It may suprise many people to learn that the source of all this senseless bartending knowledge is an 18 year old college guy named Whes. After all, most kids at this age know little more about booze than it will ruin your morning if you drink too much of it. So then why, the people ask, would such an otherwise intellegent and trustworthy guy like myself want to devout time and effort towards learning about a trade such as this? And I reply, "why the heck not?"

First things first, I am currently a college Junior, (A business/marketing major) at a young age, mainly because I'm smart and polished off High School at 16, earning high honors in the process. I have a few more years left before I transfer to a major school, have a change of lifestyle ordeal, and start college over, majoring in journalism or physics or something. So I did some planning ahead on what I could do to keep myself "economically-viable" throughout this crisis. And somehow, bartending popped into my head.

I, like so many others seek a job where there is to be had flexable scheduling, an informal work enviroment, good pay, and above all, a job that is tolerable, if not fun. But my personal needs include a noctournal schedule and a chance to talk to a bunch of people on an entertaining level. Bartending actually accomidates all of these needs, and has some added perks as well, including an expanded social scene, and a large discretionairy income in the form of cash. Plus, there is nothing better for a young guy than to get paid to show off, i.e. flair, baby!

And these statements proved themselves true throughout my first Bar job, which I aquired at the beginning of Summer '99. The "City Limits" in Naples, Florida was the stage for my first role as BarBoy. Even though I came out cold, as in no experience, I was prepared thanks to my own diligent self-teaching regiment that I began 3 months prior, when I had this odd bar idea. My sources were mainly the internet and books borrowed from Barnes and Noble. Here I learned about equipment, form, booze history, and not too few recipes as well. I also spent many educational evenings saddled up to the planks of the local bars, sipping free Shirley Temples, and watching the pros at work. Soon enough, I purchased my first set of equipment, and learned their uses on my own. The college crowd provided me with oppertunities to become a house-party "Mercenary Bartender." This gave me some expeirience, mainly in how to mix and serve drinks fast.

One of these days, I will compile my aquired knowledge with my "teach others to teach themselves" ability, and sell it as a book or video series. But for now, it's free. So drink of my knowledge, it's on the house...