Sam’s Open Letter to the Public Holiday

Dear Public Holidays,

Hi – it’s me, Sam. First of all, I want to say thanks. Thanks for standing true to what you claim to be, a day that allows us, the public, to have a holiday. Though outside of Christmas and Easter you only exist as one off days, it is one less day that I need to hear my alarm sound at 4.30am. Assuming, of course, I remembered to turn it off the night before.

I’ll be honest though. You aren’t always ideal. Especially when you appear in the calendar on a Tuesday or a Thursday. Because a public holiday nestled between two work days basically creates the experience of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. And that is not a camping analogy – there’s no time to attempt to sleep in an uncomfortable tent across a singular 24-hour period.

Research has shown that many among us will chuck a sickie to unlock a four day weekend. And who can blame them, really? Last time I learned maths I discovered four is greater than two plus one, with a return to the workplace in between.

Now don’t get me wrong, I would never say no to a day off. Although, as they say in comedy, timing is everything, and therefore you are not funny.

But here I am, back at work, after a somewhat restful 40-degree day off, when quite frankly the office air conditioning would have been useful.

So, next year, when Australia Day falls on a Wednesday, creating two two day work weeks, I may write again. But for now, thank you for the momentary rest, and please work harder on your timing.

Sincerely,
Samuel