I think every human being should be required to work some sort of service job for a short period of time. It could even be part of the requirements for high school or college graduation. Internships at tech or finance companies are great — they can help you prove your worth in a specific industry… but how about a semester proving your worth based on how you treat your fellow humans… or rather, how you react to your fellow humans treating you poorly?
Perhaps if enough people understood just how crappy certain jobs are, there could be a wave of newfound respect spreading through the world. But probably not.
I tried UberEats a while back thinking that I could make a little extra cash on the side. Seemed like a fun experiment. Much to my surprise, I struggled to make back the cost of gas, no less my time. I never realized the driver’s share of the delivery fees are so insignificant. If you don’t tip the driver, they might actually net a loss for the trip.
It really made me think back to how often I’ve [usually unknowingly] tipped poorly or blamed a delivery drive for an order being subpar.
I don’t think I’ve had food delivered since this experience. At this point, I’d rather just go get it myself.
That’s just one example, but there are a ton of different jobs where people are put in positions where they’re regularly treated poorly. Being a server in a restaurant is commonly cited, but it extends all through hospitality, retail, entertainment, medical, and more… from flight attendants to nurses.
The world just has too many Karens. You know? People who like to ruin something for everyone else. Another stunning example of this can be found toward the end of the next section.
Good morning and happy Monday, friends.
Today is a very special Monday because it is Selene’s birthday, so before I do anything else, I’d like to wish my amazing wife the happiest of happy birthdays!
In terms of content production this past week, I guess not a lot is publicly visible. I’ve spent many, many hours working on a project, but I’m not really ready to share the details yet. They’re still under works. I’ve also been working on the edits for the next episode of M3, featuring Nathan M. Hall, and I hope to have it posted later this week.
On Friday night, Selene and I were able to attend Ed Sheeran’s concert at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. It’s definitely a landmark around these parts because you can see the guitar-shaped hotel from I-95, but I’ve never actually visited it up close before. I have to say that it’s quite a place — shopping mall, concert venue, hotel, nightclubs, restaurants, and casino all wrapped up into one giant campus.
The concert was fantastic and Ed even came into the crowd at the end to play an encore completely off the mic. He asked everyone to keep quiet so he could be heard.
After a few waves of “shh” rolled through the crowd, the room was dead silent. We were all so transfixed on how perfectly we could hear his voice without any sort of amplification. Well, at least until a very drunk woman started shouting. I’m not sure what exactly started the whole ordeal — perhaps someone spilled a beer or something, but obscenities were hollered and arguments were had. At one point she yelled “Ed Sherman, they’re being very rude to me.” Yes, Sherman.
Ed paused the song and lifted his finger to his lips, then resumed playing.
I mean, lady, you just got shushed by Ed Sheeran. Go home.
After lots of angry threats from people in her section, she walked out the door. Once the show was over, people surrounded her and started booing.
Look, Ed, I’m sorry. Not everyone is South Florida sucks.
At some point Selene and I realized that we hadn’t really taken any pictures of ourselves over the course of the night, so we tried to grab a couple before it was too late.
Selene and me at the concert
On Saturday morning we went to prison and had a Beltane celebration with the inmates. Unfortunately, the key box is malfunctioning again, so we were unable to unlock any rooms inside the chapel or get our box of supplies and tools. I’m going to have to write a lengthy complaint email later today and cc a bunch of people. I hope we can get this issue fixed!
In one month, we’ll be in Orlando for Summer Magick Fest. Do you have your tickets yet?
Aerik Arkadian 
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