Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Distressing Realization

Today was not what you would call a good day. Today was clearly the day when my "new here" status wore off. Now, I'm apparently supposed to have learned something about what it is I say I do for the Embassy, and am expected to know people's names.

I really think those expectations should have been made more clear up front.

I mean, I clearly know MY name, and that guy that works upstairs...well...I call him "other guy," because otherwise, I would get him confused with "that one guy," whom I always see in the hall and at the door . Frankly, I suspect he is stalking me, but I can't technically prove it. I mean, I have been gathering evidence:

  • when I arrive at work, he says, "Hello." (I KNOW! Borderline sexual harrassment!!)
  • every once in a while he will be walking in the same direction as me and will say, "How are you doing?" AND
  • he shows up at a bunch of the meetings I go to on a regular basis and says things like, "How is your house?" (Flagrant disregard for personal space.)

Sure, he pretends like it is his job since he claims to work in the Embassy housing office, but frankly, it's creating a hostile work environment and should not be tolerated.

I SAID GOOD DAY!!!

However, I not sure why people aren't more friendly at our Embassy here. Clearly, they should be required to wear name tags (large, so I can see them without squinting or having to wear unsightly glasses) so that I may address them properly, i.e. "Oh! Why hello there Mr. Franklin!" and/or so that I can turn them into the proper authorities because apparently, "that one guy" is not a valid identifier for my harassment complaints.

And the other distressing news I learned today is that apparently, other people do stuff when I am not there!!! I spoke to both Minoy and Liz today on the instant messenger (totally about work stuff USG time-waster monitors) and during the course of that discussion it became glaringly obvious to me that they are not sitting at home waiting for me to return.

WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!? and WHY, for the love of all that's holy WHY did this happen??

Minoy claimed to have gotten coffee with someone else this morning and Liz was telling me about a conversation she had with ANOTHER person that was (a) not about me; (b) not about her; and (c) ABOUT WORK.

Frankly, I'm not sure I understand. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?

Thank God my husband is sitting in Iraq, all alone, talking to nobody else, and patiently waiting until he can see me again. .... RIGHT??

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

riiiiight.
:)

Unknown said...

OMG, you mean you have to WORK while there? I thought you were some sort of good will emissary and only had to worry about locating Diet Pepsi and cupcakes for everybody.

Well, that news sucks!

P.S. Since when did wearing glasses become "unsightly"? I WEAR GLASSES!

Unknown said...

P.S.S (or P.P.S?) I'm not touching that line about your husband waiting to see you with a ten foot pole!

darsden said...

LOL hummmm ... perhaps tomorrow will be better. Dunno...but if you drink Dr.Pepper everything would be just fine!

Susan said...

I'm sorry, what was your name again?

Beth said...

Clearly, I've been deceived. For years (decades, really), I thought people who worked for an Embassy to be dull and boring. People who weren't funny.

Or are you the only one who doesn't fit the mold?

blognut said...

Maybe Minoy and Liz were talking about the "other guy" and trying to get "that one guy" to start stalking them and not you. Or, maybe they're plotting to steal your Diet Pepsi.

bernthis said...

I can't tell you how bad I am with names. I feel horrible. I'm now at a point where if you forget mine, I'm fine with it. I get it sista

Carolee Hollenback said...

Stopping by from Bloggers Connect

http://bloggersconnect.blogspot.com/

hmmm...I would have been worried when the guy asked how my house was !

Hit 40 said...

PS to you too. You will need to stop by my office after school for some extra tutoring!!! Shameful You need to know the pythagorean theorem to balance your checkbook!!

LMAO

minoyw said...

Hey Blognut - if you knew me, you would know that I avoid talking to pretty much everyone. Texting and emails are my preferred methods of communication, PARTICULARLY in an office environment. Furthermore, it is well known that Kettle One is my preferred beverage (coincidentally also PARTICULARLY in an office environment). I can't be bothered with Diet Pepsi, or any other soda for that matter.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

First the chocolate cancer and now you're friends are abandoning you too! (Yeah, I'm reading backwards) Oh and let us not forget the poop ear. Surely you've gotten all the bad things out of the way in a hurry. It should be smooth sailing from here on out.