First Day of "Work"

Yesterday, Riley and I went to our second day of the Melbourne Spring Carnival Races. This time, however, we were working, not playing.

About a week ago, our friend Jess set us up with her former employer, The Big Group, for an interview. The Big Group (TBG) is a catering group for the swankiest events in Melbourne. When we went in for our "interview" we were both fairly nervous. I put interview in quotes because we had no reason to be nervous...

Interviewer: "So Wes and Riley, what experience do you have in the hospitality industry?"
Wes: "........ummm?"
Riley: "I worked in a pizza parlor when I was 15"
Interviewer: "Great, so when can you start, boys?"

So we got the job and we were called last minute to work at the second day of the races (tuesday). Saturday, the day we attended, is called Derby Day and Tuesday is the Melbourne Cup, or Cup Day. Cup Day is a national holiday because it is "The Race That Stops a Nation." We weren't sure what we were going to be paid, but when we got the news we were ecstatic.

$43 per hour. No typo. Forty-Three Dollars per hour. Are you kidding me? Unfortunately, you are kidding me, because you get paid double on holidays in Australia. Regardless, we will normally make 23/hour which is juuuuust fine by us.

As explained in my previous post, there are a few different areas in the race park. On Saturday, we were in the nursery, which, at the time, I felt was amazingly fancy and formal. I had heard of a mythical place called the birdcage. I was told that it was where all the celebs hang out, but there was no way it could be nicer than the nursey.

Once again, I was completely wrong. Absolutely ridiculous.

I was assigned to the Myer Marquee. Myer is the australian version of Marshall Field's. It was an amazing venue and my job was to walk around a serve Champagne to a bunch of famous Australians I had never heard of.

The two people I recognized were Olivia Newton John and Miss Universe. I am not kidding. Sandy and Miss Universe. Jackpot.




That picture is Sandy, Miss Universe, and some other random model taken at our party. It was insane. There were about 15 super models there. Tons of cricket and aussie rules football players.

I still can't believe I was paid around $500 to pour champagne for the woman for whom Danny Zuko "shaped up."

As the champagne flowed, the party got Rowdy (rowdy with a capital r). Old rich people get to have fun too! One particular instance I found quite amusing...

Old Plastic Woman: "Excuse me, can you please fix my glasses?"
Me: "Sorry ma'am, I can get you anything else though? Champagne? Beer? Wine? Mojito?"
Old Plastic Woman: "......" (Grabs and attempts to kiss me)
Me: "Uhhhhhh, sorry ma'am we aren't allowed to do that at work"
OPW: "Oh well..."



Overall, it was a great day. We are doing the same thing on Thursday and Saturday. Should be interesting.