h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Becoming a bit of theme, this

It's been a hell of a day at work.

We had a wedding party in that was a bit of a nightmare to sort out. Three weeks ago, we decided to give the ballroom a much-needed facelift. Gone is the 1970s-style lighting and decor, and we have new, fresh and fairly modern look to the place - new ceiling, lighting, sound system, air-con, the lot. To get all that, though, we did everything but the plastering ourselves, and that all meant it was a bit touch-and-go whether we'd actually be done in time. On Sunday, I went down there to ask my uncle something, and the bride and groom were standing just staring with their mouths wide open at the place, layers of dust settling on layers of dust, while my cousin calmly assured them that everything would be done in time.

Of course it was. At exactly 2.15pm today, half an hour before the wedding party started to arrive, it looked beautiful.

The bride and groom were brilliant. They actually had no idea what to expect from us beyond the buffet, bar etc, so when I stopped them in the bar and asked them to take a seat so that the rest of the party could 'be upstanding' for them, they were really chuffed and excited. I turn into a proper Jeeves with people like that.

In the midst of it all, I had a rant at our restaurant manager and head chef. To them, I'm hard to work with, because I've been both. To me, they're hard to work with, because I have Expectations - I know their jobs inside out and get irate when they don't do them properly. I ran my first wedding when I was 17 and was running the restaurant at 25, and it's hard to have to tell people things that come naturally to me.

That aside, the whole vibe was fairly relaxed, though. It was hard work to get it feeling like that. Anyone who has worked in catering knows that the more you work behind the scenes, the more you can control the atmosphere. But I love doing functions; every moment you have a tiny detail to control, something to help guests with, moments to organise, staff to direct. And there's pressure, but in a good way; the staff know the pressures you're under and respond, and the guests get to know and respect you.

And there's no greater feeling than the bride and groom coming over with a glass of champagne for you at the end of the night, with the guest book for you to sign

Tomorrow: Back to my Fire Management Plan. Can't help but feel I'm wasted in some areas of my job.

Cheers to you! You'll have had a part in making that the happiest day of their lives

>>Can't help but feel I'm wasted in some areas of my job<<

I know that feeling well.

Seriously, though, glad you enjoyed it and it all worked out as planned.

>Can't help but feel I'm wasted in some areas of my job.<

Neither can I, Rich.

You're obviously an excellent organiser (and host)

Be proud of yourself

Exactly. It's all downhill from that, right?

Days like that must go some way towards making up for the mundanities of Fire Management Plans and organising food hygiene training courses.

The first line was in response to Bea.

'Days like that must go some way towards making up for the mundanities of Fire Management Plans and organising food hygiene training courses.'

They make it all worthwhile.

I'd much rather go home tired, happy, and waiting for the adrenaline to subside, than leave fed up frustrated and feeling I need several pints to take the stress away.

I'm not unique in that, though.

I always rather enjoyed working out fire plans for buildings I was working on

Yeah, but we know what you're like.

Mal:

Take three Victorian buildings.

Merge them into one. Triple your staff numbers.

Then get a keen someone, preferably a new General Manager with lots of energy and enthusiasm, to work out how to update the electrics, fire detection system, fire alarm system, fire extinguishing system fire escapes, staff training and records, monitoring and auditing.

When they've almost finished, change the law so that everything needs changing once again.

Then, just as they've caught up, assign that person a Fire Officer who... no. Mr Trout has wisely warned me about being too specific.

Less fun than being able to design something, I think...

Rich... you're awesome

Yeah, I know

Modest too!

Overwhelmingly so

That's a nice story Rich. And I can confirm that you're not unique in often needing the company of John Barleycorn to take away the stresses of the day. Tuesday was a day and a half for me too (must be something in the planets). A pint of Arrogant Bastard before I left work and a kip on the sofa while listening to the ODI has taken most of it away though Would have been nice if we'd won though.

Well done Rich you must glean an immense amount of job satisfaction along with the dross

(and a for later)


GB

Sounds like we shouldve come to you rather the imcompetent twit managing our social club hall good job!

Swimming frantically like a swan, eh?

Sounds like a good day, overall.

TRiG.