In reply to a comment on Blue Haired Freaks:

I DO work with a person who is a lot like me. There was a spark of recognition the moment we met. I like her quite a bit. I like most of the people I “work with” quite a bit. Unfortunately, we do not all work in the same office.

The people in my actual office are from a different branch of government. I haven’t ever worked with this many people I disliked so intensely for so many reasons. I’ve checked them all out. Not many of them possess the drive, creativity, or bravery it takes to EVER wear blue hair—in fact, only one possesses enough bravery to admit he’s different, but it is entirely submarined by other, less positive qualities.

I’ve named them all.

Petty- So named because when things go wrong, she calls me (as a rep. from my branch of government) instead of her boss or someone who could actually do something about it. (A recent example: our phone service went out last week. I got the call. I have NOTHING to do with that sort of thing.) If I were TRULY mean, I would insinuate that she might be too stupid to understand the “chain of command” concept, but it is not true. Often cold and standoffish; actively alienates and excludes me.

Lazy—His first day of work was a mandatory in-service/retreat. During one of the classes, he went off to nap because sitting around was “causing him physical pain”. HMMM. Doesn’t seem to cause him any problems to sit around the office or in his vehicle watching others work all day. Despite this, he used to be funny and pleasant to work with; lately he is snide and rude for no apparent reason.

BSB (back stabbing….) - tried to torch my career with absolute lies for no apparent gain in the first 3 months of our employment (back when I worked for her branch of gov.). I have her to thank for my EXCELLENT documenting skills and daily job journal. Used that journal to plant a bug in the ear of her boss. (She often went missing….) Career flambé, anyone? Outwardly pleasant. I think I like her best because at least she’s a known quality.

Go getter –not entirely trusted because he’s so openly ambitious. Otherwise he is pleasant, goal oriented and passionate about his work. Unfortunately not around much.

Whiner—see Petty, add a whine. Found frequently asleep in front of his computer. Vascilates between whiney and bitchy to caustic and funny. Ironically, voted “most-likely to have hung out w/ in my previous life”—at the club dancing with great smelling, ½ naked boys. Friends w/BSB.

Spineless—a nice little pushover. Superficially nice, but doesn’t stand up for anything. Will go with the flow (and lately, even though we used have good interaction, the flow has been anti-me….) Found with a smile accompanied by nervous laughter and a lot of “uh-huh-ing”.

BFB- big farm boy— I’m pretty certain that on weekends he can be found watching NASCAR with a Budweiser. Jovial in a frat boy w/beer sort of way. Not unpleasant. Friends w/Petty.

Confused- seems absent minded, but it could be a front, because I sense intelligence. Once had a situation where he was unreachable for a day. The story emerged that he had been having heart problems in his car in an area where cell phone coverage was spotty. (BSB and Lazy should remember that one; it could be a darn good excuse!) If there is a mishap in the field, it has happened to him. (Murphy must be a relative…)

Snake in the Grass (SIG) -- OH, did I misjudge HER for a LOOONG time! She’s good, really good. I thought she was pleasant, fair, and friendly. Seems innocuous. This is the older unmarried woman in the office who is active in the church and can often be found caring for sick relatives… I won’t discuss here what clued me in, but it was un-mistakable. Incredibly loyal to incompetent management who would kick her to the curb in a wink. Recently upset with ME after I provided her with job-relevant info that her management neglected to fill her in on. (They basically changed the rules mid-game and told the audience, but not the players.) Certainly would/does not do me the professional courtesy of providing me with any information that would help me with MY job. Also actively excluding me, but usually under a more pleasant guise than Petty.

I’m pretty certain that the “anti-me” feeling is because I jumped ship and transferred to a different branch of government before things got rough for them. Their management has been hanging their jobs over their heads for at least 4 months. They’ve undergone budget cuts directly due to my branch of gov. (and their management’s incompetence.) I also got an office with a door….:) It hasn’t been fun lately. On good days, I pity them; on bad days, I hope they all get laid off.