Dining Out Blog #4

December 10, 2010

Christine McGeorge

 

On December 3, 2010, my mother and I decided to try out Mrs. Plews recommendation of "500⁰", a quick service restaurant, after the tour of the "Sofitel". The meal I had was called the 'The 500' which was really just a classic cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce and onion and a side of "truffle" fries and I figured I may as well top it off with a black-and-white milkshake. Everything I ordered was quite good however I did find it a bit greasier than I would have cared for it to be. The cheeseburger (The 500) tasted like a bar-b-q burger one would make at home on the grill. The truffle fries had the kind of salt you'd usually find on a soft pretzel and they tasted like they were made fresh to order. The black-and-white milkshake was perhaps my favorite part of my meal because I don't order milkshakes that often and when I do my taste buds are usually very grateful for my consideration. The style of service was cafeteria mixed with American and my meal individually cost $12.50 minus the tax but when it was added to my mother's burger and fries it cost $23.22 with tax. The service was efficient and fairly quick, at least for everything but my milkshake anyway. The host/server who took my mother and mine's order was named Adrian and I think he needed a little work on his facial expression when serving customers because he looked as if he had too much stuff on his mind. Other than the preoccupied looking host/server and the greasiness of the food and the slightly higher cost than I was expecting I would definitely go back for another meal there.

Field Trip Report

December 3, 2010

Sofitel: Philadelphia, PA

Christine McGeorge

 

    We were greeted by two women from the Human Resources team, I can't remember the name of the lead hostess however I do recall that her associate's first name was Christine, probably because her name was shared by me. The first stop on our tour was the Junior Suite on the fifth floor which was equipped with all the usual amenities like a bed (Queen Size), television (Flat Screen), and a bathroom (that was fit for royalty). It was adorned with wood furniture and panels, an office desk, and "French" doors that separate the bedroom from the living room. Then, we visited the Standard King; I think it was on the same floor which consisted of the same amenities I mentioned about the Junior Suite except that it didn't have an office feel. Also, like the Junior Suite, the Standard King suite had all wood pieces in the room, fresh flowers in the bathroom, and goose-down pillows; all of which are a staple of every room. Then, it was off to the Fitness Center on the fourth floor where each treadmill has its own personal television attached, fresh apples, and although I didn't see one I suspect a personal trainer.

Finally, we were lead to the third floor which is where we began our tour of the back-of-house. First, we had to take the employee elevator to the eighth floor where the Banquet/Pastry Kitchen was in the process of making French pastry like Croissants. Next, we walked on by the employee locker rooms to the laundry room where the bedding and towels were laundered and ironed with a flat iron, and was told in response to the question of where the uniforms are cleaned were told that the hotel prefers to use a dry cleaners for the uniforms and guests clothing. Then, we visited the employee restaurant/dining hall which smelled distinctively like hotdogs. Finally, we wrapped up the tour of the offices for the Housekeeping Department where we learned that approximately 3500 to 5000 pounds of laundry were laundered in a day. Plus, each of the Housemen and Cleaning Ladies spend about thirty to thirty-five minutes cleaning each individual room, the linens are changed at the time of checkout, if a guest left any towels on the floor of the room it would immediately be changed, and that crayons, coloring books, and games are provided for any children of the guests.

Employment opportunities are updated on a weekly basis for hotels of the same brand all over the world. The Sofitel Hotel and its affiliates are very much into hiring from within the company so if an employee felt cooped up and needed to get they could just apply for a transfer to one of the affiliate hotels. All in all, I think it would be an excellent place to work and I could take the train in every day. Possible disadvantages that could arise for me, at least, are the dangers of possibly leaving work at night to take another train back home and the allure of all those French pastries might be too much for me to resist and I end up getting fatter than I currently am now.

Christine McGeorge

December 3, 2010

Trade Journal Report Blog

HOS 111: Intro. To Hospitality Management

 

 

    The article I chose to report on is all about our efforts to fight joblessness and how the UNWTO and the ILO are working together to create more jobs, particularly in the hospitality industry. What I found most interesting is just how expansive the hospitality industry is and why I never really noticed before now. As I was reading this article a statement by the ILO Director-General, Mr. Juan Somavia, had really struck a cord with me about how "tourism has the potential to become a major generator of jobs after the crisis," which left me thinking about why I'm so interested in a career in the hospitality industry. Although, I'm wondering what "crisis" Mr. Somavia was speaking of because there have been many crises in the world most recently that could have had a huge influence on joblessness and the economy. For example, does he mean the September 11^th terrorist attack or the wars that followed the September 11^th attack or does it have to do with former President Bush's failed economic plans? It's just a little bit confusing to me to read a statement and not fully understand what is meant by the phrasing "the crisis". Plus, he didn't specify what "the crisis" had to do with tourism in the first place. At least, the first part of Mr. Somavia's statement made sense to me because the latter part didn't quite make as much sense as it could have.

However, my career goals have actually intensified rather than weakened despite the confusion at the end of the statement Mr. Somavia had made. I will still be looking forward to a career in hotel management and possibly a career in the political side of the industry.

 

 

World Tourism Organization (http://www.world-tourism.org).

"UNWTO and the International Labor Organization join efforts to fight a jobless recovery" by an Anonymous Author.

Page 2 of 3, printed out.

Madrid, Spain. 25 November 2010.

Field Trip Report

November 17, 2010

Victory Brewing Company

Christine McGeorge

 

Our host was the General Manager himself Matt Krueger. The tour of the establishment revealed the dining room(s), kitchen, and a quick behind the scenes tour of the vats where they brew their beer. Mr. Krueger expects every employee to have good posture and a lack of tardiness. He explained that you can never communicate enough in restaurant industry and to keep your job you must pay attention to the job. He likes his employees to be innovative and won't fly off the handle, and he expects his employees to be able to train their minds and bodies to approach their jobs with optimism and a cheerful attitude. He likes working at Victory Brewing Company because the energy involved is inviting.

    Our host also gave us a brief history lesson on the origin of beer. It all started with Nomadic people who grew tired of following their herds of cattle around and decided it was time to put down roots once and for all. They became farmers particularly barley which they made into bread and then they allowed the bread to get wet and sit out to ferment. The Romans brewed beer then about 500 to 1000 years A.D. the Europeans started brewing beer. Oktoberfest was made into a holiday in 1810. In 1870, Adolphus Busch started his beer brewing business. In 1935, when Prohibition ended 160 beer pubs popped up and in the late 1900's beer appeals to a diverse group of people.

    The quick tour of the brewery consisted of Mr. Krueger telling us about the hot side and cold side of the brewing process. The ingredients for a good beer are water, barley seeds, hops, and yeast. He added that the barley seeds were the main ingredient in making the yeast. Apparently, one of the first things to do to make beer you mix hot water with crushed grains and cannibus sitiva leaves. Pale Malt is a pale beer and the color of beer is directly related to the color of the grain.

    The possible advantages to working at Victory Brewing Company is it looks like fun and I'd get to learn more about the beer making process. Plus, there are wait staff and bartending jobs that could put me in direct contact with customers. The possible disadvantages to working there are the long drives to and from work.

Christine McGeorge

November 15, 2010

HOS 111—Intro. to Hospitality

Trade Journal Report Blog #3

 

The main objective of the article I chose is on how tourism should be placed much higher on the agenda, than it is now, of governments all over the world. I didn't realize how far ahead of us China was in regards to tourism being as a high priority in its government nor did I know that 15 million people are directly employed in tourism and another 85 million people are indirectly employed in the industry. I did however know that tourism was a very expansive industry that has a tendency to make its way into all the other industries in the world and that it's humble about doing so. I also didn't know that tourism wasn't always a top priority in the world until recently which makes me wonder why President Obama doesn't create a position in the presidential cabinet dedicated to everything in regards to tourism.

I have always had a fascination with politics and pursuing a political career and, if anything, this article has influenced me into staying in the hospitality industry to pursue my political interests. Although, I suppose I might have to stray away from the hospitality industry a little bit if I were ever to consider a run for president some day. Luckily, for everyone in this country, I'm currently a few years shy of being able to run for president so everyone can breathe easy for the next few years. In any event, my career aspirations have definitely been influenced by this article because of the affiliation the hospitality industry has with the United Nations and other government types.

 

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Global Governments should place Tourism Higher on the Agenda

(No Author Found in Article)

09 November 2010

London, United Kingdom/Madrid, Spain

Field Trip Report

November 3, 2010

Blue Bell Country Club

Christine McGeorge

 

 

    I don't believe I caught the name of the hostess' name however I believe she was the manager of the Blue Bell Country Club. Our hostess was aided by Mrs. Berke who was just recently hired from the country club. The country club was first established about fifteen years ago, it has a golf course and social memberships available to those with a desire to join. The country club has a golf theme where most if not all of the rooms are named for a professional golfer, i.e. the Palmer Room and the Berkdale Room. The property is kept fresh and up-to-date to keep the interest of members and other clientele from wandering.

    The Palmer Room is able to hold a tight forty people but the country club would rather keep the parties down to a more reasonable twenty-four to thirty-two people if at all possible. It is considered to be a lounge and is perfect for small Christmas parties and other small social events. Then, there's the Berkdale Room which was set up for a corporate event at the time of the tour and could a hold much larger party than the Palmer Room. The Members Lobby was where we started the tour were greeted by our hostess. The Grand Ballroom is where they would hold their largest parties such as funeral lunchrooms, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and other big social events because it was definitely big enough for such gatherings. When we went downstairs we were immediately greeted with the golf pro shop, and to the left the hallway that led to the corporate offices, the ladies and men's locker rooms, the golf course and tennis court entrance, and a little bar room which can also be rented out to members and non-members alike.

The sources of revenue are the weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and other social events as well as their in-house restaurant the "Putter's Grill" and the bar room. We were told that the country club has done two weddings in the past however they've decided not to do two weddings anymore. Usually, the country club holds corporate events during the week days and social events during the weekends. Our hostess explained some of the details of what the employees' jobs consist of i.e. the houseman's job of carrying food out to the tables and that their chef is primarily a banquet chef.

Many career opportunities are available like front desk/guest service agent who signs the members and non-members in and out of the hotel and country club. Then, there's the hotel bellman/concierge that help the guests with their bags and then takes them to the guests' room, preferably, with the guests in tow. The banquet housemen who serve the guests in the banquet halls, and the banquet cook's who supply a predetermined amount of food to the guests of a social event. The restaurant line cooks who provide food for the patrons of the "Putter's Grill" and how they could end up swapping jobs with the banquet cooks. Finally, there's the housekeeping staff that keeps the guests' rooms tidy and well organized. Possible advantages to working at the hotel/country club are the wealth of experience that the facility provides, the hospitality hours that are needed to complete the hospitality program, and extra cash for the holidays. Some possible disadvantages to working at the hotel/country club are working weekends and holidays.

Trade Journal Report Blog #1

Christine McGeorge

September 29, 2010

HOS 111/Report Blog

 

The article I chose to write my report is about conserving biodiversity and how the tourism industry should be a leading contributor to the positive effects of biodiversity conservation while keeping the negative effects on the environment and social impacts to a minimal amount.

I did get a little help from another article that was written three days earlier because I didn't really know what biodiversity was about protecting the natural beauty of the world around us. What I didn't know until I read this article is that World Tourism Day was September 27 and I didn't celebrate it because I didn't know it actually existed or that CNN had apparently broadcasted it so I didn't get a chance to watch it.

I still don't fully understand what the article means by biodiversity, although I suspect it has something to do with the lack of the definition of the word 'biodiversity'. I've never come across the word before so it's a bit of a challenge trying to understand the article. Luckily, I was able to get the gist of the article by reading around the word.

Actually, it did make me realize that hospitality management is definitely the career I'd like to go into because I also have an interest in politics, other cultures, societal and economical influence on daily life. In fact, ever since I have heard of a hotelier who had said that he wanted to build a hotel on the moon I've been thinking "what would have to be done in order for such a feat to be achieved," which is how I discovered that I have a very strong interest in politics, at the very least, anyway.

 

*World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); www.world-tourism.org

*"World Tourism Day Celebrations: Conserving Biodiversity, a Collective Responsibility", Page 2 of 3. 27 September 2010. Guangzhou, China.

*"UNWTO Sets Recommendations on Tourism and Biodiversity Ahead of World Tourism Day", Page 2 of 3. 24 September 2010. Madrid, Spain.

My Annoyance Paper

Christine McGeorge

July 11, 2010

Speech 110

Annoyance paper

 

 

    According to Oprah Winfrey, there isn't anything to be annoyed about. In actuality, Ms. Winfrey must be surrounded by "yes men". There are many things that annoy me, and I'm sure others as well. For example, I'm annoyed that Hollywood seems to think that a television series should be so dependent on an 89-year old woman's celebrity, I'm annoyed by traffic jams, and I'm annoyed by those so-called clean of public restrooms.

    Let me start off with my issue of Hollywood's determination to make Betty White a sitcom star for a third time. For one thing, Betty White is 89-years old, and she shouldn't be made to be the dominant character on a television series that has plenty of younger women on it who could be picking up the slack in regards to the humorous side of the television series. Also, Ms. White might end up inconveniencing the writers, the network executives and her co-stars by pulling a Della Reese move and dying shortly after signing a ten year contract with the network that airs the television show. Finally, if Ms. White were to fail in helping to bring up the ratings for the network, and the network executives decided to blame Ms. White for the ratings failure to rise, the stress of the disappointment that has been thrust upon Ms. White might be enough to kill her. Then, the network executives in question would thus be slandered for the slaying of Betty White, and then, they'd go bankrupt and end up living on the streets with the guy who thinks that God told him that the world is going to end on a specific date in the near future.

    Then, there's my annoyance with traffic jams. First of all, I know it is a great source for entertainment to watch a car accident in progress but if one person slows down, or even stops, to get a good look at the unfolding disaster, that one person could inevitably create a major traffic jam. If not by halting traffic then by encouraging the other drivers to find out why the first person slowed down and then end up adding their bulk of a car to the ever-increasing problem, also-known-as a traffic jam. Also, I know that if someone weren't interested in seeing the cause of a traffic jam that they could always take that time to think. However, I hardly think that anyone would ever do such a thing as thinking because who in their right mind would want to think about being late for work or, in my case, class. Finally, I fail to see the logic in risking one's life, and their car, and creating another gawkers' point, by driving so slow that they end up in an accident themselves. Just think of it, an accident which causes an accident. I just feel that it is a very counter-productive thing to even take notice of an accident.

    Finally, my biggest annoyance is with those so-called clean public restrooms. For one thing, toilet paper is for cleaning oneself and not for carpeting the floor. It always amazes me that there's any toilet paper left on the roll. Although, it does make me wonder what could possibly be running through the minds of the people who think that the floor is a logical place to put the toilet paper they are not using. Also, why is it whenever I go to wash my hands at the sink I come away looking like I just peed my pants or having to wring the hem of my shirt out as I'm leaving the restroom. I'm in a state of wonderment when I even see that the countertop, where the sinks are, would even have that much standing water on it. In fact, I have to wonder if people are having water fights in the restroom and never thought to invite me. Finally, while it is nice to see that the prior occupant of the stall, in which I've chosen to occupy for myself, had successfully made their deposit, I really don't think it's necessary to leave one's beads of urine on the toilet seat. However, the worst thing I have ever seen on a toilet bowl wasn't the usual beads of urine but the evidence of someone who had obviously just gotten their period, and got it on the front of the toilet bowl. It kind of makes me wonder how on earth someone could miss the toilet that isn't even that small of a target. I am astonished that it is even possible to miss the toilet especially considering that it's the ladies restroom and not the men's restroom. Then, to add insult to injury, the last occupant didn't even have the common courtesy to clean it up before they left the restroom.

    As I have said at the beginning of the essay I am annoyed by Hollywood's assertion that a television series should be so dependent on Betty White to boost ratings, by traffic jams, and by the so-called cleanliness of public restrooms. The good news is that these little annoyances are awe inspiring if one takes the time to think about it. So, Ms. Winfrey had better take a long hard look at her staff, and ask herself, are they "yes men" or do they really believe that there isn't anything to be annoyed about.

My Irony Paper—Nat’l Drunk Driving Day

National Drunk Driving Day

The Way of the Future

By Christine L. McGeorge

(Just a little irony for you)

 

According to Mel Gibson, instituting a National Drunk Driving Day would be a disaster waiting to happen. Mr. Gibson is wrong, and so is anyone who agrees with him. A National Drunk Driving Day is a wonderful and practical idea. The idea of all those head-on collisions, the subsequent rise in death tolls, and all those serious injuries that could ensue is enough to warm anybody's heart.

A National Drunk Driving Day is just what we need to increase the number of head-on collisions in the world today. For one thing, they are fun to watch, especially in slow-motion on the five o'clock news. Plus, one gets to see the paramedics, police officers, and firefighters doing their jobs, instead of posing for a calendar. Head-on collisions also keep hospitals busy thus allowing doctors and other medical staff to keep their jobs. Finally, the traffic jams are tremendously beneficial to those of us who need practice thinking.

The rise in the death toll related to a National Drunk Driving Day would be an ecological blessing to the whole world. For one thing, when a person dies by way of a drunk driver, that person is just one less mouth to feed, when added to the rest of the world's drunk driving related deaths, I have to wonder why we never thought of it before now. Plus, the rise in deaths is a good thing because of the reduction of licensed drivers on the road. It would be nice not to get stuck in traffic when one is already running late. Finally, drunk driving, like war, famine, and pestilence in third world countries, is a great way to reduce the human population without offending the "pro-life" activists we so revere.

The serious injuries that would ensue from a National Drunk Driving Day would be a real blessing for many people. For one thing, the experience of flipping through the air, or tumbling into a ravine, is just like a roller coaster ride but with less control. Plus, the possibility of ending up a vegetable for the rest of one's life is a wonderful way to end up. Finally, getting spoon fed that delicious cardboard food that is the staple of hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, getting one's diaper changed as if one is an infant, and getting sponge baths from loved ones are always nice.

I propose that a National Drunk Driving Day is just what the world needs right now. The human population is so high and the amount of food is decreasing at such an alarming rate that it only seems logical to get rid of the riff-raff by any means necessary. If we don't do something now, we might end up having to turn to cannibalism, lest we all become emaciated like Kate Moss, and friends. So I would highly recommend taking my proposal up for advisement, before we do something rash that could give us all AIDS.

A Cure for Infertility

I think many infertile couples are having trouble conceiving because of the stress they put on themselves to conceive. How's that for a "Catch 22"? That the very reason they can't have children "naturally" is because they want children so much, that they are making it impossible to even have children. If I could give those infertile couples a little advice, I'd say "relax, whatever will be will be". However, I know some of them will not take this advice, so I'm going to go out on a limb, and say that "what if all of their efforts were actually more fruitful than they think they were".
It's really, all in how you look at it, let's say there's a little bundle of joy that really wants to be their child but ends up having to find an 'alternate route' into the loving, nurturing arms of her parents. There is a child, out there somewhere, waiting for her mommy and daddy to take her home. Away from that secondhand cradle, that she lays in just waiting for her mommy and daddy to pick her up and tell her she's all theirs. The fact that she doesn't look like her parents is of no consequence to her. All she wants is for her parents to come and get her and say "there you are my little princess, it's time to go home". But she can't go home not yet, anyway. Would you like to know why she can't go home? It's not because of anything she did wrong nor is it anything her parents did wrong. It's because her parents don't realize that their precious little angel has been born to another woman, who either can't take care of her, or was unable to bond with her because she wasn't really hers to begin with, or some other, unknown, reason could be afoot.
Now, I ask you is that enough of a reason to consider adoption? Because if it isn't I have another ploy I could try. For example, if an infertile couple were to adopt a child and be perfectly content with just having the one child. They might just get a pleasant surprise later on, and their child will have a baby brother or sister. I think it's because the stress of trying to have a baby is no longer there, thus it became easier to conceive, thanks to the presence of their older adopted child.
Well, now that I've clarified the reason I named my blog the "Smartass Diaries", I think I'll give it a rest, for now at least. So, stay tuned and please follow my blog. Well, goodbye for now, but not for long.

Immigration reform

I think if we were really serious about removing illegal immigrants from our country we'd create an expert team of economists & accountants to go to countries with failing economies & try to do an economical makeover. After all, Arizona can't solve the immigration problems on their own.

I believe the trouble regarding the ever-increasing crime rate in inner city communities today is that truancy is way under-enforced by law enforcement. I came up with a few ideas that could alleviate the problem. One of them is that the parents should have to pay a heavy fine every time their child commits truancy, and that these fines be doubled every time truancy has been committed by the same truant child.
Another idea I had is that the school hours ought to be lengthened by another three hours. The extra three hours would be reserved for some elective courses, such as home economics (i.e. cooking, sewing, and parenting), extracurricular activities and sports.
And finally, I think the students should be reorganized based on their G.P.A., and gender segregation. In fact, while were on the subject of reorganizing inner city schools. I think it would be a good thing top to 'thin out the herd', so to speak, by moving the C average or above students to a class all there own so their G.P.A.'s won't suffer anymore than it already has.
Plus, it's a good motivator for the D average or below students to try to improve their own G.P.A.'s so they can rejoin the friends with whom they've become separated.