I Quit!

I just got back from handing in my letter of resignation. Damn that felt good. That is until I wake up in the morning and actually realize what I have done. I’ve wanted to quit for a while now. I kept saying I’ll do it in a few weeks, then next month, and then I finally said I’d work till the end of summer. Working at a Bar used to be really fun, that is until the first club closed down and they opened up in their new location. Many people have said that my job had a 6-month life span and I’ve pushed it to almost 2 years. Funny enough on the weekend some guy asked how I liked working as a porter. It was one of those really crappy nights where 2 porters were stuck doing the job of 3-4 people. I say on nights like these they suck. He replied that he has been a porter for over 2 years and it only gets better after that. I was like fuck that. Was that a sign that I should stay? Yeah, well every time I think something is a “sign” or want it to be, it turns out to be bullshit. Anyway, this job was holding me back. Do you think I was going to be doing that shit for the rest of my life? Although I will miss the money.

I sort of just fell into my nightclub career. My friend who was working both at the hotel and club wanted to know if I wanted to help him out one night at the club. After that one night I just happened to find myself fully employed. It was sort of good timing b/c I was sort of thinking about getting a part time job to help pay for my Euro trip. I was getting paid $10 an hour and being tipped out $45-$70 every night. It was great pay for just having to stock fridge’s, and pick up empty bottles and glass. Don’t get me wrong it was hard work and I worked my ass of many nights. It was also a great set up. The bar was wonderfully designed. At least I thought from a working point of view. Then I was offered continued employment at the new place. It was crap right from the start. I thought that it was because I wasn’t used to the new place and that things would get better in a month or two. But they never did. It improved slightly in some areas while others suffered. This new place was pretty spread out. Instead of one big main bar they have a medium sized main bar and two sidebars. So I’m doing a shit load of running all night long. In the past all that was needed were 2 porters but here they need 3 people and occasionally it helps to have a fourth. The tip out has also suffered, now I only make $25 to $40 a night and I have to work harder for it.

I was definitely at the breaking point this weekend. When I came back from Edmonton I thought I’d give it another week or two then I’d quit or even wait till I found another job. Then on Fri I was basically told how to do my job from the boss who has never been around any night that I’ve worked. That pissed me off but by the next day I didn’t really care. I tend to get over most things quick. Part of my life motto: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Then Sat was definitely a final straw. The Bartenders have been getting into the habit of taking breaks during the night. When they do our 3rd porter acts as the sub bartender. Every once in a while is okay but it is becoming more and more and they are taking longer and longer. All while 2 people are stuck doing the job of 3-4 people. Sat was one of the busiest nights and our manager was one of the bartenders for the night. She takes off for an hour or more leaving just two porters. Then when she gets back she and everyone else complains they have no glassware. How I wanted to just walk out on them all and say if you want glasses get them your damn self. My younger brother is one of the other porters and it would be hilarious if he quit soon after me. They’ve had troubles finding people to work as porter ever since they opened. I’ve already worked with 3 different people. I’ve also learned I never want to work with family again. I’ve worked with each one of my brothers. I felt like I always had to look out for my younger brother, which can just add to the stress. Then I don’t think I could ever work for my oldest brother. If your reading this Dylan which you probably are your a bossy bastard to work for. Maybe it’s just b/c I was your younger brother. Although it’s probably a good trait to have in your position now having to deal with all the little shits that work for you.

I’ve had a good run. I’ve met and worked with some wonderful people, became more of a social drinker (although I don’t know how much of a good thing that really is), and learned a lot about bartending. It’s also going to be nice to have my Fri and Sat nights back after 2 years. It is also very scary. I’m leaving a good paying job and don’t have another lined up. I still have the hotel but we’re basically entering our slow season so I’m mostly only working 2 days a week. Although if I was really desperate they could accommodate me and give me more shifts helping our maintenance guy out. When I was in Edmonton there just so happened to be a few jobs I probably could have got. My brother wanted me to apply for a management position or projectionist at a Cineplex and one of his friends could have set me up at framing houses. Then I heard that some McD’s are paying employees between $14 and $17/hr. I currently plan to put my movie skills to use and try my hand as an entertainment associate in retail. If I find that I enjoy it then maybe I apply somewhere to manage an HMV or something and maybe open my own store. Currently in town the best place to try at first is Future Shop so that’s what I plan on doing this week. If that falls through I have a few others thing to try. As a fall back my Mom says they would probably hire me at Zellers in entertainment. Lets just hope it doesn’t come to that. Damn that felt good to get all that off my chest.