I’m working at my friend Izzy’s store in Echo Park today and this nice fellow just came in to tell me that the plants outside are lovely. He went on to say he waits tables and he just got a job at Masa (a great restaurant down the way) and he was very excited. It made me really happy. Getting a new, profitable job in the service industry is a such a good feeling. I remember it. It’s a relief. I will never have the exact feeling he’s having ever again. I will for other types of jobs I’m sure but seeing someone so happy for something I detest makes me feel very refreshed.

Here’s what I hate. Back when I waited tables I did the dirty work at night. Yes, this would keep me off the stand-up stage most nights but I never had to worry about being available for auditions.
This small pro was something that kept me repeating toast options.
Fortunately for me my jobs that I’m juggling have all been super understanding of my need for rejection. BUT I can’t help feeling a surge of panic and stress when I have to re-arrange re-arrange and rush rush rush.
Today was no exception. I had to get to Downtown from Venice in 30 minutes. It didn’t happen. And thus begins the panic attack. And the fact that I’m so upset to be late for my one line audition makes me even more upset.
I finally arrived and waited for forty minutes before delivering “Can I get you guys anything else?” with so much energy a cow could have been bulled over.
Ahh. The glorious biz.

I’m broke as can be but happy as can be and I’m worried about you blog! 

You are called Just the Tip and you are about waiting tables. I don’t have much to say about the subject these days other than I am happier than I’ve been in a long time and more broke than I’ve been in a long time and I’ve already just said that! (see above)

I’m still having the nightmares. My friends that no longer wait tables still have them five years later….but you don’t want to hear about those… again.

When I think about going back just for a couple nights a month or something so I can buy a new pair of eyeglasses so I can drive, I get nauseous. It’s just not going to happen. I feel like it kills something inside me… so does it mean that the blog is over? It’s not as fun writing about being waited on. I don’t think it’s as fun to read either. 

Hmmm…

If you have any suggestions of a new blog for me… Let a sister know. 

Love Love 

Ruby 

Make things. Like these bird pillows!

Put a bird on it!

Today I wiped poop off a butt. The 3 year old I’m taking care of during my days is potty trained but still needs help wiping. Otherwise she walks away from taking a dump with crap all over herself and no one wants that.
Even though I was thinking to myself “it’s possible I got a little shit on my hand” I would still rather do this than wait tables.
Ah. Life and all the options it gives you.

My girl Stacy received this credit card slip the other day. 

Nice Tip. 

I’ve been free from serving people for about 39 days. Last night was my first nightmare. I dreamt that I was scheduled to work on New Years Eve and I was just going to try to get my shift covered but than I realized no one was going to work it so I probably was just going to have to and I was thinking, “oh the money will be nice” but my heart started to race because I realized I didn’t really work there anymore and wait, the drunks, the oldies, the complaints, it’s going to be so weird having to be there when I haven’t been there in so long… Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. 

Then I woke up. 

I have really been so much happier since I quit. Yes, I can’t buy that 30 dollar candle but I also don’t have to tell you I’m sorry your salmon was soooo dry. 

I still have this really weird anxiety for any of my servers almost to the point where I apologize for everything I order but hopefully that will become more balanced out as the time goes on. 

I’m currently working in a store and nannying a very cute three year old and making my quilts. Going over the ABC’s with a child feels so much more gratifying. I’m teaching something! It feels good. 

I love you all for reading. Please don’t stop. Although I don’t write constantly, I do always have something to say. 

Ruby  

My last night waitressing on video. 

I feel very free and light but a fairly large amount of anxiety has set in. I have to work on that. I think I will always have to work on my self doubt. When you have waitressed for a really long time, it becomes a part of your identity. It feels good not to get to go to the bitter waitress reality. Thanks for reading. I’ll continue to write I am sure. 

Going to restaurants and being waited on still carries a ton of baggage and I always find myself sucking up royally to the server. It’s pretty awkward. 

Love Ruby 

I’m starting to question if I should REALLY throw a cake in my face. 

Yay or Nay??

I think it’s funny. Is it?

I booked a commercial. I won’t be working Thursday night so Wednesday, November 29th will be my last night of waiting tables.
So come in and see me throw a cake in my face at midnight on Wednesday.
Xoxo

For anyone who really knows me, MY end to waiting tables is a big deal. It has become so much of my identity, hell, I started a blog to bitch about it as therapy. 

So the move I made this past few days is momentis. 

I put my two weeks in. December 1st will be my last shift. 

I was going to quit in January but I’ve started to have mini panic attacks. The rejection that comes with my acting career combined with the way a snotty girl orders me around became too much to take and I finally let go of the fear and said it’s done. I’d rather be broke and happy than angry and sad. 

I feel light and smooth. Scared and excited. Ready for the change. It’s the one thing I haven’t tried. Let’s Get Ready To Rumble.  

Who knows if it will be forever but the lord knows that I need a break. I have been serving food for 15 years now and I really hate people… with a passion. 

If you live in the LA area, you should come into the restaurant on Thursday, December 1st at midnight as I will be getting up on the counter and shoving a cake into my face and yelling, “See ya later suckers!!!”

 Watch a waitress and she breaks down and says goodbye. 

Love Love

Ruby 

When I take TO GO orders and I ask you if you would like plastic utensils and you say “why not?” I’ll tell you WHY NOT.

The only reasons to take PLASTIC silverware is if you have just moved and the silverware is in boxes or you are driving and didn’t bring a fork but other than that… WHY NOT??

Two words.
Land fill.