It's what you're used to

My office is right next door to the Big Cheese. I was a little intimidated by this at first, but Big Cheese is a really nice guy and very approachable.

One thing I've learned, I don't think I ever want to be a Big Cheese. The man has no down time. People are constantly in his office talking to him. I know that is what he gets paid to do, and he does it very well but "Oy"!!! Sometimes I think people think I'm his secretary because they ask me where he went. Outside you say: "Sorry...I don't know" inside you say: "Buzz off! I'm not his secretary!" Some of these people sit in my office and chit chat with me while they are waiting for him to get back.

Big Cheese pops in my office from time to time to chat. He saw my Hillary Clinton Nut Cracker which set off a very interesting political conversation. Kind of a scary path to go down with your Big Cheese guy, but neither of us took a strong position and both of us were very open to what each other had to say. Big Cheese is definitely Mr. Capitalism Republican and I'm definitely Ms. Tree Hugging Liberal!

On his way out the door, he usually stops by to say Good night. Sometimes it's just a wave and a "G'nite!" other times he lingers. Last night he lingered a bit. He looked tired. We've recently acquired another publisher and he is the guy that handles all of the acquisitions. From the bits and pieces of conversations that I hear from his office, I think this one has been a bit tough.

I remarked that he looked tired. He told me he WAS tired...really tired. He's been staying up late reading e-mails and working. (another reason why I wouldn't want to be a Big Cheese).

Somehow we got on the conversation of which is worse: a headache or a stomach ache.

I said stomach ache...he said head ache!

Big Cheese is in very good physical shape from what I can tell, but he said a headache is the one thing that will make him feel completely shitty and want to just stay in bed and sleep.

I am a chronic headache sufferer, so I'm used to dealing with head aches on a daily basis pretty much. His comment - "Oh...you gotta get that fixed, that's horrible!"

Any problems with my stomach and I'm a big baby. That cramping, sweating, nauseous feeling does me in every time. Big Cheese has constant stomach problems. He's on medication for his stomach. (I'm sure it has something to do with the stress level in his life, but we'll have that conversation another time perhaps)

"Isn't it sad that we get used to feeling bad?" he asked me.

"Very sad", I responded.

"Well, I'm going home to feel my horrible stomach, you go home and take two aspirin and get some rest!"

"Thanks Big Cheese! I will do that! Feel better!" I said as he was walking out the door.

"You too! G'nite"