Week #6: A New Light

I've been working at California Pizza Kitchen for 5 years.
Five. Years.
And while I am thankful to have security in a job during these "rough economic times", as it has been said, and being able to transfer to three different restaurants as I have moved around southern California.........Still...
five. years.

It has come to the point where I don't need to write down my table's orders- it all kinda just sticks in my head. It is a job (again, that I am thankful to have and be able to make enough to pay my rent and bills) that has evolved to one which is mindless and brainless. One that I can do upside, backwards, blindfolded, with one arm and half a leg. One that my attitude is frankly, "same shit, different day".

This past Saturday I came in at 3:30 for my evening shift. It was rainy, gloomy, and cold- and even though rent was paid last Monday and my bank account was screaming to be filled with anything of monetary value- I really didn't want to be there. In the midst of my 5 year old routine, I walk into the drink station to get some refills and the coffee and ice tea maker catch my eye. For a brief moment, the clouds broke in the sky and allowed the sun to peek through. One thing I do appreciate about the CPK that I work at now (Newport Beach at Fashion Island) is the wonderful view of the ocean and sunsets we get through our giant windows. For a split moment, the sun appeared and filled the restaurant with a brilliant light that had been absent all day. It was at this perfect angle that the direct sunlight spilled into the drink station, perfectly hitting the steel of the ice tea and coffee maker. I caught myself shortly captivated with the glowing appliances. It was for a brief moment that everything seemed new, special, and beautiful. The drab world of CPK that I know far too well- for a fleeting moment was glowing, different and exciting. It was in this moment that I was almost able to see the familiar realm that surrounded me in a new light.

Almost.