You Can't Always Get What You Want. Unless You Ask for It.

In an earlier post, I expressed my misery over planning my kid's fourth birthday party. Our favorite park had party rental opportunities, but the cost was $700 for a 12-hour party, which is not at all appropriate for a child's birthday party.

I sent an email to the county-run park, requesting an adjusted fee.

The park ignored me.

The park wrote back a week and a half later, and said they'd get back to me.

I heard nothing.

I called to follow up, they said they sent paperwork through. I asked for names. I was directed to the director of the parks department.

I called the director of the parks department, using a former coworker in the county to get his direct number. He knew nothing. He directed me to the assistant director. The assistant director knew nothing.

I emailed the park back, noting said status, and included a sentence like "I'm still hopeful that we can make this happen". Drink my Koolaide, Parks Department. This is a team effort, here.

The park called back today. They are granting my adjusted fee, and creating a new fee schedule to be put into place on October 1st. Which, coincidentally, is Malena's birthday.

I have secretly renamed it The Malena Amendment.