Story 4: Last to know

For someone who is as social as I am, one would think I would be "in the know" at least some of the time. However, that is not the case.

Picture it. Maryland, 2005. A young man is on his fourth week working at an international association based in Maryland. He is enjoying his job, where he gets to arrive at 7ish and leave at 3ish every day to bypass the horrible beltway traffic to and from Virginia.

Everyone knows I leave around 3ish. It's common knowledge. And yet, they sent out an email at 459pm on Wednesday to ask everyone on staff to wear a red tee and jeans the next day to show solidarity in launching our new product. Did anyone remember that I left at 3ish? Did anyone call me to tell me to wear red?

So, ignorant of the whole celebration that morning, I arrive at work in a turquoise polo shirt and tan slacks. And, I check my email at 0710 AM to find out, I will be the only one in turqoise that day.

Sidenote 1: Even if I had received the email, I don't own anything red except ties. I look awful in red, makes my skin look blotchy, depending on the day. The closest I come to it is pink or a purplish maroon.

Sidenote 2: The picture above does not include about 30 OTHER people in red, also present at the festivities that morning.

Welcome to my life.