Umm, Excuse Me? Are We Hating?!

   I've been trying to get my overtime hours like CRAZY! It seems as if the planets are aligning. After looking at apartment after apartment after apartment, Shara and I found a community that we both really really like and the price is looking right. Shara just got a dream job with this major health care system and me? Well, no new jobs for me but maybe a job possibility. Trina just accepted a position at her college, if all goes well with her training, she's going to quit. Shay will be bumped up to housekeeping manager and I will be assistant. Trina thinks it will be a good idea. Shay doesn't. I wasn't expecting that at all. I thought she would've been like, "Yeah gurl, C'mon to tha back of da house!"
   Talking with Trina, I found out that Shay has been on some other stuff as of late.Trina is housekeeping manager and Shay and Anjail are her assistants. Anjail is fully involved with her school schedule and can't commit to the job as much as she could during the summer. I remembered Shay saying something to me a couple of months ago about why Anjail can't come to the job during breaks in her schedule like Trina did. I had to explain it to her as nicely as possible (because she's on the sensitive side. She'll dish it, but can't take it) 1st: Trina is a manager, this is her career. That means she will have to make certain sacrifices. Anjail doesn't want to be in the hospitality industry. Chick is tryna be a doctor. Why stress over the unnecessary? 2nd: Trina's school is only 15 minutes away. Anjail's school is a good 25 mins away- and that's on a good day. Who will waste gas and bust ass for an hour break? Makes no sense!
   So anyway- like I was saying- Trina and I were talking, and she was telling me about Shay's complaining about Anjail. Trina told her to stop it. Then Shay was upset because Anjail went to DC with some of her old college roomates and didn't invite her. She was upset because she felt as if Anjail thought that she's not "educated" or "refined" enough to be around her college friends. NEWS FLASH: She didn't invite me EITHER! My feelings weren't hurt. Anjail hasn't seen her friends in a while and wanted to do something before the semester started. What we look like busting up in their reunion? Chile BOO!
   But again, Shay has always been sensitive like that. When I started going out with Carmen, she was upset that I didn't invite her. Carmen and Shay are cordial to one another- but that's about it. Why would I make the situation uncomfortable for the both of them? I thought she was kidding or something at first but she was SERIOUSLY mad about it! Let's see if this makes sense: 1st: Carmen and Shay don't get along like that. 2nd: They wouldn't be able to be themselves and have fun. 3rd: Shay has to be at work like 6 and 7 in the morning. 4th: She needs a babysitter for her baby. Me and Carmen don't really plan our happenings. It's more like: Me: I can go for a drink, you down? Carmen: Yeah girl. Let me wash my ass first though.
   But where is the love?  Going back to the subject of why black women can't be friends. One of the reasons, jealousy. It's ugly y'all! Shay may just be going through some things now or something. I'm sure everything will be okay once she's okay.

Loves and Like Ya!=> but don't you dare try to bring me down.

"Actually, I Did Get The Blue Light Special...

Me: ...but they didn't give me a ticket. It was crazy too, because I wasn't even sporting cleavage.
Malachi: Man I bet you never had to pay for a ticket in your life. Just flash a cop a tig ol bittie and nigga- you straight. I can't do that shit. I can't flash shit but a smile.

I knew I needed some drinks in me because it's been a rough day. Someone has been hacking into my e-mail and then subsequently hacking into my facebook. The culprit I suspected, the ex- D, called me at work- telling me his problems like I'm Dr. Phil. Too many guests needing too much stuff. Add that to the fact that no one wants to hire me, I can't take as many classes as I want to this semester because they didn't approve me for financial aid, and I desperately need to move out my parent's place. I'm feeling a bit down. Agitated and snappy are responses that come quick. I fb chat with Sauce about the hacking and ask him to have a drink with me. He's all responsible and whatnot, stating that he has work in the morning. BLAH BLEH BLUH. I get off chat with him and my phone is singing, "I'm addicted to you..you're my addiction" MALACHI! Perfect timing or WHAT?! I need a distraction. We go to -where else?- Wild Wing and I buy the first 2 rounds. We're talking about religion, work, tattoos, and other stupid stuff. Just what I needed, pleasant company and strong drinks. :)

Loves and Likes Ya!=> and I may love you even more if buy the next round (;P)

Boy I Tell Ya...

You just don't find good ol' fashioned ignorance like this anymore!

Me: I just need to see your ID and method of payment please.
Guest: There you go again with that. You know if you guys keep asking me that, I'm gonna have to find somewhere else to stay. (I give a polite chuckle) I'm serious. Asking for ID and credit cards leads to identity theft.
Me: Well I guess you're gonna have to find someplace else to stay because that's corporate policy.
Guest: Well is there a comment card I can fill out? Management really needs to do something about that.
Me: The comment card is in your room, but honestly filling it out will do no good. It is a corporate policy to verify identification with credit cards.
Guest: You know, the Nazis had a policy of exterminating Jews but that doesn't make it right.
Me: I'm not sure how you can compare the two. Our policy is to help PREVENT identity theft by verifying that the person in front of me and the name and picture on the ID matches the information on the credit card. I've had many guests actually thank me for asking  for their ID because identity theft has happened to them before. Which may be the same reason why many people write "See ID" on the back of their credit cards. I know it would give me a sense of security to have someone verify my information.
Guest: I'll have to give it you, you sure do know how to argue a point well.

Sorry. Normally I'm not so combative with my guests. Usually a guest would say something like that and it rolls off my shoulders like- Yeah, Whateva- but he caught me on the wrong day. And even though I told him that, you can visually TELL that it was like talking to a brick wall. Case in point: The next day I came into work, I saw the comment card. "Drop so-called need to verify photo identity at check-in. Leads to identity theft." For his last name to be Wright, he sho is WRONG!

Some People...

We all know a person who we wouldn't mind if they stepped off a curb and got hit by a car. Hold up- that was kinda harsh. Lemme rephrase that opening sentence.

 

We all know a person who we wouldn't mind if they stepped off a curb and got hit by a car. Hell- it felt right! Lol. Right now that person would be the newest addition to my hotel family. Joy(kill) King. This girl? I'm not sure WHERE they make her at- but they need to halt production ASAP.

 

First of all (gotta love a sentence that starts off that way) she graduated from college with a bachelor's degree for hospitality. Bad sign right there. Because already, you know they'll be over-eager and you can't tell 'em nothing because they learned it all in class.

Second of all, how you gonna be working somewhere for only two months and only 5 out of 30 coworkers like you? I mean, I understand that this is a job and not a popularity contest, but you don't need to burn any bridges. It's good to have a good working relationship with your coworkers so they can have your back when stuff goes down. The way how it's going now? If that chick is drowning, ain't nobody throwing the heffa a life jacket!

Third of all, it's not serious. It's NEVER that serious! The atmosphere is extremely relaxed at my job. I mean for heaven's sake- the general manager describes herself as PWT. So what's with all the extra this girl is doing? I mean, is she really complaining because there's not enough stuff to do? Where they do that at? And what's with all the notes and emails about what's been going on while the manager is not on property?

So we have this log book at the front desk called the Guest Issue Log. This girl writes paragraphs in this thing. She writes so much, that you can mistake it for her personal diary! And it's unnecessary stuff! So shit, I white it out. Yeah- I did it like twice. And in one of those emails, she said someone was whiting out her entries in the book. Excuse me while I roll my eyes. The icing on the cake was Trina telling her point blank:

"I just want to let you know, there is no room for promotion at this job. Everyone has been in there position for years and they're not going anywhere. Just thought you should know"

Yeah. Homegirl was standing there with the hushmouth stupid face and I was trying my damndest not to laugh out loud. And no, Trina wasn't being catty, it's the absolute truth. It's been a while since I made a list, so I think I should do one.

*Since there's a possibility that I will be leaving the job soon for bigger and better (cross your fingers for me guys) Let's call this list:

3 THINGS I WANT TO DO TO JOY BEFORE I QUIT

1. Say what's on my mind.

Hey- looky there- that's all I have! Short list. Lol

Loves and Likes Ya!

Everybody is Prejudiced?

It's true. I mean, I think I've always done a good job of hiding my prejudices, but working at the hotel reeeaaallly brings it out tenfold. So what brings this topic about? Well remember how I told you that we got robbed? Of course Yolanda doesn't feel comfortable working at night. I mean- the guy flashed a gun at her while the great room was filled with guests, so can you imagine how she would feel working alone while everyone is in their bed? She put up a brave front but the managers were acting like they didn't know why she felt nervous. Yea, they're real assjacks. So Trina is tellin her that she needs to milk the company as much as she can- paid time off and use this as an opportunity to get the day shifts she always wanted. Yolanda does all that and in the middle of negotiations about her day shifts, Trina and Darlene talk. Basically Darlene was talkin out the side of her neck (like always) and Trina had to set her straight (thats my girl!) and told her that if it would've happened to Mel or Leslie, than she wouldn't be reacting this way. Darlene says she's not prejudiced and Trina straight up told her- "Yes you are. Everyone is prejudiced"

 

That was deep. Everyone is prejudiced. Whether its sex, age, race, or social classes, everyone is prejudiced. We already have preconceived notions of other people in our minds and we're constantly encouraging people to prove those notions true. When a walk-in comes to my front desk, the first question I have to ask myself is: Do I think this person will uphold the reputation of this hotel? That question alone is prejudiced. In a world full of gummi bears and lollipops, anybody who walks through the that hotel door with money, should be able to get a room. In reality, if you look suspicious (let that be read as: young/black or pwt/don't enunciate your words/colorful clothes or raggedy clothes with an odor) you're liable to be told that we're sold out or the price will get jacked up by 75% (we're not taking any chances) At first, when they told me to do that, I was a bit flabbergasted. Now, I practice it almost every weekend. Yea I'm prejudiced, because if a cute guy comes up to the desk, he's gettin that room! lol

 

This list WILL offend someone. Sorry

 

THINGS I KNOW FROM WORKING AT A HOTEL

this stuff is true like 62% of the time!

 

• Old people and Middle Eastern Indians WILL haggle you about the prices. This is a give in. Old people will ask for AAA on top of AARP on top of Military. Indians will ask about special rates for Priority Club, or any other affialition.
• Black people WILL ask for a "hook-up" They see a sista girl behind the desk and they want to pretend like we play cousins so they can use my discount? For Real? And will YOU be making my car payments, insurance, and cell phone bills? Didn't think so. You ain't THAT damn cute.
• Middle aged white people are bothersome. This is a broad generalization that works for me 50% of the time. Oh they whine. They whine so much that I have to check my name tag to make sure it doesn't say babysitter!
• White people don't listen! They don't. It's like talking to a brick wall. And if they pretend to listen, which is a courtesy they offer occasionally, they're thinking how to prove you wrong. You can't tell me that I'm not telling you the truth! ALL 4 out of the 5 white people I work with do this on the daily.
• Young people WILL party. No matter what they tell you. Some people will come to the room and bottles (and kitties) will be popped. I don't care all that much- as long as they pass the bottle! :p

There's more but I can't quite think of it now. What are you're prejudices?

Loves and Likes Ya

What Does It Take To Get Fired From My Job?

Not that I am trying to get fired, I mean we do have a GREAT benefits package, but when I look at some of these shenanigans that my co-workers pull- it does make me wonder. I have worked here for almost 3 years (it's slightly depressing for me so we won't talk about it) and I've only seen 3 people get fired. Kenyatta was begging a guest for money and fighting with employees.Nevermind that the guest was flashing money like it was going out of style and constantly seeking "companionship" from us employees at the hotel. He let it be known that she owed him $300 and was asking for more. Of course there is probably more to the story but I will never know. Bernard tried to play Ms Boss Lady like the Sam Sausagehead she is.  His commonlaw wife was a housekeeper at the hotel while he did maintenance. She passed and he still had bills to pay so he continued "working" here. He would call the 1st shift and say "I'm on my way, go on head and clock me in" and call later that night to the 2nd shift and say "I forgot to clock out, can you do that for me?" Meanwhile, the maintanence slips were building up and everyone was looking for him! Lauren was mentally and verbally abusing guests from our best companies. She always had to be right. It's hard to admit defeat when some of our guests are condescending and conceited crybabies and all you want to do is rub their noses in their mistakes, but at the same time- we are a service industry, so that means you grin and bear it and get drunk after your shift.

Now it seems as if people don't care anymore. It starts with the managers. The general manager is in LaLa Land 70% and gone the other 30%. The ops manager is on Facebook, Match.com, Myspace, and Squirt. And if he's not doing that, he's shopping. Using the company card to buy whatever he can (real talk- I've seen the receipts) So the employees can just FEEL the ENERGY the managers are emitting, causing them to do whateva the hell they think they can get away with. I know I have made my share of mistakes but dangnabbit- I don't think it's fair for everyone else to do their extreme shit and get away with it! Now Leah, just as sweet as nana's peach cobbler and that is a problem. I'm suprised that she hasn't given away the place yet! No, seriously. Within one month she has checked in 2 hookers, a drug dealer, overbooked room types and seriously undersold us, causing us to lose money. The housekeepers are wildin out, half assing rooms and making us look bad so when the customer surveys come in- we fail them. It's the same problems over and over and over again and yet- it keeps happening. When is management going to kick some ass out here? I mean, I shouldn't care if they don't, right? But I still have pride in my job and myself and I feel bad when I don't perform as well as I know I can. Really the place ain't that bad, it's not like some run down crack spot. It's in a decent part of town and most of our clientele consist of business travelers and extended stay guests. It's nice enough for people to "oooh" when they come through the door. Hey, I know, let's do a list!

5 Ways To Get Fired From My Job

1. 
   
   KEEP IT 100% AND TELL THEM HOW YOU REALLY FEEL!  "You want me to wipe your ass for you as well since obviously you don't know how to do anything for yourself?" Yeah, I'll start doing inventory once you stop updating your Facebook status and get off your lazy ASS and do something?"
   
   
   
2. 
   
   SKIM A LITTLE BIT OFF THE TOP- you need gas money, don't you?
   
   
   
3. 
   
   THREATEN TO CALL HR ON THE MANAGER- after complaining about the schedule conflicts to the ops manager and the general manager, I got no response. What did this lil negro girl do? In a very risky move, I sent an email to the general manager's boss and that got her ass hoppin. If I try to do that again I'm sure the next move would be the unemployment line.
   
   
   
4. 
   
   THROW SOME PARTIES AT THE HOTEL- charge people a cover fee cuz you'll need that money when you get fired!lol
   
   
   
5. 
   
   START SOME DRAMA- and I'm not talking about no Hannah Montana/my mom is dating my teacher kind of drama. Remember that scene at the dinner table in the movie Why Did I Get Married? Go all out like that! Put all that backbiting shit people say and put it in front of their FACE! Watch the Meow Mix FLY!
   
   
   

**and for those who don't know what I'm talking about with #5- here goes the clip