alone at last (although untimely by now)

And instead of getting some work done, which I have not been very successful at so far today due to constant interruptions, here I am writing an entry instead. D is gone to lunch, L is gone to her classes, and Aggravation Receptionist is gone home. After coming in looking like death (which by now is her usual everyday look), coughing and hacking all over the place, telling me in great detail how horrible she feels and how she just can’t get over it {cough cough cough hack hack} and she is taking ten zillion kinds of drugs {cough cough cough hack hack} but nothing is helping {cough cough cough hack hack}. During which I find it really hard to work up as much sympathy as perhaps I should, because 1) she’s been sick to one degree or another since I arrived here in July and I’ve heard about each illness in great detail and 2) I DON’T WANT HER DAMNED GERMS.

Well, she called the doctor and they worked her in, and turns out she has pneumonia. So, yeah, she has a pretty good reason for feeling horrible. And I am sorry, really I am!!! I’ve just totally run out of any shred of patience I ever had with her by now. And it’s like D said, when I wondered why on earth she’d come in at all today. She comes in sick so she can tell us all in great detail how sick she is.

Oh, she also ticked me off first thing – well, after infesting the air with her germs – by telling me she needs to take off on a day I’ve already requested off. Because she’s having her wisdom teeth taken out (an event I’m already dreading, because it means at least two more weeks of complaining how horrible she feels after that). She’d initially made the appointment for the end of this month, but one of her kids is moving the next day so she changed the date to a day I’d already spoken for. I’m taking off three extra days at Easter, so as to have a nice long break and use some of my 34,982 days of vacation. She asks me if I think it will matter, both of us being out and leaving D and L here alone (and L is perhaps the least dependable person on earth – next to Aggravation Receptionist of course – meaning there’s a good chance D will end up totally alone). I said I didn’t know, but she better check with D. And I also said I can’t change my day off. In reality, I could – I’m not doing anything specific – but it’s the damned principle of the thing. She has a history of grabbing up the days around holidays before anyone else can. And, what is that day that I’ve asked off already?? The Friday before our Easter break.

So she’s all "Oh, I don’t want you to change your day!! It shouldn’t matter, should it?? I don’t think it will matter!! Do you think it will matter??? I already made the appointment, I have to do it then!"

Yeah, you changed the appointment to a day I’d already taken, which just happened to be right before a holiday, didn’t ask anyone beforehand if it was okay, and now it’s ummmmmm…too late to reschedule! Even though it’s over a month from now. So it will HAVE to be okay. Or I’ll have to not take that day off myself. And I’m SO not giving up that day off.

I told her three times she’d have to check with D – it’s not up to me to say it will matter or it will not matter. And I notice that she didn’t ask D about it, either.

I think I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with Aggravation Receptionist.

Oh, to make things even more, well, aggravating , yesterday when I was at lunch I accidently left the lights on in the Civic for 15 minutes while I was sitting in it reading the paper before I headed back. When I tried to start it, it was dead. Because it needs a new battery. Which is not something that we weren’t aware of, but it is something we keep forgetting about/putting off. I’ve done that several times and it always starts after I let it sit 15 more minutes or so, but this time it would not start. I ended up having to get Baker B to come and rescue me. So I called my office to let them know what had happened, and that I’d be late getting back. When I finally do arrive, nearly an hour later, L and Aggravation Receptionist were the only ones here because D was at lunch.

Did either of them even mention my car? Did either ask if I got it started or if it was okay or if I had to get it jumped off or if I’d be able to get home? Or, well, anything??

Why, no!! Aggravation Receptionist was all, "Sick sick sick sick!! Symptoms symptoms sick sick sick!!!"

And L was all, "Baby daddy baby daddy broke broke rent electric broke baby daddy broke broke broke!!!"

And I’m thinking, you two are just about the most self-obsessed duo I’ve ever seen in my LIFE.

On the other hand, as soon as D walked in she was asking all those pretty normal questions you’d be likely to ask someone who had not been able to start their car and was an hour late getting back from lunch. Like did you get it started and will you have to get a new battery and do you need a ride after work. (We called AAA and got it jumped off after work. And no, still have not gotten a new battery.)

Okay, I started this at 2ish, and never did get to finish. I mentioned Aggravation Receptionist’s effort to steal my vacation day to D, who immediately went into orbit. Apparently AR has been driving her as crazy as she drives me, but for five years. She pitched a fit, went and told the dean’s assistant, who pitched a fit, and AR is going to have to just reschedule her wisdom teeth removal. Which I have to say there is some doubt is even happening. Because…AR lies!!!! And makes up stuff to get off! And is, obviously, insane.

Oh, well. I’m glad it’s not just me. Now I can perhaps view it as a comedy.

And now I’ve got to get ready to watch Lost!

And one day I’ll make an entry that doesn’t involve whining about my job. Because there’s a LOT of more important things going on than my workplace drama. Like my poor uncle, Cousin E’s father, who has taken an alarming turn for the worst and could use all the good thoughts you can send him. Things could sure be worse around here.