April has talons.
The last update suggested that not much of substance was going on, so consider this as a counterpoint.
So after working at Trudy's for three months, I started, finally, to feel like I was gonna be there for a while. Everyone was pretty great to work with, and despite the corporate fears and well documented ass-kissing, I felt I was at last sitting pretty. Long story short, I had one bad table, and they complained. I feel guilty saying this, but they were trash. Those moments are when I hate what I'm currently doing to make money, but I've lately been rather good at shrugging it off. Unfortunately, the table called to complain about me personally, and thusly, I was fucked. I had a bad feeling about it despite everyone's assurances that this could have happened to any one of us. I resisted the urge to spend money and pay bills until the next pay period passed, which was quite lucky in retrospect.
Monday, I went into work after a somewhat trying weekend full of burning the candle at both ends, and was fired when I got there. Of course, it was all quite stupid and really could have happened to anyone, but me being me, full of illusions of intelligence and competence, the news that I was not quite up to par as far as waiting tables is concerned was frustrating. Though, after the whole "stealing" incident last year, I think I've come to accept the fickle insanity of this "industry." It was a nice refocusing opportunity. I was angry for a moment, but then I realized it felt more like a noose being taken off my neck. It's hard to have people follow you around assuming you're about to screw up all day. It usually makes you, well, screw up. It will be really nice to start somewhere fresh. This all had me feeling pretty optimistic.
Monday night, a few friends from the restaurant called me to go out and got me drunk and made me brownies and basically made sure I didn't worry about anything for a little while. It was really nice, and restored some much needed, if minute, faith in humanity. When I woke up in the morning, I noticed that the electricity had been cut off. I owe less than usual, and they've never done this before, but whatever, pack on the hurdles. I had the money to take care of it, but in the absence of employment, I figured I could rough it for a while. It was a little intense to go from feeling good to, uh, destitute in just a couple days, but I kept telling myself it was the beginning of the month. I am most impressed with my lack of stress and freaking the eff out during all this crap. Where on earth did that levelheadedness come from?
So, I got on the ball real quick about finding another job. My friend Xante, who I'll probably be living with soon, suggested that it wouldn't be so bad to move back home. I replied, in essence, oh hell no. Ironically, abandoning ship did not cross my mind. I live in Austin now, and I have people. A couple months ago, one of the managers at Trudy's had been fired for serving a burnt hamburger bun. (Yeah, that's what's up.) He now works at another restaurant on South Lamar and has hired two ex-Trudy's kids that I adore. Luckily, we got along famously and he was very clear about me calling him if something didn't work out. I figured this was as good a time as any to be calling in favors, so I called him and got myself an interview.
I went in with expectations, I'll admit it, but I have faith that when given the opportunity to interview, I can be charming as fuck. The lady I spoke with and I hit it off and she said that she would call me in a couple hours to schedule a second interview. I did get to see my old friend Matt, who now works there, and he kindly gave me a big hug and told me he really hoped I got the job. More strangely, I saw one of the managers from Trudy's over there in the middle of my interview. As far as I know, he still works at Trudy's, and he looked pretty shocked to see me. Oddly enough, he is about the only person I know of who said anything somewhat mean about my firing. I chalk it up to being older than me and still working at a restaurant since we got along pretty well when we worked together. Still odd. I wonder if this is turning into a mass exodus?
So I just got a call back from the lady I interviewed with, and she asked me if I would like to start Monday. I said I would love too. Thank goodness. I realize that I'm starting back at square one again, but honestly, this place reminds me of the one restaurant I enjoyed working at in San Antonio, and it matters to me to be with friends for the moment. I'll work much shorter shifts and there will be a lot less pressure to devote a significant portion of my social life to drinking with "important waiters." Which is, by the way, as dumb as it sounds. I am so very relieved. It's not a dream job, but I think I'm refocused on getting myself out of waitressing. For serious. Plus, this is a nice, quick way to finance solutions to my immediate problems. How can I argue with that?
In any event, despite all the trauma, I've come out of this rather happy with my crisis demeanor. My head is above water, and I've never gotten so many calls demanding that I not lose contact before in my life. It's nice to know that not everything from the last few months is fleeting. I do, however, resolve not to let myself become so wrapped up in this new job. It was notably bad for my writing, reading, intelligence, previously established friendships, and health. So, I have the weekend to finish my books, and enjoy the break I very much needed. I am going to a brunch held by some Trudy's kitchen staff friends who like to show off their culinary skills on Easter. I just want to get my mimosa on, and let everyone know I already have a job so no one wastes time worrying or feeling sorry for me. Mostly the latter.
Moral of the story: I haven't been this excited about a new start since I arrived in Austin. It's a bit cheesy, I know, I really know, but I'm just ready for things to move forward. I want to spend time with the people (and books) I've missed, and get back on my feet. Hopefully I've filled my stupid shit quota for the year. At least, as Max said, I can be excited about the group of people I have set up around myself. The economy is in crisis and blah blah so I will continue having my youthful adventure in Austin relatively guilt free. If everything ends up going to shit, it will blend nicely into the scenery. Still, I doubt that's in the cards.
So after working at Trudy's for three months, I started, finally, to feel like I was gonna be there for a while. Everyone was pretty great to work with, and despite the corporate fears and well documented ass-kissing, I felt I was at last sitting pretty. Long story short, I had one bad table, and they complained. I feel guilty saying this, but they were trash. Those moments are when I hate what I'm currently doing to make money, but I've lately been rather good at shrugging it off. Unfortunately, the table called to complain about me personally, and thusly, I was fucked. I had a bad feeling about it despite everyone's assurances that this could have happened to any one of us. I resisted the urge to spend money and pay bills until the next pay period passed, which was quite lucky in retrospect.
Monday, I went into work after a somewhat trying weekend full of burning the candle at both ends, and was fired when I got there. Of course, it was all quite stupid and really could have happened to anyone, but me being me, full of illusions of intelligence and competence, the news that I was not quite up to par as far as waiting tables is concerned was frustrating. Though, after the whole "stealing" incident last year, I think I've come to accept the fickle insanity of this "industry." It was a nice refocusing opportunity. I was angry for a moment, but then I realized it felt more like a noose being taken off my neck. It's hard to have people follow you around assuming you're about to screw up all day. It usually makes you, well, screw up. It will be really nice to start somewhere fresh. This all had me feeling pretty optimistic.
Monday night, a few friends from the restaurant called me to go out and got me drunk and made me brownies and basically made sure I didn't worry about anything for a little while. It was really nice, and restored some much needed, if minute, faith in humanity. When I woke up in the morning, I noticed that the electricity had been cut off. I owe less than usual, and they've never done this before, but whatever, pack on the hurdles. I had the money to take care of it, but in the absence of employment, I figured I could rough it for a while. It was a little intense to go from feeling good to, uh, destitute in just a couple days, but I kept telling myself it was the beginning of the month. I am most impressed with my lack of stress and freaking the eff out during all this crap. Where on earth did that levelheadedness come from?
So, I got on the ball real quick about finding another job. My friend Xante, who I'll probably be living with soon, suggested that it wouldn't be so bad to move back home. I replied, in essence, oh hell no. Ironically, abandoning ship did not cross my mind. I live in Austin now, and I have people. A couple months ago, one of the managers at Trudy's had been fired for serving a burnt hamburger bun. (Yeah, that's what's up.) He now works at another restaurant on South Lamar and has hired two ex-Trudy's kids that I adore. Luckily, we got along famously and he was very clear about me calling him if something didn't work out. I figured this was as good a time as any to be calling in favors, so I called him and got myself an interview.
I went in with expectations, I'll admit it, but I have faith that when given the opportunity to interview, I can be charming as fuck. The lady I spoke with and I hit it off and she said that she would call me in a couple hours to schedule a second interview. I did get to see my old friend Matt, who now works there, and he kindly gave me a big hug and told me he really hoped I got the job. More strangely, I saw one of the managers from Trudy's over there in the middle of my interview. As far as I know, he still works at Trudy's, and he looked pretty shocked to see me. Oddly enough, he is about the only person I know of who said anything somewhat mean about my firing. I chalk it up to being older than me and still working at a restaurant since we got along pretty well when we worked together. Still odd. I wonder if this is turning into a mass exodus?
So I just got a call back from the lady I interviewed with, and she asked me if I would like to start Monday. I said I would love too. Thank goodness. I realize that I'm starting back at square one again, but honestly, this place reminds me of the one restaurant I enjoyed working at in San Antonio, and it matters to me to be with friends for the moment. I'll work much shorter shifts and there will be a lot less pressure to devote a significant portion of my social life to drinking with "important waiters." Which is, by the way, as dumb as it sounds. I am so very relieved. It's not a dream job, but I think I'm refocused on getting myself out of waitressing. For serious. Plus, this is a nice, quick way to finance solutions to my immediate problems. How can I argue with that?
In any event, despite all the trauma, I've come out of this rather happy with my crisis demeanor. My head is above water, and I've never gotten so many calls demanding that I not lose contact before in my life. It's nice to know that not everything from the last few months is fleeting. I do, however, resolve not to let myself become so wrapped up in this new job. It was notably bad for my writing, reading, intelligence, previously established friendships, and health. So, I have the weekend to finish my books, and enjoy the break I very much needed. I am going to a brunch held by some Trudy's kitchen staff friends who like to show off their culinary skills on Easter. I just want to get my mimosa on, and let everyone know I already have a job so no one wastes time worrying or feeling sorry for me. Mostly the latter.
Moral of the story: I haven't been this excited about a new start since I arrived in Austin. It's a bit cheesy, I know, I really know, but I'm just ready for things to move forward. I want to spend time with the people (and books) I've missed, and get back on my feet. Hopefully I've filled my stupid shit quota for the year. At least, as Max said, I can be excited about the group of people I have set up around myself. The economy is in crisis and blah blah so I will continue having my youthful adventure in Austin relatively guilt free. If everything ends up going to shit, it will blend nicely into the scenery. Still, I doubt that's in the cards.