Last weekend I had one of those days. You know the sort; nothing went according to plan!
 
As you probably already know, I started out as a balloon decorator in 2003 and continue to decorate venues in the local area as Signature Balloons & Parties. This particular weekend, I had 4 jobs booked in so I knew I’d need to be pretty organised. During the week, I gathered together the stock, pre-cut ribbon and collected a new helium cylinder.

However, it all started to go downhill on the drive to work when I heard on the radio that there would be rolling road closures in the area due to the local carnival procession. This was the first I’d heard of it! Since I was due to return to base in between jobs, I had to be mindful of routes and timings.
 
I had intended to take inflated balloons to the first job and then drive on to the next venue where I’d need to inflate the balloons in situ. As I was loading the car, I thought I’d just check the helium cylinder. I’m not sure really what prompted me do it as I’ve not had a problem in 12 years! Weirdly, when I tried to put the filling kit on, it wouldn’t screw in all the way. I tried 3 different nozzles and they were all the same. It seemed the cylinder was cross-threaded. Arrggghhh! Why oh why had I not taken our own advice and checked it on Thursday when I collected it?!
 
With no more V sizes available and BOC closed on a Saturday, I had 2 options: 1) try to lift a T size in and out of the car or 2) come back to base again. Since I have trouble lifting a V size, the T size wasn’t really an option so I ended up doing 15 unnecessary miles and wasting precious time.
 
Thankfully the roads back to base weren’t yet closed and I arrived at the second venue in good time. However, when it came to tying the balloons onto weights, I noticed the loops were missing. Not a biggy just a bit more fiddly and time-consuming which was somewhat irritating as I was now pressed for time. Again, why oh why had I not checked more than just the colour when I picked them?

 
Back to base once again, products checked before leaving and then out on the road to two venues in the opposite direction to the carnival procession meant that my last two jobs went smoothly. Phew!
 
Whilst I’ve refined my processes over the years to be more efficient, I learned (or rather was reminded!) of some very important lessons this weekend:

Lesson 1: Check travel arrangements and particularly look out for events specific to your area. For example, for me, I have to be mindful of football matches, cruise ship movements and at this time of the year, fêtes & carnivals! Add dates to your calendar, even if it’s just a note at the beginning of the same month next year to check specific dates.

Lesson 2: ALWAYS check your cylinder and equipment on the day of collection/delivery. Without exception!

Lesson 3: Check, check and check again both equipment and products as soon as they’re received to allow time to put right any wrongs!
I do hope by sharing my ‘day in the life’ story, you may also learn, or at least be reminded of, the importance of ADVANCE CHECKING to avoid experiencing issues which can arise if you don’t!

Rachel