The Rapids

The Rapids Today was my last day at work, which was very sad. Well, lets go with bittersweet. Trust me when I say that I deal with all kinds of insanity at that place on a daily basis. (Im a lifeguard at a waterpark, for those of you just tuning in.) You think you deal with rude customers at Old Navy? Psh. I have to argue with parents to put lifejackets on their kids, and youd be surprised how often the argument, It could save his/her life doesnt work. Of course, if you have the right amount of perspective in life (i.e. a lot) you can make it through the day and in fact an entire summer by finding all of this very, very amusing. Plus I work with some awesome people and my job can be a lot of fun. Very entertaining and whatnot. So leaving was bittersweet. To commemorate the day, I thought Id share with you some pictures of the waterpark I work at. I mean, I know youve all been picturing it in your heads all summer and are just dying to know what the place actually looks like. Right. So here it is, Runaway Rapids Waterpark: This is the kiddie section. Its full of about 3 million different things that spray water around in a myriad of different ways. Its kind of a fun place, unless you happen to be under the bucket when it drops. That thing is brutal. Oh, its also not too much fun if youre a lifeguard. Because then all you do is stand there and repeat the phrase Dont run about three bajillion times. And thats not really the glamorous part of the job, you know? The ten foot pool. Where I get to be awesome and actually save lives. For real. I know, I know, youre thinking, But, why would you have to save anyones life? I mean, why would anyone who doesnt know how to swim jump into a pool ten feet deep??? Thats an excellent question, and I wish I knew the answer. The affectionately nick-named triples. Some people have trouble with this, but watch as I make it all make sense: there are three slides. Triples. Ta-da. Anyway, triples is where all the action is. There may only be three and a half feet of water in that pool, but all kinds of chaos unfolds there nonetheless. Today, for example, in one hour alone I had to handle one accident on the slide and jump in to save two different kids. So thats my job. Or rather, my former job. I have the weekend to hang out with friends and family, then a three day vacation in Atlantic City (most of which I intend to spend on the beach), followed by two days to shop and pack, a trip to Shea Stadium for my first Met game all season (!!!), and then its back to MIT a week from tomorrow. Whos excited?