The Interview

It was Christmas Eve day and I was frazzled.  I had misplaced an entire bag of Christmas presents. The peaceful day I had planned was replaced by a 7:00 am race to the local mall.  I had to be home by 9:00 am  for a job interview with my cousin, Ian Campbell, who worked at Agriculture Canada.

The girls believed in Santa, which is why the Hannah Montana barbie dolls, stocking stuffers, and Christmas socks were hung from a nail in the garage. Or so I thought. On the previous day, I had planned to lock myself in my bedroom wrap gifts while the girls played with their friends then clean the house. The bag was gone.  I had a complete meltdown.

I replaced the missing gifts then waited for the phone to ring.

"So, how did you get my resume?",  I asked.

"Well these things happen. It just came across my desk".

Ian asked for my qualifications and I rattled them off with machine gun speed.  There was no way my cousin could hire me, wouldn't that be conflict of interest? I rhymed off my computer, language and office skills.  Ian asked if I had anything to add.

"Oh yes! My sister told me not to show up drunk."

There was a pregnant pause.

"How do I know you?"

Come on Ian, it's your cousin! Deirdre!"

"I don't have any Bradley cousins".

That was the moment it dawned on me.  There was more than one Ian Campbell at Agriculture Canada.  If fact, there were three.

I ended the call, absolutely mortified.  I wouldn't bother telling the temp agency how badly it went.  I called my husband right away. He couldn't stop laughing.

"At least", he said, "If he does hire you, he'll know what you're like."

He did hire me.  The agency called back and offered me a position beginning in the New Year. 

Working for Ian Campbell, Director at Agriculture Canada ended up being one of the best contracts I ever had.  He was kind, funny and understanding.  When my father had a heart attack he encouraged me to take all the time I needed to visit him.  He also didn't mind the odd absence due to sick children.

I made Ian's travel arrangements  for trips all across the country and to Japan to discuss the implications of climate change on agriculture.  I even got a farewell lunch - something that is rare for office temporaries.

People say be yourself.

Sometimes, it actually works.

-30-

Lockdown

If I had known my last restaurant meal was going to be at a diner, I would have had the eggs benedict instead of scrambled eggs and dry toast.  Then again, once the state of emergency was declared I put on five pounds the first week, so maybe my choice was a good one.

I had just finished a crazy busy job where I was getting up at 5:30 am, working from 7:30 - 3:30 and often staying late when the administrative team went from three people to just me.  When my contract ended I did a mini three-night get-away.  A few days later, the walls closed in.

So here I am at home.  My contract is on hold.  My daughters and I are off work.  One finished her university degree online, the other just started a new course.  My husband is the family workhorse toiling away in his upstairs office. 

I try to stay busy by planning daily projects, walks, and parking lot lunches with one of my friends. We park side by side at the local Wendys for take out salad.  Sometimes we splurge and go to the Greek place.  These meetings are my lifeline-as an extrovert I am climbing the walls.

The pets - two dogs and a cat - are getting LOTS of attention.  Corners of my home long neglected are now clean.  My blouses are lined up by sleeve length.  The baby diaries might finally get updated.

Weight gain, online shopping, shower sobbing and finally acceptance has been my COVID-19 journey.  Despite all the free time it took me a while to get motivated to do the things that I need to get done: write, read and, most important: get my roots touched up.  Thankfully my older daughter is good with hair since we can't see the hairdresser we all share.

Yesterday's entertainment was taking months of empties back to The Beer Store.  The atmosphere in the lineup was strangely festive.  Noticing my limp (no new knee until the lockdown is over) three people from the line up helped me with my boxes and getting me a cart.  I am grateful for any social interaction.

The thing that is helping me stay mentally active (and sane!!!!) are the podcasts I listen to.  I can put on my earphones and listen to a variety of stories and voices while I perform the most mind-numbing house cleaning tasks.  These friends in my help will hold me over - until the day I can see my real ones again.

-30-.