Waiting tables and writing recommendations

It was one of the busiest weekends in recent memory at the restaurant. Busiest, though not most lucrative, as most of the guests weren't big spenders like the previous weekend. But I did alright, making about $100 each shift. My favorite table was a group of four guys in their late twenties who came in and had three alcoholic drinks each, racking up a $120 bill for brunch in the span of forty-five minutes. I would turn around and their drinks would be empty. They left me a good tip of almost $30. I actually have next Sunday off - the first Sunday brunch shift I've had off in the last few months - and I might try to emulate those very guys. My least favorite table was a table to decided to leave me $7 on a $50.85 bill. 15% is bad enough, but going beneath that - especially when I get you a free meal because you didn't like your Smoked Bay Scallops omelet (which, by the way, is unbelievably good; I can't believe someone wouldn't like it) - is just unacceptable. If they ever come back, they can expect intentionally bad service from me as I now know that they're cheap jerks even when they get good service.

I guess it's worth it, even though I spent ten hours without sitting down or eating and now am so sore and tired that I feel like I won't be able to accomplish much of anything tonight. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of sitting around and watching TV or one of my current Netflix (The Constant Gardener and June Bug). I need to write "Bobby" a rather involved recommendation for this program at University of Maryland that he's applying to. It's some sort of program for kids whose grades aren't that great but they're okay and are considered "at risk" college students. They're on the bubble so the university takes them to college a couple weeks earlier and acclimates them to college life before classes actually start. It definitely sounds like a great program and I hope he gets in.

I just got back from "Bobby's" house. He asked me to look over his application for that program, and that's what I did during the down moments while waiting tables. I just dropped it off; he's got to have it postmarked by tomorrow. Going to his house made me think about growing up in that kind of neighborhood. I just can't imagine it. In the five minutes I was on his porch, I smelled weed in the air, heard music so loud I felt it in my ribcage, and saw my car almost get hit by a pickup truck speeeding down the street. I wonder if it's every quiet.

The letter I read of his was all about how all he's ever wanted is a normal family, and about how that's his main goal in his life. That's after he starts his own carpentry business and get a doctorate in Psychiatry. The kid's ambitious. I hope things work out for him, because he deserves it. He's lived a hell of a life.

Update: Well, I finally finished that recommendation. It was in six part - SIX - and each part asked for a several hundred word essay. Later, I looked at what it was for. A FULL-YEAR scholarship to the University of Maryland, which one student in Baltimore City Public Schools gets. Just one. Oh well. I have my fingers crossed. I just spent several hours on the scholarship so I hope it's not all for naught.