Borrowing Brains

Recently, a coworker of mine left our office to re-enter the big world of behind-the-scenes politics. She had applied for a job in L.A. and our Fresno office was really rooting for her. I know she has a passion for what she is doing now because when she was describing the requirements of her new job--namely, raising millions of dollars for a particular political candidate in a matter of weeks--she had a huge smile on her face.

My nausea level was somewhere between "long car ride" and "loopy-loop roller coaster" as I imagined having that same responsibility.

**Shivers**

I guess someone has to do that kind of thing.

Anyway, now that she is tackling that job, the office she's left behind has redistributed some of her work. In splitting up her former projects, I think I got a good deal.

I'm working on some of her projects with clients that are readily available, are well-informed, and are generous with their information. While most of our clients are smarterrific, they are also on time constraints. I am counting my blessings that my clients have time for my calls and e-mails.

It's just too bad that along with her extensive notes and examples of past reports that I couldn't get a flash drive with my former coworker's brain powers in it. There are just some things that the person who has worked on a project for so long just knows.

When you're with someone for so long, you have information that you assume is inherent but is actually subtly learned over time. You know the client's history. You learn their operations and bureaucracy (if applicable*). You might even learn their favorite breakfast pastry over a meeting or two.

When meeting yesterday with one of these very clients, I could feel myself asking questions that I knew my co-worker would have covered months ago. It was sort of like being a pinch-hitter on a date: "Sorry so-and-so couldn't make your movie date, but I can take us for pizza. Oh, you're lactose intolerant? Hmmm, funny, that wasn't in my notes...."

I just need time to get caught up.

You know, caught up before the client's deadline in two weeks.


*Who am I kidding: it's always applicable.

Special Delivery: Stress

I came home from work on Friday to a special delivery.

My apartment complex called me up at work, informing me that two packages had come for me.

Since I had ordered two skirts (which are fabulous in real life!!), I figured they each arrived at the same time. Sweet!

However, they arrived with a friend.

I opened up the first package and it was the two skirts that I had ordered--together.

My delight was greeted with sudden curiosity.

"What did 'bonus package' have in it?" I wondered. "A treat?"

No. It had responsibility.

It was someone else's order. A violet swimsuit waiting to head to its destined home in Columbus, Ohio, to Taryn B. The package had erroneously been sent my-a-way.*

My immediate reaction was "Uh-oh! They sent it to me by mistake. Sillies! Surely the company will fix this!"

Then I realized, the company likely have no idea, and it is up to me to fix this mess. Taryn B. is in need of her vintage-inspired purple product, and must unknowingly rely on a fellow consumer with plucky enthusiasm to make things right.

After calling the company, they told me how to get a free return label on their Website with no shipping cost to me. I'll package the suit up and should be able to get it shipped out this week. Then, it's up to the company to get it to the proper owner.

I can only wish Taryn B. luck.

Have you been saddled with this responsibility before? How did you handle it?


*Without naming names, some people in my life are trying to get me to just keep it. Bad role models.