The Working Girl Blog #20: It's Payday Friday

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Roberta J Cabot

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The Working Girl Blog #20: It's Payday Friday, or
Whaddaya mean we're going to karaoke tonight?

To see all of Bobbie's "Working Girl" blogs, click on this link: http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/19261/working-girl-blogs

I'm sure there are many different so-called "traditions" that people have in the office. Not so much different from mine, except that my little group has been together for less than two months. And in that short time, you wouldn't have thought that they'd have developed any sort of traditions.

Thing was, these people aren't new to the company. The bulk of my guys came from other projects that were either discontinued or were already completed. So it was a natural thing for these people to carry the "traditions" of their old teams over to mine.

A handful of my team are in their thirties/late forties, and like to go to karaoke bars. They've been trying to keep their old group's tradition alive: going to a KTV (that means "Karaoke TV" if you didn't know) on a payday. They've gone twice before, inviting everyone in the team to join them. I heard that, so far, there have been no takers. I didn't know about this until one of them - the oldest member of my team - knocked on my door a few minutes ago and invited me to join them tonight. (Well, actually, I heard about it a couple of days ago - I heard him talking about it to the other guys, and that he was intending to invite me.) Apparently the guy owned part of this karaoke bar-restaurant in DC, and he's offered to give us a ten percent discount. Seems this guy is very into sing-alongs and karaoke (he even had a guitar in his hand when he knocked, intending to bring it to the bar later).

Anyway, being new to this boss thing, I didn't know what to do, so I decided to err on the side that's safe, and accepted the invitation. I mean, if I said no, would I offend them? How will that affect morale? Or maybe I'm over-thinking this thing yet again, and it doesn't really matter. In any case, best to play safe and accept. Even though it's Karaoke. (Well, that's okay - it's not as if I had a lot of class to begin with... besides, I'm as cornball as anyone.)

As soon as I said yes, he turned to his cohorts and called out, "Bobbie said yes!" At which point, there was a bit of a hubbub and some of the others decided join us. Eh?

Those that joined were four girls out of the eight in my team, plus another guy, which makes our group five girls (that includes me) and four guys.

As those who've read my Danny stories (and the comments) know, I'm very into pop music and I play the guitar. And I think I sing passably well - my sister said I sound like Gloria Estefan when I sing. (Don't tell me you don't know who Gloria Estefan is!) Anyway, hopefully, this'll help me to not make a fool of myself later tonight...

Well, that's it. Not much to tell about today again, but there might be later tonight. I'll try and post something about it tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

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To see Bobbie's stories in BCTS, click this link: http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/14775/roberta-j-cabot

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Comments

Since you said your sister says you sound like Gloria Estefan,

...this is for you, kiddo!

I guess it took a little time, for me to see
The reason I was born into this world,
And what Iâ€™d have to go through
For Iâ€™ve finially realized, that I could
be infinitely better than before, definitely stronger
Iâ€™ll face whatever comes my way, savor each moment of the day,
Love as many people as I can along the way
Help someone whoâ€™s given up,
if itâ€™s just to raise my eyes and pray

Always Tomorrow! - by Gloria Estefan

Have fun, sweetheart!
I know there are times I've felt like giving up, and you've helped me!

She was born for all the wrong reasons but grew up for all the right ones.
Con grande amore e di affetto, Andrea Lena

To be alive is to be vulnerable. Madeleine L'Engle
Love, Andrea Lena

YouTube, you tube!

Well, we don't have to see you of course, but some audio would be cool.

Awesome about the singing though, I only just figured out I have a passably good singing voice again - better warmed up of course, which is the problem with karaoke singers - when I recently tried singing some showtunes ( yeah, I know. booooo! hisssss! ) which of course is not so demanding, but hey, for a T-girl who did not change pre-pube, that is pretty good.

Gloria Who? ;).

Kim

What's WRONG with...

Show Tunes! I LOVE them! But then, I'm also one that LOVES musical theater (audience mostly, mind you, though I did get to run the sound boards for a show a few years ago).

And, for what it's worth... If you're old enough (or willing to go look for older stuff) to remember the group "The 5th Dimension"... (Up, Up and Away) Their base used to hide at home and sing opera, where his friends couldn't find out. He was "Joe" in the most recent revival of "Show Boat" on Broadway! What a beautiful baritone voice (Ole Man River). Very different - all three types of music ... He claimed his friends in school would have given him a really hard time for enjoying Opera.

So, I think it's great you sing Show tunes! There WAS a time where show tunes WERE Pop Music (of course, that, mostly, has been a few years).

Can't do old man river anymore

... though I once did chorus in middle school and sang pretty well in my last year there. Yes, baritone :(.

I've lost it though since my voice is totally reconditioned to my correct gender. And yes, even if I talked in my sleep, in comes out correctly.

Kim

Karaoke requires liquid courage!

Just make sure you've got cab fare on you and you should be fine!

Actually, you're a great deal more brave than I. I have to be at least half drunk before I'll sing in front of anyone other than my family.

I've been a quite avid follower of your blog. I mean, you've expressed your insecurities and all, but from what you have written, it seems like you are living the life so many of us dream of.

Enjoy your evening!

Abby

Ooooooo...

I'm so envious! *sighs*

Karaoke can be fun, even if you sing as poorly as I do. (One individual suggested I use two buckets to carry a tune.) That said, I've successfully done one song to rave revues (Monster Mash) and did okay on Ring of Fire. Not to promising for my future singing as my self. (I can just imagine getting dragged out and getting talked into trying to sing. Say good bye to passing. LOL)

I think you did the right thing - going out. It IS good, for team building, for the team to go out in social situations - away from work environment. I'm glad they took you with them. It's been ages since I had the opportunity to work on a team like that. Being the outsider/hired gun/expert certainly has it's down side (At least it pays the bills).

Hope you can report you had a GREAT time!
Ann

I could make good money at Karaoke...

People would pay me to sit down and shut up!

I love your blog, Bobbie!

Kris

{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}