Thursday, October 16, 2008

Lunch Nazi

Stuff happens to me all day long and I always think, "Oh, this would be a great blog." But by the time I've gotten home, worked out, found something healthy for dinner and finally sat down, I sit in front of a blank screen and can't remember what it was I wanted to talk about. Anyone else have this trouble? In fact, I write really good posts in my head, usually while doing something mundane at work, like making copies. But alas, do I type these thoughts down? Well, no, that would make too much sense. Plus, a part of me wonders why anyone would want to read about my random stuff that occurs....

Speaking of random, I finally had my review at work. Which, I'd been dreading. Not because I didn't think I'd been doing a good job, but because in the four years I've been there, never have I received a positive review. I get berated and crazy things happen once I cross the threshold into his office. But last week, it was sprung on me. I had just had a snack of BBQ chips and that taste was in my mouth. It was a weird sensation. Anyway, it was a good review. He said, while the budgeted amount was between 0%-3%, he gave me a 4%!! So, yeah for me! I'm not sure what that translates to. Oh, and one of the coolest things he said was that he noticed all the little things I do around the office. All the nitty-gritty details that people often over-look until they aren't done. So, that made me feel really good. I know I'm an asset to the team. There's no I in team after all.

Wanna know something funny about my office? First, we are all creatures of habit. Every day around the same time, my boss yells from his office, "I'M HUNGRY!" We have to hold him off until at least noon, or the day will drag on and on. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention, we all eat lunch together, around the conference table; talking about sports, politics or whatever random conversation comes up. The food gets prayed over and for 20-30 we're normal people, eating together; though, I NEVER get a word in edge-wise. I'm OK with that anyway. I'd rather talk with people who want to talk with me. Digressing rabbit trail alert!

OK, so everyday, everyone is STARVING, but no one wants to make a decision about what we should do for lunch. If I'm lucky, I've actually made a trip to Wal-Mart and have brought my own lunch, so I don't have to deal with the "trauma" for the day. But if I haven't, then everyone just assumes that I'll take care of everything. As if it's one of my job responsibilities, which honestly, infuriates me, because let's face it. Getting lunch for the office is a ginormous hassle.

  1. Decide where to go.
  2. Gather up every one's orders - usually they talk to me like I'm their server at the restaurant
  3. Get money - which no one ever gives me enough for what they ordered
  4. Call the order in and go pick it up.
  5. Pay separately for all the orders, usually around 5-9!
  6. Make sure all the orders are right. Inevitably, some one's order isn't right.
  7. Give all the change back.

Oh, it's the biggest hassle in the entire world. OK, I realize that's being a bit dramatic. But, if all the above is going happen, then I want to make sure it's somewhere where I want to eat. And so.... this amazing thing happens. Because everyone is weak with hungry and not willing to make a decision, I hold a lot of power around lunch time. Muuuuuhahaaaaaaaaaa! (evil laugh)

Take today for instance. I had a hankering for Chick-fil-A. Not many people like Chick-fil-A, but for all the reasons above, one by one, they all cave. I get what I want and they get what they want (in that they get to stay at the office and not deal with the hassle). I told my dad about this and he was appalled that I would be pulling such a stunt, but let's face it people. A girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do.

1 comment:

Jennifer said...

This was a really funny post - and very random! Usually your posts are either very inspiring, very convicting, very artistic, or very Grant :), so it's neat to see one that was just Meredith doing her funny rambling/venting. I loved it!

And heck yeah you should be able to go where you want.

Something we used to do with a group of us that would always go out on Sunday nights (before kids)is have a list of everyone's names and rotate through whose turn it was to pick where we went to eat that night. That way, they knew ahead of time and could already have an idea and no one else was allowed to nay-say it or complain about it. It made things very quick and easy. Maybe you could try something like that at the office?