Good one about the resume. I glance at them.

Since retirement I've gone back to consulting when I feel like it. All those years learning to interrogate people can make it interesting. I deal mostly with bar owners in trouble. The bar has to be at least tending towards upscale. The initial contact and report is 1k. Not negotiable. I turn down 3 for every one I take. They have to understand:

1. I don't work past 10 pm. so I'll get that info from the employees.
2. Pay me up front.
3. The report might be a page or less.
4. I'll be blunt.
5. You hire about 75 percent the wrong people. (this really stirs it up).

When I first started I had a poster of a bar a blew up. Lights on a dance floor, mostly empty, very nice decor. Ask..what do you think as floor manager.

There were beer bottles on tables that were empty, empty glasses, serviettes on the floor (Mom hit us if we called them napkins which women..never mind). But the picture showed a very nice place.
Most common answer.."I'd like to work there" Beep ..out...
Second most common.."Very nice looking place.." Beep out..
Third most common.."Kewl" Beep Beep...
One out of 10 would say..."someone should clean up the tables..." hired.

Even the owners got it wrong.

I've stopped using that ..word got out.

At the end of the day you have to love what you do, and do what you love. I love the 'cachet' of being a firefighter. I hated the narrow minded dolts who watched the price is right and argued if a 67 vette had oval lights in the glove box..no that was the 68.. SHUT UP. And I used the time to study.

I can increase a waitresses tips 30 percent. 90 percent of them won't listen to why. Well, I was a customer for about 50 years honey, and you've been working what, 2 months..yup you've figured it out.

I have volunteered all over. It works only if there is a mutual level of appreciation. Like what you do and do what you like. I played piano in a retirement place, amazing donated Yamaha huge grand. I was ok for year. A woman in her late 60's walks in, makeup like drywall mud, flaming red hair with a white part, way too much make up and looks at me like I'm scum. Says, sonny why are you here? I say, I play the piano Tues and Thursday at lunch but Mrs. McDonald is moving and wanted to hear some old scots tunes so I stuck around. She pushes me, "I'm a pro and they are paying me $200 to play here today. Worse than Edith Bunker on vocals or piano.

I asked the staff about it and they said,well we have a budget and she's been here for 10 years, twice a week like you at 3 p.m. We can't pay you both. They gave me a coffee mug and a thank you card. I went elsewhere....

You really should try these new drugs....wow...ever hear about the..wait hold that thought I'm gonna make coffee.

John Conley
Musica est vita