Etiquette Lessons for Those Wishing to Eat in a Restaurant

About 3 weeks ago, I started a waitressing job. I did this, because for the last year and a half I've been working my ass off in a full-time job I didn't like and going to school full-time to get my Master's degree. I'm exhausted. Contrary to what my new coworkers and the young'uns I meet on Glenwood South think, I am not in my early twenties anymore. I can no longer go to sleep at 3 in the morning and be up and ready to be at work at 6 AM. Those days are long behind me. I needs my sleep! Plus, I hadn't exactly figured out what I wanted to do with my life (I have since then but let's stay on topic here...). In the past, I've always settled for the first job to come along because I needed the money and always ended up hating it. The point of getting a Master's degree was so that I would enjoy my career. So in an effort to not commit the same mistakes of the past, I took a waitressing job (which I do enjoy). I held this position 12 years ago and a lot has changed about the business. They've streamlined it. It has also come to my attention that people have lost the manners required to eat in a restaurant.

Manners? Etiquette? That's needed in order to eat in a restaurant? Why, yes it is! And my job would be a lot easier if people were required to take lessons in order to learn the proper way to eat in a restaurant. And this list is just based on the stuff that I've witnessed in the 2 short weeks I've actually been on the floor.

1. READ THE MENU! Do you know how many times I've had to send something back to the kitchen because YOU don't eat bacon and you should have known that that particular dish had bacon on it because it says so right in the menu? Even the friggin' picture in the menu shows you it has bacon on it. If you would still like the meal, by all means still order it. Just tell me to put the bacon on the side and we'll gladly take care of that for you. But if you do not eat pork products, shouldn't you be reading the descriptions a little bit closer? There are starving people in some third world country that could use that piece of chicken you sent back... Honestly, part of my training is that I need to know all the ingredients of our dishes so that when someone orders a particular item, I have to ask them if they want all the ingredients that come with that item. I can't just say: "Excellent choice, sir!" I have to say: "Now that cheesy chicken has cheese and bacon on it, is all of that okay with you?" I've also had to send back loaded baked potato soup because the guest didn't eat pork but didn't bother to read the part about that on the menu.

2. PLEASE ACCOMPANY YOUR CHILDREN TO THE BATHROOM. I have a limited window of opportunity to use the restroom when I'm on the floor. If your daughters are sent to the bathroom alone to play around in the four stalls and splash up the sinks, I can't go to the bathroom. And who knows when I'll get another chance. How did you not notice that they were gone for 20 minutes?

3. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR MEAL AND MAKE NOTE OF EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED FOR YOUR MEAL. We're on our feet all day. They hurt. They hurt like a mo-fo some days. When I deliver your food and ask: "May I get you anything else?" please make a list of everything right then and there so that I can make one trip. The other day, I served a man sitting in the bar his hamburger. He asked for a side of ranch dressing. I ran all the way to the other side of the restaurant to get said ranch dressing, then ran all the way back to deliver it. He then announces that he would like some ketchup for his burger. Seriously?? You didn't realize that you needed the ketchup before? I should have just said: "Your bartender will get that for you" and walked away...but of course I cannot do this. It isn't right.

4. PLEASE DON'T PUNISH WAITRESSES FOR RESTAURANT POLICY. Common sense tells you that when a restaurant is having an all-you-can-stuff-in-your-craw special of some sort, it means that you cannot share and you will not be given a to-go container. So when we inform you that we're not putting in a reorder of food because you're sharing with someone else, you can be upset if you want to. But to walk away on a $50+ ticket without leaving a tip, especially when we have to clean up after your messy children, is just mean.

5. REMEMBER WHAT YOU ORDERED. In my restaurant, we have people who take your order, refill your drinks, etc and then another person brings you your food from the kitchen. It makes getting your food faster, and frees up the waiters and waitresses to serve more people. It also makes our jobs less stressful. I've actually placed food down in front of people and have had them say: "Ummmmm...did I order this?" Then their companion says: "Yes, that's what you ordered." Clueless person: "I did?" Companion: "Yes, you did." This whole time, I'm standing there waiting for someone to come to a conclusion so I can either set the plate down and go back to pick up more food that is waiting in the window (other people need to eat too) or take the food back and correct the order. How do you forget what you ordered?? I always remember what I ordered and often times, clap when the food arrives. LOL

6. WHEN A SERVER APPEARS, STOP TALKING. We don't like to interrupt your conversation. It actually makes us feel rude. But we need to communicate with you to make sure you have what you need. So please don't ignore us. Just pause in your conversation, let us ask whatever question we need to ask, then you can go back to the convo.

Okay, so those are some etiquette lessons to start y'all off. Shouldn't have to be said, but apparently it does! All in a day's work and I'm really thankful I have a job. :)

Murphy's Law

Yesterday was one of those days where almost everything seemed to go wrong. It made me remember my friend's blog about being selfish as I had my own moment of selfishness.

In the state of North Carolina, you must have your car inspected for safety before you can have it registered. This inspection basically states that your lights work, brake lights work, horn works, etc. Mine was due in August as was my registration. Due to my preoccupation with graduating with my Master's degree and planning my travel itineraries to Colorado and Michigan, it completely slipped my mind. By the time I got back from my travels, it was long overdue. This forced me to drive the speed limit when running my errands in an effort to not get stopped. Even if I did, I knew that I'd just have to go down to the courthouse with proof that I rectified the situation and they'd dismiss it.

So the Friday after I returned (September 2nd), I headed off into the world to get my car inspected. On my way there, I realized that I still haven't fixed my driver's side brake light from I got rear ended by a dump truck in April. Yes, I said April. I hadn't really felt the push to fix it because it still worked. The bulbs lit up but the assembly was cracked, which will not pass inspection. Oy vey. I'd tried to fix it once but they kept sending me an assembly that was way too small for my car. So I headed to the auto parts closest to my house instead to order the part. For some reason, they couldn't find it in their system to order so they sent me to another auto parts store. 2nd auto parts store came up with the same issue and sent me to one that "definitely had it in stock right now." They couldn't find it either... I drove home defeated. After searching for the part online, I discovered the reason why I was continually sent the wrong part. Apparently my car's model year is technically considered a sedan even though it's a 2-door convertible. So they kept sending me a part for the coupe.

I had to resort to calling the dreaded dealership. They used my VIN to order the part and quoted me $222! But no one else had the part. So I picked up the part and it was the correct one, however the lights didn't work. What's more, I couldn't get the assembly out of the socket either. Long story short (and after much frustration), I had to use a hammer to pound it out and then leave room for the connection to fully connect before tightening everything back up. Lights finally worked! I tore off to get it inspected. And at least that went off without a hitch. Now on to get it registered.

I pull up to the DMV and get in line. There are 2 attendants for the "renew" line and both are occupied. There is only 1 other girl in front of me. This is good. This is very good! As I stand there, I notice the signs that say: "NO CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED." I turn to the gal in front of me and ask: "How much is a renewal?" She says: "$33" Me: "And I just noticed they don't take credit cards..." Gal: "I know. This is my 2nd time coming here because the ATM in the corner isn't working." I sigh and head out the door. I needed to go to my bank anyways to deposit a check. I almost get out $40 but instead I decide to get out $60 as you never know when you're going to need cash these days. I drive back to the DMV and the line is still pretty short. Yes! When it's my turn, the lady pulls up my license plate and says: "Ugh...the government system isn't registering that you got your inspection done so now I have to call. I've had to do this once already today..." I sympathize with her, thinking that she will be in a better mood if I do. She calls to get my hold cleared and says: "That'll be $63." Argh! I forgot there's an extra fee for a vanity plate! I say: "I only have $60. Can I give you $60 now, you print out my registration and when I get back I can give you the $3 and you give me the registration?" This is a no go... She points me to the Trader Joe's across the shopping center and says I can buy something and get cash back. As I turn around to leave, I notice that the line is now out the door.

I go to Trader Joe's and buy popping corn to get $10 cash back. I then return to the DMV for the THIRD time and get into the line that is now even longer. I'm moaning and grumbling to myself that now I have to wait in this huge line all because I was $3 short and wondering why I didn't just beg $1 off of 3 different people when I admonish myself. I start to realize that most of these people are probably on their lunch hour from work and could be in danger of getting back from lunch late therefore risking trouble at work. Whereas I, who am currently unemployed, have no where else to be the rest of the day (other than decluttering my home and purging unwanted items). I selfishly just didn't want to wait in a line. This thought makes me calm down and tolerate the wait.

After making my car legal, I decide that my ordeal deserves a diet cherry limeade from Sonic. It's now 2PM and I haven't had anything to eat since 8AM. First, I completely forgot where the Sonic up this way was as I'm used to going to the other one across town so I end up driving about 5 miles out of my way for it. Then I pull up and push the button to order. The waiter on the other end is so loud that I can't hear what he's saying. Ever have that happen to you? It seems like an oxymoron but it's the truth. I give my order and he responds: "I'm sorry ma'am, we're not serving that anymore." Me: "Okay, I'm gonna need a minute then." I peruse the menu once more, make a decision and push the button. Silence. I wait a while and then push it again. Mr. Loudster comes on and says: "I'll be right with you ma'am." So I wait...and wait...and wait...and while I'm waiting I remember that a friend said he hates this particular Sonic because they never get his order right. I wait some more. Instead of pushing the button one more time, I decide to drive off. I'm starving and I don't really feel like waiting anymore as it seems that's all I've done all day. It's hard not to be selfish when your blood sugar has dropped. So I went home and enjoyed that popping corn I bought at Trader Joe's. Still wish I had a diet cherry limeade to go with it.

10 Things...

All new 10 Odd things about me....here we go!

1. I see no need for Mederma for myself. I love all of my scars as each one tells a story. I wear them as a badge of honor. Even the chicken pox scars I purposely created just to spite my mom. I have one on my forehead, inner right thigh, and tummy beside my belly button. I have a scar on my right wrist. I got that one because I ran out of toilet paper, climbed into the tub to bang on the window in order to get my dad's attention as he was walking across the yard. I apparently banged so hard on the window that my fist went right through. You'd think if I went to all the trouble of getting in the tub and banging on the window I'd just have gotten the toilet paper myself. I also have a scar on my inner right ankle and my outer right ankle from when I fell down a hill but the ankle stayed behind. Got a plate and screws put into that leg. 

2. I used to be a dancer...then my boobs got too big... Oops! Guess I trained 'em too good.

3. I was a cheerleader for the church's youth league. I sooo hated basketball! But I was very proud of the fact that I could do the splits "all three ways." "B-E-A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E Be aggressive! B-E aggressive!" To this day, I can't spell "aggressive" without doing this damn cheer in my head...

4. I rarely cry. And crying in public is humiliating for me. In fact, I see it as a sign of weakness. Even as a little girl I'd cry and then ask my mom, "does it look like I've been crying??" before I'd go out into public. Most girls would love it if their men showed some sensitivity and cried at a movie, but not me. I mean, when your dog dies, it's absolutely acceptable. Of course there is a time and a place for crying (for me, that's in my room, alone or in the shower). But I just don't do it all that often. Most women would say that they feel so good after a good cry. Ugh! I feel like crap afterwards. Nauseous, hung over, bright red nose, and watery eyes. Forget it! But this is probably because I don't dwell on sadness much. I'd much rather spend my emotions on happy feelings. 

5. For the most part, I hate chick flicks. "The Notebook" was horrible, in my opinion. Most girls would cry through this movie. I cried. But only because I was forced to sit through that stupid drivel. Gimme some good scary horror (hold the gore) any day... 

6. Green grapes make me think about worms. They make me think about worms because when I was in approximately the third grade, my teacher would take an hour or so to read us a book. We were allowed to have a small snack during this time. This was probably done in order to settle us down after recess. The snack my mom always gave me were green grapes. And I liked to eat them by peeling the skin off the entire grape before popping it in my mouth, squishing it with my tongue against the roof, and savoring the juice as it squelched against my cheeks. The one book I remember the teacher reading was the story, "How to Eat Fried Worms." So I associate green grapes with worms. Not in a nasty sort of way where it precludes me from eating them...more of just a memory.

  

7.  I crave Turkey Spam Lite when I'm sick (yes, I know I'm weird...it's the only time I like it, I swear!). I also like mashed potatoes, chicken broth (not chicken noodle soup, just the broth), saltines, and juice when I'm sick.

  

 

8. I'm a food snob/picky eater, and a weird eater. I adore popcorn but won't eat microwave popcorn unless I'm really desperate...only my own homemade kind. I won't eat the brown "veiny" parts in chicken. I hate pickles. I hate mayonnaise. I hate mustard. I don't like most salad dressings. In fact, I hated all salad dressings until I was in my late twenties (now I like ranch but only a specific type of ranch and Caesar). The list of foods that I don't like is long indeed. And on top of that, I like to eat my food in a specific order. I don't take a bite of meat, a bite of potatoes, a bite of something else. I like to eat them in sections in the order of what I like the least to what I like the best being last. I eat my multi-flavored candies the same way for the same reason. I don't like my foods to touch on my plate either. I've heard all the admonishments. The biggest one  being: "It all ends up in the same place you know." But my argument is that it doesn't taste the same going down. I think that I'm a person that likes to savor things. I love the feel of the breeze on my skin, the scent of burning leaves, the tartness of grapes on my tongue... So to combine all those flavors together I have to forgo the savoring. 

9. Opening biscuit cans scares the crap out of me. I know that the sound is coming and yet I let out a scream and jump every single time it happens. Thankfully they come in a freezer pack now...

10. When I'm ready for bed, I start out on my side. Then, when I'm really ready to go to sleep I roll over onto my back. I've tried to just lay on my back but I end up not being to fall asleep! Apparently my mind is too used to the routine!

Theater Folk

Another old blog that was stuck in "draft" status. These events happened back at the beginning of April.
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Some time in February, I was an extra in a movie. All I really had to do was sit around on the ground and cheer for a football game going on. It was quite tedious and kind of exhausting to have to cheer for several minutes at a time to make sure that they got the noise and the shots needed. But all for the sake of the film, right?

People keep asking if there are any major names in this film. It's an independent film so no A-list stars but actors and actresses that have been in various things like The Walking Dead, another had a bit part in The Blind Side. Last Thursday I got the call back for the big fight scene. We started out the day getting dirty for our parts. We're supposed to be a people living without power for a few months. There are two different camps--the good guys and the bad guys. I'm one of the good guys so I'm not too dirty. After wardrobe and makeup, most of us stand around in groups talking, eating breakfast, and trying to stay warm without wiping off our makeup.

For the first part of the morning, my new friend Naomi & I lean ourselves up against a minivan and sun ourselves like cats until we're asked to move by the owner of the car. Blah. We then head over to the other van and sit down in front of that on the cold ground. We're now amongst the other extras who seem to be theater folk. My first inkling of how these people were was when I walked to the port-a-potty with one of the other extras. She was super excited to be in the movie but was even more excited at the terrific opportunity it was for her daughter. The whole long walk to and from the port-a-potty was about her daughter who was an aspiring model and actress. I was stuck walking beside a stage mom....

Back amongst the extras camp, people are starting to break out in song and dance. The 65-year-old lady who keeps reminding us all that she is way too old to be an extra in this movie (why is she here again??) apparently has to leave at 4PM because she has to get to the theater but not before she's passed around a picture of her brand new grandson to everyone. She was in an advertisement where they had to do a country line dance for 8 hours straight with the guy that drove me to the set. He, of course, demonstrates the line dance. The daughter I heard so much about on the way to and from the port-a-potty gets up and starts demonstrating the dance moves to the play she's trying out for soon. This whole scene makes me giggle. I'm just not among my own kind, am I? LOL

Finally we get to film some scenes. Although I'm one of the good guys, I have to dress up like a bad guy to help fill in some gaps among the bad guys camp. So when the director calls "action" we have to run through an obstacle course of cars and sprint down the hill with murder in our veins. Some people have been chosen to jump over the cars...and yes the theater folk all get the parts on that because they are always the first to volunteer. Stage mom keeps putting leaves in her daughter's hair and making sure she's mussed up enough for the scene. Daughter is getting annoyed with this. I'm with her...why don't we leave that to hair, makeup, and wardrobe?

The thing that made my mouth drop open the most involved the guy that drove me to the set. He & the daughter of the theater mom have to jump over the cars so they are supposed to run first. The rest of us are behind them and we charge right when they are on top of the cars. After the third or fourth take, the director decides that we should all run in from the left instead of from both sides so he corrals us over. Man-who-drove-me-to-the-set says to theater-mom's-daughter "Not you, Allie...you're fine." Allie goes back over to the right side while the director is checking the board to make sure it's his name under "director." Theater folk...

I Think I'm Missing the Romantic Gene...

I've been a really lazy blogger as of late. The thing is, I don't have much to say lately. So I combed through my "drafts" and picked out a few pieces, cleaned them up and published them. This is sort of a long one with a bunch of tangents!

I'm SO not a fan of the Twilight Saga. I don't really have an interest in romance movies, especially the ones that set people up for unrealistic expectations for their futures. I don't even like the ones that ARE possible, like The Notebook. I guess I'm just not a fan of the sappy romantic. I'm a little more rock 'n roll for that. I like my parents' story. They went to the same church and my dad thought she was cute so he asked around to find out her name. Then, he walked by her and said: "Hi Julie!" And as much as we teased my mother about her reply, I think it shows where my feisty comes from. She replied: "I don't think it's fair that you know my name and I don't know yours!" While this is romantic, there is nothing in that story about how they fell in love from the first sight and professed that they were each other's whole world, etc! And there is that info in the Twilight saga. And how do I know this? Because I'm 3 books into reading the saga. *face palm*

My sister and I have an interesting, if not dysfunctional, relationship. I'm the baby but I've always taken care of her. She is a self-professed mess. I have blamed every wrinkle in my face on her. She has a knack for getting into and creating situations that make everyone worry. I think part of it is she loves the attention, she loves people worrying about her. So I constantly worry about her and she never worries about me. In fact, there are huge chunks of my life that she knows nothing about. Even if I do confess to something that is happening in my life that has me stressed, there's no check up to see how I'm doing. And it's not just her, most people in my life never check up on me to see if I'm alright. Probably because I'm strong. I've always made it through. Always. The other reason is that if they were to ask me how the situation is with ____ a week later, I wouldn't have the slightest clue as to what they are talking about. So this is our relationship. I bend over backwards for her because she needs me. I get interested in things that she loves because it's important to her. And I've long stopped begrudging her for the way she is. It just is. I love her and this is how our relationship has turned out. I'm very amazed that I haven't made the same concessions for other people/family members in my life.

Now that you have the back story on our relationship, you can now understand why I decided to take on the task of reading the Twilight saga and watching the movies. Because my sister loves them. I personally think the story is stupid. Seriously, how does one fall in love with a vampire? Or a werewolf for that matter? At least a werewolf is more plausible because, in this story, they don't hunger for human blood./flesh. Plus, they are human for part of the time.

Stephenie Meyer is a great writer. I especially liked reading the parts of the book where she described in detail the back story of the vampires and werewolves and how they came to be how they are. But when we start discussing things like desperately wanting to become a vampire just to be with someone for the rest of eternity, I have to fight my natural gag reflex. I won't even change my religion for someone or quit eating meat for them much less change my status from "living" to "living dead."

My sister is very much "Team Edward" while I'm (if forced to choose between this ludicrous love triangle) am "Team Jacob." Supposedly Edward (the vampire, for those not in the know) has been able to slowly become accustomed to denying his desire to sink his teeth into Bella and make her a tasty snack. What the book does NOT address is what happens when Bella's on her period? I've always wondered this while reading the book. Did this make it harder for him to resist her?

See, if she would choose Jacob (the werewolf), it is more "normal" and she'd have to give up a lot less. Here are my reasons for being "Team Jacob."

1. She wouldn't have to become immortal to be with him. Yes, Jacob does not age while he is able to phase into being a werewolf. But he's only a werewolf because there are vampires around. So if the Cullens (the vampires) would just go away, Jacob would stop phasing and he and Bella could grow old together.
2. She wouldn't have to lie to her parents or give them up. If she becomes a vampire, she has to start thinking of reasons why she can't visit them anymore. It's not like she has to keep thinking of new ways to avoid her parents, she just has to think of enough lies for the next 40-50 years until they die...then she doesn't have to worry about it anymore. As Edward tells her, after 100 years everyone you know is dead anyways.
3. She wouldn't have to live forever. Seriously, who REALLY wants to do this? As much as I adore living and will fight tooth and nail to keep myself in this position, I feel that there's a reason why we all die. But let's say you're special and God or whatever deity you believe in has decided that you will live forever. Okay, that sounds awesome right? Except after awhile, all the people you know start dying. You have to live through your kids' deaths (unless you turn them into vampires too). And what's more, over the years you start making new friends because we are social beings and tend to do so. And then THEY start dying. So either you become really calloused about losing people in your life or you have to live through the heartbreak all over again.
4. Edward is a drug and Bella choosing him is akin to giving herself over to an addiction. Bella's reactions, feelings, and emotions all point to her being addicted to Edward. She's stated that she can't live without him, she seems to get edgy when they're away from each other too long, and when he does actually leave her, she goes missing in the forest for days. She clearly exhibits signs of withdrawal. Maybe I'm not emotional enough...but any guy I get serious enough will have to face the fact that if they die, I will go on just fine without them. Yes, I'll miss them horribly and experience deep grief but I will never get myself lost in the woods, crawl into a fetal position and shiver for days just because he's no longer around. I will, however, probably go to their closet, smell all of their shirts and cry myself to sleep.
5. Jacob has the stability to NOT kill himself just because she died or she rejected him. Edward has stated several times that if she were to stay human and die, he would bring about his own death because he cannot conceive a world where she didn't exist anymore ("barf bag, please!!!").
6. Realistically, Bella is not at an age where making choices is her forte. People's brains don't stop growing until they are in their early 20s. And the specific area that is still growing is the part that allows you to see the consequences of your actions. I.E. She doesn't fully understand the ramifications of turning into a vampire and she's refusing to listen to Edward and other people tell her why she should wait.

In short, her relationship with Edward does not seem healthy at all. You shouldn't have to choose between your relationship and seeing your parents for all of eternity. You shouldn't have to change yourself just to be with someone because it will look odd that you're 78 and he's 17. And if that person should decide to leave you one day, you should be emotionally and mentally stable enough to continue to care about your own well being and not get lost in the woods.

Seriously, You're NOT Gonna SHUT UP????

I can see myself becoming a curmudgeon about some things. For one, I'm starting to hate movie theaters. I already refuse to go during a time when I know they will be packed because I don't like strangers touching me. I also won't go to "kiddie" flicks because of the adult to child ratio that tends to happen there. Somehow, I figured that going to the theater at 1:40PM on a Saturday afternoon might not be so bad. But I'd forgotten the pull of Harry Potter...

The theater was relatively empty. I didn't have to sit next to anyone but there was a couple who sat one seat away from me. When they sat down, they seemed nice enough so I didn't really mind. I managed to ignore the kids occasional kicking and pulling on my seat from behind but this couple soon became too hard to ignore.

For starters, the lady (who was closest to me) really took the movie seriously. Whenever something bad happened she would gasp and say: "nooooo!" This left me amused after the first time but annoyed by the 10th. I guess I didn't realize that there were people out there that got REALLY into their wizards and muggles.

Then the couple had to talk about EVERYTHING! Whenever Harry stuck his head into a bowl filled with memories he had to whisper: "He's doing that so he can see what's going on..." I wanted to say: "Is your wife really that stupid that she can't figure that out? You have to tell her?" During the louder scenes the couple felt it was acceptable to talk out loud in a normal speaking decibel. When I got so annoyed that I couldn't take it any longer I politely said: "Shhhhhh!" They ignored this and kept right on talking. So I whispered: "Seriously??? You're NOT gonna shut up???" and stared right at them. They ignored this too. Normally I would have gotten an usher but I didn't want to miss any more of the $8 movie than I already had so I moved to the other side of my girlfriend.

After the movie, in the bathroom I notice this same woman coming out of a stall while my girlfriend and I waited for our turn. I indicated that she was the woman who had spoiled our viewing pleasure (after I moved my friend discovered immediately why I was so annoyed). So we began a delightful discussion about people who talk in the theater, loud enough for this woman to hear it. Again, she was oblivious.

I think I'll stick to the theater no one goes to even though it means I've gotta wait a month or two to see them...

Why I Don't Watch American Idol

I'm probably going to catch a lot of flack for this...but I hate American Idol and other reality shows. I used to watch the Biggest Loser and the Amazing Race and I've seen a season of American Idol and Survivor. I also used to watch Bad Girls Club but soon got so sick of the drama that I quit. I also stopped watching Biggest Loser and the Amazing Race because of the drama as well. The Biggest Loser was a great show in its infancy but soon people started playing games and sequestering themselves into rooms to talk about the other contestants. Dancing With the Stars used to be interesting until the stupid public kept eliminating talented dancers to save those that acted as the comic relief but really couldn't dance. And in the end, the person who usually won wasn't the person who deserved it the most. I actually wanted to be on the Amazing Race at one point but I soon got sick and tired of hearing the couples yell at each other and bicker. If I want something real, I'd rather watch something like 20/20 or a "news of interest" type show.

Perhaps I'm becoming one of those people that are just out of the loop because when I look at the covers of magazines in the checkout aisle, I barely know anyone on the cover. I also wonder why these people are famous. What special talent do they have? Why do people tune in to the Kardashians? Why do I care about what goes on in their lives? Same with Paris Hilton--why exactly do I care what she did last night?

I also find it appalling that people are obtaining fame and recognition for things such as acting badly and teen pregnancy. Why the need to glorify this? Raising a child is tough work, and even rougher for a teenager. However nowadays teens can have children willy-nilly and not suffer the same consequences because they'll just go on a TV show. I'm not trying to get on a high-horse and condemn anyone who has been or is a teenage mother. I know a lot of smart, ambitious, intelligent women who were teenage mothers. However, I think that it isn't something that a teen should aspire to be. Hold onto your childhood for as long as you possibly can. You have the rest of your life to devote to adult things such as raising children.

As a singer, I think that most people assume that I will be into American Idol. After all, it's a singing competition and singing is what I do. At one point a specific person would ask me on a weekly basis if I was watching the show. Every week I would assure them that I was not watching it and could not foresee myself watching it in the future. They would recount with: "Oh but you should...it's REALLY good this year." I'm sure that it is. I'm sure that there is a wealth of worthy talent on the show. In fact, I love a lot of the singers that have been on the show. I greatly respect Kelly Clarkson, I love Crystal Bauersox, etc. But there is also this side of me that thinks singers should put in their dues and time like other musical acts have done. One of my sweetest friends, Beaux has had a band for many years. I've known him since 2006 (I like to say: "I knew him when he had short hair and took his shirt off at shows--because now he has long hair and never strips anymore). His band was opening for Jani Lane and I liked them right away because they were good. I never like the opening band but they used a freaking didgeridoo! Beaux doesn't really care about fame or fortune, he's a philanthropist. He was named USO Entertainer of the Year and he and the boys in the band will be spending their summer visiting various bases to entertain the troops. They also donate money to save the silverbacks who are losing their homes due to man's progress. How many American Idol contestants go on the show to give back to the community?

So shoot me if you will but I just can't get into reality shows. Especially when they turn down talent like the female singer in Lady Antebellum. She didn't even get to the round where she saw the judges and she has a great voice. On the other hand, you could say that acts like Britney Spears hasn't really paid her dues either but I'm not much of a fan of hers or other manufactured talent. However, I will make an exception for Justin Timberlake because he is hella talented. In a nutshell, that is why I don't like reality shows. Too much drama...