So here in the U.S. today, it's Presidents' Day. I think it was Richard Nixon (oh I can't believe I just typed that, I hated Nixon big time) who combined Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays into one federal holiday. I will admit that since I had the day off, I'm good with it. But of course then I always am reminded of how here in the States, having a extra day off, or more vacation granted is considered almost criminal. The former Evil Boss actually used to calculate how many hours we worked each year, to prove how having an extra day off lost money.
I realize that if you own a business, it's an issue to consider. And I know plenty of people worked today (The Tim, my dentist, etc.), but I just think it would be nice if time off and holidays were more universal and embraced. I can remember as a kid when stores and other places were closed on Sundays, and since it was the norm back then, it was only mildly frustrating if you forgot, and tried to buy groceries or something on Sunday. Now I think it would be an anathema to a good portion of the population. And it would also mean I wouldn't have my Sunday job at Rosie's. Of course, that is not my main source of income, so not having it would be a perfect example of White People's Problems.
But there is nothing more enjoyable to me than a day off from work that doesn't use my vacation time. I see it as a true gift. It doesn't necessarily mean I do anything extra special with the time, but in a way, that's the whole point. Today, for instance, I was able to go to the dentist for my six-month checkup, and then just catch up on some stuff around the house. I enjoyed it (OK, not the dentist so much, but I'm willing to see that as a necessary evil), and even though it was just one extra day tacked onto a weekend, it feels like a looooong time since I've been at work!
I hope whenever you have a holiday, you'll enjoy it, even if you don't - especially if you don't - have elaborate plans. You only live once, and as far as I know, working every waking minute of your life doesn't get you anything extra when you take your last breath.
So, take a breath now and just enjoy the holidays that come around.
3 comments:
Yesterday was a holiday of sorts here as well, but only for Ontario. However, if you work for a company that's either federally regulated, or deals with the rest of the country - you were SOL. So, the majority of people actually have to work. Ironically, they call it "Family Day". Schools are closed, but most parents end up having to use up a vacation day because their company probably doesn't recognize the day as a holiday.
Did you leave the museum and go back to the library?
I miss the two holidays.
Oh yeah! Stores closed on Sundays and only open from 10 to 6pm on Saturdays.
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