Just got back from my second visit to S.'s. Had enough cash left over from this afternoon's excursion, so I thought why the hell not? - and went out for dinner on the company dime. God, I'm full, but at least I kept it professional and took as many notes as I did my first go! Feels like I've eaten more in one day than I usually do in a week. Obviously, I won't be able to keep that up, but nuthin' wrong with being enthusiastic my first day of work, is there?

The servings weren't much different from lunch, though the trays seemed more focused on starchy Midwestern Italian than I remember from earlier. Had repeat helpings of a particularly juicy roast beef: the pudgy kid serving it was super friendly, so I made sure to include a note about him on my report. He didn't stint, that's for sure. Also double-checked the dessert bar tonight. They do a very nice ersatz New York cheesecake.

Think I'll make a cup of peppermint tea to help things settle. Gotta type up my report.

10/02/01
[5:36 p.m.]

Okay, it's official: I'm no longer a shopping virgin. (Let's get the inevitable sexist joke out of the way: what woman is?) Went in first thing this a.m. to do the W-2s and receive my first assignment. Turned out to be a restaurant just a few blocks away from the office.

Miz Thing, by the way, really dressed her best for her meeting. Too bad Tripper didn't even notice me. The man was all business today, and, frankly, I don't blame him, considering what a klutz I was. When he handed me my independent contractor form, I even managed to get a paper cut on my thumb! (Hey, if they wanted me to sign in blood, I probably would've!) Let out a yip like my parents' ol' mini-dachshund used to make. Very sexy, I'm sure, but at least I didn't bleed all over the paperwork, just one small corner of it.

The buffet, an off-highway eatery named S.'s (full name deleted to maintain professional confidentiality), was doing bustling business when I stopped for lunch. I'd been given twenty dollars (enough to pay for lunch and dinner, actually), plus a list of things to look for: speed of service, helpfulness and whether the buffet was being adequately replenished. Quality of the food is apparently less an issue than quantity! Got a non-smoking seat next to the main course tables (points for that!) and took my first gander at the offerings. For some reason I was feeling pretty hungry.

Sat through several lunches, watching the buffet selections and clocking how long it took for nearly depleted trays to be refilled. The staff was surprisingly efficient, considering their size (don't think I saw a waitress in the place who was under a size sixteen!) I stayed longer and wrote more than I needed to. And, though it wasn't a survey question, yes, the food was pretty tasty. Don't usually eat a big lunch, but today I found myself going for seconds and dessert.

Think I'm gonna like this job.