does anyone mind if I ask for some hive mind wisdom, despite being a board newfling? apologies in advance, if so.

I have to train a co-worker on a piece of custom software tomorrow morning at 8 am. Said co-worker and I have a history - mostly involving her being extremely un-nice; and, as she once worked at a large technology firm (in sales - nothing wrong with that), really does not like to be shown how something works. The only reason I have to do this is that, after turning down the first offer of help from someone else, she managed to do some really wacky stuff that could have been solved by reading the directions at each input point, or by reading the messages generated when she tried to submit, or by getting help... anyway - and I've been asked by the boss of everyone to sit down with her and help her see the finer points, so that she won't have to go to the larger semi-annual training session for new users of this software where there will be people from all levels attending. Because this will make her really angry.

I hate early mornings meetings. I am (sigh... embarassingly) completely un-confident around this person. Our IT guys have mentioned that her alter ego may be 'Evil Lumberjack'. I'm taking backup (or witnesses) but I don't know how to help again without making the situation completely postal. I think she does need the training, but if she's completely against it, I'd let her go to it, except that I've been asked to do this. ugh. Maybe I just need some good strong thoughts or something... or a spell? is there a good spell?

Sox, was she told by the boss of everyone that she was going to have this training? I might first try to reinforce that message, "Hi, Evil Lumberjack, Boss thought if we put our heads together we could get this cleared up quickly." A togetherness theme, with the underlying message, "I don't like this any more than you do, but if we cooperate a little bit we'll get the hell outta here faster than if you resist."

I think Sparky's got the right of it. Enlist her in a joint effort that you're both forced into, bring coffee and her favorite donuts and hopefully the lumberjack will leave the axe at home.

Kristin! I just saw Hot Fuzz with my father. It's made of AWESOME! I could see that one again and again. I think it's going to be preordered from amazon when it's available.

I was thinking switch her to decaf and bring a spork for battle. There's a reason I don't claim to be a people person.

You should go with Sparky's idea.

I was thinking you should create an attractive sign that says "RTFM."

actually, she was told that she would need to go to the group training by a relay from the #2 to her boss. not pretty. I had very little to do with that part of it (she was put on a list of people who should get more training by a number of other people - AND, she also is supposed to help a good number of staff in a whole range of software, so...)

I had to/got to jump in with 'given your tight schedule, wonderfulness and high rank etcetera'... to schedule the separate meeting. She got to name the time. I think reinforcing the external force bringing us together/joint effort is an excellent idea - thank you! Donuts too.

DH just asked "what if person-in-question is on the board?" when he heard I'd asked for buffista wisdom. Isn't he supposed to be helping me stay cool and collected?

I was in my jammies until my mom called to find out if I wanted to go get dinner. I decided that was a good plan and finally showered for the day.

Oooo...Sox, icky situation. Sparky is wise.

I had a caffeinated soda with dinner. That was dumb.

When are you due, again?

June 10 - 7 weeks to go.

I just spent a very nice hour and a half catching up on Stargates after a very disappointing Mets game this afternoon. (They had one spectacular inning, but basically phoned in the rest of it. Bad Mets! No biscuit!)

EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO SEE HOT FUZZ IMMEDIATELY!

Yay!

Wow, Jessica! It seems like the time has flown by from this end of the Internets.

Ginger, how's the vocalizing?

Sox, the other thing you can do is have a time certain when you leave. Announce that you have another meeting, Iris needs to be picked up, etc., etc., so you can keep things moving. An escape plan, for your own sanity.

Sail, have you escaped a workplace recently speaking of work and escapes?

Sox, Sparky is wise, as you already know. And you know, bring a spork anyhow, just in case.