Ok folks. We have just 2 inspections left. There are a thousand different ways this can go, but there is a chance we could open Flapjacks Thursday. With my luck, it will be a Thursday in March, but this Thursday is possible. So I made a tentative schedule for all the employees because we have to be ready if we do. So to keep things in perspective, remember back in May when I said at the longest we would open at the end of July, so keep in that in mind. When we pass our final inspection, we will put out an email to let everyone know. I am exhausted by all of this and all my employees are as well. It has been so long since things were normal, it is hard to imagine it being that way again. With everything that has happened from fighting bankrupt contractors, insurance adjustors, unqualified engineers, more unqualified people along the way and finally inspectors, this has been a long ride. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and please have a wonderful New Year.
Thanks for all your patience.
Dec 24 - 30
AS THE FLAPJACK TURNS
Our story starts with Frank seeing his psychiatrist desperately seeking meds, any meds. It seems the 0.5% slope problem we spoke of in last week’s episode resulted in an estimate of $12,400. However, when the contractors tore up the asphalt, what did he find? No, he did not excavate the lost Indian tribe, that went missing during the Gold Rush era. What he did find was soft dirt. Frank, asked, “What is soft dirt?” “Soft dirt, stupid, does not allow us to pour asphalt at the desired slope of less than 2%” Trying desperately to sound more intelligent, Frank speaks with a British accent and asks, "So?" “Well sir, that means we have to excavate 12 inches of soft dirt and then bring in 12 inches of AG”. Frank, of course, acts like he knows what AG is and asks “And what will this cost and how much more time will it add to the project?” “Well, it will add $5,600 and another week on top of the 2 weeks we allotted.” At this point, Frank is finding it difficult to speak and looks a little bewildered, because he knows he didn’t have the first $12,000. Frank now says “Well, what if you poured concrete instead.” “Huh, hadn’t thought of that, yea that will work. It will save us a week and a lot of work, but concrete is much more expensive so we will still need the extra $5,600.” Frank pondered the situation. He realizes he is spending $18,000 to make up one inch of slope on a parking space that no one in 15 years ever noticed was too steep.
Ok, folks, on top of this, the health inspector wouldn’t schedule a health final inspection, because we tested the dishwasher hood fan at the wrong speed. So before we could even schedule we had to retest this dishwasher hood fan. So, Health won’t come out until Friday and we can’t schedule the Final until that the health is complete. Everyone, please have a wonderful Christmas, and maybe we will open sometime in the New Year.
Remember Country Waffles will be closed Christmas day but open New Years.
Thank you to all of you for all your continued support.
Dec 17 - 23
Ok, I am getting tired of Christmas songs already. They play on every station including Amazon the same 40 songs. Songs by Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey and so on and so on. I think they are wonderful, but after 60 some odd years I m tired of them all. Do they ever play my favorite, and no it is not “ Dominick the Italian Donkey”. It is “ I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” This is a true legend. It has rhyme, it has a reason, and it as a melody. I think it has it all, and after all, who wouldn’t want a hippo for Christmas. Sing it to your server and get an extra 15% off, but you better do it service, or I may visit your table.
Ok, picture this. It is 2600 BC and you are the GC (I hope by now I don’t have to explain this to you) of the Egyptian Pyramids. You have your ADA (American Disabilities Act) inspection. Your parking space has to have a grade of 2% or less. Out of a 200 sq ft parking space, you have a 9 sq ft section with 2.6% and even though the rest is well below 2% you now have to re-grade the entire parking space and of course repaint it as well.
You know, if I would have had a hippo standing there I bet he never would have noticed that small discrepancy.
Dec 10 - 16
Apparently, I was the kid’s stage manager tonight for their talent show, and like most stage managers, nobody listens to us. Rock stars obviously think they are Gods, and so why would they listen to someone old, who thinks he is wise. They chose Bon Jovi to my disappointment, but I did manage to get the amplifiers plugged into the guitars without much mishap. I think I will stick to the restaurant business, however, I was thinking of just getting a hot dog cart in case Flapjacks never opens. I would pull no permits or licenses and if I saw someone suspicious I would just push my cart to the next corner. I would have an app for your phone of course and then I would just run right to you. Maybe I could have my son follow me around and he could play the guitar. I will have to come up with a catchy name to make it work.
OK, we finally got our plumbing final so now we have to get PG&E to install our meter and get us gas. Then we have 5 inspections, electrical, mechanical, fire, health and the Final. This could all be done in a week or just to be safe maybe you could come up with that catchy name for my son and I.