To Insure Promptness

If you have never been a server or a bartender, you may not know how much thought, multi-tasking, physical and psychological pains, and effort that goes into being one. I was a server and bartender for many years, and believe me, I was never going to be rich doing it. It is strenuous work physically and mentally, but I did enjoy it. I was a corporate trainer for Applebee's and though I had fun, I am glad those days are over. It was always feast or famine and more times than not, it was famine. You never knew what you would make from one night to the next and it was difficult to make and hold to a budget. But I would never trade those days for anything. I made wonderful friends and it is also where I met my husband.

The Working Life of a Waitress definitely examines all angles of being a server. I found myself reminiscing a lot while reading it. My mind kept wandering to my own stories of waitressing and bartending. I kept finding myself nodding in agreement while reading this. When Rose stated that it is harder to serve when it is slow that when it is busy because your mind becomes slow, I could not have agreed more. I am the same way now at my job as a closer for home equities for the bank I work for. I find that more mistakes are made by me and my colleagues whenever we are slow than when we are busy. You get into a groove and when you are idle, it is harder to get into the swing of things. Plus, usually when you are busy, you are making more money. Of course, when you get into the "weeds" or even "tall grass" it doesn't seem like you are making money because you are so buried you don't ever think you will see the light of day. But if you can get that adrenaline boost and find your timing. you have such feeling of accomplishment. Of course, there are the mean customers you have to deal with too. People that take their food, and life, far too seriously. I have been screamed at, cursed at, and ridiculed, but you just need to tell yourself, that these people are miserable and it is no reflection on you. No matter what you do, they cannot be happy because they will not let themselves be. The only way they can be happy is to be miserable, rude and mean to others. Just always believe in karma!

To Insure Promptness (TIP, if you haven't gotten that yet); if you have never been a server, then you may never fully understand (even though it seems like common sense to me) that if your food takes long...it probably isn't your server's fault...it probably is the people that are cooking it, or the fact that you went out on a Friday or Saturday night at 6 pm for a quick bite to eat....not going to happen unless you are at a fast food restaurant. And remember, as Rose also pointed out, servers don't make very much an hour...so TIP...and don't leave change (I love that story of the waitress who chased the people out of the restaurant who left her 2 coins for a tip and told them they "forgot these"). Leave 20% (or more...that is ok too) or don't go out to eat in the first place. If you aren't going to tip, or if you are going to be a miserable person to the server, then stay home and eat PB&J. You never want to mess with a person who is bringing you food from a place you cannot see :)

Tangerine Julius

Having self confidence is not always easy for some people. We all struggle with some insecurities, some more than others. I am one of those that has more. So, when I was reading Tangerine, I kept realizing how amazing Paul really is. Even though he has to wear some pretty hefty glasses, he really doesn't come off as that insecure. He has more confidence than I ever had. He is definitely aware of himself, but he still has such a great head on his shoulders. Erik, in all his cockiness, seems to be more insecure than Paul is. Even though Erik is "Mr. Tough Guy" he seems to need reassurance from his friends and his father. Paul is picked on by people, but he seems to dust it off and make the best of it. I have comments said to me and I dwell on them for days, weeks, and sometimes years. I can definitely learn a thing or two from Paul. Though he was down on himself for not coming forward after hearing Erik and Luis from under the bleachers, the way he handled himself with his teammates and helping out Tino's family, he is a really amazing kid. I am not sure that when I was his age that I would have been as courageous and confident. He just had his mom drop him off at Tino's without anyone knowing he was coming. I am not sure I would have been able to do that. I was so sad about Luis too. He was such an ally of Paul's and such a role model for his siblings. Life is not always fair, but things do always happen for a reason. Good will always bring about good and evil will bring about evil. It may take time for both, but it always boils down to karma. Erik was going to be a big college football player, but he was an awful person inside and out and it finally caught up to him. You can only be bad for so long but eventually you will get caught. I am glad that Erik was found out and I am glad that Paul's dad is finally spending time and getting to know his other son. Good always prevails.

Tangerine Speedo

This has nothing to do with Speedos. I think they are gross.

I am amazed at Paul's resilience. He has been through being "the new kid" twice now. I attended the same school my entire life and never had to be "the new kid," but I know how awful it can be. I don't like walking into a room where I don't know anyone...I hate that feeling. I get knots in my stomach and feel like everyone is staring and criticizing me. But then, those are my issues to deal with.

As far as Eric is concerned, I think he is a big, fat jerk. I am the younger sibling too, and I know what it is like to live in the shadows of my older brother. I am amazed at how blind their father is to seeing what an idiot his eldest son is, but then, I really think that deep down, he knows. Kind of like my own parents.... they know....I don't have to tell them. It does get tiring being the "good kid" all the time. But back to the book. Paul's father just loves football so much. It's too bad that he doesn't realize what a great kid his son is and that he is a pretty good soccer player too. I still can't get over the hoopla people make about the kicker. The kicker? I mean, I know he is important, but when I was growing up, it was always about the quarterback. It just breaks my heart that Paul keeps trudging forward, making the best of things, and never speaking up.
Maybe one day his parents will realize everything....but then...I finished the book....so I know for sure.

I am also amazed that Tangerine has a co-ed soccer team. Never knew of such a thing. I think it is fantastic that the girls are just as strong of players as the boys. My HS had a fantastic girls soccer team (I didn't play...I was a cool cheerleader) and they made sectionals a lot. I can't imagine our girls and boys teams playing together though. I know some could hold their own...but...I don't know. I don't think that many would have gotten their fair share (how 'bout that rhyme) of playing time if they had to share the limelight with the boys. No matter what, and it is pathetic, boys teams draw the crowds. Girls teams don't as much; but, I saw on the news last night that RH is having the cheerleaders at both the boys and girls home basketball games. They won't go to away games as much and that is too bad. They won't be able to check out the competition for sectionals. I went on a tirade that my husband did not want to hear... but then...deep down...I'll always be a cheerleader. I am definitely rooting for Paul. I think he is a great kid and I wish him well at this new school (but then, again, I know what happens...keep reading. It is a great book)

So I put on some Tangerine Lipgloss....

Hello,

So, I started reading Tangerine...and found that I couldn't stop. I have read the whole book already. I won't ruin the ending, but this book is fantastic. I had no idea what to expect. I really thought it was going to be about some girl with the nickname, "Tangerine." Yep, I was wrong. I did notice that every time I see this book or think about it, I keep singing the song "Tangerine" by the Flaming Lips:
"I know who a girl who reminds me of Cher...she's always changing the color of her hair... she don't use nothing that you buy at the store... she likes her hair to be real orange... she uses tangerines tangerines..." Am I dating myself here?

I was doing my first field experience with a 7th grade English class last week. I had Tangerine with me. The teacher told me that his Honors English class read it and really enjoyed it. I hope everyone else does too. My husband kept laughing at me because I couldn't carry on a conversation with him yesterday until I finished the book. Poor guy...he is just not a "reader" though. It's too bad, because there is a lot of great books out there I bet he would enjoy.

So, last night I woke up at 3 am and I couldn't go back to sleep. As I was lying there, I kept thinking about this book. I am sad that I read to whole thing, because I really want to have more of it. Has anyone ever had that feeling when they have finished a book (and I don't mean text book...who would want to read more of them?) I guess that a part of me feels like Paul and I can see a lot of my own brother in Eric. My brother is older than me too and not always the nicest guy...especially lately, but that is a whole other drama. I think all of us have a little Paul in them... a little insecurity, wishing something was different about ourselves. However, we need to be happy with what we have because somewhere, someone else is worse off and would rather be more like us. I hope everyone is enjoying this book as much as I did. If not, give it a chance...it gets really good!

here we go...

OK, for a person who rambles all the time, I am finding it difficult to think a coherent thought to post. This is my first time blogging, and I find that I am a little bit concerned. I guess it is the fear of the unknown. I never liked being "new."I was reading our D & Z book and am fascinated by America's continued dependency on textbooks. I remember being in high school (a long, long, long time ago) and our text books were our "gods." All of our reading, our homework assignments and pretty much all of our class time were strictly from our text books. I always loved our math text when there was a mistake in one of the answers in the back (usually just the odd problem answers were given) and our teacher would advise us of it. It just validated that much more for me how dumb math is if the writers of the text can't even get the right answer...and then I go and marry a math major. It is different for me to be on the "other end" now. As a student, I thought it was strange if another class was not on the exact same page as my class was and I remember my teachers trying to push us forward if we were not on the same section as other classes. Now after reading D & Z, I realize that this was probably mandated by my school and really should not be the norm. Teachers should go with the speed of their class as much as possible. Understandably, we still need to keep them on task, but if the class is not grasping a concept, is it really right to move on because another class or another district is possibly a chapter ahead? It is different and interesting seeing the other side of things now. I am amazed at how oblivious I was as a student. We just did as we were told and never questioned anything or asked the teacher to slow down if we were lost. We just complained about it later and had our parents hire a tutor. I realize I missed a lot because of that. Too bad we can't go back. I guess all I can do is make sure I don't make the same mistakes when I am a teacher.