Most fun I had at work this year

Here’s a fun experience I had recently for your reading pleasure during your break.

I had to call the customer service number for the federal government’s vendor approval unit (yes, it’s as intimidating a bureaucracy as it sounds). My assistant-extraordinaire Camille had been handling this process for me, but they wouldn’t go further with her because they had to verify that it was really me on the phone.

For reasons you are about to discover, this requirement horrified Camille. She tried everything she could to get around it and have them make an exception, but this is the federal government we’re talking about here.

You see, earlier she had been just cranking through all the applications. When she got to the part where you set up your security questions, she didn’t pay much attention to them. She certainly never thought anyone else would ever see the answers she gave, let alone that I would actually have to admit them to another human being.

Well, she got up the nerve to confess all this to me via an email and I could not stop laughing. I mean, I feel bad she was worried to tell me, but to me this was the best prank ever.

So when I called the 800 number I made sure Camille was on the line, too. Here is the actual conversation I had with the rep:

Rep: Okay Mr. Smart, now I'm going to ask you your security questions. What is your favorite color?
Me: Pink.

Rep: That's funny, I don't usually hear that from the gentlemen I speak with. And what is your favorite book?
Me: Twilight.

Rep: Yes it is. Okay, what’s your nickname?
Me (cracking up): Bossy McBossface.

Rep (neutral pause): Yes, that's right. Okay, here's what you need to do next…

When I asked Camille if it was okay to include this in a post, she responded: “With time, the mortification has faded and this has become a favorite work memory. Feel free to share!”

Here’s to awesome coworkers who keep us grounded. Happy New Year!