The Land of Disposible People

It's official. I received the letter stating that I will not be getting unemployment anymore. I have been in damage control mode. The events of this past week have completely blindsided me. I feel violated yet again by an industry that I have devoted so much energy and time to. I know I'm not alone in my feelings, after all this is the society that we have created. We have created a land where people are disposable, I do not want to preach. I just think that humans caring for humans is an arcane thought. My generation is the generation of self-satisfied-young-ones who know simply, that they must watch their backs to survive and thrive.

Right now I sit here typing with much vodka in my system. I truly know that this moment in my life will lead to improvement in my craft. I chose to write with social themes in mind because we are truly a young society. To see who we are, that is my challenge. I usually don't write with my own voice, I have mastered the art of creating others to speak for me (in the literary sense). Now I am truly saddened, I write with the voice of a man, one hoping for the best, one that has long ago given up on truly believing in people. For these are the times of change, these are the times when men rise up. These are the times when we fall complacent. When one man gives up on democracy and thriving, we all loose a little. Such is society and we are all connected.

The managers that often hound me, the guests that have blamed me for their lives. I have peered into their lives before. I have seen them. I know them to be lonely and normally quiet.

I thought for a while. That I should bring suit against this company in small claims court, it would fit my mission statement as an artist. Yet this bold move would take much energy. To participate in our democracy in such a way would take the luxury of time. The Modern has clearly violated the law. Employees should get a break to at least eat. I don't have the means to stand up. For this I should be blamed. They have broken the law and violated Section 162 of the labor law stating that employees are required to have a break. Funny that they disobey the law each day, yet I have a challenge living and living my dream.

I have yet again been done in by a guest and the ever changing political structure of a restaurant. She wanted something for free and waiters are truly easy to blame, waiters can't talk back. People don't even know waiters are really around. People that have knowledge and true power, they do. They know that waiters are people. The challenge becomes when people with no power and no means to express their own existence, sit at a table, eat at a restaurant and chose to have miserable lives, then they become angered and perplexed and find things to blame. I have looked into their lives and they sit at home alone and mostly upset with the unfair world.

I wonder what the future of our young world is, yes we have created laws that protect people, more and more companies seem to work within these laws to control and saturate our American lives.

I told the unemployment case worker the following, apparently the representative that spoke to her from The Modern was far more eloquent then I was.

"On Wednesday February 1st at the end of my shift I was informed by Graceanne “I don’t want to waste your time. You do not fit in, your managers have been waiting for you to shape up and you just haven’t. We’re letting you go.” During the shift I made the honest mistake of ringing in a Veal Terrine when the guest wanted an Upside Down Tuna Tarte, also a very irate and bitter Restaurant Week guest was very upset that she found onions in her eggplant caviar. She was also distraught over the lack of vegetarian options on the Restaurant Week menu; after she had gleefully ordered and devoured the Sweet Georgia Shrimp. She succeeded in getting the dining room manager who handled the complaint to remove her restaurant week menu from the check. This had been the guest’s goal. I had overheard the conversation, yet the manger handling the complaint wouldn’t listen to me."

I have decided to share with you, my reader, the letters sent. You can make up your own mind.

Letter sent to Danny Meyer.
Download unemployment.termination.pdf

The letter I've received informing me of the cancellation of my unemployment.
Download unemployment.termination.pdf

I will try and appear before a judge to appeal this decision, yet in the mean time I must tend to such mundane matters as trying to pay my bills and eating, while trying to feel less vulnerable.

Hopefully I'll have this blog and my life soon in order maybe soon my upside down life will turn right again. Maybe, we will take care of each other and companies will not believe that people are disposable. I know it's wishful thinking.

Thank you for reading

AG

[Previous post. Trying to make Lemonade]
[The picture is of Robert Oppenheimer]
[Another has the same experience I've had]

Comments

[Stan]

Hey... I'm really sorry to hear all that is happening with you. I wish you the best of luck. I don't knwo what else to do.

[Joshua Flores]

Hey Alex,

I'm sorry that this happened to you. I know how it feels to be terminated wrongfully. When working at Crate and Barrel Co. I was terminated without really knowing that it happened until I came back to buy something from the store and was rudely pointed straight. What I'm saying is I empithize and I wish you all the best! Take care. If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know. You have my number. Later.

Josh

[Briand]

Alex,

You are in my thoughts tonight. I hope you are able to appeal this decision. It's completely without merit! Good luck with your other job prospects. May fruitful opportunities move in your direction swiftly!

Your Fan,
Briand

[Chad]

Alex...I'm going through some shit right now myself. All I can say is This Too Shall Pass.

If there's anything I can do to help you, or even lend you an ear to kvetch into, please let me know.

xo

Chad

[sam]

I went through this same thing with UI in New York. You probably already know this, but you should have a right to a hearing (not just submitting letters to the case/claimworker.) Employers are encouraged to challenge, because their unemployment tax goes up with every claim against them. Thanks, New York! I'm sorry you have to go through this, I know how it sucks.

[chris soule']

Hi Alex. This is Chris Soule' (Alinas friend who used to live in Sacramento... now in San Francisco). Being a waiter sucks. Outta the 12 jobs i've had in my life, that one was the most difficult for some reason. Stressful stuff.. Anyway, getting fired feels like crap no matter how good a job your doing. Kinda like the feeling of having your car broken into. Hang in there. Like a bad breakup... all things mellow.
chris

[eric]

Things will work out, buddy. Keep your cute lil' chin up ;-)

eric

[Koogleboy]

Hey Alex...

I am so sorry to hear this! Yesterday I've posted this heavy depressing blog about suicide etc. I know it isn't a nice feeling! Actually... It is SHIT!

Baby, I adore you, do not let life get to you, because it is not worth it!

Hugs and kisses
Koogs

PS, consider a career in modeling, you'll get far!

[Jess]

Pursue the appeal. These things often are reversed if you go for the hearing.

Also, you should look into filing a complaint if you found that they violated the labor law. Call the state labor department. That's what they're there for!

[Jana]

Hang in there. I definitely agree with the others who have said that you should continue to pursue the appeal. Even though you're feeling a bit crumpled at the moment hold on to your writing and those around you. Your worth is not in the things that are worth money (even though money sure as hell makes things easier!), but those that you wouldn't take money for.

[Jared]

Alex, I agree with everything already mentioned. Most employers deny the initial claim (as mentioned earlier). That is fairly normal. But you should definately appeal and get the hearing! You'll win! Best of luck! I know it sucks but it will work out. If I can do anything in the meantime, let me know.
Peace!
Jared

[Bitterspy]

Damn them Alex...the Modern and their BS
I am almost at my limit with them. Listen that place is not worth the ruining of your liver. You will rise above all of this you know it. Take care in the knowledge that simple people live simple lives. As such we have alot more to offer this world than being perfect little worker bees. WE have OUR own agenda and we will look back and at all of this and truely feel sorry for all those you sat in judgement.

Call me soon
I'm broken

Simone

[rafael eli]

Alex:

I was your client at The MOMA restaurant and we spoke about litterature and Magic Realism. Remember? At any rate, I've been back to the restaurant and will confirm that there is bad karma there. I was not treated well by the hostesses that seat you down. Service was mediocre at best and I will not return. I was hoping to see you but there were no friendly faces there. I'd be happy to speak with you. It's time to move on. I have a friend who is the head guy at a restaurant on the East Side. Don't know if he needs someone but it's worth a try. And, let's finally talk about literature and Magic Realism. All the best, Rafael

[Vazquez29Lolita]

I strictly recommend not to hold back until you get big sum of money to order all you need! You should just get the home loans or just short term loan and feel fine