Procrastination - Should I do that now?

Procrastinate? Who me? Never!!!!

I found this cute chart and had to share it.  It's too funny.

I know we all do it.  I don't think there is anyone around who doesn't.  I seem to do more of it lately, now that I am only working part-time.  When I am not at work, there are a multitude of projects around the house that I should be getting done, but I would much rather do it later.

Things I do to procrastinate:

1. Jump on the computer and visit: Facebook, 2 different email accounts, play Farmville, browse through Pintrest, check out my blog, or download music.

2. Grab my Ipad and play any number of games that are awaiting my turn.  

3. Watch one of the many shows I have DVR'd.

4. Nap.

5. See what the kids are doing.

You get the point.....

How about you?  What do you do to procrastinate?

Social Media & How We Lost Our Communication Skills

Being in the food service industry has introduced me to a different interaction with people.

When I was sitting behind a desk, in a professional environment, I used the computer to type documents, prepare presentations and converse over email.  I used the telephone to answer questions, have conversations and get information.  I went to meetings to talk and listen to people face-to-face and I actually had real relationships with the people who came into my office to sit down and chat.

Now that I am working with the public in a more relaxed, casual environment, I see who is out there and that most people just don't have the desire to have conversations or even look up from their telephones.  I don't know how many times I approach a table and greet them with a "Hi, how are you today?" only to get them request a water with lemon without even looking me in the eyes.  They are too busy texting or playing games on their phones.  In fact, I waited on one table that consisted of a mother, father and two tweens and every single one of them was playing on their phone at the table.  Come on!!!!  

What is this world coming to when we can't even use our voices or have meaningful conversations with someone anymore?  We rely so much on technology and I only imagine it getting worse in the future.  Don't get me wrong, I love technology and use it on a daily basis.  It does seem that the younger generation (pre-teens, teens, young adults) are not the only culprits, many people in their 40's are teaching this kind of social trend.

I must say, lots of other servers don't like to wait on the "older generation" but I really love it.  These are the people who are grandparents and great grandparents.  They have been around in a world without all of the social media and probably have no desire to ever learn about it.  They have real talks and real stories that they will share with you whenever they feel like it.  They genuinely care when they await your response to "How are you today?"

I had a conversation with my daughter about social media recently and how kids her age are using it to express all of their feelings to the world instead of talking to their parents, writing poetry or even calling up a friend (as I did when I was her age).  If teens have a problem with someones actions, they take to the Internet or texting to express their feelings instead of going straight to the person and just talking things out.  This leads to so much confusion and many more people's involvement.  I guess I can't limit this behaviour to just teens, I know plenty of marriages that have unfolded over the Internet and Facebook.  It's put right out there for all of us to be a part of and to react to.   


One of the biggest problems I see (and there are many) is that when you rely on written word to get your point across, there is no reflection to hear and no guarantee all of your words will be taken the way that you mean them.  Texts can get lost, sarcasm can be detected (or not detected) and cap locks can accidentally be used when we are not even upset.  Why not just pick up the phone or go hang out and talk things through?


Okay, I am done venting and I am going to step off of my soap box.

Influenster Mom Vox Box Has Arrived

I received these free items from Influenster and all I have to do is try them out and tell people about them.  Stay tuned for my reviews of the products.

Good-bye CSI Miami

In case you haven't heard, after 10 seasons, CSI Miami has come to a close.  The show was reduced to 19 final episodes so that they could introduce a new spin-off, which was then in turn cancelled. 


I must say that I have seen every CSI Miami and LV episodes made, mainly thanks to Netflix.  Netflix is a great tool for watching old television episodes, you know, the ones you missed when they were on tv?  I have spent many hours catching up on whole seasons and I have really enjoyed watching the creative stories that the CSI Miami writers have come up with over the years.


I wrote a review back in 2008 for Netflix, I thought I would share it with you:


I like CSI Miami. I really do. The beautiful people (all wearing skimpy, revealing clothes), the bright colors and most of the cast are all things I like about the show. The content is interesting and they try really hard not to show the same story plot twice. But let's face it, between CSI Miami, Las Vegas and New York, it's hard to not duplicate. The thing I am noticing most is the way the lead character, played by David Caruso, has become very predictable. At the beginning of the show, he is almost always outside, at the scene of the crime, and makes a witty remark (which really is not witty). He then puts on his sunglasses and they pan to the opening credits. He is also all about using his soft-spoken voice for dramatic purposes. This ends up being annoying. Lastly, for being the lead character, he rarely has much of a speaking part and when he does, it always seems to be the same in every episode. Another character who is becoming annoying is the medical examiner. Her compassion for the victims is becoming a little overwhelming. She continuously calls them "baby" and acts as if she is personally touched by each corpse. I would think if your job made you so sad all the time, you would get another. All in all, the show is good and I would recommend it for one of those times when you want to watch some shows, but don't want to commit to a movie.


Four years later, to add to this, I will say that someone must have heard me, because Caruso's character stopped being as annoying and the medical examiner DID find another job (lol).  


If you have the chance to watch this series, you should.  Not only has it won many awards over the years for Outstanding Stunt Coordination, Outstanding Cinematography and Outstanding Actors/Actresses, it's a good way to spend a day lounging around the house.

The Kardashians Meet Oprah

What?  You don't know who the Kardashians are?  You must be living under a rock.

For those of you who do, I thought I would take a minute and write about the recent interview that Oprah Winfrey had with the "famous" (believe it or not, they don't like to be referred as famous) family.  

On the OWN channel, Oprah recently visited the Kardashian/Jenner home for a big "production" interview.  They showed some behind the scenes preparation and the family actually seemed excited to meet Oprah.  It's hard for me to believe that this was supposed to be the first time they all ever met.  Hollywood is not that big that these people haven't ran into each other at least once before.

The interviews take place over a couple different episodes of the show, the first has already been aired and the other will be following soon.

In the first show, Oprah interviewed all of the Kardashian siblings: Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, and Robert.  She asked them about their lives and how they felt about being in the spotlight and asked them how they felt being managed by their mom.  There were many times that Oprah asked questions she felt America was wanting to know such as, "Do you feel your mom is "pimping" you out?"  "Are you famous for being famous", etc.  These questions seem to irritate the family just a little bit.

Next, Oprah interviewed momma Kardashian, Kris Jenner.  This interview seemed really uncomfortable and was staged around the kitchen table, with baskets of lemons and limes bringing more life to the scene than the actual interview.  I did notice that in all of the interviews, the family had much more to say and they were cut off by Oprah, I mean, after all, they only had so much time and have to edit the stuff that's not so important.

Last, Kim Kardashian was interviewed.  I must say, Kim knows how to interview.  She answered everything very well and seemed "well rehearsed" with her come-backs.  I am not doubting her sincerity, I really believe that Kim is just a normal human being living in and craving the limelight.  She was asked about her infamous "sex tape" and her second, short-lived marriage and how she felt about them.  Her answers to those questions made me think that maybe the Kardashians are more down-to-earth than I had believed.

I will continue to watch all of the Kardashian series of TV shows and I will definitely not miss Oprah's second interview with the family.  I might even read Kris's book, sounds like it might be pretty juicy.

Boats Can Tip, So Can You!

"Boats Can Tip, So Can You!"

"Tipping: It Isn't Just For Cows!"

"Bad Tippers Are Bad Lovers!"

 

As I begin my new journey as a "40 year-old waitress", I recall the frustrations I had as a "20 year-old waitress".

Many people simply do not know how to tip.  Seriously, it's not rocket science! 

Here are 10 reasons people don't tip or don't tip enough:

1. Too preoccupied to pay attention to their server or the job that they did.

2. CHEAP

3. Didn't plan to go to a "sit-down" restaurant and "have" to tip.

4. Bad service

5. Forgot wallet

6. Thought the other person was going to tip

7. They have not been out to dinner in 40 years and think that a quarter can buy something.

8. CHEAP (sorry, did I already say that?)

9. They thought the tip was included in the meal.

10.  The women being waited on did not like the waitress/waiter's hair, shoes, make-up, cologne, etc.....

Okay, just so we are clear, out of the 10 reasons, number 4 should be the ONLY time you don't tip or leave a small tip.  If you got crappy service, they don't deserve to get paid - I am fine with that.  But everything else is not an excuse.  

Here is some insight:

1.  Servers work for less than minimum wage.  For example, in the state of Arizona, minimum wage is $7.65 an hour.  For servers, depending on where they work, they can make as little as $4 and some change.  If you are not tipping them, they are barely making any money.  Would you bust your butt serving others for that little?

2.  Servers have to tip out too.  Customers don't additionally tip the bussers, cocktail waitresses or bartenders (since the server is who they are getting everything from).  So when you are just leaving a couple bucks on a big tab, the likely hood is that the tip is going to someone else.

3.  Restaurants split their tables into "sections" so that each server has a certain amount of tables in a certain section.  If you walk by empty tables and wonder why you can't sit there, it's because there is no server available for that section.

4.  Some restaurants limit the sections to 3 tables for each server.  This is done so that more attention can be given to each customer.

5.  A server's average shift is 3 1/2 to 4 hours total for waiting on tables.  They only make tips during those times and when their tables are sat.  If you sit at their table for a long period of time, you are taking away their opportunity to make money.  We want you to have a pleasant experience, so as long as you leave a decent tip, we are cool with it.

6.  Most smartphones have wonderful and helpful applications that will tell you the amount to leave on a tab.  QuickTip is a free app and will help you calculate everything based on the amount of people in your party, the percentage you wish to leave, total of the bill, etc.

7.  Speaking of percentages, if you don't have a handy, dandy application to help you figure this out, simply double the tax on your bill.  This is a quick way to figure approximately an 18% gratuity.  Breakfast and lunch gratuity is usually figured, for average service, to be about 18%.  Dinner starts at 20% for an average dining experience.  

8.  If your server was friendly, helpful, brought your food out when they were supposed to, checked back with you, kept your drinks filled and added a positive to your experience, let them know.  Although they can't pay their bills with your praise, telling a manager about your great service is a wonderful way to help that server get promotions or accolades.

9.  If you have a large party, expect to tip more than usual.  Large tables are a lot of work, especially when it comes to getting all those orders out together.  

10.  Lastly, please be pleasant and acknowledge your server when they come to your table.  They are there to help you and take your order - this is why you came - to get what you want.  If you are not ready to order for awhile, let them know.  Don't get mad it you have to flag your server down to finally order.  They are trying not to rush you. 

I hope this lesson in "tipping" has helped.  Please feel free to comment.


 

Check out the Blog-Hop I am participating in.  I can't believe how many bloggers are out there.  Have fun hopping!!