[nebulavery]

Username:
nebulavery

Name:
Lux

Gender:
Agender

Notebook/Diary:

Monday, 12:43 AM
Tomorrow I finally start working as a park ranger! Well, technically today is the day I start, since midnight has come and gone. Excitement is keeping me from falling asleep, so I might as well write.

It’s kind of amazing to be able to finally wear my park ranger uniform. After so much training and dreaming, I’m finally going to work the job of my dreams. There’s only one problem with my uniform—the flat hat is too big. Not “it’s a little loose” too big, but “whenever I tilt my head down to read, my hat falls over my eyes” too big. I’ve tried using a bandanna to make it a little more snug-fitting, but the bandanna slipped down almost as quickly as the hat did. To make matters worse, corporate says that a replacement hat won’t arrive until at least Tuesday, so I’ll just have to make do without it until then.

I have no idea what I’ll be doing today. I could be hiking trails, giving out maps, checking entrance passes, or who-knows-what. The one thing I definitely won’t be doing is giving guided tours of the caves like I've always wanted to, but maybe one day I’ll be allowed to. For now, it’s desk work for me. At least I get to hike trails for part of the day so I can get familiar with them.

Alright, I better sign off so I can get some sleep. My first day will already be exciting—I don’t need to add to the excitement by fainting somewhere along Marble Falls Ridge.

Monday, 8:21 PM
Well, I survived my first day at work, despite my lack of official hat. One of the rangers working the information booth with me tried to convince me that I had to wear one of the Junior Ranger hats since I didn’t have mine, but then another ranger let me “borrow” a baseball cap from the gift shop until my flat hat comes in. That probably goes against the mantra of "take only pictures and leave only footprints," but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Since I’m still learning about some of the trails, my jobs today were to play the informational film, organize files, and swear in the new Junior Rangers. I managed to accidentally stab myself with Junior Ranger pins no less than three times today. In my defense, they’re flimsy little plastic things with very finicky clasps. It’s a wonder I didn’t accidentally poke myself more.

The little kids are so cute when getting their badges! (I hate to say it, but the rest of the time, they’re mostly annoyances. If I have to tell one more child not to touch the raised park map, I’ll scream.) They remind me of myself when I little, running around the parks trying to hike as many trails and see as many nature talks as I could. I could use some of that enthusiasm and energy now—I’d forgotten how exhausting public work is. I should probably go get some sleep.

Friday, 9:36 PM
My flat hat (finally) arrived yesterday, and it fits! In other news, I am never wearing baseball caps again.

I got to work the information desk today, since I finished hiking the last few trails yesterday. It was—well—I’m not sure I really have words for the experience. A sampler of the questions I was asked:

.....“Can you make the caves warmer? My son is recovering from a cold and I don’t want him to get chills.”

.....“Are there any trails that only go downhill?”
.....Well, yes, there’s the Old Limestone Quarry Trail—
.....“No, that trail doesn’t loop back to the car.”
........You want a looping trail that only goes downhill?
.....“Yes.”
.....I’m sorry, I doubt M.C. Escher built any trails around here.

.....And, finally: “Where can I get a hat like yours? It looks cooler than the ones in the gift shop.”

I really can’t wait to be able to work in the caves.

[siennacereal]

just a heads up this end tomorrow at 12 am est!!

[siennacereal]

Username:
nebulavery

Name:
Lux

Gender:
Agender

Notebook/Diary:

Monday, 12:43 AM
Tomorrow I finally start working as a park ranger! Well, technically today is the day I start, since midnight has come and gone. Excitement is keeping me from falling asleep, so I might as well write.

It’s kind of amazing to be able to finally wear my park ranger uniform. After so much training and dreaming, I’m finally going to work the job of my dreams. There’s only one problem with my uniform—the flat hat is too big. Not “it’s a little loose” too big, but “whenever I tilt my head down to read, my hat falls over my eyes” too big. I’ve tried using a bandanna to make it a little more snug-fitting, but the bandanna slipped down almost as quickly as the hat did. To make matters worse, corporate says that a replacement hat won’t arrive until at least Tuesday, so I’ll just have to make do without it until then.

I have no idea what I’ll be doing today. I could be hiking trails, giving out maps, checking entrance passes, or who-knows-what. The one thing I definitely won’t be doing is giving guided tours of the caves like I've always wanted to, but maybe one day I’ll be allowed to. For now, it’s desk work for me. At least I get to hike trails for part of the day so I can get familiar with them.

Alright, I better sign off so I can get some sleep. My first day will already be exciting—I don’t need to add to the excitement by fainting somewhere along Marble Falls Ridge.

Monday, 8:21 PM
Well, I survived my first day at work, despite my lack of official hat. One of the rangers working the information booth with me tried to convince me that I had to wear one of the Junior Ranger hats since I didn’t have mine, but then another ranger let me “borrow” a baseball cap from the gift shop until my flat hat comes in. That probably goes against the mantra of "take only pictures and leave only footprints," but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Since I’m still learning about some of the trails, my jobs today were to play the informational film, organize files, and swear in the new Junior Rangers. I managed to accidentally stab myself with Junior Ranger pins no less than three times today. In my defense, they’re flimsy little plastic things with very finicky clasps. It’s a wonder I didn’t accidentally poke myself more.

The little kids are so cute when getting their badges! (I hate to say it, but the rest of the time, they’re mostly annoyances. If I have to tell one more child not to touch the raised park map, I’ll scream.) They remind me of myself when I little, running around the parks trying to hike as many trails and see as many nature talks as I could. I could use some of that enthusiasm and energy now—I’d forgotten how exhausting public work is. I should probably go get some sleep.

Friday, 9:36 PM
My flat hat (finally) arrived yesterday, and it fits! In other news, I am never wearing baseball caps again.

I got to work the information desk today, since I finished hiking the last few trails yesterday. It was—well—I’m not sure I really have words for the experience. A sampler of the questions I was asked:

.....“Can you make the caves warmer? My son is recovering from a cold and I don’t want him to get chills.”

.....“Are there any trails that only go downhill?”
.....Well, yes, there’s the Old Limestone Quarry Trail—
.....“No, that trail doesn’t loop back to the car.”
........You want a looping trail that only goes downhill?
.....“Yes.”
.....I’m sorry, I doubt M.C. Escher built any trails around here.

.....And, finally: “Where can I get a hat like yours? It looks cooler than the ones in the gift shop.”

I really can’t wait to be able to work in the caves.

congrats! i loved the story and all the humor in it, very cute! i also liked the idea of them being a park ranger!

[nebulavery]

congrats! i loved the story and all the humor in it, very cute! i also liked the idea of them being a park ranger!

Oh my stars, thank you so much!

May I please be added?

[siennacereal]

Oh my stars, thank you so much!

May I please be added?

added! u w u

[skadizzle]

User: skadizzle
Name: Neodyne
Gender: male
This guy would be awesome to have!!! I think he is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!