This year, in an effort to not watch Netflix for the rest of my life, I joined Junior League. If you don't know what Junior League is, it's an organization of women that promotes community service, learning and leadership. And wine. There is literally wine at every meeting, and I love it.
Anyway, this year I'm what's called a Provisional Member, which is like a Pledge, but instead of hazing you, they make you do a lot of community service. Every Christmas our big event is called "A Christmas Gathering," and it takes place in a huge convention center. Vendors from all over the country can come and sell their wares, and locals come and buy them...and drink wine. Obviously.
Being a pledge, I had to work two, five hour shifts at this thing, and being a pledge, I was assigned...traffic. I'm not sure what comes to mind when you think about traffic coordination at night in December, but I thought "Ugh, blow!" But, it's for the children, so I put on all the clothes I own and prepared to direct traffic.
Only, when we go there, they had hired actual traffic cops, so they didn't need us! Score! So, I was reassigned to the information booth.
At the information booth, not really a lot was going on, until someone said, "Would anyone like to make an announcement for us over the intercom?" Not being one to ever turn down a microphone, I immediately volunteered (read, ran over and snatched the microphone out of her hand).
"Okay, all you have to say is that the silent auction is now open," said the JL Girl.
"Got it." I mentally prepared then, "Ladies and Gentlemen, we hope you are enjoying your evening and these wonderful vendors! Please note that our fabulous silent auction is now open in Ballroom B. Please make your way over to place your bids! Bid high and bid often- for the kids!"
Needless to say, this was now my permanent job. I don't know if no one else wanted to do it or if I was that good, but I was now the spokesperson for the night.
"Hello again everyone! If you haven't had a chance to meet Santa, the sleigh is leaving in 20 minutes!"
"Are you feeling warm? Do you have too much in your hands? Not to worry, there's a coat check right outside in the lobby!"
It was going smashingly. Then, there was some traffic that needed directing while the cop took a break. I was ripped from my post and forced to help guide people into an obvious parking garage where there were actual attendants who were paid to be there. Clearly a good use of my vocal skills.
However, it was short lived, and soon I got to return to the information booth where was another announcement to be made! As I prepared, a very loud woman, whom I had not met, flew into the booth.
"Hi, I'm Yvonne," she said loudly. "I'm usually the one who makes the announcements, I've just been tied up. Here, let me have that microphone."
I was torn. Without my microphone, what was I going to do? Sit here lamely for the rest of my shift and listen to Yvonne steal my thunder? But what else could I do? I was just a pledge and she clearly was an active. And you don't cross an active.
"Uh, okay, well you just say that they can buy the decorations at the decorations booth."
Yvonne smiled. "Oh, honey, I know, I'm on the committee."
F! Instantly I was transformed back to junior high, and not only because I was wearing my glasses. In two seconds, this woman had stolen my microphone, my thunder and all the coolness I had scrapped together in the last 17 years. She was The Voice of "A Christmas Gathering," she said so herself to several people. I was just the lame pledge who had filled in for her.
Dejected, I went back to giving out information and trying to look busy for two more hours.
When it was time to pack up, a woman who had been in and out of the booth all night came over to me with the microphone.
"Hey, you did such a good job, could you make one more announcement letting everyone know that the valet is closing?"
"Are you sure?" I asked, my heart growing just a smidge.
"Of course!"
I scanned the hall for Yvonne, who was nowhere to be seen, and then made my crystal clear announcement.
The lady smiled.
"That was great! I'm Taylor by the way," she said. "When's your second shift?"
"Tomorrow, from 4:00 to 9:00. Decoration tear down," I said.
"Not any more. You're going to be the Assistant to the President- me."
"You're Taylor Brighton?" I said. I hadn't known I was in the presence of the "A Christmas Gathering" President all night!
"Yeah, and you did such a good job that you're going to be my assistant tomorrow. Here, I'm going to switch your shift right now," she said as she pulled up the schedule on her laptop.
Stunned that I was clearly getting a primo shift that would not involve much heavy lifting, I stammered, "But can you do that?"
She looked at me and smiled. "Oh honey, I'm on the committee."
Congrats!! :)
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