Back to work

I did not work Tuesday or Wednesday, as usual, but I also did not have much homework which is unusual, so my two non-work days were quite enjoyable this week! My father came into Cambridge on Wednesday to have dinner with my sister and I! The weather was gorgeous! On Thursday, I was assigned to the patio in the evening which made me a bit aggravated and skeptical because I was highly doubtful of people actually wanting to sit out there. To my amazement, I had twelve tables out there at one point which made me happy. I did not stop running around until the very last table had left and than I was told I could close the patio up so the night went by very fast. Last night, I was in the pub and it was slower than I expected, but I made my goal of tips nonetheless...a lot of people were getting shots and carbombs! Tonight should be exciting; we are all dressing up and I am working in the pub area with Lisa, aka the best person to possibly work with in the bar!. Then I am back in at eleven in the morning to deal with masses of runners that will be dressed up as superheros....pray for me.

Graz's Wedding!

Just got back from New Jersey. Graz had the most amazing wedding :) All of us at work took the weekend off so the restaurant must have been a shit show with all the new people! But, hey, we didn't care-we were having such a good time. It was really nice to be in a hotel and know that we all did not have to be at work the following day. I don't think I have laughed so much in a long time. The car ride was a mess too! We were all probably so embarrassing in front of the groom's family!  It was like the uptight family meeting the drunk, crazy and loud one!

Scaring our boss!

Pictures from work!

I miss Anchovies :(

Okay, so I am having Anchovies withdrawal-not the food, the bar. We used to go there so often after a long day at work! But I think that is due to the fact that one of our past managers was a regular there so it was easy to hop in his car after work and get a ride. I think now we are just lazy because Anchovies is all the way in the South End and when we get off work at 1am in Central Square, the last thing we want to do is get a cab across the bridge just to have an after-work-drink or two. Also, that particular manager was my boyfriend and he is still a regular there and I do not particularly want to see him. But, I miss one of the bartenders, Will, and the amazing Italian food that you can order even at 1am! And all the regulars who go there!

I had the best private party!

I have not served a party in one of our function rooms for a while (I feel like I am usually in the pub or closing the restaurant), but last night, I had a party of thirty-two people. Let me just pause to say that my general manager did not realize that they would need steak knives and we sure as hell did not have thirty-two! and then he proceeded, (after I brought this to his attention) to stand there confounded as to what to do, so I told his ass to to send someone to the hardware store. I tell you, this place wants to be all fine dining and shit and they are so unorganized and always low on things which makes trying to give our customers good service difficult. Anyway, I was curious as to whether my party would be drinkers or not, so I asked who they were. Vietnam Vets! they were coming from all over the country to have a reunion. One waitress told me to make more coffee and when all the seniors walked in, the bartender thought I wouldn't be getting drinks out of them. I thought they would drink though, I mean c'mon, it was a reunion! Every single one of them drank, including most of their wives. Wine, cosmos, martinis, beer...and they were the sweetest people. Buffets are generally very easy which is why only one of us takes the whole party. But, tonight there was another party in the other room so we had limited plates and stuff like that. Because of this shortage, my ass was running around like crazy all night. I realized shortly my mistake of clearing away plates and silverware because they would need more. Usually with parties, we do this, and there are more! I am very particular about things, so it was hard for me to accept the fact that silverware would have to be used for bread and then again for main courses. Usually I would take everything away and there would be brand new ones when they went up to serve themselves again. So making sure the buffet table was all set, getting tables water and drinks and taking away empty plates became difficult at one point. One lady observed that I was the only one taking care of them and told me she thought I was doing a great job, which was sweet. My manager bought them some platters and told me to thank them for serving our country (which I told my boss I wasn't sure if I could say seriously, I was half kidding, but c'mon, I had hippie parents and we were far from patriotic so even though I am a proud American, stuff like is weird for me to say with a straight face) But I did! Many of them came up to me personally to thank me and one of them told me it was the best experience they have had in Boston. So all and all, the hardwork was worth it! It is always a joy to serve people that are happy and appreciative. There is nothing like working a party that is miserable or rude because it puts you in a bad mood. I love reunions, baby showers, birthdays and wedding parties because everyone is always happy and everyone is always drinking!

Arrogant Table

So the other night, I had such a rude table (which is not frequent). First off, most of them would not say please when they ordered their drinks, nor thank you when they were placed in front of them. I should mention that one of the guests at the table was a huge bearded guy, drinking a WHITE RUSSIAN! You can't even act like you are the shit with a belvedere milk drink in front of you! Anyway, I proceeded to ask them ever so sweetly if they wanted more drinks all night and made sure they were always all set. As I was getting busy, they asked for their check, looked at it for AGES trying to figure out who owed what (mind you these are business people, c'mon, one of you really can't just spot the bill?). This stupid broad starts looking frantic and she waves me over (mind you, I have walked by them a million times to see if they were ready to pay by this point), she says they are ready but in fact, they are not, so I walk away. Sorry ma'am, I am not waiting by your side while you calculate, I have tables to clean and other guests to tend to. She again desperately waves at me. She tells me what to do with the credit cards and cash and then proceeds to tell me she has a train to catch. I told her I would do my best. OH, what do you know?? they don't have enough cash! I think you can only imagine what followed, one girl claiming there was more cash in the book while train girl is freaking out! I swear, I am never serving them again. Not only were they disrespectful but if you have a train to catch, do not sit your butt down at one of the most packed bars on a Monday night . It's wing night. People wait hours for tables. I gave you your check, YOU took your sweet time, and then you want ME to drop everyone else and focus on getting YOU on your damn train? I don't think so. Also, I have never lost money. If stupid tables are going to start telling me there was more than what I counted, I am going to start counting right at tables before I go to the computer.

Long shifts and good friends

Yesterday was a very long day. Nobody wants to work Sundays so at this point only a certain number of us are available. However, I pointed out that it was not fair to the few of us who are willing to work. Because there are only several of us, we are consistently getting scheduled for fourteen hour days. I do not like to complain about shifts because I get really good ones, and I do not mind working 11 am to 12 am with no break once in a while, but doing it EVERY Sunday is getting a little ridiculous.

I was in a horrible mood all yesterday. Katie pointed out that I am a bubbly energetic girl and that this one particular man is sucking the life out of me. It is so nice to have friends who make you all the more aware of how badly someone is treating you. Her support and encouragement is so valuable to me because I am indeed not usually so down and I need to focus on myself before I let myself become someone who I am not. I want to be my normal hyper self at work again.

On another note, I am not closing tonight!!! Hopefully I will get out early enough to exercise! (working out never feels as good when your not angry). AND, Graziella (the best bartender ever) is getting married in just three weeks!