The sneeze heard 'round the world

It's getting towards the end of the month and that means tempers are rapidly shortening. Numbers for the meals always increase as the month progresses, and September is no different. We were close to 400 near the beginning of the week, but people are starting to get their checks early, so it was down around 350 yesterday. Higher numbers are not usually a problem, since there always happens to be just enough food, and if we run out of what was being served, there is always a substitute. However, high numbers mean longer meals, which is not always such a welcome thing for those of us who are working.

Along with shorter tempers come fights. There was a fight in the middle of the dining room on Monday, when 2 men came to blows over... wait for it... a SNEEZE. A man was sneezing in another guest's meal and when he neglected to stop after being warned, he was pummeled by the other guest. One of the lay women jumped between them and held back the sneezed upon while the sneezer was pulled into the office. Unfortunately, there were a number of children dining at the same time, and they all began to cry. I don't feel the need to explain the ridiculousness of this situation to you. I will therefore leave you to draw your own conclusions, and simply mention that the sneezed upon is a frequent guest and has been banned from the premises for a week; however, the sneezer has never been seen before or since, which is just as well for him.

Today is one of my two days off a week, and I spent it with Katelyn at Franklin Mills Mall, looking at things we can't afford. Shopping has become rather pointless for me, since it doesn't really matter how I look as long as I am fully clothed (shirts and shoes are required for entrance into the dining room); so I think I should probably stop teasing myself and avoid malls altogether. Katelyn and I also picked out a few things for Paul for his upcoming adventures, which was fun. He has begun his preparations for departure, and we are getting ready to let him go. October 6th is the big day, but I will be saying my goodbye early, since I will be going home on the 5th to spend some time at home, and some time with Casey. I will be returning to Philadelphia on the 9th. It will be strange to be away from here for that long-I wonder what Watertown will feel like to me now. I think the quiet will either drive me insane or be a welcome reprieve from the city noise to which I've grown accustomed. Either way, it will be wonderful to see people that I've been missing so much while I've been here.