Tipping is not a city in China

Yesterday I was going to post about tipping. I was at work and the tips were on the level of ... meager, and I was very upset. I mean upset that by the seventh or eight time I went into my car and screamed obscenities. And then I laughed at myself and said "that doesn't help." And you know, I was right.

But still, here's the deal. And before I begin I want you to know that this isn't about me, or about whatever job you might or might not do. It is about all servers.

If you are being served by someone, no matter how terrible the service is, unless they are deliberately trying to ruin your meal or evening or whatever, you must tip them at least something. And change is not something. the 47 cents of change from your $19.53 meal is not considered a tip and no one will feel grateful when you say "keep the change" on that one. Instead they will feel bitter. Or at least I will.

But more importantly, I really feel that if your meal has been adequate, acceptable, nothing terribly wrong with it, you need to give at least 15% and preferably 20%. If the service has been exceptional, and you remark outloud about how great your server has been, the tip must be at least 20% and preferably 30%. This is not because the server "needs" money or anything like that. It is about you, about your generosity and thankfulness. And it will be very appreciated. I promise.

And I know talking about money sucks and I am a bastard, and I know I am biased, but if I could get 5% if it meant that all the other servers got what they earned, then so be it. As I have written, let it be known. I stand in witness of my own foolish desires.

And soon we will speak of more interesting things.

Fixed

The comment problem is fixed. I created a blog, or rather, I created an account and then a blog and I had one title, but I wanted a different title for it. But instead of just changing the title of the blog it gave me a whole new one, under the same account, at the same address. I don't understand.

Anyway, it's working now. I am still trying to figure out some things, including text size, which always resorts back to normal when I click 'post'. We'll solve that problem. Also, can we post pictures on here? For free? That would be awesome. I have some great ideas for pictures. Right now most of them involve my car, Optimus Prime. Let your imagination wrestle with that for a bit.

Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Merlin, Hollywood

So, most gamers, especially in today's world of electronic delight, have a gamer handle that they go by, a call sign. Cat's is Overkill. Mine is... I don't have one. Or, I don't have one that was bestowed by someone else. The one I started using long ago was Silence, but then it changed to Autobot. And now I'm stuck, because I want a good one, but not one that's self-congratulatory or annoying, like "Azzkickr" or something. I hate that.

One that I heard recently was Gazebo, which I liked because it was just funny, not trying to be intimidating. A handle should represent both who you are and how you play. I don't know how gazebo did that, but perhaps he often finds himself as a freestanding, open-roofed structure providing a shady resting place (dictionary.com). I haven't played games with very many of you, but maybe people have some suggestions so that I feel like a hardcore gamer without actually being one.

Today I thought of one: C-con. Like recon, only with a C for Chris. I know, you are laughing. Your sides hurt. It is a dumb name, but it just came to me so I thought I'd put it up here.
There's also: Penguin (the xbox gave bob that name last night), Frenzy (I think I'm a very panicked player during multiplayer), and I can't really think of anything else.

So if you have any ideas for a nickname for me, please let me know. it will probably become my name on here as well, so then I won't be stuck with boring old Chris.

Filler

Bob is visiting now. He's playing Halo. I'm jealous, I won't lie. I wish I was playing KOTOR. I know some of you (maybe two) know what I mean.

Let me ask a question of any xbox owners out there. When you're setting up a multiplayer game in Halo, and you're at the game setup screen, and your xbox is shown, does it have a name? Because mine is named Pirate. I didn't choose this name, it gave the name to itself. Should I be worried?

So, I don't know if I'm trying to change my blogging habits or what. I'm not doing very well at maintaining anything. Maybe I'm looking for a fresh start. There are always things I want to post when I'm not at a computer, and when I get to the computer, I'd rather not stay on it for very long.

Please be patient. I am trying. And please help me change my name.

ps. I'm posting these before posting the location of this blog, so that there's at least something to read.

Into the fire

I have fallen into the trap. I hope this works as well as you expect it to.

Also, is there a way to change my name? I chose it on a whim and now I'm full of regret.

UPDATE: I figured out how to change my name. All done. Before it was Optimus Prime. I know, I know. I chose it on a whim.