True Colors

My department does this thing every year called Secret Pal. It originated with this one particular group that brought it over with them when we merged groups over 3 years ago.

Anyway, the purpose of the Secret Pal is to help employee relations and have us get to know each other better. Basically we draw names and buy that person gifts throughout the year (at least 3 times). Then there is a big reveal at the end with a little party or whatever. It is all voluntary, of course, and can be alot of fun. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

On Wednesday, January 24th, we had the reveal for the 2006 Secret Pal. I was extremely curious as to who my Secret Pal was since I hadn't received one gift all year. I seriously thought my Secret Pal either retired or transferred out of the department. We had alot of retirees in the beginning of the year and I know the last thing on their minds would be our Secret Pal thing.

I was off work on Wednesday, so I didn't get to attend the reveal party. When I returned to work on Thursday, I found a card on my desk. Inside was $45 with a note stating to enjoy from my Secret Pal. Since they didn't leave thier name on the card, I asked my co-workers in my specific crew if they knew who my Secret Pal was. Turns out it was Hoochie Mama. So I sent the following instant message to her:

Camlaw (09:55:15): Thanks for the card....secret pal
Hoochie Mama (09:55:26): u r welcome
Camlaw (09:55:45): You did not sign your name so I had to ask
around....
Hoochie Mama (09:56:08): i know...and i did that on purpose
Camlaw (09:56:26): You just wanted me to investigate huh?
Hoochie Mama (09:57:25): i just figure i'll leave it a secret...i still
have a bad taste in my mouth over that mess u & joe started....
Camlaw (10:02:08): I figured you did. But if it will make you feel
better, the mess did not originate with us. It orignated with Ghetto Queen. And I
have always treated you with respect and courtesy. The entire ordeal was
a bad situation and as I have been told it is best to forgive & move on
then to hold a grudge. And I am trying my best to forgive Ghetto Queen.
Hoochie Mama (10:08:43): and Ghetto Queen is where it should've stopped..people
need 2 learn when they are fed info...don't spread it around..and how &
why my name kept coming up is what was pissing me off. i had NOTHING to
do w/that entire situation but everytime i turned around Hoochie Mama
was coming up in it and i heard u & joe kept stirring the pot
so.................but it done and over with. at the beginning i
honestly forgot about the secret pal thing and that's why u weren't
receiving anything. i was informed afterwards that u were complaining u
wasn't getting anything and that was after all that happened & u know me
and how i am. this is a new year & i'm trying 2 work on me. I didn't
know yesterday was the reveal until they came and told me. i didn't have
time 2 go out and get u anything so that's why i gave u cash and i
figured u could use that better than a gift anyway. i'm sorry for being
a sh**** secret pal and yesterday i sat and thought about it for a while
and realized 1 thing has nothing 2 do with another. i signed up 2 do
something and i fell short in doing that. so i'm sorry
Camlaw (10:17:58): That is fine. I really thought my secret pal had
either retired or transferred out. Cause you know so many people did
retire last year and managers were moved around. JC (the lady that
sits next to me) also was not receiving anything. And hers changed in
the middle due to the person transferring out. I do not do the secret
pal for the gifts, but I was really curious if mine was still here. And
the really funny thing is last time I participated I had you and this
time I have Mo-Mo. Just can't get away from ya'll.
Hoochie Mama (10:20:08): i said i wasn't doing it again so maybe u will
get somebody different nxt go round
Camlaw (10:20:37): Maybe. I just hope it will be more organized.
Hoochie Mama (10:21:05): and again i'm sorry
Camlaw (10:22:10): No problem. I accept your apology.....

Ain't that some shit? I mean that really shows what kind of person Hoochie Mama really is. If I had drawn Ghetto Queen's name in the Secret Pal ordeal, I would have still bought her gifts no matter what had happened before. I really liked Ghetto Queen until she pulled this mess on us. I guess that is one of the reasons why I took the act so hard. Betrayal from a friend.

Anyway, my cousins had warned me about Hoochie Mama. They used to work with her years ago in another department. They had a falling out with her also over some mess too. It also had something to do with a he said she said scenario. Basically Hoochie Mama is what people call messy. She likes to be in the know of any and all gossip. And she is one to spread any gossip she knows or hears too. Which is a very troublesome combination.

You know when I was in college, I learned about the caliber of people I wanted to surround myself with. It was one of the first life lessons I learned during my college years. Anyway, Hoochie Mama has proven to be someone I don't care to be anything more than an acquaintance with. I mean how petty and immature is she?

Joe (a.k.a. gay boyfriend) and I are true believers in Karma. What goes around definitely comes back around. I have seen it. And I know that behavior of Hoochie Mama's is just destined to get back to her. Karma wouldn't have it any other way!