Gooooo Team!

Now that I am a grown up girl thrown into the working world I’m subjected to do stuff on teams. Blah blah bluck to teamwork! I’m an only child, I can work quietly by myself, coloring in the lines and whistling whilst I work. Oh, but sometimes working in teams can just seem like a waste of life! I know teamwork is necessary and people are communal. No one person and do it all by their lonesome. But, some things should not take as long as they do. Not saying that I am a wham, bam, thank you ma’am, get your cash on your way out-type of person. But seriously, how long should it take to determine who our new water cooler supplier is going to be? In my mind one person could have scouted out some suppliers, thrown together a brief spreadsheet with cost comparisons, conferred with one other person about who it was going to be (which I did). End. Of. Story. Water Cooler breaks for all!

But Noooooo! I work for the government. I work with other people who are older, but not necessarily wiser, and maybe they enjoy wasting time because they will be retiring soon and very soon. And I guess it’s better to look busy than to actually be busy. But can I just say that we have been working on our water issue since February! There was snow on the ground and now it’s hot! I’ve already told them who would be the most beneficial (read: cheapest) but I’m under thirty so what do I know…and maybe it isn’t that I could be some of these people’s child, maybe these folks want to drag things on and on and on and on…the cipher keeps moving like a rolling stone.

And so I’m screaming on the train with Rum because this can not be my life for the next 30 years! Or even the next 3 years!

But since it is my life for the now, come share in my pain…

In January our regular water supplier decided to throw up their deuces because having water coolers is a thing of the past and they wanted to just distribute 24 packs of water to the world. So, since people in my office still gather around the water cooler to discuss the latest and greatest thing to happen on American Idol, there was a need to keep the good times rolling. So I got my Google on, read some things, threw an Excel spreadsheet together and determined a winner, because back then I was just promoted. But they weren’t ready for that level of initiative so….

First a meeting was called and brainstorming commenced-I really don’t recall the particulars of this meeting because I was perfecting my poodle doodle on my note pad.

Then a few of my co-“workers” volunteered to head up the water probing expedition and they drafted me to be on the team. Yay, I wasn’t picked last! But think Lewis and Clark with me playing the role of Sacajawea.

Then I bring to my team my fact findings and lay them at their feet. They pat me on my head and say good job and send me on my way.

Then another meeting is scheduled to update the department on water. My team lead states that we have been diligent with our efforts, but still have not been able to secure a supplier or a contract. Hmmm. Okay. If only that were true, I muse as I doodle a duck to play with my poodle near a pond on my note pad.

And that ladies and gentleman is where we are today…in June! I think another meeting is scheduled for July…and as you can see I’m typing a blog whilst I drink a Micky D’s Sweet tea at my desk…

For the most part teamwork has always left a bad taste in my mouth. Think sour milk on wheat germ cereal. Because either the team slows you up by holding you down…or they don’t do a darn thing to contribute to your work and effort! But they are first smile for the accolades. Either way I have yet to be part of a team that didn’t leave me frustrated in the process. Is it me? Ha ha ha. Bless my soul.

Or is it everyone else?

See You In Seven