April 25, 2007
April 25th is Administrative Professionals Day. I am self-employed, and I'm not only my own administrative assistant, but I am also the sales and marketing group and the company Information Technology Department, which should make anyone who actually knows their way around a computer shudder like a pin-feed dot matrix printer attached to a Tandy 128.
But I believe in the act of celebration, and I'm determined to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day just as all of the flower, candy and greeting-card lobbyists intended.
I will send myself flowers on that day, and my eyes will mist as I approach my desk and see them waiting for me. "Oh my gosh," I'll say to me. "These are beautiful. Thank you so much!"
"It's nothing," I'll respond. "You do a great job and deserve this and more."
Around 11:30 I'll surprise myself by asking me if I have any lunch plans. I'll be delighted to be taken to a smart bistro. I'll even suggest a glass of wine. But I don't know myself very well — no surprise, since the only time that I have this kind of interface with me is on Administrative Professional's Day — and I'll explain that beer is really my drink of choice, but that I'm afraid that it will make me sleepy. And given the amount of work that's waiting for me at my desk, I'll murmur a polite "thank you" to myself, and will pass on the offer.
I'll smile and wink knowingly at me as a gesture of appreciation and understanding. I like my frankness. I've admired that about me for years.
Around 4 p.m. I'll poke my head in the office door and jovially ask myself what the heck I'm still doing here. I'll insist that I knock off early, and I'll grab my flowers and head for the office door. But I'll stop myself with a hand on my arm before I leave, and I'll say, warm and serious: "Honestly. I don't know what I'd do without me." And then, my face flushed with embarrassment and pleasure, I'll leave the office and stand for a moment in the upstairs hallway, happy that I'm appreciated.
Now ... about that National Boss Day on October 16. I'm not sure how I'll handle that.
Unfortunately, I work for a jerk.
Comments
Margo (anonymous) says...
Very funny. I wish I had an administrative assistant. Unfortunately, I'm under-qualified for the job.
April 25, 2007 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ljohnson (ljohnson) says...
This is hilarious! As always, thanks for the laughs. It's always a guarantee on your blog! : )
April 25, 2007 at 7:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amazonratz (anonymous) says...
You better not let all that touchy-feely admiration get out of hand--you might accidentally sexually harass yourself.
April 30, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pdetmer (pdetmer) says...
Lisa, thanks for your nice note, and AmazonRatz, I may have to borrow that idea for National Boss Day. (I was chagrined when I began breathing in my ear, and considered calling the Human Resources Department - of which I am head - when that pat on my leg became something more than just that pat on my leg ...)
April 30, 2007 at 7:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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