Balloons!

I should've taken pictures with my phone, but I don't know how to get them onto my computer. I started work at 4:30 and was at Balloon Fiesta Park before 5am. It was frickin freezin. But it was pretty cool. I mostly watched balloons instead of working. And instead of paying $6 for a ticket, I got paid $9 per hour. Yay.

First is dawn patrol, where 10 or so balloons launch before sunrise with lights on to test the weather. Then is the Mass Ascension. Today was special shapes, so there were all sorts of cool things like witches, Smokey the Bear, turtles, Noah's Ark, a castle, a pink house, Pooh, the Energizer Bunny, two bees that kissed midflight, Darth Vader, and so much more. (Oh yeah, and the European crew for Darth Vader flew into the Sunport in full storm trooper regalia.) After they all launched, the regular balloons that were relegated to off-field because of the special shapes got to launch to play a game. They had to come down to the field and try to pick up flags off posts or drop streamers near posts in an effort to win prizes, but they couldn't touch the field. Then they would go back up. The box was working, so most of them could come back around for a second try.

If you are not familiar with balloon workings as I was not, balloons do not steer. They just increase or decrease the gas to go up or down. At different elevations the air takes them different directions. Albuquerque hosts the Balloon Fiesta because of the box. At a lower elevation, winds take you one direction, and then you can go up higher to come back. In theory you could land in the same place, although this hardly ever works. The box does not function all the time, but it was in full force for awhile today. It was so cool! Everybody should come visit for this event next year. I am going back on Saturday, but the weather might not be good enough for flight so that won't be fun.

I definitely came home and slept for about 3 hours in the middle of the day. I didn't want to sleep so long, but someone was supposed to call and wake me up and failed to do so. Men. I swear. Anyway, balloons! Yay!

$1000 per plate

That's right folks. Welcome to money. Last night I served a certain non-retiring US Senator from New Mexico, a freshman senator from Montana, the Mayor of the largest town in New Mexico, three super nice Secret Service personnel, and about 100 rich Democrats at an event that raised over $200,000, the most ever in New Mexico. Apparently catering is how you can hang with the rich crowd even when you're not rich. It's so interesting to see who is nice and who ignores you like you are invisible and aren't carrying a tray of tasty food. The senators were so-so. Could be better, could be worse. It was one of the easiest events I have worked. At least they weren't Republicans! Rumor has it Republican parties are not so nice. They are afraid people will see them drink so they drink half a glass of wine and leave glasses all over the place. And they aren't friendly. This is what I hear. I am not being partisan...

I Shall Return...

...to Arizona. My sister is coming in for a last minute home-viewing trip, so I will drive over to see her this Saturday through Tuesday or Wednesday (13th-16th/17th). This will make 3 weekends in a row I have been to Arizona - this is getting quite ridiculous. After that, I won't be back until probably Thanksgiving, as I will be starting my new job on the 22nd. Yay! Hopefully I can see everyone this time. Sadly enough, Matt will be in Tucson from today until Saturday, so we will miss each other in AZ completely. While he is gone I will be getting up ass-early in the morning to cater breakfasts at the oh-so-famous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. (You may think my definition of ass-early is around 7, but it is actually prior to 4. So there.) I am hoping I will have worked off the cost of my uniforms by the end of this week.

A Night of Beer (Just not for Me)

So yesterday I completed a 15 hour shift with my catering company. I got there at 6:10 in the morning and stayed until 9:10 at night. I could have stayed later last night but after I spilled a glass of water I decided maybe I should leave. The day involved two events and a bit of prep work. Then I went back at 6:10 this morning but I left 2.5 hours later.

But the big story is who I served. An elite party of Albuquerque VIPs (some of whom I had seen at a previous engagement, leading me to believe that there aren't many people in the Albuquerque elite) was gathered for a 6 course dinner with paired beers in honor of a certain founder of a Boston-based beer company. I'm pretty sure I signed a confidentiality statement, but I'm not naming any names here. He was sort of nice. About the 10th time I brought appetizers around he took one and actually said thank you. I only served 3 of the courses, but I don't think I'm into the whole fine dining experience. I would rather stick to buffets and cocktail parties. The hosts' backyard was absolutely gorgeous though. It was again over by the river, had a pool without any concrete surrounding it, an in-ground fire-pit, immaculate landscaping, and Italian fountain and so much more. This is how I get to see how the other half lives. The daughter of the hosts' was miraculously well-adjusted and helped out in the kitchen all night.

Now I have heard that the hostess tips extremely well (I think what this means is that she throws a lot of parties), but I left early so I don't know what that means for me. I wanted to stay to make sure but in the end I decided my future was more important than a big tip as I have two job interviews today and I didn't want to be a sleepwalker at them.