Great New Book

Hello everyone. I just finished reading a new book and wanted to help spread the word about it.

First off let me say that I bought this book not only for the title but because the author's name is a combination of my mother's (Diana) and my father's (Joseph). I pay attention to simple signs like that (refer to the chapter titled, Humping the Dinosaur for more on signs) and couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I bought it yesterday at 3:30pm and finished it this morning at around 9am. Couldn't put it down.

Check it out and please let me know what you think!

~Darlin~

Back to Bartending

Greetings fellow bloggers. It is Friday and I was to have my first Friday off in over two months. Unfortunately I was just called in to work the night shift. I have not written in quite some time (holidays ya know) and I should update everyone.



As seen in my previous entry I was a waitress the last time I wrote. But as of two months ago I climbed up a few rungs on the hospitality ladder and advanced to the coveted position of bartender. I have not bartended in years and was not up to date on the newest drinks. Piece of Ass, Orgasms, Screaming Orgasms, Purple Penis, Pink Pussy and Sex with an Alligator are just a few of the ridiculous drinks I have been asked to make by adolescent alcohol consumers. Is it just me or are bar patrons desperately infatuated with sex?

Now don't get me wrong...it is my job to concoct whatever beverage a customer would like but there is a new problem arising for bartenders now that everyone believes they are Colin Field (world's most famous bartender), creating drinks that taste more like candy than a true cocktail. Instead of being able to just make a Pink Pussy you must now ask your customer WHICH recipe they would like you to make because there are 5 different versions and if you don't make the one they are expecting they will inevitably send it back saying it doesn't taste right.

Consumers these days don't drink to experience the true flavors that delight your senses when you sip a glass of Evan Williams 23 Year Old Bourbon (averages $350 a bottle). They can't detect the differences between a $5.00 martini and one made with Bombay Sapphire. They drink to get drunk and they want to do it for as little money as possible. Sure we get the guy who comes in and orders a shot of Johnnie Walker Green Label ($30 a shot) but after that first shot, which he slams down not bothering to savor the flavors, he always switches to well whiskey (otherwise known as "rotgut") when his buddies aren't looking and gives me the "wink", whispering that he'll make sure and take care of me if I help keep up his illusion.

I have tried time and time again to bring back the classics: Old Fashion, Golden Cadillac, Gimlet, Sidecar and Harvey Wallbanger. But the kids these days will not have it. One sip of those true taste adventures and their noses wrinkle, tongue comes out and they act as if I just fed them antifreeze. "Ugh! All I taste is alcohol in that", they whine. Isn't that the point? I always thought it was.

Happiness in hamburgers

Hello all...I recently left that horrible landscaping company. At the time of my departure I was optamistic and full of hope for a new career move. But after three weeks, 54 resumes and only 1 interview I realized that I was in serious danger of not finding a job before funds ran out. I was desperate and scared. Thats when I received a phone call from a friend of mine. He had a friend who owned a small diner and was desperately looking for someone to come work for him. I interviewed with the man and his wife the next day and accepted what I considered to be the lowest I could sink....a waitress position.

I have not been a waitress since I was 17 years old and I really never thought I would have to go back to that. I dreaded my first day, but to my surprise I absolutely thrived in the environment. I love people and have a very high tolerance for bitchy ones in particular. My first day flew by and as I counted out my $60 in tips I had made in 7 hours the joy of really enjoying my job was clashing with the realization that my income had just been cut to a fourth of what it had been.

The next day was better ($85 in tips) and the third day I almost managed to pull $100 ($96). My daily tips bounce from $60 to $90 on average depending on the day and the financial mood of my customers. I know I cannot make it on this but I am happy for now to be part of the Blue-Collar working class again. I get to work at 5am and am out the door by 12:30-1pm. I work 4 days a week which leaves plenty of time to explore other job options and still have time for my family.

So for now Jo has found happiness in greasy burgers, dirty plates and hands that smell of bleach water that desperately needs to be changed.

Ta ta for now...

~Darlin~

When You Hate Your Job...

I feel almost ungrateful writing this but I have to say I HATE MY JOB! I have had such a great opportunity given to me, I mean I fell into owning my own company but I just am not passionate about what I do. Part of it is that my company, like many others these days, is going through financial problems. The stress this is putting on me since I am the one responsible for the financial end of things is literally wearing me to the point of exhaustion. I hate going into the office, I cringe every time my phone rings and I am worn out from working 15 hour days, 7 days a week.

But with my new attitude (thanks to The Success Principles) I will not dwell on this. I will look at all of this as a learning opportunity and keep pushing forward towards my new dreams and goals. It is proving rather hard to get past all of the negative people in my life though. I never realized how negative people are (probably because I was one of them) until I made a promise to myself to change my own attitiude. I am laughed at, mocked, glared at and constantly getting the eye roll from almost everyone in my life. All of this simply because I refuse to let things get me upset or angry. Now I am not saying that I NEVER get pissed off or upset anymore but when I do I make a point (often vocally) to reject the negative and find the positive in it.

I make it a point everyday to say something positive to everyone I come in contact with. You would be amazed at the amount of smiles you can collect in a day from telling someone something nice about themself. But the people who know me, and know what a bitch I have been in the past often laugh, make fun of me or just plain tell me to knock it off or shut up.

But I will not give up! I will not give in! I will just smile at those mocking me or trying to quiet me and tell them how nice they look today!!

~Darlin~

Volunteering and life goals.....

Told ya'll I would be on here more often.

I finally heard back from my local animal shelter and will be signing up for their volunteer program. I have to take a volunteer training class on August 16th and then I am off and running on my first step towards me new goal of becoming a dog trainer.

"Starting out to make money is the greatest mistake in life.
Do what you feel you have a flair for doing, and if you are good enough at it, the money will come."
Greer Garson-Winner of the 1943 Academy Award for best actress

I have reached a place in life where I have realized that anything is possible. I have so many goals now I have had to narrow them down to the top ones and focus on those.

1. Become a licensed dog trainer
2. Open a pit bull rescue shelter
3. Buy a home in Northern Arizona (its cooler for the dogs)
4. Open a Bed and Breakfast (all my friends can come visit)
5. Quit smoking (doing this within the next few weeks)
6. Lose 20lbs. and get back in shape

Five and six will actually happen first but I will have all of these accomplished by Sept. 15, 2013. That gives me 6 years (my 40th birthday) to get it all done and then some.

More to come.

~Darlin~