Memorial Day

The day where we remember and honor our brave soldiers fighting for us in a senseless war. Oh do not worry, I am not about to go on some kind of political rant, I actually want to tell you about one of my favorite Memorial Day memories and how it almost resulted in me not having my current job or living in Pittsburgh.

This was probably four or five years ago, I had only been a server at the restaurant I used to work at for about a year. I had to work 11-8 on Memorial Day. I was annoyed because I wanted to go do some family stuff back in Philipsburg, and did not think it was fair that I had to work even though I worked the night before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve (actually I worked 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), and President's Day (hey, I like President's Day, big holiday for me).

Around one o'clock my boss realizes that it is pretty dead and starts to send people home, since we were getting time and a half to sit around. I am next on the list to go home early and it is rapidly approaching four, I figure someone will come on and the bossman will send me home.

Then, the unthinkable starts to happen. It rains. I get sat a table with a four people, parents and two children. I will pretty much never forget this conversation that ensued between the lady and I.

Me: Hi folks, what can I start ya off to drink?
Lady: Well that did not sound very chipper!
Me: Sorry, not really with it today, wanted off for Memorial Day. I wanted to go see my family and enjoy a nice cookout. I apologize.
Lady: It is raining now, so you are not missing too much.
Me (my irritation becomes very noticeable): That's fantastic, we are understaffed, which means everyone will leave their funtime picnics and come here. I will get slammed and not have a chance to leave anywhere close to my end time of 8 o'clock. If it stops raining, my boss will be too afraid to send me home early in case it rains again, and I will make absolutely no money. Any way you look at it, today is a lose-lose situation.
Lady: I would like to speak with your manager.
Me: Gladly.

Needless to say, my boss almost fired me. At that point, I would not have cared. So anyways, go out, enjoy this lovely day. Have a picnic, drink some beers, and remember, I will be at work not having fun in any way whatsoever.