Jeff and Chris Visit

We had a wonderful time w/ them; as we always do. We went to the casino yesterday for lunch and some slot jockey fun. Then, last night we played two mini-tournaments of Texas Hold-em; the four of us @ home. Ever since we returned home from SD and my brother's poker games, the other half has been whining about playing. Well, last night, we got it all in. Also, Friday night, the four of us went to friend Nick's for a cocktail party. Met some nice gay folk there; and some not-so-nice gay folk (bitter queens). Also, a very hot "straight" man. Wish I were single; so I could have pulled him from the closet he's so obviously hiding in. Everyone in their own time, I guess. Jeff and I also had a blast pretending to be proper party socialites of the female persuasion. Don't worry; it was only used in our eating and drinking habits. Oh, and the event of the weekend...happened yesterday. Quite fascinating. We came home from the casino @ about 4pm, so we decided to go take a walk to Boystown; take a tour of the storm damage; shop and get some dinner. All was fun until we arrived @ the restaurant. Do I mention the place? Let it be known that we've been to this place many, many times before. Killer grilled cheese sandwich appetizers; and kick-ass French onion soup. Never had much of a problem; and always enjoyed the place. Once before, the four of us had gone; and our food was extremely delayed. The waiter was very apologetic, and ended up giving us a round of drinks cuz of the problem. That appeased us and we were on our way. Don't take this as we're all a bunch of bitter queens (like some that I met on Friday night)...we're so not. Well, yesterday, the waitress (seemed nice) set down an appetizer plate and accidentally knocked over a martini into Jeff's lap. No big whoop; it was a mostly clear drink; and didn't stain. We joked w/ the waitress and gave her some light-hearted crap about it. All in good fun. Then we got the check. The other half was not happy; nor were the rest of us. But, the other half couldn't let it go. In hindsight, we all should have been a bit more pissed; but no one was in the mood for a scene. She DIDN'T knock anything off the bill. Even if it had been a drink, an appetizer; some small token of good customer service. I mean, after all, she did spill an entire drink on Jeff. Fearing the scene, Chris went outside and I went to the restroom. The other half approached the waitress; very calmly stating that he was a "bit perturbed" that we didn't get a freebie of some kind. She apparently snatched the bill from his hands; and said with bitter disgust, "I'll just take a drink off the bill". I returned to the table and put my credit card in the sleeve. She took it; and then returned w/ a quick, completely ingenuine "thank you" as she tossed the bill sleeve onto the table. Were we wrong here? What the fuck is going on w/ customer service? Cuz of this, they've just lost loyal customers. Was it all worth it for them as a business? BTW, they did take off one drink; and I then proceeded to leave only a 10% tip for the way we were treated. Seems I should have left less. As much as it disturbs me to agree w/ the other half, I have to. We as customers are willing to accept less in this day and age. Customer service it seems; is a dying art. How sad. I think this is also evidenced by our meal w/ friend David on Friday. The waiter @ our lunch locale was very good. Was he brilliant? I don't know. Perhaps he was just average; and that everyone else is so far below...but it's the norm. His great service left him w/ a 30 buck tip; for a 70 buck ticket. (So I don't tout myself as an amazing tipper, friend David is the one who bought lunch). How will we be treated as customers the next time we eat in your restaurant or shop in your store? Shouldn't these people think a little harder about that?

At any rate, we had a super weekend; and Jeff and Chris picked up some of our lovely items @ the sale. Thanks guys! I'll honestly miss our quick; sometimes spontaneous weekends w/ you. It's always a treat; and always a lot of laughs. A few of our favorite lines when we're all together:

"Pretty."
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Graff." "Hello Barbra."
"Anywhere, a bar!"
"Oats."

Several inside jokes that never cease to make me smile.

BTW, the nasty waitress worked @ Firefly.