On Being a Waitress

Sadness upon sadness, I have no pictures. And it's hard to get any pictures unless it's of a classroom, work (both which would be hard to explain) or the inside of my eyelids as I sleep.

School is going okay... however... I have exams coming up this week. One in math and one in geology. I'm not as worried about geology (which reminds me - I need to go print out the study guide.), but math is another matter altogether. And it's a strange way to take a test in my opinion. The exam is due BY Thursday. So we get our homework signed off (that we turned it all in) by the teacher, go to this testing room where they also have tutoring and stuff, sign in and they give us the test there. On our own time! Hmph.

Work is interesting. The really raunchy guys have been nicer to me for some reason. I guess they got tired of trying to "break" me. Either that, or it's the eye of the hurricane. Last night was fun (sarcasm! sarcasm!). After being told that I looked "really, really beautiful", another guy told me he knows lots of single guys that he works with. It is his mission to find me a guy. And he said they all make good money because they are carpenters. Hmph. I am, of course, skeptical. Him and his wife and her parents are regulars there. Something to aspire to.

When I left work last night (well, this morning a little after 3 a.m.) I saw a car parked near the door with their lights on and the driver's door open. I am careful, so I stared at the car while the bartender was waiting for me to leave. The I heard, "Ooooh, hoo-hoo-hoo...." She was sobbing. I told the bartender (who was holding the door open still), "There's somebody crying over there, do you want me to go over?" I figured if it were a girl, it would be better for me to go. He said, "Wait, is that Jenny (one of our waitresses)?" Then he went over and started talking to her. She had been drinking after her shift was over and got polluted.

An assist. manager came to the bar and started yelling for the bartender to get in there and hurry up (because she was late on her duties), so I shut the door on her. She had been pissing me off all day and that felt great. It might have shut kind of hard. hehehe.

She was compelled to come to the door then, cigarette hanging out of her long-nailed hand. She then starting yelling for Jenny to come in.
"Jenny. Come in. Jenny. Jenny! Jenny! Come in here! JENNY! We need to finish and get out of here! Jenny! Jenny!" AAAAARRRRRRGGGGG@!$@#)!
I wanted to turn pirate on her really bad.

Jenny would say, "I'm okayyyooooooo-hoo-hoooooo...."

She ended up going inside and I (finally) went home. Oh, the joys of waitressing. I only work until midnight tonight, thank goodness.

Warning: a little bragging ahead

I have to post quick since I have an hour to do my homework and get to bed. I've had a hard time catching up on sleep and doing homework lately, so this morning I was in a crunch. I wrote two essay reviews, finished writing my speech and dashed out the door. I had intended on getting up at 6:30 a.m. but accidentally set my alarm for 7:30 a.m. Of course, that wasn't enough time for what I had prepared to do. But I did my best and sped off to school.
In my first class (English Comp 121), I gave the two peers their reviews and received mine... I haven't actually read mine yet, I've been on the go all day. Then the teacher came up to me with a very serious face. I figured I was in trouble somehow. But she told me that she really liked my essay and wanted my permission to read it aloud to the class! Wow! So that made me feel pretty good and improved my day by a lot.
My next class was Speech 111. The teacher there is extremely liberal and extremely annoying. I heard people coming up to her asking if they could do their speech on Wednesday instead of today because they weren't ready. She said yes... but then she saw me frantically writing my required note cards. She got really annoyed with everybody and said, "If this is the way this class is going to be, I'm going to be very disappointed." Well, she had a point.
We had two people opt to go first and the rest of us drew numbers. I'm horrible with drawing numbers because I always draw low numbers. Sure enough, I drew a "2". I was going after the first two. I have to say, however, that for not having much preparation I think I did pretty darn good! The teacher looked interested and I think other people did too. I made good eye contact, and used gestures. Everybody filled out peer review slips, so I'll find out how I did on Wednesday.
For my next class, and most difficult (Math 095), I had homework due, but I could turn it in to the room where they did tutoring and stuff. So right after the math class, I went there and luckily it only took me an hour to do my homework. I turned it in and went home feeling victorious!
Okay, time to hit the geology and math books. I need to get caught up again so I'm not behind. Being behind happens fast and it's too hard to catch up. They dock a lot for late papers!
For the most part though, I think I'm doing okay in school... so far.

The Super Bowl!

For some reason, in the past few years (I can't even remember how long it's been now) I haven't been able to watch the Super Bowl. In fact, last year I had to work so we tried to listen to it on AM radio. We couldn't have it too loud however, as it was a pharmacy. And it sucked. I missed all the good stuff! I sped home and turned on the tv as soon as I could and saw the NFL symbol... then "Poof!"... it was gone. That was the extent of the Super Bowl for me.

So this year, I have a plan. I will watch the Super Bowl! I know what day to call in sick. I must do it. It calls to me.

I hate to lie... I could ask for that day off I suppose... Something to ponder. Fifteen days should be enough notice for a day off, right? But I won't tell the why, I can't. They'll say I could watch it in the smoke infested, scrungy-guy filled bar, between orders or something. Right. Nope, I need to enjoy a beer with chips or pizza - something very unhealthy and positively cheesy.

Oh, Super Bowl... how I have missed thee!

I could have gone to the Super Bowl

Yes, it's true. I could have gone to the Super Bowl. I was offered a ticket. Free. In fact, I'm sure the offer still stands. But the conditions... a crusty 60-year old fella who wanted to make sure I was "unattached". Ew. I just couldn't do it. No hesitation at all. I love football, but there's got to be a better way! Some day, after I get my degree and get a wonderful, good paying job, I'll pay my own stinkin' way!

Work has been okay lately. The nasty guys have been calmer - I think they gave up trying to "break me in", or whatever. I'm scheduled really late tonight, Saturday and Sunday - again - but I wrote my hour requests on a big neon paper for the manager to see. Everybody says she probably forgot and I need to remind her a lot. No, that's not my job, I'm sorry. Does she remind me to take orders or to clean tables? Nope. Because that's my job. I just expect her to do hers.

I'm sure I had more to write about... I just can't remember what...

Weather, Roger... But wait, there's more!

Pretty ice patterns on my car... I think it really brings out the blue.



It's been cold lately.



I mean, we don't have inches upon inches of snow, but it's cold! Last night I woke up to the sound of rain. I knew it would be freezing rain, and when I got up in the morning I was right. Here's a close look at my car:



A little more?



So anyway, I thought this would be a good time to take Roger out for a drive. Now, I haven't driven Roger in a while because his battery (which was about six years old! Yeah!) had finally cranked it's last start and I hadn't gotten to a store to get another. After finding out school had been cancelled however, it was time. I got the old battery out and went to a parts store for a new battery. No problemo. I took it back to Roger's house (aka "the garage") to put it in and go.

Problem.

Let me first say that I hadn't had a cup of coffee yet because I wanted to go get one in Roger so I could drive him around a little. So I was hurting. But I thought it would be a quick thing, even though I've learned that with Roger, nothing is a quick fix.

I tried to cinch the retaining bracket down when suddenly, "Kink!"



As you can see, the J-hook on the right is considerably shorter than the one on the left. The threaded bracket broke. It had corroded quite a bit on that side and was just too far gone. So I went to Les Scwab, Knecht's, Napa, CarQuest and finally the Jeep dealership. The dealership was kind enough to inform me that the part was discontinued. This was not helping my lack of caffine!!! So I went back to one of the car part places and bought what I knew would fix something on a Jeep... besides duct tape.

And here ya go:



Oh yeah... can't believe your eyes?? Want another look?



Oh, it's REAL Baby!!! Those are indeed zip ties (or wire ties as some call them)!

We drove around - first stop: coffee. Of course. Then we got gas and headed over to the grocery store for nothing in particular. I just wanted to spend some time with Roger. As I drove and sucked in the precious aroma of gasoline, grease and oil, my love affair for Roger bloomed anew. I love my Jeep. That's right, I said it! When we got home, I didn't park him in his house, I left him outside. Because by golly, I'm driving him tomorrow too! Heater cranked up!

Work and school part II

Okay, I've had some sleep. So here's the good part of work:

Tips.

Actually, I like most of the people I work with, so that's good. That can be rare! Also, I get to have insurance as a part-time worker. I'm thinking about changing colleges after this term, to a larger college south of here. It has more opportunities, classes, etc. as well as a clinic and other perks that this college doesn't have. Plus, I could rent a cheaper apartment to save on costs. Here in the duplex, I pay $600 a month plus garbage, water and sewer. So I could obviously save somewhere else. I realize I could move in this town, but if I want to have more opportunities at a bigger college, I might as well do it all at once. There will also be more job opportunities as well.

So I'm thinking of staying on for a couple of months until I possibly move. I can suck it up, right? I'll just have to figure out what to do with the jerk customers. It's not in my nature to be a jerk back (unless I'm tired and cranky), so I'll have to be subtle yet effective. Hmmmmm....

Work and school

Let me first say that I got to bed around 4am this morning and got up at 8am for church. So if I start to ramble or not make sense... well, I'm sure you'll understand.

Earlier this week I asked not to be scheduled after 11pm on Saturdays (for church in the morning) and Sundays (for school in the morning). Fridays are okay. During the week, I typically only work until 10pm. So we got our schedule for next week yesterday. I'm scheduled to close Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So I'll get off between 1:30am and 3:00am. I was actually kind of mad.

Maybe things are building up. I still have a bit of a cold (going on two weeks now), and I'm certain it's lasted so long because of the cigarette smoke I get to inhale in the bar. (In Oregon you can smoke in bars.) And of course I smell like an ashtray at the end of the day. Also, I have to be honest, I'm getting tired of hearing customers tell me they have a pool going on my bra size. And they say much, much worse. I have also had guys act like they were going to grab me. One guy actually pushed up really close to me so that he was up against my back (I wasn't facing him and didn't realize he was coming up behind me). I gave him some attitude and let him know that it wasn't okay, but what would possible give him the idea that that was alright in the first place?!?

I'm actually pretty shocked at the behavior of some of these guys. Married, single, young, old; it doesn't matter. They are rude and disgusting. The guys in the Navy treated me with MUCH more respect than the customers at the bowling alley.

It's disappointing. I wanted to like this job. I wanted to have a fun time at work for once. But I didn't know people would be how they are. It's sad to me. I never thought I was a super-sensitive-girly-girl who got her feelings hurt easily. And this doesn't hurt my feelings, it makes me sad and angry.

Anyway, with the scheduling thing going on, I talked to the supervisor and asked her why I was scheduled that late. She said the manager must have forgotten. Even though I gave her the request only a couple of days prior to her making the schedule. I have been tempted to just leave and not go back, no excuse, no call, nothing. It's not in my nature however. I like to be a good worker, I take pride in my work, even if it's being a waitress.

The supervisor said she would talk to the manager about the schedule, so it might get fixed which would make me a little happier.

What would you do? Have you been treated like this at a job? What do you think? Feel free to comment.

Meanwhile, I'm going to go look at the classified ads...

I couldn't wait.

I just couldn't do it. I couldn't wait any longer. Once I get something in my head (like Taco Bell), I have to get it or whatever. I'm just not that good at being patient or something. So after some deliberation (and obsessing with my Sis), I decided to find a place to get my hair cut. Today.

I went through the phone book, but that doesn't tell you much. I found a place that I knew where it was, so I went there. They have a lot of things you can get done there including tanning. The lady that came to my assistance needs to admit she's a tan-aholic. Her leathery skin was literally sagging from her skinny body. She looks like she's probably around 60 years old or so, but I wonder... When I went in, she offered to set me up with Connie at 2:00 p.m. and asked if I wanted to come back. I wondered where I could go for only 15 minutes, but said sure. I scanned the room quickly and saw Connie in the background, I'm guessing around 50 years old. The Leather Lady was setting an old ladies hair with tiny rollers. I could guess how it was going to turn out.

I stepped out their front door and back into this century. Thank goodness! I had 15 minutes to find a new place, or I wouldn't know where else to go! I drove downtown and couldn't find anything. I thought I saw a salon, but it turned out to be a bead store or something. My 15 minutes ticked down quickly. I thought to myself that it wasn't a tricky style, and they should be able to do it with so many years of experience... hehe?

I finally had to head back, not knowing where else to look. Wouldn't this be better than StuporCuts? About a half mile or a mile before I got there, I saw a salon on my left! I cut across three lanes of one-way traffic and turned around, went across a few parking lots and screeched into a space.

When I went in, the lady that helped me had short, spunky and very curly hair. She was dressed hip and she looked fun. I asked if they had any openings and she asked if now was good for me. I said that it was PERFECT and sat in the chair. We discussed the three styles I brought with my in pictures and decided on one.



Sorry about the flash, but it's hard to take a picture of myself by myself! Also, it's still a little damp because I took a shower to get rid of clipping and hairspray. Why do hairstylists love hairspray so much? Oh, Buddy wanted to know what the hubbub was all about.



One really cool thing that I like is that the curl toward the bottom is natural! I put a little stuff in it to keep it from getting frizzy, but it's natural! Yay! I didn't even use a flat iron on any part! Ahhhhh, an easy do! It's not exactly like the picture, but my hair texture and whatnot is different and I expected that. I was actually a little relieved when it was finished.

New year, new school, new job, new hair. Now I just need a new guy! :D

School

I start school in only three days! Monday! I'm actually very excited about it. When you're 17 you don't really care (or at least I didn't care much), but when you're a bit older (only a little!) it matters. Suddenly you're very tired of serving people. Tired of retail and customer service. Tired of being the underling. By golly, it's time to be the boss! I want to be the professional, not the assistant! But I have to have a degree.



Even though it seems too late, or it seems like a strange time to go back to school, I would rather do that than resign myself to years and years more of retail and customer service. I will be the non-traditional student who pushes the grade curve up because I'm studying and trying very hard. The student with the pink calculator.



I will be there on time, even when I worked until 2:30 a.m. the day before. I'll just drink more coffee (I've really cut back lately, so it should work for a while). I will ask questions, even if I think it might not be a smart question. Somebody else might be wondering the same thing. I will make friends, hopefully ones my own age.

And I will learn. Maybe someday, I'll even pick a profession. (I know my major, just not exactly where to go with it... there are so many options!.. I think.)

Tonight

I had some obnoxious customers tonight. I would say they were at BeerCon Level 3 until they turned into jerks. One of them has been getting a particular drink for $4.00, but it's supposed to be $5.00. The waitresses have been letting him think he's been giving them a dollar tip. Well, not me. I told him it's $5.00 because that's what it is. So he went into the bar and got it for $4.00. The supervisor just happened to be there as he was walking out and told the bartender that he needs to charge $5.00 for that drink. But in the meantime, he thinks I'm ripping him off.

Then another guy in the same party accused the other waitress of taking his drink when it was only half finished. She tried to explain that the only thing she took was glasses with ice only. He made such a stink over it that she went into the bar and bought (with her money) a drink for him, served it to him and wrote on the napkin "Cheap @ss". He didn't laugh. So for the rest of the night (they were in my section), they were horrible to serve. I asked him if he wanted anything and he said, "No, I can't get anything. I'm too cheap." Okay buddy, whatever.

Tips were horrible tonight and the bar was dead. I think everybody is still hurting over the New Year partying. That's alright. I got off a half an hour early, so I sat down and had a beer, chatting with the other waitress that was also off. It was nice, but I came home right after that to medicate with night-time stuff and whatnot. Stupid cold!

Time for bed! My electric blanket that Rayleen got me is heating as I type... G'nite!

I'm Sick

It's quite possible that I'm dying.

My nose is stuffed, my throat hurts and my voice sounds funny. My skin hurts. I worked out the other day so I'm inclined to think that some of the body pain is from that, but not much of it. I'm just achy. I don't work until 7 p.m. tonight, so I will have plenty of time to sleep I think. I caught up on quite a bit of sleep yesterday. Yay!

Okay, I've whined enough. For now.

There are about a hundred birds sitting outside in my back yard. They seem to be finding seeds or some sort of food. I wonder if the neighbors on the other side of the fence threw something over. Buddy and Grace are in stealth mode even though there's no way to get to them. They talked to the birds, I'm sure threatening them. Whatever they said must have worked because the birds flew off together. Oh, my little lion-cats. At least they're not fighting anymore.

I keep forgetting to post this picture:



It was on the side of a log truck where the fire extinguisher goes. If you can't quite make it out, it says, "Fire Putter Outer". Hehe.

UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE***

I have heard the battle cry and answered in kind.



This is my arsenal. I tried the Halls Max because I don't like the taste of Sucrets. I thought they might taste different and they have a different pain killer in them. But when I popped one in my mouth, I realized with glee and wonderment that even though it still tasted kind of bad, I didn't care because my throat felt better! I think I have everything. Pseudoephedrine (bought before it went to prescription), night-time stuff, throat spray, lozenges, expectorant, cough suppressant, ibuprofen - the whole shebang. I didn't get any nose spray because I'm afraid of it. I know it will work really well. But I'm still not messing around! I already feel better. Take that, cold virus!

Ahhhhh...

I forgot to bring my camera to work with me. I wanted to take pictures of the employees with their 70's stuff on. When I got home I tried to take a picture of myself, but it didn't turn out great. I don't think you can see my hair very well and I took off my shoes already. The pants have patches of suede on them. But here it is:



After Buddy and Grace forgot they were mad (and yes, I mean crazy), Buddy decided to play in one of their Christmas presents. Here's how it normally looks:




Thank goodness it's flexible plastic and cloth.

Fighting cats

I think I have tricked the cats! It's harder than you think, by the way. They started out the new year in a fight. A friend, Joel, brought over some clothes and I took them upstairs. My cats started sniffing them and I'm sure they smelled Joel's cats. Suddenly the fight was on! I don't know if they thought the strange smell was each other or what, but it was go time.

I went to work and came back... and they're still fighting. I went to bed and woke up (with my cold in blossom) and they're slinking around the house, trying to avoid the other. So I let Grace into the garage and went to find Buddy who was sleeping in a dark corner. I talked him into coming downstairs so he could eat and drink. We could hear Grace scratching at the door right next to the food bowls.

When Buddy finished, he was very intrigued at the scratching door and wanted to go out. So I opened the door (by then Grace was REALLY wanting to come in) and she came in and he went out... without hissing or attacking!!! I stood just outside the door, acting like I was going out too, and Grace went back out. I came in and shut the door, leaving them both out there. So far it's quiet. I feel so smart. Maybe this is why I have cats.

Oh - by the way... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!