a little too green

I've been able to slip into the groove of things here at Church magazines pretty easy. The employees here treat me like a real writer and editor, and I appreciate that approach. Because I'm treated like not an intern (you know, "Make 10 copies, thanks") I've tried to step up to the plate and act legitimate. When I took the initiative to make a reservation with the Church motor pool and went downstairs to check out the car I needed to get to my interview yesterday afternoon, I was ready to go. I clacked down the parking garage in my black, patent leather heels and checked out the car.

And then I couldn't figure out where it was parked.

So I went back to the worker at the motor pool window and he printed out the sheet that I should have printed out that had my parking space on it. I successfully found the car, put my stuff in the seat next to me, and got ready to go.

And I couldn't figure out how to start the car.

Really.

I saw a "power" button where the key usually goes, so I press that, and then I think that the key must go somewhere else in the car, that it's the key–power button combination that makes it work.

Nothing.

I spent 15 minutes—15 minutes—trying to figure out how to turn on that stupid car. (I would say "damned" car, but this is a Church vehicle we're talking about.)

And so I have to go back to the guy at the window and explain how I can't figure out how to start my car. Good grief. Here I was feeling all professional and legitimate and now I feel like I have a giant neon sign sticking out of my head that says "WARNING: INTERN."

It turns out that the car I was assigned was a hybrid car, and because it's so progressive and green, you don't turn a key. The key fob just has to be in the car somewhere. I was right in pressing the power button, but I neglected to press the brake while I did so. So props to the Church for going green on us, but I'm thinking I'm a little too green when it comes to environmentalism.