So yea, we’re still here at the Ye Olde Beet Harvest, only we finally have a day off for rain. Not that they care for us mere workers getting wet and cold … nope, it’s the fact that the growers can’t get their harvest trucks through the tire-sucking mud.

But before I launch into my diatribe of misery and woe, plus the explanation of dubious man logic that got me here … today’s “Drink To Quiet The Emotion” of yet another choice in life:

Today’s Beverage: The Overachiever
For when your ambition clocks in but your body calls HR.

Description / Recipe:
2 oz. cold coffee (yesterday’s)
1 oz. whiskey (the good stuff — you’ve earned at least that much)
A splash of electrolyte drink in a color not found in nature
Garnish with a Band-Aid and a sense of moral superiority

Serving suggestion:
Shake vigorously while muttering “I’m fine” three times.
Serve over crushed expectations.

So … here’s the deal for those new to the party: Nikki and I are working the Beet Harvest up in North Dakota. Yes, in October. 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week. Manning heavy machinery and tending to an endless stream of trucks bringing in millions of pounds of root vegetables that will soon be converted into refined and heavily processed white sugar … for all of your diabetic needs.

When I agreed to this wonderful plan, I was only thinking of the money. And with a week or so left to go in the harvest, I have indeed made over five grand already. But what I didn’t count on was the grind.

Work is actually more like 12-and-a-half hours a shift, plus another 30-plus minutes getting back and forth from work. Pack in a measly seven hours of sleep and … here, I’ll do the math for ya (24 – 12.5 – commute = AURGHHH!!!!). Yes campers, we basically have just a few hours to do everything needed to survive outside of work. As in the consumption of food, an occasional shower, and something resembling how a couple converses about their day.

It’s ain’t enough time.

And the people we work with? Some are great … others not so much. There’s a dude here who is working with his mom who for some reason thinks I’m out to hurt her. (Seriously) He’s complained to the foreman and the safety officer about me multiple times. Threatening that he would “ahem … have strong words” if I came near his mother. Yesterday he stopped me and angrily accused me of “pointing at his mother”.

Yea, this all happened. I finally had a chat with the Big Boss last night, resolution to be announced.

So yup, we have a day off today for rain. We used part of it to sleep in. And now we’re waiting for “the call”, because on the last rain day they decided that all shifts were to come in anyway and deep clean the machines.

Again, seriously.

I think I’ll leave my phone outside in the wet so that I miss that message.