Those of you that have been hanging around my blog for some time might remember a previous co-worker that I used to refer to as "the snake". If you're new and curious, you can find loads of snaky, smarmy entertainment by doing a search using the term 'snake' and reading the posts between March and July 05.

In retrospect, I learned a lot from my experiences working with the snake and I have not let someone I work with (even the Grinch) affect me like the snake affected me. It was a very hard four months and many tears were shed. I eventually quit my position in the department because my manager was unable to resolve things, and I wasn't equipped to do that for myself.

Anyhoooooooooooooooooooooooo........

He recently landed in our Corporate Communications department, so I've had to work with him on a few projects over the past few weeks. I took the high road and pretended that his previous snaky behavior never happened. I complemented him on things (sincerely) and sincerely felt that everything in the past was just that; the past. In fact, he found a job outside of the company last week (ummmm, didn't give a two week notice, by the way), and I congratulated him. I found out only because a project he was supposedly working on for me needed to be given to someone else due to his departure.

Yesterday I found out that he gave me the proverbial finger before leaving.

Part of my job is to submit our department for an award in national publications. By doing so, I am representing my company as well- so my submissions have to go through our corporate communications department. My performance award/raise for next year is based on winning at least one award. Believe me when I say that I was rather shocked by that, but oh well I'm a good corporate citizen and do what I'm told.

If I don't win an award, my plan is to go to the local pawn shop and buy one.

OH yeah, back to the finger. I had a meeting with someone from corporate communications yesterday about another project I'm working on. I asked her about the nomination and when it would be submitted.

She told me that the snake told people not to submit my award nomination. He didn't give a reason, so she assumed it was because I didn't want it submitted. Thankfully, I was able to rectify this in time because the submission is due on Friday. Pure luck, people.

I told my boss about it later because I was still pretty worked up over the whole thing. She even said, "I can't imagine anyone not getting along with you."

I guess taking the high road didn't get me anywhere with this guy. I'm pretty sure though, that taking the low road is going to be his map to a pretty miserable life if he continues this sort of thing.

OK- I'm going to take the low road for just a moment, if you don't mind.

Paul- you're a JACKASS, and you sound ridiculous when you talk in your nasally voice. You may think it makes you sound sophisticated, but to me you just sound snobby and pretentious. You're not fooling anyone. If there was a picture in the dictionary of opposites, yours would be next to "Class Act".

::shakes it off::

Phew. THAT felt great.