Several months ago I beseeched my alma mater to offer up the best intern they could possibly produce for what was sure to be a chaotic summer.
Scientists with unlimited time and funds could not genetically engineer a specimen better than Andrea. Her work ethic, ingenuity, intelligence and enthusiasm are flat-out inspiring.
Within the first week, she assumed a key role in every major project I'm working. I can disappear for hours away from the office on appointments only to return to a list of solid questions... and several items completed because she figured out the answers herself.
I started to truly wonder if she could be stumped.
Until this afternoon.
A half dozen project deadlines were careening into the long weekend with the understanding that we would likely have a major press announcement this evening and would be escorting our guest artist for the weekend... Big Bad Voodoo Daddy... for an appaerance on a local television talk show earlier this afternoon.
One project ran late, the press announcement came early and suddenly I was by the phone waiting to hear approval from our chairman and executive director on the big news.
I threw out the possibility earlier that Andrea might need to take care of the television show escort herself. For the first time, she blanched slightly.
She doesn't really know downtown streets well yet, and driving a national recording act in a strange car to a studio you've never worked with before could be considered a challenege to some 20 year olds. I've done hundreds of these events, if not thousands, over the years -- to me it feels automatic.
But I was throwing her into the deep end.
I knew she could do it. The question was, did she?
As the final minutes before scheduled departure clicked by without word on the press release, I thought about the strained relationships that would occur with the station by cancelling at less than 15 minutes before air time. Calling the station was the rock, missing the bosses' call -- the hard place.
Through smiled-clenched teeth Andrea said "I'll do it."
That was the point my panic stopped -- and hers began. Dozens of details to consider and no time at all. I drew a quick map and scrawled my cell number on the bottom.
She called only once as she was leaving the garage. The show just went off the air and I have every confidence it went great.
The band members should be getting back to their hotel rooms right about now, impressed with how well the BPO staff handled everything.
I know I threw her overboard, but I wouldn't have considered it for a minute if I thought she'd go under.
Did I mention that Andrea is also a championship swimmer?



Copyright 2005 Judi Griggs