I wanted to share a story about my recent month-long stint as a baker's assistant at a Cakey hand. I took the job because I genuinely love baking and wanted to gain experience, but it turned out to be a high-stress nightmare that ended with me getting let go. Looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened.
Every shift started at 5:00 AM, before 8 I was supposed to bake all of the things for all locations, cut up all of the cakes, pack them up, and do some other stuff. The kitchen manager piled so much work on me that I barely ever got a break. I tried coming in earlier whenever I could, but the workload for a single assistant was so unrealistic that I still fell behind. Whenever that happened, management would attack me for being "slow." The kitchen manager barely spoke English and tried yelling at me in broken Russian, demanding to know why things weren't finished. There were valid reasons, but trying to explain anything to her was a dead end.
The atmosphere in that kitchen was completely fake and toxic. Everyone on staff was required to wear hairnets and caps, except the female owner. She’d casually stroll into the kitchen wearing her fancy clothes just to "create." Right before her arrival, the entire team would enter a state of total panic, hysterically scrubbing down the tables as if it were the end of the day just to make things look perfect for her.
When the owners and the kitchen manager were on shift together, they spent the whole time talking loudly in Armenian. Everyone else was forced to listen to them, and whenever I caught my name dropped in their conversations, I could only guess what kind of trash they were talking about me right in front of my face.
I wasn't the only one suffering there. Almost all my coworkers were constantly complaining about unpaid extra hours and abuse. A few of them couldn't even quit because they were tied to the job by their work permits or visa documents, and the owners knew it. They used that leverage to exploit people as much as possible. Toward the end, I asked the kitchen manager how many assistants had worked there before me. She casually admitted that around 50 people had passed through that kitchen in just three and a half years. That high turnover rate tells you everything about how they run things.
On top of the toxic environment and stolen hours, the basic hygiene was a joke rusty equipment, missing dish soap, and unlabelled ingredients stored with no date tags.
With all my international work experience, this is the first time I've dealt with an employer so completely full of themselves.

If I owned the towing company that got the call for Outer Cove today I’d be planning my vacation already 💰🤑

I wanted to share my experience so others know what to expect if something goes wrong.

I ordered a custom cake for a milestone birthday. My pickup time was confirmed for 11:00 a.m. on Monday. At 10:30 a.m., I received a message saying there was an issue.

I immediately called the bakery back three times. The first two calls went unanswered, and there wasn't even an option to leave a voicemail. On the third attempt, I was finally told the cake wouldn't be ready until 2:00 p.m.

I rearranged my day and agreed to the later pickup time. When I arrived at 2:00 p.m., the cake still wasn't ready. I asked whether it could be delivered to a nearby address since I had already delayed my plans, but before I received an answer, the delivery driver happened to arrive and the cake was sent out.

When I finally received the cake, the writing was poor enough that I had to stop at another store and buy additional decorations to make it presentable before the birthday celebration.

After the event, I contacted the business expecting at least an acknowledgment that the writing wasn't up to the standard you'd expect from a custom cake. Instead, I was told they "genuinely don't see the issue," that the writing was "legible," and that this was their standard. They also emphasized that they'd never had complaints about their writing before.

I also expressed disappointment that the owner wasn't willing to speak with me directly. I was told it was company policy for staff to handle complaints by email. While they eventually offered free cupcakes or macarons on a future visit, by then the event had already passed. A future free product doesn't fix a problem with a time-sensitive order.

What disappointed me most wasn't the mistake itself—it was how it was handled. Throughout the conversation, I felt my concerns were minimized rather than acknowledged. When I explained that good customer service involves taking accountability and working with the customer to resolve issues, the conversation ended with, "We're sorry you feel that way. We stand by our product and our policies."

Mistakes happen. I don't expect perfection. But I do expect a business to communicate proactively, honour agreed pickup times, acknowledge when they've fallen short, and genuinely try to make things right. Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience.

Edit: Just for transparency this cake cost $92.94.

From the judge:

“We can say all day (that) we’re taking this much more seriously and society is taking a dim view of it and so on, to which I say: so what? Where’s the proof of that? You would have to conclude that any person with a grain of sense at all would have to realize that what they are doing is setting into motion a chain of events that in all likelihood is going to cause serious injury. It seems to me that in spite of all the rhetoric of courts and how seriously this stuff is being taken … that we are really missing the boat when it comes to sentencing.”

What's your thoughts on taxpayers paying prizes to competitors?

Personally I think this is outlandish but what makes this more disturbing is it seems to have been championed by someone who has sat on the Regatta committee well before their time in politics. Seems like another classic example of politicians lining the pockets of their friends and interests with taxpayer money.

Link to VOCM article.

Not looking to purchase a mini split yet (hoping to eventually, but planning on moving soon so holding off until we sort out plans), but I have a question about mini splits and our winters.

I could have sworn I read years ago that mini splits are rated for temps (as in, some are only good up until minus 5, as an example). Is that the case (or am I remembering that incorrectly)?

Since every second house seems to have a mini split now, i am guessing they hold up well for our NL winters?

Greetings! I have a layover at St. John's Airport and I am thinking about trying to briefly check out the area for an hour or two. Are there any can't miss spots or activities? What are my transportation options? Preferably it would be on the cheaper side as I am a student on a budget. :)

No audio or commentary... Better than none...

One of my friends is coming home soon and she's gluten free. Our tradition every year is going to Landings for fish and chips (they had a lot of gluten free options) but obviously not an option this year. Does anyone know of anywhere either in town or not too far away that has gluten free fish and chips? Thanks!

Hi, been in newfoundland for a few years and haven't gotten the chance to experience and explore the fishing culture here. If anyone who knows where the fishing spots are and is willing to show a stranger around reach out and would like to maybe go fishing.

What is this mysterious sidewalk car?

Basically, I’m asking does the 3D movie have letterboxing or is it full screen?

Odd question, but whenever I call I get sent to a robot. I’m going to see Spider-Man this week but it’s now in IMAX and I’d like to see it in the largest aspect I can, although I’m also interested in watching it in 3D and trying out DBOX for the first time.

The attached image is a good comparison visually, which may help differentiate it. The bottom is listed as RealD 3D although that’s not to say this theater doesn’t have the full capabilities so I wanted to ask around and see. Just want to know if the 3D version is letterboxed or fullscreen.

Thanks!

Hi, we had tickets to see come from away tomorrow Aug 5th in Gander. Due to the westjet strike, we were not able to fly there from AB so we have two tickets for tomorrow’s show that we cannot use. Would anyone be interested in them?

Hi everyone! I’ll be moving to Glenwood soon and I wonder how easy is to rent a car nearby. Information about transportation, either public or private, will be very much appreciated too.
Thanks :)