Work and Booze, often not mutually exclusive

Two weeks ago, when I was getting the catering work, I went for an interview for an office job. Met them on Wednesday, and then a second interview on Thursday. I got the job on Friday and started on Monday. (20 Nov) … pretty quick eh! So, tired of interviews and meeting people, combined with the fact that its not a crap position, I took the job. So a quick run down:

I’m the Executive Assistant for an energy company. I photocopy, print stuff, put packages together for meetings with clients, answer phones, direct calls and emails for general info, mail stuff, booking meeting rooms and order the snacks and bevy’s for them. I’m sure I’ll learn more and do some more difficult things, but for now, that’s it. I’m like a PA for the head of the team, and will take minutes at team meetings. There are 8 people in the team. So it’s pretty good. Not brain surgery, but it will give me a sense of how things work in Dublin and put some critical necessities on my CV. It’s an 11 month contract, until Oct.19, 2007. Then hopefully I’ll be more marketable to Dublin companies, and have a good knowledge of where things are and how things are done in this country.

The company is only 5 years old, so really small. There are less than 50 people in the office in Dublin where I am, but there are a few offices around the country. We get perks too, 8 hour work day 9:15- 5:15, BUT with an hour for lunch and 2 fifteen minute coffee breaks. I only really work for like 6 hours it seems, which is nice. The company focuses on renewable resources and improving energy efficiency. My department would be the ones focusing on industry, like factories and big corporate entities. Funnily enough, I’m using some of the things I learnt doing my geogs degree… who would have thought that would ever be useful!!!

So this is the real kicker. They hired me quickly, but there was a reason. The team had shifted a lot recently, and the team leader is new in the position, so they were going to do an off-site over-night team meeting, talk about the next year and stuff like that. My first day of work goes as follows… starting from the night before. Went to family event, drank a bit, felt sick, went to bed early, not getting anything ready because I would do it when I felt better then next day. Set phone alarm to 6:45am. Woke up at 8:05am, to my housemate opening his bedroom door. SHIT! Had to be at work at 9:15 am… bus takes an hour… not ready. Not sure what to bring to off-site, over-night. Throw together a few outfits to cover all levels of casual-ness. Eat food quickly, rushed shower... minor heart attack. Get to work at 9:45am. Not in trouble. THANK GOD! Meet co-workers, and go in car with boss and another girl on the team to Wicklow, about an hour and a half away from Dublin, in the country, (“Ireland’s Garden” it’s actually called!) About 15mins away from the hotel I recognise the little town we drive through. My cousin had his wedding reception at this great little hotel/spa resort in the country, all based on organic stuff called the BrookLodge. Frig! What are the chances that my job is taking me to the same place I’ve been before. This place is amazing. It’s so picturesque, when a North American looks at a travel book of Ireland, this is what they would imagine. All organic products, food, small company, built up around a little village doing the same sort of organic, ‘clean’ thing. Rolling green hills in the background, some scattered sheep on top, a little stone chapel in the corner along a little stream. Seriously. For dinner, we had a four course meal, everything was fresh organic, except some of the meat, which was ‘wild,’ and they couldn’t guarantee the animal never ate a chemical in its life! Delicious is an understatement. Plus lots of wine and a few pints before and after dinner, all on the company, it was glorious. Then going to bed, nice double bed (I have a single at home!) with fluffy new down covers and pillows. And one of those big rain showers in the morning, I showered for half an hour. Glorious. We did do work mind you. They all talked and I mostly listened, you know, getting an idea of what they all do. So in sum, trip to fantastic holiday spa resort (did I mention the hot tubing at night), and my colleagues are alcoholics. They’re all a bit older on my team, but that said - they were up later than I was singing and playing the piano in the hotel lounge! Lush day and a half.

Went back to the office for Wed - Fri that week, and did basic stuff. I’m getting all these inductions, listening to everyone at the company telling me what they do, so I can answer phone calls and emails myself. Simple stuff. The job is not challenging or stressful, yet at least. There are two other EA’s and in general there is a small group of us in our 20’s so its not too bad. Everyone is really friendly; I guess I’ll really get to know people at the company this coming Friday, it’s the staff Christmas party and I hear its quite a show. Drinking begins at 2pm! It’s like the Arts Country Fair of the corporate world.

For a good random story, I went on a Friday night with my flat-mate and a few of his friends. Went at 9pm to one pub, I was having pints while Pablo was having bottles… man I keep up well!!! We went to a bar afterwards which was open until like 3am… and for the most part, I think I was having tons of fun. Though I very vaguely remember being pushed out when it closed, I have recently been informed we went to Momo’s for falafel/doner/kebabs afterwards. Apparently I saw someone I knew there, but had no idea who it was, and I had a big messy kebab that was dripping everywhere and it managed to fall apart and explode on the floor all over my feet while I talking to this dude who knew me. Big mess. Still don’t know who it was I saw. Outside Momo’s, for any Madness fans, I spent a good 15 minutes learning the Crocodile Step. And mastering the Pablo Shuffle. Two HOT dance moves. Then we went home to have more wine, at least the boys wanted more wine, and I had a bottle in the fridge, and I like wine, so I joined in. I joined in as far as having a glass poured, having a sip and passing out on the couch. The boys continued to drink around me, finishing the bottle, and I woke up at 7am on my couch confused and not sure how I got there. Weird. But I’m still laughing trying to remember the evening. I guess 8 pints is a lot to drink though.

Now what’s left… Getting a wardrobe to hang my clothes in my room (it’s in the mail from Argos)… its not cool having them all in Pablo’s room, and say, him being sleeping before work and having to wear the same thing two days in a row. Also, a gym pass. Fat Gail is knocking on the door… its not quite like past times when it spread all over. The fat is localized to my tummy, which I guess is lucky enough. But I really need to get a regime going. Maybe now that I have a job and a regular schedule.