Every once in a while there's a sense of joy and pride that shines through in being a bartender. Two things happened over the weekend, A couple exchanged vows and a customer expressed real friendship throgh a commitment to me and causes I believe in.

The couple that was married met through me via a conversation and pool game while I worked at a bar. Then I was invited to the wedding of that same couple.

The customer I spoke with this weekend is just a believer in my causes and is going to try to help me promote my causes as a favor to me. The nice thing about it is, the customer suggested the assistants on his own.

Most of the time, if I have a minute or two to discuss various topics with someone, I'll find commom ground with the customer and before you know it a friendship is created.

That happy hour crowd that you are not a part of because you are the new guy, it hurts . . .  I mean it really hurts because the banter and inside jokes have occured while you weren't there, unable to be in on the joy & fun of what was said.

It hurts because there is no value, because the drinks are aready in front of everybody with a back-up on the way, seeing the up-side down shot glass in front of them. Thus no more drinks to ring up as I come around and get setted in. The only thing left in the wake of the emptiness is a dirty glasses, ashtrays and a bartop to be wiped down.

The ebb and flow of people slipping out like the low tide, and slowly an empty bar reveals itself to a still quite space that lays out before you. Couple of hours that pass as side work and cleaning and maybe a soletary customer turns into a stiring of regulars for the late night rush of the few loyal late night regulars.

The thought, that was the last person to walk in, as the final drinker of the night and now systemactical closing process begins cleaning, stocking and moving bar stools to the right spot. Swoosh, opens the front and a few straglers from another bar along with the their bartender walk in. Bantner,fun and catching up from the last time they were seen. As the time  approches the closing hour it's always a little to fast, goo byes are said and hand shakes and kisses, are exchanged, closing process begings again. To that late night crowd that walks in, I am their bartender,friend and confidant, Now all is good in the world until tomorrow when I see that Happy Hour crowd again, with a little bit of ache and pain because I'm the new guy.

 While working in various jobs over the course of my life, I've seen people do it right and do it wrong. Learning from those that did those (jobs)  already and seeing what works and what doesn't makes you learn THAT much more.

What burns the most is the ideas discussed with friends at that time, as I really no longer speak to them.

Example, using high speed film 1600 asa and pushing it a stop - THEN you convert the negatives to slides.  University of Miami, Dale labs, Simms street in Hollywood, Florida.

or

Working as a wire photographer for UPI and deciding to trying and form my own wire company, after getting pushed out by someone that didn't think it was important to cover a major sports team in South Florida ( Miami Dolphins). My friend speaks to another friend and THEY go and start a photo wire service, with no understanding of NEWS ethics or photojournalism. The funny thing about the name of the company was that these guys used the term "wire" in their name to describe the company. so if I were to start a business myself shooting pictures I'd call myself Ron the baseball card photograher, or Ron the stock image photographer. 

or

 Working at a Wireless Phone carrier and increasing orders leaving the floor and being shipped to customers faster than any where else in the country. Using my truck and a last drop off point for Fed Ex. 

One of the people listed above was instumental to me becoming a photographer, but on the same note was very very selfish to the needs of his business.  Learning things like what works, as in what to do and what not to do, as he would say "When in Rome do as the Romans"

Conflicts between family and friends going in to business together are a major reasons why the business would and can  fail. The contract and aggreements in writing are set-up to protect your relationship more so than your business, Each person knows what is expected of them and having agreements in writing protects the business and the parties, involved.

Getting customers into your bar is one thing and making them want to come back is another.

Sometimes it's all about the crowd or the lack of one. I know most people want a "jumping" place to go to and have a lot of people around. But I also hear when it's slow and there are only a couple of  people in that THAT'S what they like, it's quiet. It doesn't help the tip bucket or me but I realize this is also a time to connect with the the person there at that moment. Making the conection is what brings them back, and before you know it you have a bar filled with friends that you know and care about.

I've known for a couple of days, and I can't seems to wrap my head around the fact that a good friend has passed away, so suddenly.

I was just making comment to a customer at work about calling Les to see "What's up" and maybe we could hang out. I hadn't seen him since the wedding of another good friend.  A call came shortly after that conversation from the friend (the  wedding we were just at)  to let me know he pased on.

He taught me how to be a bartender, and I will forever be grateful to him for that friendship and trust. Most importantly I just miss him.

Some images of Les are linked below: I'll add more as I get them

http://apps.ronthebartender.com/Gallery/album.cfm?a=14879

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piGnZkDI8hU

 We hear it all the time "life is too short" so tell those that are close to you how much you care and what they mean to you.