Champs with Mel

This week my friend Mel and I have some champagne and talk about life growing up in a religious school, owning a restaurant and being in the booze business. 

Summary/Time Stamps: 

• Getting used to the self-promotion stuff. 0:11
  • Getting used to self-promotion and putting yourself out there.
  • Melanie's first podcast, her favorite podcast.
• My favorite podcast. 2:19
  • My favorite murder podcast and trash podcast.
  • Bad first dates, bad dates.
• Alameda’s unique culture and culture. 4:47
  • Growing up in alameda and growing up in a christian bubble.
  • Alameda pride is strong.
  • Going to catholic school, no dances or formal events.
  • Getting in trouble for rolling up her skirt.
• Not all public schools are created equal. 9:54
  • Not all public schools are great.
  • Going to alameda high and college.
• Where did you go to school in Stockton? 12:47
  • Going to school in stockton, pacific pacific
  • Religion and education in the state.
  • The generational gap between right wing and bible thumpers.
  • Religion is weird, religion is weird.
• Some of these people are just as crazy now as they were when I first met them. 17:53
  • Some people are still crazy now.
  • The abortion debate and birth control.
• Why did you go to college? 20:29
  • Why he went to college and what he learned.
  • Starting his own company.
  • Bartending at zs and mcgraths.
  • Moved to kelly's bar in alameda,aii.
• How American Oak got its start. 25:33
  • Moving from Barcelona to american oak.
  • How American oak got its first name.
  • How martin got into the alcohol industry.
  • The evolution of forbidden island.
• Have you ever been to Tiki Bar? 30:34
  • American oak during pandemic time.
  • American oak in December 2012, reopening after fire.
• Do you have suspicions on who started the fire? 33:28
  • Suspicions on who started the fire.
  • The worst of it was a bookcase fire.
  • Trying to make molotov cocktails with restaurant linens.
  • Hired a GM for a while.
• What is the shelf life of a restaurant and how long does it have? 38:43
  • Restaurants shelf life is 10 years.
  • Working for Young's forced deeper product knowledge.
  • Favorite spirit company, spirit bomb.
  • Favorite spirits company, st george.
• The tasting room at Young’s. 42:42
  • Tasting room at st george distillery.
  • Working for a distiller.
  • The importance of having a good manager.
  • Looking for a job in young's market.

Transcript

Siobhan: 0:11

Getting like used to the self promotion stuff. That's the stuff I'm terrible at. It's hard. It's like to really put yourself out there. It's like, that's the scariest part for me. That's why I've been dragging my ass for most of this. Yeah.

Melanie: 0:24

I mean, I get it. Like I listened to a lot of podcasts. And so I've always thought like, it'd be really fun to do one, but it's a lot of work. Like if you actually want to be like, make money and like be profitable on it. It's not yet easy.

Siobhan: 0:35

someone. Someone asked me the other day about if I've done like, Am I making money off of it? And I was like, I haven't even started that yet. Because my website's not fully done yet. Like the episodes that I have out, none of them have show notes yet. So I have to like go back through, listen to the episodes and pull everything right. Put to sit and listen to, like 30 hours of me talking is like stabbing myself in the eye.

Melanie: 1:01

I'm sure I'm sure.

Siobhan: 1:03

I've gotten a little bit better about listening to myself, but it's still really weird.

Melanie: 1:09

Yeah, that's the part I'm not looking forward to. I like listening to myself when we have our team calls and they're recorded back and I'm like

Siobhan: 1:18

alright, so your volume. Sounds good. Mine sounds good. So

Melanie: 1:21

I can start. Let's go. Perfect. All right.

Siobhan: 1:24

Well, welcome, y'all to this week's episode of ducking reality in the house. today. We have my girl Melanie. Hi. Hi, welcome.

Melanie: 1:31

Thanks for having me. Yeah, my first podcast.

Siobhan: 1:34

That's cool. Really excited.

Melanie: 1:35

Good.

Siobhan: 1:36

Have you listened to you? We were just talking to you. You're saying he listened to a lot of podcasts. He

Melanie: 1:40

listened to a lot of fun.

Siobhan: 1:41

Do you have a favorite?

Melanie: 1:43

I mean, I listen to a lot of the like, Crime Murder ones. You know. It's funny, because I've been listening to a few for like a really long time. And I can see how they've changed and become, like almost more campy or like more. I don't know, like maybe a little bit not as like, realistic or down to earth. I don't I don't know really how to say it. But yeah, like they've gotten too polished. Almost. Yeah. And it's it's just different, you know, but like, I listen to crime junkies, I like they're still pretty. They're still pretty, pretty fine. Yeah.

Siobhan: 2:19

Like that was my favorite murder was how I really got into podcasts.

Melanie: 2:22

I tried to listen to that one. But it's like, it's a little bit too. It's too much.

Siobhan: 2:27

When they first started, one of my friends turned me on to it. And I was like, I started listening to it. And I shut it off. And I was like a keynote with these California Girls like they're the valley

Melanie: 2:34

like murder isn't funny to me. No. Like, it's a weird like dichotomy with that, like, I don't I don't really understand. But I mean, I get it. You know, it's popular, whatever. But yeah,

Siobhan: 2:46

yeah. But then I like gave it a chance. And after I listened to like the first 10 episodes, I was like, Okay, I get them and I get their vibe. Right now, man. Yeah. And then I went on to like s town and cereal and right

Melanie: 2:57

cereal. It was great. I mean, it's yeah, it was probably the original. Yeah, like the the one that drew so many people into podcasts because it was so interesting. And she did a good job on it. But yeah,

Siobhan: 3:08

and I listen to a lot like, I'm crime. And then I'm like, Lex and Lex Friedman who's like a he's like an AI. Genius. Oh, that's interesting. He works at MIT or Harvard, one of I think it's MIT. And then, like, Andrew Huberman, who does, he's a Stanford, doctor, okay. And Professor, and he talks a lot about like, life hacks and how to, you know, it's like, kind of self helpy how your body works kind of thing. And then I'm like, my favorite murder and, you know,

Melanie: 3:41

yeah, trash. Or like, I really like Smartlist. That

Siobhan: 3:44

was fun. Oh, that is funny. That's a newer one. Yeah,

Melanie: 3:47

those guys are professionals, of course. But yeah, I also just recently found one that was called, like, bad first dates, or maybe it's just bad dates. And I cannot remember who it is. It's a British woman. And she had like, two other like, last one I listened to was like two other like, comedians from the UK, one of one of which, like, had her own Netflix special. It was so funny. Like, it was so funny. It's just like, you know, people from the UK have so many, many different like, slangs and like, analogies and you know, when they when, when they were talking about themselves being single, they say like, we're on the streets like I'm on the streets, which is funny. Oh, it's pretty good. I'm

Siobhan: 4:32

on the streets. You're not? I'm not on the streets. Now. How long have you been with your man?

Melanie: 4:36

Are we 10 years? Oh, June.

Siobhan: 4:38

That's a long time.

Melanie: 4:39

Fucking Jesus Christ. It's a long time. Yeah, no, it's good.

Siobhan: 4:44

He's from Is he from Massachusetts? He's from Vermont. Okay, I knew at some east coast. Yes. And then you guys met out here because from here, right?

Melanie: 4:53

Yep. When I raised my native

Siobhan: 4:55

pets, there's mostly natives here. Yeah,

Melanie: 4:59

I mean, There are but you know, they stopped doing like live births and allowed me to hospital in like the 2000s some time. Oh really? So like you can't have a baby in Alameda anymore. At least not at a hospital. Oh, wow.

Siobhan: 5:12

Yeah, cuz I have learned that you're only actually in Alameda and if you were born in Alameda hospital,

Melanie: 5:17

I mean says sure whatever. says all the weird people on Alameda peeps.

Siobhan: 5:23

Yeah. It is somewhat tribal here. Has it always been like that, like Alameda pride is so strong. You know,

Melanie: 5:29

it's weird because when I was growing up, like I went to private schools, all through high school even and so, especially in junior high and high, I didn't go to high school here. Okay, so I was off Island every day. I didn't have any friends in Alameda, really, until I was in high school. And I started working at Tucker's ice cream place, which is where I met two of my best friends. So this day, we're still there's four of us that are all great friends, but they all went to Alameda high. And so when I like got out of my weird, like, Christian School bubble that I was in my whole life, I was like, Oh, my God, like, there's normal people in the world. Like, this is amazing, you know, and so I was, I was lucky in a way like, my parents weren't, like, super overbearing with a religion and stuff, but I was just, that was the school I went to, and that's what I was doing. And I wasn't going to, you know, rebel against it. But yeah, it was neat to, like, finally meet people outside of that weird life. And, like, kind of have a little bit of a normal high school experience, I guess. So I went to a prom, you know, which we didn't have at my school and oh, your beard, like, like culty. Like, like, like borderline cold. Like, you know, that movie saved with me anymore? Yes, it was just like that. Oh, yeah, like the overenthusiastic youth pastor and like the whole Yeah, everything.

Siobhan: 6:53

But you came out kind of unscathed.

Melanie: 6:55

Well, like I said, I mean, I didn't really get it from all angles, like my mom and dad were very, like, you do whatever you want to do. And so there was a time in like, junior high and early high school where I was like, really into it. Because all my friends were like, that was the cool thing to do was to go to these like, youth rallies and like, read the Bible, and like, do all these things. And it wasn't until I kind of got out of that and like, realize that that's not like, normal. I mean, it's not I don't want to say it's not normal, like no offense to any religious people. But I mean, it definitely was like to the extreme, you know, like we couldn't, we didn't have dances, we didn't have formal events like we make if you're if you were like dating someone, he had a boyfriend, you couldn't like hold their hand at school. And like, we had to wear dresses every day, and like it's sent to the dean's office, if they were too short, or like, whatever, you know,

Siobhan: 7:47

I used to always get I went to Catholic school. Yeah, I used to always get in trouble for rolling up my skirt.

Melanie: 7:53

All the time. Oh, like my senior year when I was just like, Fuck this. I mean, like, and my mom was cool, too. Because like, I would drive to school. And her office was like, kind of on the way. And so if I got up late, or like, was just fucking around getting ready, and I knew I wasn't really to school, I would just stop by and she'd write me a note to like, sign me out of my first period. Because my first period was Bible class. Note that matters. 0% in the real world, right? And so, like, I would just show up, like 3040 minutes into my first period class and have a note and there was nothing they could do, right? Yeah. Or they would try to like, if my skirt was too short, or whatever. They'd be like, well, your mom or someone, your parents have to come bring you new clothes. I'm like, you can call my mom and ask her to do that. Because I'm not doing that. Right. Like, either you let me just do my thing or you. I'll just go home because that's what she's gonna tell you to do. And

Siobhan: 8:44

that was nice. Yeah, it was great. Yeah, yeah, I used to get in trouble for rolling my skirt and my shoes. I used to wear too high of a heel. Oh, there was it was about that. Yeah. Even when I wore platforms, they would be like, No.

Melanie: 8:58

I don't really call any shoe rules. But definitely the skirt thing was was an

Siobhan: 9:01

issue. I had to have special permission. So when I was in my freshman year, I had my first laparoscopy because I had endometriosis. Right. So then after that they put me on Lupron shots. So that makes you go through menopause. Oh, yeah. So I was a freshman in high school going through chemical induced menopause. But I got permission to be able to take my sweater off, when I would get hot flashes. So I'd be in the back of the classroom, like dying of a hot flash. And then sometimes it was like one of my teachers would be going through the same thing. And they'd be like, I know, I'm with you.

Melanie: 9:34

I mean, it's so it's so weird. Like, I mean, I get it. I understand why my parents, you know, put me there because, you know, they were able, like, Well, my grandma, I think my grandfather paid for it really. And he was you know, he offered to pay for a private school if it was you know, this Christian very, like hyper religious school. You know, and like, not all public schools are great. I mean, Alameda I think they're okay, but I don't know I don't have kids. And so I have no frame of reference. And so I'd get it, you know, especially as you're younger, like growing up and all of that, but I also look back on it and like, realize that, like I had I got a pretty shitty education too, you know, like, we weren't taught, like, you know, science, for instance, like, we weren't taught anything aside from like, creationism. And, like, God created the earth and God created, you know, to love and animals and like, there was the Ark and like, all this stuff, and it's like, wait a minute, what, like,

Siobhan: 10:31

big bang theory was a huge? No, it wasn't, it

Melanie: 10:34

was. Yeah, it was like it was I swear to God, I remember like, in my biology class, we had like, a day, like one singular day where we talked about evolution. And our teacher was like, well, there's this thing that people say happen, but like, it didn't happen. So it doesn't matter. Moving on, you know, it was wild. And just, you know, like, like, English classes. It was all very, like, God based literature and all that kind of stuff. And so, you know, when I went to college, I went to like, a normal, secular college. And it was kind of a, like, a shock to me. Like, academically, right? Which was weird, you know, like, yeah, yeah, see,

Siobhan: 11:15

I think because I went to Catholic school, but like, education was like, the big driving force in those schools. So are like, I did get a good education. I hated my high school and tried to get kicked out all the time. And then I realized they were too afraid of my mother to actually kick me out. So then it was just four years of torture. But they basically left me alone. Yeah, like, I stopped. I wouldn't go to school, some mornings, because I'd be in so much pain with my cramps. And like, they stopped calling because they used to wake my dad up. And my dad was like, yes, she's home. Come home, and they'd call the house and call the house. Oh, my God. Yeah. And so finally, they were just like, we're not. That's fine. Whatever happens over there. opens.

Melanie: 11:55

Yeah, I mean, I think my parents wouldn't like they kind of did give me the option once I had met friends, like going into my junior year. And they're like, Well, do you want to go to Alameda high. But I also played basketball, and our team was really good. And I, I really enjoyed my teammates, and that, that that part of school was really the only thing that like, you know, because we had to, like go to a certain amount of classes to be able to practice and to play and all that kind of stuff. And that was the one thing that really kind of like, kept me there and like, engaged at all, because otherwise I would have probably completely checked out. pen so yeah, I mean, but like, after the season was over my senior year, I think I like got out of school everyday at like 1215 or something. It was, you know, I didn't need any more classes. And by Marty here, he lives later. Yeah, that's great. Did you go to college around here? Or did you? I went to school in Stockton, okay to University of the Pacific, which is not very close to the Pacific Ocean. That's a little deceiving. Disappointing. There was a lot of kids from out of state, who, like didn't realize how far it was that it wasn't like on the water.

Siobhan: 13:05

Yeah, I'd come learn. There was like no beach, I would have been like, it'd be like you'd look at

Melanie: 13:09

a map. And you'd be like, Oh, Stockton is like, not a very nice place. You know, I don't think I've ever been to Stockton. I mean, it's weird. Like, there's a lot of money in Stockton, like a lot of old money, like, like agriculture or farming, that kind of thing. And there's, you know, up is there, which is like not a huge school. I mean, when I was there, I think undergraduate was like under 5000. It's I'm sure it's more now than it was 20 years ago. But they also have a really big and prestigious pharmacy school and law school and dental school as well. They have a big Dental School campus in San Francisco too. So there is a draw for like, that kind of stuff. But it you know, there's that big school Plus, there's a really big junior college in Stockton, too. So there's a decent, like, you know, college scene kind of thing. Or at least there used to be, I don't know, I think I said back like three times since I graduated. So it was nice. It was close enough where like, I was away, you know, but if I wanted to come back home, it's only an hour or so away. So it was really easy to go back and forth.

Siobhan: 14:14

Because then your grandfather paid for your college, or your high school?

Melanie: 14:18

Yeah. Was he really religious?

Siobhan: 14:20

Is that why he wanted that kind of school? Yes. So it's easy.

Melanie: 14:24

I mean, he's gotten a little bit better. He's not he doesn't like push it. He's not like a pusher, you know, but they go to church every Sunday and still like, pray and do their Bible things and like, you know,

Siobhan: 14:36

whatever. Like, I kind of envy those people like that have that faith in that like commitment to that thing? Yeah. Part of me and reason them and part of me is just like, Okay,

Melanie: 14:48

I mean, I do I also think that there's like, you know, on a bigger scale to when you talk about religion and like that, like hyper focused segment of the population. I think that there's a big correlation between, like education level. And that like, really intense belief. You know, I mean, my grandfather, like, did very well for himself, like ran a successful business that's still running like made a very good life for himself and his family. But you know, never graduated from high school and like grew up on a farm in Kansas. So, you know, it's like, I think there's that. I mean, aside from the obvious generational gap, I do think there there is because, you know, you look at some of these people now, on like Fox News, or any of these like crazy white, right wing, you know, broadcasts to all who were like the bible thumpers. And you're like, my god, you're stupid, like, you're dumb, you know? And it's like, how, like, how did you Where did you go to school? Did you go to school? Like, how do you have this job? You know, there's so many questions. And I think that that's, you know, part of it, in my opinion.

Siobhan: 15:52

Yeah. What am I, my one of my questions is always for those people that especially the ones that are like, if you want to hold tight to your Bible, hold tight to your Bible, but like, why are you trying to shove it down my throat, right? And, all right, if I'm gonna go to hell, then that's my choice, right? freewill like, thing? Yeah, God teaches you freewill. That's in the Bible. And then, like, my biggest question is always, why do you care? What a grown adult does in their pants? Or in their bedroom? Yep. Why? Like, why is that such you have to go out of your way to like, be hateful to the person? Yeah. Look the other way.

Melanie: 16:24

I mean, I think the part is, you know, I think that same segment of people, like they take the Bible and like the teachings of the Bible, so Ultra, like literally, right, you know, and I don't know that that's necessarily the purpose of it. Right?

Siobhan: 16:40

It's supposed to be guide isn't right. I

Melanie: 16:41

mean, that's my Yeah, that's my interpretation of of it. Now. 40 some odd years later. But you know, people still believe that there was a guy who like, you know, little bush on fire and like, you know, cracked cement tablets on a on a mountain and, like, fucking walked on water and like, shit, you're like, okay, whatever, like,

Siobhan: 17:05

mushrooms. You can try, and they can do all those things,

Melanie: 17:08

too. It's just I don't know. It's just weird. Yeah, religion is weird. Yeah. Well, it's what's funny, too, is my Oh, our you know, Melissa. So she went to a very similar school, high school, also down in the South Bay. So her and I always, like, tell stories, because there's some things that you like went through, that you just can't really relate to. Unless you were in that situation. Hers was worse than mine. like hers was like the pray the gay away kind of art. Mine wasn't that bad. But yeah, it was pretty funny. Yeah. Well,

Siobhan: 17:41

it's good that you kind of knew when you were in it that, you know, like going into your junior year, you're like, oh, wait a second time out here. Some of this doesn't make sense to me. Because some I'm sure some of the people that you went to school with? didn't have that

Melanie: 17:54

moment. No, absolutely not. Some of them are just as like, crazy now, as they were, you know, when I met them,

Siobhan: 18:00

just start sending them little things about evolution all the time.

Melanie: 18:03

I mean, yeah, some of the stuff I see on I mean, especially now with like, the whole abortion debate, you know, and a lot of these people who I'm friends with on Facebook, I mean, that's, that's another big thing in a lot of religion is like, they don't believe in birth control at all. Like, they're, they're the family. They're the people have, like, 12 kids. And you're like, wow, why? Like I don't I mean, I don't know. Yeah. And so that's, like, you know, to them, it's like a very sacred thing. And they want to have all the kids they can have, like, they don't understand why someone doesn't want to have kids. And that's just like, does not compute. But yeah, I mean, there's a lot of people that

Siobhan: 18:39

did you see that hoopla when Chelsea Handler did the joke about she was doing the daily show? And she did like a joke. It was like the day in the life of a woman with no kids. And so she's like, Oh, look, can I get up it's and then Fox News? Yes. Like, she is promoting an unhealthy like, women can't even be happy without kids. Yeah, that to me was the like, What the fuck? Like the amount of damage that that did to the women that like what have you can't have a kid? What have you been trying and never like, now you're telling her that she can just never be happy? And her whole reason for existing is nothing

Melanie: 19:13

Yeah, it's crazy to me. I don't understand it. Yeah, I can't

Siobhan: 19:17

with that like too many old white guys giving us too much. Yeah,

Melanie: 19:22

and it's also just like the departure from the norm is just uncomfortable for people you know, it's it's not it's not what you're supposed to do and so they don't really like they it doesn't fit within their like guidelines of life which are very black and white for people like that. And so when you get outside of that whether it's with children or sexuality or like any identity anything it's it's so far removed from from what they deem is right? You know, or Okay,

Siobhan: 19:50

yeah, sometimes I wonder if those the people that are so holding on to their Bible so tight if they even really know themselves, because they're so busy trying to live like they think they should

Melanie: 20:00

There's so much repression of everything there has to be. You don't become that hateful, without reason. Right, right. Like, there's something inside of them that they see. And that they're disgusted by or embarrassed of, or whatever, in their own mind. And that's where that like just intense hatred comes from because insecurity breeds. Absolutely, yeah. Then they get resentful that you get to live your life happy. Yeah, absolutely. And then they just have to ruin it. Yeah, that's terrible.

Siobhan: 20:27

I think they just taught one of the world's biggest problems. So

Melanie: 20:31

yeah, good job. Cheers to us. Why did you go to college for I went to college, I was at Well, I started as a business major. And then I switched to a communication major, because I didn't want to have to take math.

Siobhan: 20:45

That's an excellent reason.

Melanie: 20:47

Yeah, I kind of just went because it was like, the thing that you were supposed to do. And I was fortunate enough to, like, have the means from my family to like pay for college and not have to take out loans. And so that's nice. I definitely would do I would have probably done some things differently now thinking back on it, but I think you know, because the school I went to, like kind of like, not I don't want to say force, but they very strongly encourage you to like, declare your major, you know, at orientation, like when you're a freshman, like what you want to do. And I'm like, I don't know, like, I'm just here because like, I don't have anything else to do, you know, which was how a lot of my other friends were too. So I wasn't alone in that sentiment. But yeah, I mean, it was good. Like, I, you know, I would say that I learned more just about like, being on my own and just life in general. Like not being you know, not living at my parents house. Because that's, that was my original plan was I was just gonna go to like a two year like a like Cal State or something comes to the word, live at home and do whatever. And then I kind of applied to you op at the last minute and got in. And yeah, it was I mean, I'm glad that I did because it my life would have turned out much differently. Had I not done that. So really, yeah, nothing. I just went to college to like, fuck around and say that I did it, but I graduated got my I got my degree. Whatever. That's important. Oh, interesting. Going back to school for anything else. Yeah.

Siobhan: 22:10

And then when you got out of school, did you start like your own company? Right, like your own restaurant, then or no? Sorry. No, I was just gonna say because how, like, your job now is really cool. And we're gonna get to what you do. But like, how did you get because I know you also used to own a restaurant. Yeah. And so I know that there's been some things that you kind of entrepreneurial on your own. Did that start right away?

Melanie: 22:32

No. So I was I was working in restaurants. When I was in college. I worked at the Outback Steakhouse for like, two years and a little bit after college, too, which was a good job. I mean, working in a big like chain restaurant like that really teaches you a lot about the business and you know, like, consistency and all of these things that are very popular and make popular restaurants. Outback Steakhouse was way more popular in 2000 than it is now. But yeah, so I did that. And then I graduated moved back home. Let's see. I was I was I had a boyfriend at the time of graduation. We moved in together right after I graduated, he was in the Coast Guard. That was a disaster and did not work anyways. Like kind of bounced around like started bartending. Soon as I turned 21 I started bartending at Zs, which is now Benton. Yes, yes. So it was my first bartending job. And then I started working at McGraths, which is now swell. Okay, so I was working at those two places for a while. And then I started and then that's after, that's when I met Big John, who was friends with Chuck, Carly see who was my partner, EO. So then I started working through I met them started working at Barcia Luna, which for anyone who is familiar with Alameda was like a very tiny little restaurant, right next door to the theater, like pre renovation of the theater. Okay, this was probably like 2004 Maybe. And so that and it was cool. It was like, you know, it had a bar, like, I don't know, 10 seat bar, and then maybe, like seven or eight to top, like high top tables. It was really small. But it was a cool vibe. Like it was really busy and like, you know, we made good money. And I was basically the only person like I think there was like three front house employees. So we would basically just work by ourselves. Anyways, so I worked there for a long time. And then the city when they were going to redo the theater, renovate the theater, basically pulled an eminent domain on the property and so, you know, they they, they offered us to, they offered it back once the renovations were done, but the lease agreement was like not great. Anyway, so then we moved, we moved to what was then Kelly's, which is Now the Hobnob, okay? Because they they didn't have food Kelly's didn't have really did for a while, but it was just a bar and they were leasing out the kitchen. So we were there for a while. And that was kind of weird. I can't remember exactly when I like sometime in this time was when I moved to Hawaii for a year. I think it might have been before Kelly's actually now that I'm thinking about it. I think we Yeah, I think Barcelona close I think that's when I moved to Hawaii because I like didn't have a job. And then I was there for like just shy of a year and then came back. And that's when we I started I started working with Barcelona again. But that's when we kind of started talking about the space that ao was in at on Santa Clara. That's kind of when we started talking about getting into that space and moving and doing the whole thing. So it was around that time. So I mean, it was only I mean, it seems like a lifetime. But it Yeah, I guess it was only like three years maybe after? or so. I don't know. Yeah. I don't know that timeframe is like kind of fuzzy in my brain. Yeah, I know. And that's No, that's wrong, because I worked at Forbidden Island during that time, too. So it was I left Forbidden Island to open up Barcelona, which would then become American oak. And that I think was in 2006.

Siobhan: 26:14

And how long did you have American oak? That's a great name, by the way.

Melanie: 26:17

Yeah, I mean, so we, we opened we opened originally as Barcelona in 2007, which was a horrible time to do anything, really. And so we really struggled the first few years. And, but you know, we did a bunch of renovations, like we built that big bar because that wasn't there. The kitchen was pretty much intact. We think there was some changes that we made. But we yeah, we opened in 2007, struggled for a few years. And then it was in like 2012 I believe, yeah. 2012 is when we decided to like rebrand as American oak. So before that was was when I kind of started like looking into like, having more of like a bourbon whiskey focus with the bar program. And a lot of that really was like, because well a because of the success of our bar program anyways, I mean, when we opened in 2007, we were the only restaurant the only place in town, besides Forbidden Island, like using fresh juice and cocktails. Like, that wasn't a thing, you know, like everyone was using, like finest call or like whatever other like crap that you know, you find it most bars. So it really was like, kind of, I don't want to say groundbreaking, but we were one of the first places to be doing it. And I remember, you know, talking to chuck at the time, like, as business partners saying like, Well, I'm gonna, you know, we're charging $10 for cocktails, and he was like, You're crazy. No one's gonna spend $10 for a cocktail. And I was like, the fuck, they're not like, watch me. And and they did you know, and it was fine. And so. So yeah, so that there was like, we always the bar was always really successful. But you know, just, it was just a shitty time. Like, it was the, you know, the recession was happening, like, stock market collapse, like the housing market was was a disaster. So 2012 is when we kind of like rebranded I'd already started doing all the whiskey and that kind of thing. And so that's when we decided to do with American oak and really like highlight the bourbon and highlight the the bar program and have the kitchen sort of like the the food kind of like hair with it back that up. Yeah.

Siobhan: 28:23

Is that how you got into kind of the alcohols is when you not just bartending, but when you started to like open the bar, or were you already heavy into like getting your knowledge.

Melanie: 28:32

I mean, I would say that that probably started at Forbidden Island because you know, it was one thing like, I mean, for anybody who doesn't know Forbidden Island is a it's a tiki bar.

Siobhan: 28:40

I just learned it's like a world famous Tiki Bar. Yeah.

Melanie: 28:43

I mean, there's there's varying. So the story the story is, is that when when I opened in 2005 or six, there were three partners. It was Martin Cate, and then to two other brothers. And you know that the two brothers were kind of like they weren't silent, but it was really Martin's like brain child. That was his dream. And he was the one who was there. So he was running the bar and he was training the staff and he was creating the cocktails and all these things. And then I was there for about a year I learned a lot just about you know the rum like a lot about rum. I really didn't know anything about rum at that time and kind of just learned that like, oh, you really can like do something and focus on a single spirit, right? Like it doesn't have to be this massive selection of everything. Like if you know this works like if you do it right if you if you do it the right way. You spend the money, you make the investment, you get the inventory, you keep it up, like you can be really successful. And they were for a long time. And then there was some disagreements on between the partners and you know, long story short, Margaret Martin ended up leaving, and he opened up his own bar in San Francisco called smuggler's Cove. And you know, Forbidden Island it still is is a cool bar like, you know, the interior is great. I mean, I do think like, I do think the quality is not as not what it once was. I don't think that the rum selection is what it once was. I think that they're going more for like the kitschy Tiki then like high end Rum Bar, which is fine. Like that's their that's what they're doing. But its fame really came from and stem from those first several years when Martin was there because he was the one that kind of put that program into place and like curated all of that. And I mean, it's just not it's not what it was before. So I honestly

Siobhan: 30:34

have never been in there. Yeah, I want you to go once. And it was like during pandemic time. So they had the back open. And so I walked up and I was like, Can I have a table and the girl was like, how many in your party? And I was like, Oh, it's just me. And she was like, we don't do that. And I was like, Excuse me. I'm sorry, why? I'm like walkups. And she was like, and I was like, I can't. That's when she was like, Yeah, we don't do singles. And I was just like, and I didn't even say anything. I just looked at her like shocked and then turned around and walked away. I was like, I don't even I was and so I've never decided to go back. I don't blame you. I didn't go back either. And so a couple of people have been like, oh, have you been or they'll come into like Benton if the tiki bars too full? We got kind of their overflow. Yeah. And people are like, Oh, do you love that place? And I'm always like, never been there.

Melanie: 31:24

Yeah, I mean, as someone who spends a good portion of my life in Tiki bars now. It's, you know, it's fine. It's I'm not gonna I don't want to like, go to I don't know who listens to this. too deep into it. Yeah, I'm trying to slam anybody

Siobhan: 31:36

but no, and yeah, I mean, that girl is probably just like a terrible reputation representation of that. But like, I was just like, so kind of put off that I haven't gone back. Yeah. And then I'm just like, I don't I probably don't want to spend $15 for a rum cocktail. Yeah. Because I'm cheap. I don't blame you. It's crazy. I'll spend $15 on like a martini that I want to drink, right? No, thanks.

Melanie: 31:58

Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, and then so we so that so we reopened as we reopen as American oak in December. Should you not December of 2012. Oh, man, it was a lot earlier that no, it was December. It was December 2012 We reopened and was it December? It wasn't summer. It was sometime in the fall. Okay, September October November, I don't know around them. Anyways, and in December so in December of 2012 is when we had that fire. And so we had the fire like it was so weird because I had just like literally just that so it happened on a Friday night or early Saturday morning. And that Thursday I had like just gotten my orders in like I had ordered all this like champagne and like nice wine for the holidays and all this stuff you know like lots a lot of inventory and just made new menus and like all it was like we were everyone was so excited for the for the holiday season. So it was like I think it was like December 8 or something like it was really early in the year. And yeah, and then like there we someone, someone broke in and tried to print very poorly I might add tried to burn the place down. It was really weird. And fortunately, no one was hurt. And it wasn't too long before we were back up and running. But that's why it was crazy. Like it was really weird. Yeah, the whole scene was very bizarre.

Siobhan: 33:31

Like do you have suspicions on who you think started it?

Melanie: 33:34

Yeah, I have a couple I have a couple of suspicions. I mean only because the main the main reason why I think it was somebody either a former or current employee. And we have we had a lot of employees so like, if you're listening to this and every word for me like you probably know who I'm talking about to like the front door was like a double swinging door. And so the only way to lock it was from a deadbolt from the inside or if you have a key out or if you have a key and then so that was the front door and then it so to go out you would have to lock that door behind you right or leave it open. Or there was a hallway behind the bar which was like our EEG like our fire fire escape. Yep. And on the inside of that door was panic hardware so you could just get out from the inside and then it would close and lock behind it. And when the fire department came they had to bust through the front door because it was locked. So somebody either came in through the back which that might have happened, but even still would have had to have known that there was a way out through the front that they could go through and not have to unlock the front door. And like it was just weird like you know, in the kitchen because there was a there was a there's still is there's a wood burning oven there. And we keep all the wood under like in this stainless steel thing under the oven. We kept all the wood fountains and someone had piled like a bunch of like logs on top of the range. And like turned all the burners on Oh shit. But like it's a range like it's supposed to be on fire and fork, thank God the Ansel system didn't go off which is like the fire retardant system up above the the range. The Ansel system didn't even go off like it didn't even get hot enough. So it didn't do anything except you know, create a lot of smoke. But really, really what the the worst the worst of it was, is we had a bookcase, and they knocked the bookcase over and like lit like little the books on fire. And those caught fire and then we had curtains up above, in on the second level and those caught fire. And so that was where all the smoke damage came from. I mean, there was a Christmas tree in there for God's sakes and then even tried to light that on fire like

Siobhan: 35:54

that would have. I would have thought that instead of the shit on top of putting like, yeah, on top of a stone.

Melanie: 36:00

Yeah. And then there was like very late like someone was trying to make like Molotov cocktails, with like those like, like, you know, like restaurant linens that are like made out of polyester or whatever. Like shoving them into like bottles of like wine and trying to light them on fire like, Bro. Like it was just, it was so weird. It is so it was so bizarre like my friend, my friend Lance. I remember him saying he was like, it looks like someone came in here like an adult came in here and like threw a temper tantrum. Like it was so bizarre. Wow.

Siobhan: 36:31

Like they were just walking around trying to figure out how to start a fire. Yeah. Like, let me try this. Oh, this isn't working. Let me try this now. Yep. Wow.

Melanie: 36:40

So fortunately, there wasn't a ton of damage. You know, it did take I think we reopened in May of that year. So it took about about five months was really isn't that bad. And the bulk of that time was, you know, insurance, because we didn't own the buildings and going back and forth with the landlord and the insurance company. And they were great. Actually, they really wanted wanted us to get back open as soon as possible. So, you know, we were able to, you know, do some some other renovations and, you know, new paint and all that kind of stuff, which was nice. So, but yeah, and then it was, it was off to the races after that. It was good.

Siobhan: 37:16

Yeah. And then how long ago? Did you guys sell it? Or was it?

Melanie: 37:20

So I left? Like, actively, like operations in 2015? I was like, How old would I have been 34. And I was just really tired of like, owning a business. You know, I was like, I'm still pretty young, like, I kind of want to do something else with my life at rather than this. And so that's when I took the job with the youngest market, which is one of the distributors. But so I left in 2015. We hired we hired a GM for a while who was with them for quite a few years. And yeah, you know, they made it through COVID. And everything was smooth sailing, for the most part, really, you know, and really, it was just because the owners of the building, both died. And so the trust, opted to sell the building, so it was for sale. And the people who wanted to buy it, the eventual new owners wanted the restaurant space. So you know, we still had a really great lease and a lot of time left on our lease. So they had to buy pipe. So this was good. So, you know, it's up to the employees, like there wasn't a lot of notice that we could give just because, I mean, I really wasn't involved in it. Much of this, it was Chuck that handled all of this, because at this point, you know, I was, I was just there to like, run the restaurant, you know, he dealt with all the business stuff for the most part. But you know, it was kind of like, best possible scenario, really, rather than, like, you know, having a restaurant that you like, that just runs itself into the ground. I mean, right? It's my opinion that I think, like most restaurants shelf life is what 10 years and after that it gets kind of tired. And you have to either like rebrand, or like do something different or interesting, because I don't know. Yeah, you get stagnant. Yeah. Unless it's like some kind of institution type place, but I don't think it was that.

Siobhan: 39:04

Yeah. Prime Rib is not changing. They're exactly right. And why would anyone want totally, totally Yeah, exactly. But every Yeah, your local restaurant because your customers start to get a little, like, come not complacent, but like, they don't come in quite as often or because, you know, even though that's great food still, like well, but we've had that so many times.

Melanie: 39:26

And new places continue to open you know, so it's like you got to compete with Well, I think everything everything else, you know kind of rises with with the trends so

Siobhan: 39:36

so when you went into Young's was that like where you got even more education on? Yeah, all of the US.

Melanie: 39:42

I mean, I learned a lot at the restaurant like being a buyer, you know, because you taste a lot of things you meet a lot of people. I mean, I would say that's where I really kind of honed in a lot of my knowledge just on my own and from you know, meeting with different suppliers, different producers and I think but yeah, when I started working for Young's I was the craft spirits specialist here in the East Bay. So I sold, you know, every spirits category, and then some. And yeah, it was, you know, it really forced a lot of sort of deeper product knowledge. Got to take a couple really cool trips and like got to go to Mexico got to go to France when I was there, I got to go to New Orleans couple times, I got to go to New York. So yeah, it was kind of cool to like, go to these places where these things are being made, and like actually talk to people who are making them. Yeah. Which is cool. So

Siobhan: 40:38

do you have a favorite like, spirit company? Or like, story of the Spirit company that you're like, that's one company? I

Melanie: 40:46

mean, Spirit Bomb, obviously. I don't know. Yeah. Like, there's, there's so many, like, there's so many different ones. And things change so much do you know, like, things start out small and they get bought out? You know, or they evolve or they change? I mean, I have I have a ton of respect for St. George, you know, they were kind of they are the original craft spirits distillery in the United States. I don't think a lot of people recognize that. Oh, I didn't realize they started in 1981. And that's well before anyone was really making, like small batch like handmade spirits in the US. And they've always kind of been on the like, forefront of innovation in a sense. And not innovation just for the sake of what other weird shit can we put in a bottle, but like making quality things and like, trial and error, you know, like, I don't know if you've ever been there or not. But they have a whole room filled with carboys, which are like the, I think they're like 10 gallon, like glass jugs. Full of I'm talking there must be 300 of them in this room. Like there's so many. And they're full of just different weird shit that they've distilled just to see what happens. Oh, that's kind of which is really neat. Yeah. So, you know, they have, I think they've scaled it back a little bit, you know, as of late, just because, you know, it's a business and it has to make money. Right. You know, and they have tried some kind of weird things. And they've failed on some, and some are really great. And some just cost too much to produce, you know, on a larger scale, but what they do produce is, you know, still super high quality and it's very consistent. And like, I just I like those guys a lot. I think that they are great for the industry and continue to kind of be, you know, at the forefront of, of innovation, which is cool.

Siobhan: 42:42

Yeah. Their tasting room is beautiful. Like that spot over there is gorgeous.

Melanie: 42:47

Yeah, I mean, the whole the whole room with the big still pad and everything is really cool. Yeah, it's gorgeous. Yeah,

Siobhan: 42:52

I've been there just like walk through it once when I was over for I think it was a, like one of the craft fairs or head west or something was over there. And I like kind of walked through that whole area. Because I was like, hangar one was beautiful. Like I was really sad when they closed that tasting room. Yeah, because that was gorgeous. And just to be sitting across. They're both out on Alameda point. So you're watching the water. And you've got the San Francisco background and Right, right, the Bay Bridge. And it's just beautiful.

Melanie: 43:19

Everyone I remember when I worked at when I worked at Young's we had a meeting. Because we were kind of spread out all over the state. I think there was like, I don't know, maybe 10 of us. And we had a meeting up here. I think we actually had our meeting at St. George. And so everyone from the state came up to the Bay Area. We had our meeting at St. George. And, you know, we did a big tasting with Dave and Lance, who are the two distillers and a couple of people that were working there. But for dinner instead of going out to dinner, they actually like did a barbecue on the roof. But like, it's not I wouldn't call it legal roof roof access, but you can get up there there's like a pretty sketchy ladder. And they have this like pulley system where they can load these big like buckets up with stuff and then like, bring all this shit up there. So like, we get up there. It's like sunset, you know, it's like, I don't know, June or something. So the weather's really really really nice. Where everyone's hitting golf balls off the off the roof into the into the whatever that is over there, the bay. And that was that was really fun. That was cool. Yeah.

Siobhan: 44:24

That's, I have never worked for distributor, but I've thought about it. I applied for one ones when long time ago. And because I think it would be such a fun job. Yeah, like because you get to go to all the bars and see people I mean, I know it's a lot of work.

Melanie: 44:39

Yeah, it's it's fun. I mean, it just it also depends on I mean, it depends on the distributor itself, you know, like Young's market at the time was a very, very large company. And with that comes, you know, a lot of bullshit to be frank and you know, a lot of it depends on like Your manager, right, like, if you have a manager who is rooting for you, and like has your back, you know, then you're gonna go far. And if you don't have that, then you're kind of just stranded and like, you know, there's not a lot of room for growth if you even, you know, survive the next reorg, which they seem to do every six months. So my, my direct manager was, let go, while I was there, and there was a lot of like, changes going on within the company. And all of us on this team, like kind of saw the writing and the writing on the wall, we were like, something's not right here, you know, like, so a couple of my, my other friends kind of, like, look for jobs in other, you know, segments of the business. And I was able to get another job within Young's market still on like, a completely different side of the business, which was cool, because I learned a lot. But really, because my former manager who was let go, you know, reached out to another, another, a different manager, who they were buddies. And I had, I had, I knew him, I had done a couple things with him and his team support. But, you know, they hired me, they gave me a job that I, I was qualified for, but some would say that maybe there was like, a little bit of, I don't know, whatever, insider, insider trading. I mean, just because they're, it's very much like, you know, you have to kind of climb your way up the ladder. And they're like, Well, you didn't do this, and this and this, and I'm like, I'm not an idiot. Like, I, I've seen the people that do those jobs, and they're those are they already, you know, yeah. And then the same thing kind of happened with that position as well. Like my, my role my one of my direct bosses left, and I was like, Oh, that's not good. And that's when I looked elsewhere. And that's when I got the job I have now. So that was almost five years ago.

Siobhan: 46:51

And so now you work for it's a rum company. Well, not anymore. I mean, not just rum. Yes, that okay. But it started out as a rum company.

Melanie: 46:58

Yep. What's the name of so it's called spear bomb. We are a French company. And we're like, we're sort of a smaller part of a much, much larger global company based in Martinique. They own the big company, which is called GVH. They basically own like the equivalent of like, it's a it's a chain of stores called Carrefour down in the Caribbean, and like West Africa. Imagine if like a shopping mall, and a Costco and a target and like a grocery store were all under one roof. That's what it's like. And they're massive. So they're big, big company. But kind of like in a small geographic area, you know? So Spirit Bomb is the spirits division of their company. And so we own three rum, distilleries, two in Martinique, and one in St. Lucia. And then we most recently purchased a liquor company liquor company in Burgundy in France. And we here in the US are going to be starting to import a cognac brand is well, pretty soon.

Siobhan: 48:01

So it's exciting. Yeah, so

Melanie: 48:03

we're growing. And it's, you know, kind of nice, it's neat to see a smaller company kind of, you know, get get some legs and begin to expand a little bit, which is fun.

Siobhan: 48:13

Yeah. And so you're like, that's kind of cool, too, because you get to, with a smaller company like that, like you get to see what you can do. Well, you can grow along with it. Yeah, like you're growing it, you're getting it into the places. Like that's kind of cool. Because with some of those bigger companies when you're selling like the booze that's already like when you work for Jamison, Jamison zollars established, like you're not referencing people to buy it.

Melanie: 48:35

Yeah. Yeah, it is a lot different. I mean, it's, it's harder, I would say maybe for in some regards. But that was a big reason why I was interested in this company in the first place, because of the fact that it was small, but it was growing. And there is that opportunity for, you know, not only growth professionally, but also just to help build something, you know, help create this company and like make it more than what it's started as, which was really appealing to me. Maybe not for everybody? I don't know. But yeah, it's

Siobhan: 49:05

pretty cool. Well, it's like it because it gives you that entrepreneurial kind of spirit of a job without having to have carry all overhead of it. Yep.

Melanie: 49:13

So I had met I mean, I saw I sold the brand when I was working at Young's. So I was very familiar with it, and the people I had met, I'd met them my boss and my other marketing director and a couple other people a few times. And so I was, you know, familiar with them, and I knew they were good people, and I knew they were good brands. Because, you know, that's that's the problem with I think a lot of the spirits industry is that there's kind of two segments, you know, there's the smaller, lesser known companies that have brands that are, you know, a little bit more authentic, and have like, actually, like that sense of place. And that sense of, you know, provenance where you know, a lot of other companies the big the, a lot of the larger companies. You know, the diazo is the brand Foreman's the printer cards of the world. I mean, they have, you know, effectively what I kind of called boardroom brands, which are like, you know, they're marketing brands and there's not, you know, they're like, how much of this can we produce as cheaply as possible? With as much yield? You know, like, how much can we saturate the market with it. And, you know, it's it's really kind of detrimental to everything because I mean, tequila is a perfect example of this right now, there's so much just really bad tequila on the market. And it's putting a really big stress on like the agave supply in Mexico, because, you know, if I don't know if you know, but it takes, you know, seven to 10 years for one agave plant to come to maturation to be able to use it to make tequila. And so when you're depleting all of the resources and not giving back, not replanting, and not trying to conserve, then eventually there's going to be nothing left, right. And it's like a huge concern in Mexico right now.

Siobhan: 50:54

I didn't realize it took that long. I knew it was a while but I didn't realize it seven to 10 years. Well, some

Melanie: 50:58

brands are using younger Agave days. But you know, it's kind of bastardizing the product because then they're having to add a bunch of stuff in on the back end, to give it the flavor of tequila because they're not waiting for the big obvious to mature. So you know, all you all these celebrity tequilas, it's, it's like a pretty big, like touchy subject right now. Oh, yeah. And the world of booze

Siobhan: 51:21

is like, what do you think it is it like the wave of like, right now. It's the tequilas, and everybody's just slapping their name on it. Because I think also people don't realize that it's kind of the same in the wheat industry, actually, to sure, like that. People just slap their name on something. Because to sell it make money, which I kind of get like, you know, go get yours. But also, I don't know have a little pride in what you're putting your face on. Yeah, like, know it, where it's coming from?

Melanie: 51:47

Yeah. I mean, it's funny that you bring up the weed industry, because when so when, when it was when when cannabis was legalized fully in California. They basically set up the cannabis industry to mirror the alcohol industry, which is crazy, which is not because the alcohol industry is fucked the way that it like, the whole three tier system. It's, it's draconian, it's it's basically the fucking mafia. Yep. And it's terrible. And they, they literally, I mean, a lot of these big cannabis companies quite literally hired ex executives from the big distributors have of spirits and alcohol, to write the legislation and write the laws that now form the the cannabis industry. And so they are taking that same outdated system and applying it to eat and it sucks. Yeah. You know,

Siobhan: 52:40

I learned so much about that when I first came out and started to get into it, because we have, I used to work for district distributor. And we had so many of these crazy rules. And I'm like, Where would they even get this stuff? And someone's like, oh, it's all from the wine industry. Why would they do that? It's so silly. And some of it was because the wine industry from what I learned and you probably know way more about this than I do is that the wind industry was trying to do that for some of like, the gross stuff, because they were afraid that they would either lose land to the weed companies, or something would happen with crops like,

Melanie: 53:11

I mean, yeah, there's probably some some truth to that. Yeah, for sure.

Siobhan: 53:14

But me like it sets it up such a weird way. Like, farmers can't move their own weed. They have to have another company. Yeah. Which is weird. Yeah. Which is something they took from the wine industry. Like, you have to have a distributor for it. So you can't like they can't even bring their weed to the manufacturer. They have to have someone else do it for them like this. Yeah. I mean, I guess it could save data. Yeah. Transport. Yeah.

Melanie: 53:38

I mean, it's basically that's that's the three tier system. Yeah. the middleman. You know, it's wild to me. Yeah. And that and that law for for alcohol was it was like an old like post prohibition law. So it was to keep the mob happy and paid. Right. When alcohol was really legalized after Prohibition. That was where that came from. It's crazy. Yeah. I could talk for hours and hours about that

Siobhan: 54:03

the wine industry is really boring because I like to now be out here and kind of close to it is because I don't I haven't spent a ton of time and never but like to hear all like the little things about how cutthroat it is and how, just the money that's in it.

Melanie: 54:26

Oh, the money is crazy. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, these are multibillion dollar companies. And you know, like it's, it's wild. Yeah, yeah. And the thing that's the funny thing about Napa is you know, you go to if you go to Napa like Napa, Yountville, st Halina, like all that all there on on 29 Well, all the wineries are it's very like whitewashed, you know, it's all these like beautiful buildings, these, you know, big tasting rooms, you can buy wine, they're gorgeous. You can walk around, blah, blah, blah. Maybe there's you know, there you can see some vineyards of For a segment that are sort of close to the highway, but none of the production is happening, or I would say very little of the production is actually happening there. You know, most of these companies are having their wind sent off site to a third party producer, or the big ones, you know, the Mondavi between caros, the, you know, where whoever else have the world's, you know, they have massive production facilities that are like in Lodi, or, you know, the Central Valley or something where they, they're basically huge factories. And I actually visited one time I was at when I was at Young's, and it was, I mean, it was incredible, like, the size and scale of these companies. And their production is just, it's just out of control. It's so crazy.

Siobhan: 55:42

Is it true? What like, because I know a lot of things are produced in the same, like, there's so many things that get produced in one building and then just labeled. Yes, you know what I mean? So it was all the wine. Like, do all of those wineries chair like one huge a

Melanie: 56:00

lot of them do? Not all of them, but some of them do. Yeah, there's I mean, I would say there's probably in Napa, I mean, I don't know this I in fact, I probably couldn't even guess but a lot of a lot of the big like supermarket brands that you see are usually under one roof like umbrella company. You know, like, like drink arrow like drink arrow is Napa cellars, empanada tois and Sutter Home and Joel got and if there's probably more that I can do, and then that's that's just their domestic stuff. And then a lot of these companies are import companies too. So they're, they're importing wines from from elsewhere. You know, they're their own brands. But yeah, so there are these massive companies that own these smaller labels that are all kind of under the under the umbrella. Yeah. Because that's, to me sometimes gets like a little weird, where you're like, Oh, well,

Siobhan: 56:55

it's kind of like makeup. Yeah. Like all the world is really made in like three different production companies. Yeah, like that, to me was one of the craziest things I've ever learned.

Melanie: 57:05

I mean, the thing about wine, though, that's nice is that it does, you know, there is that distinction, because if you put a certain area on the label, it doesn't need to be like it doesn't need to come from that area. Right. Like you can't if it's if it says Napa on the label, like they're not growing grapes in the Central Valley or in you know, Sonoma or Mendocino. They're, they're growing them in Napa. So there is there is oversight. But you know, if it's just labeled California wine, it's from luda. Yes. It probably is. Yeah. Let's assume Valley? I don't know. Yeah. For sure.

Siobhan: 57:37

Yeah. What is? Is there a tricks to knowing? Like? Like, what are your favorite tricks to like picking out a good bottle of wine? Do you have some, um,

Melanie: 57:47

I mean, my, my tastes and wine has kind of changed or layers, like, I used to be really, really into wine. I still enjoy really good wine. But I'm a lot less like particular about it now. Because I mean, the wine, the wine business is so nuanced, I would say. And like when you get to a certain level of knowledge, and, you know, prestige, or whatever it was in the industry, like, it gets big, it's so insane. But I would say I mean, drink what you like, you know, like, you don't have to spend $40 on a bottle of wine for it to be good, you know, like, you can get a good bottle of wine. And, you know, and there are a lot of grocery stores that do have good selections. I would say that generally speaking, like, imported wine is, you it's a better value, oftentimes,

Siobhan: 58:39

Oh, really? See, I want to think like California wines would be the best value just because they're here.

Melanie: 58:44

Not really, they're really, they're marked up really high. Because they have such a worldwide like, presence, you know, whereas if you buy some, like, you know, white wine from like, burgundy that's not you know, like Premier Cru or Monterey Bay or whatever, that's just like a white burgundy, you can get one for 20 bucks, and it's going to be delicious and sweet, way better than probably any California Chardonnay or, you know, whatever that you can buy, right? That for 20 bucks just because of the name. But I mean, honestly, like, like, if I was to give you one like to give someone one good tip is like, find a good wine shop, you know, find a good wine shop, like get to know the people talk to them, because they do mostly taste all of it. You know, they go through everything. And they're, they're familiar. And just, you know, tell them the budget, like, I don't wanna spend more than 20 bucks, like cool, like, I've got all kinds of stuff for you. You know? Yeah.

Siobhan: 59:37

I used to be fairly like knowledgeable about mine because I've been in the service industry forever. And then I just kind of lost a lot of it. I don't know, like, you know, if you don't use it, you lose it. So to say MC Yeah. And so when I go pick out a bottle of wine, I'm like, which label Do I like? And some people are like, What are you doing? I'm like, it's because I'm like it's a crapshoot now. Like I don't I don't know enough anymore. To you know, like, I know I like my New Zealand's and I, you know, I'd like some different regions. But other than that I'm like, Yeah, that's a cool label. I'll try that. Yes. Not too expensive. Yeah. Like that's really

Melanie: 1:00:10

I mean that's it's you know, it is really kind of all about you know, just like finding finding out what you like to you know, and that's where like a nice wine shop can come in handy is they can introduce you to new things that you might not know about or might not have been, you know, gravitated towards before. Like, oh, this is my new favorite thing.

Siobhan: 1:00:29

Yeah, finding like a almost like a subject matter expert in it to be like, right, I don't have to know it, but you do. Yeah.

Melanie: 1:00:36

I mean, yeah, I guess I do. Like you said it is it is changing, like and the what? Oh, my God, the wine industry right now. Like, the whole like natural wine thing is out of control. Not a fan, do not approve. Don't like it don't want it want it wants it to go away. But I feel like every place like is so into that now. And it's just it. I was like having I was actually having a conversation with a friend this morning about it. And it was like really annoying.

Siobhan: 1:01:06

Yeah. Well, for someone that doesn't know, do you want to explain like the difference between natural wine and

Melanie: 1:01:12

so there's a big trend going on right now. Just like in the wine industry in general, which is it's it's term natural, or like low or like low intervention wine, which means that they're not adding chemicals. And by chemicals. I don't mean like bad chemicals. I mean, like chemicals to keep the wine from going bad. Right? So they're not adding like things like sulfur dioxide, which is a very common thing that you add to wine to kill any sort of like off like yeast or anything that can go weird during fermentation. Or, you know, they're not they're not doing any filtering or any fining. And so it's like, very, like, there could be like, a lot of sediment in it, or it's like really cloudy. And like a lot of them are very like, there's a term called. It's called I'm in the short term as Brett spear e TT, which is something that's very common in like, like think like, what's the word I'm looking for? Like sour ale. It's like that, but wine. You that's exactly what it tastes like. It's really weird. Yeah. Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:02:24

Because when I first heard about it, I was like, all natural wine. Isn't wine all natural?

Melanie: 1:02:29

Yeah, I mean, it is like and and the additives that they add like are completely harmless. Harmless, I guess sulfate. So the other thing? Well, that is that is so true. So like, I mean, some people like I'm allergic to sulfates, and there's sulfates in every wine if someone's like, I'm allergic to red wine because of the sulfates but I can drink white wine. You're full of shit, right? There's sulfites in every single wine unless you're doing a natural wine. So, you know, I mean, maybe there may might be a higher proportion in certain wines and others, right. So I guess maybe some people do have a sensitivity to that. Sorry, if you do,

Siobhan: 1:02:58

right, yeah. But also it's a sensitivity. It's not like you're not gonna die or you're not

Melanie: 1:03:03

gonna die and you're gonna get a stuffy nose. It's like you have a headache because you probably drank too much not because of the sulfites, you know, like, same. You know, you know and catch me out here trying to make excuses over.

Siobhan: 1:03:18

Like, I if I'm sick, I won't go to work, but I am, like terribly hungover. I'm like, No, I still gotta go to work. And that's just me being an asshole. Like, I will suffer through work with the worst hangover. Yeah. All the time. Yeah. Because I'm like, That's my own fault. Like,

Melanie: 1:03:34

my hours are so bad. Now. I had,

Siobhan: 1:03:37

I had a 3d Hangover. Like, two weeks ago. That happens. And I was like, I This is stupid. Why do I do this myself? Yeah, I know. But do you ever lie to yourself and be like, I'm never gonna drink again. Yeah, all the time. See, I don't ever have that. Like, I'm like, Why do I do this myself? And I'll be like, I need to drink less. I know. I'm gonna drink. Yeah, maybe that's

Melanie: 1:03:57

true. Maybe I say I'm gonna drink less. Yeah. I sometimes do. Not all the time. Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:04:04

It's fun. It's fun. We work in a fun industry. Like, I love kind of my job. I love my job. Yeah. I don't they I mean, there's some days where I'm like, I don't want to. But then 15 minutes after I get through the door, I'm fine. I'm enjoying myself. And it's like, that's what I want for everybody. Yep. Give you hate your eye. People who hate their job for months and months and months on end or years. And that's all you do is complaining. I can't like change it. Yeah. Why stay in something that you hate? Yeah.

Melanie: 1:04:35

I mean, that was a big part of why I left American oak is I mean, I didn't hate it. But I was getting the point where like, I didn't really care anymore. And it's not good. It's not good for me. It's not good for the business. It's not good for the employees. You know, like, I wouldn't I would never want to be there like I was doing the minimal amount that I needed to do to like keep things running. And that sucks. You know, that's not fair to anyone.

Siobhan: 1:04:56

No, because then you like your negative right attitude. I see. into everything else. And that's where I think that's why some restaurants don't make it. That's why some businesses don't make it. Yeah, I think it's because the person like in charge is miserable. And then that just seeps through everything.

Melanie: 1:05:12

Yeah, it's very, it's very obvious when you can tell that a place just has no soul. And that note, you know, nobody, nobody cares about it, you know? Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:05:20

And I, when I walk into a place that's like that, I'm like, Nope, I'm not staying here. I'm not like, because you're you can feel it feel it? Yes, totally. Yeah, I like it drives me crazy, especially when you have a good spot. And you're like, this spot could be so amazing. And you walk in, and there's like, a rare vibe. Like, come on.

Melanie: 1:05:39

I mean, bars and restaurants are hard. There's so many things to like, consider, you know, and, and there are people who, who try to do it well, whenever they it's not necessarily an attitude thing. But there's just a lot of, there's a lot of parts that I think people don't consider when they're opening up a bar restaurant, you know, like, there's one of my favorite bars I've ever been to is a place up in Seattle called Roquette. And it's, it's pretty small. But like, I've been there three times now. And it's like, the kind of place that you walk in. And like, you don't notice anything in a good way. Right? Like, you don't notice that it's too bright, or that it's too dark, or that the music's too loud, or like that there's no music or that it's too crowded, or like, oh my god, there's, it's like, empty, it's like, it's just perfect. Like, it's something it's like, so unusual, in my opinion, to go into a bar and like, not have something that immediately like, sets you off, you know, or maybe it's just me, I don't know. Well, I mean, I get that. Like, it's just like, you're like, oh, boy, it's like really kind of right in here. Oh, God, I can't see anything, you know. Yeah. And it's, you know, it's just everything is the way it should be. The lighting is perfect. Like the they do a good job of controlling the flow of people and like the music is loud enough that you can hear it, but you can still, you know, have a conversation. It's just it's a cool spot. If you're ever in Seattle, check it out. But I don't know.

Siobhan: 1:07:04

Yeah, well, it's there. But all of those things are so important. Like when I walk into work on my shift, I adjust lights, I change music I do. And I'm like, I'm getting it ready for my vibe. And for you know, everyone that comes in now. It's like, I want you to have a good time. Yeah. You know, like, Donna's when Donna explained it to me when she was like, my one boss told me, it's my party. If I'm not having fun. No one is like that is the perfect description of what a bar or a restaurant should be. If your staffs not having fun, no one's going to

Melanie: 1:07:35

know totally. I mean, that was my biggest, you know, after I left EO, the first few months, when I would come in at, you know, randomly, it would, it would drive me if I eventually kind of just stopped going in, because there was always something that would just like drive me nuts, like the lights would be super bright. Or they'd be playing some like weird, shitty music or like, you know, something, and I'm just like, I just need to, I'm not here enough to like, control it, control it. So I just need to like, let it go. You know, it's not my thing anymore. Yeah, it's hard.

Siobhan: 1:08:05

It is hard that yeah, I've had a hard time with some of the places I've worked at to be like, it could be like this all the time. But I need you to do this differently. Yeah. Like, and if you don't, and I like can't, because I can't relax in a place that like, is not a good vibe.

Melanie: 1:08:24

It's you can you can tell, like I said, as someone who spends a good amount of time, professionally and personally in bars. There's good ones and there's bad ones. Which is unfortunate. Yeah, but and then there's like the bad bad ones. You know,

Siobhan: 1:08:39

I had these guys. Yeah, well, and then the other thing, too, is like, you have to have all the rest of that setup. Well, because as bartenders, and Eric, my boss now will say this meal time, like I want, he wants, he's like, always has everything kind of in its place. And he's very particular about behind the bar. Yeah. And I love that because I'm also kind of like that. But he's also like, if everything back here is always consistent. He's like, at least you know that. And he's like, because what you're gonna get across the bar, you never never know. It's a crapshoot. Yeah, like, and there's so much of the energies that you get, and you deal with like, the other night, I had a kid that came by to talk to me about and he actually came to be a man and apologize for starting a fight in the bar. That's cool. And kind of own that he did it. And he was trying to be like, you're cool. And I like you. You know, what happens here is different. And I was like, No, bro. Like, so I'm dealing with him trying to explain to him like, if you like me, and you're starting to fight in my bar, that's like starting to fight in my house. Yeah, like so that's not respecting me like so we had to go through that. And then I have another guy telling me how he just got divorced and all this stuff about his two kids. And then this guy over here is talking to me about his dying wife. And so I'm just getting like, hit with all of the emotional like, this is my whole load is and I'm like, I just want to have a good time. Yeah. But it's like with dealing with all of that having everything else in its place in an order and having like the right kind of music and lighting It helps to keep everything kind of copacetic

Melanie: 1:10:03

No, totally. I mean, that's, like in that type of a bar where it is, you know, kind of like a neighborhood type vibe, like you are, you know, a lot of people's like, shrink, you know, like your psychiatrists, like, psychologists, bartender, all these things.

Siobhan: 1:10:18

Yeah. And so it's, I mean, it's fun, but it's also like, you need that right environment to be able to successfully take on all of

Melanie: 1:10:27

that. Yeah, totally. That's why I liked working in service bars.

Siobhan: 1:10:30

Because you don't have to talk to anyone.

Melanie: 1:10:33

Just give me the tickets. Let me drink. Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:10:36

Sometimes I missed that. Like the speed of a service bar. Makes the night go by super fast. It does. Yeah, there's some nights at work when it's slow. I'm just like, pacing like a caged lion.

Melanie: 1:10:52

Yeah, pretty busy in there. Now.

Siobhan: 1:10:55

It's getting there. Yeah, it's a nice crowd. Yeah. Which is nice. And it's a cool it's a nice spot. Like it is. Yeah, I didn't know that. You work there. I did. Yeah. That's fun.

Melanie: 1:11:04

Scary Larry hire me. There's there was a guy who there was probably nobody who if who might listen to this podcast, it was wouldn't know this person. But yeah, he was the manager back then. Gary, Larry. Yeah. Do you know Patti, who works at a while, Molly's? Yeah. Well, I know of her, but I don't really know her. Yeah, she worked there with me too.

Siobhan: 1:11:26

I met her one day and I was like, she's so nice. It was hilarious. Everybody started to tell me about her because she hadn't been around.

Melanie: 1:11:31

Yeah, she she moved off island for a while I think and then came back. Yeah, no,

Siobhan: 1:11:35

she's super sweet. She just had like a her knee replaced or something. Someone was telling me. But I was like, oh, yeah, she seems so nice. And so

Melanie: 1:11:41

funny. Do you ever see you're gonna ask her about scary

Siobhan: 1:11:43

Larry. Oh, I will.

Melanie: 1:11:47

It was like, you know, the early aughts back when like everything was a teeny the, the guava teeny and the mango teeny and the fucking whatever else teeny. Yeah. And it was very much at that place. And Larry, he did the whole like, you know, cocktail, Tom Cruise cocktail shake. It was gross. That's really gross.

Siobhan: 1:12:12

I worked with what in the early aughts when all of that was going on? I was bartending at a bar in in cocktail waitressing in the financial district of Boston. And we had one of the guys that tried to do that. And we were all just like,

Melanie: 1:12:24

yeah, no, it was not, it was not a situation.

Siobhan: 1:12:29

It was like trying to cocktail flashes. And we were all just like, we started throwing ice and we're just like, No. Like, we deal with all the douchebags on the other side of the bar, we're not keeping one back here.

Melanie: 1:12:42

That's that's, that crosses the line. So funny.

Siobhan: 1:12:45

I started meme of a little kid doing flash bartending, like, oh, it was on Facebook, or Instagram or throwing bottles. He was like 11, naughty, maybe eight. Like he was a teeny tiny little kid behind a bar, like with a shaker. And I was kind of like, I just was watching it like starting med school.

Melanie: 1:13:06

He's gonna have his career set for him at the time. He's 21.

Siobhan: 1:13:09

Yeah, I think everyone should work in the service industry for at least six months, because I think it teaches you so much about that. Well, I just some people don't have the knack for it. That's true. So like, make them six months is a long time to suffer if you're terrible at it. Especially because you're not gonna make any money. No, you're

Melanie: 1:13:29

not gonna make any money. Well, that's not true. I think now you can I mean, depending on where you're working right, like,

Siobhan: 1:13:34

well, so this is my thing. Alright, so out here. I haven't wait just in a long time. But out here. I've had so many friends that work in places that have like they pull tips, but then they had like a tip out scale. And this to me sounds like the biggest scam. Yes. Like, what do you mean? Like so like one of my friends was working on at this restaurant. And she was telling me that for the first like so many months, she gets tipped out at like 1.5%. She like can earn up to two, like a two and a half percentage, but it's like a pointage system. And then they pull tips for the whole day. Which to me like why wouldn't you just do it by shift. But so they pulled for the whole day. And then they took out like the kitchen they took out there like everyone on staff gets tipped out. And I was like, why are you tipping out your kitchen if they get like a higher hourly? Yeah, like we would never tip out our kitchen, guys. Yeah, because they made more money hourly than we ever did. Right?

Melanie: 1:14:32

I mean, now well, first of all, like I'm

Siobhan: 1:14:35

not saying they don't deserve it because they don't work hard. Yeah, like they wherever I worked. They always got paid like handsomely you know, the kitchen staff got paid well, so we didn't tip them out. Yeah, unfortunately. I think that's the case. It's probably not anymore. We're probably in probably not always back then either. Yeah, you know, like, I'm not saying that they don't deserve it. But to me it was just it's a weird system. And then it's a point system so like this, they get so many points you get so many points. Yeah, then I'm like, how do you track that? Then? How do you know like that you're getting kicked out? Right? Yeah.

Melanie: 1:15:05

I mean, I've never been a fan of the pool tip situation. I like as, as a, as a former owner and a manager, like, the further away from all of that, that I was the better because, like when you start talking with people's money, yeah, like it gets it's a it's a slippery slope, right so, I mean, I never I would you know we would have like the the recommended tip out for like your bartender or your server or your you know, your boys sir is like your, your host or whomever dishwasher that kind of thing. But it was also kind of an honor system. Like, I'm not gonna I'm not gonna sit here and count your money and like, here that's how let me but some people do and again, like I just I don't want to I just like you guys just don't be an asshole. You know? Like, you got to work with these people every night. If you're gonna be that guy, then you know what, fuck you and you deserve? You know, you deserve to have shitty service from your, from your busser. Right? Yeah, that's, yeah, it's on you.

Siobhan: 1:16:03

Yeah, like I would always took my bartenders. And like as a server, you tipped out your bar, you took out your buzzers. Classically, that's what we used to do. Yeah. And then, like, I get that it's changed. And I get like, yes, you should tip out people that are helping and doing things like I have no problem with tipping people out. And I think it was always an honor system when I did it. And I understand that. And I think it's, you know, you have to have trust in the people that you work with. But to not know, like, who makes what or how it all gets split really to understand it. That to me feels like a scam or managers are getting tipped out? Yeah, like managers shouldn't be getting tipped out. They should be making enough money that they're not there have been like

Melanie: 1:16:41

your massive lawsuits against restaurant groups for that, like big one. Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:16:45

Like, there's a couple places that I've heard people and I'm like, don't work there. Yeah, that's true. Like, don't like if you can't figure out your money on your own, then I wouldn't trust a drunk bar manager.

Melanie: 1:16:57

I mean, the tipping system in general is like, pretty fucked. I mean, it's, it's a purely American thing. It doesn't happen anywhere else in the world. And actually, I recently learned that, and I don't have any, like, actual citation for this. But I did learn recently that basically, like the genesis of tipping came from, like, after the abolition of slavery. So when the slave owners like had to pay their people at work, and they weren't slaves anymore, they didn't want to pay him as much. And so they made the patrons chip in to compensate them for their service. And that's how tipping started. And I've heard that story. And it's, like, just so ingrained in American culture that like, it would be so hard to get away from it, you know, right. I mean, I feel the same way about these, like service charges that people are putting on which like, I think are valid, right? Like, I get it, and you know, you want to pay your people a good wage, you want to give them health, health care, and all these things. You know, what everyone's like, Well, why don't they just raise their prices, which some do, but there's usually always also always a service charge. And the reason behind that is that they don't have to pay sales tax on that, because it's not they're not selling anything. It's it's a, it's an extra charge. So like, I kind of get that to from like, an ownership standpoint, because I'm sure that does add up. But I mean, yeah, like the system's broken. And, I mean, if if they couldn't figure it out, after you know, post COVID, how to make it better. I don't know what to tell you, because I don't think it's gonna get any better. No, I think it is a little bit better. Now. I think that like, I was thinking about this the other day, where somebody was, like, there was a restaurant that was like, Oh, well, we can't, you know, we we can't open up. Like, whatever section or the full restaurant because we're short staffed. I mean, that would have never happened before. COVID. Like, never, you would never have like close to half your restaurant because you didn't have someone to work. Right. You know, like, you would have just figured it out. And now I think that people are like, you know, a little bit more willing to sacrifice profit over service and quality in some way. In some instances, not all but Right. You know, rather than stressed that everyone that's here, like, let's just, you know, like, let's just cut out, you know, X amount of seats or whatever to like, make it more comfortable for everybody. And we just will lose that revenue. So I don't know.

Siobhan: 1:19:28

Yeah, that's a good I didn't think about that. Because I because I'm kind of away from that situation. But yeah, as like when I was a server, they would know you every table would be filled. You just be fucked. Yeah.

Melanie: 1:19:43

Totally. Yep. Yep. Or even now like I've seen places that close they're like, We don't have staff so we're closing for the day. I mean, that would have never happened before. No. So I mean, hopefully, you know, it's it's it makes sense money wise. I don't know I don't know what their what their business like but

Siobhan: 1:20:00

I wonder if that comes from now it's like more dangerous to have shitty service than to service probably.

Melanie: 1:20:06

Yeah. People are a lot more you know sort of they're more careful. People are more careful about how and where they spend their money these days.

Siobhan: 1:20:15

Yeah, well in like the Instagram it's Yeah, you don't want to go viral for having such shitty service either just be closed this will okay

Melanie: 1:20:24

this so this is a perfect I don't know if you are on Alameda peeps. Yes. Okay. Limitless. So not to like all talk about Forbidden Island again. Not to like throw them under the bus. Actually, I defended them but some woman on peeps, yesterday I wrote this whole long thing. Oh, I did see this. She was pregnant, right? And she goes with a group of people. And she's like, I'm very obvious. I'm eight months pregnant. And it's very obvious. I'm pretty I go in order a non alcoholic drink. They served me an alcoholic drink. I mean, she didn't say how long it was until she noticed that she was drinking alcohol but Jesus Christ, like those drinks have a lot of alcohol in them. And you can usually smell usually smell it. Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:21:02

And I haven't been there, like I said, but to know a rum drink. You can drink it, you can usually smell it.

Melanie: 1:21:08

Anyways. And she's like, I just you know, at first they lied to me. And they they tried to cover it up. But then they realized their mistake and they refunded my money. But I'm just here to tell people that we're never going back and you should consider not going back to. And everyone's like, like, I mean, some people were like, oh my god, I'm so sorry. That happened to you. That's awful. Like, I hope your baby's okay. It's like Jesus fucking Christ, like your baby's gonna be fucking fine. And like, I literally like posted something to the effect of like, it's pretty petty to come on here. And like put a place on blast for what you said yourself was an honest mistake. Right? They made a mistake. There was probably confusion about what was brought where and that's why someone probably told you that it wasn't you know that RAM alcohol.

Siobhan: 1:21:52

I wasn't there. They were

Melanie: 1:21:56

lying to you about it purposefully and like trying to get a pregnant woman drunk, like get out of here with this stuff. You know, and like, but yes, it's exactly things like that, that are so you know that with the internet and social media. Everybody's a fucking critic now. And you know, whether it's warranted or not. And that's, that's the hard part. Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:22:15

So yeah, it's safer to like, just not have it than to have that review go up. Because that model of that review, like and thank God, there's so many people like you that responded that Oh, I think she eventually took it down. Oh, did Yeah. Yeah. Because I saw that too. And I was reading it. And I was like, okay, like, it sucks that they gave you an alcoholic drink. Like if you didn't want it and regardless if you're pregnant or not, it sucks that you want to know alcohol and you got alcohol. Yeah, but you're eight months pregnant, so your babies can be fine. But how much of it? Did you get through? Yeah, like?

Melanie: 1:22:46

I mean, if you're really that worried about it, then you like call the manager and you tell them what happened and say like, look, you know, I know you guys like made it. Okay, but like, please just try to have your staff be a little bit more careful, right? Don't put them on blast and like say that you're never gonna go back and that other people shouldn't go back to. I know. Like, that's just some entitled bitchy shit. I just thought karenge Yeah, I don't like it. No, I

Siobhan: 1:23:10

don't like that either. Like don't go out of your way to try to ruin someplace because you like, unless it's a terrible terrible experience. Yeah, like they made it right. They apologized. You got that? It was an honest mistake. Like your whole bill. Yeah, then why are you wouldn't you be like, like my review of that would have been like, oh, went to Forbidden Island accidentally got served and alcoholic drink? Well, I'm eight months pregnant. And then they made it right and took care of us. Like great place. Thanks for yeah, thanks for mate. Thanks for taking care of us or going above and beyond taking care of our whole tab. That's the shit that like you do want to say like, Hey, please made a mistake. But then they made it right. And I liked them. Ya

Melanie: 1:23:52

know, people. Like I said, everyone's a critic.

Siobhan: 1:23:56

People are assholes. And everybody now because they think they have the internet. They think that they everybody wants to hear what they have to say. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, oh, everything I say and feel is so important. I gotta go put it on. Put on social media

Melanie: 1:24:09

right now. Yeah. I have a good friend who always you know, he would say all the time, like, we as a society like we failed the social media experiment. Like just not even didn't even stand a chance. It was just bad from day one. Yep. For sure. really true. It's funny. Should we get another champs? Yes, we should do to try anything off for you. Cheers.

Siobhan: 1:24:43

No, no clamper and I was like, I don't know what that is. I still don't really know what it is. As far as I know so far. It is a drinking club or drinking society. Yeah. That marks historical bars, right? Or historical spots. You Yeah, I haven't figured out that part. So he's gonna explain that. So they do some cheer. They do a lot of charities. Yeah. It sounds really nice. Like, and it's, he's really into it. Yeah. No,

Melanie: 1:25:09

he is like, very pro clamper. Yeah. Yeah,

Siobhan: 1:25:13

I just like I said, I was like, really thought they kept saying glamping. And I was like, I don't think he's glamorous about anything. Like no shade, but like, that's the mutton chops. Don't screaming glamping.

Melanie: 1:25:28

Yeah. Oh, boy. So funny.

Siobhan: 1:25:33

Yeah. So here's a really personal question that you do not have to answer, but I'm going to ask it was your like real religious grandfather? Does he have a problem with that you're not married and have been with this guy for 10 years?

Melanie: 1:25:48

No, he doesn't. Do you want to be married? No, not particularly. I don't really see the point.

Siobhan: 1:25:54

Have you ever? Nope. Seem I did it when I was the 10 year thing. I was like, give me a little chill, because that's when my ex husband proposed was on our 10 year anniversary. We live together in three states and whatever. And so I was just kind of like, meant a lot to him like, Sure. Let's do it. Yeah. And part of me wishes I never had that kinda.

Melanie: 1:26:13

I mean, yeah, if Jacob was like, Let's get married, I'd be like, first I'd say ask why. You know, but it was something that was like really important. Like, yeah, I would probably do it. But you know, he's been married before. And so I don't think that either was like you see any? I mean, there's no, like, there's like, I guess from like, a very, like, rational standpoint, like, there's no advantage for it. Right? Like, you don't gain anything, you know, there's no tax break. Like, there's no real reason to do it. Other than, and I've been saying this for years now. But other than, like, the whole, like, situation where like, if something were to happen either of us, then you don't really have legal rights to like, make decisions for the other. But I think that you can have like a health directive that?

Siobhan: 1:27:01

Yeah, I was gonna say I don't I think that used to be a problem. But now I think because of health care proxies, you can legally like signed paperwork, right? That you guys are each other's Right. Which is, I think, a good way around that, right? Because that is I have one of my dad's cousins, or one of my family members. There's lots of them was with his girlfriend for I think they finally got married at their, like, 50th anniversary. And it was because they were both older. Right? And they were like now for like, Will and stuff like that? Sure. Inheritance stuff that they did it for that and for the hospitalization of knowing like, you know, cuz that's a terrible rule. Yeah, I get like, it has to be family only for when emergency happens. Right? But like, family doesn't have to just be illegal. Yeah. Like family doesn't? Like, I have plenty of family that you can not let it.

Melanie: 1:27:54

Yeah, I mean, I get it, you know, the, like, the HIPAA rules are strict as well. They should be for good reason. But yeah, I mean, for you know, for me, my I have my all my family's here and they all know him. And so if something ever happened to me, it would wouldn't really be so much of an issue. Right. But for him, his all of his family is on the east coast. So he would have nobody here. Right? That would be able to, like make a decision if something happened, and that sucks, you know. So

Siobhan: 1:28:22

that's definitely something that I need to, like, do when that just hit me like a ton of bricks too, because I'm here by myself. And I don't have a you like, right? Yeah, I hate when those moments happen in a little bit. But also, they're great when they happen when it's safe. Like, yeah, like I should probably have someone here that I can. I legally have that can come and do stuff until one of my family members can get here or whatever, right? That's a really smart kind of plan or adulting. Sucks. Not good. Like, do you have a will? Have you ever thought of that? I

Melanie: 1:28:54

don't have a well,

Siobhan: 1:28:55

I don't either. I really should. I had one when I was younger, because one of my aunts died and when she died, like are her kids like, like, everything was up in turmoil. Yeah. And my parents used to always say, like, oh, we learned from that to this day, but you they still don't have. But we were like, you know, my brother, like when he had his kids like I had like a stern conversation with him. I'm like, You need to have your paperwork, you need to have this like, I need to know where it is. Because if anything ever happens to you and your wife, I will be the one taking your kids. Like that's a it's a no brainer. Like if anything ever happened. I would dip back to Boston in a minute to take care of those kids. Yeah, I mean, I probably might think about bringing them out here just to get them away from whatever tragic sure but like to not disrupt their lives I would probably go back there and just I would step into their you know, my brother's kind of right place. And like I'm like that I'll have to Oxo be legally like acceptable and ready for me to do like because that's it's a no brainer in my head. Yeah. I'm not having kids. I never wanted them. I came close a few times, and I'm glad that nothing kind of ever stuck. Yeah, as much as that sounds. It's like with the whole abortion thing I had to one day my dad and I were talking about something and he was like, Well, you know, he's do what you want to do kind of guy, but he's also likes to think about it. And I was like, well, these rules died that day that I had to go to the hospital. I'm like, I would have died. Like with these rules, and not Massachusetts, because I haven't taken them. Like, but some of these rules. They gave me stuff to have an abortion, right? Like, I swallowed a pill and 20 minutes later, like, they're like, you know, go home, you're gonna have some cramping and bleeding your you'll be okay, though. Right? Like, but now if a chick goes through that, and like Texas right now, she's

Melanie: 1:30:37

gonna die. It's terrifying, man. Like, no way. Yeah, it sucks. The whole thing sucks. I, I just remember, like, it's, I feel like there's, you know, like, in as you get older, right? There's like, certain things like days events that kind of stick in your mind. Like, for me, I mean, for us? Probably like, 911 Yeah, the big one, of course, you know, like, happened when I was in college. And like, since then, I mean, maybe like, the day that Trump got elected was like a pretty big deal. Because, I mean, look around. And then, you know, the decision, the decision on row and that was like, one of those things where, like, you know, I don't get emotional about a lot of things, but like, I got really like, that fucked me up, man. Like, it sucks. And it really wasn't until after, like, reading the actual, like, I actually went through and read like a bit of the decision decision, like the actual verbiage in it. And it's scary, because, you know, it's the basis on which the roe decision was made. You know, it's, it's legal precedents wasn't in abortion, it's about the rights of a woman. Right. And so to see that, like, not upheld, whether it was abortion, or, you know, marriage or voting or like whatever else, right? Like, the fact of the matter is that, you know, our Supreme Court has now said that women do not have equal they, they do not have their own rights, they don't have rights, their rights are less than, than men. And that's like, that's fucked,

Siobhan: 1:32:18

right. And the thing that scared me is like, because when the abortion thing first started, I was like, that's never gonna change. Like, we're too far. I know, we're too advanced, right? Like, what

Melanie: 1:32:28

I think everyone who's our age thought, because our mother's generation, you know, fought for that, like, made sure that like, it was not going to be a problem for their kids, and their grant and their, you know, their kids, kids and like, all the future generations to go, but like, fucking here we are. And I was at 23.

Siobhan: 1:32:47

Well, and I was like, they're never going to do that. Because women, we're not going to lose rights. Like, we're like, like, backward, right? And then I was like, well, but and also like, and this is not, I mean, I was like, I'm plus, like, all of our, like, the black people will be on our side, too. Because if they come after women's right, they're coming after you're right next, after if they come after women, they're gonna go after gay people next, then they're gonna go after the black people, then they're gonna go back black brown, would you know what I mean? And that's when I had this conversation with one of my friends and we're gonna we're good because like, we're too far advanced. We're not going to go back. We're not they're not going to take women's rights away. I'm like, plus all the other marginalized communities will have our back as women because they don't want to be the next in line to lose their rights. Yeah. And then that didn't really happen to people don't see it that way. Yeah. And I was like, Wait, but I mean, I'm sure the gay community is on our side to keep women's rights but like it wasn't it wasn't as seamless as I thought it was gonna write you don't you mean like not everyone had each other's back the way I kind of was like, this is where we are now

Melanie: 1:33:48

but the problem is like the rhetoric the rhetoric is such that like it's not about women's rights and it never like the conversation on the right has never it's that's never been the conversation. Yeah, it's always been abortion abortion abortion abortion, right like that's what that's what they talk about. Those are like the hot points like those are the things that the media is like logic like latching into and that's the problem and that's why it's so decisive because because those ultra conservative fucking Yahoo's they like don't understand they don't get it they don't understand

Siobhan: 1:34:21

yet but those are also the same Yahoo's they're paying to get their girlfriend Oh, absolutely. abortion. Yeah, like that's the shit I don't understand. Like oh, it makes me so mad. And I can't believe where we're at. I can't believe where things are going like I I guess I don't really I don't understand why one grown adult cares what someone they don't know does in their bedroom or in their pants with another grown adult? Yeah, no, I know. Like I just that I until someone like I will keep asking that one quit like why is your in your life is so like, dismal or non existent that you have to care about what I'm doing over here. Yeah. Not so much that you're like, spending 1000s of dollars, like money you probably don't have.

Melanie: 1:35:06

I mean, it's control, you know, like, um, that's what it all comes down to. Right? Like, especially in the political sense and like, it's these, it's these right wing, you know, probably mostly white males who just want to control women. And that's, you know, that's very obvious,

Siobhan: 1:35:27

and they're being supported by women that want to be controlled. Yeah. And that's scarier. Yeah. Like that women are being like, okay, honey, or like,

Melanie: 1:35:36

how they've been raised like they don't know any better, you know? And I mean, it's it's like, it's so funny. Like, I I also watch on YouTube, like, almost every morning like, I'll go and like watch like the opening from like, the Colbert or the Tonight Show is its nature which was worth at least showing others whatever. Whatever the one that seemed cool, Verizon, I think it is the tonight show tonight show. It's late night, late night and Stephen Colbert. I don't know I get them all confused. Anyways, but the Stephen Colbert one, but I watched his opening and like, like, the best comedy writers in the world couldn't write this shit. No. The ship these people are saying like on Fox News, and like in interviews is just like, like mouth like all like chin on the ground. Just like what in the actual fuck? Yeah. It's insane. Yeah. Like, did you see the other day when? When Trump was being arraigned in New York City, and they were interviewing Marjorie Taylor Greene. No, I didn't. And she was like, in the car like so she like apparently the story was that she like went to go have this rally outside of Trump Towers where they were like, like, arresting him arresting, arrest, heavy air quotes, arresting him. And like nobody showed up to her rally, everyone was just like, they were just murdering her outside. So she like got into a car. And there was a reporter in the car with her. And she's like, you know, today, Donald Trump joins, joins the League of so many great men who have been you know, arrested. Who she fucking say, Oh, she

Siobhan: 1:37:18

Oh, this is she

Melanie: 1:37:20

was right. Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela has been arrested. You know, oh, and also and Jesus, Jesus was arrested. And you're just like, fucking, like, Oh my God, I don't know. It's like, I like the things that come out of these people's mouths, like are so funny. It's so fun. It's so funny. But it's not funny at all. Like it's really terrible. But yeah, it's,

Siobhan: 1:37:44

I don't know. I don't under like, I would never run want to run for office. Like, it's not anything. I have a cousin that's like, huge political guy. Like he just was working for the governor of Massachusetts, like, huge into politics and loves it. And I like sometimes we sit and talk about stuff and I'm like, but you've worked with like, fucking combat. Yeah. Like they're savages. Like, and sometimes like they look so prim and proper out in public. And then when you see or hear this shit that comes out of their mouth, like you're like.

Melanie: 1:38:15

I mean, you're like, and you bring up a good point is that I feel like regardless of what side of of any issues sit on, like, they're, they're both equally as terrible. Yeah. It's just like, like one side scumbag. Enos is like detrimental to humanity. And the other one is like, you know, just your hands or your pocket. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Like, it's not you're not talking like apples and apples here. So, I mean, yeah, like, there's no good side of politics, I don't think period. But I

Siobhan: 1:38:46

honestly think some most people got into it back in the day to make a difference, right. Nowadays and corrupt though, like, yeah, like the corruption is terrible. You don't get anything really done or accomplished. The amount of money just being wasted is ridiculous. Yeah. Like and how to fix it. Like, I we need one mom. Like, that's really what we need as a country. Yeah, we need like, the nanny to be like coming in. And remember that lady that had that show?

Melanie: 1:39:16

Yeah. It's so crazy. Let me Yeah, I grew to like, I feel like we're just so part far past like the, I mean, the sad thing is that like this segment of the population, the ones that the total Yahoos as I will refer to them as they've always been there. There's not new, right, like, they've always had these beliefs. They've always had these opinions. They've always like, held these, you know, these weird, you know, ideas and ideals. But now they've, they have someone who has been in office who has held an office who is now you know, in infiltrated the media, who has like, brought them out of the fucking basement, you know, like out Have your mom's fucking garage. And like, into the mainstream, you know, normal people world, which like, never has happened before, you know, so you're these people are like, they're, they're like, I knew I was right. And like there's that like intense like feeling of like patriotism that so many of these people have and you're just and that's what's so scary about it is because they're so like, amped up and they're not like rational people. I don't think a lot of them will. It's like someone

Siobhan: 1:40:29

was saying it's white guys are mad that they now have to work as hard as everyone else has always had to. And so that's the only reason why all this is happening. Yeah, cuz if you look at it, like almost all shooters are white guy. Yeah. Like, yeah, like we have a gun problem in this country. And it's mostly run. That problem is white old white guys. Yeah. Or young white guys now because yeah, like the other day there was that shooting, and this is gonna sound terrible, but they were like, it was a girl shooter. And I was she was trans. And then I was like, because part of me was like, Oh, well, at least we have our first female like, now we're not. And then I was like this, which is terrible. Because like, we don't want more shooters. No. But then they were like, Oh, she's trans. And I was like, oh, so she's still dude. Yeah, like, still. I'll do shoot now. Yep. And I was like, part of me was like you she don't be proud that we had a fever. Right? We Oh, my God. He's wearing cool there too. And then I'm like, Oh, yeah. No, not surprised that she's actually guy. Yeah. And I don't know which trans way she was. So I don't either. Like, because there was like, confusion around that. Yeah, I'm not sure. And I don't I didn't look into it enough. Because I can't like, I can't keep every like, we've had more shootings in this country than days of the year, I think. Yeah,

Melanie: 1:41:41

it's insane. It's, and again, it's a purely American problem. And the rest of the world looks at us like, What the fuck is wrong with you people? Like, I mean, it's, I mean, it literally like everyone talks about, you know, going to these, like third world countries. It's like, no, like, you got it wrong. Like America is the fucking third world country, you know?

Siobhan: 1:42:01

Yeah, I was in Belize. And as much as the airport scared me because the guy driving our teeny tiny plane thought it was a car. Yeah. Everything else was like, I felt completely safe. Like, we were driving golf carts around, like, I would have had no problem. By the third night, I would have had no problem driving across that whole island and a golf cart by myself. Yeah, not really knowing where I'm going. Not a ton of lights, but like the people were all super nice and kind. And yeah, like, I would have had no problem.

Melanie: 1:42:31

I mean, it's weird, because, you know, people like go to places like Mexico, right? And they're like, well, oh, you know, you see the federal rallies, and they've got machine guns, or you go to the bank, and they've got machine guns. And it's like, Yeah, cuz there's like fucking huge gang wars and drug wars going on. The difference. The difference here is that they're not killing fucking children. And like, random people out of fucking Walmart, right? They're killing each other, which is like a whole other situation. But like, it's a little bit better. Right? Because, you know, like, aside from maybe the kidnappings and shit with like, with the cartels, like, I mean, that's yeah, it's all bad, bad.

Siobhan: 1:43:04

But but also the cartel was kind of like, don't do that. And that's right. Exam not involved in.

Melanie: 1:43:11

Yeah, like they're not going to schools. No, they're not. Schools.

Siobhan: 1:43:15

It's bad when the cartel has better morals than our fucking country. Yeah. Government. Yeah. Yeah. Like, are the people in it right now? Like, I had more respect for the I don't think you should ever murder people. But I had more respect for what they did. Yeah. Then for what is going on in our country. We can't even get our some of our elected officials to say we have a gun problem. Yeah, no, because it's too political. Like, but we have kids dying. The cartel doesn't have kids dying. I mean, if they are kids, they're the kids in the cartel. They're not random kids at school. Exactly. Like I just discussed me like, yeah. And someone the other day was like, oh, because I'm going away again next month, and someone said, Go, you know, where you go now? And I'm going to Europe, and they're like, oh, as long as it's not Mexico. And I was thinking I would still there are parts of Mexico. I wouldn't go to because I'm not an idiot. But I am not going to avoid all of Mexico because of what's going on. Right? Especially after that show. Right, right. You're in the cartel. You're going after random Americans because you're like, our cartel dad will kill it. Real time out right now. They're all probably scared. They're not going to try to talk with them. No, but it's bad when the cartel has better control over their shit that our government has over our country.

Melanie: 1:44:32

It's true. Yeah. I mean, we'd probably be better off if the cartel was running our country and tell you that

Siobhan: 1:44:39

they used to be

Melanie: 1:44:42

bring back the mob.

Siobhan: 1:44:46

I mean, at least then there's order and honor Right, right. Now there's nothing right, like human we've gotten away from just being cordial, right? Like what happened to that, like what happened to like common decency?

Melanie: 1:45:02

Yep. I mean, I think that the media is a lot has a lot to do with it too, though, you know, because the this whole like, misinformation and you know, I mean Jesus fuck like imagine like with this AI stuff that's happening is fucking and like the fake shit like it's crazy and all these, you know a bunch of people like the Fox News watching people like they'll probably like conjure up some weird shit. And they'll it'll be like hook line and sinker like I mean, we could be like if America was in a civil war in five years like I would not be surprised. Yeah, it's sad to say that but like I wouldn't be surprised.

Siobhan: 1:45:43

Do you think it would be east coast with West Coast versus the middle of the country?

Melanie: 1:45:48

Probably. Yeah, that's

Siobhan: 1:45:51

right. Yeah. That's the one part I like Have they not figured out because like, because they're like, oh, it's both the coasts fault. Like, okay, yeah. And you want to fight both coasts. Like, Canadians are too nice. They're not going to help you out too much. Mexico, we're probably gonna be on the coast side because we do all their drugs. Yeah. You're gonna lose.

Melanie: 1:46:19

Yeah, I mean, it's so weird. I don't know. I don't know what's gonna happen. I, I hope that it's I just like it's a lot, you know, a lot riding on like the 2024 election and like, who the the parties put up for reelection? Hopefully fucking the former president is like, in jail somewhere.

Siobhan: 1:46:40

Although I doubt it's gonna happen. But like, can we please get someone else other than Biden and his half dead? Asked to run the country? No. Yeah, like, I

Melanie: 1:46:49

there's gotta be somebody guys. Come on. Like, how are we? Like, don't have and like, it's not like, it's not like a small problem. Like, oh, like whatever. Like if we have if like, Biden doesn't win, like, it's gonna be fine. Like, if Biden doesn't win? Or if if the if the Democrats don't win, like, it's going to be a huge fucking problem.

Siobhan: 1:47:10

Well, women are not going to have any rights. Gay people probably will lose their rights next, because trans people already are fucked. Yeah, I mean, which I hate to say, but let's be honest, like, there's no in states like you can't be trans now. It's illegal like, or some Montana or something. Just, they're not doing any like, you can't refer to I don't I didn't look into it was like a headline I saw and I'm so disgusted that I you know, even it's like the whole Bud Light thing. Yeah, that's it's I don't know who the person is. That is the contrary. Like, I haven't looked into it enough to

Melanie: 1:47:44

because I obviously didn't, didn't both Coors Light and Bud Light put out ads, like pro trans ads.

Siobhan: 1:47:52

I think that's what it is yet. Or there was I don't know, of course, like, did it. I think that I just know the bud light thing like rocks shooting a case. Like that, like Kid Rocky, forming with dry grass for years. Yeah. And he used to be a decent person. I think now he's just being trashed human for no reason. Because he can be but like, value, but also Bud Light. And almost every other liquor brand has had a fucking rainbow on their ship since early 2000.

Melanie: 1:48:20

Well, the more 90s Yeah. And the more hilarious part about this is that, you know, Anheuser Busch, which is the parent company of Bud Light, like is fucking massive, like they own. It's probably 20 different brands of beer.

Siobhan: 1:48:33

That's, it's so funny, because that goes back to what we were talking about earlier about how you don't realize how many brands come from one or like the umbrella of it. Like you or Bud Light is laughing because you're buying Bud Light to then blow it up. You just still bought it.

Melanie: 1:48:49

Fine. Do try it. Yeah. We'll take your money. Even better.

Siobhan: 1:48:54

But all those companies got on like the drag the gay wagon back in the 90s. Right. We've all been supporting it for years. And now all of a sudden you're upset. Yeah, it's

Melanie: 1:49:03

so weird. Have you seen that new Instagram account called Republicans? No, you haven't seen it? Oh my god. It's so it's a it's a it's Oh, is that the one where they used a all the all the politicians like the create the disgusting politicians in drag. It's so good. It's so good. I didn't know the name of the account. Someone sent me a bunch of Republicans is what it is. Yeah, someone

Siobhan: 1:49:29

sent me a bunch of votes. And I was like, where did you get?

Melanie: 1:49:33

It's really top notch. Yeah.

Siobhan: 1:49:34

The funniest thing is what's the guy's name? Is is it the turtle looking fucker? is one of the Republicans that has slept with a shit ton of drag queens from the bay. Oh, really? Yes. Which I do I want to say to Mitch McConnell, but I don't think it is. I I'd have to double check with my source. But like I mean, that doesn't surprise me that stories though that like one night when they were a little drunk, and they were starting to, and I was like, can we get this on? TMZ? Like, how do we not have this all over the place? And I'm like, let's ruin him like, yeah, maybe if they realize that like, this dude is fucking in shorts. So many of them are. Yeah, no,

Melanie: 1:50:24

they're not. It's just, it's just that like, it's that they're just so closed minded and so afraid of, you know, I don't know, it's, I hate it.

Siobhan: 1:50:34

Yeah, well, you know, I'm drag queens have never killed your kid. Yeah. Drag queens. Drag Queen Story Hour is great. Drag Queens don't want to be any closer than reading a book to your kid because that shit they wear is expensive.

Melanie: 1:50:50

Right? Do you watch? Did you watch that show on was on HBO or Macs? Were here. Have you seen that? No, it's in my queue. It's so good. There's like a few seasons in the last, I mean, the most recent season, they actually go to like, really like fucking wild places, like, deep in the heart of like Texas, and like Alabama. And these places where there's like a, you know, there's a very small, like LBG LBGT q plus plus community. And, you know, they put on these these shows, and like a couple of them, they had to have like, they're like, they were getting threats. So they had to, like really beef up their security. And, you know, of course they did. But it's it was interesting to like, have them. Have the producers show that in the show that like there was a real danger here. You know, for us shooting the show and having these these folks, you know, like, profile and whatnot. Yeah, I

Siobhan: 1:51:51

had a meeting the other day, we're talking about Alameda pride and prom and what we're going to do in October, and we're talking about, like, you know, can we pull a bigger name to like, because all of the money that pride raises in Alameda goes back to the LGBT community, or plus community, or it goes to different charities. So we were like, well, could we figure out like, a way to get one of RuPaul drag queens in? Like, can we do this? Can we do that? They're really expensive. And yeah, granted, they should be, but like, what someone was like, she's like, $10,000, but someone threw out a name. And I was like, Well, what give me a ballpark of like, what kind of budget I have to try to seek out. Like, she's like, 10,000 starts at 10,000. I

Melanie: 1:52:28

might be able to fight get donors for that,

Siobhan: 1:52:31

right. But I was like, alright, that's probably out of art. Like, okay, that's our dream kind of thing.

Melanie: 1:52:35

A lot of local performers probably right. But

Siobhan: 1:52:37

then we started talking about how if we had someone of that caliber now, do we have to worry about getting a bunch of proud boys? How much security would we have to have? And it was like, it took our conversation in a totally different direction, where I was like, alright, she might be too expensive for us. I was thinking like, who's like who? Who lives? Like, is there any route girls that live in San Francisco that do Do you know, who can we pull him from that? But the conversation got so into? Okay, well, if we got like, you know, one of the huge RuPaul drag winners right then that's gonna get us even more exposure. So but then what do we have to do for security? Or in someone else was like We don't want to make it to what they say we don't want to make it to gay because we I think it's a gay events. Yeah. But they were like we just in one of the people that was there so worried about having pride, proud boys show up and having people come and I mean, it's it, which is a real valid concern. Yeah. Because last year when we were planning prom is when a couple of the shootings that happened. And we were like, do we have to worry? Do we have to get more security? Like, in one person's like, should we still move forward? And I was like, we're moving forward. If I have to stand on the corner and watch out, like, Yeah, I'll stand on the roof and just be fucking eyeballs and call the cops if I need to, you know what I mean? Like, I'm not a sniper, but I can be a rude person. Right? Like I can. I'm like, whatever we have to do. Like, we want to make sure people are here and safe and seen and, but it's stupid that those are the conversations that we now yeah, it's terrible. Like, why? It goes back to my always question, why do you care what grown adults are doing?

Melanie: 1:54:13

Yep. Yeah,

Siobhan: 1:54:15

it's, it's, it's

Melanie: 1:54:17

a shitty place to be. And, you know, it's, I feel like so many people would have assumed or have assumed that, you know, in the year 2023, that we would be as, as a society like, as a human race. We would be so far past this, you know, it always.

Siobhan: 1:54:33

Yeah. So it almost makes me wonder, like you were saying earlier, we had 911. We also had the challenger. Did you remember? I do remember that? Yeah. I had almost forgotten about that moment until someone brought it up the other day. And I was like, oh, yeah, like every kid our age probably want right?

Melanie: 1:54:49

I don't know that. I watched it live. Could have been what year was that? At? This probably the sixth is probably ties into my Christian Agnes. We watched it My Christian school when

Siobhan: 1:55:02

she was a girl scout leader, so you might have because Girl Scouts are somewhat Christian.

Melanie: 1:55:06

I mean, I very well could have. I might have watched it. I mean, it was like remember it a long time ago? Yeah, no, I don't have like a, I, I kind of remember it when it happened. I don't remember watching, right?

Siobhan: 1:55:17

I remember watching it. I remember we were in our classroom, you know, and I was like we had that moment. We've had 911 We are still the kids that grew up with the Vietnam vets that were like, still real broken, right? You know, like, so we have all these things to kind of remind us what humanity is. And like, since 911, this country hasn't had we've had shootings, but they haven't had the same impact, right? Like 911 happened and everyone kind of it kind of put us back in check anything? No, it did. Totally. You're right. And I hate to think that we need that kind of moment again, because they don't want

Melanie: 1:55:49

but every every every foreign power is like, you guys have enough shit going on yourself. We don't need to come fuck with you.

Siobhan: 1:55:58

The worst part is like no one is gonna come give us a 911 moment because they'd like watching us implode on

Melanie: 1:56:03

it. Like we don't even have to waste our time and resources for it. You guys are doing a great job on your own.

Siobhan: 1:56:09

I mean, streaming Islam or not Islam. sorry not to say that. But like the Taliban is probably like, how do we get America to infect everyone?

Melanie: 1:56:20

Right? Seriously, that they can

Siobhan: 1:56:22

implode? Yeah, I mean, it's not funny, but you have to laugh because it's just so it's so

Melanie: 1:56:27

sad. Yeah. I still think that California should secede from the US. That'd be the best thing. We could do it.

Siobhan: 1:56:35

Well, if Texas doesn't do it first. Well, they

Melanie: 1:56:39

they can go fuck off. I mean, Texas will basically just become Mexico and then have fun with that. Could you

Siobhan: 1:56:45

imagine like if Texas if Texas

Melanie: 1:56:48

needs Texas, of Texas Tech

Siobhan: 1:56:54

if Texas actually tried to exceed right and they are they did right. How fast you think it would be before Mexico took over Texas? Tech? Definitely what they would do. They would just wait and then the cartel would go in because they're like, Oh,

Melanie: 1:57:07

you think you Texans can outgun us like Get the fuck out of here? Yeah, surprise motherfuckers where you think all your guns come from?

Siobhan: 1:57:20

That's actually a great premise for like a movie. Yeah. Because it would be like back in the day when the I'm not sure which Indians it was, but they were they the I'm not even gonna try it. But there was like that. The one Indians that were like real savage. And they would like sweat people out and like, just circle them and watch them like, die of starvation, starvation. It would be like that, like, it'd be like, Mexico would just be like, the cartel would just be like, Yeah, hold my beer. Yeah,

Melanie: 1:57:53

we're thinking this guy's

Siobhan: 1:57:55

Oh, that would be terrible and kind of amazing to see. I would love it. So I don't have the second time people on this podcast have now hated on Texas, and I've not been there enough to know I've

Melanie: 1:58:07

never been in Texas. I have nothing against Texas. Yeah, and Brittany brown comes from Texas. So

Siobhan: 1:58:12

she's pretty fucking cool. I've

Melanie: 1:58:14

heard Austin school. I don't know. I do. I do have a few friends in Austin. So

Siobhan: 1:58:18

I really I almost thought about moving to Austin. When Joe Rogan was going and opening his comedy club and I was like, I could run that club and be really fucking cool. Like, maybe then I can get over my stage fright.

Melanie: 1:58:36

I just had like no real desire to go to tech. I don't know. I doesn't doesn't appeal to me.

Siobhan: 1:58:42

It kind of appeals to me only because it's like the it's almost in some ways to my mind. It's like the wild the only wild west that's left.

Melanie: 1:58:51

Yeah, I guess so. But I feel like if you get up like up into like Montana and like the Dakotas and there's some wild shit up there too.

Siobhan: 1:58:59

You don't do colds that limits my gun summer. Yeah, I don't like cold weather anymore. I don't. This winter here in California has killed me. Oh, it's been so cold. Like it has been warmer in Boston. Most of the time this year that's been here.

Melanie: 1:59:14

It was like 80 degrees on the East Coast. Like all week last week.

Siobhan: 1:59:17

Do you know what a mind fuck it is when your parents call you to tell you that their weather is warmer and like rubbing. I'm like, Fuck you guys. Yeah, it's been pretty

Melanie: 1:59:24

shitty this year. I mean, we got it we got we got the rain that we needed. Right which is great. We'll be skiing probably in July still for those who partake.

Siobhan: 1:59:35

Yeah, yep. Awesome. He loves it. Yeah, I don't do cold so I would like to go to Tahoe in the winter. I will not beautiful I will not ski but I would like to go on the ski lift. It's like see the whole mountain and like yes in take the beauty and they go right back into the hot tub or I will be a lodge bunny the whole time. Other than those few moments.

Melanie: 1:59:59

I took out Um, last year when I was in Aspen for work, they have like, one of those giant giant chair lifts, you know, that goes like, I don't even know, it's like, three miles, honestly, like it's super long. But when we were there in the summertime, and so they, they still operate it in the summer, because it's really beautiful. You go up to the top of the mountain, and on the backside, you can actually see like the Continental Divide, that goes through. And they also have like an event space up there, and everything is really neat. But you know, they're like, they're the little gondola lifts. And it was really windy that day, like I remember, a bunch of flights are getting canceled out of the tiny little airport. And so me and a friend were like, in this gondola. And it was like, because, you know, it's it's like 100 meters between each tower, if not more, probably more. And those big cables and like, you can just see them like dipping. I mean, they're dipping like 1015 20 feet when they go through. And they would stop it because of the wind for like five minutes at a time. And so you're just sitting there being like, you can feel the thing, sweat and you're, you know, you're like 100 feet off the ground. Probably more. I'm really bad with direction distances. But you're really pretty high up to the point where if you fell, you wouldn't survive it. But yeah, it was only Oh, so terrifying. Like, we both were like sweating. And she finally like put some music on our phone. She's like, Okay, we're gonna be fine. But it was really cool to like, go because I mean, when there's still it's not as far right? Because the snowpack is probably 4050 feet, maybe more. So it's not as terrifying if you're there in the wintertime. But when in the summertime when there's no snow. It's so far to the ground. Yeah,

Siobhan: 2:01:46

it's wild. But if you have nothing like there's nothing you can do. No, you're just stuck. Yeah.

Melanie: 2:01:53

I remember that. So when we got up to the top and like poked around for a little bit, and we're like, Okay, let's go back down. And there was like, I guess they were having a wedding at the top. And so the whole like groomsmen party and the groom are like getting on when we got back up and like that's like the way down was when they were stopping it because of the wind. And I'm like all these poor bastards like, I hope you guys don't get anxious on high things. Imagine like you're already like, actually xiety about getting married and then you have to take this like 25 minute gondola ride up. That's like stopping every five minutes. Oh,

Siobhan: 2:02:26

God, that sounds like torture. By time. I gotta stop I probably make now I'm gonna Yeah.

Melanie: 2:02:33

Let me see probably had a bottle of booze of them or something. But

Siobhan: 2:02:37

I would have been like, I'll just roll down the hill. It's

Melanie: 2:02:43

yeah, it was it was scary. It was like one of the scarier things I've done recently. I try to try to block out unnecessary life risks at this point in my life. Yeah. I think

Siobhan: 2:02:54

I'm mostly like that. But then every once in a while, I'm like, me Sure. I would go skydiving. Yeah, I wouldn't do that. I would. I think I have like a little bit of that adrenaline junkie in me.

Melanie: 2:03:08

I I'm just too like, I don't know. It's like one of those file under things that are not necessary in my life.

Siobhan: 2:03:17

No, I think at this point, too, like I have. I'm starting to get back into like the I'm kind of fearless. Like this point. Like, none of the shit that's happened to me. I mean, yeah, that's expected. Well, yeah, they told me.

Melanie: 2:03:30

Hey, live your life for sure. I mean, don't get me wrong. I do probably plenty of shit. That's terrible for me every day. Oh, yeah. You know, we all do. But yeah, that's funny.

Siobhan: 2:03:44

All right. So what do you say we finish our champagne and maybe go enjoy the sunny day? Yeah, let's do it. All right. Thank you all for coming and hanging out with me. And Mel while we're boozing it up on a Saturday. Yeah, sorry. We got a little we got a little serious there for a minute. We did it. That's good. Yeah, I did. I love the podcast, because it's all about a tangent. Yeah. Like how I'm hanging out. Let's chat and see where we go. Awesome. Sounds good. All right. Thanks, Mel. Everyone. Go try some spirit bomb spear bomb. Yeah,

Melanie: 2:04:08

I don't know. Look it up. Yeah, it's on the interwebs Yeah. Well have a no support your little Tiki Bar.

Siobhan: 2:04:14

Yes. Do that too. All right. Yeah. And find some joy today.