Cannot wait until I have an extra $148.00 USD
Thursday 19 November 2009
Monday 16 November 2009
This time of year is very conflicting for me. I love the cold weather, but the holidays are meaningless to me. I try to participate when it amuses others, but I honestly think it is all contrived bullshit. I'm watching TV for the first time in awhile because I have the day off, it's cold, and I'm trying to save money. Between a number of mindless shows awaits even worse commercials. And of course, all of the commercials are literally advertising the holidays. So far, I have seen a Folgers commercial where a guy returns home and is greeted by his sister [possibly young girlfriend] then puts on a pot of coffee which awakens his parents who exclaim, "He must be home". The guy proceeds to give a gift to his sister/young GF and she takes the bow off of the present and sticks it on the guy. You get the picture. I also saw the generic commercial concept of kids in their pajamas running to retrieve their presents from under the tree, although I am not sure exactly what it was advertising.
I don't know how I became so jaded. Growing up, I loved the holidays and getting presents. I looked forward to writing my letter to Santa, and waking up the next morning to get everything I asked for. My family [especially my sister] made Christmas an "unforgettable" experience. But honestly, now that I think about it, I probably remember 2 Christmases and almost 0 Thanksgivings from birth to 5th grade. So when I say that I loved the holidays and getting presents, I suppose I loved the idea and concept of it all. We were "raised" to love Christmas. You ask for presents, and you get them. We are not even Christian, and I didn't understand the reason for Christmas until much later.
I am positive those things made me happy at the time. That does nothing for me now, and that is my problem with it all. If anything, it helped me develop my materialistic attitude that wasn't fixed until my later years of high school. So now, I reject the holidays altogether. My family has toned down the obligations of the holidays, and I love them so much for that. We never cared if our "celebration" fell on the exact date of the holiday. We stopped making a big deal about it years ago. But I think this is the year to reject it completely. No presents, no real special gathering. My family and I make it a point to all be together at least once a week, so why do we need another reason to want to be together? I don't want a Thanksgiving with turkey and all of the trimmings this year. I actually plan on going to lunch with Sarah and then catching a movie. Christmas won't be plagued by having to pick out the perfect gifts for people you love, but have no idea what to get for them. I know myself the best, and if I want something, I'll go get it my damn self.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the "spirit" of the holidays, but I just can't justify it. I understand how buying gifts and seeing people open them can be rewarding. I just don't care. I have been disappointed too many times, and seen people toss my cookies aside that I spent hours baking [true story]. What is the point of doing Secret Santa and having everyone write up a list of things they want? What a stupid surprise. How about I write up a list of things I think I want, and get them when I can afford to. Don't we do that anyways? So 2009, let's do it right. If I crave a Thanksgiving dinner one day, then well, I'm sure it can be made. I don't expect presents nor do I expect to give any. I think I can buy presents for people anytime throughout the year. I rather give gifts throughout the year and when there is a purpose for them [in my opinion].
I don't know how I became so jaded. Growing up, I loved the holidays and getting presents. I looked forward to writing my letter to Santa, and waking up the next morning to get everything I asked for. My family [especially my sister] made Christmas an "unforgettable" experience. But honestly, now that I think about it, I probably remember 2 Christmases and almost 0 Thanksgivings from birth to 5th grade. So when I say that I loved the holidays and getting presents, I suppose I loved the idea and concept of it all. We were "raised" to love Christmas. You ask for presents, and you get them. We are not even Christian, and I didn't understand the reason for Christmas until much later.
I am positive those things made me happy at the time. That does nothing for me now, and that is my problem with it all. If anything, it helped me develop my materialistic attitude that wasn't fixed until my later years of high school. So now, I reject the holidays altogether. My family has toned down the obligations of the holidays, and I love them so much for that. We never cared if our "celebration" fell on the exact date of the holiday. We stopped making a big deal about it years ago. But I think this is the year to reject it completely. No presents, no real special gathering. My family and I make it a point to all be together at least once a week, so why do we need another reason to want to be together? I don't want a Thanksgiving with turkey and all of the trimmings this year. I actually plan on going to lunch with Sarah and then catching a movie. Christmas won't be plagued by having to pick out the perfect gifts for people you love, but have no idea what to get for them. I know myself the best, and if I want something, I'll go get it my damn self.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the "spirit" of the holidays, but I just can't justify it. I understand how buying gifts and seeing people open them can be rewarding. I just don't care. I have been disappointed too many times, and seen people toss my cookies aside that I spent hours baking [true story]. What is the point of doing Secret Santa and having everyone write up a list of things they want? What a stupid surprise. How about I write up a list of things I think I want, and get them when I can afford to. Don't we do that anyways? So 2009, let's do it right. If I crave a Thanksgiving dinner one day, then well, I'm sure it can be made. I don't expect presents nor do I expect to give any. I think I can buy presents for people anytime throughout the year. I rather give gifts throughout the year and when there is a purpose for them [in my opinion].
Thursday 12 November 2009
Being a server is neither rewarding or easy. It causes serious frustration and what I believe to be a personality disorder. Sometimes I feel like I actually care if someone doesn't like their food, but I don't. Nonetheless, I rush off and get it "fixed". I understand if your meat is undercooked or a request wasn't met, but when you just don't like it? You should appreciate having food in the first place. And you're probably the same person that asked me if scallops were a shellfish. Shame on you. You should have waited to go home and Wikipedia that.
It is, however, very entertaining to work in the service industry. I can say that I either met all of my current friends at work, or through a co worker, and everyone is in the industry. It's really interesting to me that some will go through their whole lives and never understand what it takes to work in a restaurant. I'm not claiming that the work is very hard and challenging. What I am saying is that not everyone can do it. Not everyone can do it, but a lot of different types of people do it.
You have the servers that are not by the book, but get by on their personality. You have other servers that really do care [too much] and perform every single step of service properly, then get on others when they don't. Those are the ones that will also throw you under the bus when they need to, or for a slap on the ass from a manager. Some servers just have no idea where they are or what they're doing, but they're willing to work, so they get to keep their job. And some servers are "professional" servers and they know how to do things right, and you don't hate them.
Another thing you should know is that servers are usually students or working a second job, or in my case, working to save up to go back to school. We are not unintelligent people who are choosing to be servers for the rest of our lives. As a matter of fact, people in the industry are smart, charming, and quick witted. I chose to be a server because it is fast paced, and I get to interact with people on a daily basis. It also provides income that can rival working an office job.
It is, however, very entertaining to work in the service industry. I can say that I either met all of my current friends at work, or through a co worker, and everyone is in the industry. It's really interesting to me that some will go through their whole lives and never understand what it takes to work in a restaurant. I'm not claiming that the work is very hard and challenging. What I am saying is that not everyone can do it. Not everyone can do it, but a lot of different types of people do it.
You have the servers that are not by the book, but get by on their personality. You have other servers that really do care [too much] and perform every single step of service properly, then get on others when they don't. Those are the ones that will also throw you under the bus when they need to, or for a slap on the ass from a manager. Some servers just have no idea where they are or what they're doing, but they're willing to work, so they get to keep their job. And some servers are "professional" servers and they know how to do things right, and you don't hate them.
Another thing you should know is that servers are usually students or working a second job, or in my case, working to save up to go back to school. We are not unintelligent people who are choosing to be servers for the rest of our lives. As a matter of fact, people in the industry are smart, charming, and quick witted. I chose to be a server because it is fast paced, and I get to interact with people on a daily basis. It also provides income that can rival working an office job.
Wednesday 11 November 2009
I am deciding to continue with my blog of rants, raves, mediocrities, and whatever may encourage my writing. I have not made an entry since my return from Paris. I assume it is due to the fear of not being able to entertain the [small amount] masses of people that visited my blog mainly made up of pictures from all over Europe, and the fear of not being able to live up to my experiences after I returned. I am going to attempt to strip myself of acceptable social standards and not be afraid to confront the judgments that may ensue.
Americorps, Peace Corps, Jobmonkey.com, Craigslist, TEFL, Tour guide jobs, Au pair: all entered into my toolbar or Google search. My considerations ranged from a guest relations job in Las Vegas, NV to a live in nanny position in somewhere, Connecticut. I looked for education based jobs listed for Americorps in Washington. Peace corps doesn't need me. TEFL in Vietnam [ILA] requires the same credentials as Peace Corps: college degree. Craigslist offered full time, entry level admin positions [in Dallas] and a variety of food/bev/hosp positions all over the nation. Websites with crowded pages deferred me from looking at tour guide jobs so that was put in last priority.
I searched listing after posting after eligibility requirements. I don't even know what I'm really looking for. I don't even care what state I may end up in or what kind of job I may be offered. I am the most flexible person for all of these "opportunities". I am willing to move, willing to work, willing to help. Not good enough.
It feels like I'm climbing a ladder that is set on fire with cobras on each rung and a large man pulling on my legs.
I am 22, a server in a restaurant, paying back school loans when I have yet to complete my college education [1 year left], attempting to save up money to go back to school, and living at home. The fire, cobras, and large man are a number of circumstances I have created for myself, but where is the water, snake charmer, and whatever it is that will keep the large man from pulling on my legs?
Americorps, Peace Corps, Jobmonkey.com, Craigslist, TEFL, Tour guide jobs, Au pair: all entered into my toolbar or Google search. My considerations ranged from a guest relations job in Las Vegas, NV to a live in nanny position in somewhere, Connecticut. I looked for education based jobs listed for Americorps in Washington. Peace corps doesn't need me. TEFL in Vietnam [ILA] requires the same credentials as Peace Corps: college degree. Craigslist offered full time, entry level admin positions [in Dallas] and a variety of food/bev/hosp positions all over the nation. Websites with crowded pages deferred me from looking at tour guide jobs so that was put in last priority.
I searched listing after posting after eligibility requirements. I don't even know what I'm really looking for. I don't even care what state I may end up in or what kind of job I may be offered. I am the most flexible person for all of these "opportunities". I am willing to move, willing to work, willing to help. Not good enough.
It feels like I'm climbing a ladder that is set on fire with cobras on each rung and a large man pulling on my legs.
I am 22, a server in a restaurant, paying back school loans when I have yet to complete my college education [1 year left], attempting to save up money to go back to school, and living at home. The fire, cobras, and large man are a number of circumstances I have created for myself, but where is the water, snake charmer, and whatever it is that will keep the large man from pulling on my legs?
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