Today has been one of those frustrating days.
I have spent a month training a small, elite group of skilled people in a rather important task. Today was the day of testing, before I give them my final approval and release them to save the world alongside me. When it came time to demonstrate their newfound skills, they were, to put it mildly, unimpressive.
I have seen them operate, individually and as a team, and I am convinced that they can handle the mission. But they have to get past this one hurdle, this one final exam, before I can let them go with confidence. It was rather like teaching a friend or child to drive, painstakingly instructing them and sitting through all the close calls and slipping clutches until you finally see them reach a point of control. Just before licencing day approaches, you take them to a nice, empty parking lot for one final go at it, on their own, and they immediately throw the bugger in reverse while looking forward, squash the neighbor's cat, and blow a tire.
I have a saying that I use in my line of work to describe people's inattention. There are times when you can't start your car because someone has put sugar in your petrol. There are other times when you can't start your car because you have left the lights on and the battery is dead. And then there are times you can't start your car because you are using your #$%^&^&%#@!*& HOUSE KEYS !!!
Today, however, was the first time I saw someone try to start their car with a cheese sandwich. Of course, what I was training these people in is much more serious than driving a car, and so I am understandably discouraged.
I think I am going to take some asprin and have a nap.