What do you do all day? It’s a question we often ask each other but rarely answer honestly. For the latest installment in an ongoing New York series that began with diaries of weekly diets and reading habits, four New Yorkers agreed to chronicle everything they did during a single workday this spring.
If you’ve ever wanted to shadow a sous-chef or wondered what exactly a reality-TV casting director does, this is your chance to find out. Right down to the mundane details: The return e-mails, the meetings, and the subway journeys that form the exoskeleton of any workday. The personal details, too. As work takes up ever more of life, so life begins to seep into work, and our diarists find time to surf goofy Websites, check stocks on their BlackBerrys, and talk to relatives on the phone.
One word for this is balance. Another is multitasking. We do it now more than ever before (enough to somehow add up to 31 hours in a day, according to one recent study). For a sous-chef, it means thinking about today’s lunch, tonight’s dinner, and tomorrow’s food order; for a building contractor, it’s juggling e-mails about a downtown office renovation with cell-phone calls about a midtown theater job.
Reading these together, you may find that the content of one person’s day begins to blur with the next. There is something inherently enervating about the details of someone else’s job, and yet we found it difficult to look away. The voyeurism of tedium is its own pleasure—especially if you’re reading this at your desk.
The Chef
Lesley Covitz, 29, sous-chef, Il Buco
9:32 A.M.
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
Turn on ovens. Light pilot lights. Hope pasta machine doesn’t explode. Go through refrigerators under the counters for leftovers from last night that can be used for lunch—steak, lamb chops, porchetta (whole roasted pig). Check invoices to make sure last night’s orders arrived and prices are correct.
9:36
DOWNSTAIRS OFFICE
Check lunch and dinner reservations for regulars and VIPs, and decide how much food to prep. Change into chef jacket. Check e-mail from friends and weekly StarChefs newsletter. Look at last night’s menu and decide on today’s lunch menu.
9:47
WALK-IN REFRIGERATOR
Go inside ten-foot-by-six-foot box. Take enough carrots, celery, and onions to make fifteen gallons of vegetable stock. Get eggs, potatoes, jalapeños, and red onions for staff lunch. Take it all upstairs.
10:04
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
Go through all stations to make sure there’s enough food for lunch menu. Change risotto—not enough mushrooms. Set up stations. Turn the radio to 104.3—Pink Floyd, the Beatles, and Zeppelin. The dishwashers hate it. I hate the mariachi.
10:22
Slice potatoes. Start cooking in rondeau on top of grill. Get vegetable stock going.
10:34
DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN
Fetch soaking corona beans.
10:37
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
Start cracking eggs for breakfast. Slice up red onions and jalapeños.
10:48
Check potatoes. Pierless Fish arrives with wild striped bass. There are only six sides; order two more whole fish. Portion bass.
10:54
DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN
Put bass on ice. Accidentally slice hand with tricky bone.
11:10
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
Throw pan of potatoes in oven to finish. Get new rondeau for eggs. Sauté peppers and onions. Let it cook.
11:22
Cut twenty garlic heads in half. Roast them for tonight. Start cooking eggs for staff breakfast.
11:32
Eggs are ready. Put food in window. Call downstairs to tell staff food is up.
11:40
CHEF’S TABLE
Eat. Tell servers about today’s lunch specials.
11:53
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
Check stock. Turn it down. First table arrives for lunch—six reservations.
NOON
DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN
Bring up porchetta to start cooking for tonight; it takes about four hours. The porchetta was boned and seasoned yesterday.
12:17 P.M.
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
First table has ordered. Cook their food. Start cutting fifteen pounds of big-eye tuna into four-ounce portions for tonight. Check corona beans—they take forever to cook. Vegetable stock is almost done.
12:40
Sausage is on the menu tonight, so bring up fennel to caramelize; also, two legs of lamb. Take bones, fat, and sinew off the lamb, leaving nice, clean chunks of muscle.
12:52
Another table comes in. Stop prepping to cook their lunch—two risottos, plus steak and tuna appetizers.
1:30
Finish boning out the lamb. Three more tables arrive, ordering lots of salad. Run downstairs to grab five skinned rabbits and a bucket of duck fat to confit the legs in. Take the arms and legs off the rabbits and cook them in the duck fat.
2:00
Put bunnies in the oven. Finish pastas and scallops for the dining-room tables. Chef arrives to check ingredients in stock so he can write the daily dinner menu.
2:26
Lunch is winding down. Start cleaning up. One more table comes in—frustrating. Cook their order, continue cleaning for the evening cooks.
2:43
BAR
Grab a bottle of water. Gossip about a waiter with two publicists.
2:55
DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN
Night cooks start to arrive. Gather knives, towels, and fennel and start working on the sausage.
3:10
Straighten up work table. Grab iPod and pork leg. Listen to Jack Johnson, Talking Heads, and Paul Simon.
3:15
Skin, bone, and dice pork leg. Season it with fennel, fennel pollen, garlic, chile, and salt. Grind, spin, and taste it, then pipe into natural pork casing. Get caught singing “Psycho Killer” by manager.
5:15
BAR
Run meeting with waiters to review menus.
5:39
DOWNSTAIRS OFFICE
Talk with chef about tonight and tomorrow, and Monday orders. Show him Cute Overload Website.
6:05
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
Check in with cooks; they need a Spanish mackerel portioned. Say hello to friend at the bar.
6:12
DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN
Grab fish. Chat with chef and manager.
6:17
UPSTAIRS KITCHEN
Butcher fish. Expedite orders until chef comes up.
6:42
Review weekend food stock with chef.
6:59
Write orders into record book. Call them in.
7:23
Check in with chef. Go downstairs to change.
7:35
BAR
Drink glass of Riesling. Chat with regulars. Go home.
WORk day: 10:03 NEXT: The Publicist’s Work Diary
The Publicist
James Monahan, 34, senior account executive, Deussen Global Communications
8:56 a.m.
Office Arrive at 45th Street.
9:05
Black coffee at desk. Check Gmail account.
9:12
Read Gawker.com to keep up with pop culture. Download cocktail recipes from BombaySapphire.com—I manage the account. Read ESPN.com.
9:29
Follow-up call to editor at Nylon magazine about “Cocktail of the Month” piece. Nylon skews female, and this drink, the Bombay Sapphire French martini, is very light.
9:35
More coffee.
9:36
Check PR Newswire and Factiva database to see which publications picked up press release about Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition.
9:55
Read “Page Six” to see where celebrities are hanging out. Read about Billy Bob Thornton hitting on waitress at Rare Bar. Scan US Weekly for promo opportunities.
9:59
Bathroom break.
10:03
E-mail editor at People to follow up on summer cocktail piece about Bombay Sapphire Master Mixologist Jamie Walker.
10:14
Book flight to Las Vegas for upcoming spirit-industry show.
10:21
Arrange car service from office to airport for Vegas.
10:27
E-mail Miami magazine Distrikt explaining how to throw a perfect cocktail party. A blind pitch that worked.
10:40
Burn photo disc of Sapphire Pairings Dinner event at B.E.D. in Atlanta for Atlanta editor.
10:56
Book conference room for tomorrow’s meeting on 2007 Bombay Sapphire PR plan.
10:57
Contact U.S. finalist in Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition about Boston Design Center event. Give informal media training—mention Bombay Sapphire, but not overtly.
11:06
Burn photo disc from People’s Choice and Critic’s Choice Awards Sapphire pre- and post-party events for client.
11:21
Staples Buy more blank discs.
11:38
Office More black coffee.
11:40
Pitch Today show on Jamie Walker. Staying on top of producers is key to getting on the show.
11:46
Check mobile and office-phone voice-mail.
11:52
Pitch Boston Globe freelance writer on upcoming Bombay Sapphire event at the Boston Design Center.
11:59
Start press kit for Boston Design Center event.12:26 p.m. Conference call with Jamie Walker on interview opportunities.
12:55
AMISH MARKET
Buy salad.
1:04
Office Eat salad at desk.
1:35 45
DELI MARKET
Buy Altoids.
1:40
OFFICE
Follow up with Martha Stewart radio on Jamie Walker interview.
1:51
Browse Bombay-Sapphire .com to pick cocktail suggestions for upcoming media pitches.
2:20
Browse photo disc from Bombay Sapphire Polo Team event in West Palm Beach. Lots of socialites.
2:45
Complete client time sheet. Log three weeks of work.
3:10
45 DELI MARKET
Buy Diet Coke.
3:17
OFFICE
Lay out receipts for expenses.
3:45
Follow up with Metro newspaper writer about Bombay Sapphire Polo Team piece.
3:56
Deliver same pitch to Stuff magazine freelancer.
4:04
Read Website of Mix restaurant in Las Vegas.
4:15
Charge iPod. Update iTunes.
4:18
Check bank account online.
4:25
Take call from Nana. Discuss visiting her in Phoenix.
4:36
Review client budgets.
4:56
Direct photo shoot of glass-design competition finalists, who just arrived. Clean glasses, fill them with Sapphire. Approve photos.
5:05
Write February media recap for client.
5:50
Work on 2006 recap, 2007 PR recommendations for Miami Bombay Sapphire meeting.
6:50
Go to bar where Billy Bob Thornton hit on waitress.
7:00
RARE BAR
Chat with bartender. Drink two Bombay Sapphire martinis. Expense them.
8:23
Cab home.
WORk day: 12:23 NEXT: The Contractor’s Work Diary
The Contractor
John Lesnik, 27, project manager for Stamack, a construction company
6:20 A.M.
Upper East Side home Read e-mail from project manager about renovating the women’s bathroom for a theater on Broadway.
7:15
Make calls about a job rebuilding a financial company’s office near Columbus Circle. Get update on missing theater-bathroom tiles.
7:26
86TH ST. SUBWAY
Go to Times Square. Check schedule and tasks on BlackBerry.
7:54
STARLIGHT DELI
Get coffee and walk to theater.
8:03
THEATER
Inspect weekend work. Carpenters failed to cut out utility-closet door frame for measurement. Place follow-up calls.
8:15
Laborer arrives. Walk through site with him.
8:17
Call to schedule a carpenter for next morning at the office job. Call electrician for the theater job. Call theater carpenter to complain.
8:39
Call door-framing vendor to tell him measurements are not available. Order access doors for water-line valves.
8:43
Architect for theater job arrives. Everything looks fine.
8:50
Walk around site. Tile foreman has questions for architect. Make a note to tell him.
8:55
Order grab bars for handicap access in office-gym dressing-room showers. Take call from door vendor, agree to fixed dimensions.
9:03
Theater client walks by to review schedule. Set timetable for work on building front that doesn’t conflict with stagehands and other theater workers.
9:07
E-mail project manager for update on building front.
9:11
Review schedule and theater-job notes. Check off tasks on BlackBerry. Mark e-mails indicating office fax receipt unread. Read e-mail from project manager confirming scope of work on theater front.
9:20
Call bathroom-stall subcontractor to set date for partition installation. Call plumber to confirm change to automatic toilet-flush sensor.
9:29
Take call from expediter regarding hotel job next week; he helps procure permits.
9:30
Take call from millworker about office job. Decide on glass for gym-door window.
9:34
Tile subcontractor arrives to review work; he trades Irish and Greek jokes with laborer.
9:53
Take last bite of bagel. Talk with building-facilities manager and house electrician. E-mail specs to plumber. Manager calls to check on weekend work. Review time worked last week with laborer for payroll.
10:21
Sit down. Make notes. Place calls about price of fixing urinal-height problem at the office. Schedule wall covering in theater bathroom to allow for portraits to be painted. Call hotel designer about curtain rods for the bathrooms in five suites.
10:33
Check stock prices on BlackBerry. E-mail sister, architect, designer.
11:11
Check on bathroom. Run to lobby for small coffee. Resist laborer’s request to help clean out toilets.
11:29
Return to seat. Lights have been dimmed; an actress hangs upside down from the ceiling. Take calls. Daydream while watching actress. Check stocks. Catch up on financial news.
11:47
More phone calls and e-mails. Discuss really cool coat hook to install at office. Make weekend plans with sister.
12:20 P.M.
Bathroom break.
12:25
Review work status.
12:37
Leave theater.
12:47
TIMES SQUARE SUBWAY
Receive three e-mails and a voice-mail during ride to office.
1:17
Baguettes & Co. Get salad takeout.
1:22
WALL STREET OFFICE JOB
Check e-mails and phone messages.
1:39
Eat lunch. Check personal e-mails.
1:54
Write schedule for another theater job. Set up meetings.
2:13
Conference room Make calls to confirm tomorrow’s hardware delivery, to schedule theater-bathroom installation, and to follow up with anyone who didn’t call back this morning. Reply to text message from friend.
2:47
Check stocks.
2:53
Return to desk. Work on new theater-project schedule.
2:54
Check personal e-mail.
2:55
Call laborer to clean plaster details damaged in theater work.
3:11
E-mail brother about Lee “Scratch” Perry concert in New Haven tomorrow night.
4:07
Finish schedule for new theater job, print copies.
4:08
Check concert tickets online.
4:11
Check stocks.
4:14
Take call from hotel subcontractor. Discuss suite dry-bar countertop installation.
4:34
Take call from tile subcontractor about office job. Arrange to add temporary tiles to replace missing ones.
4:48
E-mail client about tiles.
5:00
Catch up on e-mail. Messenger a few things to architects. Chitchat with guys around the office.
6:20
Send last e-mail, then leave to take subway.
6:55
UPPER EAST SIDE
Respond to e-mails while walking back to apartment.
10:43 HOME
Send e-mail about the hotel job. Send notes for tomorrow’s meeting to organizer.
WORk day: 16:23 NEXT: The Reality-TV Scout’s Work Diary
The Reality-TV Scout
Risa Tanania, 27, freelance casting director, Lion Television
8:57 A.M.
JOE THE ART OF COFFEE
Grab coffee with partner before work. Watch man feed blueberry muffin to large, beautiful blue bird outside. Smoke cigarette.
9:10
WEST VILLAGE APARTMENT
Finish getting ready for work.
10:04
SOHO OFFICE
Check work e-mail.
10:10
Take call from sister to confirm weekend plans.
10:12
Send e-mail to boss about morning meeting with vice-president to discuss progress on casting families for a new pilot. Send e-mail to photographer friend who is looking for head-shot clients.
10:17
Check personal e-mail. Forward pictures of cousin’s new baby to closest friends.
10:25
Ask production assistant and associate producer if they want to order breakfast. Decide on egg, avocado, and tomato on whole-wheat toast from Jazzy’s.
10:30
Tell team that when breakfast arrives, we will meet in conference room.
10:35
KITCHEN
Fill bottle of water. Chat with co-worker.
10:40
DESK
Delete, archive e-mail.
10:50
E-mail cousin about seeing baby this weekend.
10:55
Call family in Patchogue to confirm second interview tonight.
11:10
Breakfast arrives.
11:15
CONFERENCE ROOM
Meeting begins. Review interviews for this week—families with adult children willing to relive an experience from their childhood. Team has done pre-interviews, now they pitch new families.
11:35
DESK
Read latest Not in Our Name newsletter.
11:45
Send interview-confirmation e-mails to two families.
NOON
Watch footage from last week’s interview on digital-video player. It’s easier to be objective when watching tape. Fast-forward some parts.
12:20 P.M.
Write thank-you note to the woman on the tape.
12:23
Associate producer re-pitches a family. Call them. Take notes during interview.
12:50
Read e-mail confirming rental car to be picked up today at three. Send thank-you e-mail.
12:52
Review this afternoon’s trip with associate producer.
12:58
Bathroom break.
1:03
Procrastinate over expenses. Call mother interviewed last week on cell. Leave message.
1:08
Call mother’s home number. Begin interview—the idea is to create a nurturing environment for personal meeting. She cries.
1:38
Hang up. Begin expense reports.
2:15
Submit expense report. Make sure rental car is four-door.
2:20
Sign for petty cash from production coordinator.
2:23
Check cell voice-mail. Bathroom break.
2:40
AVIS Pick up rental car.
3:15
Grab food from Dean & DeLuca. Finally get the car.
5:10
PATCHOGUE
Arrive twenty minutes early. Sit in car until 5:30. Chat about associate producer’s boyfriend, my girlfriend, what we did last night. Discuss interview briefly.
5:35
Arrive at house. Set up camera. Ask for one-on-one interviews to elaborate on first group interview.
5:40
Interview with Dad.
6:10
Interview with Mom.
6:40
Interview with Son.
7:15
Head back to car. Interviews went well, but not enough color.
8:00
Drop off associate producer at home in Huntington.
9:30
Arrive in city, conduct a long search for a parking spot.
9:45
HOME
Snack on an apple with peanut butter and pass out.
Workday: 12:48
NEW YORK WORK DIARIES
• The Publicist: James Monahan
•The Contractor: John Lesnik
•The Reality-TV Scout: Risa Tanania
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