Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from March, 2009

The Finer Points of Down Time

So, if you're the receptionist at a walk-in business, and you have sat dutifully at your desk for about 95 minutes without a phone ring or in-person visit, what would you do: (keep in mind: your desk is positioned in such a manner as no coworker/boss can "sneak up" on you from behind, and any incoming clients have to open two doors to enter the office, so you can hear them in adequate time to return to proper work posture before they see you) A: Continue staring at your online appointment calendar like it is going to break out into an interpretive dance to entertain you as long as it is definitively convinced that it has your complete and undivided attention; B: Minimize the online calendar and pull up some online video games to play with the sound muted; C: Read a magazine discreetly; D: Read a novel discreetly; E: Close your eyes, watch your inner eye paramecium swim around your eyeballs, and relax. See, there are merits to each: A: If anyone peeks into your office, you

*crunch*

The other day, my poor little heart had its first cardiac event. I was in the dollar store looking for something when I came across a cute little knick knack that one of my young coworkers would enjoy. While I figured I could easily pick it up as a random gift for her, I thought "maybe that would seem too creepy. A girl I barely know. A girl many years younger than me. A girl who was ... the same age ... as my best friend's first born ... oh my god I'm old enough to be MY COWORKER'S MOTHER!" My heart folded in upon itself with an audible crunch, and I think I did stop in the aisle to put my hand to my chest. Then I shuffled along the rest of the way down the aisle, with a bit of a hunch and just a touch of the arthritis. I would have thought I was too young to be this old ...