I posted this entry on my profile at the www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey, please check it out at: www.29gifts.org/profile/davidkav ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I know. I know. You're looking at the title of this blog, scratching your head and saying, "....umm....Whahuh?!?" Let me explain. So, I had a feeling that today was going to lend itself to limited opportunity of gift-giving since I was working this evening from 3pm to 11pm (during the Superbowl nonetheless.) I have watched every Superbowl from 2006 on (at the very least.) Therefore, this was the first year that I have missed. Truth be told, though, this hotel has granted EVERY Request Off that I have needed for shows, holidays and the like. So, did I complain (too much...if at all) or protest when they scheduled me for this evening? Not. At. All. Grateful for the other times when I DO need the evening (or day) off. Moving on from there. If you go back to yesterday's blog, I did state that I got up very early. The night before, I slept less than 2 hours. So, at the time of writing the blog, I was 2 steps past overtired. For a few reasons, I did not go to bed that evening until 2AM. So, when I finally rolled out of bed at 1:30pm when I worked at 3pm today, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Notwithstanding, I go to the coffee, write my Daily Morning Pages, and decide that a shower/shave is mandatory today. I do so, head out the door, put a 2-liter of Diet Coke into my bag and head out. I must state- the way that the bottle of Diet Coke shifted in my bag made it very uncomfortable on my back. "Hmm, that's...odd" is what I stated. Already running way behind schedule, I dash out the front door. I have to make a stop at my bank to withdraw $20 for the cab ride and such. I was walking briskly (not running, mind you) to my next destination. In an instant, the load on my back felt much lighter. Then... CRASH! the 2-liter managed to become unzipped from the bag and crash right on the ground. "Thanks a lot. Not that I'm in a hurry. Now that's gonna be a fizz bomb. I really appreciate it." Seeing the enormous amount of foam in the bottle, I should've seen this as a sign. But, I proceed to put it in my bag. "...nope. I'm fine. No worries. Not that I have to rush even more....Thanks..." 10 seconds later during my rant... SSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... "[censored!!!]" Sure enough, the bottle was fizzing out and making a HUGE mess in the bag. I took the bottle out of the bag and put it on the ground in anger. I thought, sarcastically, "how's THAT for a gift?" Honestly, it was more of an abandonment deal. "You cause me trouble? FINE! Stay there!" is the idea that I had in my head. Not happy since I'd have to buy another one. "I am not not not not not not NOT giving up caffeine or Diet Coke if that's SUPPOSED to be the message," is the other thought that went through my head (just to "tell on myself.") I would discover more of the mess when I got to 7-Eleven. In other words, there were vitamins at the bottom of my bag since i was too lazy to clean up and put them back in the bottle that overturned itself in the bag. In short, all vitamins were now ruined. I was not a happy camper. I was cursing and cleaning my bag loudly at the store. I purchased my items with a quieter tone as to not take it out on the clerk since NONE of this was her fault. "I'm almost gone," I muse since I know that they were probably wondering about my temper. I make my purchase and hail a taxi down. I called the hotel to state that I Will most likely be late. So, my mood is foul NOT because of the mess (although that didn't help matters) but because (as I stated before) my pet peeve is being late. All in all, I really wasn't that bad because I did call to warn them. I stepped behind the desk at 3:03PM. Not too shabby in retrospect. I must say: My message/lesson of the day: It is truly all about perspective and the fact that you really can change your mood in the blink of an eye. I was in a bad mood as I was getting into my suit and just before I got behind the desk. Once I was secure in my position, I saw that the person I was relieving, Rachael, didn't seem to say much when I was in the back. So, to get outside of myself, I ask, "what's up with you? What's going on?" "Oh, I just feel like someone sliced my knee open from handling bags all day." "Eww. Sorry. How was it today?" "Busy...crazy. I have to get my knee checked out. Probably gonna go home and take some Vicodin," I can tell she's half-joking. "Ok. Well, take care of yourself." Must admit - doing this simple gesture helped me to get out of my funk from what is, once again, a high-class problem. The rest of the shift is non-monumental. I heard that this past weekend (both Friday and Saturday nights) were insane here at the hotel. In the back of my mind, I reflect to myself and think that I was gifted with the fact that I missed these crazy people and events. Needless to say, the blessings were being counted during the day. As far as the Big Game goes, I made a statement on Twitter that said (to paraphrase:) "You know what's great about Twitter? It feels like I'm watching the game even though I can't." Save the fact that I couldn't see the commercials, this, I felt, was true. My break landed tonight about 8:30PM CST. I head over to Chipotle (just two doors down.) I made up my mind as to what tonight's gift will be. I order my usual Chicken Fajita Bowl. Get to the counter where I am have a friendly interaction with the cashier, the guy cleaning the backline, and such (I'm quite a regular over there due to this job.) She pulls up the total. I pull out the 2 $10 bills in my back pocket. One $10 was the change from the taxi ride earlier (which included tip - I always give big tips to cab drivers - unless they are rude or insane drivers) and the other $10 was a tip from a guest with helping them with bags (which was quite unexpected around this time of year and was quite nice of them.) I pay my bill with one $10. With the other $10, I say, "I'm gonna do something a bit weird. Take this $10, and, whomever you want to give this to, apply it to their next meal." She looks at me and says, "why don't you just put it in the tip jar? That'd be nice." I look down. "You know what? Why not?" I thought it was a bit selfish to ask. However, it's the next statement I hear that sold me. "Yeah, and the next person, I can just give them a Manager's Comp." "Ok. I'm sold. That works." I put the $10 in the tip jar. "You are SO nice! Thank you so much!" "Thank you," the guy behind the backbar bellows. "No problem." We proceed to talk about the Superbowl. I stated that I wasn't able to watch it since I am working and the computer that I am on doesn't lend itself well to good Internet speed or connection. I stated that I was rooting for the Giants BUT I thought the Patriots would win due to the fire that was, most likely, in Tom Brady. At the moment that I stated this, the last score that I heard was Patriots: 17, Giants: 14. I went back to eat my dinner on break. It turns out: I was able to see the LAST minute of the game. Giants take the lead and win the game. So, another gift to me - especially since I didn't expect that win. Overall, great night! :D