Working for the Weekend

A couple months ago we received an email with the date of Jacob's one and only local travel lacrosse tournament.  And of course it was scheduled for the one weekend day of the year that I know I have to work.  It fell on the Saturday of Meliora Weekend, the University's reunion-homecoming-family weekend that is pretty much the highlight of the year for the Alumni Relations-Advancement staff.  We are basically on call the entire weekend, at least until the initial employee schedule comes out and we can start working around things.  But I knew getting out of Saturday was going to be a no-go, so I just had to make it work. 

Once the schedule came out, I knew I was going to spend pretty much all of Friday and Saturday working.  There are very few events on Sunday so I figured that would definitely be a recuperation day, thankfully.  I generally really like working the events, as campus is never more alive and exciting, but it's a bit of a challenge knowing that the fuller you cram your weekend, the harder Monday is going to be!  Still, I originally only ended up scheduled for one event on Saturday morning.  I figured that would cause me to miss most of Jacob's games, but I hoped that there would at least be one or two afternoon games.  Then I could strategically schedule myself elsewhere so I could see the games and not feel like I was shirking any responsibility.  I managed to grab one Friday evening shift at the event I've most wanted to work, the A Capella Jam, and then took up a couple shifts at our Annual Giving table at Registration.  I strategically worked those shifts to be on campus at the time of the free lunch BBQ on Friday, too!  Finally, I took a golf cart shift later on Saturday once I knew Jacob's schedule because they're always asking people for those and I decided it was time to try it and find out if I liked it or not!

I basically started out Friday extra early because I had to take Carter for some bloodwork related to his sleep study results (more on that soon).  I got into work by 9:30, worked until 10:30 before I had to catch the shuttle to campus, and took my first shift at the table.  Off to lunch at the BBQ with my boss after that, and then back to the office for a couple hours to finish up some work that I desperately needed to complete.  Then it was back on the shuttle, and upon arriving back on campus, I took a walk to see the giant Meliora ("Ever Better") letters outside the library...

...and then it was back to my spot at the table.  The student union building was designed by I.M. Pei, and the lounge where the table was is basically all windows.  Strung across the top are flags representing every attending student.

Yes, we are quite international.

The weather was pretty iffy--just warm enough but a little breezy and threatening rain.  I captured this shot of the central hang-out spot (now quiet) around dinnertime as I walked to the A Capella Jam.

I worked through part of the show but was released in time to see the last few acts, including the two best a capella groups on campus, the Midnight Ramblers and the Yellow Jackets (who you may recall from the TV show, The Sing-Off).  They were so good!  It was extra fun to watch the alumni come back and sing with them.  It's not often I get to experience Meliora Weekend events like a visitor (I did get to see a simulcast of Trevor Noah last year, though), so this was fun!

 

The bad news was that after getting home after 10:30, I had to be back on campus by 7:30am.  Originally we thought we'd all be out of the house that early, but Jacob's tournament schedule changed at the last minute and the boys didn't have to leave until a couple hours later.  Everyone was still sleeping when I slipped out at 7:15.  I got a fabulous parking spot (the good part about an early arrival) and walked up to the quad near where my event was.  It's not often you can catch the Meliora letters without anyone around them, so I took advantage!

Then I figured I'd really take advantage and I decided to attempt to photograph myself with the letters!  I set my timer, sprinted (10 seconds is short!) and plopped on the "L".  It took a few attempts, but I finally got it...even if I am just a speck!  At least no one was around to see me make a fool of myself as I ran like a crazy person!

Look closely at the "L"!

 

The event I was working was a LinkedIn event, where they were taking profile photos (which I desperately needed) and there was a speaker who advised on maximizing your profile.  I was unable to listen to the lecture, however, because I ended up having to run over to another venue that was originally supposed to be the venue and somehow still ended up on a rogue schedule.  No one needed to be redirected, however, so my biggest job ended up being packing up an absurd amount of leftover breakfast food to go back to employee headquarters!  While I was there, though, I spied this little guy out the window...



Chocolate chip cookie, perhaps?  Score!

After I finished up that shift, I had to run back to the same table I worked at on Friday to check in.  I had previously tentatively offered to work another shift, but when Jacob's game schedule changed, I checked in with the person I was supposed to be working with and he was fine going solo.  So I changed out of my business attire and into my FCA shirt before heading to my car and driving 20 minutes to the tournament location.  Considering we're used to six hour trips for this team, it was a nice change of pace!

I got there at the end of game one, and thanks to yet one last minute schedule change, I was able to see the last three games!  And my parents came in for the last two, which was a nice bonus!  Jacob scored a couple goals and got a beautiful assist, and his team went 4-0, including one hard-fought win against a team from Syracuse.

All alone with the ball and under attack!

In the white, heading back up the field

Most awkward picture ever...how does he even bend like that?!

The weather was pleasant, though one of Jacob's teammates still managed to get heat exhaustion, so hopefully he learns how to hydrate by November!  I had to take off right after the last game to get back to campus for my 4pm golf cart shift.  I went to the office to take the shuttle over (peak parking times are awful) and rushed onto the bus with my sneakers in hand, just in time to run into my boss on the bus. 

Golf cart shifts are...odd.  They're always looking for people to work them, and it seems like people either love them or hate them.  I've been avoiding them for two years, and I decided it was time to face the music and know for sure.  You basically just need to drive around the campus looking for people who need a ride.  Sometimes it's easy to find people--like after an event lets out--and sometimes it's a bit dead and you find yourself doing the same loop over and over. 


The view from my cart

Over the three hours, I probably took seven or eight groups of people, which wasn't bad.  I wish it was more, but I know those people all really appreciated it.  It was nice to chat with people and give them an easy trip back to their cars, and I definitely improved my knowledge of routes around the campus.  I even know where sidewalks end in curbs or where there are only stairs!  My biggest complaint is that my legs are a couple inches too short to really push the pedal to the floor without slouching, so by the end of the night my back hurt!  Luckily I had my jacket and gloves, because even though it was a beautiful day and pleasant night, riding through the breeze got a bit cool! 

Finally my shift was over and I headed back to the shuttle.  I grabbed a picture of Rush Rhees from the far end of the quad while I waited...

Of course, as the bus approached the office, I realized that I couldn't find my keys!  This after being around the campus more than a dozen times and having no idea when I lost them.  I was almost positive nothing flew out of my bag when I pulled out my jacket, or at least, that's what I thought.  Ugh.  I went back to my office, called Craig to bring my spare key, then called around to the lost and found and public safety.  No keys at that point, though.  As I was grabbing my spare keys from Craig, the same bus driver I rode back with stopped me and said that she had just remembered that the last driver told her he'd turned in keys he found on the bus at the library, which gave me hope maybe they were mine. 

I stopped for some Taco Bell for dinner (I earned it, darn it) and headed home to get a few minutes with the boys before bedtime.  Around 9:30 I did another round of calling, and as I talked to public safety and described the keys, it turned out they had them!  Whew.  It seems I left them on the shuttle bus over.  Apparently I just had too much stuff in my hands and left them there as I tied my sneakers.  I still felt stupid, but that news let me sleep much easier that night!

Sunday was pretty much a total loss, aside from having Craig drive me down to the campus to get my keys back.  I was completely exhausted between a couple busy days and the cold I'd been fighting off all week finally trying to make an appearance.  I spent a lot of time lounging.  I was a bit better Monday, functional at least, though I do have a nagging dry cough that's making me nuts!  Now we're dragging ourselves through the week and are looking forward to another busy weekend ahead!