Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Peanuts
I was walking past a desk that had a bag of pistachios on it and it reminded me of one of the offices I worked in while in the USAF. While life for me was normally a square peg in a round hole, with one group in particular I just didn't come anywhere close to fitting. I actually loved the work, but just couldn't fit in with the folks there. Anyway...
I was trying to get out of the group and ended up working in the scheduling office with a MSgt who was real close to retirement - basically putting in his time. He fit the group about as well as I did so both of us took great pleasure in tweaking the noses of the "establishment."
One of those tweaks took place every Friday afternoon. One of our duties was to strip and wax the floor every Friday afternoon before quiting for the day. I was low man on the totem pole so usually did that. I must admit, however, that the "old" sergeant would always pitch in and help. He started bringing in a big bag of peanuts in the shell and after lunch on Fridays we'd open them up, eat peanuts and dump the shells on the floor. I'd also like to add that we were somewhat off the beaten path in the offices so we didn't get a lot of foot traffic. It sure pissed the officers off though - especially one in particular. The one who'd hold prayer meetings every lunch.
The same officer was in charge of harrassing the troops during the annual Consolidated Fund Campaign (CFC). I didn't really have any problems with the idea of a charity fund raising, but I had a real problem with the fact that it was pushed so hard - no actual threats mind you, but they were there. A unit would be rated as to its percent of participation. One of the things that was commonly done was to use funds from people who donated over the minumum to cover those who didn't donate at all. When the Captain (If I remember his rank correctly) asked me if I minded that, I said I did, which really ticked him off, and he barely listened to my whys (basically I don't like to be pushed or threatened into charity projects). He finally gave up after several minutes of veiled threats and illogical logic. What made my day, was when he asked the MSgt to donate and he said no. When asked why, the MSgt told the Captain, "he (referring to me) said it all."
That Captain and the rest of the unit would often try and get me to "volunteer" for some real crappy temporary duties after that. It actually got to the point where I would carry a copy of the regulation spelling out why I was expempt from being sent involuntarily. Thankfully I found a way out of that organization not very long afterwards. I still get a kick out of an office floor full of peanut shells though.
