I was asked if I knew anything about insurance. No. McKinneys (law books). No. Who’s McKinney? Hired. Start Monday. That afternoon there was a party for a team lead.
Tab (pre-diet coke) in hand I arrived upstairs and the birthday boy was making everyone drink a shot of Jamesons Irish whiskey to toast him at the door. I demurred. He repeated his request and I showed him my beverage of choice.
Months later I was about to be out of a job and was in line for a promotion and raise. Guess who would be my boss? Yep, Jamesons boy.
First thing I said before a brief interview is that I hope this Fenian wouldn’t hold that against me. He hired me on the spot and when I showed up for work the next day it was with a bottle of Jamesons that he placed in his desk drawer.
I’ve a good Irish name and learned never to do that again. I was 21 and learning. And I still learn, every day. It is not a right but a pleasure. We learn how to deal with people and situations. How we do that affects our future every day.
It did help that I planned parties, team challenges, Friday beer and crossword puzzle team events, and birthdays. Yes, I was the only person ever allowed to book a table at our local haunt. They’d laugh when I called and I’d ask for the owners son and say it’s Dee. How many? 12. Corned beef and cabbage and PBR? Yes. Thank you. Table was set, beer out and sandwiches coming up.
Of course in addition to the biggest bill load and smallest pay in the building and my legal counsel trying to date me (NEVER), I also did all birthday, baby, wedding, and engagement shopping.
I was a good hire. And I was rich and spent three weeks per year traveling in Europe. $14K. Dee
Cooking with Dee 