Friday Picture Day: Volleyball anyone?

Today's Friday Picture Day comes from the restaurant I work at part time. Every Thursday night a group of volleyball players come in after their game to unwind, have some food, drink and just hang out. They are a great bunch of guys and gals. Over the last few months I've gotten to know them pretty well, and this past Thursday I sat with them for most of the night. I know isn't the hostess supposed to be standing up front? Well, I was being hospitable yeah yeah that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

The picture is a bit dark because my work is dark but from left going clockwise, Doug, King, Jane, Mike & Jim.

The group can be from 5 players up to 10-12 players, it is always a good thing to see them, they are nice, fun and from what I hear they tip well too (and I know a few of you in this picture are probably reading this, so yeah that's a good thing HAHA!!).

Ronnie one of the waitresses that usually closes on Thursday nights takes this group, she knows that they are going to be there for the long haul so usually the closer gets them, and if it was a slow night, Ronnie knows that at least she has the "regular volleyball team" come in.

We also have a promotional gimmick on Thursday nights called Coin Toss Appetizer, what that means is if you order an appetizer with your meal, I come over flip a coin the customer calls it (in the air) and if he/she gets it the appetizer is free. Well every week, the Volleyball team gets an appetizer and I swear they are jinxed cuz they hardly ever get it, I feel bad cuz I really want them to win but I'm also honest (see Teresa if you are reading this, I am honest). One of these weeks they will get it.

So last night we were sitting around the table and chatting and I found out some really interesting things about these folks, but I won't put it all out there for EVERYONE to read, but I will say that they are all very smart individuals, one is learning to be a pilot, one is looking for a girlfriend, one is a coach, one has been married for 26 years and one well didn't say much about themselves, I'll have to get more information about this one person, I'm intrigued now.

It's funny when you tell people about your blog, after you explain what a "blog" is and why you write it the very next question is, "Have you wrote about me?"

I always think that one is funny and I usually say, "no, not yet"

"Well why not?" they will ask.

"Um I don't know, I don't really write about work and I don't want anyone to feel weird about it."

Last night that was sort of a conversation topic so I said, "Okay I'm writing about you and I'm even going to take a picture." So here you are guys your very own post about the Volleyball team that comes into my restaurant every Thursday night. Thanks for being such a fun bunch of people and I enjoy when you come in, maybe next week you'll finally get that appetizer ((wink wink)).

Thursday is my long day, I leave my house by 8am and don't get home until almost midnight, so it is always a good thing to have something to look forward to and these customers are a favorite for not just me but the rest of the staff too. Last night Ronnie was on vacation so Erik had the table first but when he was cut they cashed out and Jenn picked it up. This was Jenn's last night so the group were trying to get her to sit and relax a bit, they even offered her a beer, but Jenn said no, I reply to that, "what are they going to do fire you? HAHA" but she wasn't going for that either (btw I didn't drink it wasn't my last day so I had to play by the rules). It was a good night and it made the night go by fast, last time I had looked it was about 9:30 next thing I know Michelle is coming over to tell me to lock the door we do that at 11:15pm, wow time really does fly when you have fun.

One of things that amused me was that Mike kept asking me what kind of guy do I like, I'm thinking he's trying to fix me up, well my type is definitely the Mediterranean look, I like my guys stocky, strong arms (not muscle crazy arms) nice butt, I don't mind a little belly I like my men with meat who wants a man skinnier then them. I love facial hair goatee or some sort of stubble, I like a man that is a manly man, I don't normally go for white collar I like a man that works with his hands, I think it is weird when a guy has softer hands then me. I want someone that can laugh at themselves and have a good time but is also someone who knows when to be serious. So Mike if you know someone like that let me know.

I hope they liked this post and if any of you (volleyballers) are reading this you better leave me a comment. See you next Thursday!

I Want More...

That's Enough!

My first waitressing job

After I got better from cancer I was not able to go back to work full time yet, partly because I had lost so much muscle tissue and had been out of work for about a year and I just wasn't mentally ready to go back to 9-5. So instead of going back full time right away, I thought about waitressing one or two days a week. Luckily for me I knew a lot of people in the biz, from my club days and was able to find a job at this 50s style diner in the city. What a place this was, it literally only had 5 booths, and 14 spots on the counter, the grill was in viewing distance and the place was always busy.

I remember getting the job through my friend Steven, and I went in to interview and they hired me, and I explained to them, that I couldn't work more then 1 or 2 days a week to start, to build up my strength and to get used to working again. When you go through what I did, the anxiety you feel sometimes is overwhelming and I didn't know how I would handle being around so many people. If I started to cough let's say from someone smoking or because I was getting a chest cold I would have an anxiety attack because that is how it all started, with a cough. It took me a long time to not panic every time I got sick. Thankfully now, my immune system is strong and I don't get sick too often anymore and I don't have those anxiety attacks like I used to.

The owner Robin has me train with this girl Melody and within the first couple of hours I pretty much have it down pat. She was quite impressed by me, asking, "Are you sure you've never waitressed before, because you are a natural?" Most people don't realize how hard it is to waitress and how intimidating some customers can be, but I'm an outgoing, far from shy person so I fit in really well, plus I have a very good memory. I remember I was first put on the afternoon/evening shifts. Usually I worked 3 to 11pm. (The diner was opened 24/7) but after a month or so, I had already gotten a lot of my strength back and my anxiety level had diminished some and they asked me if I would want to work an overnight shift. Being that at this point I was pretty much not sleeping at night anyway and those shifts are where you can make some serious money I said sure. They put me on a Wednesday overnight shift first 11pm - 7am because Wednesday's weren't that busy but still busy enough that I could make some money.

Well let me tell you I loved it, I wanted to work most overnights from there on out. So little by little I was put on more overnights either 11pm-7am or 1am - 9am, Thursday, Friday and Saturday were the days that if you worked overnight you could make around $250.00 a night (in cash). I started to work these nights and I had a blast doing it. I met some really interesting people, from the construction workers that were working on the new tunnels to the "in the biz" people coming in after they had closed the bars/clubs, to the pimps and hookers that would come in around 5am. This is also the place that my friends friend threw up on me.

I remember getting to know a couple of hookers (don't ask me names cuz I don't remember) and asking them why, why would they choose to do this for a living and they said, money. I thought to myself, that was a sad reason to do it. I also remember seeing how lost they were when you looked into their eyes. But the two girls that always came in were polite, pleasant and always tipped well. I always felt that these two girls if their lives had just taken a different path, they could've done anything.

I also remember one night, this pimp was with his girlfriend (who was also one of his hookers) and he started flirting with me (I know ewww gross) and he says something to me about how cute I am and how he and his girlfriend want to share me, or have a threesome with me, something like that. And me being the "nice" person I am (oh no don't you even think for a second that I said yes), replied, "thank you but I'm abstinent right now." (which was the truth) and they looked at me like I had 4 heads,

"What does that mean?"

"It means I'm not having sex right now."

"What!!! Why?" this was both of their replies.

"Because a lot of things have happened to me in my life and right now I need to focus on me and not worry about some guy trying to get into my pants, if a guy wants to be with me, he will first have to really get to know me and respect my wishes."

I thought these two were going to fall over and die. Here I am telling a pimp and hooker, who just hit on me, that I wasn't having sex right now. I don't think they understood the concept. Needless to say, it was an interesting job to say the least.

I truly enjoyed working there, and because of that place I got my first tattoo (okay I only have one so far but am dying for another) and then I got my tongue pierced (I've taken that out since then). This was a place where if you didn't have a tattoo you were the weird one. But that's not why I got mine, I got it because I wanted to celebrate that I was now in remission for one year and I got a symbol that is Ancient Greek that stands for eternal life.

Because of this job I was able to get stronger mentally, physically and also was able to save up my money to move to Florida (plus I have great stories to tell). I need to go back to the diner for some late night food except shit I don't stay out late anymore, damn it I need to change that.

I Want More...

That's Enough!

Who did she blow to get into the position of supervisor?

Have you ever worked for someone who was either your boss or supervisor that you just wondered who were they blowing or had some incriminating photos of to land in the position of supervisor or manager?

I had this supervisor when I used to work for a company that was a management company for a certain commodity (I don't want to give too much detail if you know what I mean).

I worked in the accounting department and basically my job was to have each company that was assigned to me report their net sales each month for certain locations. Then I would take out the commissions we got and the commissions the location got and send a report to said location. (I know a bit generic but that's besides the point) Well I had this supervisor we'll call her CF (can you guess what CF stands for? Let's just say the the first word starts with a C and ends with a T and the second word is where your nose, mouth and eyes are located). I digress... so CF was my supervisor and she was the nasty most conniving piece of work I have ever met.

She complained throughout the whole day about how much work she had to do, and that it wasn't fair that she had to do everything. But what I didn't get was what work was she talking about, because I never really saw her do anything but IM about her sex life to us in accounting and/or play solitaire on her computer.

And when I say IM about her sex life I wasn't kidding, she would tell us some really nasty things that I really did not want to hear or picture that she was doing with her boyfriend. Like one time she was talking to us about how she was on her period... (before I go any further, if you are easily grossed out or offended please do not read anymore of this part and skip to the next) and how she wasn't able to have sex or something, and someone said, oh that's too bad, and she said but the back door is still open. I'm like EWWWW!! (and if anyone knows me I am not squeamish or shy when it comes to sex talk by any means), but who wants to hear about your supervisors back door activities, NOT I thank you.

Plus she would always try to be the center of attention no matter what the situation. Whether in a meeting, or on IM, or after work having some drinks with coworkers. It got to the point that if anyone had a story about something, she had one better, or if someone tried to tell a story about a similar situation she would interrupt that person and change the subject.

I don't work for that company anymore but I still hear from time to time about her and what she is doing or what lies she is spewing. The final straw for me was an email she sent me regarding two things, how I answer the phone and how I supposedly go above her (chain of command) when she tells me to do something, she also accused me of reporting to the owners what she was doing. This is something I have never done and would never do, I do not go behind any ones back and report about their business or lack of business, and I sure as hell could care less what she does or doesn't do. But why does someone like this have the position she has.

I know that she worked with one of the VPs at a different company before this one, and that she came over when that company was sold. Some of us think that either they were having an affair or she knows of him doing something that she could use against him, because she is so the type to use that information for leverage and job security.

Either way, she is a major douche bag and a headache and really doesn't know what the fuck she is doing. When a new person was hired to take over for someone who wasn't there anymore CF was supposed to train this person on how to do this report and CF basically fucked the whole thing up, we are talking BIG TIME FUCK UP, to where the client could see it and could cause the company some major problems. Do you think CF was at fault, oh no not her. She just made it out that it was someone else's fault that she couldn't be bothered. It is very frustrating when someone like that can pass the blame onto someone else but sure is the first to take the credit when things go right. How is it that these types of people get away with it and that they are never fired? I guess Karma will finally get her, I hope.

I Want More...

That's Enough!

Road Rage

Being that I am Greek, and I unfortunately have my fathers temper, it is easily stated that I have major ROAD RAGE. I have always considered myself a good driver, I don't ever feel nervous about driving, and luckily I really haven't been in any accidents (okay Misa I know I know). The one that I was in I rear ended a couple when I was 17 because I was being a rubber neck. Luckily, there were no damages and Misa was in the car with me and was talking to the people and how cute their kid was. It was just a bump really not a full on force CRASH!!!

But today, oooooh this morning, I'm on my way to work and the traffic is pretty normal. I speed up to change into the left lane, because it was moving a bit faster, I check my mirror, look over my shoulder and even have my left blinker on. I start to move over, and the MOTHER FUCKER in the left lane behind me, decides to speed up and not let me in. He basically not only cuts me off, but forces me to get back into my lane and I've already got two tires over the line. Not only am I forced back into my lane, but I have to pretty much slam on my brakes because of the person in front of me is slowing down. If that COCK SUCKER had just let me in (I was going the same speed as he was) all would've been fine. GRRRR!!!! So, I honk my horn and do the WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM LOOK and do you know what this asshole did, he basically laughed at me. OH NO HE DIDN'T. So I get stuck behind this slow poke and I'm seething, but I'm like Whatever. So I go to pay the toll (I don't have a fast pass so I can't just fly through) and do you believe this asshole actually honked his horn at me, and waved. Like HA HA.

Well, he's messing with the wrong woman. I pay the toll, and fly through (now I'm pissed). This probably wasn't the smartest thing, but oh Mario Andriette came out of me. I speed up, and start looking for him, and guess what I did. He thought he was so smart, Ha, I pull in front of him, and slow down (not a whole bunch, to cause an accident I'm that stupid), but enough for him to realize it's me. I just wanted to show him that I'm not some scared woman who doesn't know how to drive, and who can't play with the big boys. He definitely had a look of surprise. He changed lanes and went on his way. I didn't follow him or try to play games, I got what I wanted, him to realize hello I'm back.

But I really wanted to get a picture of his car, to post on the web, just to say, Watch out for this guy. But alas I didn't.

This story reminds of another story involving my father, a girl, road rage, and 3 court dates. I will tell you that another time, I need to get to work now, and I've calmed down a bit. Hope everyone else had a better drive into work this morning then I did.

I Want More...

That's Enough!

In The Biz

Some of you may know that I have worked as a waitress, bartender and now a hostess on and off for the last 8 years or so. Right now I am hostessing at a restaurant for some extra money, this is not my main job which I will talk about another time.

Anyway, throughout my times as a waitress, bartender or hostess I have seen some interesting things and have experienced some of these first hand. It always amazes me how some people treat their server, how they think that because this person is serving them that they can justify being a complete dick to said server. Case in point, I was working this past week and I sat this couple who were probably in their late 70s. They weren't exactly the nicest people and I could tell already (just by being with them for all of 30 seconds) that they were going to be a handful. I felt bad having to give it to the server J, but I really had no choice.

They complained about how cool it was, complained that "only fat people must eat here" because the booths were far from the tables (our booths are not nailed down so my manager fixed that easily by moving the booths closer to the table). They bitched about their food being cold, (it would've been warm if they ate it when it was served to them instead of talking for 15 minutes to people that they knew who were leaving, which is fine to do but don't complain that your food was served cold). They bitched about everything and then of course barely left J. a tip. We did everything we were supposed to do and still they complained.

Then there was the man who brought his two young children in, I'd say they were about 8 and 10 years old. The boy (10) and girl (8) were very well behaved, but the father seemed to think that they were not, he yelled at them and treated them like dogs. Example, the little girl was talking to me (which I didn't mind) before I could sit them and she walked closer to me, the father snapped his fingers and pointed to her and said, "GET BACK HERE" like she was a dog. The girl had a look on her face of Ruh Roh, (now you might think no biggie as did I at first) but throughout the whole meal he just talked to his kids with such content and loathing in his voice. I guess this father is a regular and the staff were talking about how he "Disciplines" his kids constantly when really they don't do anything wrong, and how all he does is berate them everytime he comes in. He is divorced from their mother and only gets to see them a couple times a month or something like that. My question is, why wouldn't he just enjoy his kids instead of making them feel bad all the time (hmmm maybe that's because I have those same issues with my father and I'm 32, a story for another time). I just hope that someday these kids realize that they didn't do anything wrong.

Then there was the time when I was working many years ago as a waitress at a 50s style trailer diner in the city. This was my first waitressing job, and it came pretty natural to me, I'm a people person and I like to talk so it worked out well. This diner was open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As I got more comfortable waitressing the owners decided to try me out on the overnight shifts, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. I would either work 11pm to 7am or 1am to 9am. I loved those shifts and I made a ton of money. But one of my first nights working the overnight shift a friend came in with this girl that I knew but didn't really like. Shara was very self absorbed and so oblivious of other people.

So in comes my friend E and Shara (notice I name Shara because I could care less if people know her real name) anyway, and Shara is drunk off of her ass, and E is sober, trying to just get Shara to sit down and be quiet and get some food into her before going home. So I am their server, they order some food and Shara slurs, Where is the bathroom? I show her where the bathroom is and try to get out of her way (our diner at that time was filled with people) and before I could get out of her way the girl puked all over and down my back. Yup people she threw up on me, and ran into the bathroom to finish off. Needless to say I was not thrilled about that, luckily it wasn't chunks since she hadn't eaten yet and it was mostly liquid (so it was easy clean up) but still it came from her stomach. So I go downstairs to clean myself up and throw on a diner t-shirt come up and she is sitting at the table like nothing has happend. I say something to her and the bitch actually has the audacity to say to me in her little accent, "Melina don't worry it was only water" I look at her and scream in Greek to my friend who is also Greek, "If she can't hold her liquor she should not be drinking and I'm going to fucking kill her" The bitch never apoligized to me or said anything else, and if it wasn't for the fact that I was working I think I would've smacked her and dragged her outside. But I didn't because my co-workers calmed me down and said, "You have now been officially initiated, welcome" My thoughts were, "Great this happens often?"

These are just a few things that I have dealt with while being "in the biz" and have heard of some other crazy stories from others, but remember folks, treat your server with some respect (because they do handle your food, not that I EVER NEVER EVER did anything but I sooooo wanted to sometimes, it's just not in my nature), and that sometimes we are just overloaded and tired, but we are trying. Remember 18% is the norm, 20% if they are good and 22% if they are great, and if you can't afford to tip well then you shouldn't be going out (that's just my opinion).

I Want More...

That's Enough!