Co-workers can be funny as all get out. Not hold your sides and slap your neighbor's knee from laughing so hard funny. More like "Damn, you got issues" funny. The sad thing about this moment is I couldn't make this stuff up even though I'm an aspiring author. Maybe this comical but sad moment was given to me so I could experience something beyond my behavior standards. Something I can't imagine doing so I had to have it happen to put it in my mind.

It all started bright and early on a Wednesday morning. Traffic wasn't so bad, so it really took about 55 minutes to get to the job. I log into the phone first, so I'm the first one to get a phone call. I gently hit the button to open the lines of communication between customer and service associate. "Good Morning! Thank you for calling ____. This is Sunshyne. How may I help you?" Click.

Thank goodness for Caller ID because I got to look up the telephone number. No, I wouldn't call back and harrass a customer, but I had a sneaking suspicion of who was on the other line when the phone rang back immediately for my other coworker to learn that the third associate would be absent. It was that fake b**** of a coworker that I've posted about before (http://sunshynelyfe.blogspot.com/2007/05/being-pressed-must-be-pressing.html). I couldn't believe it because you can just ignore your coworker and ask for the manager's voicemail. Hanging up is middle school behavior, so I knew a 40+ year old woman couldn't do that.

But I just had to confirm it was that b****'s cell phone number, and I had to call her out. She probably didn't think anything of it, but hanging up on someone is so disrespectful. I sent a text message confronting her, and she simply replied, "I didn't want to talk to you." What? That pissed me off further because there was no remorse because she obviously felt I didn't deserve her respect. I can just have a dialtone with no apology or consideration for professionalism. There was no way I could just let that go. I'll admit my behavior was beginning to lean towards high school like drama, but I couldn't just let it go as if I was someone who could be easily disrespected. We have to work together, and the least colleagues can do is be civil to one another since they spend about 35 hours together.

So, I sent another simple text message: "So your solution was to hang up on me? Trust that you're not my fave person but I've never hung up on you when I was forced to talk to you and your attitude-filled hmmphs. Feel better."

Fast forward to Thursday morning. The phone rings to my colleague, whose cubicle is mine. I used those elementary lessons in context clues to figure out that the b**** was calling out again. Cool by me. It would be another cool day without her despite the work being so heavy because we do need all parties present. After b**** hangs up with my colleague, my phone rings 10 seconds later. I can't help noticing that the number is local, and I shake my head as I press the button on the ear piece.

"Good Morning! Thank you for calling ____. This is Sunshyne. How may I help you?"

A deep and obviously ill voice says, "Good Morning, Sunshyne! How are you?"

I routinely reply, "I'm fine. Thank you for asking. How are you?"

That ill voice forces out a pleasant, "I'm well this morning! Thank you!" Click.

I'm stunned that a 40+ year old woman really took time out on her sick day to call my line directly just to hang up on me. It angered me, but laughter escaped from my lips about 5 seconds later. I've never seen someone be so pressed about another individual, especially someone that should have more maturity. But that's the key. SHOULD. Having years under your belt doesn't give you wisdom under your dome.

That exchange did release a little of my inner evil though. I actually researched the phone number and confirmed that it matched the area where she said she lives. So I conveniently sent b**** a text message to follow up her display: "I hope you're resting well over on [street name], but I'm glad to know I'm on your mind on your day off." I know good and well hell I never think about the job on any day off. For what? My focus should be on me and enjoying myself or getting good treatment for whatever ails me.

So was there a lesson learned? Yes, there were two:

• I was tired of ignoring bullisht that I would encounter with that b****. I was trying to keep the peace because we have to work together. Getting hung up on (which essentially equate to "F*** you" in my mind) flipped the script. So, it's out there. I really don't care for her, and I'll just be a professional as possible. Anything personal or sociable is out the window.
• Truck driving is even more appealing than ever. I can't wait to get away from silly office politics and just drive. How much longer do I have? That depends on some of the research I'll get back. Maybe...just maybe I can find a truck driving school with night hours. Then I can keep my current job and benefits a little longer. Foolishness will not get in the way of my sound thinking.