How NOT To Do Things

The saga of the maybe-funding continues....

I received an email at 2:30 on Friday afternoon from a staff member who works in the department where I'm getting my degree. (I'm trying to be general in order to protect her identity.) She had sent the email a couple hours before I received it. Basically it said that I needed to fill out the form, like, now and get it to her because she needs to turn it in ASAP.

Worried that I wasn't going to receive any funding I called her and asked what she wanted me to do.

Her: I need it today. Because the paperwork is due, like, now.
Me: Ok, are you going to be in your office later this afternoon? (Note: it's 2:30 in the afternoon.)
Her: I'm leaving at 3--can you have it here by then?
Me: No. I'm busy.
Her: Crap....ummm....ok, maybe we can do it over the phone.

Let's recap: I received an email to fill out a form THE DAY IT'S DUE and then when I try to help her out because I really think she's trying to cover her butt, she said she's leaving the office IN HALF AN HOUR even though she needs the paperwork, like, now.

I should also note that I had no idea that I needed to fill out this form. The paperwork! Aaarrgh!

In the future, I'll keep in mind this woman's frustrating actions. So it may have slipped her mind about the form. I'm sure she's busy, too. But still, don't try to heap the responsibility on someone else if it's clearly your responsibility. It's not right. Gaaah.

Note: she was able to get the info she needed over the phone. I went into the office today and turned it in. Now hopefully all will be well with this charming red-tape-fest.