My Journey To Becoming A Podcaster Part 3: A Core Memory From Working At The Acela Club

Transcript

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Welcome to the Ask Velvet Podcast. I'm your host, Velvet, and thank you so much for joining me for another episode of My Journey to Becoming a Podcaster. If you have been following this series, you already know that before I became a podcaster, I worked many different jobs that helped shape the woman I am today. One of my favorite jobs was working at the seller club inside what was then the Verizon Center, now Capital One Arena. I met some incredible people, made great tips, and created memories. And I'll never forget, today's episode is about one of those memories, a night when I finally got to experience a Capitals game as a fan instead of an employee. So let's get into it. At this point, I had been working at the Cellar Club for about four seasons. During that time, I had gotten to know many of the regular guests, one couple in particular became regular customers and they were always kind to me. One day the husband asked me, My wife can't make the upcoming Capitals game. Would you like to use her ticket to go with me? I said absolutely. This was something completely different for me because I was always working the games. I had never really experienced one as a fan. Of course, if you know me, you know I don't like being late for anything. So I arrived early. We met in the Acela Club, enjoyed dinner together, talked for a while, and then headed down to our seats. These weren't just any seats. The they were down close to the ice. If you know, you know. And yes, it was definitely cold down there. So I came prepared. As we were sitting there talking and waiting for the game to begin, I noticed a group of ladies a few seats away looking over at us. They kept whispering, looking, whispering again. Now, I noticed them, but I don't think they realized I noticed them. A few minutes later, my guest received a phone call. It was his wife. Apparently, someone had called her to let her know that her husband was at the game with another woman. The ladies sitting nearby had assumed he was cheating. His wife immediately laughed and told them exactly who I was. She explained that Soviet, she works at the Excel Club. I couldn't make the game, so I told my husband to invite her so the ticket wouldn't go to waste. After he got off the phone, he leaned over and said, Velvet, you're not going to believe what just happened. When he told me, I looked over at those ladies and said, Oh, okay. So we've got some Karen's sitting over there. He laughed and said, Pretty much. Then I told him, I'll be right back. Immediately he said, Oh no, Velvet, please don't. I smiled and said, Don't worry, I've got this. So I got up, walked over to the ladies, smiled politely, and introduced myself. Hello ladies, my name is Velvet, as if you didn't already know. Then I continued. If you wanted to know who I was, all you had to do was come introduce yourselves. I would have gladly told you. You didn't have to call this man's wife and tell her that her husband was here with another woman. I understand why you may have assumed something was going on. But the truth is his wife knows exactly where he is, exactly who I am, and she knows he invited me because she couldn't attend tonight's game. So next time, before jumping to conclusions, just ask. I smiled, turned around, walked back to my seat, sat down, and that was the end of that. They didn't say another word for the rest of the game. We enjoyed the hockey game, had a wonderful evening, and I finally got to experience what it felt like to sit on the other side as a guest instead of an employee. Looking back, it still makes me laugh. Not because I embarrassed anyone, but because it reminded me how quickly people create stories in their minds without ever asking a simple question. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation. That was one of my funniest and most memorable experiences while working at the Acela Club inside the Verizon Center. It taught me that assumptions can spread faster than the truth. And sometimes the best way to clear the air is to simply introduce yourself and tell your own story. Thank you so much for listening to part three of my journey to becoming a podcaster. In part four, I'll share another unforgettable core memory from my time working at the Verizon Center, one that has stayed with me all these years. Until next time, keep believing in yourself, keep chasing your dreams, and remember that every job, every experience, and every chapter of your life is preparing you for the story you are meant to tell.