Odd Job #1

So here begins the list of odd jobs, which I am sure there will be many more in the future. Last night I was a bar promotions person for a certain vodka and beer. I know what you are thinking. It was money and I needed validation that I could still make some, even if I felt silly, old, and way out of place. So with a check in my hand today, I know I still have the ability to make it and have a pretty funny story because of it.

So let me set the stage, it was a bar that I have been to before in Newport, not one that I frequent or feel that comfortable at, so I tell myself, "whatever I am an adult I can do this." When I got there, there were maybe 15 people at the bar, MAYBE. Not good considering I am supposed to be passing out samples of two different vodka drinks draining two bottles of vodka by the end of the night. Problem: A) These people are going to hate me harassing them all night, "Try this awesome shot. No clue what's in it, but its free and there is no one else here, so you have to.", B) I am going to get them wasted beyond it being fun, and C) The more people there, the less I actually have to do to talk to people. Crap. So I pretend to be busy going through the box of freebies I get to hand out, read the note from the liquor distributor 45 times (a raffle, shot passing, and handing out t-shirts seems like an impossible feat, something I have never done before) until I get the nerve to ask the bartender to mix up some shots. Ugh, so I begin....Mind you I have worked in a restaurant/bar, maybe I am just out of practice?

An image comes to mind of a picture of me when I was about 5 peaking from behind my mother's legs. I am shy. Used to be painfully shy. After the first round, I was realized it is not that bad. Don't get me wrong, it is not fun, but it could really be much worse. And the bar gets a little more busy, MAYBE 25 people now. All questionably 21.

Ironically as I am thinking, "is this really it for me?," a "kid," he really looked about 12 and if I was from RI, would have thought I had babysat him at some point (sorry tangent), asks me, "How did you get this awesome job?" Me "Oh, it just fell into my lap." Him "It's a really cool job. Do you think I could get a job like this?" Me "Um, yeah. You can really do anything you set your mind to." (I was not trying to be a smart ass. I just did not know what to say and did not anticipate that question at all.) The conversation then took the typical RI turn. And I am going to add this because I think it is just funny and I am pretty thankful I am not 20 years old any more. He asks me, "Are you a local?" Me "Yeah, I am from Narragansett." Him "Ugh, you are from the woods!" Seriously Rhode Island, are two bridges that scary? I hate to inform you, there is a big bad world out there. Rhode Island is a blip in the grand scheme of things and this "kid" doesn't leave Aquidneck Island. Oh well.

So there goes my liquor promotion career. Let's hope I don't have to do that again soon. Cannot wait to see what the next odd job will be.

Thanks Google image search for your shot photo....

Oh and.... Happy Friday!