Send My Roots Rain and Welcome Back to Hell
"Each of us bears his own Hell." ~ Virgil
For the first time in weeks, the temperature won't reach 100. It rained this morning for the first time in a month or so. I'm always reminded of Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem, "Thou Art Indeed Just Lord" when we go through a drought. (http://www.theotherpages.org/...)
One of my co-workers, J., returned Monday from working in a different state for the past three years. This has resulted in the imposition of some new rules by the owner of the company. I ran into J. yesterday morning in the break room and exchanged pleasantries with him. I came upstairs and spent some time with Stephanie, whose office is close to the owner's office. He buzzed and asked me to come by when I got a chance. I just went to put my purse and tote bag in my office and came back for the conversation with S., my boss.
He asked me to limit my conversations with J. No chatting. And when I stop by to talk with Stephanie, I'm supposed to close the door so that J. won't see that we're having a good time and think he can get involved. My mom thought that was just absolutely hilarious. As for me, nothing that goes on in my office surprises me anymore. Well, what could I do? I said, "Sure. I can do that." Then he proceeded to tell me at length about why there isn't to be any unofficial contact with J. What he said is different from what is true.
S. told me that J. hadn't worked very hard while he was at the other office and he (the owner) thought that might help to get J. focused on producing. Even though I don't think that's the real reason, I pointed out that that's why I made the choice, years ago, to essentially ignore J. He likes to take credit for things he hasn't done. That makes me angry.
The real reason S. wants to ostracize J. is that he's pissed off. S. became friends with a former colleague who later became our customer in the out of state office. The customer loathes J. He's regaled S. with many tales of slackerdom. And pomposity. And arrogance. That created some very unfriendly feelings towards J. in S.'s heart. So he's been punished ever since. It started around 5 years ago. S. can definitely hold onto a grudge. It's a quality that I share, so I can't really criticize.
J. had been pleading to come back for a couple of years now because his family has continued to live in this state. His daughter got married and provided him with a grandson, so there was added impetus to get back. She's now living in my old hometown, which is about five hours away, but it's closer than 4 states away. J.'s wife hates him. She may have forgotten that during his absence, but she'll be remembering any day now. Let's see...he got here on Saturday, so I'm thinking that by tomorrow, she'll start thinking about taking out a contract on his life.
So this week, J. may think his life has taken a turn for the better. He'll figure it out soon enough. Welcome back to hell, J. Get comfortable, because I don't see any changes in your immediate future.
America held hostage day 1671
Bushism of the day:
"So community colleges are accessible, they're available, they're affordable, and their curriculums don't get stuck. In other words, if there's a need for a certain kind of worker, I presume your curriculums evolved over time." - Niceville, Fla., Aug. 10, 2004
