Jingle all the way!

As the snowy weather approaches I am reminded of a tale that I will never live down. To this day my dear friend Linda chuckles as she tells the punch line.

I had just graduated from college, I was purchasing my first home and about to be married in less than a years time. The company in which I currently work for was not hiring, but could foresee an opening with in the year. They told me to find a job for the time being and they would let me know when they had an opening. After a few weeks of realizing that I am about to take on the world unemployed and panicking about what I was going to do...my friend Linda came through.

Linda approached me one night at pool. She stated that her company was looking for temp help and would I like a job. Linda worked for an industry that I knew nothing about. It was corporate and I was a certified tree hugger, I did not think I could do it. However in the always encouraging manner Linda proclaimed, "You can do it. You just need common sense stupid". I took the job.

To be honest, it was the first "real" job I had ever had. My first corporate experience in an unforgiving industry. I needed a mentor and their was Linda. I her grasshopper, she my mentor. Linda is one of the kindest, loyal, generous, loving, intelligent, shoot from the hip, don't talk to me today if you want to live, bitches I have ever met. She's great, but will take you out in a moments notice if you fuck with her or her family. I love her!

So I am the temp which equals new girl bring coffee. Everything is going well and my contract continues to be extended and I am making my mentor proud until one fatal error.

At the time I was living with my parents in Mississauga and had woke at my normal time to find a shit load of snow had and continued to be falling. I proceeded with my shower and getting dress all along with the looming drive hanging over me. I hate driving in snow and at that time was ridiculously paranoid about it. I grabbed my purse and headed out to the highway listening to the traffic report which only fuelled my anxiety. It was still dark and snowing as I entered the on ramp of the 403. I managed 2 exits when I witnessed a car skid off the road and end up in the ditch. I lost what little nerve I had and proclaimed that no job was worth my life...drama queen. I exited at the next ramp and went back home. I was freaked out, but I realize now that cars don't just fly off the road...that perhaps he was driving at an unsafe speed and in a dangerous manner causing him to leave the road way that day.

I returned back home 30 minutes later, slightly shakened. I proceeded upstairs to my bedroom, changed into my p.j's and robed, went back down to the kitchen and made a half coffee half hot coco, flicked on the fireplace and joined my mom in the living room.

Here is the error. I picked up the phone and called Linda, whom of course was already at work (she's a keener) and foolishly began telling my story. You tell me where I may have gone wrong.

Lin: Good morning
me: Hey Lin
Lin: where are you
Me: I am sitting in on the couch, in my pjs, in front of the fire sipping a hot coco! giggle giggle
Lin: WHY!
Me: It's snowing
Lin: No Why are you not here?
Me: (gulp...and in a louder voice) It's snowing
Lin:.................................
Me: Lin? (the silence was the key that we were no longer on the same page)
Lin: yep
Me: it's snowing too bad here. I started out and then a car....(I was abruptly cut off)
Lin: So I will see you when?
Me: (cute peppy voice) Tomorrow...I'll bring coffee :O)
Lin: yeah so you are sitting on the couch curled up with a coco in front of the fire and you won't be in today, am I right.
Me: Yeah sorta sorry...I feel bad, but it's...(cut off again)
Lin: Insert scary laughter...ooooo-kay. So not at all today. Not even later when it's not snowing, like when they have cleared the roads? Not then, not today eh?
Me: oh you're mad at me
Lin: still laughing....you have a good day with mommy now....click
Me: dial tone...okay you too.

The rest of my time there (which looking back is a surprise that I had anytime left) was spent trying to live down that day. Why I didn't just call in sick...period was beyond me. Why I thought that because it was Linda a friend, that she'd go easy on me, is a mystery. I plead young and stupid and seriouly lacking common sense afterall.

The out come of this little story has been interesting though. Firstly I feel guilty beyond belief when I rest in bed for a while, nap or call in sick for anything. Secondly, I subconsciously inherit ted Linda's above standard work ethic, and my team thanks you Linda. I am the biggest bitch when it comes to people calling in. It drives me to hear about their sniffles and such. One ex-coworker called and said she wasn't coming in because they were calling for snow! It hadn't even snowed yet like in my case. I didn't take it lightly...Linda you'd be proud.

Grasshopper