The usual summer outing

We, "they" is more appropriate, just had our summer outing last weekend. I have to skip it because I'm not in the best physical condition to subject myself into further sleep debt. The resort is located in the South and approximately 4-5 hours drive. It looked good in the internet: lush greens, white sand, turquoise-blue water. It was unfortunate that I wasn't able to come. Ha! Truth is I don't feel any remorse for not attending.

You see the company operates 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. There's the day shifters and the night owls. Each company outing is geared towards the day shifters, methinks. Why? The schedule favors them. While we, the night owls, have to work our butts off the night before, wait for daylight and the day shifters to arrive, hop on the rented tourist bus, wait some more for the late comers then after an hour's wait, we're finally en route to the resort. For the past two years, it's been like that. Nothing has changed. And it ticks me off every year.

Going back, so now we've reached the resort. First, we do some cheering competition followed by parlor games then feast on buffet-style meal. After these, we're free to do whatever we want e.g. take a dip in the pool / beach, sing our hearts out (read: videoke time) and so on. By high noon, most night owls are lethargic and exhausted. It has been a very long day.

The experience wasn't something to rave about. I was tired and I couldn't wait to go home. It's good that the company manages to come up with a summer outing despite the economic downturn. But I was hoping that they tweak the schedule a bit and give thoughtful consideration to the people who work in the graveyard shift. How can you enjoy the activity if you have a nagging headache from lack of sleep?

Come Monday, I won't be surprised if HR sends me an email asking me to explain why I didn't join. Good thing I was sick. It was a valid excuse. I hope.