There's always a first time for everything. Without a doubt, there always is.

Today started out just like any other work-day. Was doing follow up for a particular mini-crisis.

It started with an email that I had sent out last evening to make sure that there was written proof that I was aware of the issue. Had also seeked confirmation with one of my favourite colleagues if a formal escalation ticket had to be logged.

The answer he gave me yesterday and early this morning was, "It's OK. You don't have to do that. :) I'll handle it from my end."

Thus I left it at that and went on to look into other matters. That was until before lunch time.

He had email to say "Please log a call :)". Not just a direct reply to my earlier inquiry. He was responding to someone in my team who had asked about the progress of the issue.

Now why didn't he just tell me to do the escalation thing earlier on?! Wasn't I supposed to be the gatekeeper/collection point so that he doesn't get a barrage of direct inquiries from the grassroots?

I can't believe it happened and what made him trip up like that. And that really pissed me off. Oh yeah! That's the first ever time I was truly and absolutely angry at him.

I told him so and I told him off. We are all overloaded but that doesn't mean that we can screw up on something so simple.

2 odd hours later, I had calmed down and told him I'm cool about the whole episode now. The response he gave me displayed sheer relief.

You see, I wouldn't expect his response to be any less than that. It's just that everyone knows that I don't get worked up easily.

Thus if my temper erupts... it means that someone had crossed not just an inch over my tolerance level - they have gone past it for more than a mile.