At the Office

I always loved going into the office with my dad when I was a kid.  I spent a lot of time with my dad when I was a little girl. He was already diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), my mom was working - I don't remember anymore details.   Dad would mention having to go in to the office and before he'd finish his sentence, I'd be in my Sesame Street jacket with my shoes on, heading for his green Chevy - avacado green with a white hardtop - it had swivel seats!  I had run of the show at Consumer's Power (Consumer's Energy as it's called now)!  I could help myself to chocolate milk from the fridge in the big conference room.  I got to color.  I could have all the paper and pens I wanted.   I got to sit on my dad's lap during meetings and drink my chocolate milk.  The other guys - Fred LaPorte, he's passed on now too, would always have a wink or two for me.  (Shit, I was cute back then!  A little toe-head, long, long hair, always hiding behind my big daddy because I too shy to even look at anyone else.)   And in those meeting they looked to him, my dad, and wanted to hear what he had to say.  His opinion mattered!  He was important!  My Dad!  After he retired, I LOVED playing office at home with all of his old stuff, pretending to be his secretary, answering phones, stapling and filing his papers..maybe that's why the cubicle jungle appeals to me so much. 

My job is mostly a support role.  I support 220+  Electronic Engineers (my dad was an Electrical Engineer) on a daily basis.  I purchase anything these EEs need for their little projects (don't get me wrong - these guys/girls are super intelligent with multiple patents in their names) that is NOT office supplies.  I know schematics, Bills of Material, transistors, resistors and diodes.  I know the complex part numbering systems for each vendor what can be substituted and when according to automotive standards.  I have a little 'Geek Speak' all my own.  My dad would be so proud.  I always admired my dad doing his job.  My dad could read a slide rule, and carried all of his pens in his pocket protector.  He wore suits and ties and he had his own desk!   I remember once asking him what would happen if you put (something metal) in the electric socket and he said, "It'll give you a little poke."  I wonder where my sarcastic nature came from, ahem! 

My sister shared this article with me and brought me back to those memories with my dad.  I'd never put the similarities or the times I enjoyed with him at his office to be similar to my job now together until today. Thanks, sis!

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/26/for-one-more-day-at-the-office/?emc=eta1