Everybody needs a “leg up” from time to time. Of course the “leg up” is not to be confused with the “leg over”, but we all need that too! A “leg up” means to help someone to be more successful. It is a simple, concise image and it evokes a quick, physical remedy. It means that you go out of your way to try to improve another persons’ life. It could be the smallest of gestures or the writing of a fat hefty check, but the result is the same – you improve someone else’s existence. The result of your actions is a better world for someone else. Whether you like it or not, at some stage in life you will be called on to give someone a “leg up”. You may not be fully aware of it at the time, but there will be moments when you could make a tiny bit of extra effort and help someone change their mind, which in turn helps them make a better decision in trying times. Although we are not conscious of the chain of events which follow our actions, at some point we must accept that what we say and do can have a positive or negative effect on someone. Do you want to be responsible for giving someone a “leg up” or a kick in the arse?
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The Oh So Sober Bar Manager
What is being a sober bar manager like? And by being sober I mean a recovering alcoholic. I suppose in one way it is like having a junkie working in a methadone clinic – Or having a contestant from “The Biggest Loser” working away in a Belgian chocolate factory. You are surrounded by temptation. You are surrounded by the very stuff which is normally your downfall. There are pretty much two things which can happen. The first is that you can give in. You sneak a box of truffles into your bag and nip off to the store room for some manic sugar indulgence where you are bound to be found hours later sobbing in your sleep, with chocolate smeared all over your face and hands…. with your belt unbuckled and splodges of nougat and praline splattered all over the walls. Or you stay behind after the bar shift ends and slowly sip a cold beer to shake off the arduous nature of the bar shift. Then you crack another and another. Before you know it you have the Karaoke machine blaring and are semi naked, drinking lemon flavoured dark rum mojito’s, singing some Brian Adams number as the sun comes up and the cleaners poke their non English speaking heads in the door.
Hurling, Poker and the tempting thoughts of drinkin…
Beginning blogs and finishing them are not the best of horny bedfellows. It’s akin to a lot of peoples exercise regime’s – it’s a simple thing to join the gym, but going there when you’ve just worked ten hours, it’s pissing down outside and the final of X factor is on is a completely different matter. It all takes dedication and persistence. Blah blah blah. Enough of that I say to you. Down off my soap box.
It’s the little differences
A big booze news story coming out of the land of leprechauns and limericks, is that of the case of Graham Parish who died from acute alcohol poisoning in Hayes Hotel in Thurles in 2009. He was out celebrating the birth of his second child on his twenty sixth birthday. He slumped off a chair after downing a single drink which contained double shots of Baileys, Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels and Gin. He had apparently drunk 10 pints of lager and a couple of shots of vodka previous to this. For a detailed report on this story you can click here. The judged ruled that the bartenders who had served him were not responsible for his death, as it had been Mr. Parish’s decision to drink the concoction while ultimately killed him. It is a horrendous story which has no real sunlight at the end of it.
My second job for Guinness
A few years ago when living in Dublin, I was looking in the classifieds and saw an advertisement looking for a “Brand Ambassador” for a drinks company. This, I thought, would be right up my alley. I filled out the application, did the interview and got the job. The position turned out to be working to promote the new concept of Guinness Mid Strength. This is a Guinness with less alcohol than the average one, but not too little that it wouldn’t have any effect. I signed along the dotted line – got the company car, mobile and expense account and went on my way.
Who is responsible for our nation of drunks?
I want to talk today about the inherent beliefs which exist in the world about the culture of “Irishness” – aka the piss heads of the world. Where did the idea come from that we are all drunkards and great fun on the booze? Where did we get the reputation as being one of the biggest nation of drinkers on this globe of green and blue? Who exactly is to blame for all Irish being born with the idea that an innate part of us is some way biased towards consuming alcohol? Why are there so many pubs associated with Ireland scattered around the world? Are we ourselves to blame? Oh no…. I touched on it last week and I want to blame one nation and one nation only – The English! Now before you take off in a rage with considered ideas which might involve the thoughts that us Irish are responsible for adorable snugs, great atmosphere and delicious porter, hear me out – it is the idea that we are drunks and the like that I’m after, not the actualities which exist right today. Now read on…