A mirror shattered into tiny bits, a black cat crossing your path, and stepping on cracks in the sidewalk...what about these sound familiar? Is someone out there trying to get my attention?
I've never put much stock into certain superstitions (although I find them fascinating). However, today I have cause to reconsider. At our pet hospital, we had the triple threat...a client accidentally broke a mirror in one of our exam rooms...the sidewalk leading up to our entrance is cracking, and yes...we most definitely have a black cat (in fact we have FOUR in our cat boarding this week)! Okay, so three bad omens...what now? Do we carry on boldly or visit the nearest exorcist? I'll let you make the call.
Please allow me to summarize a few of today's events:
1. We should have known something was up when the power went out this morning and the alarm clock didn't wake us up. Oh and yes...I burned the toast and spilled orange juice on the floor but it's okay since we didn't have time to read the newspaper because it was thrown on top of our roof by the mail carrier.
2. At the pet hospital, a brand new employee failed to show up for her early morning shift. After attempting to contact her, we found a tattered piece of scratch paper informing us that she is quitting and won't be coming back (this of course, after extensive interviews and discussions about her commitment and weeks of training hours). The news doesn't all have to be bad though, you see she still has a key to the hospital front door and we can't get ahold of her to get it back. That means we'll get to see our friendly neighborhood locksmith to change the locks!
3. I'm just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure that when you turn on your sprinkler system, there shouldn't be a geyser of water the size of Mt. Vesuvius shooting everywhere. However, the good news is that the man who does our lawn care and sprinkler system maintenance is out of town and won't be back for 10 days. This means we can entertain the neighborhood!
4. Our newly purchased FAX machine decided to take a sick day. The upside? We've only got 15 blood panel results to track down instead of 16. Thank goodness for those small favors.
So, what's your call? Should I have just stayed in bed until tomorrow morning? Was someone trying to warn us or do we chalk it all up to "coincidence?" I'm sure that all of you have had very bad days in your lives or work. Did you have any sense it was coming? Have you ever gotten a warning before a bad event? Your ideas interest me and I need to find something else to do besides smashing the sprinkler system with a broken FAX machine and alarm clock. I'm off to get a four leaf clover, a rabbit's foot and a cup of salt to toss over my shoulder (the rabbit's foot is fake of course). Please let me know if you seen any leprechauns.
--Dana
I had a "Murphy Monday" just yesterday. I don't think I chalk any of it up to superstition, but a lot of things went wrong from the very start of the day. I had two cats barfing simultaneously. Then I had computer programs just refusing to work. And on it went. I'm glad Monday is over (and we finished out the day in a good way at happy hour at a local pub!) :) Tuesday is off to a much better start.
Posted by: Tammy | July 20, 2010 at 08:11 AM
I can't remember having a day that bad, but I have to chalk my bad days to coincidence. Otherwise I would think the whole universe is out to get me. :)
Posted by: Jan | July 20, 2010 at 09:06 AM
I love the way you tell a story, Dana. Very entertaining (although I'm sure not from your point of view!)
You know, there are just those days once inawhile...and I can feel them coming on. When I worked at the CSU Vet School, I could tell what kind of day I was likely to have by the parking spot I got in the morning...if I got a close one, good day! If I had to park all the way out near the sheep barn and trudge in through the dirty gravel driveway and mud holes, bad day!
I do believe in omens, but think the attitude with which we weather our circumstances makes all the difference. From your account, you are maintaining a positive upbeat attitude and finding the humor in your situation. That takes a lot of maturity and character.
Today is a much better day!
Posted by: Laurel | July 20, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Thanks for your comments everyone. Laurel, as you can see, I deal with my frustrations with sarcasm but I'm glad that its coming off as humorous rather then annoying.
Posted by: Dana | July 20, 2010 at 11:51 AM
What an awful week! Sounds like a blessing the new employee disappeared or it could have been worse. Reminds me of the car insurance commercial currently running on "mayhem." I think the extreme weather causes lots of things to go wrong, both with people and with systems. Hope things will start to go better for you!
Laurel H.
Posted by: Laurel Hunt | July 21, 2010 at 01:39 AM
No bad luck with black kitties! Just a bad set of circumstances that all came together!
I had a day like that yesterday! A bunch of annoying things happened, one after another. Each thing required my immediate attention, too! So, vacation day or not, there was no rest! Today is a better day! I hope for you, too. And by the way, there is just no explaining people! Even after the extensive interview process, etc. I wish you better staffing experiences and better days!
Posted by: Midge | July 21, 2010 at 08:19 AM
Thanks for the well wishes everyone!
Posted by: Dana | July 25, 2010 at 12:09 PM