The Monopoly effect

Here in lovely Bowie, sitting atop our little 1500 square foot mansion that is a Levitt classic, I wonder and often now wish ( 9 years later) that we had spent over our means in 1998 and bought much larger than we needed. This, however this is not what this post is about. It’s about the Power companies.

These days we here in Bowie are subject to power outages that can occur when the wind blows funny, or rain, snow, sleet or whatever other anomally that has been occurring in this area for hundreds of years. It seems the power company has no answer to the growth in this area and how to prevent what seems to be a usual occurrence any more. I understand that circumstances beyond anyones control happens. These are things that happen INFREQUENTLY!! In our area this is a 3-4 time a year occurence now. And you can expect to be without power for anywhere from 1 to 3 or more days, with no explanation from the B.G.E. we know.

Except for the airlines, there is no other busness I know where you pay ( as the CUSTOMER) HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS of dollars a year for a so called service , and have no one give you any explanation to problems and when they even might be resolved. In fact you get my all time favorite, ATTITUDE. That is if you are so lucky to get a human voice. So by the time you do, and in this case our home was roughly about 50 degrees internally as it was about 20 outside, continual holding only to skip to the next recording does nothing for ones patience.

Meanwhile it is the dead of winter, and people without heat or fireplace are freezing to death. I know, yu say get out of the house and go to a hotel,, ok for how long, and and will they accept 7 pets? I doubt it.

Yeah, yeah, this all coupled with the ever increasing prices of a service that I highly question can be called SERVICE. Just shut up and take it. Sorry that’s the way I feel after 3 days of this crap!

The Backbone of my success

There was a guy whom came to us in “The Restaurant” I think he arrived in 88-89. His name was David. He came to the then Chef Gerard as a purchasing agent, to replace a guy whom had been there for many years, however due to many personal problems and changes in his life moved on. Thankfully I might add.

David was generally quiet and to himself. I believe very introspective a person. He like all of us, had his own issues in life and from time to time we had deep conversations about them. He became a purchasing agent like no one I’d ever known since. He was always there for me both during my days at “The Restaurant” and long after. You see, this guy was the real deal, he was not afraid to compliment, nor criticize. Regardless of what or how it may be taken. I sometimes disliked him for it, but always respected him. He was a big fraction of the key to my success after becoming the Chef in April 1989.

David was hardline on our vendors. He was demanding and he got us the best product out there. David also became the person who guided me in many of my own life decisions. His wisdom and thoughts were always insightful and supportive, but usually raw and oftentimes more honest than I wanted to hear. I believe David is this way with everyone he spends any amount of time with. His ability to form bonds with purveyors made us very successful in both getting the product we needed while not paying through the nose.