Juke box hero

Today, the kids and I went to Pizza Hut for lunch. My favorite part of lunching at Pizza Hut, a favorite summer past-time for my mother and I, has always been playing songs on the juke box. When my boys asked for quarters for the gumball machine, I gleefully handed each of them a quarter and kept one for myself, had I had one more quarter I would have given both of them two leaving none for myself. I skipped over to the juke box to select a song, while the boys were disappointed with the bracelet that the gumball machine spit out at them after taking their combined fifty cents. After this disappointment they asked for more quarters. I took pity on them and gave them a dollar so they could get four quarters to try again at the gumball machine. This time they were rewarded with a giant bouncy ball. The younger boy decided that he wanted to use his other quarter to play a song so he and I perused the juke box selections together. While searching for my song I thought about how everyone could see me up there selecting a song that they would all have to listen to. I decided I had to find a tune that would make all of the customers happy. There were two sheriffs, some mechanics, some middle aged men, and a few families dining. I figured my song choice should be from the classic rock row. There were choices like Hotel California, Back in Black, Turn the Page (the Bob Segar version), and Crazy Train. I have several of these in my own collection so I didn't want to play a song that I could listen to for free any time I wanted. While all of this was going through my head, my boy made his decision. He chose some Toby Keith song. I was a little worried that everyone would think this was my selection and then think I'm one of those typical Fremont girls who love Toby Keith and beer. After a moments consideration, I realized how silly this was; to think that all of these people in Pizza Hut would judge me based on my selection at the juke box. Just because I do it, doesn't mean that everyone else does. Most of the people could probably care less about what song I chose. With that in mind, I followed the boy's precedent and chose Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks. I don't own the song and I like it and I don't care what people think of me based on this choice. Maybe in the future, I'll be more merciful when judging people based on their juke box choices. I have to make a conscious effort not to close myself off to any genre of music due to the stereotypes associated with it. Just because a person enjoys the occasional Dixie Chicks hit, that doesn't mean that he or she cannot also enjoy Rufus Wainwright or Beck.

Grandma's orders

I visited briefly with my grandmother yesterday. She asked if I had any dates in mind at BW. I told her no, so she ordered me to start looking. I thought this was pretty funny. My grandma wants me to have a date. I have something in the works, but it's not at BW. I didn't tell her about it. I'm reluctant to tell a lot of people about it right now because I need to trust that it's going to go somewhere first. A select few people know about it, and they are under orders not to tell anyone else. If they did it wouldn't be a huge deal, but they know that I would prefer to keep this private until I'm more sure about it. He promised he wouldn't disappear, now I just have to see this promise in action so I can trust it. I'm really scared about this one because he is such a mystery to me. I am constantly wondering why he would like me because I am such a nerd. I know it's so high school to think this, but I really think he's too cool for me. That statement in itself makes me a nerd. I have always enjoyed mystery men though. I am highly attracted to this one. We'll see what happens. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but it's hard because I like him a lot. Last night, my dad told me that we are going to see Wicked on my 21st birthday while we're in Chicago! We are going to Chicago from Monday to Thursday of next week. I am so excited about it because I have never been there. I think this 21st birthday celebration is perfect for me. I won't be drunk or anything close to it, but it will still be lots of fun! I'll probably only have one drink with dinner. I get my new license today since we won't be in town next week at all before my birthday. I had to get one of the grandma's to watch the boys while I get this done since the DMV is only open during regular business hours, which is when I'm always at work. I think I am also going to use this opportunity to head out to the post office to apply for a passport. That prospect depends on how long it takes me at the DMV. Hopefully, it won't be too long.


*Edit* 3:30 PM
I got my big girl license. The picture is pretty good. I am pleased. The younger kid said some pretty nasty things to me today. If I had lower self-esteem I would have been pretty hurt by them. Lame. I made him apologize and told him never ever to say things like that to me or anyone else ever.

Blister

Last night was the worst night of work ever! My boss was horrible. She yelled at me all night for things that I couldn't control. She yelled at me to do things didn't need to be done or could wait until I finished whatever I was doing at the time. At one point, after she finished yelling at me for two things while I was busy working she picked up a lid to a rubber made container and whipped it across the room toward the sink. I happened to be in that vicinity at the time and was about two inches away from getting hit by the flying lid. She didn't even look before she threw. If I had gotten hit I would have walked out and quit right then. That would have been my breaking point. I had already started to consider walking out as this was my last shift. The other girl I was working with told me she was ready to walk out too, and said she would have with me if that lid had hit me. We were really busy which is why she was yelling at me. Everyone says not to take it personally when she yells because she doesn't really mean it, but I can't help it. I hate being yelled at when she could just tell me these things calmly. At the end of the night she was in a better mood and hugged me and thanked me for coming back this year. She offered me a job for next year. I will only take it if I'm desperate. She pays me really well which is what kept me there this whole summer. On top of all the yelling, I sustained a second degree burn on my right ring finger. I was burned by a metal lid. Now I have a hideous blister on my finger. I'm so glad it's over. One of the people I work with mentioned that last night was my last night when the boss was in the kitchen and she went over to the schedule saying she could fix that. I quickly told her that I already have plans for the next two nights. That thwarted her effort to get me to work more. Those two nights wouldn't be worth the money because they are going to be slammed all night as they are the last two nights of business for the summer. I'm still debating whether or not I'm going to help clean up on Saturday. I seem to recall that the last time I did it, I regretted it and was glad that I had to show up late. That is all.

And then there was one

That was my most original blog title ever! Tonight is my last shift at Woody's. I'm doing the easy job, so I may actually enjoy my evening. All I have to do is make hot dogs and wash dishes. Not much stress there. Last night I did my last night as End Girl, which is the stressful job. The place is going to be packed tonight since this is closing week. Each night has gotten successively busier. Luckily, I don't have to work either of the last two nights of business. I was so excited when I saw that I was not on the schedule for those nights. I might go back and help clean up Saturday morning because she pays time and a half, and most likely she won't yell at me that day. I may also get some free food out of the deal. Now I'm down to one job. I can relax every night at home. I only have one week of this set up though because I move in the 25th, my birthday is the 23rd and we are supposed to be going to Chicago on the 21st. We'll see what really happens though. I actually have a lot to get done on my nights off, so I won't be doing that much relaxing. If they ask me to work tomorrow night or Friday night, I'm just going to have to tell them no, unless they're desperate. I have plans for those nights already and they do not include Woody's. I'm not mean enough to go there on the last two nights. I don't want to give the kitchen workers any more stress than they will already have. I am so excited for 10pm tonight!