It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,
and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Still having AC issues at the office which is beyond annoying. It's impacting my office in the executive suite and the offices on the floor above us (Accounting). I walk over to HR a couple times a day and just sit in their lobby area to cool off. Supposedly (ahem) some new part has been ordered and it will be fixed by Tuesday. We shall see.
I am so over this lingering cough.😖 I finally bought some cough medicine just so I can get some sleep at night. Where has this stuff been all my life? Finally got a few good nights of sleep and I'm coughing much less during the day. Someone tell me why I waited two weeks before getting this?
For those that go to fast food restaurants (inside or drive-thru), have you noticed a serious decline in service over the last couple years? I know during the height of the pandemic there were staffing issues. But at this point, wouldn't you think that would have resolved? I rarely step inside a restaurant (fast food or otherwise) but I do use drive-thru's and the service is usually so sub-par. Chick-Fil-A continues to set the standard: fast/accurate service, friendly and polite employees, and it's always a good experience. McDonald's is okay. Beyond that... it's almost always disappointing. There are a few places we've just quit going to because of the terrible service (long waits, orders are wrong). I don't know if everyplace is short-staffed, are employees under-trained, or is it poor management? If Chick-Fil-A can hire good people, why can't other chains? I don't get it. Is it the same in your area?
For those that love books with a bookish setting, BookBub shared a list of romances set in bookstores and libraries. What's not to love about a setting like that?
This week's throwback song is A Different Corner (1986) by George Michael. Enjoy!
ON THE BLOG
Monday, June 19
Tuesday, June 20
Thursday, June 22
WHAT I READ
Kindle: Hendrix by Sawyer Bennett - 4★
Audio: Beautifully Broken Redemption by Catherine Cowles - 4★
CURRENTLY READING
Kindle: Twice in a Lifetime by Melissa Baron
Audio: Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
NEW ADDITIONS
Not a thing.
TOTALLY RANDOM
HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?
That's a pain about the AC. Ours went out this week at home and ugh, nature decided to then bless us with high 80's and 90's. And yes I think service is definitely down at fast food and other places. We have a Taco Bell here that is AWFUL. I don't know if it's related but the advent of all this Uber eats stuff hasn't helped, at least in my area. If I go in a restaurant now the emphasis seems to be on the Uber/ Doordash orders, then drive thru, then maybe the ustomer waiting in the lobby. Plus kiosk ordering seems to reduce the interaction with customers in lobby.
ReplyDeletePlaces like PAnera Bread seem okay, but I've definitely noticed downsliding.
Greg - Hope your AC was fixed quickly! We're still waiting on ours at the office. Apparently the company is waiting for some part to arrive. Ugh.
DeleteYou have a point with the Uber/Doordash orders - those may very likely be getting the attention rather than in-person customers.
Yes, I notice a lot of romances take place in or near bookstores or bookshops around the globe, notably Paris and Italy, and of course, the U.S. Love reading them.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a popular setting for bookworms. :)
DeleteI hope the a/c gets worked out. Nobody needs a less than stellar a/c during the summer in Jax. I read both your current reads and have my fingers crossed you enjoy them (I did). I actually read 4 of the bookstore books. It's always a great setting.
ReplyDeleteSam - So true. It's 95 here today... and the AC is still not fixed. I considered working from home home but it hasn't been too bad. I've got our door propped open and the cool air from the hallway is helping. But it's truly annoying that it's taking so long to fix.
DeleteIt's hard to work without AC!
ReplyDeleteJen - You aren't kidding! Doesn't help that it's in the 90's this week.
DeleteUgh working without AC is miserable. I worked in a school that didn't have AC. At certain temperatures, it is just hard to think straight.
ReplyDeleteI think many fast food places are still struggling with staffing. They don't get a lot of applicants, and no one sticks around long enough for training. The pay is crappy at most places. Chick fil a and McDonalds have better systems and structures in place for training and that makes a difference. Other places rely on works training each other with little guidance.
Samantha - I can't imagine working something that just didn't have AC at all. That sounds miserable.
DeleteChick-fil-A and McD's must really have better hiring and/or training processes. And it shows.
I am happy that you found a medicine for your cough Tanya! And it's strange to have subpar service, don't people rely on tips in the US?
ReplyDeleteSophie - Well, I'm talking about fast food places where there would be no tipping. Not like sit-down restaurants with table service. The service at fast food places is definitely lacking.
DeleteAC issues sounds like a reason to work from home. So miserable! I'm glad the sleep and medicine has helped.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen too much of a decline in fast food service, but we have a few places we go and that's it.
Deanna - Our list of places to go is definitely dwindling. If a place consistently has poor service or can never get an order right, I quit going.
DeleteI don't usually take medicine until I've suffered for awhile, but coughing is so annoying. I'm glad you found something to help! It's really crazy how different Chik-Fil-a is from other similar restaurants.
ReplyDeleteAngela - Yeah, the coughing was driving me batty. The meds are making such a difference - even though it tastes horrible. lol
DeleteI had the cough type of thing back in May, it was going around work I think, my library clerk had it as well. I am finding the same issues with fast food places. I prefer to dine in most of the time, just because I find fast food doesn't make the trip home that well. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteLisa Loves Literature
It is hard to get rid of really really good boxes! ;D I hope they get the AC fixed at your work this week, and that you're finally able to shake that cough. And I loved that list of bookish books you linked top; several were already on my TBR list, and I added several more.
ReplyDeleteLark - Still dealing with the AC issues at the office. Apparently they're waiting on some part to arrive. I swear, it could have come on a boat from China by now. LOL
DeleteYeah food service has definitely gone down hill for sure. I think its mostly due to staffing issues. For us here in Utah at least, there are so many jobs that pay 16-20 an hour even for college students, that the food service jobs just don't pay even close to that, so its more finding people to work and thus overstressed and overworked staff which is why I think the service is falling downhill. I honestly can't wait to start that series by Catherine Cowles, the covers are just so pretty and I love clinches.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be doing well without AC. I would need to work from home or something. I don't do a lot of drive-thrus but the ones I do are Alpaca Chicken, Red Robin and Wendys and they seem about the same. Some of the Wendy's though don't have inside service because they didn't have enough staff. I keep some good boxes on a high shelf in the garage. Plus a few extra most of the time. I hope you get AC this week.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Anne - Yeah, if I go in the office tomorrow and it's not fixed I may have to turn around and work from home. It's going to be in the 90's every day this week. Not the time for no AC.
DeleteIt's just awful when the AC goes out. And it's worse at work because you can't really leave most of the time. I don't eat out as much as I used to since the pandemic. That really changed the way we do everything. Here's my SP: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2023/06/25/sunday-post-lots-of-cabbage/
ReplyDeleteBonnie - Right? When the AC goes at the office you're kind of stuck. And there are no windows to open. I sure hope they fix it Tuesday as promised.
DeleteWe are going into cold at the moment so it's okay for us. But not good for you without AC.
ReplyDeleteNas - Summer is my least favorite season so I wouldn't mind trading places with you! :)
DeleteMy hubby and I were just talking about how awful the service has been at fast food restaurants around here. Our orders are almost always wrong if we go anywhere other than Chick Fil A.
ReplyDeleteSeems like you shouldn't have to be at work if they don't have A/C! Cruel and unusual punishment if you ask me! Hope it gets repaired. I always check my order before driving off from fast food places because they usually get it wrong. Thankfully I don't visit them much except for when on a road trip. I have never actually been to a Chick Fil A, but I'd like to go. I do love In-N-Out and they usually get things right. They may only be on the West Coast. Their cheese burgers and fries are my very favorite in the world! I think they pay their workers better though so maybe that's part of the reason?
ReplyDeleteThis is not the time to have no air conditioning! Fingers crossed that it gets fixed Tuesday as promised. I'm glad the cough medicine was able to help. If it makes you feel better about waiting so long my doctor is not a big fan of cough medicine for the most part except at night - especially if the cough is productive because it does have a purpose. But there's nothing quite like the joy of a solid night of sleep after weeks of iffy sleep. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteOh no! This is not the time of year to have AC issues! I hope that they get it fixed soon. My husband and daughter have to eat gluten free so we don't really eat fast food but I can imagine the decline in service. I do miss George Michael. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI imagine people are going for more jobs that pay better and treat people better than fast food service. Some aren't bad around me - some have always been slow anyway. LOL
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
Glad to hear your cough is better! Lingering coughs are so annoying. My daughter worked at Panera and the customers (and her managers sometimes) could be so very rude. More rude customers than kind ones. And the pay was terrible with lots of turnover. While there's no excuse for bad treatment, her experience really opened my eyes to how degrading their job can be. I try to remind myself of that when I want to complain. Haha! I don't know if you have a Culver's, but we eat there at least once a week. Almost always get great customer service. :)
ReplyDeleteDedra - It's a shame your daughter had to deal with rudeness from managers in addition to customers! We do have Culver's here and I agree, they do offer great service.
Delete