our "improved" cafeteria

it was not bothering me much until this week. the new "fancy" food options seem questionable at times, although not altogether unreasonable. but this week i am irritated enough to complain. loudly. and this has even been a good week.

on wednesday i noticed that the cafeteria is colder than my desk area. seriously? did you read my stupidly freezing cold office post? not only is the eating area of the hospital cafeteria colder than my workspace, but there is not a table at which one can sit and not have cold air blowing directly at oneself.

yesterday i realized that on none of the five days this workweek has either soup contained meat. the thai chicken curry soup i just ate was the first to claim to contain meat, however there was not a single chunk or shred of chicken in it. i even did the scoop-from-the-bottom-and-drain-most-of-the-liquid-out-of-the-ladel move. and, seriously, if there is going to be an additional cost for the dinner roll that used to be free with soup there really should be posted a price. this would prepare those of us who still pay with cash. do you have any idea the fury that comes after the following conversation?

- me: "three fourty-six? soup should be two ninety-eight."
- lourdes: "and the roll. the roll costs now."
- me: "oh. uh. i don't have enough. um, i could put it back?"
- lourdes: "huh? oh. um. well, how much do you have?"
- me: "only three dollars. it was enough yesterday."
- lourdes: "oh, ok. i just take it off. you don't worry."

now, none of this is lourdes's fault. she is simply the cashier, and a very sweet gal.

and then today. today i noticed that the (already overpriced) salad bar price-per-ounce went up. and i am pretty sure they started getting a cheaper brand of cottage cheese, one that is dry and sour.

oh yes, a complaint letter is being drafted.