A blister in the sun

When I walked out to the car to drive Erica to work I noticed something under the windshield wiper. It was a $20 bill! I have no idea who or why it was there. I jumped out of the car and scanned the cars around me. No one else had this little gift but me.

Is this a harbinger? Is today going to be okay? I’m concerned about my meeting with Da Park.

In a time of butterflies

I just got home from my meeting at Da Park. I met with the park manager as well as a human resources woman. A woman had filed a complaint about me. Last Friday a mom and her kid came in. The kid had on a Spiderman watch. He was reaching up holding his mom’s sweater. I put my hand on his wrist and twisted it 45° so I could see the watch. It was identical to one I once owned . I made that comment and the kid said “cool”.

The woman complained my touch was inappropriate. She claimed all the parents in line saw it and were offended as well. She also claimed that I touched many of the kids in a way that offended her. The truth is I gave kids high-fives as they exited the carousel and she was offended by that. None of the other parents made any mention of things being out of whack. She also said I was disrespecting my coworkers personal space by leaning so close to him on the rail. She is 100% correct. I stood close to him, as I always do, so our conversations can be hushed. There is no reason for anyone to hear what we are discussing. But apparently this bothered her as well.

Today’s outcome is that I cannot operate any rides until human resources finishes their 'investigation'. The park manager made it known to both myself and the HR woman he wants me to stay at the park. For the next couple days I will be helping the assistant manager as she prepares for the big holiday extravaganza in December. The manager told me he cannot assure me what further steps may (or may not) be taken. It all depends on human resources at this point.

Both the manager and the HR woman told me investigations are a matter of course when someone complains. I was not singled out in anyway. But this is one of the dumbest wastes-of-time in modern recorded history. The woman was triggered by the fact that I dared to touch her child’s hand. I will admit that I may have been wrong in doing this but I don’t think that action warrants a formal complaint and then lies about the people surrounding us. I guess people will be people. I asked the HR woman if leaving my hand down for kids to high five as they walk by was wrong. I don’t ask kids to slap my hand. Those who want to do, those who don't want to don’t. She didn’t give me a solid answer but I guess the days of high-fives are over. I asked the park manager to see if he could find an online course that lays out how to respect peoples personal space and I would gladly watch it and learn.

I’m not too concerned about the outcome of the investigation. There are cameras in the carousel and I’m sure they can pinpoint the moment of this customer. They will see how innocuous this action was and how she misrepresented things.