DLS and the Terrible, Horrible No-Good Very Bad Day

With apologies to Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz.

It started when I had to come in early to work. I've been working later in the day, 10:30 to 7:00, which suits both my marathon training and my night-owl ways. This week, our department is short handed meaning I was at work at 7:00 today and will be in at 6:00 tomorrow.

My friend Len and his brother Jason spent the weekend at my place. This morning, I plugged in the iron. I probably should have turned off the air conditioner first. This meant that Len and Jason were unable to check in for their flights online. And I had to shave by candlelight.

Yes, there was a time when men knew how to change fuses. Some still do. Unfortunately, it's a moot point when your particular fuse box is located behind a locked gate and a padlocked door accessible only through the alley. Drinking Buddy very generously offered to help, but it was no use. He did give me a candle. Len and Jason suggested that I get Bethany to teach me to change a fuse.

Assholes.

Then, at work, half the department was missing. And one of the biggest jerks we deal with happened to call in complaining that he was not receiving his statements. I offered to email his daily statement to him. He gave me his email address, spelled it, and I spelled it back to him.

Fifteen minutes later, he called in to say that it was not received. I repeated the email back to him. No, he said, not S. X!

Sure sounded like S when I spoke to him.

He asked to speak to my manager.

Sending someone's daily statement to someone else is a serious offense. It was an accident, but I spent the day with a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. And there was no time for reflection---it was probably the busiest day of the year.

My boss sent me an IM saying, essentially, don't worry. You'll most likely get a verbal reprimand---don't panic. It's not that bad. Happens. We'll just take you to the woodshed and move on. It's going to be OK. And he put a smiley emoticon at the end.

I was reminded of an anecdote I heard about Joseph Stalin: when he blew up at someone that person was safe, but when he reassured the man that everything would be all right it always meant that he would be arrested the next day. Fortunately, I have a very good boss. It hasn't always been the case.

It also made me reflect on the nature of risk---when I say I'm in financial services, some people imagine me driving a BMW and that's not the case. I make an "adult" income and can afford to travel and do other adult activities, but I'm not rich. I live in a one-bedroom apartment by the L tracks. Hell, I don't even own a car (by choice). However, if I make a mistake, click buy instead of sell, add an extra zero, or forget one, I can find myself liable for thousands and thousands of dollars. Essentially, I'm one mouse click away from working in a mailroom somewhere.

Because it's been such a shitty day, I'm putting off a conversation with Christy. She's been communicating with Len and Jason via myspace and has complained that I'm not showing her enough attention.

Christy: complain about me to your friends all you want. Don't complain about me to my friends. I've known these guys all my life and I'm afraid all you've done is lower your status in their eyes. The blade is being sharpened, but it will half to wait for another day. I just want a nice drink and a good night's sleep.

Oh well. Other people have bad days, too. Even in Australia.