Well, I wouldn't have signed up for spending time in historic Boalsburg, PA if I knew we weren't getting paid.
Memorial Day in Centre County is special because they claim that the holiday was first started here with bonnet and hoop skirted maids planting flags on civil war graves. Thinking that I would get some hours by standing under a tent to promote WRSC/WBLF and help out the broadcasters doing what we call a "live remote". Will they get paid? Probably, yea. They get $75 dollars for the first hour when they do these things. Will they let me on the air? No.
The morning came too quickly, at 9:30 AM for a 10 AM shift. Getting lost in the unfamiliar when it's only a 5 minute drive past town limits on the highway. Then parking 4 miles away since the small town's streets were all cut off and walking to the tent in the rain was a real chore. [sarcasm] Festive. [/sarcasm]
Anyway, there felt no end in site to the rain as it started to collect on the white 4-point tailgating tent. Sensing an imminent collapse, Jeff "Ironhead" Byers, the sports director felt it necessary to push the rain off. I commented to his on-air partner Kevin Nelson; "Gee, the water rides have begun!". When it came time for them to go back on the air for a 1 min 30 break to promote the days festivities and carnival, Kevin had relayed on the air. ".. And the water rides have started now."
Bastard stole my joke.
After a while, I started getting hungry. However, with all the gyros, pizza, fries, BBQ, and kettle corn booths lofting their aroma to where we were keeping post, I wanted to cry knowing that I only had $1 to my name. The sun cleared most of the rain up after 12 pm and Jeff had sent me on a mission to get a large bag of popcorn. $6. When I brought it back, luckily Jeff was willing to share. Wendy Nelson was also hanging around the booth helping us hand out balloons with our logo on them. She is 50% bitch and 50% overly-friendly annoying. Though she and I are on good terms, as I am with 90% of the Dame Broadcasting staff, she saw fit to call attention to my 5 'o clock shadow. I didn't want to tell her that my latest condition of being dirt poor and no electricity in my apartment has depressed me to the point of overlooking some basic hygiene needs. I told her that I was going for the "Don Johnson look". She didn't by it.
Once the on air part was done and Jeff and Kevin went elsewhere, the sales staff took over the booth continuing to give out balloons and direct our mascot "Dandylion" around. Casey K., the promotions director and an attractive young woman in the girl next door sort of way, came over and was concerned for my long shift since it was 3 PM. She told me to get something to eat, but I bit my lower lip and told her that I didn't want to go anywhere because I was short on cash. Reluctantly, I spent my last dollar on a small orange drink. It was at this point I seriously considered to "take myself off the market" so to speak. I'm not going to "chase skirts" while I am broke like this.
When I returned after an hour, Casey, Matt the sales guy and his demure fiance were still there. Casey then tried to get me to take the hint that I was no longer needed around. I had nothing else to do that day. Working, greeting the community, and enjoying the festivities kept my mind off of my situation. I made a pleasant "adieu" to Casey and Matt, then walked over to the civil war cannon demonstration. They had a regiment of Civil War actors fire 3 cannons in either intervals or simultaneously. It was loud enough to wake the dead and impressive. The only one disturbing side note is that it was going on right over the Boalsburg cemetery.
I then made the trip back to my car hoping that the fumes of gas in my car will take me back up the road to my apartment.
I also wish that this story had a happy ending. I went home lonely, depressed, and homesick.
How was your Memorial Day?
