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There are days when I love my job

December 12th, 2022 by Kenneth Abrahams

In the 30 plus years that I have been doing this job, so many people have commented that, I have a really cool job, or I must love my job. My standard answer is that my job, like so many others, has its ups and its downs. Any profession or position where you deal extensively with the public will lead to that feeling. You run into some incredible people and, in our case, get to work in some amazing locations, but you also have the flip side of the coin, where we meet some not so nice people and work in some less-than-ideal situations. Every year at this time, for whatever reason, some of us that work at a lot of events talk about the more interesting events and locations we have worked at. It is also something that clients on occasion ask us about. Here are just a few of the good, the bad, the ugly, and the bizarre that we have encountered over the years.

December 2000, Bradlees Department Store Holiday party: We arrived and set up their employee holiday party. We had all sorts of fun things for the staff to do. While we are setting up, an announcement was made that the entire chain is going out of business and in the very near future all their stores will be closing. To say it wasn’t super festive would be an understatement.

Campbells Soup Party backstage at the Opera House in Boston: Truly one of the most amazing spaces I have ever worked in. As someone who did theater in college and worked with our town’s middle school community theater group, this was an incredible opportunity. To be backstage at this majestic theater, for me, was like a kid in a candy store with no budget. What a beautiful space.

Over the years, we have seen behaviors at corporate events that leave nothing to the imagination. We understand why some companies no longer hold these parties. Years ago, one organization sent us their contract, asking us to assume an incredible amount of liability for the behavior of their employees. They were shocked when we sent the document back unsigned with more red ink on it than black. For this event, they bused their group in, had an open bar, and then let them find their own way home. We stood aghast as several attendees bent over in their chairs and threw up under the tables. Glad we didn’t sign that contract. At another event, I had a guest, who was feeling no pain, grab my face. Those that know me, know that under the best of circumstances, I don’t like to be touched.

Another event at a mansion/castle near a beach had tethered Hot Air Balloon rides. We didn’t get to take one, but they looked absolutely beautiful and the people in attendance loved them. It was a very classy, well-orchestrated event.

For years, we got to do holiday events at the World Trade Center in Boston. In their heyday, they had dozens of parties between Thanksgiving and the first week of January. They were an organization that did it right. It seemed that each year the décor was better than the year before. Not only was the place decorated magnificently but the food always looked and smelled amazing. Honestly, I miss some of those large events.

Playing Santa over the years, I have arrived by fire truck, mechanical reindeer, and helicopter. When not being toted around by nine tiny reindeer, Santa always travels first class. As he should of course.

No telling of our war stories would be complete without the OB/GYN Office holiday party, that we did years ago. We were doing Antique photos in a ridiculously small stairwell. It is, to date, the smallest, most cramped location I have ever worked in. What made the night even stranger, some of you will have a hard time believing this, was that one of the buffet tables was a beautifully decorated (with shimmering gold cloth, flowers, and plants) exam table complete with stirrups. Even though I’m sure the table had been cleaned, it is still today the strangest thing I have ever seen food served on.

Events and location are important but to me it is always about the people that I meet. This year has been no exception. For whatever reason, I have met an amazing number of international students. At one location, I chatted with a woman from Pakistan, who was studying at a Catholic college in the US. She was so happy as a Christian from a predominantly Muslim country to be able to experience Christmas with a large community of like-minded people. Could there be any better present than that? A student from Ghana, who longed to be going back there for Christmas, but the timing did not permit her and her family to make the long trip worth it. She would like to go back for a month or two. While working, she made several calls to family and friends all speaking in her native language. Of course, I couldn’t understand a word, but the sound and the cadence were beautiful. Working for several hours next to a student from Puerto Rico, who told me how beautiful the country is, well at least some parts of it (her words not mine), and how much better the food was there. It is easy to be engaged when the stories that you hear are fascinating and the people warm and sincere.

Then there was a student who, shortly after meeting her, described herself as basic. It is safe to say that in all the years I have been doing this, I have never run into anybody that self-identified as basic. Basic, how can anyone be basic? People are all unique and fascinating. Why would you describe yourself as basic? Her response was that she was your basic blond. Nothing really outstanding about her. Nothing could be further from the truth. She was anything but basic. Very smart with a strong sense of self and a ready smile. We talked about politics, government, and her journey as she is heading to law school. Frankly, the time just flew by. It makes me love what I do.

Yes, we have had some less than stellar jobs, and we have interacted with some folks that, based on our interactions with them, are not the best this planet has to offer. Most days, I get up and look forward to what the day has to offer. You never know what is beyond the next bend in the road or what is behind the door of the next job site. It is hard to disagree with people when they say I have a cool job; however, it may not be for the reasons they think.

About the author

Believe it or not, Ken Abrahams is somewhat of an introvert. That doesn’t mean he is shy, just that after some days on the phone or after working events he just needs a bit of quiet reflection time and a good book. If you want to know a bit more about introverts and extraverts just ask Amma Marfo.

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