That is where I was...

I had an experience while on vacation that was manager worthy.

Long story short the BOH (back of house/kitchen) was having a good old time...a good old LOUD time. 

I am ok with a good old time as long as they are handling their business.

What I peeped...while in manager mode.

Manager mode:  a mode I get in when I scope out my surroundings in a restaurant...my husband calls me out on this to reign me in...it is automatic for me...it happens in other settings too.

It looks like a blank stare, but I am really just taking it all in.

Any who...the food was taking a long time, the cooks were making fun of my crying child (where I could hear), and a table that was sat after us was fed and paid out before we had our food.

The managers were in a meeting of sorts.  

The redeeming factors were this...the food was AMAZING, the server was really sweet, and the lead server took care of us once the issue was brought to her attention. 

We went back the next morning for breakfast and the lead server took great care of us again.

I left her my blog info because what I remembered of this blog was fun and happy and light.

On the way home I read my blog...it was a LONG ride so I had time to read quite a few posts.

There were a few posts where I brought it full circle to something positive and sounded like I actually enjoyed my job, but for the most part I sounded really bitter and miserable.

I promise I wasn't. 

I really did enjoy what I did.  I enjoyed the interactions...even the crazy ones.

Don't get it twisted...there were things about my job that I didn't like...EX the hours, the hours, and hmmmmm the hours...but I thrive on social interactions.

I just sounded like...well lets be real...I seemed to be in a bitter place in my life.

Let me explain something that non restaurant folks won't get.  Restaurants can wear you down.  There is a reason for the high turnover.

I sounded like I was worn down and I am thankful for where I am now in my life.

I appreciate all of the experiences, people, and wisdom that I gained through all of my 11/12 years in restaurants.

I FAITHFULLY believe that everyone should have to spend some time in a restaurant in order to  be more well rounded. 

I would also like to point out that the positive interactions/experiences that I had in the restaurant FAR outweighed the negative ones...but lets face it...you don't need therapy after a good night...and writing was my therapy.

That is where I was...

I am thankful for where I am...

My PSA...avoid STEVEN at the OG!!!!

I went to OG today with my other prego friend and her mom!!!

I know what you are thinking...TWO PREGNANT BITCHES!!!!

Yeah....TWO...WHAT!!!

When I was a manager we took our new hires to OG because they don't play with their customer service!!! They are ALWAYS on point!!! They exude customer service!!!

It isn't a standard, it is a way of life!!

Me, Tito, Brandon, and Shauna went on Monday and had an older lady who was SUPER sweet and took great care of us!!!

We reward greatness...she got a 50% tip because she was that great!!!

Today...we had another type of experience.

When I got there I sat down in a booth and the cushion wasn't connected to the booth...RED FLAG!!!!

It was a sign!!!

I was greeted...normal...

We told him that we had an appointment and would need for our order to be sort of prompt...he said that there would be NO PROBLEM with that...I mean the restaurant was almost empty.

We placed our orders...I ordered the Chicken Caprese Panini...NO TOMATOES!!!

We got our salad and breadsticks and went to work!!!

It was really good so far!!

Then he delivered our food and placed a shrimp pasta in front of me...ummmm...

"I ordered the chicken caprese panini..."

His response..."No you didn't..."

Mine, "Yes, I did...I even pointed at it when I ordered..."

Him, "Oh...I'll get that right out"

There were requests to get extra sauce and bread for the other prego chick at the table.

We both have experience in the food industry and understand how easy it is to give good service...and how much easier it is to give mediocre service...and how annoying it is to get poor service.

He returned to our table...no bread...no sauce...and said, "You said you didn't want tomatoes, right? They can't take off the tomatoes..."

OBVIOUSLY menu knowledge was not this kid's strong point!!!

AND OBVIOUSLY he remembered that this was his mistake bc he remembered my specific request.

I told him that I understood that they wouldn't be able to take the tomatoes out of the tomato basil spread, but the fresh sliced tomatoes were the ones that I didn't want.

The little shit cut me off and said, "They said they can't the tomatoes off."

So I just looked at him...and said to bring it out how they make it.

He then went back into the kitchen...so we analyzed...

He was now avoiding our table...he probably would avoid the sauce and the bread until the sandwich was ready...

He surprised us and brought them out.

My food came...and I took off the flippin slices of tomatoes and enjoyed it!!

When it was time for the bill he asked the three of us if the bill would be together.

I said that I would be separate...which implies to anybody who isn't a dumbass that the other two are together!!!

He brought them all split up...mind you it is 10 mins AFTER we told him we had an apt at this point.

EVERYONE waited on me to get my meal that came out later...thus making everyone late.

I gave him my card and Kelly's mom reached for her card to hand it to him...he said...well I have to put the tickets back together.

YOU ARE THE DUMBASS NOT US!!!

We can do simple math and figure out what the total will be...take the flippin card!!!

She said (sweetly) "Well honey, I was just trying to save you a trip."

Instead of saying thank you or something of that manner...he said, "Oh yeah, cause we are soooo busy right now..."

WHAT THE HECK!!!

You lost the luxury of being humorous when you messed up on the order, argued about it, and made us late!!!

At this point I was sure I would do the survey.

If this was a good server he would have gotten his manager to stop by the table to apologize. The fact that the manager didn't come by further tells me is must be a dumbass that makes mistakes all the time...because he didn't want the manager to know.

We left...and on the way out...because EVERYONE else was on point...they told us thanks and to come back and see them!!!

I will...but if I get STEVEN again...I will request another server.

Mrs. P saw the manager and invited me back into the doors....ay....

She said to him on the way out that he needed to work on the kid...he asked why...and said something I was all too familiar with!!!

I can't fix it if you don't tell me about it...

I get that!!

So I explained to him the situation...leaving a majority out, but hitting the strong points...

The kid lacked tact, he didn't repeat my order, it was subsequently wrong, he argued with me about it, he lacked menu knowledge, and he didn't notify a manager of his mistake.

The manager would correct it I was sure!!!

So here is my PSA to you facebook, AVOID STEVEN AT THE OG IN CST!!!

It's nice to know some things will never change...

I have had TWO WEEKS OFF!!!

TWO WEEKS OFF!!!

I haven't had TWO WEEKS OFF since High School.

I have been so bored I haven't known what to do with myself!!

But I have definitely managed.

When I managed I was ALWAYS tired and mentally spent. I was used to it.

One time I drove to Houston to the corporate office...A DAY EARLY for a manager meeting.

Trust me...there is nothing fun to do in Houston at 7:30 a.m.

NOTHING

Once I drove to Somerville (a sticks town 35 mins out) for a baby shower...A DAY EARLY!!!

and subsequently missed the shower.

WELL...

Today was a Staff Development day...so I was ready to be developed.

I fully expected today to be a bitch day.

By that I mean...I am an aide...

I don't have any lesson plans to prepare...so I would assist!!

I was prepared to make copies like a champ...and staple...and laminate...and cut out...

I WAS READY!!

I got there...7:20 a.m...EARLY...READY!!!

And no one was there...this was all too familiar to me.

I got out and went in to sign in...Like normal...and where there were normally 10 to 12 signatures by this time, there was only ONE.

Hmmmm

I did it again...

I asked the janitorial staff where the teachers were...they laughed and told me not here...no doubt thinking, "Ay la pendeja"

So as I sit here at 8:30 a.m. shelling out blogs...know that my dishes are clean...my carpet is vacuumed...my furniture is dusted...

and SOME THINGS...will never change...

Do You See What I See?

This is my Christmas post!!

I love Christmas...Freakin LOVE IT!!!

The only thing is...

Since I graduated high school I haven't really gotten to enjoy one.

Every job I have had has been in restaurants & has required my immediate return to work.

I haven't gotten to enjoy the tasks of putting up a tree, decorating my house, and just being...that is until this year.

Ok...so all of you who have seen my halls decked are thinking BS...but you are missing the key word...ENJOY...

I have done it each year, but it has been just another task that I have scheduled in between shifts and/or school.

This year I got to do it with the kids...I got to enjoy sharing the meaning of each ornament...I got to enjoy Bubba telling me that EACH ornament was his favorite...and why...I got to enjoy!!!


Yesterday and today we played the Kinect & Rock Band for a combined 8 hours...pretty ridiculous hugh.

And tonight...my husband and I watched THREE STRAIGHT MOVIES TOGETHER...THREE MOVIES!!!

Just because

We had no reason to go to bed early...because there is no reason to get up early.

This is such a HUGE change from what I am used to...and I think I am loving it.


So when as I looked through and carefully packed away the above ornaments I did not see it as a task...

I saw it as:
2010 ornament Mom gave me early this year so I could enjoy it
Snowman from Colorado S&B brought me
Snowman from France S&B brought me
Snowman from Germany S&B brought me
Snowman from my first college job
Snowman Jennifer got me
a pier one must have raindeer
Mickey & Minnie from Liza with love
my '83 ornament that represented me on my Granny D's tree
trains my mother got us since my Hubby now works on them
my Joshy ornament
the ornament Bubba made me this year bc he knows I love Snowmen
a God awful ornament Trudi got for Bubba last year that I put on the VERY BACK OF MY TREE
a wedding gift cross ornament
another Jennifer Snowman

Do you see what I see?

That was a close one!!!

We have this nifty thing at work...Hot Schedules.

It is an online site that handles our scheduling.

There is even an app for it.

It sends you texts of your schedule, allows you to request off online, and allows you to swap shifts from your phone/computer.

It is great...really.

Well except this one time...

So I think I may have eluded to my heart not being in the restaurant any more...and if I haven't, that is where I am.

I got a text with my two days (I have another job & only work 2 shifts a week)...I was not surprised that these two shifts were on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day...That is kind of what happens sometimes.

I have celebrated enough New Years to prefer money...just saying.

When I confirmed my schedule on the computer I saw something that was not kosher!!!

My two shifts were not the two QA shifts that I normally work...but SERVING...

In the words of an old Guatemalan cook named Isreal...in his accent, "Oh HELL NO..."

I just don't have it in me to humor people anymore.

I love the kitchen...the folks in it...but I cannot handle the guests anymore.

I just knew I was going to go out with a Half Baked exit...and I didn't want to do that.

So I started communication early and called in a favor...

That was a close one!!!

(THANKS CHARLES & MENDEZ)

This is...

I would like to start off this blog with an apology...but a back handed one...

for those of you who do not know what a back handed apology is...
back handed apology- an apology that says the words "I'm Sorry"...but not necessarily in the context that the recipient wished

Example:

Girl A: You are a real bitch...

Girl B: That was really rude...you should apologize

Girl A: I am sorry that you are a real bitch...

or

Girl A: You are a real bitch...

Girl B: That was really rude...you should apologize

Girl A: I am sorry that you heard me say that you are a real bitch, but I am NOT sorry that I said it...

So here is my back handed apology...

I am sorry that I have not filled my readers' brains with restaurant humor...but I am NOT sorry that I have not been working at the restaurant enough to catch the jacked up ish that heeds a blog

With that being said...there is a time and a place for EVERYTHING...

or in some cases a blog & a space...

If you have issues that you wish to discuss...whether they be with a friend or a family member...CALL THEM...GO SEE THEM...

DO NOT PUT THEM OR THEIR FAMILY ON BLAST ON FACEBOOK!!!

Although this medium seems like the ideal place to air your laundry, it is not.

Start a blog if you want to rant aimlessly...I mean the likelihood of someone stumbling upon a blog...is well...UNLIKELY!!

The facebook rants only prove a few things:
1. You are a chicken shit for not being able to address the person directly
2. You are messy as hell...
3. You don't care if the world knows your business
4. You are messy as hell...
5. You are pitiful
6. Did I mention messy as hell...

All this to say...I am speaking GENERALLY...this blog isn't directed at ANYONE specific...because I am not a chicken shit...

And that Facebook is not the place to air your laundry...

This is...

Sometimes you need to take your own advice!!!

I firmly believe that when someone NEEDS something...they will go to extreme lengths to get it!!

Example...Crackheads...

they will steal, kill, or well...they will go to great lengths...

So you don't want to be compared to a crackhead...

ok...well how about a server

Sometimes these words are synonymous!!

Depending on the day & amount of caffeine involved!!

So as a manager we are often asked in VERY nice/rude/funny/lame/corny/demanding ways to reserve a table during busy times.

It makes it easy on the managers...bc the answer is NO!!!

We do this because the other guests that will have to wait will get mad or offended.

But what if someone offered you $500.

Well...let's just say that I would have the table set with CANDLES and personalized name plates if it were me...

F those other guests!!!

Loc got a phone call that requested a table for 11...RIGHT AFTER THE TECH GAME!!!!

Here are some logistics that context has not provided:

1. THIS IS AGGIELAND!!!!
2. TECH fans are RUDE AS HELL!!!
3. TECH fans feel entitled...
4. Our restaurant is directly across from the school & a hotspot after games.
5. TECH is a Texas team = lots of their fans travel here
6. There is liable to be a riot if I seat 11 guests wearing RED & BLACK

soooooooooooo

with that being said...I would have had personalized name plates on that table had I been offered $500 to hold it.

The other managers gawked over the table when they called again asking to have it held...and then declined, but offered to call them ahead.

SUCKERS

When the table showed up they asked for a manager immediately and informed him that they were ready to be helped out of their car.

That is the geriatric grandpa that would be paying the bill........

Thumper was the one who got the table.

When they sat down they informed her that they would be leaving her a $100 if she did a good job.

She then turned to me and promised that I would be taken care of if the food went out PERFECT!!

DONE & DONE

This could go one of three ways...

They could leave her the $100 they promised, they could find a reason she didn't deserve it, or they could have just been BSing...and left her a little chunk change.

Either way, this is what we signed up for.

So Thumper is humping along and strolls past QA only to notice her order didn't make it to the computer screen...HOW IS IT THAT THIS TABLE IS THE ONE THAT THE COMPUTER JACKS UP ON?!?!??

She starts reciting the things that she needs and I pick up on the OUT FIRST items...

You see, as a manager we were trained to slow down a guest's internal clock by putting something in front of them. This way they have something to munch on or even look at...so they feel like they are being served promptly.

Salads delivered!!!

This table was...ummm...well...lets just say they treated this casual dining experience as if it were a 5 star restaurant.

Food went out to the table...PREFECT I MIGHT ADD...and they were happy!!!

As promised, they left Thumper the $100 tip!!!

She came back to the kitchen with food that the guest INSISTED she box for them.

She was hesitant...

but not in an, "I don't want to do it sort of way..."

but in an, "I am tired of being RUN by you and your 5 star requests sort of way"

So I gave her some insight...

YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE DOUBLE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS GOING TO MAKE!!!

YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IN ONE HOUR WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS WORKING ALL NIGHT FOR!!!

You may be frustrated now, but at the end of the night when you are counting your money...think of this moment and smile...

Then carry your ass back out there with the food boxed up...and ask him if he wants a foot massage too...(not the later, but you get it)

BE THANKFUL!!!

I guess that the boxing of food is on Thumper's list of things that she just didn't want to do...good thing she had me here to pep talk her!!!

All this to say...I get up at 5:30a.m. to go to the Middle School I work at...sometimes I work until 9 or 10 to turn around and do it again...

I had to take my own advice this weekend...the same advice that I gave Thumper...

BE THANKFUL!!!

I made more money in the 4 days that I worked this week at the restaurant than I made in TWO WEEKS at the school.

In the moment I don't want to do it...I sometimes have just had enough...

But at the end of the day...when I am counting my money...it is worth it!!!

I AM THANKFUL!!!