Being Outback Mike

They call me Outback Mike. I even have my own theme song; which will not be recited here. They took to this like stink on a hockey jersey. They went so far as to put it one the Welcome Sign in the plant lobby. Am I offended? Am I bothered by this attention? Not really. Ya know why? Because it's attention I wasn't getting before. Before I was Outback Mike they wouldn't get the time of day. Now, Outback Mike gets conversations and dialog. It may seem trivial that I needed attention, and you're right, it is. But if I don't have a relationship with them, some type of dialog, I would have a very difficult working for them. I had no idea what they thought of me or my work. They didn't know anything about me. Too bad it took a silly story to get the ball rolling, but I'm happy to say that since then they have started to appreciate what I bring to the table. Sure, they give me a ton of grief and love to make me the butt of most jokes. But I can deal with that. It's being ignored that was difficult.
Oh, you're wondering what the story is. Well, here's the scoop. I had made a trip to my customers plant in North Carolina one weekend. I was alone and arrived the night before I was scheduled to be in the plant. It was late, around 9:00 P.M., and wanted to grab a quick meal. I went to the Outback Steakhouse close to the hotel and had a seat right at the bar. Two bartenders were working that night, both female. Cute, but nothing to write home about. I order a martini and start looking at the menu. I quickly ordered a grilled chicken salad just at my drink arrives. My salad arrives as I finish my martini and the bartender asks if I'd like another drink. I decline and ask for a glass of water. I tell her I had to be in the plant early in the morning and didn't want to start drinking. Truth is, I didn't want to spend my whole days per diem on liquor at the bar. She informs me that it would be on the house. Well, I accept the offer and order a gin & tonic. I also ask for my glass of water. I finish my meal and drink and ask for my check. She asks if I'd like another drink. Well, I'm not going to turn down a free drink and settle down to enjoy my third while I scan the restraurant for someone that might be buying me drinks. Can't see anyone. All couples in sight. Have to admit, being bought a drink is kind of flattering. Never happened before, so I was enjoying this. Now I finish my drink and ask who I should thank for the drinks. She ignores my question and asks if I'd like another. I decline. I have to get back to the hotel and am starting to feel pretty good after three drinks. I ask her again who I should thank. She says that they would prefer to stay anonymous. Hmmmm. I tell her to thank them for me and I leave.
So the next day I tell one of the maintnenace guys this same story, but instead I tell them that the bartender told me that "he'd like to stay anonymous." Well, you can imagine the brewhaha that erupted over this. And thus, Outback Mike was born.