Okay, so when I left the office for my mini-Escapade vacation, I was only gone for four days, granted, but during those four days, my e-mail and voice-mail just stacked up, waiting for me to get back.

Bossyboots is about to be out for five or six days and the first thing Buehler asked me is if I know how to check his (Bossyboots') voicemail.

I'm aggravated. If Bossyboots didn't have to do my work while I was gone, why do I have to do his work while he's gone?

Later note.... Okay, that was yesterday. I bailed on the diet last night, ate a big meal, and today I'm feeling more cheerful about it all.

(Two seconds ago, Buehler came in steaming because Bossyboots didn't put an auto-reply on his e-mail while he's out, wanted to know if I could check his e-mail. But Buehler will forgive Bossyboots. The problem with being the "good employee" is that people don't value the non-squeaky wheel.)