Originally published November 29, 2010
So far today, the end of a restful Holiday weekend and the beginning of what I hope will be a productive week, I’ve enjoyed some measure of success. The HP Netbook I ordered for school arrived this morning, well ahead of earlier delivery projections. I was able to clear some work off my desk first thing in the morning. I gave myself more than ample time to leave the office for this afternoon’s placement test for college. Then I couldn’t get out of the office.
It is the last item in the above list that has me a little irked. CCP wouldn’t let me take my first placement test. I missed the second appointment by going to the wrong buildings and getting poor directions to the right one. Finally, I gave myself plenty of time to be early for today’s test, and even after announcing to my supervisor and colleagues that I would leave early, when I was ready to go, they just couldn’t seem to let me go.
It is no new thing around the office; when people make it clear they will be leaving at a particular time, it seems others around them also choose that time to bring all the office woes to their door. And I tried the usual, “Not a problem. I hear you, but let me call you from the road. Or just call/text/message me once I’m out.” No good. They want to bend my ear right then and there, all the while wishing me the best of luck and assuring me they’re not trying to hold me up.
So here I am, boarding my SEPTA chariot at least 30 minutes later than planned (very well planned). If I miss this appointment today with so many deadlines already missed, I cannot promise that my coworkers won’t feel it come tomorrow. I hope they do not. Cannot promise they will not. (Lord, strengthen me and fill me with Your spirit.)