Overreact? ME?

Last Monday I had an important meeting to waive the very last course I need to finish my teaching certificate.  To prepare for the meeting, I read all three textbooks for the class, dug up tons of old syllabi, and gathered as many "artifacts" I could find that would support my position- particularly evidence found in my own teaching.

I wrote out a script and studied it, the same way I would cram for a final.  I planned out the conversation and prepared as much as humanly possible for it.  I arrived on time.

When I walked into Dr. Chair of the Department's office, Professor Nightmare was also there.  This was a surprise.  I sat down.  Dr. Chair said, "Tell me why I should waive this requirement for the first time in my career here at University."  My hands shook, but my voice was calm, cool, and collected.

Dr. Chair seemed open-minded, but when I left Professor Nightmare did not.  He had a response for nearly everything I said.  I was nervous.  Dr. Chair said he would call me "tomorrow morning" (Tuesday) to tell me his decision.  I felt pretty confident walking out of the meeting, like I couldn't have done, said, or prepared anything better.

Tuesday morning came and went.  At noon, I called him.  I did not leave a voicemail.  Wednesday I called again in the morning- still unwilling to leave a voicemail.  When Wednesday afternoon rolled around, however, I was feeling surly.  I left a nice, deferential message, using phrases like,  "I'm just following up" and "When you get a chance."  Thursday brought the same- one anonymous phone call and one voicemail message.  Each day I was a less optimistic than the day before.

On Friday morning, I was pissed.  I called on my way into school and was much less polite.  I issued a directive, "Call me today."  If he doesn't call, I said to myself, I will have a sit-in on Monday, since I don't have school.  I'll get to his office at nine and I will refuse to leave until he sees me.  I even recruited Mr. Peaches and a professor who has been very good to me.  I would make this an event.  I'll create signs!  I'll bring a bullhorn!  My activism days were coming back!

Three hours later, he called.  (Lucky for him!)

Aren't you dying to know what he said?