As rumored and anticipated for months, I finally got my promotion at the winery today.  I am officially a "Wine Technician II," which is one step above "Wine Technician I."  What this means is that I am proficient at not completely screwing up all the time, and thus the powers-that-be felt the need to cough up fifty cents more an hour to keep me from scattering to Napa, where they pay better.

Aside from the minimally extra scrill, the true bonus of my higher rank comes on Monday, when I begin teaching safety classes.  Okay... management sees this as a bonus.  I look at it as exploitation of the fact that I don't have a problem addressing crowds.  I will be responsible for training the winery staff on the safe use of small hand tools, such as hammers, screwdrivers, power drills and saws - none of which we ever use.  It should be cakewalk, as at least it negates me having to do any sort of actual work for a whole day.

I guess that more importantly for me, I have the opportunity to impress the corporate folk, which is where I eventually see myself headed.  There is no real chance at financial independance at the winery level, save being the winemaker, but I don't have the nose or palette for that (because I smoke, and I ain't quitting, so don't bug me about it).  Besides, I don't give a crap if there are hints of gooseberry or whatnot in my wine.  I either like it or I don't.  I'm a simple man that way.

But still, it was nice to be recognized at some minor level.  There was definitely pomp and circumstance regarding the ordeal.  Everybody was gathered and donuts provided, just so that people would attend, and speeches were given regarding my performace.  Apparently I have picked up every single thing thrown at me faster than anyone that the bosses have ever seen (at least that's what they said in public), so I must be doing something right.

I can't tell.  I'm usually too hungover, like I was at the ceremony.  All I heard was a lot of clapping and cheering, which caused my fragile head to throb.  To celebrate my own rising star, I took Motrin.