All in a day's work

8:30am this morning : As I amble along the walkway that connects the parking lot and the double doors of the building...I see our Exec VP holding the door for me, one after the other.

(Whoa!) "Good morning!" I say cheerily and he smiles back.

Its just the two of us as we head towards the elevator. He rings for it.

Companionable silence ensues as we wait for the elevator. He keeps himself occupied by peering into his blackberry. I gaze at the wide-screen tv in our lobby which airs the latest news. Elevator arrives, he stand by and lets me get in. He gets in, politely asks "Which floor? He punches in his floor and mine, doors close and we stand still to the quiet hum of the elevator. As the doors open for my floor, "Have a nice day!" I wish him as I get off the elevator.

I wait for the doors to close to do a small jig. My day is made! And its only 8:45 in the morning. Simple, yet so impactful, isnt it?

Flashback : About 10 yrs ago I was just beginning my career. Working for a quasi-govt organization, I had to take the company bus that would stop in front of my house at 7:30am. I was a trainee, so my badge screamed like a banshee. It was a bus load of employees, quite senior, veterans both at work and in the bus. The first few rows on the right(three-seaters) were filled with women, the rest were all men. I got in and sat down in the second row(a three seater), an aisle seat. Within a few seconds, the lady next to me tapped me quite abruptly and told me in a stern voice "There's a lady who gets on in the next stop, this is her seat.". "Oh, I am very sorry, I didnt know" said I and got up frantically looking for an alternative. Every vacant seat I sat down at came with an unwritten message that it was someone's seat. But outwardly I saw no signs saying the seats were allotted. Thankfully the next stop was the last before the bus launched on its long drive to the work premise. In a matter of minutes, and of course within a few days I understood the protocol. If you were the junior-most employee(non) you get to wait till the last pickup stop to find out if there were any vacant spots AND then deign to seat yourself. If none were available, one stood- all the way. It was quite evident not even the men wanted to forgo their favorite seats.

Now, after all these years, perhaps I am more tolerant and understanding of where they came from. It is but natural that a trainee was a short-timer. They, on the other hand, were life long travelers. They must've had their set routines, a pre-set combination of people who sat together. Why should some short-timer come and disrupt the comfort of their schedule? Back then, I used to be disgusted. At six months, when I finished the training, I heaved a sigh of relief at getting move on to a REAL job with a better pay and full recognition that I was a respected part of the work force. But it was these experiences that made me tough enough to face the challenges that life brings to one's plate.

Footnote : A long weekend is around the corner. Weather predictions call for warm weather, perfect for inaugarating grill parties and chili cookouts for the year. Blogger also tells me this will be my 250th post. Calls for celebration. Wear your party hats and meet me out in the deck.