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.