for public and right now I'm all about a nap.  Have a great one whatever you do.  Oh and if you're going to Coachella - steer clear of the vomit piles and don't forget your deodorant.  Good luck with that!

The Corner Restaurant - Update

I'm just going to begin by outing myself:  on Wednesday night after 30 Day Shredding I went to Sonic, ate a Chicago dog, 3/4 of a New York dog, two onion rings and half of a small unsweetened peach iced tea.  It was bloody good and I deserved it seeing as almost every day this week has been a living hell of saw noise beginning at 7am.  Last evening I took a spin over to the Chef's restaurant to eyeball progress (read:  make sure no one had snatched my Asian artifacts) and somehow ended up with a margarita in front of me at our favorite Mexican restaurant not long after.  A preview of Friday, if you will.  Next up:  Days 9 and 10 of the Shred done in one day to stay on track.

Hopefully on Monday I will have some sort of positive living situation scenario to report.  A girl can dream. In the meantime here's a little picture preview of what's going on with construction at The Corner (if you're interested follow me on facebook where I'll be posting more pics).  It's a hot mess, but has come so far in just a week.

Here's one of the Chef and my dad in front of the restaurant a few weeks ago...

so homesick right now and wish I could go home for the weekend.

Anyway.  Examine the roof.

And here's what the roof looked like last night at 7 o'clock.  Crazy, huh?
Now remember last week's post showed the booths.

Welp, sayonara ripped vinyl booths.

Here's a quick picture of bar status.

So happy he's decided to keep this hand-painted geisha (- lovely woman?) on the ceiling in the bar.
I think the community will appreciate it seeing as the restaurant has been such a landmark.
The picture doesn't do it justice - poor lighting and not a fancy camera,
but I'll get better ones of her along way.

You had to know it was only a matter of time before I made myself at home.

Here's hoping a little of this splashes your way this weekend.

Thanks so much for hanging in there with me this week.  It was a wild one with work, working at home, the construction and all the stress from dealing with the landlord over moving upstairs or not.  I'm sparing a lot of the dirty details, but let's just say it was not pleasant and my nerves are shot.  I could barely find time to think much less visit your blogs.  sigh  Here's to getting this situation resolved and either moving or staying put for now.  In the meantime I have to get my taxes together to meet with my accountant next week.  So much for that relaxing weekend.  What are you guys up to?

Note:  Not sure it's a geisha per se...only trying to describe. Thanks anonymous.