Why I Believe in God #1

Things like this BLOW MY MIND!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzL194jiTyY

Leigh's Bucket List

It dawned on me that I have a bucket list and I didn't even realize it. Things I'll achieve before I kick the bucket.

• Fly first/business class internationally on a flight longer than 8 hours
• Be in a national tour of a musical
• Be in a Broadway show
• Play Leaf in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Play Mark in RENT
• Visit Australia
• Conduct a marching band
• See a tornado in person
  

Celebrity Sightings

I've seen so many celebrities since I've moved to New York that it's hard to keep track of. Well, not anymore, because here is LEIGH'S LIST OF CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS!

• Abigail Breslin - She came with her mother to Rosa Mexicano fairly often.
  
• Alec Baldwin from 30 Rock - Coalition for the Homeless event
• Anderson Cooper - He is just EERIE in person because his skin GLOWS. I saw him twice at Jamba Juice in the Whole Foods at Columbus Circle. One of those times in gym clothes with another (gay) guy. Then I saw him at Rosa Mexicano eating with another (gay) guy. Hmmm...
  
• Felicity Huffman from Desperate Housewives - She came into Rosa Mexicano in a hot red dress. Only, she was wearing a really bad, short haired, brown/gray WIG. And sunglasses. Inside. At night. Awwwwkwaaaaaard!
  
• Jennifer Aniston from Friends - She was escorted to an art charity in a van behind the scenes. She had "people" to watch everyone else to protect her. I've never seen anything like it.
  
• Martha Stewart from Martha Stewart - I went to a taping of hers (both 11/07 and 12/08).
  
• Michael Bloomberg as mayor of New York City - I saw him at an event I was catering for Russian Americans.
  
• Nina Garcia from Project Runway - I catered Winter Wonderland at Bronx Botanical Gardens for yuppy young rich people. (12/5/08). I catered an event for Bon Appetit and saw her again (11/08).
• Renée Zellweger - She came to Jamba Juice three times while I was there. The first time, her name was "Sarah." Bitch, please. I see you.
• Richard Branson - At a spa he was building. (6/09)
  
• Richard Gere from movies - Coalition for the Homeless event
• Seth Meyers from SNL - He ate at Rosa Mexicano with a girl, presumably a date. He grew a beard to "disguise" himself. Nice try, Seth.
  
• Stone Phillips - While a waiter at Rosa Mexicano, I waited his party at a large table of 10. He actually gave me his credit card to hold to make sure he was the one to pay.
  
• Thom Felicia from Queer Eye - I catered Winter Wonderland at Bronx Botanical Gardens for yuppy young rich people. (12/5/08).
• Will Wikle from Big Brother - He came to Jamba Juice at least 3 times. I got his email one of the times for some reason.

Oh, and where do I begin at Alicia Key's charity event on 10/15/09? Here's the list of people:

• Halle Berry, at my table
  
• Alicia Keys, also at my table
  
• Tyler Perry, ALSO at my table
  
• Padma Lakshmi, ALLLLSOOOO at my table
  
• Queen Latifah, the host
• Chris Martin performed
• John Mayer performed
• Sir Richard Branson got an award and spoke
  
• President Bill Clinton got an award and spoke
• Spike Lee
• Usher
• Gayle King
• Ann Curry
• Al Roker
• Iman
• Nick Cannon (without Mariah)
• Robin Thicke
• Samuel L. Jackson
• Allegedly Mary J. Blige
• Allegedly Christiane Amanpour

Wow, that event was A-LIST!

Spouse

As is par for me, I send out an email asking people to update their contact information so that I may have an updated address book. This year, for the first time, I added the "Spouse" line. The Microsoft contact cards actually have a detail tab where you can add extraneous information such as birthdays, manager's names, assistant's names, etc. There has always been a spouse line, but I left it relatively unused until recently, when all of my friends started getting married. I started to find myself talking about "him" because I couldn't remember their names for the life of me.

I added this line into my updates. Seeing how many of my friends are still NOT married, the replies were hilarious (most names changed to protect privacy). I think the word "spouse" really threw people for a loop:

• Spouse: HA! Not yet.
• Spouse: Change's with the wind :)
• Spouse: Hugh Jackman
• Spouse: We're not married, but I've moved in with John Smith, so... Partner: John Smith
• Spouse: I wish. But, no time for that.
• Spouse: Jesus Christ
• Spouse: Will Demps (but only in my dreams)
• Spouse: no
• Spouse: Leigh Cambre
• Spouse: ha.
• Spouse: Leigh Cambre
• Spouse: Leigh Alexander Cambre, Daron Seaford
• Spouse: Leigh BonQuiQui Cambre
• Spouse: let me know when you find him.
• Spouse: ya right
• Spouse: psh! I don't think so...
• Spouse: I’m still waiting on you my dear! ;)
• Spouse: John (haven’t found a new one yet) :) but open to options!! HAHA!
• Spouse: Nick Jonas (we had to get married for him to give it up)
• Spouse: LOL
• Spouse: Dr. John Smith, DDS
• Spouse: UHHHHH......NO
• Spouse: SOON......
• Spouse: I WISH--- hahahahahah
• Spouse: yeah right
• Spouse: still accepting applications
• Spouse: John Smithinson?
• Spouse: Do you know how badly I'd like to write some serious snark in this space?! But, I shant. Feel free to call and I will provide it at absolutely no charge.
• Spouse: FABULOUSLY SINGLE feel free to set me up!! LOL

Bronze Medal

I look at my career like an Olympian would. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and coaching to achieve the highest honors (Broadway) in musical theatre. Like Olympians, I am looking for the gold. Unlike other musical theatre performers, though, I am not looking to make a career out of this (though I will not walk away from a successful career, mind you). I want to achieve a gold medal, then move on to other dreams, such as getting a Masters in Counseling.

Here's my breakdown:

Bronze Medal: Non-Equity Regional Theatre
Silver Medal: Equity Regional Theatre or Off-Broadway or National Tour
Gold Medal: Broadway or 1st National Tour

And I've attained my first bronze medal! YAY!

What I learned: I should be proud no matter what level of theatre I make it to. This helps me put it into perspective, too. I can be happy with a non-Equity theatre that pays nothing knowing that it is still an achievement to be proud of. When I get a medal, I'm successfully getting paid for doing what I love to do.

July 29

What a DAY!! To use a phrase so many of my friends do, "Why is July 29 shitting on me?!"

After a first date, I got reply to my email saying that he wanted to be upfront and honest (ooo, attractive qualities!) that he didn't feel we had a sexual connection. Boo.

I got an email from my subleasee that she is "bowing out." Her job pushed her start date forward a month and because of that, she will not be taking my 2.5 month lease. She has her plane ticket already bought, she secured my place, she subleased her own apartment....but she will lose everything she has because she is too afraid to make a step without her job giving her a green light. Boo.

My super came today and plugged up the holes under my sink so that I wouldn't have any more mice! Yay! I found a mouse for the first time in a couple of weeks in my mousetrap seconds after returning home tonight. Boo.

This is the third day I've had this cold sensation on my throat (behind my Adam's Apple) that feels liks hunger. The problem is, it gets so serious that I sometimes feel nauseous the way you sometimes feel when you get extremely hungry. And it continues even if I am extremely full. Boo.

My gut tells me everything will fall into place. Today was just one big bummer.

What I learned: This has been the most stressful day I've had in a long while. I am so thankful and grateful that things like this are what stress me out. How blessed am I that this the worst thing I have to deal with. And besides, I can name at least 10 things positive that happened today.

1. I made $48 tip on my 2-hour bike tour this morning.
2. I met some new friends tonight at my first catering event for Creative Edge.
3. I get to get up early in the morning and see a lot of sunlight.
4. I worked at 2 jobs today, making me much needed money so that I can support myself in Ohio, even if I don't get another job.
5. I have a really supportive friend in Kevin who is enough like me to relate and give intuitive advice that is extremely helpful.
6. My mother was extremely supportive, as always, helping me to maintain my emotional well-being so that I can be fully present to serve others as much as possible.
7. I slept a very good amount of time last night and woke up feeling very refreshed.
   
8. I'm getting enough sunlight to give myself a tan, but not burn--and this is my first extended tan!
9. I have funny friends that can always make me laugh, even when I'm totally bummed out!
   
10. All the things I take for granted that are such a blessing: home, air conditioning, clean running water, nice apartment, intelligence, confidence, well-being.

I create my own luck.

ask-elizabeth

I just read an article where our favorite showgirl might be getting a TV pilot based off of her website ask-elizabeth. It scared me to think that she was giving advice, so I decided to check it out. www.ask-elizabeth.com. Here's the opening letter (with my interpretations in parentheses):

Hi, girls (and gays)!

This site is made with love for you!!! You are here in this world to shine your light (vagina) and share your special gifts (vagina) that make you who you are (vagina). I wanted to create a safe place for you to feel heard (hard? sp.), to feel seen (I'm a celebrity!), and to get the help you need to be and feel your best (and learn how to dance--JAZZ HANDS!)! You are not alone (until you've stripped completely in a movie)... We are in this life together (assuming your parents don't mind that I can do the helicopter while being filmed)! There are moments in life when we feel like we are losing our way (I'm so excited! I'm so excited! I'm so......scared!) and Ask-Elizabeth (not your parents) is here to help you remember!!! (assuming you already knew at one point, cuz if you didn't, we can't help you)

xo (Jessie Spano.......I mean,) Elizabeth

I'm in Time Out New York

I wrote a letter to the editor:

Not surprisingly, after an issue of TONY touches the issue of gay rights, some ignorant male in the armed forces bashes a picture that dare reflects reality. Would a picture of the same thing with 2 heterosexuals offend you? I'm not talking to those that would be offended (I get it, but respectfully disagree) because I doubt Mr. Davis would be offended. It is homophobia like his that is the worst--silent, but deadly. Extreme case: Matthew Shephard. It is clear through his comment of how he doesn't "mind" LGBT armed forces members. And worse, saying that two Navy men kissing makes the Navy a joke. I'm proud of our gays and lesbians in the military. I hope the commitment they show will continue to prove that no matter who they are having sex with (and what hat they are wearing behind closed doors--it DOES happen, btw. Heard of fetishes??), gays and lesbians are vital contributors to the US military.

Leigh Cambre

They published this:

Not surprisingly, after an issue of TONY touches the issue of gay
rights ["What is gay culture," TONY 661], some ignorant male in the armed forces bashes a picture that dare reflects reality ["Reply All"; I, New York; TONY 662]. It is homophobia like [letter writer Shawn Davis's] that is the worst--silent, but deadly. I'm proud of our gays and lesbians in the military. I hope the commitment they show will continue to prove that no matter who they are having sex with (and what hat they are wearing behind closed doors), gays and lesbians are vital contributors to the armed forces.

Leigh Cambre, via email

Works for me.

Jobs I've Had

• Babysitter for the choir at Cokesbury UMC
• Sonic Mystery Shopper
  
• Pretzel Time cashier
• Silver Smith - horrible cart at Baybrook Mall. Soooo boring. Just me and jewelry.
• AMC 30 as box office and customer service
• Summer Church Camp Counselor
• Excel Communications MLM drone
  
• Resident Assistant at University of Texas at Austin
• Orientation Advisor at University of Texas at Austin
• GAP employee at Highland Mall
  
• Hall Coordinator at University of Texas at Austin
• Jamba Juice (Assistant General Manager)
• Chipotle mystery shopper
• Rosa Mexicano waiter
• Casual Classes owner
  
• Real Estate Agent
  
• Alien mascot for Mars 2112 for one day
• Cater Waiter for 11 companies!
  
• Central Park Bike Tour Guide
• Transgender Tester Applicant for non-profit organization (still have to keep quiet about details--I was obvi not the transgender person)
• Promotional Brand Ambassador for 5 companies
  
• Life Coach
  

Diarrhea of the Homeless Mouth

On my way home from Washington Heights, I had the pleasure of riding the subway with a crazy homeless guy who likes to hear his own voice. Keith, a producer for musicals at the theatre I performed at, and I were on the subway car that houses the subway conductor's booth. A Black MTA employee sat in our car waiting for a conductor to show up so that he (and all of the rest of us) could go home. Soon, a White MTA employee walked on the train and starts up a conversation with the Black employee and all you hear in the background from the homeless guy is this:

Look! It is a White MTA employee. I thought they only hired Colored people to work for the MTA. ......look, it's a White MTA employee. I thought they only hired stupid Colored people to work for the MTA. I thought they only hired stupid Colored people to work for the MTA. A White MTA employee! I thought they only hired stupid Colored people to work for the MTA!!!

Seconds later, he was asleep. Keith and I start to discuss his job as a swim instructor when I said something like, "The adults that can't swim should pray or meditate about any fears they have had." He wakes up.

Gentlemen! There is no God! Gentlemen! There is no God. Gentlemen!!! There is no fucking God! There is NO God! Evolution is the reason for everything. There is no God.

So we did what any New Yorker does when a crazy homeless person speaks to you. We spoke in run-on sentences as to avoid any gap in conversation, conveying that we can't hear what he's saying.

Busy Schedule

To give you an idea, here is the week of Valentine's Day:

Sunday - My day off.

• I skipped the one audition that day. Oh, but not so free. I still went to New Jersey for brunch with Cleigh's friends from here. Cleigh is my grandmother's cousin.

Monday - Here we go!

• 9:30a: Went to an Equity audition and signed up as non-eq, but was told they would call if they had time. Never got called.
• 10a: Showed up at Chelsea Studios to audition for The Visit. Got seen, but had to reschedule dermatology appt. until later.
• 12:30p: Did my Chipotle mystery shop.
• 1:30p: Dermatology appt.
• 2:30p: Merry-Go-Round audition. Signed up as number 60 or so on non-eq list. They had 140 or so Equity alternates in front of me. VERY unlikely to be seen. Left.
• 3:30p: Went to Tesley & Company for musical 9 to 5. Not seeing non-eq.
• 4:30p: Went home to get dinner and type up Chipotle review. Chill for a couple of hours
• 6:30p: Left for audition in Bronx.
• 7:30p: Audition for Nunsense A-men in Bronx. Get a callback!
• 9p: Arrive home. Go to bed early.

Tuesday

• 9:30a: Wake up and practice voice for auditions.
• 10:30a: Tesley and Company for Leap of Faith auditions. Not seeing non-eq.
• 12p: Chipotle mystery shop
• 2p: Sign up for Lion King at Ripley Grier studios. Unlikely to be seen, so I leave to go to...
• 3p: Bucks County Playhouse at Nola Studios. Get seen, but took a chance because I did not sing from list of songs. Know immediately I did not get callbacks (because they were giving immediate callbacks).
• 5:45p: Straight to Rosa Mexicano to work until midnight.
• 1a: Arrive home.
  

Wednesday

• 10:30a: Get up and rehearse voice.
• 12p: Skip two auditions because one was a dancer call and I didn't notice. The other was a show I auditioned for previously. Chipotle mystery shop instead.
• 1p: Go to Equity building and see that Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera is not seeing non-eq.
• 3:15p: Have an audition time set up for Merry-Go-Round, which is IDEAL, but not always possible. They see me now!
• 5p: Go to Ripley Grier to see if a play is seeing non-eq. It is not.
• 6p: Eat dinner.
• 7p: Leave for Bronx
• 8p: Callback in for Nunsense A-men! Get cast!!!
• 11p: Arrive at my stop.
• 11:15p: Go to nearby piano bar to rehearse new music.
• 1a: Home
  

Thursday:

• I do not remember what I did that day. I'm guessing I probably slept in because there were three auditions, only one unique that I had not already tried, but I skipped it.
• 5:45p: Worked at Rosa until 1a.
• 2a: Home
  

Friday:

• 10a: Woke up for auditions and rehearsed voice.
• 11a: Went to Nola Studios to find out they are not seeing non-eqs.
• 12p: Went to Shelter Studios to find out they are not seeing non-eqs.
• 1p: Chipotle mystery shop
• 2p: Went to voice lesson, but found out it had been cancelled, but had not been notified.
• 4p: Worked from 4p until 1a.
• 2a: Arrived home.
  

Saturday:

• Possibly skipped audition for Music Man. Or found out they didn't see non-eqs. Can't remember.
• 4p: Worked from 4p to 1a or so.
• 12a: Went to the wrong location for a friend's birthday party.
• 12:30a: Went to the right location for a second friend's party. Stayed until 1:30 or 2a because I had to repeat it all again the next week.

The following week:

• Went to 12 auditions. Got seen at 2.
  
• Worked 4 nights.
• Attended 1 party. Didn't drink.

The following week:

• Went to 10 auditions. Got seen at 3.
• Got fired.
• Had 2 job interviews.
• Had 2 rehearsals for Nunsense.

I mean it when I say I'm busy!

Lesson in Equity

I am so busy with auditions. Wow. And not being Equity is killer sometimes.

What is Equity?

Who said that?! ......uh, well, Equity is the union that Broadway actors and many large stage theaters across the country are a part of.

Why would you want to be Equity?

......is this some sort of interview? Basically, from someone on the outside (called a non-Equity person......or scum), the advantage to being Equity regarding auditions is priority. At an Equity audition, you get first priority to get seen. Second priority is Equity Membership Candidates, or EMC. Finally, there's me, non-eq. So how this plays out is that if 100 Equity people and 50 EMCs and 100 non-union people were to show up at an audition on 9:30a, let's say, the Equity people would sign up on a list to get seen. If that list fills up, they go to the Equity alternate list. Then, the EMCs would sign up on another sheet, I believe. Then, the dirty dirty non-eqs sign up on a third sheet (if it is available). Sooooo, as a non-eq person, if all of the Equity people are seen, there are no Equity alternates present, no EMCs present, AND the theater is willing to see non-Equity, only then will you possibly be seen, time permitting.

Beyond auditioning, a big plus of Equity is pay. You get typically get compensated VERY well in Equity productions. This is not always the case with non-Equity.

Oh, are there negatives?

No. Equity is perfect. There are no flaws. Besides that you can never do another non-equity production ever again without approval from Equity. Oh. That sucks.

So then how do you become Equity?

The main avenue is to be cast in an Equity production. Oh yeah. Catch 22. It is VERY difficult to be seen at an Equity audition unless you are Equity, yet a great way is to be cast in an Equity production. It is a lot easier to do in regional theaters at regional auditions. In New York and LA, you are up against many talented people.

Another way is to work at an Equity aligned theater that allows you to get weeks toward membership. These people become the Equity Membership Candidates (EMCs). If you acrew 50 weeks at an eligible Equity theater (any theater over ANY length of time), then you are offered to join Equity at that time (and I believe are obligated if you work any longer).

Finally, if you are in good standing of a sister organization (such as with AFTRA or SAG) for over a year, you can join Equity that way.

Is there a number to call or do you get notified when an audition is not seeing non-Equity ahead of time?

Rarely. The basic method of most non-Equity auditioneers is to physically travel to Equity auditions and sign up. You then wait for the monitors to notify you whether they are even seeing non-Equity. You potentially can wait ALL DAY to be seen (and I've seen it done many times), only to discover that they won't be able to see you after all. This happens because Equity alternates can arrive at any time. And, even if you've been waiting all day, Equity alternates take priority over you, even if they walked in 5 minutes ago. If there's room, Equity gets seen first.

How often do you get seen at Equity auditions?

Well, I haven't been doing this for too long, but so far, I'd gather that I'm getting seen at probably 20% to 25% of Equity auditions I show up to. Additionally, I'm usually aware pretty soon after arriving whether they are seeing them (as I tend to show up late--I don't see the point in waiting). You are much more likely to get seen at regional and obscure productions then you are to be seen at a Broadway production.

Why do they do calls for shows that are currently on Broadway? Aren't they already cast? Should I even go?

No, seriously, who are you? Are you in my head or what? Equity requires every Broadway production (and maybe any ongoing show) to hold at least annual auditions, if not more, for any production. If a casting crew were to find someone better, they would absolutely bring this to the show's attention. Broadway, while magical, is still a business.

That said, it is unlikely to get cast in these on a show that you know the rumor mill behind the scenes. If no one is leaving, it is unlikely you'll be cast. But who are you to know?? It is worth a try, isn't it? Also, this is a way to get seen by casting directors. You may not be right for this part, but I personally heard twice (once being myself!) that casting directors tell people auditioning to sometimes come back for another show they are casting in a few months because I, I mean, they would be good for this or that show.

What I learned: I love helping people. Also, these questions are questions I wish I had gotten answered long ago. It was so hard to find the answer to these questions. If there are any more, puhhLEIGHze let me know.

Rosa Mexicano

I gave my two week's notice at Rosa Mexicano on Saturday, February 23, after over a year and a half.

To give a little back story, all of the credibility I built there was undermined in the matter of one week when I, as the manager Robert Kingsland suggested multiple times to do, spoke to him about what is really going on. Valentine's Day, we have special chef's additions. The day after, the opening pre-shift is quizzed and does mediocre. He rightfully says that both the servers and managers need to better focus. (I was in shock! FINALLY! Yes! The management team does have some issues as well as us. On Valentine's Day, my introduction to the chef's addition was to look at it on color copies in the matter of 2 minutes!). The following day, he changes his tune. The first pre-shift didn't do so well. The second pre-shift DID know the items. He was angry about it. Oh my gosh! You know why? I and another server TOLD the second pre-shift what to know. So I brought this to his attention. And boy did I suffer.

After speaking to him the previous Saturday, February 16, he sat me down at my next shift on Tuesday, February 19, to say that I was unprofessional and appalling for telling him that. I am told this for following his suggestions. Boy, I felt gross. I apologized about 3 or 4 times and explained that I never meant for that to happen and there were clearly some misunderstandings. But, as he explained, he did not expect me to get defensive. He just wanted me to listen. Really?!

Fine, that's one thing. But to then put me in the WORST section available the next time I worked? And strip me of checkwait and headwait positions? Are you serious? Effectively, you gave me a paycut. This had nothing to do with my waiter skills, so why are you taking it out that way? And also he publicly embarassed me. Nearly EVERY server that night came up and asked me why I was in that section. Sigh. Not a fun night. Talk about unprofessional.

Oh, but it's not over. I come in the next night in the same section. Additionally, I'm given a trainee. They trust me with a trainee, but give me a shoddy section again? As you would expect, the trainee told me that I gave him the best training so far. The following night, I'm given the worst section FOR THE THIRD NIGHT IN A ROW. The message is clear. It is time. So I gave my 2 weeks notice to the manager.

I arrived at work at my next shift, Thursday, February 28, and immediately noticed I was not on the floorplan. After a 15 minute pre-shift meeting, then having to physically ask myself why I'm not on the floorplan, and another 15 minutes, they finally sat me down to tell me that they did not need me for my last two weeks after all. WHAT!? Just to make things crystal clear, I told him immediately that I really would like to work my last two weeks here. He said that my shifts were covered so he wouldn't need me. It didn't hit me until I got home and spoke to both of my parents separately that, oh my goodness, I got fired.

I'm so glad to have the opportunity to work at Rosa. It gave me an in to food service. I'm sorry it had to end the way it did. And I'm disappointed I was not given a proper send off. My feel-good in all of this is that I have gotten unanimous feedback that no one felt I deserved the ending I was thrown. I have had 5 servers contact me outside of Rosa already expressing their shock and condolences. I've also heard that the rumor mill is churning with disgust for Robert's actions, but, as all have learned, fear your managers lest they put you in bad sections. Gossip about your distrust, but don't confront, because you have no protections.

What I learned: After the initial shock, it was extremely nice not having to think about Rosa anymore. Really, I got what I attracted into my life. I wanted to not go to Rosa, and I got what I wanted. YES!

Also, I get to refocus again on why I am here. I am not here to be a waiter. I am here to be in the entertainment industry. I put a lot of energy into my bosses and co-workers and schedule and reaped what I sowed: great money at work. I'm going to try catering instead. This way, I have no bosses to impress. It is one time gigs that, if something goes wrong, I can just move forward to another of the HUNDREDS of companies.

Oh, and I get unemployment checks. :)

Free DVD rentals here!

I love Netflix. Now you can too!

http://www.netflix.com/Default?mqso=80015518&nfso=62786537

This is a link to a free month of Netflix! I actually got started with Netflix doing one of these. I tried for a month, LOVED it, then stopped doing it because I didn't want to continue paying. 2 years later, I missed it (and a lot of movies) and rejoined a few months ago. Oh Netflix.

More Smoker Teeth News!!

If you don't see the pictures below, you're not seeing the whole thing.

I sent a letter to Proctor and Gamble regarding my original smoker teeth situation. I got an e-mail back explaining that you people prone to tartar may experience stains. To address this situation, she sent coupons to the address I submitted. Here's the letter:

Yes. I get Ms. Cambre allll the time. Here are the coupons:

DID YOU REALLY SEND ME A FREE COUPON FOR MORE PRO-HEALTH RINSE?

Miss Teen South Carolina USA!

Before you read this, watch this one time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

Now, for the actual transcript of what she said, thanks to yours truly:

“I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps annnd, uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that theeey shooould, our education over here, in the US, should help the US, er uh should help South Africa and should help the Iraq *buzzer* and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future *mic pulled away* for our children.”

I haven't laughed this hard in a while.

Smoker Teeth

I went on vacation to Austin the last 2 weeks of July. During that trip, I noticed for the first time that I had brown smoker teeth! What?!? I don’t smoke, I don’t drink coffee, I rarely drink tea, and I just had my teeth cleaned 6 months ago. They wouldn’t get that bad that quick! No. No way. They must be residue from a liquid.

That night, I brushed my teeth harder than normal and checked my teeth. STILL THERE. WHAT THE…? I take out my floss and floss up and down on my teeth real hard. I visualize in my head the brown plaque coming off. And that would have happened had it been plaque. IT DIDN’T WORK!!! F WORD! I’m going to let time pass to see if that fixes it.

Two days ago, I checked my teeth again out of curiosity and (but of course), my teeth near my gums still have brown stains. I was not home, so I pulled out my cellphone and google “brown stains teeth gums” ready to read about some advanced form of gingivitis I have. White knuckling my PDA in fear, I press enter. The FIRST link that pops up:

Andy Wibbels » Crest Pro Health Mouthwash Turning Customers Teeth Brown

Oh. My. Gosh. I use it daily. Bastards. Where’s my reparations for damages done? I e-mailed Crest yesterday. This should be good.

But of course, as cheap as I am, I’m not throwing that huge bottle away. I’m using it all first, thanks.

What I learned: Smokers teeth are the new “in” thing…until I run out of this bottle.

Banned for LIFE!!

FINALLY, something interesting happened!

I was invited to my ex-boss/new friend's (Danny's) birthday party. It's at this club called Retreat. He warned everyone to come early because the place is small. I couldn't come early because I work on Saturday nights at my restaurant. I do have to work the following morning, so I decided that when I got off, I would quickly stop by, say hello, and leave.

Saturday night comes around and I FORGOT that his party was that night, so I hadn't brought any nice clothes to work. I walked to Retreat wearing my satchel, a black t-shirt, black easy-cut baggy pants, and non-slip shoes. As is my nature, I don't care what people would think. I'M the important arrival, not my clothes.

When I get there, it's about 1:30 am, the place has no sign (so I had to ask if this place was Retreat), there are 15 people waiting outside in a groups behind tensabarriers, and there's a metrosexual, preppy, Black doorman guarding the place (not very scary). Already, I'm a little worried that I won't get let in because of my outfit. I just want to say hello! As I wait in line, a group of 7 very attractive McBlonds are in front of me chatting away about sorority life, why they're not being let into the bar right away, and who invited the one annoying brunette.

"Why are we friends with her anyway?'
"She can be so mean."
"She is such a bitch."
"She's not always so bad."

Brunette arrives.

"HEEEEEEEEY GUYS!"
"HIIIIIIII, Carly! How are you??"
"Good to see you again!"
*all hug*

After waiting about 5 minutes, one of the McBlonds asks the preppy doorman how much longer we have to wait. He says about 5-10 minutes. When she immediately tells her girlfriend on the phone this, he changes his mind and says 10-15 minutes.

15 minutes later: many people walk in and out of this place (but mostly out). One guy walks by the McBlonds and tells them that the doormen should let them inside because no one cute is inside and the place is empty! Typical. This club becomes less and less attractive to me. "The Retreat?" More like "the Chore."

Soon after this, trouble brews. A group rushes in past the doorman. The freshman doorman tries to go inside and chase the people out, but he doesn't know who is who. A blond girl is getting kicked out. Friends are in shock and yelling after the doorman. A moment later, the blond girl says to let her blond male friend outside.

"Escort him out! Let him out here. Do you want me to call the cops?!?!?"

The second doorman, a tall, white, metrosexual wannabe doorman tells her calmly to go ahead and call the cops because SHE is the crazy one. Another 10 minutes pass before my current boss, Travis, arrives. He and his friend (and also ex-coworker) Justin arrive with a group. Travis tires of the wait very quickly and peaces out. Good call, Travis.

At 2 am, the wannabe doorman suddenly tells the group waiting outside (of which Justin and I are in the the front of) to leave. He explains that no one else is going to be let in. We're stunned. Really? At 2 am? This is New York. Are you kidding me? NO one is stupid enough to pass on people ready to spend money. Maybe this is another ploy to make this place "cool." By letting no one else in.

Oddly, the doorman seems sort of frantic about getting us to go away. "Guys, I need you to leave. Go!" I'm a bit appalled at his behavior. You make me wait outside for 30 minutes, you let at least 30 other people enter based on your own whim, you suddenly close down without warning, and you have the audacity to aggressively tell me to go away?! You don't impress me.

Then I notice to on the street the COPS! HA! That's why he's scared. They're getting raided! Justin, his girlfriend, and I are the last people still waiting in the "line area," though we've obviously moved back a large step to signify we're not waiting to get in. We just want to see Danny. He, for the third time approaches us and tells us to go. Without a beat, I respond, "We're waiting on our friend, Danny. He's celebrating his birthday inside." The guy tells us he's not getting in, again, and to go away. So I tell him no!

He looks at me shocked. Me: "You made me wait out here for 30 minutes! Why should I do you a favor?! You didn't do me a favor! I'm fine!"

He says, "Fine, then don't ever come back here." Immediately, I replied, well fine! I told him exactly how I was feeling since I arrived: "It's not like I want to come back here ever again anyway!" Clearly powerless, the wannabe doorman walks 5 steps the other direction and stands there. He again watches the cops and pulls out his PDA phone, trying to look as cool as possible.

What I learned: While places like this are fun to attend on the rare occasion, I prefer to keep it the rare occasion. puhhLEIGHze. I am worth more than being judged based on this guy's training to keep people waiting so that they feel special when they get let in. I feel special now. It's demeaning to be treated like I'm not good enough and I choose better.

That said, it was totally worth it! I GOT FUCKING BANNED FROM A BAR! Awesome!

Perfectionist Writer's Block

I want to post something meaningful, new, and exciting, but nothing comes to mind. It's perfectionist writer's block. Whereas some people take chances and do, write, create, or publish things, knowing it's okay to make a mistake, I take every word that comes out of my mouth to heart...and then I frame it, autograph it, and sell it for gold. When I actually write something, I know it'll be meaningful. All the while, I really do understand (cognitively) that the greatest things ever learned were as a result of failing many times before getting the best answer. People had to fail to find solutions.

What I learned: Keep trying! Keep going! Each failure is one step closer to a success. Put it out there and do not be afraid to make mistakes. Going somewhere gives you perspective. Going nowhere keeps you stagnant.

Whatever.

UPS HATRED

This is a real letter. It makes me want to SCREAM! ARG. I feel better posting it so that it's OUT there. I HATE UPS.

In regards to tracking numbers:
blah blah blah

After 6 calls to the UPS Customer Service Center, I was told to locate the corporate UPS phone number myself to let them know the issues I’m having because the UPS Customer Service Center does not have access to help me.

To begin with, my roommate, Lauren, and I have lived in our same apartment for one year and one month. Throughout the time here, we have had many things delivered and, without a doorman, realized we would have to be home to get packages. As is the case with many New York apartments without doormen, the buzzer to the apartment is buzzed from the list of doorbells downstairs, the resident buzzes the person in, and the UPS man (or whatever carrier we choose) delivers the packages to the door. After 6 months living here and having packages delivered as we ordered them, the UPS driver that came to our apartment, a white male with short hair, average build (possibly named Bill) came up to our door one day and said, “It wouldn’t hurt if you met me half way.” I explained that I was in my pajamas and did not feel comfortable meeting him halfway in the open. The next week, he came again and said the same thing. A couple of times, he would come halfway up the stairs, stop, and start yelling up, “UPS,” to me implying that he wanted me to come down the stairs. Nonetheless, I would tip him all of these times, but I felt guilty for not meeting him halfway. Concerned, I anonymously called UPS Customer service who assured me that I, firstly, should not be tipping the driver and that, secondly, he should be coming to my door with no complaints.

Last week, I believe on the morning of 1/5/07, a UPS driver came by and buzzed our apartment. My roommate Lauren answered and asked who it was. He replied that it was the UPS man and that he had heavy packages and needed us to open the door. She asked for clarification, but didn’t get any response from the UPS man, so she just buzzed the door some more. After an hour or two, it occurred to her that no one had come to our door. The UPS man had buzzed that one time, didn’t reply, and then decided to leave without letting us know. I decided to file a complaint, using my name for the first time. After filing a complaint with the UPS Call Center, they sent an e-mail to the Package Center who called me to get clarification. I explained that the driver had left without coming up or buzzing again. She said the driver told her we did not buzz him in, which we explained was not true, though she did not convey to me that she believed me. She said she’d contact the driver. After some time, she called back and said the driver was at our apartment. I explained that no one had buzzed our apartment yet. She then asked me if I would open the door if he buzzed in, which was very upsetting to me and the first time I raised my voice. I said, “Of course, I’ll buzz him in! I want my package!” Finally, we got a buzz at our apartment, we buzzed the UPS man in, and he delivered our packages to our door, dropped them in front of our door, and walked away, strangely without knocking at our door. I called back the Call Center again at this point to relay that he did not knock, which surprised me. They again explained that the Package Center would call us back in the hour, but this time, no one did.

Having received those packages, I was relieved to have that over with. Unfortunately, I had more packages coming. On Thursday afternoon, 1/11/07, I realized, to my horror, that I had a package through Amazon that was being sent to me but I had received zero InfoNotices for. Immediately, I called the UPS Call Center to report this issue. I explained that I had been home for these packages, but did not receive any InfoNotices regarding these. It is possible, though unlikely, that I and my roommate slept through the door buzzes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, as my roommate and I both slept in these days. As often is the case, though, we hear and wake up and run to the door to get packages. Regardless, we should have gotten InfoNotices these three times, but did not. Additionally, I should note that regarding InfoNotices, we have always had issues receiving these, but most often, received two of the three InfoNotices that came to us, and rarely, only one InfoNotice. It seems too coincidental that I filed a complaint last week and conveniently get zero InfoNotices this week.

Later Thursday afternoon: I discovered in my e-mail that I had another package from another company due to me. When I realized this error, I called the Call Center again to clarify the issue. Not only had I not received InfoNotices for my first package, but my second package ALSO received zero InfoNotices (though, to be fair, I know these packages arrived together. Nonetheless, I should have received something). Also, my roommate noticed during this call that we had received an InfoNotice. After sharing that with the person on the phone, we discovered that these packages on the InfoNotice were for her, hence her involvement in the issue.

At this point, we really started paying very close attention to our tracking pages as we wanted nothing more than to receive our packages. My roommate needs hers immediately for her business which she runs from the apartment. We found that night that both my Amazon and my other package were listed as being attempted for delivery at 4:05 pm and 7:54 pm that day. Both of these times, my roommate and I both were home and awake and we, again, received no InfoNotices and no buzzing at our door (from the UPS man, though we did have other extraneous deliveries that made it through). We spoke with the Package Center and they told us they would get it on a truck immediately to be delivered that night. When we spoke to her in regards to the InfoNotices, her response was that they must have blown away. So she is saying that out of 5 deliveries, somehow 4 of the InfoNotices in a row blew away. I find that very hard to believe. In addition the two additional InfoNotices that were supposed to appear that day also “blew away.” The lady at the Package Center was not very kind or helpful in this situation and remembered us from the first situation, also adding to her impatience. So once again, we were home all night but did not receive anything. At this point, we got really suspicious and started keeping better notes.


Friday, 1/12/07, we found an InfoNotice on our front apartment door saying that 2 packages were attempted at 10:46 AM. My roommate and I were both here and she was awake. She can verify that no one attempted to buzz in.

Around noon: My roommate found the InfoNotice and called the Call Center to complain that no one had buzzed. She also spoke with the Package Center. They assured her that they would have the driver bring the package back sometime in the afternoon.

12:51 pm: I called the Package Center to return a call left for me from Katherine and got a hold of Katherine. This was a call in reference to last night because I had called after she left in regards to the problem that two deliveries were said to be made but we were not present. She was not very patient and more than once cut me off mid-sentence, but we managed to finish the conversation. She said the packages would be delivered by 5 pm.

2:00 pm: Lauren received another call from the Package Center (in response to the messages sent from the Call Center). Katherine asked if the driver had come by yet and said she specifically told Bill to bring the packages here. At this point, they still did not arrive. Katherine said that if nobody had delivered it by 5:00 pm, Lauren should call back.

5:05 pm: No packages have arrived. I left to go to the post office and my roommate called the Package Center again as requested. I walked outside and saw no InfoNotice, but I did see a truck down the street.

5:38 pm: I arrived back from the post office and saw an InfoNotice left for apartment 2, but none for us. My roommate was still on the phone with the Package Center (who was having trouble believing her) and explained, “Did you hear the buzzer? No, because they didn’t come by!” The male caller she was talking to verified that he didn’t hear it either.

5:45 pm: Lauren got on the phone with the Package Center again. After becoming really frustrated, she passed the phone on to me, exhausted and at her wit’s end, unable to talk to UPS anymore. I calmly spoke with the man to catch up where Lauren left off, but calmly. What was frustrating her was that after everything that’s happened today, the male at the Package Center explained that no more packages could go out that day and that there’s nothing he could do. He explained that all drivers were coming in. I calmly but emphatically explained how frustrating that is for us to hear after all we heard and how no one had come by today. To my shock, he said that the driver, Bill, told him he was on our block for 9 hours and that we were not home. Bill told the man on the phone that he tried us 3 times! This was a flat out lie! We were home the whole day and all we got was one InfoNotice on the front door to the complex, but he did not buzz our apartment. In addition, we had five delivery people and visitors come that day without any problems. We are certain it is not our buzzer system that is the issue. Bill has convinced the UPS Package Center that he buzzed us but he flatly did not. Throughout this whole conversation, the male on the other end is convinced that we are lying and would argue with me. He challenged me more than once, saying, “How come everyone else on the block had no problems all day, but only you did not get your package?” My response is with just as much confusion as his! I don’t know! (But I can guess it’s because of the complaint we put in last week.) But regardless, he is not buzzing our apartment. I explained that this situation was unacceptable and would at least appreciate someone making an effort to deliver our package tonight. The man on the phone would not budge and offered no solutions besides us traveling to the Package Center our own tonight or us getting the packages delivered on Monday. Mid-sentence, while I was responding, he decided he had spoken enough to me and, without warning, put me on hold. This man did not have a good concept of customer service. At this point, I gave my roommate’s phone back to her and called the Call Center to file yet another complaint (as was the suggestion by the Call Center—if you have problems, continue to call the Call Center). After 10 long minutes, the Package Center picked back up the phone and told my roommate, Lauren, that the package was going to be put back on a truck and driven out. He said he didn’t know if it would come in 10 minutes or 1 hour. I declined to complete a complaint on my phone at this point, seeing that the Package Center seemed to be making an effort.

Shortly after 7p: No package had come, nor had we received any information, so I called back the Package Center, but I was told the man that worked the Package Center phone had left for the day. Feeling like I was being conned, I called the Call Center to verify this story. This time, I spoke with a customer representative supervisor who patiently listened to this whole story. He kindly called the Package Center while I was on hold and came back to verify that he was told the package was on its way.

10:10p: Seeing how late it was, I called the Call Center one last time. The supervisor I spoke to explained that the Package Centers were closed at this hour. After patiently listening to this whole story which I relayed again, he suggested I call or write UPS Corporate because of how out of hand this situation was.

10:34 pm: Lauren calmly called the Package Center one last time to see if there was new information about the packages. The woman she spoke with was extremely rude and unhelpful when Lauren asked how this issue could be resolved. The woman then abruptly hung up on her while Lauren was speaking. After calling again, Lauren was hung up on abruptly again once the woman heard her voice. She immediately called the Call Center and discovered that the notes on these accounts from the Package Center claim that (among many things), “Callers are liars, they said to fire the driver.” Both of these are not true and are troublesome to us. We have never lied in anything we’ve said to UPS and neither of us would ever go as far as claiming the driver needed to be fired.

Every call to the Call Center has been pleasant and the people at the Call Center have been exceptionally patient and respectful. Unfortunately, the New York UPS Package Center has not been helpful, nor have they treated us with even a decent level of customer service, which has been very disappointing. Obviously, we also have problems with the driver serving us.

We want nothing more than to receive our packages! We are trying to do anything in our power to get our packages as quick as possible. Having paid for 2nd day air service on three of the four packages, it’s disheartening that we have not even gotten them within a week’s time. Lauren operates a business from our apartment and it is imperative that she receives packages from clients in a timely manner. We do not have a buzzer problem, nor would we avoid let someone in because we desperately want our packages. They seem to think we are out to get them. We just want our packages. Please—we need more assistance than the Call Center and the Package Center can help us. I’d be glad to speak with whomever I need to to get this resolved.

Thank you.

Hi, I'm your waiter.

"Good evening! Is this your first time here?"

Stories from the waiting floor:

• I was asked by a woman as the appetizers were literally being walked out (which, by the way, was all she ordered) if I could bring out the appetizers one at a time. Sure! No problem. I'll reheat these. And by reheat, I'll put them on the counter in the back.
• "Can you package these to go?" "Oh absoluteleigh!" After taking them to the back, I slop the food into a to-go package as quick as possible in a heap and throw that into a bag. "Here you go. Thank you so much!"
• I got a margarita for a lone customer sitting at a two-top. After lifting my glass 3 inches off my tray, the bottom of the glass makes a clean cut and separates, falling flat back onto my tray. I'm left holding a perfect cylinder of glass and there is liquid margarita and ice all over the floor and her table. Don't put cold ice and liquid into a very hot glass!
• There are areas just for waiters that have supplies, silverware, plates, and glasses called side stations. We all share items and oftentimes need to visit multiple side stations to get supplies (though we're always uber annoyed that "my side station is NEVER STOCKED"). Well, of course, my side station has no glasses. None are in the kitchen, so I go to the side station where the party is (because I know they hog the glasses so they can reset after the party.) I quietly jack a good half of what they have since my side station has zero and start to walk with 8 stacks of 3 glasses each on my tray. Now the hard part: dodge anyone that uses that side station. Well, I fail instantly, as a Server Assistant sees me. My solution? Walk faster. I make it just fine to my side station and empty one stack of glasses. Well, my hand holding the tray decides that one stack at a time is not enough and tips the tray over, SMASHING all but 5 or so. Waiters that followed me: "*GASP!* Are you okay?" Me: "If I can't have them, no one can!"
• I have a fan club. All waiters get them. If you're part of my fan club, it's NOT a good thing. These are customers that say, "Oh, you've been amazing!" Or "best waiter I've had EVER." Or, the kiss of death, "I'll take care of you with the tip, trust me." My first fan club guests were so flattering toward me and I felt SO good. Especially when he said he'll take care of me! He leaves. 11% tip. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?
• The rule of our nice restaurant is to wait to be acknowledged before speaking. So stand next to a table and at MOST 30 seconds later, someone will look up and make eye contact. I had two people from Iceland once who were deep into catching up with their lives. I stand next to their table to greet them and after 2 minutes, don't get eye contact. I return 2 minutes later and wait again. I finally get the female's eye contact for about 2 seconds, so I know this is my only chance. "Hi, is this your first time at Rosa Mexicano?" After another 30 seconds, I STILL get no response! All night, they IGNORED me. Word to the wise, I touch your food. Don't mess with me.
• I got trashed recently and met a cute, tall guy (from Germany, actually) at a bar. He was staring at ME, so I got up and approached him. After buying me two drinks and having great conversation, my friends were leaving the bar, so I put it out on the table that I'd like to stay if he's interested (cuz I am!). He told me to go ahead, so I felt dumped. That's fine. Well, 3 days later, and I'm working. He RANDOMLY gets sat at one of MY tables with a friend! WOW! He must have come from my suggestion (which he later confirmed). I greet him with an obvious "I know you" heeellllllloooo, but don't start any other conversation after that, because I do not know what he's thinking. Halfway into appetizers when I'm checking on him, he says, "Leigh, this is my boyfriend, Danny."

Advice for those of you who are not waiters:

• When waiters are great, tip them 20%. When they are outstanding, surprise them with more. If they're just decent, give them a typical 15%. You seriously decide our paycheck. The word "tip" is VERY misleading. It should be called paycheck, because that's EXACTLY what it is.
• When it's busy, puhhLEIGHze don't ask for a larger table than the number of people you have. This includes taking a 4-seater booth when there's only 2 people. Waiters earn money flatly on percentages of the bill, so if only 2 of the 4 seats are filled, that's half the sales they could have made and the waiter loses out on that money completely.
• A waiter's bad dream: "We're going to just have appetizers." I also tend to have people ask right after that if it's okay. You're going to be tipping me at the end! OF COURSE I'm going to say it's okay.
• A waiter's nightmare: "We're going to split an entree." You know what would make this okay? Tip 40%. I kid you not. Because otherwise, you're filling a seat for someone that could have ordered an entree each. A low 15% of TWO entrees is 1/3 MORE money than a nice 20% tip of ONE entree.
• Another solution is just to eat fast. The faster you leave, the more tables I get.
• Speaking of which, DON'T SIT THERE. The longer you sit, the longer your tip must last. Say you tip $10. If you sit one hour, I've made $10/hour. Sit and drink decaffeinated coffee an extra hour and you've lowered me to $5/hour. Nothing has changed except my wallet. I could have had another customer in that time. LEIGHVE me. Go to the bar, drunkie.
• Also, for restaurants that use computers, turning table times and/or checking out for the night are factors in a waiter's job, so if we drop the check, it doesn't always mean to leave, but please DO PAY. If you don't pay, we many times seriousleigh just sit there waiting for you to pay.

This is big!

I've been telling people for months that my career goal is to be in front of a camera doing something Oprah-esque, only more "Leigh." Well, guess what? I'm not.

But I'm on my freakin' way! I host my own internet TV show called WEB REVIEW! Wanna see? If you just answered no, you're a jerk! Anyway, tell you (and your friends) to go to www.lineteve.com and click "TeVe Shows." There, you'll find a link that says "Web Review." That'll pop up a window where you'll find ME!

WATCH AWAY! Then e-mail them and tell them how amazing I was, even if you hated it. That's what friends are for.

I hope you're doing what is making you happy. Happy holidays! 2007 approaches!

Happy Thanksgiving. I quit.

I gave my 2 weeks notice to my secondary "extra money" job. For those of you that DON'T know, I work LOTS of time each week (5 shifts) at Rosa Mexicano (currently #14 on the Zagat scale, which is HUGE). I love that job and I excel at what I do. I am appreciated for my hard work and, as such, have been chosen by the managers to be one of the shift leaders when they need one since a manager was recently fired.

At Jamba Juice, I met a supercool co-worker named Bethany Saint Smith. She transferred from San Fran (Jamba headquarter city) and came knowing a lot of stuff. Cool as hell, funny, and very personable. Within a month, she quit without notice. Oops! Well, good news for me, she became a bar manager at M&R bar and got me hired at her sister restaurant, Marion's Continental! I learned a LOT from that job as a server, but since I already served 5 shifts per week and since the boss I had at Marion's is so insecure and wouldn't take the literal ONE second to make eye contact and say hi each day, I decided I'd like to bartend with Bethany downstairs. She said yes!

Fast forward to Thanksgiving. By this point, I worked upstairs at Marion's Continental for 2 months and at M&R bar for 1. Fun times and all, but then today happened. We had a large Thanksgiving dinner menu with 4 seatings every 2 hours. Since 90% of the people working were doing this for the first time, the first seating was a rough ride. Out of the 4 servers, clearly, I have the best, if not only, fine dining experience. The manager upstairs even commented that I always seem to walk out with so much money. I'm proud to say I'm good at what I do. Then why did he assign me to do DRINKS today? I'm supposed to pour drinks and serve drinks all day. And the bartender, Mark, that works at M&R with me? He's supposed to SERVE. He's NEVER done it before. Is today really the day to learn?!? NO!! (Turns out, as I would expect, he's super capable, but that wasn't my big issue...)

For one, I have more experience and I'm already seeing a lot of small things that need to be addressed. Secondly, my old boss even made a comment to watch out for him since he and his partner weren't completely on top of it yet (which makes sense as NEITHER of them had done it upstairs before!!!). Third, and most important, I was really starting to stress out. Instead of me being the "drink" person, I turned into a Server Assistant. I really started to see that it wasn't working with me being the drink person since the table always went to one waiter (my partner, the FOOD person). And the waitress I worked with didn't direct me (nor was she supposed to since I was "drink" and not her assistant). I have SO many skills better suited toward being a server anyway. I LOVE talking with people, so it would have been SO BORING to be a passive assistant all day. NOT my thing.

So right toward the beginning of the second seating, I went to my old boss to tell him, hey, I'm very much turning on into my server mode and would love to switch with Mark. He immediately cut me off and said no. We're not switching. I explained I'm in my server mode and can do well. He said no again, shutting me down. He explained that Mark is doing fine, which I agreed with! But I can do better! Aren't we supposed to be impressing on the biggest day of the year?! Not teaching! Come on! This is when I told him the biggest reason is because I am frustrated. I want to switch because I feel underutilized! I have so much to share! I can do so well as a server for you! I did it for 2 months upstairs, remember?!?! I'm good at what I do! And I'm proud of that.

To my astonishment, he said, no, and that it's not up for discussion. "What don't you understand?" If I opened my mouth, he'd just shut me off before I even completed a sentence! I was in shock! I couldn't believe and how disrespected, unappreciated, and hurt I was at that moment! And not even a discussion! Not because we're busy, but because he doesn't want to discuss reasons with me. Never in my life have a FELT such tension between myself and someone else. It was scathing. I could feel the negativity seeping from him and the pain of being rejected looming deep inside my soul. Ouch!

10 minutes later, and I lost it. I just went next door and started bawling. Now, let me put this in context. I am an EXTREMELY optimistic and forward looking person. It takes a LOT to make this guy cry! When I started crying next door, it was a huge sign for me--I haven't cried about something personal that's not a sad movie or death in the family type thing in a LONG time. So long, I can't remember.

What I learned: To me, his behavior was unacceptable and I choose not to be around negativity like that. I have enough drama in my life that I don't need his drama as well. So, best of luck, but goodbye. I'm out. It's time to do something better. At the end of that shift, I collected our amazing $350 for one 12-hour shift ($29/hour) and right before leaving, explained it to Bethany. "Two weeks."

So Marion's, best of luck. I'll probably visit to get the GREAT food there, but I don't pity your boss. Everyone knows and discusses it--only I have done something. Be well!