I’ve Been Working on the…
I was reminded of the song “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad†today. You know the song. I just finished humming it to my 24 year old son. Here’s why.
The Republican Presidential hopefuls have been in town this week. Last night was the nationally televised “debate.â€
I had decided I wasn’t going anywhere near downtown these past three days of preparation and activities. There were demonstrators, so many reporter equipment and support vehicles they had to block off part of Assembly Street, heavy security and all these odd advertising vehicles you usually see in the big cities – but not in little ole Columbia.
I even saw the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile. Now tell my why they were here? To advertise their products or to suggest there were some real “wieners†amongst us?
Though I planned on steering clear of all this hoopla, of course I wound up not being able to avoid it. I HAD to come downtown at 5:00 the night of the debate.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to get a production like that together?
I found out firsthand AND with some play by play reports from my son.
He was called in at the last minute to “work†the event.
Besides his love for film and video, his work also includes the occasional opportunity to work when big names come to town. He crews some with the Colonial Center and Koger Center when they need extra support with lights, sound, and action…all things he is passionate about.
He called to say he would be going in to work at midnight Saturday and he was pulling a double shift that first day. He wasn’t sure about the rest of the time. Security was tight. He had to give them his name and social security number so they could pre-approve his working the event. He would call when he could.
“I love you.†He said.
I heard from him briefly once or twice over the last few days. At 7 a.m. the morning after the debates he called.
He explained he had worked 57 hours in the last few days, been on television three times, worked a lighting board for a major network news broadcast, seen some major political figures and LOTS of television news celebrities, and had feet that were yelling at him to get off of them.
Can you imagine the intensity of that experience? Just the hours would kill me.
“Don’t call me…I am going to sleep for at least 57 hours myself.†He said.
My wish for you today is that you are resilient enough in your work to manage it day in and day out and that you give it all you’ve got when you’re there. There are many out there that work long hard hours. Appreciate them when you can and celebrate with them when they’re done.
~ Joellen