Training Complete!

I have taken menu tests, I have shadowed for 5 days, and I passed my "mock serve" with a manager.
I didn't even get to serve their fake food, she stopped me and said, "Don't worry, you're approved, I think you're adorable, I just want to work on the name-drop upsell portion."

I was completely overwhelmed my first day of training, I've only used handwritten checks and thought my trainer was performing magic, but once she gave me her swipe card and I started greeting tables, taking orders, and putting them into the computer it was just gravy.

So after 8 months of unemployment, at least 4 on the job search.. I'm back in the restaurant and couldn't be happier. Tonight is my first night on the floor alone and of course I'm scared to death but I'm so excited! I will certainly take notes for you, Dear Reader, to hear about the crazy people that exist in our world.

Officially employed!

I'm in the system now. I start my orientation and training in a few days. Blondie's gone corporate and she's super excited. Let's make some money and have a whole different set of stories.

Two down!

My interview at the seasonal place was... weird. She took my picture, asked if my tattoos were offensive, if I had allergies. I'd love to work on the river but I guess it's just not practical. It's only seasonal, they won't train me to bartend. So I have a second meeting with the GM at the first place tomorrow morning, hopefully we'll schedule some training because I checked my savings today...

One down.

I had an interesting interview at a local corporate place. Some questions I wasn't prepared for, but the interviewer was cute and sweet and informative and said she would set me up with a second by next week with the GM. Told me I would be a good fit, gave me a lot of insight for training and policies and moving up in the company. I wouldn't want to be a manager, I love to be on the floor, but server to bartender is my goal.
I have another application on Saturday, a local, seasonal place so I'd be done at the end of summer. But now I'm feeling like which should I choose?! Maybe I should have limited my availability at the first so I could do the opposite at the second. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, the second might not even want me, and then what happens in September? I'm back on the job hunt again.

Possibly a new venture?

Hey y'all!
Still on the Job Hunt, but I have two interview/application situation appointments coming up. Both serving positions, so hopefully I'll have some new stories for you soon as I go through the training process. Both restaurant/bar so what I'm really hoping for is to be trained as a bartender, which is what I've always wanted to do. Fingers crossed!

How petty do I want to be?

Well, the old job doesn't want me back. I was cleared to work, ready to go, Bossman texted me to work a Saturday night and I was all over it. Customers were hugging me, asking where I'd been, glad to see me back, slipping me twenties, the whole nine. I worked 6 hours, did my sidework, told the Bossman my foot was getting tired how long did he want me to stay?
"Okay, that can be your last table." And I lucked out. They were in a hurry, knew what they wanted, in and out.
And I worked HARD that shift. Show him I'm ready to work, show myself that I can. And I can! I was so nervous I thought I would drop a coffee mug on my first table, but by the third I was back with trays just like riding a bike.
WELL. Even though the other part-owner left after I had to, even though they had to put on more servers - three to my one - some of the girls (and I do mean girls) were talking some shit. "She better not expect her same hours back, she's just a pet," etc.
I know I've written about this before, but when did coming in and doing your job become a bad thing? I didn't expect my old hours back. I couldn't handle my old hours even if they gave them to me! But I was promised my job back, I know they're hiring, and I didn't get any hours. I took my key in and asked if I could use them as a reference.

So the question is, when I see my customers out and about, do I tell them that place screwed me over or just tell them it didn't work out?

Is Texas Roadhouse Screwing Over Servers?

Is Texas Roadhouse Screwing Over Servers?

The Bitchy Waiter has shared a receipt from a Texas Roadhouse server. I'm sure you've all seen the helpful "great service, 20%: $10, average service, 15%: $7.50" etc, etc. APPARENTLY, Texas Roadhouse uses their cows to do their calculations and while it says 20%, the calculation is for 10%!

Now, I place little - but some - blame on the customers. You would think most people would look at a fifty-dollar tab and realize $5 is NOT twenty percent for the great service they received, but maybe you've had a margarita or two, you're laughing with your friends pulling out your card, and you don't. This handy-dandy tip (no pun intended) on the receipt is wrong, so just double-check, dear readers!

Well, now I don't want to go back to work.

I've been spoiled. I sleep late, Work Husband comes over and helps me with household stuff and taking the dog out. And now I'm back to driving, so I have freedom!
But... money. My savings won't keep forever! I'm in no rush to go back just because it does still take me a little to get going with the foot and I don't want to re-fracture anything. And I guess my schedule could use a little more structure so I feel more like an adult.. my birthday is in two weeks and I guess I really thought I would have it all together by now. We'll see. They've definitely invited me back, it's just a matter of when.

Well, I'm old.

I'm very very close to going back to work. I'm pushing the foot, I'm about to put a down payment on a new vehicle.
Work Husband Now Boyfriend's manager has asked about me, and we have discussed my applying at his restaurant. But - they use computers! I don't know that I could learn it! Am I so stuck in the Stone Age? ...Pen and Paper Age?

Also, they would probably (rightfully so) schedule us for opposite shifts - really put a damper our love life.

Again, still alive.

I've read books.
I've watched Netflix.
I've re-watched Netflix.
I've looked up recipes, crafts, home and garden tips. Gotten caught in Wikipedia and Buzzfeed loops. Gotten kaught up on the Kardashians.
I taught myself to crochet.
I've relaxed, I've slept in, I've enjoyed hot tea. Did you know tea is like wine, they all come from different varieties of the same plant?
I learned to french braid my own hair, and gotten used to not seeing my car in the garage.

But as sure as someone is going to walk in that door as soon as you plug in the vacuum and get ready to shut it down - I miss working. I looked at work-from-home, online degrees... even if this trusty ol' thing was good for more than what I need it for (Netflix and... looking up movie times every now and then?), I can't commit to it. I crave movement.

I'm almost there. I've been patient, I swear! Three months next week since the accident. I've been taking my vitamins and everything!
I'm going to cherish every time someone needs a ride, every 11pm craving for a convenience-store candy bar. My mother was sick this week, and I was itching like hell to run out and get her chicken soup.

So, my loves - make a great goddamn resolution. Not something you "should" do, but something you want to do and be realistic. Smoke your morning cigarette, but then drink a bottle of water. Grab Burger King on the way home from work - enjoy those onion rings and read a chapter of the book you've been meaning to get to while you ride your stationary bike.

Happy Holidays, y'all.