Today was one of those days where I wanted to run home to mommy. I doubt very many people care, but this is my therapy.

Beginning yesterday, I was involved in an e-mail discussion with two other people about using a different online service to deliver course content to students. This is the same online service I was hired to work with and we've been using in some capacity for a few years. I am just trying to get people tu utilize some of the other features instead of just using it for the minimum requirements. I never thought something like this would cause such a stir.

In the e-mails that went back and forth yesterday, I became frustrated that the other two people were either not reading what I was writing or failing to comprehend what I considered basic English. By the end of the day, I thought I had reached common ground even though my blood pressure was rocketing upward with each e-mail. But, when I got one more snide e-mail, I instantly deleted it after reading thinking I was done with the whole conversation.

While getting ready for work this morning, I thought of a way to address the e-mail in a calm manner and quite possibly get both of these people on my side. Apparently this fanned the flames even higher and by lunch I was sent a very brusque e-mail basically telling me that what I wanted to do (as simple as it was) wasn't going to happen without a faculty vote and approval. Faculty approval to use software we are required to use? Are you serious?

While my frustration continued to mount and blood pressure raced higher and higher, I displayed my professionalism in every e-mail, always apologizing for confusion and blaming myself for not conveying my thoughts properly, knowing full well that I was dealing with hard-headed people who really had no interest in supporting this software we are required to utilize. I ended by trying to get them to explain why there needed to be an act of Congress (not my exact words) to do something so simple and was quickly met with an e-mail saying this discussion was over.

By this point, I had broken down in tears in my office; the frustration level was astronomical. I decided, even though I didn't want to drag my boss into this, to e-mail her to ask if what the other two people were saying was true. The e-mail I got back was "I'm talking to the dean about this at 1:00". Oh crap!! Was I in trouble for doing what I thought was my job? Had these two people gone behind me and complained to the dean or my boss, the associate dean?

I immediately went downstairs to ask what was going on. Apparently one of the two people had been causing some problems elsewhere and this was just one more thing that needed to be pointed out. Feeling better about the situation I went to class and did what I needed to do. After class, I stopped back by to talk to my boss and apologize for getting her involved. As I talked to her before I was on the verge of breaking down again. I'm sure she sensed my frustration. Thankfully, I was in the clear and doing my job. It felt good to know I wasn't in the wrong and that my boss had my back.

So tomorrow, after a half day of work, I'm headed to Atlanta with Erika to see the Braves and Yankees play. We aren't staying long since the kids can't stay alone for too long. I think I've deserved some R&R time after today.