Today was one of those days when everybody, everything was sort of out of synch. You know, everyone starts talking at once; all pause, indicating the other should go first; then everyone starts up again, speaking over top of the other.

That sort of thing. The phone is quiet all day, then all four lines in the office start demanding attention at the same time. I want to go to lunch; my boss asks me to stay because she's going to a meeting that was scheduled for late in the day but got moved up and I wasn't informed. She forgot.

I just get settled in my reading chair and the dog wants/needs to go for a walk. I go back to the chair and the cat demands her treats (for hairballs). Once again, nested in chair and the damn phone rings. Again.

Just the odd, out of cycle stuff that's annoying, irritating and a bit off-putting, but not infuriating or disruptive.

I think it may have been due, in part, to the big news story of the day--the stock market and the non-passage of the economic package. Everyone's a bit jittery and nervous. Worst of all, we have a luncheon tomorrow for the clerical staff who have received their "pink slips". I think it's a bit morbid, having the kind of event that's usually held as a celebration, but my boss wants to acknowledge them.

It's rather like holding a wake while the person is still living. I don't know what else we could have done, but it doesn't feel right. Ideas, anyone?