Ennui, the Red Shirt

I despise it when people mask apology as gratitude. Saying thank you every time you see someone working harder than everyone else isn't making them feel good about themselves - it's more likely annoying the shit out of them; well, if they're anything like me.

There was a mixer today, so a few of us were called in to work it - I was one of these people. I don't mind; I'm getting paid and the more special events I do, the better. Today, however, was just plain insane. I knew I was going to ice down the sodas - thankfully, Estela helped out with this, as did Melissa. The beer had been iced down earlier during the day as the bartender - Jose - set up his business. That was fine and dandy, I knew it was going to be like that. However, when the caterer came, we had to help her move the tables to a shaded area. Then she asked if we can help her unload. Melissa looked around for the guys who set up but the woman said they weren't with her - or weren't with her anymore at that moment. So we had to do it. Again, I expected to do things like this so I went along with it. 

There were four of us in the bar - that was more than we needed. One of us would be asked to do something else. Looking around - and coincidentally, I was wearing a red jersey - I knew I was going to be the guy they asked to do something else.

Later, Bossman told me to help the staff-less caterer and so I went, much to Melissa's taunting. While, annoyed at first - I don't like working with food - I started staring down at the trails, speaking with a few people and then to the caterer. She bought the company a couple of years ago. I told her my cousin, Damien, worked there once, but that was before her time. Staring at the spinach-artichoke dip that was set before me, I started to feel his absence again. In his honor, I tasted the dip I was against tasting when he was still with  us. 

The food was good and the night went on. When we started to pack up, I was in charge of taking things to the walk in freezer. I started with the sodas and waters. When I grabbed the second one, J asked me to help the caterer take things down. I told him I was busy, to which he said, "Well, after you're done." I have this rule - if you're not my supervisor or the person who signs my check, your needs go at the bottom of list. I still had to put away the unopened sodas, the beer, throw out the trash, and take the tables back to storage - the caterer had to wait. Luckily for the both of us, someone came to help her. I don't mind doing things for J, don't think I'm an asshole, but really the other two aforementioned are at the top of the list. Even if I'm doing something for J, if they ask me something, I'm going to drop it and do their errand - not because I don't like J, but because I want to stay on their good side. 

The night went smoothly; I sustained no injuries. Now I look forward to the even coming up next month. Let's hope it's a good one.