So did Santa bring you what you wanted?

If you work for the federal government, in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Dayton, Dallas, Tuscon or San Francisco, the short answer is yes and no. It has been a wild ride, but the good news, if you are in need of some, is that the shutdown didn’t happen. You got a pay raise if you are a nonpostal fed and a cost of living adjustment—both will show up in next month’s check or direct-deposit. Both are the largest in years.

So if you are off today. Have fun. If working, thanks. Been there done that.

When I was a starving—and hence, much skinnier—reporter working horrible night shifts at The Washington Post, I don’t ever remember being forced to work on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I often did because I needed the holiday pay, but I rarely had to, even if I was on the schedule.

That’s because one of my Jewish colleagues would invariably ask me if I wanted to trade shifts, even if he or she had a nice 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. gig and I had the 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift. Some of them weren’t particularly religious but they were all nice, and considerate.

I think of that every Christmas, and it gives me extra appreciation for folks who are required to work holidays, either because of their jobs or dedication, or because they are covering a gap for somebody for whatever reason.

So if you are on duty this holiday for whatever reason, thanks. Many of us do understand and appreciate it. And if you are off like me, enjoy yourself.

Nearly Useless Factoid

By Alazar Moges

Alaska is the only state whose name is on one row on a keyboard.

Source: Best Life

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