Life goes on

Howdy

Well as usual it's been a while since i've found some time and motivation to write here. Most of the time I don't think about this, probably as I know very few people read it. Maybe it's more for me than anyone else. Plus, I've been a busy boy!

I got the bar job at the Burlington Hotel, a posh affair in the centre of Brum. Initially, it felt very different to previous bar jobs, like at the Ormonds, in the sense that the focus is very much on service, which has to be precise and first-class (the Burlington is a 4-Star place). But i'm getting used to the new way of working and have introduced myself to some nice people, some of whom have been there a few years so can help me out! It's sad to say, but already I'm noticing a lack of care on the part of the hotel towards its staff - for example, the staff canteen is certainly not a canteen. A few manky sandwiches several days old is hardly rejuvenating nourishment during an 8-hour shift, only a half hour break (which I am reliably informed is illegal), minimum wage, and they even deduct £3.50 from your wages if you ask them to pay for a taxi - even if you have been working for 10 hours straight until 4 in the morning! This is astoundingly stingy for an international chain of hotels (Macdonald), given their revenue must be phenomenal. It's all about making the most money even to the neglect of those that are working towards the hotel's success. Was speaking to one of the guys I know on the bar and he doesn't plan to stay there long, and nor do I.

I'm meeting with a bloke from the Crescent Theatre tomorrow (Tues) at 12 - I'd handed in my CV to the big Brum theatres, hoping that one of them would see I have some experience. He wants a casual chat to see if they can offer me something, so keeping my fingers crossed!

Had Thursday night off from the Burlington, and saw Paul Rodgers at Symphony Hall with Geth and Andy (uni pal). Paul was the voice of Free, Bad Company and The Firm before teaming up with Queen a few years ago. The Queen + Paul Rodgers gig we saw in May 2005 was simply breath-taking...and Paul's gig was good too considering I don't know his stuff as well and it wasn't in a stadium! Of course it wasn't the same without hearing Brian May's riff for Tie Your Mother Down, but still a fun night with quality music.

It's taken me a short time to realise how my life is kinda weird in the sense that a lot has changed but much remains as it was, say, 6 months ago. For instance, no degree to work for, no student loan (am in dire financial straits!), job hunting, less evenings on the town, but then in the same house with more or less the same people, a lot of friends still in Brum, still go to the same pubs every so often. It's disconcerting sometimes. Of course, I like to pretend i'm still a student, but in reality most of the nights i've had off i've spent at home watching TV (mostly Star Trek: Voyager) with housemates. And that's great, spending time with people (when I can!)

Worked at an Andrea Bocelli concert on Sat night, just selling ice-creams before the music and during the interval. Easiest job ever, and got to see a bit of him (he's slightly good isn't he..?!). This was with Blue Arrow, my temp agency...don't have anything else lined up with them but I may see if I can work at any more decent (i.e. non-rap/hip hop) gigs! Was chatting with a steward called Chris - a genuinely decent man (they seem so few) who was convincing me that my big break would come, that at some point in my life I'd have a moment, a moment in which I have a burning desire to follow my dreams. He was thoroughly amused by my claim that I'm tired of working in hospitality - I want a job where I work for me. Well, not FOR me, but where I get the pleasure of working, in a theatre or whatever. Doing something which gives ME the satisfaction, where I'm doing what I want to be doing. Loved his outlook!

Song of the week: From Out Of Nowhere by Faith No More, a progressive 80's rock band. Need to get more of their stuff!

We're having a party at ours this Saturday (14th) night - hope to have a good crowd. So anyone that reads this (who i know..!) come along and bring a bottle! Need to catch up with so many people I haven't seen in months.

So you better be there!
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