Well, the end of the semester is near! I am currently in grading Hell, but I did it to myself. I gave deadlines too close together, so now I'm grading, not only vocabulary assignments, but also research papers, critical argument papers, and finals.
Many of my colleagues think I'm crazy because I format my finals in short answer and essay form. Many of my colleagues pride themselves on the multiple choice, scantron, finals, which makes it easy for the instructor, but it's like winning the lottery for the student--either you pick the right ones or you don't. I don't believe that multiple choice is a good assessment tool; therefore, I make them learn the information. Maybe that makes more work for me, but, overall, I'm proud of this decision.
I digress. The main point for this post is to share with my readers some of the things my students write about. I mentioned vocabulary assignments. Well, I gave my students a vocabulary assignment at the beginning of the semester. My Writing students had to come up with 50 over the course of the semester, and my Reading students had to come up with 100 (I am teaching two sections of each). Well, I learned my lesson. I did not tell them how many they had to turn in when, but I gave them a final deadline (Sunday 12/4 by midnight). I did it to myself. I reminded them weekly, but I held them to nothing, then I received a barrage of emails all day Sunday from those who decided to leave the assignment until the last minute. I have been grading so much vocabulary that I actually dreamed about vocab the other night--not to mention my dream about the final exams.
I am still grading vocabulary, and part of their assignment was to create new, original sentences from the words they defined. Some of the sentences are really quite amusing.
Here we go.
Word: Entrails
Sentence: My father had to get his entrails back.
Word: Solitary
Sentence: My mama kept me solitary from my pregnant friends because they're a bad influence in my life.
Word: Intoxicated
Sentence: An old man was intoxicated in the morning.
Word: Countenance
Sentence: The countenance of the person was funny when he fell in the dump.
Word: Damsel
Sentence: The girl looked old, but she was a damsel.
Word: Impale
Sentence: Needles are used to impale people's ears.
Word: Grapple
Sentence: The spy grappled himself.
This next one is funny because they had to tell me where they found/heard the word:
Word: Debt
Source: Myself
Sentence: I overdrew my credit card, so I was in debt.
**Needless to say, this student did NOT get credit for this word.
I actually thought I would have gathered more today, but they were pretty good. Vocabulary is finally done! I think I only have one more log to grade! Yay!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A Weekend of Weirdos
In an attempt to take a break, not only from grading horrendous research papers, but also from thinking about this person who has been avoiding me all weekend, I'm going to try to reflect on some of the weird patrons I had the pleasure of waiting on this weekend.
1. Birthday Girl. I approach a 3-top (girl: approximately 20-ish, guy: approximately 20-ish, and woman: over 50-ish). They are friendly, and I ask the woman what she would like to drink. She replies with "Today's my birthday!"
Miss: Happy Birthday! Don't worry about us embarrassing you--we don't do that around here.
Lady: That's okay! Guess how old I am!
Miss: You're beautiful! I couldn't possibly guess!
Lady: [goading] Guess!
Miss: Really, I don't think I could possibly--
Lady: Guess! [points to girl] This is my granddaughter.
Miss: Well, I really don't know! Hmmm...55?
Lady: [beaming] ...65!
Miss: You are gorgeous! Happy Birthday!
$3 on $43 -- Great...
2. 2-top: Mom and son. Son is older, approximately 18/19. They are a little funny--weird.
Miss: Can I get you started with something to drink?
Mom: Do you have sweet tea?
Miss: Sorry, we only have unsweetened tea.
Mom: What about Raspberry?
Miss: Sorry, we only have unsweetened tea.
Mom: [chuckling] Oh, you just said that.
Miss: That's okay.
We work out the drinks, and I return to take their order.
Miss: Are you all set to order?
Mom: Well, I only get one thing when I come here, and I can't remember if it's enchiladas or the chimichanga (sp).
Miss: Well, since we don't have chimichangas, I'd have to say it's probably enchiladas.
This is only funny because they are regulars whom I've waited on before, and she took quite a bit of time with the menu. You'd think that if we offered chimichangas, they would be on the menu.
3. 4-top: All older women.
Miss: Ladies, can I get you started with drinks?
Woman: I need a large, large, large, large water, and extra, extra, extra lemons.
2nd Woman: I'll have that too.
Miss: We do have homemade lemonade, if you'd like.
2nd Woman: I need decaf.
Miss: Lemonade is decaffeinated.
3rd Woman: Yeah, it is decaf.
2nd Woman: Well, I need Splenda.
Miss: ... [brings them 2 waters, a pound of lemons, and Splenda...ugh]
4. 4-top: Dad, Mom, 2 small children (a boy and a girl)
Miss: Can I get you started with drinks? [mom and dad both order, then they turn to the kids]
Boy: Raspberry iced tea
Miss: Sorry buddy, I don't have Raspberry iced tea.
Boy: [eyes welled with tears, he turns to his father] Why did we have to come here??
Father: [to me] How about a Sprite?
Boy: [to father] I don't want a Sprite! I want Raspberry iced tea.
I ended up bringing him a Sprite, but he did not lift his head from his pout for the rest of their experience. He didn't eat, drink, or utter a word the entire time.
That's all I've got.
Later.
PS In the Spell Check process, it, of course, picks up chimichangas, and the suggestions are "shortchanges," "mechanics," and "shamanic." Too funny.
1. Birthday Girl. I approach a 3-top (girl: approximately 20-ish, guy: approximately 20-ish, and woman: over 50-ish). They are friendly, and I ask the woman what she would like to drink. She replies with "Today's my birthday!"
Miss: Happy Birthday! Don't worry about us embarrassing you--we don't do that around here.
Lady: That's okay! Guess how old I am!
Miss: You're beautiful! I couldn't possibly guess!
Lady: [goading] Guess!
Miss: Really, I don't think I could possibly--
Lady: Guess! [points to girl] This is my granddaughter.
Miss: Well, I really don't know! Hmmm...55?
Lady: [beaming] ...65!
Miss: You are gorgeous! Happy Birthday!
$3 on $43 -- Great...
2. 2-top: Mom and son. Son is older, approximately 18/19. They are a little funny--weird.
Miss: Can I get you started with something to drink?
Mom: Do you have sweet tea?
Miss: Sorry, we only have unsweetened tea.
Mom: What about Raspberry?
Miss: Sorry, we only have unsweetened tea.
Mom: [chuckling] Oh, you just said that.
Miss: That's okay.
We work out the drinks, and I return to take their order.
Miss: Are you all set to order?
Mom: Well, I only get one thing when I come here, and I can't remember if it's enchiladas or the chimichanga (sp).
Miss: Well, since we don't have chimichangas, I'd have to say it's probably enchiladas.
This is only funny because they are regulars whom I've waited on before, and she took quite a bit of time with the menu. You'd think that if we offered chimichangas, they would be on the menu.
3. 4-top: All older women.
Miss: Ladies, can I get you started with drinks?
Woman: I need a large, large, large, large water, and extra, extra, extra lemons.
2nd Woman: I'll have that too.
Miss: We do have homemade lemonade, if you'd like.
2nd Woman: I need decaf.
Miss: Lemonade is decaffeinated.
3rd Woman: Yeah, it is decaf.
2nd Woman: Well, I need Splenda.
Miss: ... [brings them 2 waters, a pound of lemons, and Splenda...ugh]
4. 4-top: Dad, Mom, 2 small children (a boy and a girl)
Miss: Can I get you started with drinks? [mom and dad both order, then they turn to the kids]
Boy: Raspberry iced tea
Miss: Sorry buddy, I don't have Raspberry iced tea.
Boy: [eyes welled with tears, he turns to his father] Why did we have to come here??
Father: [to me] How about a Sprite?
Boy: [to father] I don't want a Sprite! I want Raspberry iced tea.
I ended up bringing him a Sprite, but he did not lift his head from his pout for the rest of their experience. He didn't eat, drink, or utter a word the entire time.
That's all I've got.
Later.
PS In the Spell Check process, it, of course, picks up chimichangas, and the suggestions are "shortchanges," "mechanics," and "shamanic." Too funny.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Not-so-Friendly Update
Well...I got a response, but it was not the one I was looking for. He's pretty pissed. Apparently, I'm playing the victim. I'm trying to be open and honest with him, yet somehow I'm playing the victim and turning everything on him. He says I forget who I'm mad at--well, not only am I mad at him for ending a sentence with a preposition, but the intent of the first two portions of the email was to express how angry I was with myself for letting things go that far.
I felt as though my intent was smooshed by his ego or something. He described what he wanted in a friend, and all I read was "me," "me," "me" and then a finally a little bit about the other person. It's clear that it's all about him. He even said that he doesn't need this drama. That's funny! It's not like I'm calling him all hours of the night, texting him, blowing up his facebook, and talking smack. I've kept our relationship between us! WTF?? I don't want drama either, but I guess that's the price I pay for expressing my feelings.
This post is all up in the air. I'm stressed. I've been at work for nearly 12 hours, and I am ready to go home...and do more work. Great.
Tomorrow: Class 12:30 - 2:20 / 2:30 - 4:20
I felt as though my intent was smooshed by his ego or something. He described what he wanted in a friend, and all I read was "me," "me," "me" and then a finally a little bit about the other person. It's clear that it's all about him. He even said that he doesn't need this drama. That's funny! It's not like I'm calling him all hours of the night, texting him, blowing up his facebook, and talking smack. I've kept our relationship between us! WTF?? I don't want drama either, but I guess that's the price I pay for expressing my feelings.
This post is all up in the air. I'm stressed. I've been at work for nearly 12 hours, and I am ready to go home...and do more work. Great.
Tomorrow: Class 12:30 - 2:20 / 2:30 - 4:20
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friendly Upset
I'm blogging about this here because making a Facebook status about it would most likely create some waves, and I pretty sure my friends are sick and tired of hearing me cry about this particular subject. Here goes.
I have a friend; one whom I consider to be close. We hang out once a month or so, and we are friendly, but not romantic. We both know that our personalities will clash in a romantic relationship, but we are still attracted to one another and, supposedly, we value our friendship.
Recently, I came to the realization that, although I was not "catching feelings" for him, I was waiting around for him to make some kind of move, even though we are not dating. It made me realize that I want something real, and, clearly, what we have is not real.
I approached him one day and told him that we needed to have a conversation. I wanted to discuss this realization face to face. I was closing the restaurant that night, which did not fit into his schedule, so I asked when we could get together to talk. He didn't really have an answer, but he did have a bunch of excuses about this own schedule, etc. that would force us to not see each other for a couple of weeks. So, I, passive aggressively told him that I would send him an email, rather than wait 2 weeks to get this off my chest. He didn't really have a rebuttal.
I waited four days, hoping that he would call, text, or write, but when he didn't, I started to evaluate our friendship a little bit. If my friend told me he wanted to have a conversation, I would do whatever it took to get in touch with him and let him know that I cared about whatever was weighing on his mind. When I got nothing, I realized that we weren't the kind of friends I thought we were. Then I got to thinking that everything had been on his terms, in his way, on his time, and I bowed in submission, just for that inconsistent closeness.
After four days, I wrote him a pretty long email...that was Sunday. On Tuesday Night/Wednesday morning, he responded saying that was the first time he had seen the message and he would respond, but he didn't have time at that moment. He assured me he wasn't ignoring me. Now, today, I still have yet to see a response. I almost wrote him and told him to not bother responding. I'm just happy to get that all off my chest.
What a piss-poor friend. I just feel duped. I feel like now that I'm calling the shots, he is pissed or feeling degraded in some way. He's been calling the shots for months now, so I decided to take the bull by the horns, and now he doesn't like it. That's what his lack of response is telling me. It just sucks because I don't want to lost him as a friend, but I think that's how this is going. I don't know. We'll see.
I just realized that this is the first time I have written about the Miss's life outside of the myriad occupations...whatever.
I have a friend; one whom I consider to be close. We hang out once a month or so, and we are friendly, but not romantic. We both know that our personalities will clash in a romantic relationship, but we are still attracted to one another and, supposedly, we value our friendship.
Recently, I came to the realization that, although I was not "catching feelings" for him, I was waiting around for him to make some kind of move, even though we are not dating. It made me realize that I want something real, and, clearly, what we have is not real.
I approached him one day and told him that we needed to have a conversation. I wanted to discuss this realization face to face. I was closing the restaurant that night, which did not fit into his schedule, so I asked when we could get together to talk. He didn't really have an answer, but he did have a bunch of excuses about this own schedule, etc. that would force us to not see each other for a couple of weeks. So, I, passive aggressively told him that I would send him an email, rather than wait 2 weeks to get this off my chest. He didn't really have a rebuttal.
I waited four days, hoping that he would call, text, or write, but when he didn't, I started to evaluate our friendship a little bit. If my friend told me he wanted to have a conversation, I would do whatever it took to get in touch with him and let him know that I cared about whatever was weighing on his mind. When I got nothing, I realized that we weren't the kind of friends I thought we were. Then I got to thinking that everything had been on his terms, in his way, on his time, and I bowed in submission, just for that inconsistent closeness.
After four days, I wrote him a pretty long email...that was Sunday. On Tuesday Night/Wednesday morning, he responded saying that was the first time he had seen the message and he would respond, but he didn't have time at that moment. He assured me he wasn't ignoring me. Now, today, I still have yet to see a response. I almost wrote him and told him to not bother responding. I'm just happy to get that all off my chest.
What a piss-poor friend. I just feel duped. I feel like now that I'm calling the shots, he is pissed or feeling degraded in some way. He's been calling the shots for months now, so I decided to take the bull by the horns, and now he doesn't like it. That's what his lack of response is telling me. It just sucks because I don't want to lost him as a friend, but I think that's how this is going. I don't know. We'll see.
I just realized that this is the first time I have written about the Miss's life outside of the myriad occupations...whatever.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Class Cancellation
So, I've decided to cancel classes on Wednesday b/c I know that I will have sporadic attendance, and because I just feel like it. I'm not sure what I'd do with them anyway. Regardless, today, I'm going over some upcoming due dates, important dates, etc., and I mention that I will be cancelling class on Wednesday. My "prize" student says, "What Wednesday?" I say, "Not tomorrow, but the next day." That clears it up, then I have another student say, "Wednesday, November 30th?" Now, why on God's green Earth would I cancel class NEXT Wednesday?? Besides, they already know that their research papers are due 11/30, so why would I cancel class when they have papers due? I have some winners, I tell ya.
I'm late to my 2:30...gotta go!
I'm late to my 2:30...gotta go!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Hey, That Alpaca Bit Me!
So, I have extremely vivid dreams that I typically record, but most of the time I don't need to because they stick in my head like memories I have from another dimension of the universe. Last night, I dreamed...
I'm taking midnight stroll, in a nightgown, through an expansive field, and I come upon a large river. There is a bridge to my left, and a rope swing in front of me. Even though the bridge is clearly the safer passage, I choose the rope swing. I take a leap of faith and barely make it across the muddy water. I walk up the bank to a path that leads through a pleasant wooded area. As I'm walking, peacefully, I hear some rustling in the brush off to my left. At first, I figure that it is a fox, and I think to myself that it won't hurt me--instead, it will probably just run off because it's more afraid of me than I am of it. I'm not nervous, until I realize that it's not a fox. Suddenly, an alpaca comes out of the brush, rushes towards me and bites me! He's an angry alpaca! I start off running, and he comes after me--in full chase! I run for a while before noticing there is a chain-linked fence off to my right and what seems to be a drop-off to a concrete landing of sorts. I decide to jump the fence in an attempt to escape the wrath of this alpaca. I land safely, in my nightgown and bare feet, and when I turn around to check the status of my pursuer, I see that he, too, has jumped the fence, like some sort of Billy Goat, landing on all fours mere feet behind me. I continue running away from this crazy alpaca, and now I'm back in a wooded area. Up ahead, I see what seems to be a map. As I approach, I see that it is, indeed, a map that is hand-drawn and colored in with crayons. It shows a cul-de-sac off to my right, that clearly has no way out, and up ahead is a picture of a carnival slide (the ones you slide down with a burlap sack). I head in that direction, but I wake before reaching any destination. I woke up this morning thinking of alpacas.
I typically look up key words or actions in my dreams, just out of curiosity. I have several Dream Dictionaries; however, I am well aware that our dreams are interpretations of our experiences and memories, and sometimes the definitions in the dictionaries have to be taken with a grain of salt. My dictionaries had nothing about alpacas (or llamas), but I did find some information online. Nothing about alpacas, sadly, mostly about llamas.
"To see a llama in your dream represents deep trust, strength and endurance. It may also mean that you are worrying too much and carrying too many problems."
"A Llama in dream may associate with socialised impulses, feelings or sexuality. But Llama in it's country actually is a beast of burden. So it may mean hardiness. Llama is a gentle animal, so it may bring you the message of gentleness in your attitude."
Tomorrow: Class - 8:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m./Server - 5:00 - Close
I'm taking midnight stroll, in a nightgown, through an expansive field, and I come upon a large river. There is a bridge to my left, and a rope swing in front of me. Even though the bridge is clearly the safer passage, I choose the rope swing. I take a leap of faith and barely make it across the muddy water. I walk up the bank to a path that leads through a pleasant wooded area. As I'm walking, peacefully, I hear some rustling in the brush off to my left. At first, I figure that it is a fox, and I think to myself that it won't hurt me--instead, it will probably just run off because it's more afraid of me than I am of it. I'm not nervous, until I realize that it's not a fox. Suddenly, an alpaca comes out of the brush, rushes towards me and bites me! He's an angry alpaca! I start off running, and he comes after me--in full chase! I run for a while before noticing there is a chain-linked fence off to my right and what seems to be a drop-off to a concrete landing of sorts. I decide to jump the fence in an attempt to escape the wrath of this alpaca. I land safely, in my nightgown and bare feet, and when I turn around to check the status of my pursuer, I see that he, too, has jumped the fence, like some sort of Billy Goat, landing on all fours mere feet behind me. I continue running away from this crazy alpaca, and now I'm back in a wooded area. Up ahead, I see what seems to be a map. As I approach, I see that it is, indeed, a map that is hand-drawn and colored in with crayons. It shows a cul-de-sac off to my right, that clearly has no way out, and up ahead is a picture of a carnival slide (the ones you slide down with a burlap sack). I head in that direction, but I wake before reaching any destination. I woke up this morning thinking of alpacas.
I typically look up key words or actions in my dreams, just out of curiosity. I have several Dream Dictionaries; however, I am well aware that our dreams are interpretations of our experiences and memories, and sometimes the definitions in the dictionaries have to be taken with a grain of salt. My dictionaries had nothing about alpacas (or llamas), but I did find some information online. Nothing about alpacas, sadly, mostly about llamas.
"To see a llama in your dream represents deep trust, strength and endurance. It may also mean that you are worrying too much and carrying too many problems."
"A Llama in dream may associate with socialised impulses, feelings or sexuality. But Llama in it's country actually is a beast of burden. So it may mean hardiness. Llama is a gentle animal, so it may bring you the message of gentleness in your attitude."
Tomorrow: Class - 8:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m./Server - 5:00 - Close
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Inspired by a Co-worker
Today - Class: 8:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. / 6:00 p.m. - 8:50 p.m.
Today, on Facebook, a co-worker asked me for my blog address. I sadly admitted that I hadn't updated my blog in nearly a year. From that post, I was prompted to check my blog. I was surprised that it hasn't been quite a year, yet, but I am definitely rounding that bend.
Update: I am no longer a secretary! I am currently an adjunct instructor, teaching 4 English classes a local college. I am still working at the restaurant to make ends meet, but I am out of that hellish secretarial world that bogged me down for far too long. I definitely have some funny stories that I could share. So, perhaps I will pick up the blogging game again.
I hope this is a Welcome Back post, and not just a fleeting moment of updates...
Tomorrow (Wednesday) - Class: 12:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Today, on Facebook, a co-worker asked me for my blog address. I sadly admitted that I hadn't updated my blog in nearly a year. From that post, I was prompted to check my blog. I was surprised that it hasn't been quite a year, yet, but I am definitely rounding that bend.
Update: I am no longer a secretary! I am currently an adjunct instructor, teaching 4 English classes a local college. I am still working at the restaurant to make ends meet, but I am out of that hellish secretarial world that bogged me down for far too long. I definitely have some funny stories that I could share. So, perhaps I will pick up the blogging game again.
I hope this is a Welcome Back post, and not just a fleeting moment of updates...
Tomorrow (Wednesday) - Class: 12:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tree House
Well, my last post explained my absence because of some unexpected turns. Well, another one just hit. Literally. Thursday, March 10, a 90 ft, 5,000 lb Oak tree hit my little house. I was in the house at the time and thought the world was ending. It was really unbelievable. The house is still standing; however, I do believe the foundation suffered a pretty severe jolt. I've spent the weekend with family and friends, and my vagabond existence may continue if the damage creates an unsafe living environment. I'll keep you informed, but posts may be limited for a while. Keep checking in!
~Darby
~Darby
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Miffed
Today (Tuesday): Secretary / Server
Because of the cloud I am sitting on, tonight wasn't as bad as it probably could have been. It was a slow Tuesday night. We did get a "push" around 6:30 or 6:45, but nothing to write home about. I did not have a full section once...oh, wait, I did.
Here's the story:
Crazy Girl (I've mentioned her before) was in a closing section that consisted of a big-top (6 people max) and three small-tops (4 people max). One of her small-tops was sat with her new boyfriend, an obnoxious hostess, and some other dude. Crazy Girl and I had a heart to heart a few days ago, so she approached me at the start of the shift, and asked me to come meet her new man. I didn't really care, because, honestly, I don't really consider Crazy Girl my friend. However, I do have a soft spot for her because I think she's one of those people who just doesn't know. She doesn't know how to act in social situations, she's wildly inappropriate, she's too trusting, she has a big mouth, and she has more of an attitude than I do most days. She's crazy. Because of this, I've made it a point to not hang out with her outside of work. I can barely handle her in work. A few months ago, she finally got my number out of me, and she called me pretty incessantly about random shit that would end up taking 40 minutes out of my day. I put her back at arm's length; however, I've still maintained the role as a friendly adviser. I don't hate her--I just know I have to be cautious with her. I digress...
She had a table at her her big-top (probably around 7:30), and they had been there for a minute. I noticed the woman from the table talking to the MOD (Manager on Duty), and I heard her describing her "plan" as I walked by. Turns out, her plan was that more people were joining her, and she needed a larger table. She was expecting three more to her party of five, and her plan was to move to my big-top (8 people max). Crazy Girl dropped some things off at my big-top (a beverage and a bar drink), and I turned to her and said, "You're keeping them, right?" She set the items on the table and said, "Nope," then walked away. I was taking care of my other tables, so I didn't follow after her. Once my tables were square, I walked up to Crazy Girl and she handed me a slip of paper with her chicken-scratch order. It is policy in our restaurant that if you start a table, you must finish that table. There are extenuating circumstances from time to time, but this time did not warrant an extenuation. For some reason MOD transferred them to me, which miffed me. If any other manager were working, that never would have happened. When I asked her why she was transferring them, she replied that it wasn't fair. What isn't fair? That she started the table, took their order, somehow managed to not ring it in; now, it's my table, cuts are about to go up, and she is closing? I'm not sure how fairness got brought into it. I approached MOD and explained to him more clearly what exactly happened. He said he forgot she was closing. Whatever.
It wasn't the fact that I had to take the party. It was actually pretty easy, since the order was already taken and the drinks had already been fetched. All I had to do was get drinks for the newcomers, take their orders, and deliver the food. They ended up boxing up most of their food, and they left pretty quickly. I had a $17 gratuity (plus $3 extra), so it worked out fine. My whole issue is that I felt it was a dirty move on Crazy Girl's part to get the party transferred when she was a closer. I was miffed because she ended up cleaning her section while I was waiting on her table. I just felt like she didn't want to deal with them, so she wanted to pawn them off. Because of my soft spot for her, I was going to try to approach her again before I left, but I decided against it. Some people just never learn.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) Secretary / Server (hopefully getting my shift covered)
Because of the cloud I am sitting on, tonight wasn't as bad as it probably could have been. It was a slow Tuesday night. We did get a "push" around 6:30 or 6:45, but nothing to write home about. I did not have a full section once...oh, wait, I did.
Here's the story:
Crazy Girl (I've mentioned her before) was in a closing section that consisted of a big-top (6 people max) and three small-tops (4 people max). One of her small-tops was sat with her new boyfriend, an obnoxious hostess, and some other dude. Crazy Girl and I had a heart to heart a few days ago, so she approached me at the start of the shift, and asked me to come meet her new man. I didn't really care, because, honestly, I don't really consider Crazy Girl my friend. However, I do have a soft spot for her because I think she's one of those people who just doesn't know. She doesn't know how to act in social situations, she's wildly inappropriate, she's too trusting, she has a big mouth, and she has more of an attitude than I do most days. She's crazy. Because of this, I've made it a point to not hang out with her outside of work. I can barely handle her in work. A few months ago, she finally got my number out of me, and she called me pretty incessantly about random shit that would end up taking 40 minutes out of my day. I put her back at arm's length; however, I've still maintained the role as a friendly adviser. I don't hate her--I just know I have to be cautious with her. I digress...
She had a table at her her big-top (probably around 7:30), and they had been there for a minute. I noticed the woman from the table talking to the MOD (Manager on Duty), and I heard her describing her "plan" as I walked by. Turns out, her plan was that more people were joining her, and she needed a larger table. She was expecting three more to her party of five, and her plan was to move to my big-top (8 people max). Crazy Girl dropped some things off at my big-top (a beverage and a bar drink), and I turned to her and said, "You're keeping them, right?" She set the items on the table and said, "Nope," then walked away. I was taking care of my other tables, so I didn't follow after her. Once my tables were square, I walked up to Crazy Girl and she handed me a slip of paper with her chicken-scratch order. It is policy in our restaurant that if you start a table, you must finish that table. There are extenuating circumstances from time to time, but this time did not warrant an extenuation. For some reason MOD transferred them to me, which miffed me. If any other manager were working, that never would have happened. When I asked her why she was transferring them, she replied that it wasn't fair. What isn't fair? That she started the table, took their order, somehow managed to not ring it in; now, it's my table, cuts are about to go up, and she is closing? I'm not sure how fairness got brought into it. I approached MOD and explained to him more clearly what exactly happened. He said he forgot she was closing. Whatever.
It wasn't the fact that I had to take the party. It was actually pretty easy, since the order was already taken and the drinks had already been fetched. All I had to do was get drinks for the newcomers, take their orders, and deliver the food. They ended up boxing up most of their food, and they left pretty quickly. I had a $17 gratuity (plus $3 extra), so it worked out fine. My whole issue is that I felt it was a dirty move on Crazy Girl's part to get the party transferred when she was a closer. I was miffed because she ended up cleaning her section while I was waiting on her table. I just felt like she didn't want to deal with them, so she wanted to pawn them off. Because of my soft spot for her, I was going to try to approach her again before I left, but I decided against it. Some people just never learn.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) Secretary / Server (hopefully getting my shift covered)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Naughty Server
Monday: Secretary *played hooky* / *off*
I haven't posted because life has taken some interesting and time-consuming turns. This month has been a roller coaster of sorts: one that has brought some things to light, and one that has presented me with certain aspects of myself and my personality that I think I'd like to change. I have become a bitter person. I believe I've become jaded. Not just through the service industry. This attitude expands into my personal relationships; consequently, I've been single for four years. I'm trying to make some changes, and make some moves to find happiness in companionship, rather than solitary autonomy. I definitely don't want to give up the independence that I have. I like that I don't have to answer to anybody. But I'm just beginning to admit that I would benefit from having a companion...someone to share experiences with. I don't know. Things happened this month that will never cease to amaze me, and will stay in my memory forever. Details are unimportant, but let's just say that this weekend has left me smiling ear to ear. It's about damn time.
Regardless, my bitterness is not something that is redeemable or endearing. It can be the source of great comedic material, but on a whole, I'm sure it gets old for the people I work with. I am very outspoken, although I do know how to be professional. Sometimes my emotions take over for my professional side and get me into some trouble. I know I've posted about this problem before.
I actually played hooky today, so I have no specific gripes. This weekend is a blur, so I have no server gripes either. Perhaps my smile will last throughout the week...
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
I haven't posted because life has taken some interesting and time-consuming turns. This month has been a roller coaster of sorts: one that has brought some things to light, and one that has presented me with certain aspects of myself and my personality that I think I'd like to change. I have become a bitter person. I believe I've become jaded. Not just through the service industry. This attitude expands into my personal relationships; consequently, I've been single for four years. I'm trying to make some changes, and make some moves to find happiness in companionship, rather than solitary autonomy. I definitely don't want to give up the independence that I have. I like that I don't have to answer to anybody. But I'm just beginning to admit that I would benefit from having a companion...someone to share experiences with. I don't know. Things happened this month that will never cease to amaze me, and will stay in my memory forever. Details are unimportant, but let's just say that this weekend has left me smiling ear to ear. It's about damn time.
Regardless, my bitterness is not something that is redeemable or endearing. It can be the source of great comedic material, but on a whole, I'm sure it gets old for the people I work with. I am very outspoken, although I do know how to be professional. Sometimes my emotions take over for my professional side and get me into some trouble. I know I've posted about this problem before.
I actually played hooky today, so I have no specific gripes. This weekend is a blur, so I have no server gripes either. Perhaps my smile will last throughout the week...
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Mini Reprieve
Today: Secretary / Server
I didn't blog for a couple days because I just haven't had the time. I should really be getting to bed, so may be quick. My biggest *peeve* about the office (well, there are two), the first is a pretty big peeve. I'm sick and tired of instructors thinking that their only activity should be instructing and grading papers--maybe going to a conference or a meeting here or there. Otherwise all they do is complain. Correction: some of them complain. 85% of the people in our departments understand the "big picture," and know that there is more involved in working for higher education that just teaching. There is a huge burn-out rate in any teaching profession, I don't understand how some would think that higher ed would different. Regardless, there is a kind of resistance to anything clerical or administrative. I almost feel like a parent, disciplining small children. I'm the secretary, for crying out loud, and I have to follow-up with you for paperwork you've had for two months? As instructors, they get pissed when students don't follow directions or get things in by the deadline, but as instructors, they somehow think it doesn't apply to them. I wrote an email to an instructor at the beginning of last week, asking if I could be of any assistance processing the necessary paperwork that she's had in her possession since January 12th. She didn't even respond to my email. She said nothing to me regarding any of it. Yesterday morning they were on my desk. It's fucked up, really.
The other little *peeve* is listening to other people's stories. A lot of people who walk in the office seem to think that the secretaries need and want to hear their entire life story. Because we're just secretaries? I don't know. Sometimes we need specific information to better serve the student, but general information is usually sufficient. For example, I had a student come in yesterday:
Miss: Hello. May I help you?
Student: I have to turn in this paper to Mrs. K.
Miss: [standing, and reaching for a notebook] I'm going to have you sign it in. (We have students sign-in when they drop off paperwork to document the receipt of said document. We ran into an issue last semester when a student kept saying that she "gave her work to the secretaries" but it never reached the instructor.)
Student: [filling out the sign-in sheet] Yeah, I was sick and she said that I could email it to her.
Miss: [confused, silent]
Student: [still filling out the sign-in sheet] I couldn't even get out of bed. She said I could email it, but when I tried, I kept getting an error message. I don't know if she got it, but I thought I would just drop it off. I'm behind on other assignments now.
Miss: [taking the notebook, replacing on the shelf] I'll be sure she gets it. Feel better. [heads into the Copy Room to escape gabbing germy.]
She wasn't even as bad as some people I've experienced. I just have to say this: I generally don't care. When I was teaching, I also did not care about your story. We all have a fucking story. (I made myself think of George Carlin just then. I've been watching a lot of him lately, and I've decided that he and my mom had a love affair in the late 70s, and I am really George Carlin's love child.) We all have a fucking story. The fact that she told me her story did not make my job or the way in which I performed my job go any differently. I did not change a thing, knowing that she had been sick and was supposed to email it...or whatever. I still put the time/date stamp on the girl's assignment and put it in the appropriate instructor's mailbox. If she had simply told me she wanted to drop something off and sign the book, I still would have put the time and date stamp, etc., etc.
When I was teaching I had strict policies on deadlines, etc. I don't care if your dog ate it on the way to school while you were changing a flat tire. Telling me that did not help the assignment appear. Telling me that just made me annoyed that you spent the time thinking of that excuse because you just don't have your work. Here's how it will go:
Miss: Henry, do you have your assignment?
Student: No, Miss, I do not.
Miss: Turn it in tomorrow by noon for a 20% reduction.
Is that so hard?
Miss: Can I help you?
Student: I'd like to drop off this assignment for Mrs. K.
Miss: Sign it in please.
Student: [obliges]
I just think people think that everyone cares about them. I do not. I do not care why you can't get your shit together and remember your appointment. I do not care that that instructor won't let you add his/her class. I don't care that your dad is the security guard and you think you're hot shit. I just don't care. I have work to do! My job does revolve around the opening and closing of the door, but unfortunately, it is much more than that. When you go into the doctor's office for a check-up, and you're waiting in the reception area, do you strike up a conversation with the girl behind the counter? No! That's why some waiting areas have those little windows. They have work to do, and sitting around talking to people all day will NOT make the "To Do" list shorter. State your business, and take care of it--and only tell me the pertinent information.
Thank you.
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
I didn't blog for a couple days because I just haven't had the time. I should really be getting to bed, so may be quick. My biggest *peeve* about the office (well, there are two), the first is a pretty big peeve. I'm sick and tired of instructors thinking that their only activity should be instructing and grading papers--maybe going to a conference or a meeting here or there. Otherwise all they do is complain. Correction: some of them complain. 85% of the people in our departments understand the "big picture," and know that there is more involved in working for higher education that just teaching. There is a huge burn-out rate in any teaching profession, I don't understand how some would think that higher ed would different. Regardless, there is a kind of resistance to anything clerical or administrative. I almost feel like a parent, disciplining small children. I'm the secretary, for crying out loud, and I have to follow-up with you for paperwork you've had for two months? As instructors, they get pissed when students don't follow directions or get things in by the deadline, but as instructors, they somehow think it doesn't apply to them. I wrote an email to an instructor at the beginning of last week, asking if I could be of any assistance processing the necessary paperwork that she's had in her possession since January 12th. She didn't even respond to my email. She said nothing to me regarding any of it. Yesterday morning they were on my desk. It's fucked up, really.
The other little *peeve* is listening to other people's stories. A lot of people who walk in the office seem to think that the secretaries need and want to hear their entire life story. Because we're just secretaries? I don't know. Sometimes we need specific information to better serve the student, but general information is usually sufficient. For example, I had a student come in yesterday:
Miss: Hello. May I help you?
Student: I have to turn in this paper to Mrs. K.
Miss: [standing, and reaching for a notebook] I'm going to have you sign it in. (We have students sign-in when they drop off paperwork to document the receipt of said document. We ran into an issue last semester when a student kept saying that she "gave her work to the secretaries" but it never reached the instructor.)
Student: [filling out the sign-in sheet] Yeah, I was sick and she said that I could email it to her.
Miss: [confused, silent]
Student: [still filling out the sign-in sheet] I couldn't even get out of bed. She said I could email it, but when I tried, I kept getting an error message. I don't know if she got it, but I thought I would just drop it off. I'm behind on other assignments now.
Miss: [taking the notebook, replacing on the shelf] I'll be sure she gets it. Feel better. [heads into the Copy Room to escape gabbing germy.]
She wasn't even as bad as some people I've experienced. I just have to say this: I generally don't care. When I was teaching, I also did not care about your story. We all have a fucking story. (I made myself think of George Carlin just then. I've been watching a lot of him lately, and I've decided that he and my mom had a love affair in the late 70s, and I am really George Carlin's love child.) We all have a fucking story. The fact that she told me her story did not make my job or the way in which I performed my job go any differently. I did not change a thing, knowing that she had been sick and was supposed to email it...or whatever. I still put the time/date stamp on the girl's assignment and put it in the appropriate instructor's mailbox. If she had simply told me she wanted to drop something off and sign the book, I still would have put the time and date stamp, etc., etc.
When I was teaching I had strict policies on deadlines, etc. I don't care if your dog ate it on the way to school while you were changing a flat tire. Telling me that did not help the assignment appear. Telling me that just made me annoyed that you spent the time thinking of that excuse because you just don't have your work. Here's how it will go:
Miss: Henry, do you have your assignment?
Student: No, Miss, I do not.
Miss: Turn it in tomorrow by noon for a 20% reduction.
Is that so hard?
Miss: Can I help you?
Student: I'd like to drop off this assignment for Mrs. K.
Miss: Sign it in please.
Student: [obliges]
I just think people think that everyone cares about them. I do not. I do not care why you can't get your shit together and remember your appointment. I do not care that that instructor won't let you add his/her class. I don't care that your dad is the security guard and you think you're hot shit. I just don't care. I have work to do! My job does revolve around the opening and closing of the door, but unfortunately, it is much more than that. When you go into the doctor's office for a check-up, and you're waiting in the reception area, do you strike up a conversation with the girl behind the counter? No! That's why some waiting areas have those little windows. They have work to do, and sitting around talking to people all day will NOT make the "To Do" list shorter. State your business, and take care of it--and only tell me the pertinent information.
Thank you.
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Good Intentions
Today: *Off* / Server (closing!)
I had every intention of blogging about the office today, but I'm scheduled at the restaurant soon. So, I've decided that I'll post about the office tomorrow sometime, to avoid getting "all fired up" before work tonight. For the next few hours, I'm going to relax and enjoy myself.
I had every intention of blogging about the office today, but I'm scheduled at the restaurant soon. So, I've decided that I'll post about the office tomorrow sometime, to avoid getting "all fired up" before work tonight. For the next few hours, I'm going to relax and enjoy myself.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Much-Needed
Thursday: Secretary / Server
Friday (today): Secretary / *Off*
So, funny thing...I worked last night, but decided not to blog because it was pretty late by the time it was all said and done. I figured I'd have time this afternoon, since I wasn't scheduled and didn't really feel like picking up a shift--so sue me (I can't pay you anyway.) Back to the "funny thing." I should have blogged. I totally should have blogged. Focusing on this task has shown me its importance.
Thursday Night: Server
The night started out just fine. I was in a great mood, and my section buddy was Daisy, my BFF! Great way to start the night. We weren't scheduled on until 5:30, but the restaurant had started to fill, so we told Big D (the MOD) that we were ready. They immediately came back and pretty much flat-sat our sections. No problem. Apparently it had been dead during lunch, so I welcomed the business. My section was two "small tops" (max 4 people) and two big-tops (max 6 people). Great. Except for the fact that we didn't have any "small tops" on the wait. I asked if I could split up one of my big tops (to make 2 smalls...), which I was permitted and, therefore, had a 5-table section. Even better. Now, I had 4 small-tops and one big. My first big-top was sat with a family of four, but I was okay with that (at least I had a table!). They were a family: father, mother, older brother, younger sister, and it appeared that the father spoke very little English, and the mother did not speak English at all. When I was taking their drink order, the father was verifying English terms with his son. The father was interested in ordering a margarita. He asked "flavor?" So, I sold him on a strawberry margarita "on ice." The older brother ordered food for the table, and the younger sister ordered her own dish. I delivered their food and made sure they were okay. I went into the kitchen for some sour cream (for another table), and when I returned, it had appeared that something what happening. Tables in my section and tables in sections around me were focusing on the father from my table who appeared to be stumbling a bit as he got up from his table. He was walking down an isle of tables, toward the server station, which was where I was standing, having just come from the kitchen. He was headed in my direction with his son following closely behind. I was observing the fact that all eyes were on him, but I had no idea, really, about what was going on. In that split second, I turned back to look at the father--he was looking right at me, and at that moment, started to collapse. His son was not very fast-acting, and the father was headed for a smack on the hard-wood floor, so I stepped forward to stop/slow his fall--completely forgetting about the sour cream in my hands: it went down with him. As he fell, his eyes rolled back in his head, but by the time he was on the floor, he was trying to talk, so he did not lose consciousness. A woman from one of my tables was a nurse, and she immediately stepped in. Others were stepping in too. All five of my tables were involved, and one table from another section. The old man from my small-top was elevating the man's feet, there was the nurse, of course; another table of women had to stand because of all the bodies surrounding their table, and the family of four (mom, dad, older sister, little brother) helped by calling 9-1-1 and little brother timed the ambulance on his dad's phone. What a good Samaritan. I was totally freaked out, and totally overwhelmed. There were people asking for all kinds of things. Meanwhile, the father was trying to get up, the son was acting weirdly aloof, and the sister and mother were still sitting at the table. When the sister and mother finally got up to see what the fuck was going on, the sister was actually laughing. I had to walk away. I could not be around there. There was nothing I could do--I already softened the guy's fall. Quickly, the ambulance arrived and took the man out on a stretcher. I don't know if he was having a heart attack, that's what some were saying, but based on the behavior of the family, I'm wondering if he was shitfaced. It's just a thought. My other thought is that maybe he's on some kind of medicine that doesn't like being mixed with tequila. Maybe he's one of those people who think that the warning labels don't apply to them. Who knows? All I know is that he only had less than half a margarita on my watch. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell if he was slurring when he arrived because of his accent. He hardly spoke English enough to order a drink! I'm not worried about being liable, but with those ABC classes, you have to think about that kind of stuff! Totally freaky! The rest of the night is kinda blurry because of that whole thing. They hadn't taken one bite of their food. Of course we comped it, but still. Totally weird.
That was my much-needed post from last night, and I have a much-needed post from today at the office, but that will have to wait until after my dinner date (so, possibly tomorrow sometime).
:)
Friday (today): Secretary / *Off*
So, funny thing...I worked last night, but decided not to blog because it was pretty late by the time it was all said and done. I figured I'd have time this afternoon, since I wasn't scheduled and didn't really feel like picking up a shift--so sue me (I can't pay you anyway.) Back to the "funny thing." I should have blogged. I totally should have blogged. Focusing on this task has shown me its importance.
Thursday Night: Server
The night started out just fine. I was in a great mood, and my section buddy was Daisy, my BFF! Great way to start the night. We weren't scheduled on until 5:30, but the restaurant had started to fill, so we told Big D (the MOD) that we were ready. They immediately came back and pretty much flat-sat our sections. No problem. Apparently it had been dead during lunch, so I welcomed the business. My section was two "small tops" (max 4 people) and two big-tops (max 6 people). Great. Except for the fact that we didn't have any "small tops" on the wait. I asked if I could split up one of my big tops (to make 2 smalls...), which I was permitted and, therefore, had a 5-table section. Even better. Now, I had 4 small-tops and one big. My first big-top was sat with a family of four, but I was okay with that (at least I had a table!). They were a family: father, mother, older brother, younger sister, and it appeared that the father spoke very little English, and the mother did not speak English at all. When I was taking their drink order, the father was verifying English terms with his son. The father was interested in ordering a margarita. He asked "flavor?" So, I sold him on a strawberry margarita "on ice." The older brother ordered food for the table, and the younger sister ordered her own dish. I delivered their food and made sure they were okay. I went into the kitchen for some sour cream (for another table), and when I returned, it had appeared that something what happening. Tables in my section and tables in sections around me were focusing on the father from my table who appeared to be stumbling a bit as he got up from his table. He was walking down an isle of tables, toward the server station, which was where I was standing, having just come from the kitchen. He was headed in my direction with his son following closely behind. I was observing the fact that all eyes were on him, but I had no idea, really, about what was going on. In that split second, I turned back to look at the father--he was looking right at me, and at that moment, started to collapse. His son was not very fast-acting, and the father was headed for a smack on the hard-wood floor, so I stepped forward to stop/slow his fall--completely forgetting about the sour cream in my hands: it went down with him. As he fell, his eyes rolled back in his head, but by the time he was on the floor, he was trying to talk, so he did not lose consciousness. A woman from one of my tables was a nurse, and she immediately stepped in. Others were stepping in too. All five of my tables were involved, and one table from another section. The old man from my small-top was elevating the man's feet, there was the nurse, of course; another table of women had to stand because of all the bodies surrounding their table, and the family of four (mom, dad, older sister, little brother) helped by calling 9-1-1 and little brother timed the ambulance on his dad's phone. What a good Samaritan. I was totally freaked out, and totally overwhelmed. There were people asking for all kinds of things. Meanwhile, the father was trying to get up, the son was acting weirdly aloof, and the sister and mother were still sitting at the table. When the sister and mother finally got up to see what the fuck was going on, the sister was actually laughing. I had to walk away. I could not be around there. There was nothing I could do--I already softened the guy's fall. Quickly, the ambulance arrived and took the man out on a stretcher. I don't know if he was having a heart attack, that's what some were saying, but based on the behavior of the family, I'm wondering if he was shitfaced. It's just a thought. My other thought is that maybe he's on some kind of medicine that doesn't like being mixed with tequila. Maybe he's one of those people who think that the warning labels don't apply to them. Who knows? All I know is that he only had less than half a margarita on my watch. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell if he was slurring when he arrived because of his accent. He hardly spoke English enough to order a drink! I'm not worried about being liable, but with those ABC classes, you have to think about that kind of stuff! Totally freaky! The rest of the night is kinda blurry because of that whole thing. They hadn't taken one bite of their food. Of course we comped it, but still. Totally weird.
That was my much-needed post from last night, and I have a much-needed post from today at the office, but that will have to wait until after my dinner date (so, possibly tomorrow sometime).
:)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Just Enough
Today: *Off* / Server (closing)
I was originally scheduled to open today, but I preferred a night shift, so I switched mid-week. I was hesitant, because it was a hit-or-miss 3-table section: it has a (potential) 10-top and two small-tops (four people max).
When I first came on, I only had one table available, which was sat immediately. I like nights that start off quickly: they make the night go by so much faster. The other two tables ended up sitting for almost an hour after I got there, which was a pretty slow start to my night. As soon as those tables got up, it started rolling. Eventually, things were moving pretty quickly. We were definitely busy. I think my big-top only got sat twice, but I made $20 bucks off each. In addition, I shared a big-top with another server, and we ended up making $30 EACH. Great!
The night went relatively smooth. Although, first thing, the girl in the section next to me, dropped an entire glass of water down this woman's back. The bussers had butterfingers, and so did a few of the servers. I do have a patron pet peeve that I'd like to share. The section I was in tonight is positioned directly next to the host stand. Right in front of my section, next to the front door, is a computer desk with a POS, printer, napkins, etc. When we go on a wait, there is a lobby, but that fills quickly. We also have a little foyer that people stand in, but sometimes people stand right next to the computer table. When done tactfully, this is not a problem. Tonight was not as obnoxious as other nights, but at one point a group was standing directly in front of the computer table. Because the computer is there, it is a heavy traveled area, so every time we had to pass, we had to remind them that we were on our way, "Excuse me, folks..." I say with a tray full of drinks for my 10-top. The Stupid Group had a Stupid Man who was standing more in the way than any of his friends. Stupid Man kept grunting and huffing, sometimes scoffing when we excused ourselves through the pathway to the computer and our tables. One of my tables is positioned on the other side of the computer table and when they got up, Stupid Guy decided he'd be less in the way standing next to that table. It doesn't occur to him that another table will be sat there immediately, and he will, once again, be in the way. Finally, their table was called, and another Stupid Group took their place. This Stupid Group had a Stupid Girl, and she decided that the computer station was a good place for her ass to rest while she waited. This really pisses me off, so I make drastic, passive aggressive movements, such as shifting the computer in order to give me safe distance from her ass, and moving the printer. At one point, I was arriving with another round of drinks for my 10-top, so I actually asked them if I could use this workspace for just a moment. I made sure to emphasize "workspace." The only thing I can think of when this particular peeve affects me, is that if one of these corporate suits was trying to move through his/her day and someone was sitting on their desk, would that be appropriate? Do you go into the doctor's office, and if the seats are full, do you sit on the receptionist's desk? I think not! Why in the world would my computer desk be an appropriate place for you ass? They got the hint with the wobbly tray of bar drinks, but still. Do you really need to be reminded that people are working? I don't know. I think my two Natural Disaster (snow) Days really helped. If I hadn't had those, I'm sure this post would be extremely different.
As I said, I closed. We close at 11, so I always start cleaning up around 10:30. At 11, we sill had six tables in the restaurant, and one dude at the bar. So we did what we could, clean-up wise, and slowly the tables started to leave. Great. By 11:30, there was only one table, a 2-top, who had been there for over 2 hours. We did everything. Finally, at 11:45, my manager told us we could put up the chairs, so we started in the back...did a few sections...took out the trash...threw out the empty beer bottles.....swept....put up a few more sections of chairs.....did some more stuff....put up some more chairs....we started putting chairs up in the section next to them (actually, I was not putting up chairs at this time, the other closers were), but they didn't get the hint until all the chairs were up around them. Unbelievable. It's a last resort to put the chairs up around a sitting table, but come on! We had been closed for nearly an hour! We were ready to go!
Overall, I made just enough to make rent, which was the primary objective.
Tomorrow: *OFF* :)
I was originally scheduled to open today, but I preferred a night shift, so I switched mid-week. I was hesitant, because it was a hit-or-miss 3-table section: it has a (potential) 10-top and two small-tops (four people max).
When I first came on, I only had one table available, which was sat immediately. I like nights that start off quickly: they make the night go by so much faster. The other two tables ended up sitting for almost an hour after I got there, which was a pretty slow start to my night. As soon as those tables got up, it started rolling. Eventually, things were moving pretty quickly. We were definitely busy. I think my big-top only got sat twice, but I made $20 bucks off each. In addition, I shared a big-top with another server, and we ended up making $30 EACH. Great!
The night went relatively smooth. Although, first thing, the girl in the section next to me, dropped an entire glass of water down this woman's back. The bussers had butterfingers, and so did a few of the servers. I do have a patron pet peeve that I'd like to share. The section I was in tonight is positioned directly next to the host stand. Right in front of my section, next to the front door, is a computer desk with a POS, printer, napkins, etc. When we go on a wait, there is a lobby, but that fills quickly. We also have a little foyer that people stand in, but sometimes people stand right next to the computer table. When done tactfully, this is not a problem. Tonight was not as obnoxious as other nights, but at one point a group was standing directly in front of the computer table. Because the computer is there, it is a heavy traveled area, so every time we had to pass, we had to remind them that we were on our way, "Excuse me, folks..." I say with a tray full of drinks for my 10-top. The Stupid Group had a Stupid Man who was standing more in the way than any of his friends. Stupid Man kept grunting and huffing, sometimes scoffing when we excused ourselves through the pathway to the computer and our tables. One of my tables is positioned on the other side of the computer table and when they got up, Stupid Guy decided he'd be less in the way standing next to that table. It doesn't occur to him that another table will be sat there immediately, and he will, once again, be in the way. Finally, their table was called, and another Stupid Group took their place. This Stupid Group had a Stupid Girl, and she decided that the computer station was a good place for her ass to rest while she waited. This really pisses me off, so I make drastic, passive aggressive movements, such as shifting the computer in order to give me safe distance from her ass, and moving the printer. At one point, I was arriving with another round of drinks for my 10-top, so I actually asked them if I could use this workspace for just a moment. I made sure to emphasize "workspace." The only thing I can think of when this particular peeve affects me, is that if one of these corporate suits was trying to move through his/her day and someone was sitting on their desk, would that be appropriate? Do you go into the doctor's office, and if the seats are full, do you sit on the receptionist's desk? I think not! Why in the world would my computer desk be an appropriate place for you ass? They got the hint with the wobbly tray of bar drinks, but still. Do you really need to be reminded that people are working? I don't know. I think my two Natural Disaster (snow) Days really helped. If I hadn't had those, I'm sure this post would be extremely different.
As I said, I closed. We close at 11, so I always start cleaning up around 10:30. At 11, we sill had six tables in the restaurant, and one dude at the bar. So we did what we could, clean-up wise, and slowly the tables started to leave. Great. By 11:30, there was only one table, a 2-top, who had been there for over 2 hours. We did everything. Finally, at 11:45, my manager told us we could put up the chairs, so we started in the back...did a few sections...took out the trash...threw out the empty beer bottles.....swept....put up a few more sections of chairs.....did some more stuff....put up some more chairs....we started putting chairs up in the section next to them (actually, I was not putting up chairs at this time, the other closers were), but they didn't get the hint until all the chairs were up around them. Unbelievable. It's a last resort to put the chairs up around a sitting table, but come on! We had been closed for nearly an hour! We were ready to go!
Overall, I made just enough to make rent, which was the primary objective.
Tomorrow: *OFF* :)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Got That Shift
Oh, the power of social networking sights. Facebook came in handy yet again. I posted a "shift wanted" add on my status today and had a response in minutes. It was only a 3-table section, but it was all small-tops, so I figured I could rock the house. Unfortunately, there was no house-rocking. The night started off slow. Initially, I was sat with a 1-top, then I was sat with a regular family who, are pleasant, are definitely not good tippers (and they leave a disaster behind). Not a great way to start the evening.
When I arrived, the President of the company was there, so everybody was on his/her toes. The MOD (Manager on Duty) kept asking people to sweep, so eventually, I just walked around aimlessly with a broom, searching for anything to sweep up.
After the suit left, the dining room finally filled up, but since I was rocking three tables, I was relatively bored all night long.
I was dropping food for the kid who gets weeded with two tables, at a 6-top of regular patrons. I recognized them immediately, and the woman who leads the pack is a complete and utter biotch. Her initials are ME, which are very appropriate considering her "But, I'm 'ME'" attitude. Because it was a 6-top, the order is rung in on two separate checks. This rule eliminates ridiculously long checks and helps the runners to not have to put too much food on one tray. If it can't fit on one tray, ring it in on two checks. Five items per check. Anyway, the second portion of the check came out first. On the tray was the food check for the table, one fajita with the fixins and taco salad and a side of fries. As soon as I "greet the tray" I hear ME hollering, "Who got fries?! Who got fries." No one was answering her, so I said, "No worries, Miss, we'll figure it out." I delivered the fajita to the woman sitting to ME's right. When I set it down, she looked at her friend and says, "Who's is that?" Well, for Fuck's sake, if it's not yours, then it must be the person sitting next to you. I continued to drop the food while the Weeded Server played stupid on the computer. I delivered ME's fajita with her fixins and she immediately dumped her entire portion of cheese on her fajita, looked at me and said, "This skillet isn't sizzling. It's not melting my cheese." I replied, "Would you like me to take it back for you?" "If you wouldn't mind...and, if no one claimed the fries, you can leave 'em, someone will eat them." Miss thoughts: Uh, fuck you bitch, you will not be getting fries for free when you're being such an ass. I promptly took the cheese-covered fajita skillet and the side of fries to the kitchen. They gave her a hot skillet, and scraped her cheeseness off on to the new one, then doused the skillet with this oil/spice mixture that creates the steam. I take it to her, and low and behold, the woman next to her has a cold fajita too. Weeded Server is still finding his way through the thick, and I'm being taken from my tables to deal with this schmuck. So, I take the other skillet back, get a manager, and finally see Weeded Server. I ask him if he can take his fajita, to which he replies in a huff, "Uh, no, but it's cool, just go." Well, the second fajita was fixed by then, so I took it out. A manager was at the table, and I heard ME complaining about the dirty rice, and how it was cold. The manager said, "Miss, did you taste it?" ME said, "Uh no, but the bowl is cold." MOD said, "The bowls are not kept warmed, miss, but the rice is. If you taste it and it's not to your satisfaction, I will deliver a another side for you" (or something to that affect).
It only gets better. Later, much later, I went outside to take out the trash. I got locked out from the backdoor, so rather than piss of the Ogre kitchen manager, I opted to go back in through the front door. As I approached the door, two gentlemen from ME's table were talking very closely with two other gentlemen. It seemed as though ME's men were interrogating the other guy. Come to find out, the Other Guy was from the table sitting right next to ME's table. Apparently, Other Guy didn't like ME and her gang, so at one point, he walked passed her and called her a "hag." At that, ME starting spouting off all kinds of derogatory things to these people. ME's Men supposedly followed the Other Guy out of the restaurant and started threatening them and beating on their car windows. I'm not really sure of the outcome. I know the police were not bothered, and I know that ME and her gang sat for an extremely long time. They were there long after Other Guy's table left. I'll get the scoop tomorrow.
That's all the excitement I can muster for tonight.
Tomorrow: *Off* / Server (Closing)
When I arrived, the President of the company was there, so everybody was on his/her toes. The MOD (Manager on Duty) kept asking people to sweep, so eventually, I just walked around aimlessly with a broom, searching for anything to sweep up.
After the suit left, the dining room finally filled up, but since I was rocking three tables, I was relatively bored all night long.
I was dropping food for the kid who gets weeded with two tables, at a 6-top of regular patrons. I recognized them immediately, and the woman who leads the pack is a complete and utter biotch. Her initials are ME, which are very appropriate considering her "But, I'm 'ME'" attitude. Because it was a 6-top, the order is rung in on two separate checks. This rule eliminates ridiculously long checks and helps the runners to not have to put too much food on one tray. If it can't fit on one tray, ring it in on two checks. Five items per check. Anyway, the second portion of the check came out first. On the tray was the food check for the table, one fajita with the fixins and taco salad and a side of fries. As soon as I "greet the tray" I hear ME hollering, "Who got fries?! Who got fries." No one was answering her, so I said, "No worries, Miss, we'll figure it out." I delivered the fajita to the woman sitting to ME's right. When I set it down, she looked at her friend and says, "Who's is that?" Well, for Fuck's sake, if it's not yours, then it must be the person sitting next to you. I continued to drop the food while the Weeded Server played stupid on the computer. I delivered ME's fajita with her fixins and she immediately dumped her entire portion of cheese on her fajita, looked at me and said, "This skillet isn't sizzling. It's not melting my cheese." I replied, "Would you like me to take it back for you?" "If you wouldn't mind...and, if no one claimed the fries, you can leave 'em, someone will eat them." Miss thoughts: Uh, fuck you bitch, you will not be getting fries for free when you're being such an ass. I promptly took the cheese-covered fajita skillet and the side of fries to the kitchen. They gave her a hot skillet, and scraped her cheeseness off on to the new one, then doused the skillet with this oil/spice mixture that creates the steam. I take it to her, and low and behold, the woman next to her has a cold fajita too. Weeded Server is still finding his way through the thick, and I'm being taken from my tables to deal with this schmuck. So, I take the other skillet back, get a manager, and finally see Weeded Server. I ask him if he can take his fajita, to which he replies in a huff, "Uh, no, but it's cool, just go." Well, the second fajita was fixed by then, so I took it out. A manager was at the table, and I heard ME complaining about the dirty rice, and how it was cold. The manager said, "Miss, did you taste it?" ME said, "Uh no, but the bowl is cold." MOD said, "The bowls are not kept warmed, miss, but the rice is. If you taste it and it's not to your satisfaction, I will deliver a another side for you" (or something to that affect).
It only gets better. Later, much later, I went outside to take out the trash. I got locked out from the backdoor, so rather than piss of the Ogre kitchen manager, I opted to go back in through the front door. As I approached the door, two gentlemen from ME's table were talking very closely with two other gentlemen. It seemed as though ME's men were interrogating the other guy. Come to find out, the Other Guy was from the table sitting right next to ME's table. Apparently, Other Guy didn't like ME and her gang, so at one point, he walked passed her and called her a "hag." At that, ME starting spouting off all kinds of derogatory things to these people. ME's Men supposedly followed the Other Guy out of the restaurant and started threatening them and beating on their car windows. I'm not really sure of the outcome. I know the police were not bothered, and I know that ME and her gang sat for an extremely long time. They were there long after Other Guy's table left. I'll get the scoop tomorrow.
That's all the excitement I can muster for tonight.
Tomorrow: *Off* / Server (Closing)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
What a Waste
Today: *College Closed* / Server
The college closed today, which extended my little reprieve, so I didn't mind one bit. I didn't even mind that I had to work at the restaurant this evening...and I was scheduled to close. This didn't bother me at all. What bothered me was that I made fifty lousy bucks! No one came out! The roads were clear! The sun did a marvelous job of melting most of the snow, but still no one ventured out to the cafe! I am still a little miffed.
The shift was fine, because the staff wasn't too bad...minus a select few. There is this (relatively) New Guy who thinks he is the shit, but not a soul likes him. He's a huge slacker, yet when he walks passed people he says things like, "You're doing a great job." He is a total tool box, and he is really obnoxious with his tables. I heard him one day thank his table for coming to McDonald's. Of course he was joking, and his table got a kick out of it, but how weird is that? It's almost like he was putting the restaurant down, but maybe they had a little bit of an inside joke or something. He fucks up so much too. Like tonight, he apparently rang credit cards for the wrong amount, and when the manager went to help him, he saw that New Guy's table had written the totals and the credit cards on the back of the check. How much easier can you get? Idiot. He was a closer tonight (there were four of us total, plus an extra because one of the closers was giving a ride to another server, so she stayed to help), and he did absolutely nothing.
When we go "down to closers" each closer has two sections (8 table max). Usually, closers are already in their Closing Section, but tonight was a little different. My good friend, Daisy, was closing with me, and her section got moved after cuts. New Guy took over her section, in addition to the one she ran all night long. We had maybe five tables in the restaurant, and New Guy went up to Daisy and said, "Hey, can you sweep 144? It's a mess, and I have tables around it...it doesn't look good. I started to sweep it but remembered it wasn't my table." Really? You're so concerned about guest perception, sweep it! It's now your section, right? What an ass.
He then proceeded to stand at one table for about 20-min texting. He put up approximately 5 chairs, and took out a bag of linens. The guy is literally good for nothing. What a tool.
About a month ago, I closed with him. I always take initiative to start closing early to get a jump on the work. By the time the restaurant closed, there wasn't too much left, so I said to New Guy, "Hey, you mind putting up the chairs for us girls?" I was saying this in a way to make my request sound sweet. His response:
"I've been here for four months."
Miss: (confused) ...Um...Okay. What does that have to do with it?
New Guy: I've closed before, and I've seen girls put up the chairs.
Miss: Okay, then, let me rephrase, Why don't you do something to help your fellow-closers. You can start with the chairs.
With that, I walked away, afraid if I had to converse with him any longer, for fear that I would kick him. I'm trying to figure a way to "phase him out," but so far, all efforts have been in vain.
On a funny note, I mentioned how my friend Daisy worked tonight. Well, she loves kids. She one of those girls who "goos" and "gaas" over little babies (I loath them). Tonight, she had an 8-top with a baby, who was probably four or five months old. When Daisy initially greeted the table, they were removing the little girl from her little car seat. Well, Daisy was excited to see this cute little thing, and when the child emerged, Daisy squealed, "Oh, Hello!" The child immediately burst into tears. The table thought it was hysterical, and so did Daisy. Every time she returned to this table, that child cried. So much so, that the parents removed her from the table at one point. After that, the father was holding the child and covered her face whenever
Daisy approached. I really got a kick outta this.
Tomorrow: Secretary / *Off* (GOING IN TO TRY TO PICK UP A SHIFT!)
The college closed today, which extended my little reprieve, so I didn't mind one bit. I didn't even mind that I had to work at the restaurant this evening...and I was scheduled to close. This didn't bother me at all. What bothered me was that I made fifty lousy bucks! No one came out! The roads were clear! The sun did a marvelous job of melting most of the snow, but still no one ventured out to the cafe! I am still a little miffed.
The shift was fine, because the staff wasn't too bad...minus a select few. There is this (relatively) New Guy who thinks he is the shit, but not a soul likes him. He's a huge slacker, yet when he walks passed people he says things like, "You're doing a great job." He is a total tool box, and he is really obnoxious with his tables. I heard him one day thank his table for coming to McDonald's. Of course he was joking, and his table got a kick out of it, but how weird is that? It's almost like he was putting the restaurant down, but maybe they had a little bit of an inside joke or something. He fucks up so much too. Like tonight, he apparently rang credit cards for the wrong amount, and when the manager went to help him, he saw that New Guy's table had written the totals and the credit cards on the back of the check. How much easier can you get? Idiot. He was a closer tonight (there were four of us total, plus an extra because one of the closers was giving a ride to another server, so she stayed to help), and he did absolutely nothing.
When we go "down to closers" each closer has two sections (8 table max). Usually, closers are already in their Closing Section, but tonight was a little different. My good friend, Daisy, was closing with me, and her section got moved after cuts. New Guy took over her section, in addition to the one she ran all night long. We had maybe five tables in the restaurant, and New Guy went up to Daisy and said, "Hey, can you sweep 144? It's a mess, and I have tables around it...it doesn't look good. I started to sweep it but remembered it wasn't my table." Really? You're so concerned about guest perception, sweep it! It's now your section, right? What an ass.
He then proceeded to stand at one table for about 20-min texting. He put up approximately 5 chairs, and took out a bag of linens. The guy is literally good for nothing. What a tool.
About a month ago, I closed with him. I always take initiative to start closing early to get a jump on the work. By the time the restaurant closed, there wasn't too much left, so I said to New Guy, "Hey, you mind putting up the chairs for us girls?" I was saying this in a way to make my request sound sweet. His response:
"I've been here for four months."
Miss: (confused) ...Um...Okay. What does that have to do with it?
New Guy: I've closed before, and I've seen girls put up the chairs.
Miss: Okay, then, let me rephrase, Why don't you do something to help your fellow-closers. You can start with the chairs.
With that, I walked away, afraid if I had to converse with him any longer, for fear that I would kick him. I'm trying to figure a way to "phase him out," but so far, all efforts have been in vain.
On a funny note, I mentioned how my friend Daisy worked tonight. Well, she loves kids. She one of those girls who "goos" and "gaas" over little babies (I loath them). Tonight, she had an 8-top with a baby, who was probably four or five months old. When Daisy initially greeted the table, they were removing the little girl from her little car seat. Well, Daisy was excited to see this cute little thing, and when the child emerged, Daisy squealed, "Oh, Hello!" The child immediately burst into tears. The table thought it was hysterical, and so did Daisy. Every time she returned to this table, that child cried. So much so, that the parents removed her from the table at one point. After that, the father was holding the child and covered her face whenever
Daisy approached. I really got a kick outta this.
Tomorrow: Secretary / *Off* (GOING IN TO TRY TO PICK UP A SHIFT!)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I Owe It All to Mother Nature
Today: Secretary (called out!) / *off*
Because of Mother Nature, my working stint has come to a close. After 24 consecutive days working, Mother Nature dumped buckets of snow on us, and I am officially snowed in. I'm sure I could trek my way into work, but considering the ill-preparedness of my state, I refuse to take the time and energy to drive to work when I know the treachery is out there. My state doesn't pre-plan ever. In fact, the college had a one-hour delay last week for freezing rain. It dumps snow balls and everyone's supposed to be in on time?? Forget about it. Before Christmas, we got less than an inch of snow, but because my state doesn't like to fund street clean up it took me 4 hours to get home (a commute that usually takes me 20 minutes). Unreal. Therefore, I've decided to save myself and everyone else the aggravation by just staying home.
Now I don't know what to do with myself....
Tomorrow: Secretary (probably not b/c we're getting more snow / Server (we don't close unless there's a State of Emergency!)
Because of Mother Nature, my working stint has come to a close. After 24 consecutive days working, Mother Nature dumped buckets of snow on us, and I am officially snowed in. I'm sure I could trek my way into work, but considering the ill-preparedness of my state, I refuse to take the time and energy to drive to work when I know the treachery is out there. My state doesn't pre-plan ever. In fact, the college had a one-hour delay last week for freezing rain. It dumps snow balls and everyone's supposed to be in on time?? Forget about it. Before Christmas, we got less than an inch of snow, but because my state doesn't like to fund street clean up it took me 4 hours to get home (a commute that usually takes me 20 minutes). Unreal. Therefore, I've decided to save myself and everyone else the aggravation by just staying home.
Now I don't know what to do with myself....
Tomorrow: Secretary (probably not b/c we're getting more snow / Server (we don't close unless there's a State of Emergency!)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday Snoozeday
Today: Secretary / Server
The office is particularly annoying to me this week because I think I've mentally checked out. I'm tired of instructors complaining and not taking care of their administrative responsibilities because they think it's beneath them. Their resistance to this aspect of their position makes me irate, and it personally affects me. It's hard to go into specifics because of the nuances of the office, but I think you can get the gist of my frustration.
The restaurant was a little busy tonight with a 38-top in the dining room and a 20-top camped out at the bar. However, my big-top (6-8) was only at once...with a 5-top, and I had campers all night long. At one point, I had a 3-top of young-ish kids (maybe 20 or 21), two girls and a guy. They were very kind, but they sat for a little while after they paid. The guy paid: $2.50 on $25! Are you kidding?? I just can't believe the ignorance. I wonder if he just couldn't figure out the math or if he just doesn't know how to tip! Unreal.
Today I had a woman order one of our salads that features a choice of shredded chicken or beef. The description mentions this as well as the myriad ingredients that make up the culinary concoction. She and her companion were digging in, when I saw her wave at me. I go over and she picked up a fork-full of shredded chicken and says, "I ordered chicken. Is this chicken?"
Miss: Yes ma'am! Our chicken is pre-marinated and shredded.
Lady: Oh, yeah? Last time I came here I got the beef and it looked like this too.
Miss: Both the chicken and beef are shredded...You can request grilled chicken or beef if your prefer. Is the salad okay for you?
Lady: It's delicious! I just didn't know it came like this.
Miss: Enjoy your meal.
My last table of the night was a mother/daughter duo. When I approached the table, I set down a basket of chips and salsa, the mother put her hand on her chest and said, "Wow!"
Miss: I'm sorry if I startled you!
Mother: We just sat down and you brought us chips!
Miss: I'm sorry, Miss, I can check back if you'd like. (I call all females "Miss" -- if they're old, I'm pretty sure they get a kick out of it.)
Mother: No it's just, we just sat down, and you brought chips.
Miss: [totally confused] Umm...it's how we greet the tables, Miss. Can I get you started with drinks?
Weird. I don't know if she was impressed that we offered complementary chips, or if she was confused that I brought them without her having to request them. Either way, it was just a weird way to start the table.
Pretty laid back evening overall.
Consecutive work count: 24
Tomorrow: Secretary / *Off*
The office is particularly annoying to me this week because I think I've mentally checked out. I'm tired of instructors complaining and not taking care of their administrative responsibilities because they think it's beneath them. Their resistance to this aspect of their position makes me irate, and it personally affects me. It's hard to go into specifics because of the nuances of the office, but I think you can get the gist of my frustration.
The restaurant was a little busy tonight with a 38-top in the dining room and a 20-top camped out at the bar. However, my big-top (6-8) was only at once...with a 5-top, and I had campers all night long. At one point, I had a 3-top of young-ish kids (maybe 20 or 21), two girls and a guy. They were very kind, but they sat for a little while after they paid. The guy paid: $2.50 on $25! Are you kidding?? I just can't believe the ignorance. I wonder if he just couldn't figure out the math or if he just doesn't know how to tip! Unreal.
Today I had a woman order one of our salads that features a choice of shredded chicken or beef. The description mentions this as well as the myriad ingredients that make up the culinary concoction. She and her companion were digging in, when I saw her wave at me. I go over and she picked up a fork-full of shredded chicken and says, "I ordered chicken. Is this chicken?"
Miss: Yes ma'am! Our chicken is pre-marinated and shredded.
Lady: Oh, yeah? Last time I came here I got the beef and it looked like this too.
Miss: Both the chicken and beef are shredded...You can request grilled chicken or beef if your prefer. Is the salad okay for you?
Lady: It's delicious! I just didn't know it came like this.
Miss: Enjoy your meal.
My last table of the night was a mother/daughter duo. When I approached the table, I set down a basket of chips and salsa, the mother put her hand on her chest and said, "Wow!"
Miss: I'm sorry if I startled you!
Mother: We just sat down and you brought us chips!
Miss: I'm sorry, Miss, I can check back if you'd like. (I call all females "Miss" -- if they're old, I'm pretty sure they get a kick out of it.)
Mother: No it's just, we just sat down, and you brought chips.
Miss: [totally confused] Umm...it's how we greet the tables, Miss. Can I get you started with drinks?
Weird. I don't know if she was impressed that we offered complementary chips, or if she was confused that I brought them without her having to request them. Either way, it was just a weird way to start the table.
Pretty laid back evening overall.
Consecutive work count: 24
Tomorrow: Secretary / *Off*
Monday, January 24, 2011
'Tis a Pity
Today: Secretary / *Off*
Today I am having a pretty serious pity party for myself, and you all are invited!! Today is my 23rd consecutive day of work, and I'm pissed about it. If I'm not at the office, I'm at the restaurant.
I have this thing that I've done for my whole life, whether it be for school or work, which is to ask my Voice of Reason (my mother) when I can take personal days. It's not a permissions type of a thing, it's a Jiminy Cricket kind of a thing. Usually, she's pretty objective, and she knows how hard I work, so she will tell me that I deserve a Mental Health Day. Most of the time, she tells me to "buck up" and take it like a man. We all work hard for a living.
Well, she's getting annoyed with me because every Sunday of this month, I have asked Jiminy if I can call out on Monday. She's totally right when she says that I'm trying to get ahead and by taking a day off from the office, I'll set myself back financially. I don't get paid days off. It sucks. Once upon a time, I thought mental health was more important than the all-mighty buck. I know that taking a day off isn't a crime, but why do I feel like such a criminal for not wanting to come to work??
So, I'm sitting here, at the office, waiting for the time to come when I can run out of here screaming. Just to turn around and come back tomorrow. Looking at my schedule, I work seven days again this week, so my next possible day off won't be until February 6th.
I brought the pity; now, you bring the party.
FML
Today I am having a pretty serious pity party for myself, and you all are invited!! Today is my 23rd consecutive day of work, and I'm pissed about it. If I'm not at the office, I'm at the restaurant.
I have this thing that I've done for my whole life, whether it be for school or work, which is to ask my Voice of Reason (my mother) when I can take personal days. It's not a permissions type of a thing, it's a Jiminy Cricket kind of a thing. Usually, she's pretty objective, and she knows how hard I work, so she will tell me that I deserve a Mental Health Day. Most of the time, she tells me to "buck up" and take it like a man. We all work hard for a living.
Well, she's getting annoyed with me because every Sunday of this month, I have asked Jiminy if I can call out on Monday. She's totally right when she says that I'm trying to get ahead and by taking a day off from the office, I'll set myself back financially. I don't get paid days off. It sucks. Once upon a time, I thought mental health was more important than the all-mighty buck. I know that taking a day off isn't a crime, but why do I feel like such a criminal for not wanting to come to work??
So, I'm sitting here, at the office, waiting for the time to come when I can run out of here screaming. Just to turn around and come back tomorrow. Looking at my schedule, I work seven days again this week, so my next possible day off won't be until February 6th.
I brought the pity; now, you bring the party.
FML
Data Collection Results: Week 1
This week, I collected data to determine if waiting tables averages me more per hour than secretary-ing. The results from this week are in. I worked four shifts this week, and although I averaged different amounts each night, my cumulative average for the week was $15 an hour. Not too shabby.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Making Up for Lost Time
Today: Server / *Off*
Last night I closed, and this morning I picked up an open, so the in-between did not give time for blogging.
Last night was pretty busy, although I didn't walk away with as much as I would have liked. We started off pretty slow, but soon filled up, then it died kinda hard. Cuts went up early, maybe around 9:45-ish, and I only had one table after cuts went up.
I started cleaning what I could around 10:30. Around 10:45 I heard the front door open, and I turned to find a rather large man with a bandanna at the host stand. I approached him, and he asked, "How late ya'll open?"
Miss: Our kitchen closes in fifteen minutes.
Bandanna Man: Aww, so ya'll ain't makin' no more food, then huh?
Miss: Sir, the kitchen is open until 11:00. If you can order in the next five/ten minutes, there shouldn't be a problem.
Bandanna Man: Aww, well it'll prolly take 'em that long ta figure out what they want.
Miss: (shrugs her shoulders) I don't know sir.
With that he turns and leaves the building. I continued cleaning, getting ready to close. I took out the trash (or something) and when I returned, there were 7 people being sat. I was floored. That man promptly went to the parking lot and got his entire family. The server (E) was miffed--I wouldn't have been very nice to these people. As she was making their drinks she told me that they were still waiting for two more people. Are you kidding me? She told them they had to order in five minutes with or without the other members of the party. I found out later that the other two people who came late did not order because they arrived after 11. I guess it's because I'm in the industry, but I would NEVER go into a place when there was only fifteen minutes before closing, especially with my entire family. The kitchen got the food out in record time.
In other news, last night pissed me off because the MOD (manager on duty) was on my proverbial nuts. I said those exact words to him after close, and he informed me that he was frustrated because he feels everyone half-asses things around here. You think? Of course they do, that's the example they've been given. No one stays consistent and no one follows through with any of the new initiatives unless the "suits" say so. I'm over it today, but last night, he just would not leave me alone! Apparently, he was on everyone's nuts.
Today I woke up in a funk, and I snapped at my BFF, and for that, I'm truly sorry. Funny thing, is that she likes it when I funk out because she says I'm snippy and a little bit funny. I don't know. All I know is that I woke up this morning having absolutely no desire to get out of bed. I did not want to go to work. I'm glad I did. It was worth picking up, although it was pretty slow.
I'm going to try to get to bed early so tomorrow is not so tough.
Monday: Secretary / *Off*
Last night I closed, and this morning I picked up an open, so the in-between did not give time for blogging.
Last night was pretty busy, although I didn't walk away with as much as I would have liked. We started off pretty slow, but soon filled up, then it died kinda hard. Cuts went up early, maybe around 9:45-ish, and I only had one table after cuts went up.
I started cleaning what I could around 10:30. Around 10:45 I heard the front door open, and I turned to find a rather large man with a bandanna at the host stand. I approached him, and he asked, "How late ya'll open?"
Miss: Our kitchen closes in fifteen minutes.
Bandanna Man: Aww, so ya'll ain't makin' no more food, then huh?
Miss: Sir, the kitchen is open until 11:00. If you can order in the next five/ten minutes, there shouldn't be a problem.
Bandanna Man: Aww, well it'll prolly take 'em that long ta figure out what they want.
Miss: (shrugs her shoulders) I don't know sir.
With that he turns and leaves the building. I continued cleaning, getting ready to close. I took out the trash (or something) and when I returned, there were 7 people being sat. I was floored. That man promptly went to the parking lot and got his entire family. The server (E) was miffed--I wouldn't have been very nice to these people. As she was making their drinks she told me that they were still waiting for two more people. Are you kidding me? She told them they had to order in five minutes with or without the other members of the party. I found out later that the other two people who came late did not order because they arrived after 11. I guess it's because I'm in the industry, but I would NEVER go into a place when there was only fifteen minutes before closing, especially with my entire family. The kitchen got the food out in record time.
In other news, last night pissed me off because the MOD (manager on duty) was on my proverbial nuts. I said those exact words to him after close, and he informed me that he was frustrated because he feels everyone half-asses things around here. You think? Of course they do, that's the example they've been given. No one stays consistent and no one follows through with any of the new initiatives unless the "suits" say so. I'm over it today, but last night, he just would not leave me alone! Apparently, he was on everyone's nuts.
Today I woke up in a funk, and I snapped at my BFF, and for that, I'm truly sorry. Funny thing, is that she likes it when I funk out because she says I'm snippy and a little bit funny. I don't know. All I know is that I woke up this morning having absolutely no desire to get out of bed. I did not want to go to work. I'm glad I did. It was worth picking up, although it was pretty slow.
I'm going to try to get to bed early so tomorrow is not so tough.
Monday: Secretary / *Off*
Friday, January 21, 2011
Short and Sweet
Picking up tonight was clutch. I was in a 4-table section: three small-tops (max 4 ppl) and a big-top. I came on early (5:20) and was immediately given a table, followed by another, and another. Triple-sat right off the bat. Not a bad way to start the evening. (It's best to get busy early on so the night flies by, in my opinion.) They were holding my big-top for a 12-person party, which I wasn't too happy about because we have to split parties of 10 or more. As it turned out, I was sat with a 9-top instead. This worked out perfect because I didn't have to share the table. Well, the host-stand (actually the new GM) annihilated me, continuously seating my other tables. After the 9-top got their food, I got caught up, and things started to slow down. The 9-top ate, they all ordered drinks initially and continuously throughout their meal. Great. They ate, ordered another round, I cleaned up, boxed their food, they ordered another round, some people left, and those who were left ordered another round. They were seated at approximately 6:00, and five of them were still sitting around drinking at 9:00. Then another person joined them. They had it planned all along. The knew they were going to sit and wait for this other chick. Luckily they continued ordering, or I would've been pissed (however, one of the girls at the table was on her 9th Jack and Diet, which I thought was a bit much. She wasn't acting crazy though, so I didn't feel the need to cut her off.) They left me $10 over gratuity in the end, so it worked out beautifully.
Other than that, I had rather pleasant tables. Some were not very good tippers, but sometimes pleasantries go farther than pennies when you work in an industry full of jerk-off assholes who think they know what it's like to work hard for a living. Wait tables. Scratch that: Secretary.
I actually had a table compliment me to the manager, which is rare. That's what the MOD (Manager on Duty) said too. Generally, it's those patrons who are upset that will complain to management. Complements on the service are few and far between because those who leave happy don't see the need to bother the manager or tell the server. So, it was nice.
Overall, a profitable and relatively easy evening.
I'm hoping the same for tomorrow night's shift.
Tomorrow: *Off* / Server
Other than that, I had rather pleasant tables. Some were not very good tippers, but sometimes pleasantries go farther than pennies when you work in an industry full of jerk-off assholes who think they know what it's like to work hard for a living. Wait tables. Scratch that: Secretary.
I actually had a table compliment me to the manager, which is rare. That's what the MOD (Manager on Duty) said too. Generally, it's those patrons who are upset that will complain to management. Complements on the service are few and far between because those who leave happy don't see the need to bother the manager or tell the server. So, it was nice.
Overall, a profitable and relatively easy evening.
I'm hoping the same for tomorrow night's shift.
Tomorrow: *Off* / Server
A Prime Example
Today: Secretary / Server (I got a shift!)
In an effort to stick to my plan, I'm posting now, rather than later. I just finished my "shift" at the office, but I have an interesting story from the day.
Around 11:30 this morning, the phone rings:
Miss: Good Morning, This Department.
Student: Yes, I was calling to see if Mrs. DC (Department Chair) was available to meet with me today. I'd like to get signed into a course.
*Side note: The semester started two weeks ago. Today is the last possible day to add classes, and at this point, a lot of instructors are not allowing adds because those classes that meet twice a week have already met four times; therefore, any late students have two weeks of work to catch up on in addition to the new material. It doesn't set students up for success if they add a class too late in the game.
Miss: Unfortunately, Mrs. DC is going into a meeting. The meeting is scheduled to end at 12:30, but generally the meetings run long. Would you be able to come in around 1:00?
Student: It's taken me weeks to get off for today. I work.
Miss: I apologize; however, if you've been trying to get off for weeks, you could've called me, and I would've been able to set up an appointment for you.
Student: Whatever bitch. *click*
Did that really happen?? Yes. I immediately shared this information (as well as the student's name) with my faculty and the DC. Funny thing, immediately after the meeting, around 12:45, the student called back. Mrs. DC was on another line, so I asked the student to hold. She held for approximately 3 minutes before hanging up. Around 12:55, she was in my office, in my face.
DC agreed to meet with the student, and when she confronted the student about the language she used with me, the student denied having said anything. Whatever. I told DC to tell students that the lines are recorded...it's beside the point now.
The student left through the rear entrance of the office--I think she did that so she didn't have to face me, but that's just my opinion. She did not get granted permission to join the class. And I will NEVER forget her name.
Tomorrow: Off / Server PM
In an effort to stick to my plan, I'm posting now, rather than later. I just finished my "shift" at the office, but I have an interesting story from the day.
Around 11:30 this morning, the phone rings:
Miss: Good Morning, This Department.
Student: Yes, I was calling to see if Mrs. DC (Department Chair) was available to meet with me today. I'd like to get signed into a course.
*Side note: The semester started two weeks ago. Today is the last possible day to add classes, and at this point, a lot of instructors are not allowing adds because those classes that meet twice a week have already met four times; therefore, any late students have two weeks of work to catch up on in addition to the new material. It doesn't set students up for success if they add a class too late in the game.
Miss: Unfortunately, Mrs. DC is going into a meeting. The meeting is scheduled to end at 12:30, but generally the meetings run long. Would you be able to come in around 1:00?
Student: It's taken me weeks to get off for today. I work.
Miss: I apologize; however, if you've been trying to get off for weeks, you could've called me, and I would've been able to set up an appointment for you.
Student: Whatever bitch. *click*
Did that really happen?? Yes. I immediately shared this information (as well as the student's name) with my faculty and the DC. Funny thing, immediately after the meeting, around 12:45, the student called back. Mrs. DC was on another line, so I asked the student to hold. She held for approximately 3 minutes before hanging up. Around 12:55, she was in my office, in my face.
DC agreed to meet with the student, and when she confronted the student about the language she used with me, the student denied having said anything. Whatever. I told DC to tell students that the lines are recorded...it's beside the point now.
The student left through the rear entrance of the office--I think she did that so she didn't have to face me, but that's just my opinion. She did not get granted permission to join the class. And I will NEVER forget her name.
Tomorrow: Off / Server PM
Late Night. Quick Post.
Tonight was also relatively smooth. Figures. However, it is rather late, and I'm suspecting a long morning of cleaning off my car and shoveling my driveway. Great. Regardless, I made a promise to myself that I would be more diligent with this, and so it goes.
The thoughts weighing on my mind are not really related to tables or peeves, but to my current employment situation. I really hate being a secretary. I hate it more than being a server. I never thought that was possible. It is. People treat servers like shit, but there is an underlying blanket of respect covering their food as it leaves the kitchen: (most) people don't want to piss off their server because they know that we are in charge of their food. It's important to them. Secretaries should have that same blanket, but generally, they don't. The general public sees secretaries as peons for the man. Just like servers, secretaries make things run. Without them, the business crumbles. With secretaries, shit also always runs downhill. Even though I get paid next to nothing, have no benefits, or paid holidays, I'm the one who gets a raft of shit from the "suits" when something goes wrong. Servers can blame it on the kitchen, or get a manager to deal with the irate customer because we only make $2 and change. We don't get paid enough to deal with the shit as servers, and even as secretaries, but somehow, in an office, that's just what happens. At least that's what happens in my office. I do have support, don't get me wrong, but on a whole, I'm the one who is questioned first before anyone in any given situation. It sucks.
This week, I've sent out my resume for two job postings, in hopes of getting out of this life. As the week went on, the feeling of hatred for the office weighed on me, and by today, I'm brainstorming about how I can potentially quit secretary-ing while searching for a new job.
Funny thing: I have a job. Serving. What if, I quit the secretary gig, continued searching for alternate employment, and served full time? Currently, I make more hourly serving than I do at the office, but it's always a gamble. I spoke with my manager tonight when I got into work, and he said he could guarantee me five or six shifts. I really need seven, but the beauty about the industry is the ability to pick up shifts. There is always someone who doesn't want to work. Still...a gamble. He says he'll give me five or six, but when this particular manager started writing the schedule, I sat down with him, told him how crucial this job is to me. I then opened my availability to seven available shifts, with the hope of getting four. For the last three weeks, I've only been scheduled three shifts. I just don't get it. There is another manager who is showing some interest in trying to take the schedule over, but he screwed it up last time, so who knows what's going to happen. These are my brainstorms, but I've come up with a plan...as usual.
Rather than hastily put in my two weeks tomorrow (oh, I really wish I could), I am going to average my tips for the next few weeks to see what I'm averaging hourly. If it comes out to a substantial pay raise, then I'll take the jump. Until then, I will continue to send out resumes for alternate employment to eventually get me out of both industries all together.
Good night.
Friday: Secretary / *Off* (I really should pick up a shift!)
The thoughts weighing on my mind are not really related to tables or peeves, but to my current employment situation. I really hate being a secretary. I hate it more than being a server. I never thought that was possible. It is. People treat servers like shit, but there is an underlying blanket of respect covering their food as it leaves the kitchen: (most) people don't want to piss off their server because they know that we are in charge of their food. It's important to them. Secretaries should have that same blanket, but generally, they don't. The general public sees secretaries as peons for the man. Just like servers, secretaries make things run. Without them, the business crumbles. With secretaries, shit also always runs downhill. Even though I get paid next to nothing, have no benefits, or paid holidays, I'm the one who gets a raft of shit from the "suits" when something goes wrong. Servers can blame it on the kitchen, or get a manager to deal with the irate customer because we only make $2 and change. We don't get paid enough to deal with the shit as servers, and even as secretaries, but somehow, in an office, that's just what happens. At least that's what happens in my office. I do have support, don't get me wrong, but on a whole, I'm the one who is questioned first before anyone in any given situation. It sucks.
This week, I've sent out my resume for two job postings, in hopes of getting out of this life. As the week went on, the feeling of hatred for the office weighed on me, and by today, I'm brainstorming about how I can potentially quit secretary-ing while searching for a new job.
Funny thing: I have a job. Serving. What if, I quit the secretary gig, continued searching for alternate employment, and served full time? Currently, I make more hourly serving than I do at the office, but it's always a gamble. I spoke with my manager tonight when I got into work, and he said he could guarantee me five or six shifts. I really need seven, but the beauty about the industry is the ability to pick up shifts. There is always someone who doesn't want to work. Still...a gamble. He says he'll give me five or six, but when this particular manager started writing the schedule, I sat down with him, told him how crucial this job is to me. I then opened my availability to seven available shifts, with the hope of getting four. For the last three weeks, I've only been scheduled three shifts. I just don't get it. There is another manager who is showing some interest in trying to take the schedule over, but he screwed it up last time, so who knows what's going to happen. These are my brainstorms, but I've come up with a plan...as usual.
Rather than hastily put in my two weeks tomorrow (oh, I really wish I could), I am going to average my tips for the next few weeks to see what I'm averaging hourly. If it comes out to a substantial pay raise, then I'll take the jump. Until then, I will continue to send out resumes for alternate employment to eventually get me out of both industries all together.
Good night.
Friday: Secretary / *Off* (I really should pick up a shift!)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Walk in the Park
My plan was to blog, so here I am. It figures, tonight was smooooth sailing. I was nervous at first, but it turned out just fine.
I was scheduled in at 5:30, and there was a reservation for 6:00.
Thirty adults. Great. No kids!
They were prompt, and most of them were foreign.
I was sharing the table with one of my favorite people: a definite plus!
When they first arrived, a man approached us, ordered appetizers for the entire table and told us he'd be taking care of the bill. Even better. No split checks!
Most of them ordered alcoholic drinks.
There bill was over $800 when it was all said and done (amazing for our restaurant).
Gratuity: (approx) $136.00
He added: $20
We tipped out the bussers, food runner, and bartender, which left us with $62 each. Not too shabby. I only had a couple tables other than that, which isn't that great, but it was a nice, easy night overall.
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
I was scheduled in at 5:30, and there was a reservation for 6:00.
Thirty adults. Great. No kids!
They were prompt, and most of them were foreign.
I was sharing the table with one of my favorite people: a definite plus!
When they first arrived, a man approached us, ordered appetizers for the entire table and told us he'd be taking care of the bill. Even better. No split checks!
Most of them ordered alcoholic drinks.
There bill was over $800 when it was all said and done (amazing for our restaurant).
Gratuity: (approx) $136.00
He added: $20
We tipped out the bussers, food runner, and bartender, which left us with $62 each. Not too shabby. I only had a couple tables other than that, which isn't that great, but it was a nice, easy night overall.
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Thinking and Doing: The Plan
Today: Secretary / Server
Happy New Year! ...and all that jazz. It's been a while, I know. Unfortunately, blogging has, once again, fallen out of my regime. I've been thinking a lot about it though...thinking and NOT doing. Therefore, I've come up with a plan. I'm off to work at the restaurant now, so I plan to come home, and I will blog. It needs to be done to vent out the day, and because it really does help me.
I'm not sure if it's the weather, or thoughts of personal impending doom, but I'm just not my chipper self lately. I'm bummed. It could be the winter blues, but whatever it is, I have to do something about it. Writing has always helped, so that's where I'm starting.
Actually, I feel better already.
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
Happy New Year! ...and all that jazz. It's been a while, I know. Unfortunately, blogging has, once again, fallen out of my regime. I've been thinking a lot about it though...thinking and NOT doing. Therefore, I've come up with a plan. I'm off to work at the restaurant now, so I plan to come home, and I will blog. It needs to be done to vent out the day, and because it really does help me.
I'm not sure if it's the weather, or thoughts of personal impending doom, but I'm just not my chipper self lately. I'm bummed. It could be the winter blues, but whatever it is, I have to do something about it. Writing has always helped, so that's where I'm starting.
Actually, I feel better already.
Tomorrow: Secretary / Server
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