Man, $40 in the trash hurts. I read somewhere that shops cut loss by making the guy who breaks down the meat sign and date the tag right there on the spot, so it's on one person instead of everyone (kind of a pain, but it works). Might be worth a try so you can hang up the tag cop badge for good.

Half full cost you 180 bucks? That's not weight, that's them making up fees.

Did you ever try the timer thing too? I always rolled my eyes at people who set up little stands and tap-to-focus rituals for dinner photos, thought it was overkill for a plate of pasta. Then I ate at my buddy's place near Boulder and every pic I took looked like it was shot through a wet sock, same shaky hand problem as you. Started bracing the phone on whatever was nearby and tapping the plate to lock focus, and yeah, I was wrong, it actually works. A mug does the job most nights but I keep a cheap tripod in my bag now since it folds down flat and weighs nothing.