I’ve been around the block a few times. Well, I guess you could say I’ve been around the neighborhood several times. Yeah, I guess many times.
Okay, I’m old.
In all of that time, I’ve known a lot of people. I have clients, their families, my kids’ friends and their families, neighbors, professionals. You get the idea-a lot of people of all sorts.
I consider myself fairly competent in dealing with people. Except for a new woman in our office, whom I just can’t figure out. And it bugs me.
Within days of her start, the otherwise disengaged office manager is personally painting her office in the colors of her choice He is also painting the office of her younger protege. She has the younger protege driving her to work. She has obtained funding-from a very limited budget-for artwork in the office. She has convinced the manager to submit complaints about the quality of the cleaning being done in the office.
This isn’t the stereotypical young, sexy woman tantalizing these guys into doing things for her. She’s probably about forty, and average looking, a bit overweight. She’s married with two kids. The young protege is a gay guy with a partner.
And yet her presence has completely changed the atmosphere of the office. Within just three days.
It has been amazing to watch. She expects these things, and they’ve just magically happened.
We’ve been complaining about the cleaning for years. When I started at the office a few years ago, painting of the office was never mentioned as an option. I was not even told about passwords for the computer.
So am I jealous? Is that what is bugging me?
Maybe, I suppose. I think, however, that I am more intrigued by how she does it.
I don’t like it, I know that. I foresee huge drama within the office. We have some other personalities in this office which are not going to mix well with this person. I suppose that could be entertaining.
But I am a low-drama, low-maintenance, keep out of the way kind of person. I don’t need it.
It has been a fascinating few days, though. And I still can’t quite figure out what it is about her that gets her these things.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
Just My Life 
It is a puzzle.
By: Patricia on January 3, 2014
at 9:40 pm
A puzzle not yet solved. But I’ll let you know if I figure it out.
By: chlost on January 5, 2014
at 10:48 am
I’d keep an eye on her, if I were you. She obviously has some influence somewhere. It’ll come out one day, and you might not like what you learn. Then again, you might like it just fine. Eyes open, mouth shut.
By: Betty Adams on January 3, 2014
at 11:21 pm
Betty, you are a very wise woman.
By: chlost on January 5, 2014
at 10:48 am
Office dynamics are a touchy thing. There are conflicts where I work, but thankfully they are far from me. Once in a while I’ll talk to the wrong person at the wrong time and get an earful, but since I’m not in the office very often, my chances of avoiding the drama have improved. I agree with the comment above, “eyes open, mouth shut.” Oh, and good luck!
By: jannatwrites on January 4, 2014
at 2:33 am
Because it is a small office, it is a bit hard to stay out of things. But my office is as far away from everyone as possible, and I am the sole person in my “division”. I prefer it that way.Wish I could “work from home”.
By: chlost on January 5, 2014
at 10:46 am
That’s interesting. I know I’d be keeping my eye on her, too.
By: Secret Agent Woman on January 5, 2014
at 12:23 pm
I think both eyes will be on her.
By: chlost on January 5, 2014
at 11:10 pm
Your self-description says it all: she is the opposite of you and she has a take-charge personality. I took a job many years ago where things were done to suit an older woman in the office. I didn’t like the way things were done and started complaining to the right people and things were changed. I don’t think the older woman liked me to begin with, but then she saw that much of what I wanted to change really did benefit her, too.
By: dkzody on January 28, 2014
at 11:11 am
Perhaps you’re right and I am just an old curmudgeon who is jealous. But I don’t think you got the point. I’m self-described as old. I have met a lot of people. Many of those people have been ambitious and effective in getting things accomplished. In fact, I may have been described that way at one point. But this person is not. She doesn’t work to get things done, other people seem to do things for her just because she expects it. That is what is curious to me.
By: chlost on January 29, 2014
at 11:00 pm