Today our BBQ team captain emailed us a spreadsheet, containing the final team list, and a list of what would be in member packets – wristiks for entry into the park, wristbands to indicate team membership while in our booth, Wednesday night Friends & Family passes, T-shirts, that kind of thing. I eagerly opened it, wanting to see who the final list of teammates would be. As I scanned it I found my own name, and found the following under the wristik column:
1 (24-hour)
They had given me a 24-hour pass, which means I would be able to be in the park even after it officially closes. I could stay there all night if I wanted. Counting team members and sponsors, we’re somewhere in the 40s when it comes to membership, but only 15 per team are allowed to have the 24-hour passes.
So it was a real privilege to be awarded one, right?
WRONG!!!!!!!!
With a 24-hour pass comes the expectation of extra work. Those with the passes are expected to remain in the booth, clean up, and get things ready for the next day. I’ve never been known as the team’s hardest worker and that’s a reputation I have no problem with. When the park closes at midnight Thursday and Friday, I want to skeedaddle out of there and get to a bar as fast as possible. Which bar, I don’t know. Since our booth is pretty far to the south end of the park, maybe I’ll stay south and catch up with my friends on the Squeal Street team at Max’s or the Double J. Or maybe I’ll head back to the core to spend some time at my faves the Saucer and the Bear.
But I sure as hell don’t want to be in the booth cleaning until 2 AM or later!!!
I emailed the team president and explained the situation, and that I’d never had a 24-hour pass with my old team. She understood and reduced me to a three-day regular-hour park pass with a ticket for Wednesday night.
It was an honor to be offered one, but there are some honors that need to be turned down. I wonder how many emails and texts the team prez got saying, “Really? You gave PAUL a 24-hour pass?” If she got any, they were completely justified and I’ll be the first to admit it.
All right, outta here. Happy hour at the Saucer is next, then over to the Bear for Jamie’s poker game.