Today at lunch, I approached the counter to get a refill on
my drink before I returned to work.
Yes, it was one of those fast-food restaurants that happily
gives refills, but you have to ask.
As I approached the counter, the cashier cheerfully asked, “More
unsweet tea?”
Shut up. It was lunchtime. I don’t drink the hard stuff
until after 5.
Hmmm… it’s five o’clock somewhere!
Okay, maybe it’s only 4:30.
Anyway, this incident was remarkable, for two reasons: 1)
she was cheerful – unusual for a fast-food employee, and 2) this was the first
time I had seen her there, yet, despite a crowd of a dozen or so in line around
me when I first placed my order, she remembered my drink order.
The ol’ Captain has still got it!
I complimented her on her memory – and left wondering why
she was working fast-foods.
I have two favorite watering holes in town where, after
meticulous training and repeat business, the bartenders now set up my drink before
I even sit down. I like that. Makes me feel special. Important even.
“Making your way in the world today
takes
everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries,
sure would
help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same.
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.”
I loved that show!
As a word of explanation, I am a creature of habit. My
cocktail of choice is a Southern Comfort on the rocks. A simple drink, easy to
remember, hard to mess it up.
Then you lose my business.
Anyway, being such a creature of habit, you can imagine my
frustration at now having to train a new Administrative Assistant – my third
one in two years.
In my defense, the last one got a better offer with a salary
and benefits package that the church simply couldn’t match.
Make no mistake about it, I like the new AA and I think she
will do a good job; she has exceeded my expectations these first three weeks.
Now it’s the little things – those “creature of habit”
things – that she’ll just have to learn as we go along.
To that end, the previous AA was kind enough to leave five
pages of instructions for her replacement – the daily routine, where to
purchase supplies, and warnings about some of my foibles.
“He does not like you to change up fonts [in the newsletter]; leave consistent and ‘neat’.”
“Beware: He loves a red ink pen sometimes!”
“Always tell telemarketers that he is busy or away from his desk.”
At first I thought that was a bit much. But the more I think
about it, the more I appreciate what she did. One less thing I have to teach
the new girl.
Hey, I even learned a little bit about myself in the process!
And now you have too!
Oh look, now it IS five o’clock! Gotta run!
