This is definitely a tongue-in-cheek entry.

I'm sitting here, in my office at the Univeristy of Utah. Working on Memorial Day because I've taken too much time off lately and feel that there are too many things that need to be done. Right now I'm looking at my mileage log. I used my personal vehicle to drive to a meeting in Springville last week. I'm debating about whether or not to turn in the mileage and get reimbursed. Normally this is a no-brainer. Not now.

For the first time in my 52 months at UEN, someone has asked to look at my vehicle logs. Why? Because of the rash of criminal activity recently uncovered in the state.

So, every time I use the state vehicle I wonder who is looking over my shoulder. Every time I consider a reimbursement, I wonder if it is worth the hassle. Sure, these things are all legitimate. I really did use my vehicle. I wasn't using a state vehicle and wanting to be paid for personal miles in addition.

I feel that I go out of my way for the state. I take the department vehicle home every month or so to wash and wax it. It's not absolutely necessary, but who else is going to take care of it. And it bugs me when we just drive the vehicles and don't take care of them. The last time it took me a couple of hours to wash, wax and vacuum our department 4Runner. I took my own time, on a Saturday morning. I didn't bill anyone for this service. A pretty good investment by state taxpayers, if you ask me.

But from now on I'm really going to be more careful. And paranoid. So, as a government employee, I'd just like to thank the criminals. You've made my life worse. And thrown suspicion on a lot of good, hardworking people. And I hope they find an appropriate punishment for your indiscretion. Maybe something to do with bamboo shoots.............
9:46:04 AM    comment []