Needs A Little Elbow Gease

[imood mood at time of entry: perky]

I have been meaning to come here and write a real entry for days, but I have been so busy with work and school that I barely have time for sleep. My last entry, was more a spur-of-the-moment “Damn! I’m mad and tired and overworked!” sort of deal. I was and I still am.

Work had a semi rough start. I was supposed to start out on the cash register in the front, but due to my robust bust, I ended up being reassigned to the kitchen. I asked if I could have an apron to cover the strained buttons and was told that only people working in the kitchen received aprons. I mulled this over. Did I want to work in a hot, scary kitchen where I might get the order wrong and not work fast enough for whoever is on duty, or lose the job that I just got that I had to go out and get since I am hard up for money. I reluctantly chose to head on into the scary world of burger preparation.

So far, it hasn’t been the worst thing that I’ve ever done. I got yelled at and hissed at by the all Mexican crew. I got yelled at in Spanish and gestured pratically to death. Guh. They also spoke to me in loud, achingly clear English. You know, the same Americans talk to “foreigners” as if that will have them understand better. This was made exceedingly poignant because they don’t actually speak English at all, that is why they work in the kitchen.

I have had this job for about two weeks now, and I have received tons of praise from the management staff about how fast I am. I don’t feel fast, but if they say I am fast, then I am fast. I feel as though I am moving painstakingly slow when I am trying to get the burgers prepared. The managers have also told me how nice they heard I was. That’s pretty darn good I suppose.

I got paid last Friday (June 18, 2004) and it wasn’t much to look at, especially since McDonald’s takes $20 out of the first check to pay for the pants we wear. If I was going to have to pay for pants, I could have bought some cheaper at the store, or at least bought some that fit properly.

I have been kind of hanging on with Justin. The relationship is still new and everything, but I think he likes me more than I like him. I do have some type of attraction to him since I call him and want to spend time with him, but I can’t stand his lack of manners. I am not the biggest example of Miss Manners, but I am not a pig either. I could never take him out somewhere nice. We went out on a date Thursday (June 17, 2004) and he had food all over his mouth. I tried to join in in my ladylike way by eating with my fingers, but I plumly refused to smear food all over my mouth or blantantly suck sauce from my fingers.

I am trying to be understanding because he is young and needs time to grow up. Yes, I did say that he was young. In fact, I am three years older than him. I have thought about getting another boyfriend. I truly have, but I always try to remind myself that I should like the person despite their flaws. I am sure that with a bit of subtle directing, he’ll become a fine young man one day. I do not think that I am the woman to do it, but who knows.

I have more to talk about our date and our relationship, but a lighting storm has just rolled in over Downtown and I am going to try to call for a ride before the library closes. Wish me luck on getting home safely. *cross fingers and prays HARD*

Danielle