I was tasked yesterday with creating a phone survey using some web-based software. I did so this morning. A great deal of time was then spent tediously going through everything with Robert so that he could add in changes by proxy. In other words, he watched over my shoulder and told me what to do. This is very similar to yesterday, when we cleaned and sorted my computer’s file structure.
Then, he wanted to record all the prompts. But instead of just, you know, doing it, he had me click “Record” and “Stop” and save the file in Sound Recorder. We made three files for a test, and determined that the microphone sucked.
It was about time for my lunch, so I asked him if he was seriously going to have me sit there and hit record for him, when it was easily a one person job. He said, and I quote, “The point is to get it done today, and I don’t have any experience with that application.”
Experience with that application.
It’s fucking Sound Recorder!!!!
I didn’t know you needed a fucking doctoral degree to hit “Record” and “Stop” and “File” > “Save As”, but Jesus, I guess I better go back to school!
I literally stood there, leaning against the doorjamb and laughing at him. It was a quiet kind of laugh, an incredulous laugh that shook my entire frame. All he did was studiously ignore me.
I left everything open on my computer so he could mess with it, but of course he didn’t. After lunch I got back and nothing had been accomplished. I started working on a different project because he didn’t have a new microphone yet. He left to run errands and to get a microphone.
When he came back he plunked the microphone down cheerfully. I said, “So you seriously want me to do this recording for you.” I was near to losing it. He said yes. “You know, tomorrow’s my last day,” I said.
“I know,” he said.
“I could just leave right now.”
He paused and responded, “That would be bad,” and didn’t elaborate.
I went into the phone system to get the scripts. He told me to pull all the text out and put it in a Word doc. I did this, and printed it. I guess the busywork didn’t calm me down any, because as I handed the pages over and he said, “All this? This is a lot!” I started to close all my applications, save my files, delete personal stuff, etc.
“So you’re really going to have me sit here and hit ‘record’ and ‘stop’ for you?”
“Yes. And save the files–“
“Jesus God!” I grabbed my head in both hands. “I can’t believe you want me to just sit here and hit ‘record’ for you! You know what, I’m going to just leave, instead. This is ridiculous.”
As I spoke, I was rising and grabbing all my stuff. I stalked to the bathroom and cast what was left of my water into the sink. Realizing that it was my cup anyway, I held onto it and didn’t bother going back into the office. “I’ll come in tomorrow and finish uploading those files,” I shouted, and slammed the door behind me.
I didn’t even put my seatbelt on until I had charged out of the parking lot. If I were the type to squeal my tires, I would have.
I don’t know if he will want me to come back tomorrow or not. He might, if he’s really so incompetent that he can’t figure out how to upload things without me being there to point and click. Jesus fucking shit. I don’t know if I would want to go back at all anyway. Actually, I do know. I don’t want to go back at all.
I feel bad because I didn’t say goodbye to Audrey. But saying goodbye to someone while you’re throwing a temper tantrum would lessen the effect. :P
Obviously I’m at fault here. A better person would be able to suck it up and just do the ridiculously demeaning work of pointing and clicking, computing by proxy. I’m sorry. I can’t. I can’t have someone leaning over my shoulder telling me exactly how to do what I’m doing. I want to be given a task and allowed the freedom to complete it without the fucking micromanaging.
Jesus fuck shit fuck.
I’m going out.