Arguing with the biometrics group is not how I wanted to spend my Tuesday. Actually, the struggle has been going on since last week. One simple table update, that’s all I need. But you’d think that I was asking for an entire report from the US census bureau. *sigh*

The head of the department has got a thing for closed doors. He calls you into his office for a “discussion,” then verbally takes you down.

On a day where every double check of the in-text tables and listings I am reviewing yields a different response, I am more than frustrated. I don’t have time to be “called out.”

What I wouldn’t give to be able to have a door to close so that I could better concentrate on my task-at-hand. If only his group would’ve generated said listings when asked, I wouldn’t need to do what I am doing. Instead, I’m being asked why I’ve repeatedly sent email after email documenting an issue in need of resolution (read: his group needs to correct the ONE listing they’ve provided.)

And on a day where I’ve been frazzled beyond frazzled, push-back (behind closed OR open doors) is NOT the desired response.

That was yesterday. Here’s hoping today will be different.

Today has been one of those days where nothing seems quite right. I’m restless, easily annoyed, and have no patience.

After sitting in meetings all morning, then having to attend another dog-and-pony-show for yet another potential vendor, I have no tolerance for um, how do you say, um… uh… excessive, um… use of, um… the, uh… use of “um.”

And when the meeting runs over into the lunch hour without any value added, I want to blow a gasket. You see, the company that I work for, in spite of all of its wonderfulness (and there is a lot) is one where folks need to be seen.

Visibility at our desks from 9 – 5 is expected. It matters not if, for one reason or another, a lunch break is not taken. Heading out for a run at 2 or 3 pm (in place of lunch) is not an option.

And so I wait patiently for the clock to strike 5. Then… I’m, um… OUT. OF. HERE!

Nearly 6 months ago, I began working at my new company.  It has taken me quite some time to adjust and feel useful.  It has taken even longer for me to feel comfortable enough to break away for lunch.  And you know how I need my lunchtime getaways.

Part of the reason I found it difficult was that my group generally lunches together.  More than that, I really like my colleagues and want for them to like me.  On more than one occasion, I have been left feeling a little guilty about my break away lunches. Or…perhaps that is the Catholic in me that has me feeling guilty.  *sigh*

The funny (and very cool) thing is that my break away lunches has created a change that even I did not foresee.  By leaving to run during the lunch hour, an example has been set.  It is one that people are starting to follow — at their own pace.

It’s pretty cool.

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I have questioned the sanity of my helping out at the running store on a couple of occasions.  The time commitment is not always easy for me to fit into my schedule.  But days like today only reinforce that I need the store just as much as it needs me.

Today’s customers were quite varied.  First, there was the recent college grad who I talked everything from marathons to blogs to networking — after helping her to pick out socks for her upcoming half marathon.

Next, there was the couple training for their 1st marathon.  We talked training, avoiding chaffing, and ways to make your shoes last.  Like human sponges, they soaked it all up .

Later in the day, I helped a man with paraplegia select new shoes.  This was quite interesting as he could not provide the usual feedback on how the shoes felt.   I found myself accessing my nursing knowledge to better help him out.  His tendency towards foot drop was one concern.

I searched for shoes that I suspected would cause the least amount of the shoe catching on the ground which had a wide shoe base that I hoped would provide stability without messing with his foot structure.  It was all a guessing game with only my visual inspection of his walk to test my shoe theory.  He took home a pair of shoes with instructions to return if they weren’t working out.

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