Redneck Computer Geek

I work for a bank.  One of the big ones.  We have a lovely campus out in the woods in a rural county, and there are walking trails all around the campus that go through the woods.

I manage a small team of Data Analysts, and as a manager I have one-on-one check-ins once a week with my directs.  As a redneck, my management style is somewhat laid-back.  In fact, for our check-ins we usually take a walk around campus, through the woods, enjoying being away from a computer screen for a bit.

The problem is that being in the woods is somewhat distracting.  There’s critters out there.  It’s pretty bad when one of my guys is telling me about the difficulties they are having with one of their projects and I’m like, “Hey!  Look!  A lizard!”

But yesterday it took an even worse turn.  We were walking along talking about various projects when we came across a (relatively fresh) pile of deer spore.

“What is THAT?!”, the guy asked.

“Deer poo.”, I replied.  “Pretty fresh.  Probably from this morning.”  I was THIS close to reaching down and feeling how wet or dry it was and give it a good whiff to figure out exactly how old it was when I suddenly realized where I really was and who I was with.  He was looking at me with a puzzled look.

“So, did you get the memo about the TPS Report Covers?”, I asked, as I forced myself to keep walking.