Work Days

Catching up with work…got a job at Coyote Ugly in Vegas with PMG. I’m hoping to get on as a bartender with one of the other properties PMG manages. The money is good but it’s the steady part I’m most interested. We bought the 2nd property and are looking to buy a 3rd in 2008 if we can swing it. The market is ripe with loads of deals but the qualifying restrictions for mortgages are making “stated income” loans almost a thing of the past. Hence the need for solid employment - the wife has not been so lucky, she’s been either over qualified or does not possess enough experience depending on the position – truth be told though, she’s only applied for 3 jobs since August. I didn’t think I’d be back bouncing again…although the world has changed it seems people really haven’t too too much. Coyotes is a pretty easy gig, beautiful women dancing on the stage and knockout bartenders and dancers…the guys I work with are pretty cool as well – everything from ex-military to college aged MMA enthusiasts with a few “old school” members (like myself) rounding things out. The issues are typical for any bar – drunkenness and poor judgment (especially on the part of some of our female guests). As far as Vegas strip bars its pretty relaxed.

I’ll bring in the camera on New Years and show you the madness.

Vancouver for the Holidays

So we're heading up north for Christmas...the boss leaves on Friday and I follow on Sunday...should be a few days of eating and visiting EVERYONE in a short period of time.

It's cool as my family's kids get a little older they really get into the Christmas spirit...the tree, decorations, time off from school, shopping, wearing Christmas clothes and the ever impending visit from the fat guy in the red suit :-)

Presents are being snapped up and planned for before we fly as the strength of the US dollar is dismal and Vancouver is very expensive. Last minute shopping is not a favourite of mine and people here in Vegas view it as a sport...I've never seen so many normally sedentary people hustling from shop to shop to get their gifts...

Anyway, time to run myself...

All the best for the holidays.

VP

Christmas and Holiday Hang-ups

Random madness and random acts of kindness become more prevalent during the holidays...giving a little extra to your local homeless person or coffee barista (I have no reason to lump these two very different categories of people together other than for the reason I give extra change to them). I find the holidays bring out the best and the not so good in people - happiness to be with family and sadness to be without family.

"Are you kidding me? This prick attached a Christmas wish to this?"


We suffered a loss in our family this year and the fallout has been bittersweet for my wife. Her parents were relieved of the physical burden of caring for her brother who had suffered from renal failure for the past 27 years...now I say physical burden as they had not taken a vacation together for years and Mario could not be left alone for he required blood transfusions 3 times a week. Emotionally though this was not a burden - they truly loved Mario and caring for him was a labor of love, yet many parents do not have the interaction with their children after they reach adulthood so caring for Mario also gave them the opportunity to involved with him on a daily basis - a blessing they take with them everyday.



I do wish peace to you and hope you have a safe and happy holiday whatever your beliefs may be.

Back Soon

VP

Holiday Rush

Well I've been offered a couple of jobs now at various financial institutes, call centers, on-site sales etc., for which I've had previous experience...but I guess I'm in a bit of a funk - so I declined them. I didn't want to waste anyone's time nor any company dollars in training me if I knew I was going to bounce and go elsewhere in a few months. I know people here that are constantly job hopping and I just would find THAT even more frustrating and damaging to my spirit. It's also tough as I know I'll have to travel to Vancouver for the Christmas in a couple of weeks and will require the week off...not too attractive to a prospective employer...even if you are an hourly employee. So it looks like I'll continue looking with an emphasis on a fresh start in the New Year.