Unsafe Working Conditions

For those of you that haven't left your house in a week or so (no judgment there...trust me), here is a weather update: it is bloody hot outside, particularly in the Northeast Quadrant of the US. I am talking 95F with 95% humidity and 100% chance of me sweating more than Tom Delay when he realizes he can't disenfranchise voters on Dancing With the Stars.

Anyway.

Because it is blessed hot outside, as a result, my Conference Room roasts in the hot sun all day, providing me with a less than pleasant environment in which to take calls.

"Conference Room," you say?

Impressive sounding, isn't it? It's not...it's my car. In the Yin and Yang of life, I live in a beautiful, serene place on a stunning body of water surrounded by wildlife...and the cell phone service of a CAVE. I have a great phone, I pay my bills, and still, I look at the poor dear when I'm sitting in my apartment and simply see the words "No Service." After months of trial and error, I have figured out that the upper-right-hand corner of the driveway yields lovely, clear service, just like God intended me to have. Sadly, though, if it is raining/snowing/hotter than Hades/nighttime and too buggy, this sends me INTO my automobile so I can simply have a conversation. To friends, this is funny. To job searchers, it's a nightmare.

A Potential Employer called today - and I am thanking Dior my phone was strong enough to even RECEIVE said call (rather than banish it straight to voice mail.) I grabbed my phone, ran outside (barefoot), down the sidewalk (ohmygodthat'sreallyhotneedtoremembertoputonflipflopsnexttime), into the car (phew remembered the keys), all within 3 rings! I mustered my nicest phone voice and answered, APE none the wiser.

Except it's 95 degrees out. And it was 1pm. And I have a black car. And I sat through said phone call in the oppressive conditions, because the last thing you want an HR person to hear is the sound of your car starting up when she is speaking to you. (Wow, she doesn't pay attention AND she's unsafe!) The call lasted a merciful 5 minutes, but I need to remember to take a cold drink with me to the Conference Room for Next Time. (Note to self: need to create the Conference Room Cocktail.)