If it’s at all possible, I was more tired this morning than I was yesterday. If Eric wasn’t sleeping, I would have groaned and complained as I got out of bed, but I didn’t want to wake him! By the time I walk the 10 steps to the bathroom, I’m 75% awake, but it’s just pulling back the covers and getting out of bed that’s so hard.
I had a nice, quiet morning – reading my lovely DICK FRANCIS mystery – and nothing interesting happened. My boss was still not called in to Jury Duty, so he was in the office.
My trainee arrived at noon. We worked on a few projects, but she really got on my nerves today. She’s a bit pushy, and a control freak. So am I. Not a good combination. She thinks she knows it all, because she HAS been with the firm for 10 years, but I’M training HER. She argues with me on how to do things and I decided today that I’m just going to step back and let her “hang herself.” As I told her – “Hey, I’m just a temp!”
What annoyed me so much is this: As with any large firm, there is a computer network with different drives, where different documents are kept. In this firm, the H: drive is your “private drive” that no one can access but you. Then, there’s the T: drive, which is accessible in certain parts by certain people. Lastly, there’s the P: drive, which stands for “public” and can be accessed by pretty much everyone in the firm.
There were a lot of documents on my private H: drive. I didn’t put all of them there. They were either already there, or I added new documents there, because similar documents were kept there. So, my trainee was denied access to my H: drive (which isn’t unusual). She needed access to many of these documents. I offered to send them to her in an email and she could put them on her H: drive. She didn’t like that idea.
She decided she wanted to move ALL of my H: drive to the semi-public T: drive. I told her I didn’t think it was a good idea. She kept arguing with me, back and forth, until I finally said, “Look, do what you want. I’m just a temp. Just ask the boss first.” So, she went in and spoke to the boss (I didn’t listen in) and came back out and said he thought it was fine. I didn’t understand it, but I let her do it.
She moved ALL the documents (instead of just the ones she knew she would need) to the T: drive and left for the day. After she left, I went in and asked the boss if he REALLY meant to have all his credit card, passport and other private information accessible to at least several people in the firm. He was horrified.
I explained to him what my trainee had moved. He said that she didn’t explain it to him that way. I told him that I explained it to HER, but she wouldn’t listen to me, so I backed off. I told him what I told her, “Hey – I’m just a temp.” He thanked me profusely for bringing it to his attention and not just leaving it there. I took the private documents, sent them to her (and my boss) in an email, and then deleted them from the T: drive (I still have them on my H: drive, too).
I told him she’s a little headstrong and thinks she knows it all. He said he’ll talk to her tomorrow and then said, “If she doesn’t work out, we’ll get someone else.” I told him I thought she WOULD work out (she’s very fast and very smart), but she’s not a good listener. She has to learn to listen.
Here’s the other thing that happened today. We had decided that it would be best for Systems Support to set me up with a computer in an empty cubicle next to mine, so that we could both work, instead of me having to sit and do nothing, or her having to sit and do nothing. I was fine with it, except she has an ergonomic keyboard, which I find impossible to use. I had told her I didn’t want it set up until the 16th, when she starts working from 10:00am - 3:00pm, but she overrode me on that, too.
So, now, instead of sitting comfortably at my own desk (well, my desk for the last 4 months), I am now at a new desk, which doesn’t even have a phone yet (so I can’t answer the boss’ phone).
So, I either sit at my old desk, where I can’t type, but I can answer the phone. Or I sit at my new desk, where I can’t answer the phone, but I can work comfortably. If she would have just listened to ME, I’d still be able to work at my own desk for the next 2 weeks, but – no – it had to be her way.
I didn’t say a word, but I’m waiting to see if my boss asks me to sit at my old desk. If he does, I’ll explain the situation and see what he wants to do. Maybe he won’t care that I’m not at that desk and I’m assuming they’ll have me set up with a phone by tomorrow. I hope!
So, that’s my drama for the day. Anyone who knows me (and I guess you all do), knows that I have a big mouth and I’m not afraid to speak my mind. At the same time, there are moments when I realize it’s just not worth it because, after all, the most important thing is to not make waves, because I want to be there as long as possible.
So, I did tell the boss what I thought was important for HIS security, but I’m not going to complain about the desk situation and, if he asks, I’ll tell him the truth – it was her idea – not mine!
Eric came to pick me up, because my ride had to go somewhere directly from work. It was a real treat and he took me to the library, because I finished both my books and needed two more! I’ve now read seven Dick Francis mysteries in the last few months and picked up two more. There are 30 in all, and I intend to read each and every one. Eric thinks I’m crazy and that I should go back and forth with other authors, but I’m “into” it now and really enjoy the fact that all the stories take place in England and revolve around horse racing. I find it endlessly interesting!
When we got home from the library Eric started working on one of his bicycles and I went through the mail, worked on the computer, and then watched DR. PHIL. Then, I made us a big salad.
HELL’S KITCHEN is on tonight, which Eric and I really enjoy. We laugh the whole time – either because the chefs are such idiots, or because Gordon Ramsay is apoplectic as he screams, yells, curses and throws dishes and food. It’s really high drama, but you know what they say – “If you can’t take the heat…”
We have big plans for the weekend – we’re going to L.A. to visit with my cousins in the afternoon, and then see our friends for dinner. We are coming back the same night. We’ll leave at 10:00am and get there around noon and then leave by 10:00pm, and get home by midnight, the latest. I’m really looking forward to it. My cousins are a lot of fun, their kids are great, and we always have a great time when we all get together. We always make a point of seeing our friends, Joe and Miguel, when we’re in L.A. Joe and I go way back (I met him in 1978) and he’s a great guy.
I miss all my friends and family in NY and it is wonderful to see familiar faces, so a trip to L.A. is always fun!