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With an illustrious career that spans back almost two centuries; I know some of you must wonder what I am up to these days.

For those of you reading this that don't know the history of my rather reluctant debut in the workforce ....... if nothing else you may get a laugh.

Thanks go to Mandy and Ian (who so rudely interrupted the worlds Knuckle championships as they were being played on the kitchen floor of No.12 Margaret St, Sandy Bay) I was competing in an Olympic championship (with myself) whilst these two most studiously filled in my application form for Drysdale House College of Hospitality. Hey!! they did a good job, so good in fact when I finally rolled up to the interview a day late (had a bit of hitchhiking to catch up with) Drysdale was so impressed with my application they thought it unnecessary for me to sit the English assessment as "judging by my application; I obviously was well versed in my native tongue. That left me a hell of a reputation to live up too!! Luckily I strove to live up to the expectations of others growing belief, that I had an excellent Vocabulary; because I don't think I did then....... but after having worked for some of the bastards I have worked for; I sure do now!

Lets start at the Red Fox Restaurant. First owned by George McHugh with whom I had no problems what-so-ever. George had his moments but I can honestly say that in my opinion George McHugh was the best boss I ever had. I always smile when remembering George, his mannerisms, his ways and his sayings; but George sold the Red Fox to a man named Ted Mann and I soon stopped smiling!

In many ways it was George who kind of set me onto the path of *1 ."LIQUIDATION " that I have trodden for so many years. I can still see George standing there tapping the side of his nose with his index finger saying "Forewarned is forearmed, Monica !"

The rest is a history later to be read by readers of the Mercury and the Examiner (Hobart and Launceston Newspapers for those of you who don't know).

For those of you who haven't got a bloody clue what I am talking about this picture of Red Fox Letterhead may explain.

You see Ted pissed me off. But credit where credit is due; Ted was smart enough to declare bankruptcy before we ever got to court.

This episode and the build up to it had a deep and scarring effect on poor Ted, who daily summoned up his strength speak to any media outlet that would listen. "My wife has left me, my business has gone broke" lamented daily on TV, radio and to the papers. When media interest waned, Ted had to summon up the strength to contact them and re-kindle their interest. Luckily for Ted; Andrew Kean was there to calm and comfort him. Andrew (selfless soul that he was) often spent (What I am sure were fruitful and special hours) Bonding with Ted, reading to him and playing the odd game .

Despite Andrews consoling, and as a result of the mental suffering this episode caused Ted, he was forced to leave the company of humans and move to Bruny Island with others of his ilk. Here at last Ted has found company among people who will marvel at his exploits, regale him for his wisdom, cheer at his courage, and who wouldn't question the validity of his anecdotes despite the obvious inconsistencies.

As I mentioned earlier, I was involved with the demise of Ted Mann from the Red Fox, and I didn't even work there anymore.

I was employed by The Travellers Rest Hotel. My first employers here, Ken and Shirley Oliver were just great. Really nice employers.

But The Trav’s was slowly going broke. After the untimely departure of Ken and Shirley, the original owner of the building took over Travellers Rest Hotel. Enter, Hospitality Incompetent, Terry Ewing. Like Ted, Terry didn't go much on the ridiculous hourly rate he was forced to pay employee’s since the abolition of slavery; So he didn't. Complaints to the relevant authority were threatened, but only one person actually went past the phone call of enquiry.

You probably guessed it......

The Department of Labour and Productivity went to work, doing what they are paid to. ("Not much in my opinion").... but despite being thwarted in my attempts to secure restitution for lost wages, Terry Ewing did close down.

"There there Terry" I am sure that when that horrible, horrible incident was over, you went home to mummy "You did still live with your mummy didn't you Terry " ? She poured you maybe 10 to 12 big strong drinks, and kissed it all better.

1988 saw me leave Tasmania and arrive in sunny Perth, Western Australia. After a few insignificant positions, I was lucky enough to stumble across the Lynwood Arms Hotel. The "Thrashing Arms" as

Roger (yet again!) so colloquially named it. This was a fairly "OK" kind of place to work, Vic my boss and his (future wife) Bente were great, both very competent managers but Chris (Vic’s older brother)was in my opinion a moron. A wages dispute was soon settled after:- eg

I should I guess thank him some day, because after leaving the Thrashing Arms my luck with employers just continued to get worse.

Only an idiot wouldn't have bothered attending the interview at the Fremantle Sailing Club.

On hearing the commentary about the rate of pay, conditions and general amenities there I decided that it all sounded pretty good.

Heres how I heard the relevant job details :-

Gosh wasn't I in for a surprise !

It took a while, and it was my most exhausting adversary, I can honestly say I have never met anyone quite like Mr Brian Adams.

And it has been said that "He has probably never met anyone quite like you" ! *2.

The club was a pretty tough cookie, and I probably bit off more than I can chew, but the end result was to me quite pleasing.

Well now I have had enough of cooking. I recently left Optus (Of my own volition) after applying for and getting a position in Telstra. C.C Customer Sales. I couldn't be more pleased. This position is permanent Part-time, (27.5 hours per week) and pays as much as my old job.( 45+ hours per week) And I get to spend my day on the phone in front of a computer.... "ITS MY PERFECT JOB" !

*1. Roger Hanson :- This description of my industrial trials stems from my being nick named the Liquidator

*2. Brian Archer. A comment made after I extolled that I had never met anyone like Brian Adams.