The Couple

Last night, at work, I had a couple come in. I had seen these people before. Usually, that means one of two things. Either they are really nice, or tip well, or the lesser; they are rude, picky, or don’t tip well.

I go up to the table, and introduce myself, and asked them what they would like anything to drink. The couple responds with, “water”. I asked them if they would like any cheese dip or guacamole. They respond with, “no”. Here is the part where I realize why I remember these people. I asked them what they would like to eat. The woman responds with, “I will have a burrito enchilada style, extra enchilada sauce, extra cheese on the outside, and would you mix the enchilada sauce and cheese together. I do not like the way the cheese tastes when it is just sitting on top of the enchilada sauce.” The gentleman’s order is normal, nothing special, just the way it comes on the menu. I tell them, I will get their order right out. They say,” We would also like an order of HOT and FRESH fries, please.” They commence to laugh, and say “We are not that hard to please.”

First off, I did not appreciate them thinking it is funny to ask for such an order. Secondly, our cheese dip that we make is made of white American cheese and MIXED with our enchilada sauce. Our cheese dip costs around five dollars, so I understand people being forthcoming about not wanting to buy it, but when such efforts make the restaurants job as a whole, harder to do, I think it is just a little selfish. The worst part is that if I do not deliver what they ordered exactly the way they ordered it, my tip, my income, and my way of life decreases.

The cooks were so confused by the order, they had to come and get me, to tell them what was going on. When I got their food, the cooks did not mix the enchilada sauce and cheese as she had requested. The fries had been in the window for a couple of minutes, so to insure that they were “HOT and FRESH,” I put them back in the fryer for a few seconds. I brought them their food, and gave them ketchup for their fries. They were satisfied with their food, except the lady needed a spoon to MIX her enchilada sauce and cheese together.

 When they were finished, I gave them their check, and they paid, and went on their way. I then went back to collect the dishes, and my tip off of the table, of which they left me two dollars. This is not a bad tip mind you. All I expect to get off a table for “good” service is a dollar a head. I always wonder though, with every special thing that a person orders on their food, the more complicated the order, the higher the chance it won’t be right, so I personally feel that these kinds of orders, if they are brought to your table accurately, and without any errors, then the restaurant and your server have provided you with more than just “good” service.

Drawing

I feel that I am good at drawing. I started drawing when I was 8 years old. The first thing I drew was Batman. I was obsessed with Batman. The year was 1988, and Tim Burton's Batman just came out in theaters. When it came on VHS, I got it for Christmas, and I watched it three times that day. I liked it so much, I just started drawing him. I studied all the minor details of his outfit, and incorporated them into my pictures. At first, he looked like an over glorified stick figure.

 I eventually graduated from drawing Batman to my shoe. Interesting transition, I know, but I got really good at drawing shoes. The shoes were always done in pencil, and in great detail.

As I progressed through school, I got an art scholarship from my art teacher in elementary school, and took classes at the art museum. In junior high, I won a poster contest for D.A.R.E. In high school, my design was chosen for the JROTC patch. I never finished school, and kind of fell away from art.

In 2001, a friend of mine gave me an art book called “The Second Slice”. This book had what is called “cheesecake” art. This style of art is basically pinup art. It gets its name from the color of the pinups skin. I was attracted to this style of art for its smooth airbrushed textures and vibrant colors. I decided to try drawing in this style, and found it very fun.

My favorite medium to use is colored pencil. The way I start a picture, is to pick a spot, and work away from that spot with a light pencil sketch. Once I have done my pre-sketch, I start drawing different layers of detail and shading until I am satisfied with the result.

In the famous words of Stan Lee, “If you want to be a good artist, you should have paper in front of you right now drawing everything you see”. I love to draw, it gives me great pleasure. I have once again hit a dry spot where I do not draw at all. I hope to muster up the courage to take pencil to paper again. When that happens, I am sure my imagination will be ready, just overflowing with different ideas to get down on paper.