My Letter of Resignation

To all Ramblas Managers, Investors, Associates and Staff:

Re: Phillip Barcio

In life there are times when it falls on a person to convey news that may not be well received by the ones he or she loves. This is one of those times. So I feel it best to be direct.

I have accepted a new appointment as the General Manager of Clock Bar, Michael Mina’s lounge in the lobby of the Westin St. Francis, on Union Square. My employment with Clock Bar begins on Monday, March 1, 2010.

My time at Ramblas Tapas has been the most enriching, rewarding and entertaining experience of my professional career. It is ending sooner than I imagined it would, or would have liked.

I hope each of you with whom I have shared this wildly successful growth experience will understand that this is the necessary next step in my professional life. The opportunity at Clock Bar with which I have been presented is one which has the potential to position me to achieve the long range life goal I share with the love of my life, Audrey, to operate our own restaurant. Such a goal requires that I attain relevant, daily experience above my current position as AGM.

It is my conviction that there is no greater reward in life than knowing you have contributed positively to the emotional, spiritual and professional progress of those you hold dear. If all of you feel the same as I do about the bonds we have created with each other at Ramblas then you share my heartfelt appreciation for the unique moments we have created together, and the quantifiable success we have accomplished.

Thank you for enriching my life and helping me get better every day.

Throughout the month of February, it is my highest priority to set the stage for Ice’s success as the new Chef at Ramblas.

Remember that what we think about, we bring about. It is my hope and my expectation that each of you will focus on the positive and open your hearts to whatever new paradigm emerges as we transition together to this new place.

Avoid cynicism, remember the lessons about service and integrity that we have learned together and carry on the work we started, whether at Ramblas or in your other endeavors.

I will miss all of you, and this wonderful place, more than I can express in this font. Perhaps I should have used Times New Roman. As my dad says, “Love the ones who love you, and to the rest, succhiarlo!”

I love all of you and I hope you have gotten the chance to learn how to love me.

Phillip Barcio, Assistant Manager, Ramblas Tapas

Audrey begins her new job today.

And I have a second interview at one o'clock for a dream job of my own.

Future comes calling. We push toward something newish, marching ever toward healthier choices. Nothing putrid can last.

In the shadows clinging to their myths are the left-behind scowlers, waiting for history to repeat itself, watching stink-eyed as the present descends upon them and they slip into irrelevance.

I can see Audrey standing beside her desk, laughing, listening, adoring her new friends at work.

I visualize my handshake with the President of my new company, fresh, crisp W2 forms being slid in front of me to sign.

But then something says, "What if not? What if no laughing? No handshake? No W2s?"

Cynicism is a form of mental retardation.

Religion is no cure, despite its promise of something in the next life worth sacrificing for. Implicit in that placebo is acquiescence that nothing in this life is.

Logic and reason also fall short, relying too much on perspective. What appears to be sensible might not be, depending on one's point of view.

The only cure for cynicism is sheer will.


Simply refuse to believe that everything will fail.

Take hold of the relics of love and implant them in some material way in your life. Take a picture of love when you see it.


Invent ways to sustain love's tiny, withering echoes. That's the cure.

Update From Mission Control

Attn: All Team Members
Re: "Life 5.0" Operating System Update

You may have noticed for the past 18 days that available network resources have been diverted toward system-wide testing of speculative entertainment programs (Beach Runner, Cafe Visiter, Latino Market Shopper and Beach Runner 2.0: Dog Owner Edition) and vital educational programs (Subway Figure-Outer, Up-Hill Bike Route Avoider and Hospital Locater).

Noticeable slow-downs during prime use hours are blamed on critical upgrade program (Job Seeker: SF Bay Edition) running in the background of main operating system.

"JS:SFBE" utilizes approximately 50% of total energy reserves available to run "Life."

We at Mission Control apologize for this slowdown, and are happy to announce that as of eleven-fourteen this morning "JS:SFBE" has concluded work on phase one of its upgrade.

Activity Report:
Username: AUDREY
Jobs Secured: 1
Title: CENTER DIRECTOR
Location: SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER
Sub Directory: SAN BRUNO, CA
Start Date: 12.01.2008
Distance from Mission Control: 12.4 MILES
Approximate Salary: CLASSIFIED
Operational Parameters: FULL TIME
Benefits: FULL



Promotions awarded all around.

Celebration to follow this evening at Le P'tit Laurent.

All team members invited to attend.