Jobs, Cars, and Money

My life has seemed to revolve around these three things lately. I can't escape them. Not that I necessarily want to. I just couldn't if I wanted to.

The Job

I was recently asked by someone I respect and love very much, if I would work for them in opening a restaurant they had just taken over. At first, it was just as a support position in the kitchen. Then, when their first option backed out. They asked me to be the Head Chef. At first, I was excited and reluctant. I've never been in charge before. I've always had someone far more experienced looking over my shoulder. I wouldn't necessarily rely on this person, but they were there to catch me before I slipped and fell over the edge. I was excited because I finally WOULD be in charge. It would be my food going out to the customer. My kitchen to organize and maintain, my name going up in flames or down in history depending on my performance. I'm going to be able to do what I want and expect from myself. Not what another expects. Good or bad. I'd be in control.

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, working for another persons standards first, mine second. Sometimes that meant I had to compromise. Produce food that in one way shape or form, was not my food. (Not often, I was lucky to work with very skilled people) But every once in a while. It just wouldn't be something I was proud of. Now, it's all me, if I'm not proud of it. I don't serve it.

The Car

I recently purchased a 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier Type 10. A beautiful older car. Not one you see very often out on the roads, and never in the condition this one was. When I bought it, it ran fine, it needed a few tinkerings, but driveable. When I brought it home, I was forced to let it sit for a couple weeks before I could afford insurance. I tried to take care of it as it sat, running it every once in a while, checking fluids, even washing it once (something I've never done with my own car)

The first day I have it insured and am driving it. It dies, 10 minutes from my house. So we get it towed home, and find out it needs a new fuel pump. Ok, not a huge deal, 100$....tops. Go to Lordco and they tell us to put in this new pump. We do, only to find out once it's in that it's not the right kind of pump. It's putting out twice the fuel pressure I need. So we go back, get that all resolved and finally put in the right fuel pump. With tons of help from a good friend, Phil.

So I take it for another test drive. 5 minutes from my house, it stalls. I manage to get it started again, but every time I let it idle, it stalls. So we get it home and Phil takes a look. That last fuel pump has damaged the carburetor. There is a slow leak of fuel into it that the engine can't handle when it idles. So the engine floods. It's not ideal. I can still drive it, just can't let it idle at lights and such. Not a big problem. Just annoying. After a couple of days of driving I notice that the front right is clunking.

So we put the car up on blocks AGAIN, take a look underneath, and notice that the drivers side front CV joint boot is all torn up, and dirt and crud is piling up in my CV joint. Now my car needs a new CV joint. That's another 120$ So while we have it up on blocks, Phil decides he's going to rebuild the carburetor. Takes it out, takes a look. Phil says to me " Your carburetor is fubared." It's worn out in places it shouldn't be worn out. I need to replace it. So now my car has no carburetor...at all. A rebuilt one from Lordco is 500$. That's a little steep, so Phil looks around, says he can get me one for about 350$.

Now lets track how much I've spent on this car so far.
Bought it
1400$
Various licenses.
127$
3 months insurance
450$
New Fuel pump
112$
New CV Joint
127$
New radiator (not necessary, but an upgrade)
47$
and now, I need a new (rebuilt) carburetor
300$ (at least)

Add that all up. You get about 2500$

I'll 2500$ on a car that I've driven for total...about a week.

Money

After Culinary school, I was about 5000$ in debt, all things considered. While I was in the states, I kinda saved my money, didn't do much. It was difficult to pay debts all the way across the continent. I made minimum payments. But in the meantime. I saved.

When I got home, I bought the car, bought my parents a new T.V. Then kinda just hung out a bit for a while. Trying to make a decision on whether or not I still wanted to pursue a career in cooking. Then the phone calls started. Mostly my one credit card. It's my own fault. I should've stayed on top of it. They've demanded the entire balance now. It's paid off. But that brings me back down to pocket change to spend. Guess I won't be able to get that carburetor for a bit, even if we can find one.

Other
I've decided I don't like sitting around the house on my computer all the time. I'm trying to find things that can eat up that spare time I've got now. I'm gonna try working out on a regular basis now. If that doesn't work out, I'll try Judo with James, my brother. Either way, that'll kill some time as well as getting me in better shape.

I've also volunteered to be a Youth Leader for my church. Although I'm not doing that to kill time. I really want to help them out. I could've started earlier, but I made the mistake of putting my career first. Now I won't have to make that decision. I have an employer who is going to understand that commitment, and work with me to make sure all parties involved are happy.

I'm really looking forward to this new job. I just wish I could get into the kitchen sooner. I don't like being excessively rushed. I like having time to prepare things. But such is the nature of the beast. I'll do my best. If this restaurant does go down (and theres a good chance it will, odds are against all restaurant openings) It won't be because I didn't do the best I could.