Clownin around

Back to school is rolling around and my kids will be starting a wonderful new charter school in the fall. They will be wearing uniforms that I have to order ahead of time and the school claims that I will not be able to find this special uniform in stores. You know that that means...$$$$$!

In my search to find work, I found myself two little weekend gigs to pad my pockets a little bit. A few weeks ago I responded to a craigslist ad for a make up assistant for a freelance make up artist.  Last week she called me a about a wedding in College Point at the pay rate of $15 per hour. I went there were four make up artists total and the work was grueling. The bridal party were very demanding plain Janes who wanted to look like the had on NO make up at all but they wanted to look like they had make up on. So there was a bunch of "Less blush" "Sorry now it looks like I have none on."...a mess!

Later on that day I went to my second gig doing kids parties as...A CLOWN. My sister laughed when I told her about this job because anyone who knows me, knows that I am as laid back as they come. Being unprepared for back to school and these student loans blowing up my phone are a lot scarier than a room full of kids for sure. I served as an assistant that day which was unpaid which was very frustrating but what are you gonna do right?

As for now my bartending is at a standstill until August 11th when I work a private bbq.

My first night of bartending

I responded to a craigslist ad at a local bar and restaurant that shall remain nameless. I showed up at 6pm sharp after struggling to find a babysitter only for the owner to not show up for our interview. While I waited, a cute lil latina bartender told me how to get in good with the owner when I finally met him which turned out to be the next day. She also told me that the other lady bartenders where complete bitches!

A few nights later, I started. When I walked in, all of the other bartenders where visibly annoyed but I kept right on smiling...kill em with kindness right?? The restaurant serves Jamaican/Guyanese/Asian food and is patronized by a middle aged crown. As the customers rolled in, I found them to be very sweet and understanding as I fumbled about trying to fill their orders. I studied my little bartending school book before going in but the first drink I was asked to make was a Sex on the beach and I drew a blank and had to ask one of the bitchy bartenders.

Most of the customers ordered beers luckily for me, but there where a few deal breakers for me with this job. THE MUSIC WAS SOOOOOO LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I know that when people party they want thier music to be insane and I am one of those people but this was brain rattling loud. It was "I have my ear pressed against your mouth but I still can't hear what the fu*k you just ordered" loud! I kept escaping into the kitchen for a moment of peace dreading the thought of this being my new reality 4-5 nights per week.

Also, one of the bitchy bartenders was especially bitchy. She kept chucking bottles at me all night and giving me the side eye. One two or three separate occasions, she stole my customers and that's when I decided to tell her all the way off!

I got home that night at 3am and I was beat and I only made $73 for an 8 hr shift! I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache, dreading the very thought of going back there that night.

That night I quit.

On to the next...
I now know that loud ass music is not going to work for me so I am looking for a nicer place with back ground music if any.  I start at a very chic steak house in Queens on Monday and I hope this will be a better fit.

Please don't think for one second I am not diligently still trying to find a "real" job and make use of my degrees but until then I'm on my hustlemom ish...

Last weekend my friend Jennifer and I had a blast at the American School of bar tending in Manhattan! A few weeks ago she told me all about this awesome Groupon promotion during which this class (normally around $250) was only $99 bucks! I scraped my pennies together and went for it, especially after she told me that a family member bartends only on the weekends and makes some quick and easy money.

The class was so much fun! We sat through a few informative lectures, then we mixed drinks (or colored water in alcohol bottles) behind an actual bar. The music was blasting, just like a real night club and the instructor walked around shouting out drinks we had learned about during the lecture. Getting all the recipes down was kind of hard at first but I am confident now that I got this!

Looking like a pro :)

Other than opportunity to make some extra cash I would recommend this class to anyone just looking do something different with their weekend. There were a few couples in the class that seemed to be having an awesome time so if you are into it and have $250 (per person) to spare, check it out.

OK back on my Hustle-mom ish...
I am currently looking for a little bar tending gig that will allow me to work here and there when I am looking for a little extra money. I can't wait to post an update on how much I actually make in tips, my first night doing this.

This weekend I have a friend's BBQ that I have been invited to serve drinks at but I don't know if anyone is trying to pay up! Baby needs a new pair of shoes!!