The People Who Choose To Love Me

The People Who Choose To Love Me
This is my family. Watermark and all.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Take This Job... And Shove It Up A Stockholder

Until recently, I worked for a corporate restaurant. What this meant was, I was not a person to anyone other than the people who were actually working alongside me. I was a number on a shareholder's ticker, and I was a robot who is expected to bring extra ranch to people who think it is acceptable to scream at me for their under cooked sirloin or not giving them enough ice in their drink (this actually happened, I'm not over exaggerating).

I walked into work the other day prepared to give my two week notice for several reasons and the straw that broke the camel's back was my manager (who is a super great guy, nothing against him) telling me that my numbers were the worst in the restaurant. My numbers come from a survey the customers take at the table after their meal is finished and the questions asked are about the  cleanliness of the restaurant, the speed and attentiveness of their server, how their food was, their overall experience, and if they intend to return. My schedule is written based on these questions. I was given 30 days to clean up my act (like I can predict how many ice cubes someone needs in their iced tea or jump in the back and cook their steak for them) or else I'd be fired or demoted, and in the middle of my manager's spiel about how I need to improve and that the reason he hired me was because I had such an amazing reference from the family restaurant I worked for before moving out here, I just kind of felt like I was trapped in the scene in Office Space and I didn't have enough flair and this job definitely wasn't for me.



Well, I can only assume my reference was amazing from the family owned restaurant because they weren't focusing on numbers on a printed out sheet, and they actually gave a crap about the people behind their profits. They took the time to get to know me, they invited me to their family's Christmas celebrations. They asked how my kids were every single day. By the way, if you ever find yourself in Bishop, California, stop by and eat a great meal at Astorga's Mexican Restaurant. They rock. And, if you happen to find yourself in a corporate chain restaurant that rhymes with Millie's, leave your waitress a good tip even if she seems bitchy because they don't get paid shit to be there.

Anyway, I quit, and then I freaked out. How am I going to pay bills? How are we going to survive while I'm in school full time? And then, my amazing diamond skulled bestie/neighbor told me I have a job waiting for me at her salon when I get all finished up with school and I sold a bunch of my artwork and things just sort of evened out magically. I really feel like I've found a career that I can be happy with. Finally.



I'll be able to make my own hours, interact with people all day long who appreciate my creative side, and have enough time and energy on the side to focus on my artwork. I urge anyone who feels stuck at their corporate suck hole of a job to quit if you feel like vomiting every time you wake up and know your name is on the schedule. The stress and worry over whether some fat shareholder is getting paid enough from your franchise isn't worth it in the slightest.


Find what makes you happy. Find your Astorga's. Do what makes you want to sing. Dance in the rain. Chase rainbows. A bunch of other inspirational shit. Blah, blah, blah. Just don't be fucking miserable for a handful of peanuts.

11 comments:

  1. Good for you! I'm so glad everything worked out. When you told me you'd be going to school full-time and working full time and oh, you know, raising a family all at the same time I have to admit I was worried about you. Just thinking about all that pressure made me want to curl up in the fetal position. I'm so glad that now you'll hopefully have more time to write your awesome blog posts. Yay!

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    1. I was only working part time and the last night of work when I went home with a whopping $18 after serving only three tables, that was it. Thanks for thinking of me lady. Love ya!! :D

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  2. you kick ass, shawna.

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    1. You have to say that because I'm your wife. But, thanks. :)

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  3. Good for you!!! I always had a hard time quitting a job if I didn't have another one lined up, but you're right -- sometimes it is seriously not worth it. And things do always have a way of working out.

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  4. I like the comment between you and Trace lol
    Well I'm an RN and I make good-ish money and I still hate it. Maybe I should sell a bunch of art and find something else to do for a living...is Astorga's hiring? Glad you stood your ground and got the hell outta dodge before they had a chance to crush you under their corporate heel.

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    1. Haha, thanks, Sandra! And, I'm not sure if they are or not but they are the best family. I think it is awesome you are a nurse. Not sure how you do it. I only have four kids (not a billion patients) ad if any of them bleed or vomit, my immediate reaction is to run.

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  5. I really need to pick up and leave my current job, but I keep finding reasons to put it off. Kudos to you for taking the plunge and ditching all that negativity. I hope to muster up the courage to do the same sometime this year.

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    1. Yes! Let's all make a broke, homeless, but happy pact! We can all share the same yurt for warmth, because fuck the gas company, too!! Jk, but seriously, if you know where I can get a yurt or four, send me a link.

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  6. Also, if anyone knows how I can turn off any and all auto links to random crazy internet surveys on here, please feel free to let me know. I just smash things when I can't figure it out and this computer is looking super breaky.

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  7. I'm so happy for you to be out of that job. I think I've mentioned before that one summer I worked for a corporate restaurant chain. It was horrible seeing how the waitresses were treated.
    And I know about those worthless surveys. Sometimes the managers would dock points because a waitress would do something nice for a customer.
    "Waitress was wonderful and held our order so we could go to the salad bar."
    Points off. It doesn't matter what the customer wants. But if the customer complains that's points off too.

    I'm gonna stop because you're out of that job and don't need to be reminded of how bad it was.
    Congratulations. The future's so bright you're gonna need to wear shades when you paint.

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