Life at the Census Bureau

I get to work early every day, and I usually have to wait for the office to be opened before I can go inside.  The front of the building is glass, and blinds cover the glass.  The blind next to the door is opened as a signal that we can enter the building.  There is an outer door that is unlocked each morning, and an inner door that requires someone to buzz you in.  We've been told that if we try to open the inner door before the blinds are open, an alarm will sound.  (I've also heard that this is just a false story told to keep us from trying to get inside before they are ready to let us in.  I haven't tested it.)  Everyone wonders what it is that happens in the morning that we're not supposed to see, because no one who opens up the office lets anyone else in with them.  Yesterday, I got to work about 7:30.  The first managers showed up about 15 minutes later, but they sat inside their cars for another 5 minutes before going inside.  There we all sat in our cars.  By the time the office was open, there was a small crowd waiting to get in. 

The LCOM (local census office manager) was sick Monday and Tuesday.  When he returned to work on  Wednesday, he looked like he was still under the weather.  And he had a difficult start that morning.  By the time he arrived, the office had been open for several minutes, and many people had already arrived.  He didn't notice that the blinds were open, so he tried to use his key to unlock the outer door.  Of course, when he turned his key, he locked the door.  So, when he tried to pull it open, it wouldn't budge.  The clerk manning the inner door saw him struggling, so she opened the inner door and stepped into the vestibule.  It still didn't click with him that the office was already open, and he asked her how she got inside.  What a way to start off the day when you aren't feeling well.

In addition to strict door procedures, wearing your badge is important.  No one is to be inside without a badge or an escort.  One of the women on my boat forgot her badge - again.  She had been given a temporary badge a couple of times, but this time, she had to leave the building until her badge was brought to her, and her pay was docked for the time she was out.  No badge, no play, no pay.

Well, it's time to get a move on.  Here's something to ponder....

You see weird things driving... I've never understood log trucks, sometimes you'll be out on the highway, you see two big giant trucks loaded up with logs, and they pass each other on the highway... I don't understand it. I mean, if they need logs over there... and they need 'em over there, you'd think a phone call would save 'em a whole lot of trouble.  ~~Brian Regan