I am Gwen DeMarco!

I just realized that I am Gwen DeMarco (or rather, Lt. Tawny Madison, but let's not be picky). And you know, I'm pretty much okay with that.

All this year, I've been working on a single project at work - the opening of a new office in Ireland for my company. It's my first time working inside our European organization, though I've known most of the players for many years. I am often the only American in the room, but not always. Most discussions usually have equal numbers of Germans, French, English, and Irish nationals, with a few Austrians, South Africans, Scots, and assorted other nations thrown in for good measure. For a long time it seemed like everyone understood each other okay, but as time goes on and the stress continues to build, the communication barriers have gotten more and more pronounced.

Lately, we've slipped into the habit of me summarizing everyone's statements - basically, translating English into English - as we go. Anytime someone finishes speaking in a meeting, the conversation halts while everyone turns to me to summarize, then the next person speaks, I summarize again, etc. Often, everyone will turn to me with blank faces, which turn into "a-ha" faces and nods all around once my summary is complete. Which basically means my job is to repeat what has just been said, despite the fact that everyone just heard exactly what I heard, after which everyone suddenly understands! I am Gwen DeMarco! I AM GWEN DEMARCO!

Hear me roar.