How do I give that service with a smile?

Last night marked the first meeting for my new support and networking group, Falcone and Associates. Together we are a group of unemployed actors who are helping each other any way we can to find work. The evening was hosted by, none other than, Toni Dolce. She went all out and made dinner, fresh pesto pasta with hors d'oeuvres, wine (sparkling water for me) and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Yum. So, we ended up doing a lot of eating before we actually got to business. The meeting proved a success for all of us and we set reasonable goals to achieve for the following week. All of them were geared toward helping us market ourselves, further our education on our craft and seek out representation for better audition opportunities. I think my favorite comment for the evening was from Tom who mentioned we all have jobs right now that are not helping in our careers and to remedy this way of thinking we have to look at it as though we are the company. His thought was that we don't have jobs, we are the company and we are contracting out our time in order to make money to pay bills and further our careers as actors. Way to go Tom.



That got me to thinking about how much time I've invested into Hard Rock lately. I seem to be almost living there, which it the last thing I wanted when I returned from tour. Now, I'm a trainer there, I'm on committees and boards and it feels as though there is no end in sight. On top of that I'm really frustrated with a few people there who make my life less than bearable.



"So I want to kill this waitress. She's worked here a year, longer than I. If I did it fast...you know, that's an act of kindness. BUT I BELIEVE IN PEACE...BITCH"



Hard Rock is in the process of moving to Times Square...a major feat. I'm not thrilled with the move. It will mean more tourists, more foreigners and less tips in my pockets. On top of that it will be crowded and I'll never get a moment to breathe. I'm thinking my contract may be for a shortened period of time. We'll see how it goes and whether or not I'll be able to schlep burgers and fries all day and still have a smile on my face.



Bet'cha your life a waitress earns her pay!