Wha - what??

To further confuse things...

I came out of Boy Wonder's office this afternoon and Joe BigDog, our CIO, motioned at me, that kind of "pssst, c'mere" gesture to go into an empty office. (Actually, I myself want this office. I have for some time now.)

Let me explain about Joe BigDog. He was one of the many people who interviewed me when I was applying at Unnamed Co. He was the last one. It was late in the day. I was exhausted and when he asked me some questions, I saw a grimace of unhappiness cross his face. My interview with him convinced me that I would not get the job at Unnamed Co.

I have since learned that he pretty much treats everybody this way. I have also learned that he's kind of running out the clock, that he's waiting for the day when he and Mrs. BD can pack up for Florida with their full-size French poodles and do nothing but sail all day.

When I first came to Unnamed Co., I sat in on his weekly meeting and did not grow wan or faint of heart when I realized I was the only woman in the meeting and there was a lot of testosterone-charged posturing and f-word-using. I didn't flinch or object. I've been here before.

I think Joe BigDog regarded me as a nuisance and a token. I didn't care. I still asked him things I needed to know, badgered him until I got an answer, then went on my way.

Joe BigDog has a new thing. His latest crusade is to take a completely chaotic development environment and get it up to CMM Level 2. You don't need to know what it is. It's just a Herculean effort for a company so mired in chaos. He's been bringing in trainers and consultants to help the organization at least get itself to Level 1. After the first go round of meetings about this, I went up to Joe.

I had some experience from this from the days of Evil Empire Consulting and I told him as much. "If I can do anything," I said, "to support you and the organization going forward in this, let me know." I meant it sincerely then and I mean it now.

So now Unnamed Co is setting up a specific office to get these standards in place. The person heading that will be at a director level.

That was why Joe was giving me the high sign this afternoon. He said, "I wanted to tell you this position will be posted soon. Talk to the Susan, the director of HR about this if you're interested. I think you should apply." He was smiling at me. This kind of creeped me out, because Joe never smiles at anybody. Then hastily, he said, "This isn't a slam dunk. We're interviewing other people from outside."

Which is wise since I have so little experience at this that it's just ridiculous that they would do more than give me a cursory look. Still, I was dumbfounded. I thanked him, then trotted off to see Susan.

Susan said, "Oh, I'm glad you came by. Now you do understand, this is all very new. I don't have a job description or salary range yet, that's how new it is. And please don't mention this just yet to Boy Wonder or True Boss. They both love you and I don't want to upset them."

What? They love me? Boy Wonder? True Boss? What?

This must just be the HR equivalent of a pity f*ck.

I spent lunch alternately sleeping and crying in my car and I come back to this? What?

Oh man. I am so tired. And I'm having all of these wild little spurts of fantasy, thinking about the extra money (which would be hard-earned), thinking about actually being at director level. I don't know what to think.

I think... I think I need to have some dinner.

Of course, this is all really about letting me know the position would be opening up. I think it was a courtesy. And I have no doubt that some very qualified soul will come along. The real issue will then be about whether or not Unnamed Co can pony up the very considerable bucks they should be paying this person.