Cafe Hitch-hike

2024-04-25

I can't get no...

Wonderful gripes from this week... I'm telling you but not too many others!

A Stolen Vehicle

I was driving near Avery's work and I saw him quickly drive past me in the right lane. I shrugged and thought he was in a hurry. I then circled back to to his work since I was going to drop in and figured he would be there. When I got there, he and his co-workers stood next to an empty parking space and they didn't look happy.

"My car was stolen," said Avery and he pointed at the line of the parking space. "I tried to find it and phone led me here!" He stood at the parking space and the air tag in his middle compartment was tossed, landing on the line.

I then backtracked. Did the thief drive by me while they stole it? I gave him an estimate of the time I drove by but did not see who was driving. I left and then police arrived about a hour and a half later to take a report. They likely won't investigate but will wait until the car appears somewhere or is never found.

Av has had many experiences where he landed in some trouble or didn't take responsibility where he was supposed to. He often got away with things, yet paid heavily when he didn't. This was one example because he doesn't lock his vehicle. I told him at different times and situations that he needed to be responsible and take normal precautions. I said this lightly to him and said no more. He claimed when those things happen, he barely remembers what he did, does not know what he was thinking, or thought everything would be ok.

Return to Mi Trabajo

After being off for 8 workdays, I had a catch-up meeting with the Right Hand Person. I suspected they knew what was going on better than I ever could; I probably didn't give any updates. I sometimes imagine that I'm talking and they're just letting me play my tape since they already knew through their contacts or could read between lines in building conversations. I sometimes wonder if they think I'm stupid for it, but I'd prefer they think I'm just out of touch.

Based on some sensitive facts from the building's dismal budget report, I dropped breadcrumb hints that RHP will not be able to hire more people so they wouldn't have false hope. Permission was finally given to discuss the budget report which I share with RHP. They were not surprised or pleased but didn't direct it at me. I've also been dropping breadcrumb hints about the same thing to a head of a dysfunctional department who reports to me, while explicitly adding (based on conversations I had with my higher-ups) that their employees needed serious performance improvements. The higher-ups also told me personnel shakeups were to come for the department. If half of that turns out to actualize, all I can say is they done been told as they say in the American south.

RHP figured I needed a mental break from work and didn't blame me for taking the time off. They've been ignoring their health think their issues were in their head; I hope so and that they aren't ignoring a real problem. RHP has taken some serious hits in the past year, and they were close friends with our former boss who retired then died last fall. They take great care of themselves and belong to a tight-knit community, but even the body has its limits.

RHP and others asked me where I'll be re-assigned when my temp gig contract ends on July 1 while my replacement is to start in September. I told RHP and others that I don't know. I've heard rumors, but I'll only know when papers are thrusted in front of me to sign.

The 8 days off helped me clear my head. Prof. Arthritis of my management class said supervisors usually start off badly but good ones always make corrections and improve over the course of a few months. I can list more things that turned out well than badly and I reflected on many small victories I've had. I had reasons and power to seek revenge on reports who were awful to me in the past, but I genuinely didn't want to even when they pissed me off. RHP could tell the temp gig was wearing me down. They told me the conditions of my temp gig were not normal and not to don't give up on considering administrative positions down the road.

I think they were partly wrong about the 'not normal' part. However, I'll take their 'don't give up' suggestion as a compliment (they don't give them), especially as I began the meeting imagining I was in the dark.

Vacation Options

My family organized a trip and gave me the date and some also considered visiting me, but I wasn't able to accommodate either one.
They have much less flexibility and time to take vacations than I do. Although I could understand that, a part of me felt miffed that they didn't consider my availability. I then saw the trip was going to be an "open" event where friends of the family can attend. My miffed feelings quickly evaporated. These events usually turned out to be rather crazy with drama and free riders. For one trip, I helped my sister and cousin but refused to for their free riding friends. I quickly knew where that would go: covering them for a meal would then turn into covering their parking, other meals, sleeping arrangements, etc. What pissed me off was my mother was sore at me for not doing this. I would had been glad to, but my experiences with them (and some of my sisters) showed me they would regularly expect it.

It's ok if I miss out. I'll be going overseas right before than, and then a work trip. Gee, I'd rather go to a trip known to transform people (hahaha) although the work trip would technically be good for my career. I'd probably enjoy those and get more... satisfaction.

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