Getting rich a dozen dollars at a time

This summer's bar tending gig has not been the best. I love the location and the staff, but I am struggling to make a living. The bar is located right on the board walk of Ocean City. It's clean, has a great view, a lovely deck out side, ice cold beer. I only lack customers. Last night I sold $125. I am sooo amazed at this.

On the upside, I had a couple get engaged in the bar. That was cool. They were very nice and generous. They felt bad for me being all alone, so they came back into the bar and played cards with me.

I am seriously considering returning to the day job. The east coast hasn't been very good to me and I am slowly getting poorer and poorer. Searching for an accounting job and looking into the market in South Dakota or Portland, OR. At least there I have friends.

Things not to tell bar tenders

Working as a bar tender you hear a lot of stuff. People tell you things that are so personal and really should be left to a therapist or man of the cloth.

This week I had a preacher tell me he was struggling with his marriage. "I love her, but. Well I have a real issue with her weight." Seriously? How can a man of God have an issue with the way his wife of 25 years looks and not be able to resolve his feelings? And why are you telling a stranger IN A BAR this information? I am so shocked by this.

I also had a 30 year old woman who was in the process of a divorce. She wanted my advice on how to handle the divorce process. She abandoned her husband and children and is ticked off that the courts awarded custody to the Dad. Really? And here you are in a bar when you are supposed to be meeting up with your daughter to develop a friendship. Then she tells me she ditched her 15 year old daughter for a day and met up with a guy she met on Craig's list to go for a motorcycle ride. Eye-yay-ya!

Then there was a couple who sat out at the pool bar all day sipping Rum Runners. They were all smiley and giggly when they left. Later, he was in the main bar alone. He and his gal had a spat. He's telling me how they were trying to have an intimate moment, when her kids interrupted them. The girlfriend/fiance gets all ticked off and takes the kids out for supper. He's in the bar hoping he's still engaged. He wasn't for long. Heard the next day that the girlfriend came in and gave him the ring back.

Then there is the 60 year old hillbilly who is in town "slutting around" and would I be interested in joining him at the hot rod car show. Maybe not.

Or the married man who I have been serving beers to for 5 years now, who tells you about an affair he had last night, while his wife was taking the kids back home.

I'm telling you, a bar is like a confessional. Unfortunately, I am not a priest and cannot absolve you of your sins. But let me pour you a beer and smile and pretend I really care.

Bottoms up!

Happy 4th!

May everyone have a grand 4th, safe and fun filled.

I am working every day, some days two jobs and still not making ends meet. I guess it will be time to quit tending bar and selling jewelry and go back to being an accountant. A regular day job once again. Not that I found that to be a way to get ahead, either. But I could at least count on a steady check. I am so tired of scraping to get by.

I am grateful that I live in a country where I can make these choices. I just wish I was one of the lucky ones with money. A trustafarian or married to a wealthy generous man. But I'm not.

I'd feel bad about writing such negative thoughts on a blog that is supposed to be generating business and communications, but no one reads this anyway! LOL!

So happy 4th. Woo Hoo!

Carole King and James Taylor

On Wednesday night I was at the Verizon Center in Washington DC, attending a concert of a lifetime.

Carole King is my all time favorite female vocalist and song writer. My "Tapestry" album is warped from over play (yes, album). I am on my second CD of the same recording. I know every word to every song. And I was still blown away at being in her presence - even from my section O, seat 8 position. Carole is not known so much as a vocalist, but renowned as a song writer. Her songs have been recorded by everyone from Blood, Sweat and Tears to the Sherill's, and of course, James Taylor. She looked great, rocked with the best of them - jumping up and down on stage and thoroughly entertaining us all. I cried during "So Far Away," remembering how as a 16 year old, I yearned to be anywhere but where I was. There is a part of me that still feels that way. I cried during "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," recalling lost loves of my life. I laughed to see the photos on the Jumbo Tron of Carole in the 70's and JT as the young strapping buck we all fell in love with. Then I cried again knowing my youth has long passed, too.

James Taylor was superb. I will admit that Carole was the reason I went to the concert and JT was an added bonus. I had no idea how much he would move me with his songs and his still strong smooth as silk voice. What a consummate performer. I have old recordings of JT and I swear his voice is getting batter with age. He may have lost his hair, but that takes nothing away from his good looks.

Watching the original band members from the 70's playing together was like watching a well oiled machine at work. They knew the signs of each other, the overlaps of leads, the changes and nuances of each other. It brought back memories from my days as a "band groupie" with an old lover of mine. I cried at the loss of those wonderful moments and the pleasure of having experienced them.

And like my youth, I wish I could hold on to that moment, stay in that moment a little bit longer. Oh, those were some special times, the 70's. Thanks Carole King and James Taylor for bringing the memories to life once more. Even for just a few hours. I was young and full of life and ideas and energy. I walked out of that concert sure I looked like I did in 1972. I've been avoiding mirrors ever since. I'd like to hold on to this feeling a little longer.

I strongly recommend seeing the concert live, on PBS or buy the CD/DVD combo. It's like a dip in the Fountain of Youth.

Peace!

Susan

Summer, summer, summer

The beach is a hoppin'!

I have extended family vacationing here in Ocean City, MD. They were enjoying the sun and surf yesterday. After selling my jewelry poolside at the Holiday Inn of 67th street, I joined them for the last rays of the evening. My cousin, Kevin is an avid fisherman. He has entertained us for years with his rod and reel, not to mention his positive attitude and wit. His son, Kev, Jr. is also into fishing. He caught a shark the other day and it was quite tasty.

It's fun to be around the family and hear all the stories from earlier gathering and the new ones, too. I mention this often, but that's because it's important to me. Respect and enjoy your family. It's really all we have. No one loves us quite like the family.

I'm tending bar tonight at the Skip Jack Grill on 14th and Boardwalk. I'm hoping for heavy traffic and good tips. If you are out and about, join me! Mention my blog and the first drink is on me!

Peace!

Susan

Back to reality . . .

The last week has been spent enjoying my son Evan's company. He flew in from Portland, OR for a family reunion. We had a blast soaking up the beach, the sun, a few cocktails and the love we share with one another. That's my excuse for not writing lately.

Spending time with Evan, his girlfriend and my nephews and their girlfriends was good fun. It also made me painfully aware of my age. The six of them are so beautiful, full of life, and energy! It was hard to keep up with them! Seems like I was always the first one in bed! I was glad when my sister arrived - I needed support of my generation. My Mom tagged along once in awhile. It was great fun gathering around the dining room table to play cards and eat steamed blue crab - not at the same time, mind you.

Enjoying family time is important. Vital even. A time to gauge the important things and let petty arguments and disagreements go by the way side. Every family has them. Someone doesn't do things your way or they have the audacity to tell you that you are WRONG! So what! Get over it. Grab a hold of your loved ones, give them a big squeeze, smooch them and tell them you love them. In the end - family is all we really have. No one will love you like your family.

I am very lucky. I love you all: Evan, Hallie, Minique, Corey, Matt, Alley, Heath, Elizabeth, Catherine, Samantha, Jack, Mom, Aunt Dot, Cousins, Sean, Kevin, and Shannon (and all your spouses and kids too!) and others left out unintentionally. A big old hug to all of you!

Peace~

Susan

Unexpected Events

These are my babies, Evan and Hallie. I love them very much.

Early this morning, around 1 a.m., I had an allergic reaction to something. I have been plagued by this most of my life. I take a deep breath outside and suck in some unknown particle and WHAM! My face swells up and I look a bit like Shrek. Or I eat a hamburger, with a soy filler, and I get the giant fat lip. Last nights reaction was just as fast and seemingly unwarranted.

I was awakened by a nauseating feeling in my throat and neck. I got up and was trying to look at my throat, in the blinding glare of the bathroom light. Squinting hard, I couldn't tell what the heck was going on. Then, my neck, chest, arms, and trunk of my body started breaking out in hives. I turned brilliant red. My throat began closing, tongue swelling blocking air and making it difficult to speak. I tried to take a Benedryl to calm the symptoms, but my body violently rejected this.

I live with my Mom, and I felt terrible waking her up to take me to the emergency room. On retrospect, I'll opt for an ambulance if this occurs again. Anyway, Mom gets up and drives me to the hospital. My care was very good. After a couple of shots and a few hours resting, I was released and sent home to sleep off the drugs. This morning, I am clear of rashes and swelling.

As traumatic as this experience sounds, it was nothing compared to what I heard while in the hospital.

This is Senior Week (more like month) in Ocean City. High School seniors swarm to the beaches for a week of sun and fun, celebrating the completion of their high school education. They come in droves! There are always sad stories associated with this visitation by young adults. This year will prove no different.

There are drug busts, the underaged attempting to get into bars with false ID's, jaywalking, jumping off of beach house balconies, usual childish pranks. And there are deaths.

There were 4 young adults in emergency care when I arrived at the hospital. At least one did not live. I know this because I could see and hear the arrival of parents and family. And the horrifying muffled sounds of a doctors voice, followed by skin crawling, hair raising, "nooooo," accompanied by heart wrenching sobs.

What a sad end to a young life.

Parents let your children read this and remind them that accidents happen. Don't tempt fate. Be conservative and stay alive. That Mothers cry remains with me now. She was devastated. The Father was stoically silent, eyes reddened, willing himself to remain strong for the family. Hearts broken.

So while I re-cooperate from this allergic reaction today I give thanks for all I have. For the fact that my children, ages 25 and 27, made it through the teen years. For the home I have with my Mom. For my family and their support. And for the ability to breathe.

Breathe deeply. Give thanks and praises. Play smart. Life is a gift. Don't toss it away lightly for a moments thrill.