The Minnesota State Fair prints a brochure title Deals, Drawings & Giveaways. I worked the night shift on Day 2 because I traded with a coworker who wanted the night off. I figured I would take advantage of the afternoon hours and make a challenge out of signing-up for as many freebies as possible. Now, this brochure lists over sixty-five drawings and forty giveaways. Being realistic, I had taken the time to read through the list and select only the top twenty-five prizes I was actually interested in winning. I gave myself three hours to complete my mission.
After one hour, I realized I had grossly underestimated the time and energy necessary for this scheme. I had only signed up to win three prizes. And the last two were in the same building.
In my defense: The pure navigation skills involved in locating the sign-up sheets and then weaving through the hordes of other fairgoers is truly shocking. Combined with the sun and heat, I am not too proud to say that I simply was not up to the challenge.
And the other thing: I could not bring myself to just sign-up and walk away without at least saying, "Hello!" and, "How are you," and often, "Tell me about your organization!" I spent ten minutes chatting with a fellow at the Sierra Club about mining in northern Minnesota, five minutes learning about the Optimist Club, and another five minutes saying talking to a home improvement worker about more efficient windows. A few minutes here and a few minutes there later, all my time had disappeared!
The shameful results: I signed-up for a measly nine drawings and collected only three giveaways.
But then...Chicago Dog Making Artisst Time!
The night shift is like the day shift, except better.
One of my coworkers observed, "The day shift feels like work, but the night shift just feels like fun."
The atmosphere is completely different, the karaoke is more entertaining, the tips are existent, and occasionally, a cool breeze actually finds its way into the building. Plus, the night crew can put in extra hours when they stay for closing and clean-up. Of course, I stayed as late as I possibly could, which was 11:45 pm. The last bus left at 12:00 pm.
No problem.
I said good-bye, headed outside, and briskly walked directly to the...bike corral?
Ooops. This type of thing happens when I go on autopilot.
I checked the time. 11:55! Yikes! I booked it down to more gates to the bus stands, flashing promotional bling bouncing around my neck, hair flying, face looking half mad and sending out telepathic vibes like crazy that said, "Dear bus, please, please, please, do not leave early. I do not, do not, do not have any other way to get home since I left my bike in the garage so I wouldn't have to ride home in the dark!"
Someone was listening. As I approached the bus lot, my route was still waiting. Breathless, I hopped on and plopped myself down in one of the last remaining seats. A fellow passenger attempted to start a sing-along. It was 12:00 am. The driver pulled out at 12:02. Crisis averted!
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