Classic Rant #574 (September 5, 2011): Holiday, What Holiday?

Today, September 5, is Labor Day.

Most people have today off.

They have barbecues, go to the beach for the last time during the summer, have cookouts, watch ballgames, and generally have fun.

Not me.

I have to work today.

That's right, I labor on Labor Day.

I guess it's not fair, but my place of business is open today. Not many of us will be at work today, but I will be there.

I can't think of a perfectly valid reason for us to have to go to work today, but we have been told to do so, so we will.

And one of the higher ups at work already told me that we will be working on Labor Day next year, too.

I have been employed by this place of business for nearly 15 1/2 years, and I have worked every Labor Day with the exception of maybe two or three in that time span.

So I should be used to working on Labor Day, but I'm not.

Beyond its true meaning, Labor Day is the unofficial last day of summer.

School starts tomorrow in many places, families are home from the rigors of their vacations, and now it's time to look ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas (and if you are Jewish like me, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah).

It's not a day to work.

But work I must.

And my wife is working too, as is my dad, so it's not like everyone has off today.

I don't know if the girl in the picture is working today, but she seems pretty relaxed as she celebrates the holiday.

So while you are reading this, sitting at home and relaxing today, think of people like me, who have to work today.

You don't envy me, so I guess I don't envy you.

I guess.