I know this is crazy, but here is an actual prompt. Let’s see if I can stick to the subject today. 😂

Do you forgive and forget, remember but dismiss it as unimportant or does it depend on the circumstances?

It all depends on the circumstances.

To forgive and forget is something that happens when it is a minor mishap. Such as a drink spilled or someone misunderstood because of a miscommunication. In my line of work as a Chef, miscommunication is common. However, here is a good example of circumstance.

What is the first thing you noticed? The unsightly appearance that is considered clean? Or the emergency door wide open because this Bus doesn’t have Air Conditioning.

Did you know that the internal temperature of a food trailer can reach over 110 degrees once the equipment is on and ready to cook. The flat top runs about 450 and the fryer at 350. Come work a food truck in Arizona and you’ll never see temperatures below 90 (except at night)YEAR ROUND!

At every event we are given a sheet of paper than has the clients order. It is a simple breakdown of the menu items and ingredients required for the quality of people. Of course, I am not the one to give away company secrets… but it looks something like this.

Cool. We have our Order, we have our vehicle. The team leaves the commissary kitchen, and pray their way to the event. Although the Bus has always been the most reliable of the fleet, it was a gamble just trying to get to the destination. Once the team arrives, they are to get hot.

In our situation, everything has gone to plan. We’ve arrived at the event, have all our ingredients and our paperwork. Open up the gas lines and I go to light the equipment…

Don’t mind the trash trough. With an inoperable vent fan, flat top and a ticking time bomb of a fryer… it would seem the service was crippled. I was beyond pissed off. Knowing my boss was allergic to solving problems and answering the phone only added fuel to the proverbial fire. At this point, I am holding a grudge and am bitching and complaining loudly to my teammate by this point. When the circumstances are just right for a particular shit show- my golden rule always applies. Actions speak louder than words.

Although I was suppose to call and raise a fuss, I didn’t. There was no point. I would have gotten written up for the client not getting what they paid for, and instead of fixing it- I would be looked down upon and docked pay.

So, I made the damn thing happen. My teammate had been on staff for exactly a week. She had no prior kitchen training, and was only trained in order taking and cash register. She was suppose to be training to cook with me, on this event.

We served burgers and fries to 50 people, and make a nice tip pan from it.

However, when we returned to the commissary kitchen we were greeted with dismissal. As the team lead and truck manager, I texted the pictures above to all three of my bosses and the sales lead. The vehicle nearly took my life just trying to perform my job.

Inexcusable.

I really do not enjoy having to be a total cunt to my employers. Military mama doesn’t like to come out, but when I’m beyond mad. There is no avoiding it.

Not only did I risk my breath on a vehicle that stalls out going 50 on the byway- but then I got half my face and body surface lightly toasted because the mother fucking gas line had a major leak.

The good old adage “ I don’t get paid enough for this shit” fully applied. I still got written up and docked my event gratuities for not having the proper working equipment and providing a bad example for a new team member possibly affecting morale. Yup. According to the infinity high inquisitor Seanmartin, I was still at fault even though the client was happy and fulfilled.

This prompt also brings up a good opportunity to answer the questions of recent in regards to why I hold such a grudge against my ex-employer.

It’s because of shit like this. Or being instructed to hitchhike my way to a gas station off AZ-85 when I was sent 2 hours out with no company fuel card. The health and welfare of any employee that isn’t pregnant are side priorities to the financial bottom line. I am honestly relieved I was dismissed prior to someone getting killed on the job. I’m extremely thankful that I got out with my life.

Granted it’s taken 2 months to mostly heal my leg after the Super Bowl Set Up – I got abandoned at the site to load in and set up three events for over 4000 people in 10 hours.

I still very much hold a grudge. Circumstantially this may be the hardest, and most unsafe company I have worked for since leaving the United States military.

Forgive and forget, nah. Surely it is more generous to forgive and remember. Not because it is deserved, or has stopped – but rather for oneself.

I choose to move on, but I will never forget the pain caused or let it happen to me again. -🍋💋