Sunday Scribblings:10-12-07

Job. (jahb)
Job. (johb)

Despite the difference in pronunciation, they are very similar, although one is a noun and one a name. Both entail trials, struggles and, when done properly, great rewards.

My first job was actually as a bartender/waitress at a brand spanking new restaurant. I was trained and taught well. While not my dream job, it is one I miss, because the staff and owners were great people to work with, the work was fun and exciting and the customers were great. I learned so much working there, eventually becoming a cook as well, and being in charge of ordering and inventories.

The worst job I had was as a bartender at a ski resort. As it always goes, the interview and discussions about the job itself were great, full of ideas, promise and support. And, as it sadly often goes, the job, once started, fell to pieces. They had an abundance of back stock on liqueurs and wanted ways to get rid of them. Great! I had all sorts of recipes for ice cream and hot drinks involving the said spirits. They had no storage or space for the things (basic in most bars) that I needed to create them. They wanted to be more than a shot and beer bar, yet balked at requests for certain required items.

On top of that, I had: a bar manager, kitchen manager, dining area manager, resort manager all coming in to tell me something different about the way things should go. I even had slope managers trying to come in to tell me how to run my bar! Now, I can take having one, maybe two people who are overseeing my work, and I have no problem with being corrected (when done properly) if I am not doing my job. But that was a bit much. Needless to say, the job was short lived.

My dream job? Superficially, one that allows me to write when I want, work when I want, with no deadlines and someone always willing to pay for what I have done and pay well. Something that allows me to travel and see the world, one that gives me a feeling of worth and accomplishment on many levels. One that lets me help others somehow, even if it is just in the impact of my work. Basically, to get paid for doing what I do in my free time now. Read more!

Sunday Scribblings: 10-07-07

Sorry, no prompt.

Wow. I have just gotten into the swing of checking in for the prompt and racking my brain for something appropriate to share. First reaction to seeing those words was...drat. Then I saw the small addition at the bottom, how others, as resilient as writers are, vowed to take it as an actual prompt. Kind of a free-for-all week. I've seen ones who just took the word Sorry, ones who caught up from last week, some who espoused the greatness of the board here and the members and of course, the ladies running the show. I like it. To me it has been like walking through a restaurant after going to see a performance of some kind, hearing how each person was impacted by the exact same thing, but by bringing their own experiences to it, interpret it differently. A microcosm of life, if you’ll forgive the comparison.

Each week, we all have a different take on the prompt. Colored by the week, month, year, or life that preceded it, we put our thoughts out there for the world. For me, it is a fearful thing, wondering if anyone will get it. And, always, there is the great rush of happiness when someone does. There is also the fear that someone will take issue with what I have written, or will criticize something in my work, basically embarrassing me. (I have had that at other boards and it actually killed off my spirit of writing for a while. I know. I got past it, but it was hurtful and embarrassing.)

I am fond of saying I am a feedback whore. I love to get feedback on my work. I don’t often hand it out, though, unless something really touches me, or if I am specifically asked by the author to read and comment. Know that I do read you folks, and not responding doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. Sometimes, there are no words to respond with. I have had enough feedback that, while I know the person leaving it probably doesn’t mean it the way it reads, it comes off as insincere. (You know the kind that says everything is awesome, or great or whatever. Like the Simpsons episode where the art teacher praises Marge’s work, then praises the guy painting the wall or banister or something with the same words.) I enjoy reading the posts here and look forward to hearing from those who read mine.

I have just re-read what I have written. As I am want to do, I have staggered around, my flow of thoughts taking me off. (That is why I fear people won’t get it. I know what I am saying, but have I gotten it down properly to share?) If you popped in to read this, thanks. It has been a bit of an Autumn brain cleaning. I can move on with a little less thought clutter. Please feel free to explore the rest of the blog here if you’d like. I am working on making this more of a habit. I have just added a general daily type blog, although, at this writing, I haven’t put anything in it, just set it up. It is accessible through my profile.

No prompt…I have to say I think it has been the best one yet! Read more!