Training Day

Tomorrow is the day. Training day. I get together with 40 other county employees and learn how to drive a car correctly. Your tax dollars at work! I know that J Crew went through this a few months ago but I have to admit I'm pretty nervous. Not about the training or the driving. I'm nervous about saying my name.

Every time more than four county employees get together we have to do this ritual.

“I’m going to go around the room,” I feeling the hair on my neck rising “Please stand up say your name, where your from, how you like your beef prepared, what’s your favorite flavor jelly bean, and what would your spice girl name be?”

I’m just so uncomfortable in these situations. Some of you are surprised, because I’m such a loud mouth. That’s different; I know you and feel comfortable around you. When I'm alone in a room full of strangers, I get nervous. When I’m nervous in public, nothing good will come from it. Save a possible Saturday post.

There are people who have no trouble with this social requirement. They stand up; prattle on for like four minutes with some amusing anecdote about their car trouble and why they like to chew gum at their desk. They sit down and smile, and everyone is laughing or nodding. It gets to me, I’m usually near the end of the line so I get as uncomfortable as possible.

“Next?” the instructor motions at me.

“I’m called Peter,” I say ”…and I like popcorn...buttered...I mean.” I sit down and bury my face in the agenda items.

“Okay…next?”

Anyway I’m sure it will be fine. I’m just letting myself worry about it, because this is the way it has always happened before. Luckily when I get back to my office on Wednesday no one will rememeber.

Till the e-mails start flying.


For the record:
Name: Peter
From: Santa Rosa
I like my Beef: medium well
Favorte Jelly Bean: buttered popcorn
Spice Girl Name: Geeky Spice