I had a fun day today. I told you I had all these meetings and presentations with X, all of them attended by many people including my boss. I was cocky and mean to her. When she spoke, I tried to look as bored as I could and when I spoke, I tried to impress as much as possible. It worked. Too well. X noticed and, after the presentation, asked me if anything had happened last night after he had gone home. I only rolled my eyes at him and he told me to come over for a chat after lunch.

We talked for another hour. I revealed enough of my conversation with my boss last night to make him understand why I behaved like I did today. He tried to calm me down. He actually recommended not to try to make her look stupid in meetings. I said that hadn't been my intention but I doubt he bought that. It had, of course, been exactly my intention.

Eventually, we decided to try to get through the next couple of weeks without causing anymore soap material. We both agreed that we needed to get back to work. He said that when have trouble doing things the official route there are always other ways to exchange information and data. I accepted that.

By the way, he offered no apology for yesterday. Not that I expected one. But giving me another hour of personal talk today was probably his way of expressing concern for my situation.

He also asked (and that's important to me) that once I feel that I can't go on in my current job to speak to him. He said he was ready to do anything he could for me including hiring me. He reminded me though that this would mean going to war and that we couldn't really afford war right now. I totally agree with that. I said I am ready to keep working in my current position for the sake of the department. But that I appreciated his offer and that I couldn't promise him that I'll never accept it. He just smiled at me and said he'd be honored.

Later on, we agreed on a common strategy for a meeting tomorrow. Just to make sure the result will be what we want it to be. And to avoid disagreeing in front of other people. I actually do enjoy arguing with him but the subject tomorrow is too important to him for me to get in the way.

At the end of our meeting, he reminded me that he will be on annual leave next week and asked me to take care of myself. He wished me well and chuckled when he said: "Be nice to your boss and see you tomorrow." Did I mention that one wall of his office looks like a shrine to my work? LOL. He has plastered it with all the secret charts I have drafted for him in recent weeks. I guess I should remind him to never let one of our enemies into his room. It does make me feel good though.

As for my boss, I ignored her the rest of the day, then left early for a drink with colleagues and coffee at Starbucks with Katja. I am trying to relax a little until Z returns to work. That, my friends, will be a rather unpleasant day. Hopefully, it won't come next week when X isn't there to protect me. Anyway, I am eating dinner now. Bye.