Miss Zero Personality

Happily, my biggest concern of the moment is that I am sick to death of work.

Specifically, I am not thrilled about my maternity replacement. She started late last week and I have been spending most of my time either explaining my job duties to her or letting her watch me as I put out fires, work on projects, etc.

Other people in my office think she is only going to be around for three months. I, however, know I won’t be coming back, and I also am pretty sure my boss suspects this. It is my opinion that if she (we’ll call her Flo) works out, she will become my permanent replacement (because I don’t plan on returning to work for more than a couple of weeks).

Here’s my problem with Flo: She’s, well...dull. For the past week, I have been struggling with my feelings because I wonder if I’m not giving her enough of a chance. I try to remember what it’s like to be learning a new job and soaking in all this information. Except that even when someone is clueless, you can tell if they have a certain “spark.” Do you know what I mean? A person who works in public relations should have some spunk to them. In my job, I have to advise people as to the proper ways to publicize information; I talk them down off a ledge when they’re upset about a negative news article; I call them out when they’re trying to pawn off too much work on me and my department. Flo doesn’t seem to have much of a personality. She’s not assertive (and yes, you can be assertive even when you’re learning a new job). Sometimes she has this strange expression on her face. Perhaps a lot of her problem is that she doesn’t know how to present herself effectively. She reminds me of some of the mediocre journalists I used to know (her background is print journalism, as is mine, although I think she’s only about 25) who would work fine where they are, but would never really accomplish anything great.

Perhaps this post sounds mean. Perhaps it is. But all I know is that I’m being forced to spend my days with Miss Zero Personality. Oh, she’ll do fine as a workhorse. She seems to have an attention to detail, and she has the raw skills my boss needs to fill my position. But I don’t know if she’s going to contribute anything to the office. It’ll be interesting to see if my boss decides to keep her around once I give my notice.

Flo works Tuesday through Thursday. I am fervently hoping that I go into labor before next Tuesday, but I’m not holding my breath. Quick update: I’m about 1.5 cm dilated, still about 50% effaced, and no significant contractions to speak of. I continue to be in limbo at 39 weeks. My OB would probably induce at 41 ½ weeks. It would suck if I had to wait that long...but, of course, suckage is all relative. At least everyone involved is still healthy. I’m just whiny.