So, this week is Thanksgiving. It's supposed to be a time to focus on all the good things in your life and all the things I'm thankful for, and whenever I hear the term "Thanksgiving Dinner," I picture the family dinners of the past, where we would go over to my grandmother's house in North Hollywood and I would dread the whole day because my whole family would be watching football and I would retreat to the downstairs bedroom to watch movies and get away from all the crazy people hooting and hollering upstairs.
Or the trips out to Las Vegas to see my dad's parents and Grandma would make her green Jello salad. Around that table during a Thanksgiving dinner was where I learned that brevity is the soul of wit. My brother had always been the funny one and of course I wanted to be just like him. But, like all little sisters, I fell way short of my own expectations and more annoyed everyone than made them laugh. Anyway, my dad had had shingles recently that had left a one inch indented scar across the bridge of his nose. I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention and I heard my dad say something about, "the skin off his nose." Being completely serious and not even thinking about making a crack, I smarted off with, "Don't you already have enough skin off your nose?" Well, the entire family exploded into a roar of laughter. I look over at my idol, er, older brother, to see tears coming out his eyes because he's laughing so hard. We must have gone off for literally five minutes. It was a proud, defining moment in my childhood.
I have so many great memories around those Thanksgiving tables. That's what makes this year so hard. Today marks the three month anniversary of my Grandma Drake's death and tomorrow is the two month anniversary of Grandpa Marty's death. They always say that the first holidays without your loved ones are the hardest and this isn't going to be any exception for me.
Am I being completely selfish? All I can think of are the people that I've lost and how much they have added to the happiness of my memories. I'd give anything to be eating Grandma Drake's green Jello salad this year. I'd even eat the walnuts that she always put in there! Or to be sitting next to Grandpa Marty, huddling our heads together and laughing.
I really SHOULD focus on the good things in my life. I really am a very blessed person. I have parents who have been married for 31 years and are more in love today than ever. I have two jobs in an economy when some people don't have one. I have a place to live with electricity, running water and a little bit of food on the shelves. I have my dog Roxy who greets me with kisses whenever I walk in the door. I can walk, speak clearly and don't have any major medical problems. I have a handful of friends I can count on no matter what. And I have happy memories from my childhood, many of which came from the people I have recently lost. But I know that we loved each other and that no one will ever be able to replace them. So I guess I should be thankful for that too.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
appearances
You know what really hocks me off? When stores or restaurants put their "large" of whatever in front of their small so when you order you think you're getting one thing but you really get another.
Example: I'm having breakfast with my friend this morning at paradise bakery. She's running a little behind so I decide to order us coffee and I get a side of fruit. The ones in the front of the display are in decent sized bowls. Of course naïve me thinks this is the only size, so of course I'm surprised when this dinky little thing is placed up on the counter. I then realize I've been the victim of a bait and switch! Bastards! I'm already annoyed that two coffees, fruit, and a muffin are $6.51 AFTER my mall employee discount and all this does is cement the fact that corporate america will always win and it's going to be the american consumer who is going to finance their victory party.
Example: I'm having breakfast with my friend this morning at paradise bakery. She's running a little behind so I decide to order us coffee and I get a side of fruit. The ones in the front of the display are in decent sized bowls. Of course naïve me thinks this is the only size, so of course I'm surprised when this dinky little thing is placed up on the counter. I then realize I've been the victim of a bait and switch! Bastards! I'm already annoyed that two coffees, fruit, and a muffin are $6.51 AFTER my mall employee discount and all this does is cement the fact that corporate america will always win and it's going to be the american consumer who is going to finance their victory party.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
All Things British
I'm really bitter against all things British at the moment. There's a convention in town at the resort with people from all over the world. Unfortunately, tipping practices are not consistent across the board so for the most part, if they have an accent, you're going to get screwed. Case in point:
Today I was inside. I had a party of six that sat down and ordered a round of drinks, but then asked if it would be possible to sit outside. I checked with the front desk and informed the table it would be about a half an hour. They got a couple appetizers and waited. They ordered another round of drinks and their table was ready. Only four stayed: an American, a Britain, an Italian and another guy who didn't speak at all. I delivered their drinks outside and they made a big stink about how they wanted me to be their server and could I please still wait on them. Richard was kind enough to let me keep them and I was optimistic that my night might not be a total loss.
I joked, I kidded, I listened to the American at the table wonder out loud how much it would cost for a couple of thai girls to massage his belly while he ate (the visual alone was enough to make me gag.) They even said that if I spoke in a British accent for the whole meal, they would "increase my tip exponentially."
Well, apparently, "exponentially" means letting the British guy pay and getting totally gypped. So, after running around, speaking ridiculously, and getting nauseous with the visual given by the gross American, I made a lousy 10%. And this was only after running around to find them at the other bar outside the restaurant because they didn't leave me the signed copy of the credit card receipt. If I didn't do that, I would have gotten stiffed totally on the $252 check.
So, I've discovered that this rule goes across the board: The more time you spend with your table, the less they're likely to leave you. So, forget the stories. You don't REALLY care about my life or my dog. Skip the verbal tip and show me the money. I'm not working for fun here people.
Today I was inside. I had a party of six that sat down and ordered a round of drinks, but then asked if it would be possible to sit outside. I checked with the front desk and informed the table it would be about a half an hour. They got a couple appetizers and waited. They ordered another round of drinks and their table was ready. Only four stayed: an American, a Britain, an Italian and another guy who didn't speak at all. I delivered their drinks outside and they made a big stink about how they wanted me to be their server and could I please still wait on them. Richard was kind enough to let me keep them and I was optimistic that my night might not be a total loss.
I joked, I kidded, I listened to the American at the table wonder out loud how much it would cost for a couple of thai girls to massage his belly while he ate (the visual alone was enough to make me gag.) They even said that if I spoke in a British accent for the whole meal, they would "increase my tip exponentially."
Well, apparently, "exponentially" means letting the British guy pay and getting totally gypped. So, after running around, speaking ridiculously, and getting nauseous with the visual given by the gross American, I made a lousy 10%. And this was only after running around to find them at the other bar outside the restaurant because they didn't leave me the signed copy of the credit card receipt. If I didn't do that, I would have gotten stiffed totally on the $252 check.
So, I've discovered that this rule goes across the board: The more time you spend with your table, the less they're likely to leave you. So, forget the stories. You don't REALLY care about my life or my dog. Skip the verbal tip and show me the money. I'm not working for fun here people.
The beginning of the end
Originally posted August 2, 2008 on my wordpress.com blog
So, sometimes things happen to remind you how short life is. You know it’s going to happen someday, but you never expect it to be so soon, so sudden, so jarring. All of a sudden you have images of a crippled you, regretting that you never followed your dreams, wondering if it’s too late to do all the things you’d get to “someday.” Once you get over the intial shock, you remember that you still have some time. It’s not too late. It’s not like you’re resorted to cowering over a walker YET and that you’re not yet the last in your family line YET and you still have an opportunity to travel, to learn how to play golf, to find a career you actually LIKE, to meet the person of your dreams, the proverbial “one.” You just figure it would have happened sooner. Before this. Before….. the first gray hair.
So, sometimes things happen to remind you how short life is. You know it’s going to happen someday, but you never expect it to be so soon, so sudden, so jarring. All of a sudden you have images of a crippled you, regretting that you never followed your dreams, wondering if it’s too late to do all the things you’d get to “someday.” Once you get over the intial shock, you remember that you still have some time. It’s not too late. It’s not like you’re resorted to cowering over a walker YET and that you’re not yet the last in your family line YET and you still have an opportunity to travel, to learn how to play golf, to find a career you actually LIKE, to meet the person of your dreams, the proverbial “one.” You just figure it would have happened sooner. Before this. Before….. the first gray hair.
I'm no fashion diva, but.....
I really don't understand the appeal of outfits that match. As in, same color pants, shirt and maybe even jacket.
How did I come to this conclusion? Well, I'm watching Golden Girls (my all time favorite show ever...) and Blanche was wearing a gigantic orange outfit. She looked like a giant pumpkin walking around their kitchen. Then I noticed that Rose was wearing a matching purple outfit. What was their wardrobe department THINKING?
And don't even get me started on the shoulder pads! I know they were the "in" thing in the 80's and that they're supposed to "minimize your waist," but come on! All they do is make people look like they're so stressed that they need a massage! I get tense just looking at them!
Just around the riverbend
I'm hoping that finally my luck may be changing, that God is finally allowing one season to be over and for another to begin. It's been a very rough year. It started off well enough. I lost 40 pounds and was working out and got rid of most of my sugar cravings. Then everything turned.
I lost Grandma Drake and Grandpa Marty within a month of each other. I've been so depressed all I want to do is stick my head in the sand and wait for it to be over. I've gained back 20 pounds or so and crave sugar and carbs to fill the voids left by their love. Work at Cheesecake has been really slow and I've gotten behind on my bills. I even had to sell some of my stuff to make rent.
But lately, things have begun to turn around. I got a new job at a restaurant at the Arizona Biltmore. There are awesome travel perks and I came up with an unofficial slogan for it: "I've paid my dues, now I get to pay my bills." They talk about making money like it's nothing, which is comforting but also just weird.
God has just been sending little blessings my way too. Countess sent me $100 out of nowhere, I got a $100 cash tip at work which helped me pay some of my rent, and I met some people who own a bed and breakfast in Mexico and they said I could stay there for free whenever I want. I almost feel like I should buy a lottery ticket!
Anyway, I'm hoping to get back on the workout bandwagon because I'm planning to go to Los Cabos for my 30th birthday! I got two rooms on the beach 20 miles from Cabo San Lucas. It's going to be five days and four nights in paradise with some amazing friends!
I lost Grandma Drake and Grandpa Marty within a month of each other. I've been so depressed all I want to do is stick my head in the sand and wait for it to be over. I've gained back 20 pounds or so and crave sugar and carbs to fill the voids left by their love. Work at Cheesecake has been really slow and I've gotten behind on my bills. I even had to sell some of my stuff to make rent.
But lately, things have begun to turn around. I got a new job at a restaurant at the Arizona Biltmore. There are awesome travel perks and I came up with an unofficial slogan for it: "I've paid my dues, now I get to pay my bills." They talk about making money like it's nothing, which is comforting but also just weird.
God has just been sending little blessings my way too. Countess sent me $100 out of nowhere, I got a $100 cash tip at work which helped me pay some of my rent, and I met some people who own a bed and breakfast in Mexico and they said I could stay there for free whenever I want. I almost feel like I should buy a lottery ticket!
Anyway, I'm hoping to get back on the workout bandwagon because I'm planning to go to Los Cabos for my 30th birthday! I got two rooms on the beach 20 miles from Cabo San Lucas. It's going to be five days and four nights in paradise with some amazing friends!
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