The Return of Mr. Jaynes

[mr.jaynes]

I'll apologize for my absence from the board, but I've been busy getting moved back to T-Town, where I am in fact writing this post. Sure is great to be back. Trying to get into the swing of things again, but basically, I'm also just cooling and pondering my options in making a really fresh start in an old familiar place.

[restored2x]

Welcome back! I had read many of your posts talking about returning - didn't realize it would be so soon.

Tulsa is better today - Mr. Jaymes is back.

[mr.jaynes]

And it's great to be back. Came in just prior to the ice storm, and I never thought I'd be happy to experience cold weather, but I am.

[Conan71]

Glad you are here MJ.  I think I promised you a beer some time back for this auspicious occasion.  Did you already land a job or are you going pot luck?

[cannon_fodder]

Well holy cow, actually up and came back just like he said.  Keep us filled in on all the details.

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Well holy cow, actually up and came back just like he said.  Keep us filled in on all the details.

Well, although I like the Gulf region, hurricanes and all, I miss the comforts and overall character of the Tulsa area: I grew up here, graduated HS here, the whole 9. I have been reconnecting with some of my friends in the area over the past few weeks, and what seems to be a daily basis, I find myself holding court just catching up on everything. And I don't mind, I really don't. Nice to see those I could only email in the past few years, or only visit with when I came for visits.

Had the moving truck haul my stuff from my home in Biloxi (a condo to be exact, bought and paid for) and carried my vehicle, while I took a flight back to T-Town. There is plenty to be said about touching down at the airport coming home, as opposed to merely crossing over into the city limits by motor vehicle. But it's coming back to town where everything begins.

Beginning with driving along 11th to view my alma mater, East Central High School once more, that is where it begins. Still remember my school days. The east side is not what it once was, though. Can't put my finger on it, except to say that my old Eastland Mall is obviously no more. Plaza 3 doesn't function as a movie theatre, and the area around 21st and Garnett seems to have changed in spirit somehow. But I am realistic: change is the only constant!

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Glad you are here MJ.  I think I promised you a beer some time back for this auspicious occasion.  Did you already land a job or are you going pot luck?

As soon as I'm settled in a job that I am personally convinced is the right fit, I shall buy YOU a beer, Conan! Hey, I may even spring for dinner!

As for work, I have been tending bar for an event firm in the area (as well as driving a limo for another concern) as I look to find the best gig. For both, the tips are great, but, you know, I do want more.

As my degree and experience in the IT field would make me what I think should ideally make me a desirable candidate for some IT jobs in the area, I'm starting with that. As I've worked in the Cosmetology/Spa game (licensed, trained, experienced and bona fide), I'm examining various salons and spas to see what Tulsa has to offer. I'm also looking at the Casinos in the area to see if they need dealers and/or bartenders, both of which which I'd worked at in Biloxi (primarily I was a dealer, but I was initially trained by the bar while awaiting my Mississippi gaming license).    

At the same time, I'm kinda relaxing a bit, a mini-sabbatical as it were; I need it after pulling all the nearly 16 hour workdays I did for a number of years in the Gulf. I've got an apartment (all paid up for the next 6 months) while I also go out looking for a small house or a condo in the area.

[RecycleMichael]

You sound very employable with lots of talents.

I used to have job skills, but lost them after an illness. I thought it was west nile virus, turns out it was senile virus.

[rwarn17588]

As you probably already know, there are plenty of small and affordable houses on the west side.

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

You sound very employable with lots of talents.

In all modesty, I just saw some things I wanted to try my hand at beyond my Computer training after the bottom fell out of the market, while falling back on my Cosmetology training which more or less paid for my education at University of New Orleans. It's just that I found that there were some things I had a knack for and I suppose I was innately attracted to those jobs.

For instance, I especially was interested in tending bar whilst in college, and so between semesters, I went to bartending school there in NOLA, and the next thing ya know, I'm also tending bar on the side at a restaurant in town. In college, I also happened to have had a classmate who worked as a tour guide in the city, and her firm needed an extra hand, and since I knew New Orleans (I was born there after all), I got my license so I could occasionally help out. It all came in handy when the IT field slimmed down and so I managed to juggle the salon gig, tending bar and tour guide on my days off from the previous 2 gigs.

Anyway, a colleague of mine at the salon was attending a dealer's school around then, and I always sort of found the whole Croupier thing kinda glamorous and entertaining, I just didn't knbow there was a dealers school at the time. So I was referred to check out the gaming school in town, so I signed up for that with financial aid, and found I enjoyed learning and practicing very enjoyable. So when I looked at the job scene in Biloxi, I could pretty much pick and choose.

Coming back here, I think it is simply the fact that I like dealing with the public that's gotten me the gigs I have for the time being. The bartending gig (even if it's only a couple of days a week, the tips are great for me) and the limo-car service gig (ditto).

Tending bar, I told my boss that as long as I could have a tip jar, I'm cool with whatever they had for me. The fact that I get to eat some of that catered food is another bonus. The networking opportunities are amazing also.  

As for being a driver, I guess that once a client hands you a C-Note on your first night just for driving them around for the evening, it just sort of validates the notion that you're onto something good (thus far, I have never gotten anything less than a $50, but every little bit helps). I saw the drivers at the casino making some good money, and so in hopes of pinch-hitting for them (which never materialized unfortunately), I got my license for that. Good how I was able to get it here, as it's thus far paid for itself every time I get behind the wheel.    

So I think it is just a matter of finding something you like, or simply being subconsciously drawn to it, and just going with it.  

But I am carefully examining the casinos in this locality, as I'm experienced as both a dealer and as a bartender. I am also looking to see if they have drivers, and if they also do well. I may be able to write my own proverbial ticket with them. I am also looking at the local hotels for other tipped positions.  

As for the salons, I've looked at department store salons, as well as high-end salons, neighborhood salons. And if there is a way to finagle a gig at a local TV station, that would be the ultimate!  

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

As you probably already know, there are plenty of small and affordable houses on the west side.

That there are. I drove up around the neighborhoods along Charles Page Blvd, as well as Southwest Bld., and have seen some houses appropriate to my wants and needs. Also, a friend of mine from back in the day and his family lives in a condo, and having visited him at his complex, it seems not only affordable and convenient to the Mall and 71st Street, but also a peaceful kind of neighborhood. I've also seen deals on townhouses that look good.

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Glad you are here MJ.  I think I promised you a beer some time back for this auspicious occasion.

And Conan, I'm always feeling generous, believe me.

[sgrizzle]

Come to Caz's tomorrow from 5-7, join the rest of us..

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Come to Caz's tomorrow from 5-7, join the rest of us..

If I do not have to work, I shall be more than honored to join in the fun.