For a Pessimist, I am Pretty Optimistic

This isn’t the first holiday I’ve forgotten about. Most recently, I had no idea it was Memorial Day until the town’s high school band began warming up a block away from my house. I still thought to myself “What the hell?” until I almost got caught in the town’s parade during a quick trip to the local store.

Sure, as a kid I looked forward to every holiday and the school closing that usually accompanied it, but when I started working full time, holidays took on a different meaning. Every job I took was customer service based so a holiday to others meant a huge sale, a different menu, non-stop crowds, etc.

When I began working for the airlines, they brainwashed any idea of a holiday out of me and I don’t think I’m exaggerating about the word brainwashed. Their 4 week orientation was spent telling us how “wonderful” the industry was and how “non-stressful” it could be and how the company offered so many “perks” there was “no need” for a union.  The only time my instructor was upfront and honest with us was when one person asked “How easy is it to request to have a holiday off?” to which she replied “In the airline industry, there are no holidays. There are no weekends. Everything is simply a day, so start getting used to it now.” And she was right. After working there for a while, all the days just sort of blended in together and my “weekends” became Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Today was yet another day that nearly blended in with the rest. There were a few telling factors, such as the mail not being delivered, but I just assumed our carrier was running late. Ha, even when I turned on the TV and was confronted by the usual Law and Order holiday marathon on TNT, I just muttered to myself and changed the channel. There’s always some Law and Order marathon playing.

In fact, it wasn’t until I went to check some directions on Google that I started to catch on. Completely ignoring the picture that always changes on their front page, I typed in my directions. Switching from map to street view, that’s when I noticed that instead of the usual orange figure that appears, it was a little figure dressed as Uncle Sam!

So here’s hoping that everyone is having a happy and healthy July 4th. And while you’re drinking a beer during the fireworks show or munching on a hot dog in someone’s backyard, don’t forget to reflect a bit on not only those who helped to bring independence to our country, but also those who can’t partake in the festivities!

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