Cape May Job Change Two Months Later
The boss called at 10 minutes to six on Tuesday, shortly after I left the office for the day. What could be wrong ( I wondered) after my Cape May job change, two months later? Nothing was wrong. He called to let me know the ocean was calm, the warmest he’d felt it. He thought it would be a good idea to tell me, in case I wanted to go for a swim.
This is the new normal. The boss is relaxing more. The boss is spending more time at home and on special projects. The staff seems relieved to have me on board. Guests are enjoying my presence, noticing I am attentive to the property. This is what I do.
Two months after the move and job change, things are settling down. A pattern is developing. Tuesdays are a full day off, largely without interruption. After 15 years of life behind a front desk, life a block away from work is peaceful. You notice things. Like how much stuff people unpack from cars for day trips to the beach.
You notice how many different landscape companies invade the neighborhood each day. Who has manicured lawns, and where the master gardeners live.
Hospitality Branding
Mid-July is a time when hospitality professionals though in-stride, start feeling fatigued. We quietly complain to each other. Though we fully understand this is the lifestyle we chose. Fellow blogger Rachel Shubin wrote this week it’s a glass is a half-full arrangement.
We all complain a little. Then we read about Cape May through a visitor’s eyes. Cannan Merchant pointed out all the positives about how Cape May deals with saturation. It was a nicely written article.
In addition to Cape May being a well-planned city, I am still hearing rave reviews of our public transportation system. Imagine, a Victorian town with free public transportation!
Friends had advised me that my personal brand reputation was portable. Meaning that the social media presence I enjoyed at my last job would follow me to the Sea Crest. In one month on the job, the Sea Crest Inn was featured in a magazine article. Later that month we were featured on News 12 Road Trip with a segment for Cape May. The boss started popping champagne.
At the mid-July point locals, whether in hospitality or not, start to think about what they want to experience different before summer is over. For me, its been a long, long time since I traveled to Wildwood for a slice of Mack’s or Sam’s pizza. Suzanne wants to get in a game of mini-golf.
What’s on your summer to-do list this year? Summer of 2019 might go down as the summer I tried Proscecco–and liked it.
Brilliant! Well said, John. I think of you every time I see one of your posts here or in twitter or a connection to WCFA radio. YOU sir, are a busy man. But it’s nice to see you are smelling the roses too. I haven’t been to Cape May in the SUMMER for about 9 years now…..but as you know Kathy and I get to experience Cape May every winter (well Feb to May 1st) while the town is in semi-downtime. We love it then too. Seeing Spring come into action is wonderful. Then we leave and go back to Newfoundland and experience Spring all over again in middle May. So enjoy your new position and continue to tell us about the wonderful happenings in beautiful Cape May. I know you work hard…..but I will say it…..”Don’t work too hard, John!” See you next Feb! ~Mike, Kathy(me wife) and Scout(age 9 in Sept). PS Woody Point Bonne Bay in Gros Morne Nat Park Newfoundland is in our July heat wave…..76F….wow!!!! (lol)
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Cheers Mr. Madigan. I expect we will spend a few days or more together. BTW started quite the conversation the other night wearing my Fiddlers Tshirt.
It sounds like u are fitting in just perfect on this new adventure. I saw that smile on your face when I stopped in and saw you at the Sea Crest a few weeks ago. Enjoy your summer and you and Suzanne enjoy that Prosecco on your porch. John and I hope to see you in the fall
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Always good to see you. Every day someone stops in. Miss you guys.
It is _wonderful_ that your new job is going so extremely well — both for you and for Sea Crest. Pop the champagne indeed. As we all knew, Sea Crest is lucky to have you. Delighted that you’re so happy too.
Writing this in Delaware as the temp approaches 100 degrees. Our June Cape May vacation is a distant memory now, but we will be down for the day to see the new SOMA gallery offerings in August. Stay cool, John. I always enjoy reading your writings.
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Thanks Ann. Stay cool and hydrated over there.
Thanks for the blog shout out! I’m glad you’re enjoying the new job and Tuesdays off! And you still get to live at the beach. Perfect.
Congratulations, John and Suzanne! Your new lease on life is exactly what the doctor ordered. Hope to see you around town.
Regards,
Jeff and Michele
John, this entire blog post has me smiling! So happy for you and not surprised in the least! I said from day one that The Sea Crest just hit the Grand Lottery of General Managers! And in a mere two months clearly your boss is realizing that! So glad that you and Suzanne are enjoying the changes that have come with your new job. It took a lot of guts to make a change when you were happy and so established for so many years at “The Vic.” But as mentioned, your brand goes with you! The Sea Crest and Cape May is so lucky to have you! I am honored to be able to call you friend!
Otherwise, with Summer already winding down along with July, we hope to get back to Cape May again during beach weather. But with this oppressive heat I’m thinking September is going to be the kind of Summer weather we all savor… extending beach season! Hope to see you again next trip!