World of Suck

Was today the worst day of my life? - No, not close. However it was pretty damn annoying, even for a Monday. Only got one thing that I intended to do today done because I spent the whole damn day in phone call hell.

First annoying thing: Recently, I have been made low to mid-level management in my office. There are four staff that report directly or indirectly to me, three of them are brand-spanking, wet-behind-the-ears new. I relegated one of my lesser projects to one of the newbies, but Ineeded to be present for a conference call on it. Supposed to be two hours, so newbie gets a conference room for two hours. Two hours are over, we are obviously far from over and the people who have the conference room after us are loitering in the hall. I inform the parties that we are being evicted, they keep talking. Mind you, most of what is being discussed has nothing to do with us. I assert myself and ask if our presence is required and I am told "yes". I tell them to call back in a half hour and hopefully we will have found a new home, which we do. How long did the conference call last? Five fucking hours. I dodged the last 1 1/2 and told newbie, you need me you know where I am. During that time monotone consultant keep going and "here", obviously pointing to map. I finally said "where?", to which he replies "northeast corner". Guess what, dumb ass consultant does not have north arrow on any map. Furthermore, jack ass asks for guidance on a point, and I tell them where they can find it in writing, but obviously they want it spoon feed.

Second annoying thing: I have a project where there have been numerous odor issues. The whole neighborhood gets stinky at least once a week and I get a couple of calls complaining. Today there were seven messages for me and they were pissed. Not that I blame them. I'm pretty damn pissed myself, and I don't live there. So, i spent my "spare time" calling and finding out what happened this time and returning phone calls to these pissed-off people.

Third annoying thing: I am meeting with a community about an issue this week. One entity thinks that just because the issue was raised at their meeting and that it happens to be with people from their neighborhood that they should have been informed of the meeting. I'm not even the one organizing or speaking at the meeting. Wah, wah, wah, had to listen to them complain. Well guess what, it ain't my party and they ain't invited. I politely told them to sit on it an rotate. The damn CEO is a nob anyway. The entity didn't appreciate it. I'm sleeping on their lengthy response to me that their likely over paid PR person e-mailed. If I didn't save it till tomorrow I may say something I would later regret.

And what's the one thing I got done - I called some people to make sure they knew about the meeting this week.

Not my worst day, but I was really getting sick of being on the phone. If the phone rings tonight - the machine's getting it. Even if its Mom.