The times, The tears, The Thanks yous and goodbyes

As time winds down and it is getting closer and closer to my departure I have been thinking. A lot of think actually. When I first started working in Robinson I never thought it would end up like this. I was just a dishwasher working with my soon to be roommates. Once I was on the line I wanted to see what Peter's was all about. I found out that it was only 7 minutes from my new house and how much fun and potential the place had I asked to transfer. Soon I was full time at the clubhouse in Peter's Township. When I started another person did as well. He was a new dishwasher by the name of Dave West. We became friends since our shifts were basically the same week in and week out. When I was how great of a friend he was and how his work ethic was I pushed to get him up on the line. Soon Dave was my right hand man on Fry. When Kreg left to join the Navy Dave and I were the A-team on the line. I would run the Middle and he would run fry. Soon Dave became a head line cook as well. Now it seems that we know each other so well that we can switch places during a rush and know exactly where each other left off. We have seen cooks, servers, dishwashers, bussers, and bartenders come and go but Dave and I are still standing strong. Now I must join that list of "former employees" and Dave will be the soul survivor of the "hourly" kitchen crew. I don't want to leave the clubhouse, but we knew this day would come eventually, I just didn't think it would be this hard.

My final night will be Saturday but I will have to say goodbye to some of you on Friday. So with tear filled eyes know that it will be very hard for me to do this. I will miss everyone so very much that most don't even know how much you mean to me. Most don't know what the clubhouse means to me. I found out who I was and who I am now by working at the clubhouse. I found out that sometimes your in hell, like a dinner rush, but you must keep doing what your doing and push through it, and you will always succeed. This past year has been like your favorite TV sitcom. It has had drama, love, friends, suspense, and comedy. If it were the 90s it would definitely be on ABC's TGIF right after Boy Meets World.

So let me take the time to thank each and everyone of you:

The new people -

Brent, Garrett, and Mark - I didn't have much time to get to know you guys but hey thats life. You guys are going to be great at the clubhouse. Good luck in everything you do.

Jordan - Even though Ryan told you my usual plan I decided to go against it and not be predictable. lol. Anyhow I wish I had more time because I could see us becoming good friends. However we don't just remember don't go to the boom boom room. Without me of course.

Ashley - Ok, wow, um lets see here.... Well we know each other pretty well given the amount of time we had to spend. Good luck and don't quit because that would be the easy road. Fight through it and you will be rewarded.

Kim - even though your not as new as these other kids I'm listing you here because we didn't know each other that well until now. Even though you can probably kick my ass in everything I still love ya. Be good. Good Luck.

The Usual Crew -

Alaina - Wow, where do I begin. First off you have been one of my closest friends that I have made at the clubhouse and you know I will never forget you. The times I needed most you were there for me and gave me the best advice just like a best friend does. Thank you so much for being there and good luck in everything you do. Just remember I'm a phone call away, just like I have been for the past year.

Colleen - To the badest chick ever! lol! Well we have gotten to know each other very well. Remember when it was your third night and you had all of those tables and you were like "I got this." You have been such a good friend and supportive to my piercing addiction. Good luck in art school and maybe we will see each other again someday because of our line of work. Make sure if you ever want to protest something, just hold a day of silence.

Amanda D - Since you didn't speak for the first month I didn't know who you were. jk. Well I think I'm to be credited with your coming out party but you'll never admit it. Even though you have the easiest job in the whole place you still deserve those back rubs just like anyone else. Remember the time when you got your belly button pierced and you took it like a semi-pro champ! Good luck with everything. Maybe someday you can help the environment and eat some meat.

Annie - To the girl that could probably beat me in my own sport, hockey. Annie you have been so much fun in the kitchen while food running and your just an awesome person to be around. Your smile makes other smile and you do what you want. Stay artsy and be cool. Good luck.

Phil - To the brother of the legendary dishwasher Debo. We first met at the crazy Christmas party and then a few months later you became an employee. Its hard to believe we are the same age but I'm higher on the pay scale. Good luck with everything man, you got a lot of potential ahead of you and your going to do some good things in life.

Rachael H - And to think at one time I thought you were a sweet innocent girl that I wanted to marry. HA! The third part of the "triplets" and I wouldn't have it any other way. Always remember the BBQ chicken dips and the hearts I would put on them. Remember the good times we had, the funny moments, and the ones where you were completely smashed. Good luck with all that you do and hopefully you marry someone rich as hell to afford those Victoria Secret underwear.

Rachael D - To the piercing expert! Well rach we did a lot and had a lot of fun. Whether it was going to see Kathy for a new hole or holes or just sitting at the bar BSin' we always had fun. Never forget our mosh sessions when the water was on the floor or trying to slide as we would race down the expo line. Keep being good and anytime you wanna face me in WII let me know.

Amanda C. - Even though we always didn't get along we became friends. We always fought like brother and sister but at the end of the day we were a big happy family again. Good luck with carter and be good. Keep striving to the next level with everything and when its over and you look back you will be satisfied.

Erin - Well I can't believe this is it. We shared a lot of moments and a lot of awkward times. Whether it was infatuation with taking off my button down collared shirts or straight up singing "sara beth" in the kitchen like we were playing live. I was credited with the assist to get you and Dave's first kiss when you were together and always had fun when you were around. Good luck, keep ordering no peppers and be good.

Jen - Thanks for always touching my booty and making me feel special. I always enjoyed doing your floors and bar backing for you. Jackie O' is the usual for you and we make it special in the back cause you only want half. Good luck and enjoy life. Thank you for being a great friend when I needed it, after Brittany.

Stacy - Even though when you say your first name the last name is soon to follow and you get mad we all love you. You have been such a good friend to me and generous tipper! Gave me some advice and been the loud mouth when it was time to go home after a long days work. Never forget the time where you were pregnant with Ry's baby and I believed the whole thing.

Sean - Wow, do you always have to come in stoned? You've been a really good friend and we will keep in touch man. Good luck with everything. And always remember those wraps and you were willing to try anything new.

Evan - Even though you were a fan of many different teams, you still have that PITT jersey. Its Ironic because i'm going to live in new england now. Hey, keep in touch and have a great time with high school. Enjoy it man cause it goes by quickly.

Christine - You were like my sister and I will never forget you. We had some pretty off the wall moments and times. Always remember the song Superstar and any type of slow jam to put you in the mood. Remember my back rubs and the time i kissed you. I love you and please stay in touch.

Kitchen Crew -

Mike - Thanks for basically taking my spot on the line. You'll fit right in man. Always do your best and be good. Good luck.

Bacon - Hey to the fellow computer kid, it was nice having someone that shared the same interest as me. Keep in touch and maybe down the road we will run into each other at a hacking convention. Good luck and its up to you to make people laugh and have a good time with mike.

Oggie - Sometimes I want to kill you but your learning. Good luck with baseball and with alaina. Its going to be hard with her in college now but I now its real and when it is like that things last forever. Always stay in touch. I'll miss you kid.

Papa - I will always remember the wisdom you shared with me and the times where you taught us how not to use a knife. Keep your fingers, play poker and enjoy.

Debo - I'm going to miss you very much man. You have become on of my best friends that I could ever ask for. You know whether it was chillin' at Dave's, your crib, or at the bar we always had a good time. You have an excellent future a head of you and I know this past year hasn't been exactly paradise but you still push through and for that I envy you. Stay in touch, Good Luck in everything you do.

Managers

Kristen - Well we bonded and even though we had a rocky start we have become very good friends. The last time you check me out on Saturday will be sad. I will never ever forget you kristen. The way you taught me about life, about being happy, and about having dreams and chasing them. You always tried to steer me in the right direction and 90% I did. Good luck and remember like we always said hard work pays off at some point. Thank you for being one of the best people down there. Never Stop caring.

Hambone - To the guy that hung in there and watched as each kitchen manager got fired and waited for his turn. You are a true inspiration to all of us on the line. The energy and comedy you bring to the line is more than enough. Its always fun with hammer in the kitchen. Thank you for always sticking up for me and being a great friend. I won't forget you and when I turn 21 you owe me a drink.

Shane and Andrea - Thank you for this job but it wasn't just a job. This place taught me about life, about being myself. You both showed me what its like to be creative again. I finally know who I am and what I want to do. I thank you for that.

The final 3 -

Pat - You are like my older brother that I looked up to. The only reason why I wanted to be a barback. You have been such a good friend and showing me how to pick up girls. lol. Thanks buddy and always remember the secret santa grab bag and how excited I was to be like you. I will never forget the times we had and good luck with everything.

Ryan - D-money, wow man you have been such a good friend of mine since Robinson and we became even closer at Peter's. Even though you are probably going to marry the girl of my dreams I won't hold it against you as long as I get the invite to the bachlorette party at least. You have been a major influence on my life and hopefully one day i can be a mentor to some one like you were to me. I'll never forget you d, and I'm sure we will keep in touch and hang out again. Always remember story times out side and wrestling on the expo line. Give him the razor's edge! I love you man.

Dave - Last one on the list. You have been my best friend this past year. You were there when I was at my highest point and lowest. You always had advice for me when something went down. All of the talks and time we shared I will never forget. I love you like a brother man, and saying goodbye will be extremely hard. We have hung in there and saw many people come and go and now I must move on. It sucks really bad that I must leave but you have taught me well. I'm sure we will be there for each other in the future. Maybe not physically but you always be with me. Thank you for being a true friend but more like a brother to me. I don't want Saturday to come.

So that's it I guess there is only one thing left to do. It wouldn't be my style to just end this post without a great quote. Goodbye to the friends, regulars, family and the clubhouse....

"Its something unpredictable, but in the end its right. I had the time of my life"