weekend

Well I hope everyone had a fun or at least productive weekend this St. Patricks day. If you want to see some pictures from the Parade in the town where St. Patrick is believed to have been layed to rest hop over to Gareths place.

Since you all made it clear (by not commenting) that you are not interested in my blog going political - no worries I leave that to the pros most days anyway - we are back to me bitching about crappy tippers, idiot waitresses and oh yeah right what it means to be a real friend - at least in my book.

Friday night started out slow. It was icky outside and we figured there won't be much business at all. I did end up making about $60 which was good but I was also reminded that is does not pay to be gready. So I learned a long time ago not to want specific sections or tables because if I do I get burned. Lets say there is a 12 top coming - if I say I want to take them I end up getting scrued if I just happend to get them assigned to my section I do okay. Its the same with all tables so I don't push - normally. Well the last few weeks I haven't had many shifts and I think I didn't even make $100 in the last three weeks since the nights I did work were dead.
Anyhow sometime throughout the evening I glanced at the reservation sheet and noticed one of the long time customers that I have known for years from the other restaurant was coming in. They are very nice and good tippers so I asked Ronnie if I could have them if a table of mine left. So I focused on getting that table out and get the regulars settled and their orders taken. Well the section I had was spit up in two areas of the room and in the process I totally forgot a table that I had said hi too but never took their order (drink or food) because they weren't ready yet. With that I got really behind and Brenda my scotish friend ended up having to cash out two of my other tables. But it was all well in the end and noone complained (to my knowledge). We also hired a couple new girls. One worked that night but I don't think she'll last. Nevermind that the stories she tells don't make much sense ... I don't know I just can't put my finger on it.

Grumpy was working in the bar so I only saw him for 3 seconds when I got home and he was leaving. Well until he woke me up at 3am with my phone in his hand. Since I am not a morning person (meaning I hate being woked up) my first questions was like what the hell who is it? Grumpy said it was Paul handed me the phone and left. Mhhh curious Paul doesn't normally call me and sure as hell not in the middle of the night. So my first question naturally was what wrong? Thankfully nothing really he just needed to talk to a friend he knew wouldn't bull shit him. So an hour and some later I got to go back to sleep after he made me promise to check in on him the next day. So when I got in touch with him Saturday he said he was sorry for calling me. I told him that is what friends are for - they are there for you to call at 3am when you feel the walls closing in.

Saturday night it was back to the restaurant. It looked like another slow night with it being a irish holiday and us being Italian and all. One of the girls left right of the bet but not until after telling us and Ronnie that the new girl from the night before lied on her application (I knew it!!!!). I got my favorite section so I was happy. I had a couple tables reserved and since I only HAD to make $40 I was happy. Why only $40 --- well because I am happy if I am at least making $100 per week. Anyhow it looked like it was staying slow so the guy that was working the screen room section which hadn't been set went ahead and left too. That left me, Vinnie, Robert a waiter that had been for awhile but not the strongest and another new chick. Well pace picked up and I ended up with my section and the screen room. I didn't screw up and everyone was happy but sadly most people seemed to have forgotten that when you order wine, appetizers, some dinners as appetizers and entrees your bill will be high. I had one table who's check was $143 and he gave me $160 and generously told me to keep the change. WTF?!?!?!? But all in all it was a good night money wise since I made $100 in credit card tips (that is my paycheck next week) and about $30 in cash which allows me to go grocery shopping tomorrow. The new chick is another one that wont be around for long. She actually told Ronnie to get out of the kitchen!!!! that and she is a moron. I am stuck with both new ones tues/thursday so I am going to be annoyed for sure.

I had rescheduled the AP meeting for this Sunday because except for 2 people noone could make it to the iceskating meeting. This is one of my favorite meetings since I love Ice skatings I even brought my skates from Germany last time I was home. Well 3 people showed up and them late!!!! So I ended up just going home and doing my homework.

I just went to take some boots to Grumpy because he has been at 7/11 since 6am (its 7pm now!). They had to fire some people and others never showed up so he had agreed to stay until 4pm (vs his scheduled 2pm) . He called me saying noone is showing up until 10pm and he would have to stay till at least 8pm. He had called the manager and official (he has been the unoffical since he started) assistant manager and neither bothered to even call back!!!! I encouraged him to call the field rep I mean not even calling back is rediculous. Anyhow I took Mac with me to visit him. She decided half way to the store that she wanted to drive and almost pushed us into the ditch. Sassy will come up next time. Alrighty time to do some more homework and then watch my newest show - Blood Ties.

AP drama, new toy and no comments

I know many of you can't comment - NEITHER CAN I. I changed the template the comments options and frankly now I don't know what else to change. If anyone has a clue please email me (dino 0477 @ gmail com)

I didn't get home until after 10pm last night. After the office I had to go meet a new family to do their interview and then meet the APs (A u P a i r's) for the monthly meeting. They all showed up so our little starbucks table at the Barnes and Noble was pretty full. I ended up having to talk to a few of them one to one so I held an audience in one of the compfy reading chairs. One found out that she can't go home after she gets married this summer but has to wait until they get her paperwork. She is bumped because she has been here for 2 years now. But if she did the immigration would not grant her a greencard and if you read Jin's entry about her hubby's struggle thats not something to repeat.

Then I spend 2 hours talking with another AP. This has been ongoing for a while and it boils down to that the AP feels she can not handle the kids (2yr old triplets and a 4 yr old). She has talked to the HM (h o s t m o m) and the HM has tried to do whatever she wanted but the AP feels like the things she needs changed can't be helped by the HM. The AP is terrified that one of the kids will get hurt because its 4 of them and so forth. I am going over to the house this weekend I told the AP I want this to be a mediation and asked her to write 2 lists one for the things she can't handle and one that would list what would have to change to make the situation better, give it 2 weeks and then meet for the exit (or if it worked just go on) The AP is pretty insistent that she made her decision but will do the lists and talk to the HM tonight about setting the weekend meeting. So wish me luck and wisdom because its going to be hard to find another AP for that family as the father is deployed until October. I will try to convince the AP to stay a bit longer until we can get a candidate for the family. She should be easy to place as she is IQ and aside from being overwhelmed with the girls (as most AP would be I am sure) has had no issues. So I wont have to worry about finding her a place to go.

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Originally uploaded by dino0477 from T-Mobile.

As you can see I got myself a new toy. After meeting with the girls I hoped over to target to check out the bikes and they had this one on clearance for $59.99. I know I know its a guys bike but so what I don't care. The girls bikes where $20 more so I got this one. I really had forgotten how much I like to ride a bike until I was at my moms and did it there. Grumpy had a helmet for me so I just went and got a light for the bike since more often than not I will be out in the dark. I tried taking it for a spin last night despite the hour and the below freezing temperature but the lack of air in the tires stopped me. So Grumpy is to fix it today so I can ride after work. Eventually I want the doggies to come with me but it will take some training. So if you have trained your dog to run with you while your on a bike please share the best way to do it. (I am hopefull the comment situation will resolve soon