The parking lot

We are just below lots G & R

Yes, I know I haven't been keeping up with the blog. Life has been weird lately. I've had a LOT to do.

One thing that's been keeping me/us busy is manning a parking lot for minor league baseball games. Last week I was there for a game every day from Saturday through Thursday (Jane was for all but Wednesday). Fortunately, the team is out of town this weekend.

Basically we have somewhere around 100 parking spots (+/-) next to our church building, and we charge $4 per car to park there for Tincaps baseball games (except during weekday games - then we have to be there to make sure people DO NOT park there - because it is permit parking only for two companies).

My main responsibilities (I guess) are to make sure there are at least two people there by 1 1/2 hours before the game, and they stay until 20-30 minutes after it starts. I set up signs and barricades so there is only one way in and out of the lot (instead of two). I am also responsible for having the money/change needed and settling it after the game (plus going to the bank as needed). Volunteers get four free tickets (total - not per volunteer) for being there for roughly two hours. I then keep track of all the tickets used and not used (which we can trade in later).

So far there have only been two people sign up to help - and neither of them showed up! Strangely enough, one guy who hadn't signed up did show up to work the Wednesday 'day' game - and he was so confused I'm not sure he ever did really know what he was supposed to do.

I'm still not sure I completely understand the workings of who owns the lot and whatnot. Our church does not own it, but somehow, if we will take care of it, we eventually get the money for it for our youth (I have no idea how that works either).

Anyway, my summer of being the "parking lot guy" has started off.... about like I suspected. It's been good and bad. I actually don't mind doing it myself - at least at the start. It takes me awhile to get the feel of things, so I'm actually glad people haven't been signing up to help just yet. Plus it's been pretty cold still, so I didn't expect there to be much help. However, honestly, the biggest problem I've had so far are the well-intentioned people who believe they need to try to explain to me what I need to be doing (you know, because, I must obviously be doing it wrong).

I have plenty of experience in not meeting people's expectations, so you'd think I would be more used to it. Instead I just seem to get more and more sensitive. I would like to think I am forever over the days of trying to guilt people into doing things. Plus I would 'like' to start asking people personally if they want to help - rather than making pulpit announcements - but I have trouble doing it when I'm feeling "small." I guess what I'm basically saying is... all the people trying to give me advice are actually making me not want to do it anymore. And I know that is my problem - I should appreciate the advice. I just don't deal with it very well. Plus, again, so far I've enjoyed simply having the responsibility of being there. It's something I can actually DO. I'm sure it will all work out in the next couple months.

So, six (home) games into the season, we are down to only 64 more to go. The jury is still out on whether I will stick with it after this summer, or if I will even be asked to. We will see.