ASU Graduation--Part 2

So on my way to the "Obama graduation" gig, I call the security company (because they never returned my call Tuesday) and ask them what do they have for me the rest of the week... "Nothing in security" is the reply. Nothing at all? "Ushering". Well, let me have something for Friday (need more greens fees). "Oh, I do have security work from 10am-2pm and then you can usher from 3:30-9:30pm." Ok, what the heck, I'll bring a change of clothes...(white shirt and black pants) and do the Clark Kent quick change and make some money... So, Thursday I went to E&A office to talk to Emily about hosting events in June and met Mary Ellen there and we went to lunch. Then she went off to play golf with her boss and I went to the practice range to work on my game...

I get to ASU early and check in at the Wells Fargo Arena on campus wearing my security uniform and wait to be assigned... Mike, the "lead", brings me to the North Entrance and I'm doing bag checks for my 4 hour security gig. Inside the arena, air-conditioned, SWEEEET! No "cheeto" today! So I'm talking to the people I'm working with and tell them how I'm scheduled and they tell me the usher shift is 5:30 and I better call the office... So I call and explain my concern and they tell me they have me scheduled to usher at 1:30!! "How can I work security til 2 and report to usher at 1:30?" I asked. "Oh, right." they replied. "It overlaps...(DUH!) just report after you finsh security." But the doors open at 1:30 for the next ceremony, so by the time I check out and change and get back, I'll have no one to "ush"... (is that even a word? Is now.) So I explain to my lead what's going on and he tells me it's hard for them to see the schedule with "their heads up their asses..." and leave it to him, he'll get it straightened out... a few minutes later he returns and says never mind the ushering, he's keeping me on security at the door and just stay here... SWEEEET again...

The deal is there are five separate ceremonies going on that day so after we let them in and check bags and purses, we then have to get them out after the ceremony is over... so that the next wave doesn't butt heads with the ones leaving... I stopped people with balloons, posters, coolers, glass, softdrinks with lids (only bottled water and soda allowed),tripods, champagne (no glass bottles) and kept everything by where I was stationed...(Yes, I'll be here when you come out...) All in all, everyone was pretty cool about the search (visual, we can't rummage around in a purse, not that I wanted too... Bless you ladies, you can cram an awful lot of "stuff" in a small purse!) I promised not to divulge the contents of anyone's purse because I couldn't believe some of the "stuff" that was brought to a graduation ceremony...

This was a pretty sweet job... We finished clearing out the last group at 9:25pm and I was in my car headed home by 10... long day on the feet but no sun, no dust, no cheeto... also reconnected with my buddy from Jersey who is the lead on most all the good gigs I haven't been getting and he took my phone number and "promised" he'd call me about future work... If he does, it's a bonus, if not... it is what it is...

Saturday was clean the bathrooms day (now that's an adventure no one signs up for!)... but I persevered and didn't pass out from fumes and my bathrooms are sparkling clean...(woo hoo). Saturday night I went to Peoria to Skye restaurant with the club and saw a tribute band of "Journey" and let me tell you the lead singer was awesome! (really bad wig...at least I hope it was a bad wig) but his voice was almost spot on... really cool show... We had a private section in the balcony overlooking the stage and the food (rack of lamb for me) was great... Hung out til around 11pm and headed home (it was an hour drive each way). Well worth the trip, though...
Later this week, it's volleyball and tubing on the Salt River and maybe some "cosmic bowling" (10pm start, laser lights and music)... and much golf on the schedule this week... Sushi tour 2009 is looking to make a comeback after a two week hiatus...(no takers, need to regroup). Weather report for the week? Sunny and 100+ for most of the week...(what else?).