A day of blunders, candies, and other fun stuff
It was supposed to be a slow-paced, leisurely day.
With one appointment only.
At least that was the plan at the beginning of the week.
It all changed with an email from a client that catapulted me head-first into a big work project.
The day of the appointment
I’m looking at the time. And I’m looking at the phone — willing it to ring.
A “doctor’s order” for me this morning would be a canceled appointment.
(And it can only happen from the other side — it was rescheduled several times already.)
I grudgingly get in the car and start heading toward the coffee shop. As I pulled in the parking lot the phone rings. It’s a friend.
We talked for several minutes as I’m relating where I am; and why. That’s when my friend tells me, “Don’t you know?! That coffee shop closed several weeks ago!”
I get off the phone and look around.
Sure enough, there is no activity. Parking lot is empty.
(Just great — I was the one who chose the meeting place!)
About this time the phone rings again. It’s my appointment.
He is waiting for me; at a different coffee shop.
Pleasant and informative
In less than 10 minutes I’m there.
A well-mannered guy, he makes an attempt to convince me this is the coffee shop he understood we were to meet.
A roaring laughter from me dispelled any notion that I would follow the same civilized principles.
Sipping coffee and talking — the time went by quicker than I thought.
What started as a don’t-have-time-for-this business meeting ended up being a pleasant and informative hour.
(In some ways he reminds me of someone from my family. Well, almost: he doesn’t have the Smart Alec part : )
Moral of this story: if you have a meeting with me YOU better pick the place.
You see what happens when I do!
Unexpected visit. And candies
When I got back to my desk, I was ready to dive into my work. As soon as I started the phone rang.
A client — asking if it’s all right to stop by for a short visit.
“Yes, of course”, I say as I’m closing my computer. And putting away the project I’m working on.
About 30 minutes later the client shows up. With a check in hand. And a box of candies.
I quickly glanced at the check as I put it away; and start a thorough “examination” of the candies.
Dark truffles — yes!!
As we talk, I have to keep telling Sunny to keep quiet. He wants to be part of the conversation (mainly complaining that Flipper doesn’t want to play with him).
The phone rings. Again.
This time is a friend who wants to go and get some poinsettias; and asks if I want to go along.
“I’m with a client” answer didn’t deter her. She said, “It’s all right. We’ll go later — after you are done.”
…and other fun stuff
The day continues with more phone calls.
And several visits to the IRS’ site.
Later that evening, at a social gathering, as soon as I walked in I started,
“Let me tell you about my day of leisure.”
A good day.
It didn’t go as planned — but a good day.
Thanks for visiting.
Mariana worked on both, the east and the west coast.
Big or small, each project she worked on helped define the importance of gaining and sustaining a competitive edge in an increasingly complex business environment.
Business know-how, love of teaching and writing – all combined in 2006 to form OBI.
Its mission: to make learning fun! And easy.
Through its training, consulting, and publications OBI builds bridges of knowledge to take you from where you are to
where you want to go. Using a mix of serious, informal, analytical, and optimistic approach, OBI truly makes learning fun.
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