my job for the 4th

I take another one-day job a few weeks ago.

11:30 to midnight. Somewhere in Long Island City. My friend Robin will be working too. $30/hour. Even if it's dreadful, it's only one day.

We later learn that this is for the Macy's 4th of July Firework Spectacular. Could be fun. But of course that's what I thought about Tribeca.

The weather on the 4th is near-perfect.

I arrive in Long Island City an hour early; getting there is much easier/faster than I thought. One subway stop from Grand Central.

The view is spectacular.

Robin arrives soon after me.

The first ten hours are easy and, dare-I-say fun.

Everyone is nice. Everything is organized. And the work is easy.

We tour the area. And around one, we have a catered lunch of different kinds of sandwiches, 

There are about 60 of us, and we are assigned groups. Robin and I are in the same group. Our leaders, from Macys, are Kim and another Robin. They are great, as are the other 5 people in our group. We've been assigned to the area where people enter. About 3,000 guests are expected. Robin, one other person and I are assigned to give out wrist bands. 

But before that, we break again around four to be fed again, and given our branded T-shirts, hats, and bandannas (though fortunately we only have to were the T-shirt) . 

Our jobs are easy. They require no thinking. Everyone who enters gets a wristband. Period. No decisions at all.

And everyone is totally respectful and appreciative. The line is long but moves smoothly. And at 8:15 we are done.

People settle in to listen to the music...

as the sun sets against the majestic Manhattan skyline 

At 9:25 the 25-minute firework show starts. I doubt I'll ever see fireworks again like I do tonight.

A group of us congregate at the water's edge, near the stage, with the most perfect view. Ideal weather. Clear night. And despite its many problems, a real celebration for the world's best country.

The last hour and a half feels long, as we are charged with breaking down the sets. Carrying tables and chairs and other random things. Folding used tablecloths. Directing foot traffic. Cleaning the break room. Just general laborious stuff. 

I get home around 12:15, totally exhausted.

And when I wake up this morning,  I see I've already been paid. 

Perfect.