Working from home: definitely not as much nudity as I expected

Tags

anxiety, bar, bars, cocktail, cocktails, hospitality, instagram, new job, photography, rum, social anxiety, social awkwardness, social media, work, work from home

Image credit: Ovidiu Bokar Blog

So in an effort not to mention the terrible shit show that is going down in the United States right now, I’m going to waffle on about how my new work from home gig is going. As of Monday, I’ve been from home and, I’ve got to say, it’s pretty damn sweet. I’m not cutting around naked or in my peejays quite as much as I’d expected but I’m feeling very productive (which would have to be the main thing, I suppose). Now it is only the first week and I haven’t had any hiccups of any kind as yet so we’ll see how that pans out but so far so good.

As part of my role as the new “social media guru” (ha!) for two of his bars, I had to go into one of the bars to get some pics of the cocktails for their new menu (and give my valued opinion on the quality of the drinks, of course). The bar is one of Jared’s new ones and I don’t actually go there very often. As a result, I barely knew any of the staff so I kind of felt like it was my first day of school. Will they like me? Will they accept me as one of their own? Or will they shun me and pretend I don’t exist? Well, I needn’t have worried (obviously, some might say). Everyone was very nice and friendly as well as very patient when I had to get photos of the drinks before anyone could try them (at Jared’s insistence) so, overall, I felt very included, which was a great weight off my mind.

Through reading this blog, you may have guessed that I’m much more of a word-y person than I am a visual one. I can appreciate a nice photo but I’m much more active on Facebook where words are more important (says me) than I am on say Instagram where it’s all about the sweet snaps (don’t even talk to me about Snapchat, not interested). I hardly ever take photos unless it’s of something that’s going to instil jealously in all my friends (that or make them laugh). So, while the captioning is fun and feels a bit more natural, the photography is going to require a bit more work from me. Plus Jared is a hard task master with a very particular idea of what he wants and likes. That being said, by the end of the cocktail tasting, I had a few shots in the bank that Jared gave the tick of approval so I think I just need to get some practice. Oh and get over my incredible self consciousness at being that person who’s always photographing everything and has to get the ‘perfect shot for Insta’.

At least I can rest assured knowing that my being that person can be solely attributed to Jared’s desire to have a beautiful IG feed for his venues. Oh, and my desire to take on the job, I suppose I can’t forget that. Hmmm… this is all on me, isn’t it? Damn it. I hate it when that happens.

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How are we going, guys? What can I get you?

Tags

alcohol, bar, cocktail, cocktail waitress, hospitality

This year I started working a night or three a week in my boyfriend’s bar. Things have changed a lot since working in a bar looked like the above picture… but it’s still a lot of fun. You get that active, social aspect that you don’t get working at your desk all day in an office.

Now, don’t get me wrong. My day job is still social just not in the same way as waitressing in a busy cocktail bar. I suppose I missed that human contact that comes with having a job that is pretty much just entertaining people and making sure they have a good time. Sure, it can be stressful and frustrating as all hell when you have a table of people that are determined to be the most annoying people on the planet. But, luckily that’s rare. Most people are out to have a good time and, when you explain things nicely, they are happy to do as you ask.

So, while I don’t really have time to work a second job, I do anyway. The money is good and I enjoy it. Sometimes, I finish work on Friday at 5pm and realise “oh crap, now I have to go at start another 8 hour shift” and I’m dead tired and dreading it. But, by the time I walk the 10 – 12mins to the bar and get on the floor, the moment has passed and I’m swept up in that Friday night feeling (even if I’m just assisting in the merrymaking and not actually participating).

Hey, I can definitely say that I wake up feeling a HELL of a lot better than the people I serve all night. 🙂

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Fact #8: Yes, maybe I only assist in the merrymaking but I have found that, by the end of the night, I’m ready to start my own party. Unfortunately, this party starts at 1am so, by the time things get going, it’s 4am or 5am or 7am. Sadly, this seems to be the life of a hospitality worker, which would be all well and good if I didn’t have to work at 9am Monday with the rest of the corporate world. Such disparate lives I lead.