It’s 5:06am. I have been awake since 3:15am. As I board the bus, the driver is playing Ozzy Osborne. I’m not a fan of Ozzy’s music. Especially at this hour.

I think about our orientation at the beginning of the year. How it was mentioned over and over again to BE ON TIME for the bus or the bus will leave without you and your coworkers will be disappointed in you.

I ride the line when it comes to rules. Often dipping my toe heavily into the “don’t do this” waters. I’m the person that, when I sign says “Do not touch”, often does. Yet even I had fear that I’d miss the bus and disappoint people.

We were to leave at 4:45am. It is now 5:10am and we are leaving.

This tardiness happens all the time. Even at the start of the season we were waiting for people. Well past the bus departure time.

Often, as if we’re in high school, people laugh and cheer when the tardy people get on the bus.

This is one way I know I’m getting old. Which on this case, isn’t a bad thing.

I’m on time. I haven’t been late. It’s called “work ethic”. Something I feel many of the younger generation lack.

It’s annoying to my ADHD self to sit on a bus. Waiting. I build up energy that needs to be burned.

I laugh at almost anything. Finding humor in most situations. Yet I don’t laugh at these late arrivers. I’m annoyed with them and want to give them a talking to. (Old lady vibes there lol).

At the Homestead, (employee housing in Healy), the managers often have to wake people up.

This is ridiculous. We are adults.

So I sit here on a bus, drinking my coffee that I am proud to have remembered to bring. It’s now room temperature because the reusable mug is worthless. But I drink the tepid, bitter liquid. Hoping the caffeine will activate my brain.

It’s an hour to the train so I’ll listen to a book while those around me sleep. Waiting for the sun to rise. Hopefully soothing my soul.