I Can’t Trap a Mouse

Posted on September 29, 2006 by Girl Friday
Totally unrelated crappy things that happened to me and other people I know:

  • Someone reported Dave to Parking Services for having a student permit though he is a staff member. I’ve been a little irked by it, too, but not enough to bring it up and certainly not enough to report him. Dave doesn’t normally drive to work, he bikes, but with the baby on the way (still) he’s been driving. Apparently he’s been using one of our student permits with the permission of his supervisor. While I’m not Dave’s biggest fan and I’m more than a little jealous that he’s gotten to park for free, I certainly don’t have balls like the anonymous tipster that tried to get him in trouble.
  • I was scared half to death by a mouse twice on Thursday morning. It was in the parking permit drawer and I almost touched it on accident. If you don’t know me well, let me explain—I happen to be one of those “worst case scenario” people—I automatically thought, “OMG, there’s a mouse. I’m going to get rabies and die.” I don’t know if you can actually get rabies from a mouse, but that’s not the point. I screamed like a little girl and my blood pressure went through the roof. I made one of the directors mad with my lack of decorum, so to appease her I attempted to look in the drawer again and get on with the job. But the damn mouse didn’t leave! It was still there! I screamed again and I made the custodial staff come to my rescue (they came running in with brooms and bravely opened every drawer for me). The mouse situation exacerbated other problems in the office and my supervisor and I got a passive-aggressive talking to. We both blew it off and vented to one another later on that day. Evs. Stupid mouse. Still haven’t caught it. I can’t even get my staple remover out of my drawer without it being an ordeal. I’d rather pry open the staple with my bare fingers. My poor nails!
  • Lucky 10-Key’s coworker proclaimed that she is melancholy. I wanted to get that girl on the phone and give her a healthy dose of Shut the Fuck Up. I hate it when people who hardly know you make wild assertions, “in your best interest.” Like being negative is going to make you feel better. Did they stop teaching people that if you having nothing nice to say then to say nothing at all? I have lot of nice things to say about Lucky 10-Key: she’s the best personal shopper around (no joke, she practically outfitted my condo in an afternoon with hypothetical furniture) and is quite cheery over a Coffee Bean latte. She shares my love of Parmesan Goldfish crackers and likes to cross-stitch. Melancholy people don’t shop, have hobbies, enjoy gossiping over a snack, or like to accessorize with Betsy Johnson. Melancholy people take my advice quite literally when I say, “Why don’t you got write a song about it,” and though Lucky 10-Key is buying a keyboard this weekend, I don’t suspect she’s going to be winning a Grammy anytime soon.
Posted in Life, Office Stories | 3 Comments

You Have Gone So Far

Posted on September 28, 2006 by Girl Friday

It has been said (by people I can’t quite identify on this great wide world web) that every seven years we are a new person–meaning every molecule in our body has turned over at least once. I was never very good at science, but I am a different person than I was seven years ago. I was struck by the enormity of the changes today while I was walking on campus. It’s the first day of school, and there I was, walking the same path I did seven years ago.

I was a freshman. I woke up early (6 A.M.) and took a shower (in a tiny shower stall with rubber shower shoes). I put on my makeup and picked out a nice outfit (a nice boatneck and jeans from the GAP). I packed my bag and probably ate some sort of plastic wrapped goodness I had stashed away (a granola bar, perhaps). I took the elevator from the sixth floor and walked out of the building. I probably looked out at the water. I didn’t take it for granted then. I walked with purpose, probably quickened my step so I wouldn’t be late (it’s a perpetual problem). I watched the other students intently and listened to snippets of conversations. I probably got lost or went to the wrong room, as is customary on the first day of school (although to be honest, I probably did a dry run the night before).

Today I woke up (late) and checked my e-mail. I took a shower and put on makeup (only some, I put the rest on after I got to work). I picked a nice outfit. I had a meeting in the morning. On the way to my meeting I pulled out a handful of fun size candy bars and popped them—well, like candy—and walked as fast as I could because I was running late (parking was a real bitch). I got to my former dorm building and looked out at the water. It was foggy, thus making my desire to see something blue that much stronger. I looked at the students around me setting out for their first day. I walked inside and found out the meeting had been moved. (I didn’t think to do a dry run.)

Life came full-circle today, but I didn’t realize how much things have changed until I got a call from The BF. See, we’ve been trying to buy a condo. After the third offer, the seller finally caved. I’m still reeling that a bank would give me that much money for a loan. The bank is obviously run by nut jobs. Anyway, long story short: seven years ago I was scared shitless and sure that I was going to make a horrible mess of my life, and seven years later I’m still afraid of the same thing, but I’m a college graduate, secretary extraordinaire, writer of things, and soon-to-be homeowner. I wonder what the next seven years will bring?

Posted in Life | 3 Comments

Forces Go to Work While We Are Sleeping

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Girl Friday

Today I had a surprising conversation with Jody, the director of my unit.  She mentioned that at a recent meeting my name was tossed around.  Apparently the executive director’s assistant, Ann—a sharp and straight-shooting woman—mentioned that several people in the department are interested in my work.  A few people have casually offered me opportunities in their units, but I’ve never given them much thought.  I just barely have a grasp of what I’m doing, I’m not sure if I want to start at the bottom again.

It was nice to hear that I’m, “One to watch.”  I’m like practically famous!  I’ll try not to get a big head.  I think it’s safe to say that the executive director may even know my name now.  I’ve only seen him a few times, but I don’t expect him to remember me out of his four hundred plus employees.

I’m actually rather surprised that I’ve garnered any sort of reputation beyond my mistakes.  I tend to make them by the dozens, but at this point in my life I’m used to owning up to them.  I think temping really taught me to have little fear of consequences.  (I could always just walk away, and at the end of the day, no one cares as long as you get the job done.)  Perhaps it’s foolish to think all of my mistakes will go unpunished, but it gets me through the day!

When I spoke to The Pink Fairy yesterday she discussed her fiancés theory on choices and consequences.  He thinks that life has the most potential when we’re about 18 years old.  All of the decisions we make affect our opportunities in the future.  Things that were once an option don’t stay that way forever.  I certainly understand this way of thinking, but I have to hope that life isn’t set in stone.  Despite bad decisions, I’d like to think I can regain my footing and keep climbing.  Just because I wasn’t brave enough to pursue certain dreams at a particular age shouldn’t mean I’ll never have the chance to be a fulfilled, self-actualized adult.  A girl’s got to have goals.

Posted in Life, Office Stories | 2 Comments