Orientation

40 students need to know how to do their job before Monday. Most of them were returning and already knew many of the pieces. Should be easy, yes? We set aside a day - 10 am to 3 pm - for orientation. Excluding lunch, that gave us 4 hours. 4 hours to bring them all up to speed on the new building.

And also the new organizational structure. And the new ID cards. And the new upgrade to the online circulation system. And the new courseware. And the new library personnel. And the new students. And the new procedures. And the new policies. And the new . . .the list was endless!

To make it even more interesting and challenging, the building, though officially open, is not ready for occupancy. It is not functional in many aspects you take for granted in well lived in places. For example, there are no Emergency Exit signs on alarmed doors, and we were constantly having to tell people to use the front doors. And half the computers (there are nearly 100) are not connected to any printers.

And today all the freshmen arrived, and none of them knew their net id and password or where to get that information. Well, it was an interesting day of trial and switching plans. My staff did an amazing job all things considered. And the pizza at lunch helped the students take away some good vibes.

By end of day, I sent the staff home early, and sat at the desk myself until closing. And even *after* locking the doors, the excited parents and returning students knocked to get in for a peek at the new digs, ready or not.

Whew! I can't even imagine what our first day of class will bring. Monday will be busy for sure. I will be here until midnight since its the first time we will be closing at night without workmen, facilities people, or security being about. I don't want the students and the evening supervisor to have to deal with all that on their own.

And threaded throughout the entire day was the frustration of trying to get that oncologist appointment. I finally got the go ahead from the PCP to make the appointment, and have actually spoken with three live people after innumerable hours on hold listening to lame elevator music.

Somehow, I still don't have an appointment. They will call me right back. Two hours later, I call again when I have a ten minute break. O, yes. The person I need to speak with is on the other line. They will call me right back. Two hours later while everyone else is munching pizza, I am on hold again. Now she is at lunch. She will call me at 2. And now its after 5. I don't seem to be having any luck getting ahold of the person who can help.

Its OK. I'm too busy now to see this doctor. After next week things will be calmer. Maybe then I can reach Sarah or Amy and actually get the ball rolling. Will it ever end? Will the hero rescue the damsel in distress? Will little Emily ever see her beloved doll again? Tune in again next week when the runaway train narrowly misses obliterating the dumb blonde. . .