1/22/08
The day started out normal enough. We all came in at six and started prepping for what we knew would be another busy Sunday. Around the time the store opened we started to notice a foul smell coming out of the drains on the floor. As the morning went on and we got busier the smell worsened. Right in the middle of rush sewage water started rising out of them. We were unable to really have the chance to react to what was happening because we were so busy. We just kept looking at each other helplessly as we slid around in the filthy water. The tread in my non slip shoes had become caked with what I assume was poop and I was sliding all over the place like it was a skating rink. I just kept working. I hoped they were calling a plumber but what what else could I do? The dish guys tried to mop it up but it slowly would come back. Jason was way too backed up with tickets for me to sit there and fuss at him about our poopy problem.
“Please God…send a plumber.”
I walked out into the cafe to replenish cups and a very angry lady approached me.
“Ma’am. There are no squeezable lemons out here! I really need you to get me some lemons.”
I did not appreciate her tone. I thought it was ironic that the biggest problem she was having that morning was that she had no squeezable lemons for her sweet tea and I… well I was literally, excuse my French, stuck in a shitty job. We all have problems. Some are worse than others but all the problems regardless of the severity need solving. So instead of catching an attitude about how she should thank God because worse things could be happening, I got her fresh lemons. Later I cleaned the crap out of my shoes. Much later I went looking for a new job.
They say when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade. No one tells you what to do when those lemons are “unsqueezable.” My friend Karl once said
“Life is going to hand you lemons and when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade, or lemon meringue pie, or lemon squares, or those little slices of lemons you find in punch bowls at dances but you’d better find something to do with all those lemons or you’ll be the first person to die from being squashed by them.”
He wrote that in my 19th birthday card and although I have long since lost the card I still remember his advice. Again, everyone has problems. Some are worse than others but remember that you should be careful of who you take your aggressions out on as a result of them because they might just be having a crappier day than you- and they might not be as nice as me.
Way too nice,
andiepandie31
