I work for the government…

[Packard]

I came across an article about Weeki Wachee state park in Florida.  They are auditioning for the position of “Mermaid” ($15.00/hour).  It puts the applicant on the payroll of the State of Florida.

I tried to imagine a conversation with her future in-laws:

Future In-law:  So, I understand that you graduated from the University of Florida.

Girl:  Yes, just last year.

Future In-law:  And you are working?

Girl:  Yes, I took employment with the State of Florida.

Future In-law: How nice.  A government job.  And what do you do for the government?

Girl:  I’m a mermaid.
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/arts-...-be-a-mermaid-weeki-wachee-holding-auditions#

 

[twistsol1]

And she will accomplish more as a mermaid than the three trucks of city employees that came out this week on separate days to have a group of guys stand around and look at the curb in front of the house that the city snowplow tore up in February.

I'm not counting the fourth truck that came by because they actually painted two white lines, one on either side of the missing bit of curb. I'm assuming there will be subsequent trucks and at some point the curb will be replaced.

 

[Mortiser]

I heard of a town that is laying off city street workers because the Japanese have invented a shovel that leans on itself.
[eek]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I heard of a town that is laying off city street workers because the Japanese have invented a shovel that leans on itself.
[eek]

....but you still need a few to stand around watching it.

 

[unknown user]

....but you still need a few to stand around watching it.

I'd sign up to stand around to watch the mermades on the state's dime.

 

[Mortiser]

Yeah, I think all you'd need is a shovel.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I heard of a town that is laying off city street workers because the Japanese have invented a shovel that leans on itself.
[eek]

....but you still need a few to stand around watching it.

These guys clearly haven't got the new Japanese shovel yet!

 

[ElectricFeet]

I heard of a town that is laying off city street workers because the Japanese have invented a shovel that leans on itself.
[eek]

....but you still need a few to stand around watching it.

I have a lot more faith in / empathy with construction workers “standing around” since I saw the Practical Engineering video debunking construction myths:

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Even if there is a perfectly good reason for it.........the visual perception remains the same. You know what they say "Perception is reality"

 

[Packard]

I’m surprised that the equal rights people have not gotten protested.  So I think it should be started here.

 

[Sparktrician]

So THAT'S where Adam Lambert came from???  BA-HAHAHAHA!!!!  [big grin]

 

[ChuckM]

Whether they're government staff or contractor employees, construction workers have my full respect. As a teen, I once worked a summer job in a construction site where a multi-story high school was being built. I climbed the scaffolding a lot, carrying with me a tool box. Yes, that was in the early 70s. I stepped on a nail, and that was the most serious accident that summer for me.

Standing itself is tough on a sunny hot day or in a bone-chilling winter day, so I don't envy any of those guys. But that isn't anything close to being the worst:


Now and then in the summer, when I work with my garage/shop door open and the city garbage/compost/recycle trucks happen to come by, I would hand them an icy cold bottle of Coke or Pepsi. The trucks are air-conditioned, but you can still tell how appreciative they're about the gesture.