Happy New Year!

I want to wish everyone a great 2006. After the crazy holiday that my family had, I expect to witness huge changes in the new year. You know, how they say that when one door closes a window opens? Well, I think its true.

So, as the proverbial door closes on 2005, i have decided to begin (in a very small way) to attack all of those things that I have been meaning to do/learn/experience over the years. I have created a list of 52 things (one for each week) that I hope to accomplish over the next year. I have been told that i am being a bit too ambitious. But, as my new friend and fellow gypsy J, said to me the other day, "Be Courageous." And you know, he's right...I mean, what will I accomplish, if i never actually try?

The first thing on the list: Make my own mochi. I figured this was appropriate, as I remember that in Japan on the 1st of the year, many people make mochi (including the department stores). A couple of years ago, my parents and I spent New Years in Okinawa and we ate so much fresh, warm mochi outside the local department store. Such a weird memory. Anyhow, I woke this morning and put myself to work. The actual process of making mochi (in this case it was chocolate mochi...which in my opinion is the best) isn't so difficult. But it is super messy. Oh my god, I don't even want to think about the cleaning up process.

Next on the list...well, it's either going to be a roadtrip to Mount Rushmore, learning to play the harmonica, or visiting the bingo palace. I'll keep you posted.

Crushes

Its been ages since I last had a crush on someone. Especially, someone that i don't even know. I mean, usually being familiar with a person's personality makes them 100% more attractive...therefore, crush-worthy. So the last time I had a crush on a complete stranger was probably college. I think that is the last time that I was surrounded by a large population of strangers, who had schedules and appointments that consistantly crossed with mine, therefore allowing me to take notice of them.

Now that I have a job at a deli, I am once again surrounded by strangers. Although, this time, some of those strangers have become aquaintances...I mean, I do have regular customers. But, of all the people that come into the store, I have really only taken notice of one guy. He has been in enough times, that I even know his name. Honestly, I don't think he a) remembers my name, b) has taken a 2nd glance at me, c) thought about me outside of the resturant. But, we have exchanged witty banter, I have been caught staring at him (like a complete geek), and he has gone out of his way to say hi to me even when I don't wait on him....I guess, in the make-believe world in my head, I want to believe that there could be something more, like maybe he does notice me and he is interested.

Of course, I am a bit neurotic and after thinking about the possibility of just asking him out, I realize a) I am moving back to LA in a matter of weeks, b) what if he's married (I always forget to check) c) what if I really am imagining a "connection" between us, d) today he was in the resturant meeting with "America's biggest porn producer" (don't ask me how I know these things). I had the bartender do a bit of checking, and it turns out he works for the guy...although in his defense, the porn producer does have other businesses, many of which are completely legit...

I kind of just wish I had never looked into his eyes. Because, when i did, I saw such kindness and beauty, that got me kind of hooked. I realize its all just a figment of my imagination....but I keep thinking, what if? I guess, I should listen to the voice of reasoning that is my friend J, "If you weren't so bored, you would never even give this a second thought." You know, she is absolutely right.

What?

So, as a favor, I picked up a few extra shifts for one of the bussers who went home for the holidays. He didn't have the foresight to make arrangements for his shifts to get covered before leaving town...but, realized that he might not have a job if he didn't find someone to fill in. So literally, at the last minute, he called me begging to cover for him. I had issues with doing the shift for one major reason. In order to do it, I would be working straight, from 7.45 AM to 10 or 11 PM (depending on the closing time). Then the next day, I would have to be back at work again at 7.45 AM. Not something, I was really psyched about doing...especially, since I don't really get paid enough money, to need this gig.

But the shock of all shocks came this evening (night 2 of being a busser)...It turns out, bussers don't make much money. I mean, I knew that they make less then I do as a daytime cashier/barista...but they make tips, so it should balance out. Plus, I figured at the very least they were making $5/hr. Nope...turns out, bussers make approx. $2.50 / hour. WHAT?? When I learned this, I actually yelled out loud, "Are you kidding me?" I had no idea people could possibly paid that little an hour. What with that amount of money, plus after 6 hours of work a $10 tip...well, I made about $3.50 an hour, before taxes. I don't think I was paid that small of an amount at my first job....almost 15 years ago. After learning that valuable bit of info, I turned to my manager and said, "You will have to find someone else to fill in from now on. I don't think I will ever be bussing/serving/hostessing ever again."

And from this point forward, I will be giving the big tips. Because, who can possibly live on that salary?

Surviving Christmas

Holidays are tough. Super stressful times. But overall, I love the holidays. I love parties, misteltoe, dressing up, and general holiday cheer. In early November, I start anticipating the coming events and i get so excited about the holidays.

This year was unlike any Christmas I have ever experienced before. The family drama was more over the top and excurciating then ever. I'm talking Aaron Spelling soap opera porportions. Two of my beloveds decided to get a divorce the week before Christmas. Awesome timing!!! They both managed to stick it out long enough to spend the holiday together. Of course, for the innocent parties involved, there was all sorts of festive tension, anger, and anxiety to deal with. But, hey, we are family, so we deal...right? This did screw up the plans for the big proposal between two of my other beloveds...but eventually everything managed to work itself out. And we did manage to have a very nice, peaceful Christmas day.

Next year, I'm going to Kenya...alone...to spend time with strangers, photographing wildlife.

I hope all of you had a peaceful, happy christmas...or are in the midst of a fabulous hannukah.

I have been humbled....

I forgot what it feels like to work really hard for minimum wage. But, I was reminded of how horrible it is on Friday, when my boss handed me my paycheck and said, "We really do appreciate all the work you are doing here, you are doing a great job. Thank you so much for all of your help." I should have known that was a preemptive strike. He knew the second I realized how little money I was actually making, I would probably pull a runner. Lucky for him, I have made a commitment to myself to stick with this job, up until it is time to leave Colorado. Too bad for him, that means I only have a month left. But whatever, the important thing is that I have been reminded of what its like to be a member of the lower income earning society.

And being schooled in this vicious economic cycle has also taught me about how horrific people can treat you if you are "only a deli worker". I mean, none of my customers know anything about me, except that at this second I am taking their orders and counting back their change at a deli. They figure that this little fact equates that I must be a)uneducated and therefore unable to get a better job, b) in college, because why else would I work at a deli? c) completely unworthy of pleasantries.

Its all kind of like the social experiment I would play when i was the assistant to the head of a studio. Somedays, I'd get mistaken for an intern and somedays, people knew my real job. The treatment I got depending on peoples' perceptions was so 180 degrees different. Ages ago that was my lesson on how to treat people equally, as you never know who they are. I guess, maybe the universe feels it time for me to be reminded of not only the value of the dollar but how to treat people in menial jobs.

Tips

I think I might become obssessed with tip money. I mean, I am not making enough money with my hourly wage, not to be obsessive about how much extra I will be getting. I know, I am lame. But, still. Today, I finally got a small cut of the tips...granted the girl in charge of me kind of got to kick back and do some personal stuff while i ran around, proving that I could do the job (I did of course, mispronouce the name of the deli on the phone a few times...once when the owner called) and the overall cut she got for the day was well over $100 (which for a small sandwich store during the lunch hour is unheard of) but whatever, I'm happy...I finally got a small cut of things.

Speaking of tips, I would like to take a moment to focus on the lame people out there that did 1 of 2 things in the past couple of days, while visiting the deli.

1) to the lady who sat at the table that had tip money on it ($2) and felt the need to pocket it, Shame on you!!! It was $2 and your sandwich cost more then $10...if you can afford to buy the sandwich, you can afford to not steal other people's money. You are a loser. Merry Christmas to you.

2) to the lady who gave a $2 tip on her credit card reciept then came back at the end of the meal and asked for a credit of those $2, because she "didn't realize the establishment was self-serve"...you are a ridiculous cheapskate...Happy New Year, no grow some class!

New Job

Last week, I got a new job. I am a cashier at a swank Italian Deli, during the breakfast/lunch hours. Honestly, i couldn't believe that they actually hired me. I mean, I have applied to so many jobs, and every time I have been told one of two things: 1)you don't speak fluent Spanish, we won't hire you. 2) you are overqualified for this job, we will not hire you. But, on this job, the owner looked at my work experience, as I sheepishly apologized for being overqualifed (whatever happened to being proud of one's achievements). He then looked at me and said, "honey every single person in this room is overqualified, don't let it get to you. Just be a hardworker." And he hired me. So even though I am getting paid less then I did at my job at university, I am pretty happy to be working. And as long as I don't actually calculate how much it will take me to make a set amount of money, I am okay.

The strangest thing, is that I haven't worked a food service job in years (almost 6 years), but its amazing how fast it all comes back to you. I do have one complaint about the experience thus far. Because I am "in training" (which is kind of ridiculous, because after the first day I had it down, and really am not training anymore) I do not get a cut of the tips....I thought most places give the trainee at least a small cut of the tips, but that ain't the case here...which if you ask me, totally blows. Oh well, only one more day of "training" then tip money here I come.