I did something cheeky this week.
You’ll never guess it, so I’ll tell you.
Left work to get a bikini wax.
Not just any bikini wax, but one from a former makeup artist who has smuggled some numbing spray in from the US… (how come I never had that offered to me in NY? …oh right, because I went to the super-crappy “Elite Spa” who mis-spelled their name so they appeared as Elie Spa each month on my checking statement).
When I scheduled in this very important appointment, I did so on the condition that it wouldn’t conflict with the company-wide meeting on Friday morning. Normally I wouldn’t be that bothered about this type of meeting when I considered the prospect of not making it to the salon before baring all in front of a room full of surgeons. But this one was supposed to be a refreshing update from the doomy-gloomy ones we have had in the past few months.
When I filed in, tea-cup in hand, I settled into the couch and was ready for my managing director to keep milking his “boat in a storm” metaphor. But instead, the director of my department stood and announced that there were a few promotions. One junior member. And then my peer. The only other one at my level. Who is 25. And has been at our level for a year less than I.
My heart dropped. And then broke. I felt the tears coming. “Oh God, I’m going to make a scene,” I thought.
And then came the rush of anger. I thought of all of ridiculously exhausting weeks in January and February. How I kept my head down and produced something larger than I ever had. And earned the right to be charged out as a senior producer, two levels above my project manager status. And then moved on, not making a big fuss.
I just sat there and did what I could do…
“God!” I cried.
“I know,” He said back.
Just two words. But so powerful. It didn’t change it all. But it was me and Him and I knew He was there.
So when I was asked if I wanted to sneak out for a cheeky pint in the afternoon (half pint in my case), I headed for the beer garden. The newly promoted colleague was also coming (fantastic, this day just gets better and better!)… but it seemed a good reminder of all of those Fridays that I kept my head down whilst he downed a pint… or two!!
So I’ve decided that from now on the way forward is cheeky pints on Fridays… And waxing appointments during company meetings as it seems that ripping the most sensitive hair from my body is less painful than these meetings, but perhaps the numbing spray could help next time!?
