Holiday Party

December 15 was our holiday party. Now, we aren't suppose to call it Christmas or Winter Solstice party or Haunukah party. No siiireee. HOLIDAY. (whatever. I don't really care what it is called. Just give me food, fun and booze!)

As part of the M team I was helping coordinate some things to do. December was quite a busy month. We had a bring-your-cookies-to-work day. I made my vomit clusters, which went over very well. Some people brought in some really awesome cookies. We are suppose to share the recipes, but only one person gave me his. We were all able to share in the joy of eating cookies. That was really nice. Laurie's department had the idea and invited the whole company to participate. Even some of the tech dudes submitted cookies.

Then there was the Giving Tree. Our team came up with the idea to have a tree with ornaments that represented kids wishes. It then turned into gifts for one family. (Again Laurie's coordination efforts.) I was amazed at the response. There were people in the office who pretty much stick to their crew who reached out to the family. It was really great.

I also set up the kitchen for making greeting cards for the kids in a juvenile hall facility in Sylmar, CA. I have done it for years with friends back in LA. We take the cards to Juvey and pass them out on Christmas Day. It's always such a rewarding experience. I had hoped that people here would participate in making cards, and they did. Even Laurie took the idea home to her family and they made a bazillion cards. It was so cool!

THE PARTY

We had the party at a pretty decent Mexican restaurant. I have been struggling to find a decent Mexican restaurant in Vermont since I moved here. This one had really great guacamole, which is a good sign to me. The KJ (karaoke jockey) was already there when I arrived. A few of the Team M people helped me set up little candy bags and pass out raffle tickets.





Towards the end of dinner, Mark G. dressed up as Santa and had a few special gifts for the THREE ENCHILADAS. It was hilarious! Then we did the raffle. Though I think it went too long, we had a really nice variety of gifts thanks to Company X for giving us a budget. The gifts ranged from a leprechaun statue from the dollar store to an iPod Nanno, DVDs, and gift certificates to a variety of places. We then launched into the karaoke. It's a good thing that most of us have day jobs. It was so funny. One of the Enchiladas, MB, sang his heart out solo
and again with his fiancée, MM. I thought I would sing, "Material Girl", but as I a) don't really know the song that well and b) didn't know the key, I brought up some backup dancers to distract the audience. That went over quite well. I would say that the two kamkazi shots helped too. All in all, it was soooooo much better than last year. Last year MB had us answer a bunch of questions earlier in the day and then he read them at the party. We had to try to guess who did what. It was fine for the first 10 minutes but dragged on waaaaaaayyyyyy tooooooooo long. So this year with good food, Santa, karaoke, the raffle and gift bags - everybody had a great time. No arrests. No accidents (that I know about.)

Grocery store life

So I have completed my first weekish at the grocery store. I thought it went pretty well. I am not use to being on my feet in a stationary position for multiple hours, but I survived. I had a good time hanging out with the kids, and I mean kids. On Saturday night, I was the oldest one working there. In fact, I was old enough to be everybody's mother if you count all of the people working on the floor. Okay, late-teen mother, but still... Some of the people have been there for years, which has been nice and helpful for my training. The store is pretty big, even for CA standards. It is the biggest G store in the state of that store family. Life at the G store is filled with interesting co-workers and customers. There are a couple of chicks there who are pretty cool and I have been having a great time working with them. As I just gave them my blog, I have to come up with names for them to protect their identities. ha ha ha.

Working with customers face to face is refreshing. At my day job, I have interaction over the phone, and with co-workers. At night, there are all kinds of people at the Gstore. I think it will make for good material. There is the typical mom with the unruly kid(s). The Couple who have separate accounts but shop together all the time. The Old Married Couple who bicker over items in the cart or prices. The Family Gatherings - they bring ma, pa, kids, grandpa to shop EVERY TIME. There is also the College Dudes - beer, beer, beer. The Single Girl/Guy who buys the same thing every week. Grandpa/Grandma who can't afford that extra thing they thought they could. Then there are the welfare/food stamp recipients. They also have their range of people - the mom with a plethora of kids, the single guy/gal who wishes they could buy their alcohol and cigs on their food stamp card. The seniors who can't seem to work the punch pad (which doesn't work half the time anyhow.) It's a place chock-full of material. I haven't even begun to really dig into the employees. I still need some time to evaluate that. However, there are deffinately characters. The ones that stick out the most in my mind are the teenagers and early 20 year olds who think they are da bomb and have little to no respect for adults. But there are some teens/early 20 somethings who are really cool and amazingly mature for their ages. It has been a pleasure getting to know them.

I am tired and exhausted, but having a good time. Now if I can just get some better leg support...

Holiday Representation - a letter from a teacher

The following letter is from a close friend who is a brilliant, caring, high school teacher with a politically active mind and a biting sense of humor. I found this quite poignant for the times we live in. I hope you enjoy.

He sent this out to his district's federation of teachers organization.

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"Subject: Re: "Holiday" Flier

I noticed that the latest FT [Federation of Teachers] December bulletin had a Dreidle and Menorah for the Happy Hanukkah message whereas Kwanzaa, Ramadan, and Christmas were represented by a snowman that said "Happy Holidays". While I realize that Jewish holidays are inherently distinct from and superior to all other world holidays (and, of course, must be shown respect as such), I was confused by the Snowman used to represent the three other major holidays in December. After pondering this for a bit I was further baffled as to why Kwanzaa was represented by an all-white snowman. That seemed a bit offensive to me, until I realized that maybe it was a subtle reminder that whitey has been oppressing the colored peoples of the world for millennia. Likewise, why the key religious observance of Islam, with it's roots in the deserts of Arabia and the Middle East, along with its prohibition of graven images or human representation was summed up in a man of snow? Perhaps it was to emphasize that the material things of this world are but passing dreams compared to Allah, blessed be He, the Eternal. Or perhaps this was to remind us of the need to stay hydrated even during a month of fasting? Finally, I was confused as to why the second or third most significant Christian holiday was represented by a coal-buttoned, carrot nosed, snowball. Was this a subtle reference to gold, frankincense and myrrh? Maybe the cuteness of the snowman has allegorical parallels to baby Jesus? Did the idea of the snowman who could be re-rolled into existence the day after he melts pre-figure the Christian dogma of Christ's resurrection?

At any rate, I defer to your well-reasoned rationale for these iconic choices. And I am certainly glad that the OFT, by using these carefully selected visual reminders of the world's great traditions (and not-so-great ones as well), is quelling any incendiary fuel which the religious right (of any stripe) might invoke to complain that they are being "discriminated against" by the left-wing liberals who dominate education.

Cheers and Happy Holidays and Hanukkah!"

Grocery store - who knew how exciting it could be!

This week I started a part time job working at a grocery store. I am doing it for several reasons.

• Meet people
• Keep me busy at night, something to do
• Make some extra $

One of my co-workers at Company X was working there and suggested that I give it a go. So I signed up, had an orientation and - WHAM! I am a checker/bagger. Never worked in a grocery store in my life. It's fun, though it is still the first week. I use muscles I usually don't use. Bagging is an art. I know how to back by type. I know not to put the eggs underneath the potatoes and put the fresh cut of steak in it's own bag (leaks). I know to ask if plastic is okay over paper (the paper bags are cheap and stick together.) I just don't have the fast paced bagging skill yet. I am also still going through training, so I don't actually check people out yet. I did have the opportunity to clean the employee lounge and restock items.

They are totally okay with my schedule, which is nice. If that job becomes a problem with my main job, I will quit. But so far, I really like to have something to do after work. And why not make money doing it?

Houston Part 3 - The rest of the week

I realize you probably don't even care now about Thanksgiving and Houston but here ya go.

Highlights for the rest of the week -

• I worked for 20 minutes
• Karaoke with Sarah and her friends
• We got the dog (Tucker)
• Went to a real Hispanic grocery store and made burritos
• Shopped at the 99cent store (There aren't any here in Vermont)
• Thanksgiving part 2 (more cooking, more eating - deep fried turkey - yum)
• NASA!!!! Johnson Space Center - That was pretty cool. We saw a little show on what the astronauts routine is in the space shuttle, an IMAX on being an astronaut, some space suits and had a tour of the Space Center. One of the funniest moments was when we were ushered into Mission Control. That's right - THE Mission Control. We came into a room with theater-style seats that all had ash trays attached to the backs. In front of us, behind glass was the center of operations where they had rows of old computers and big screens at the front of the room where they could monitor a mission from launch to landing. The gal who was giving the history schpeel was talking about the various missions that were launched from that room as well as rattling off some of the various dignitaries who sat where we were sitting. Ambassador Such-in-so, Prince what's-his-name, etc. The best one was when she said (very importantly), "Queen Elizabeth the First also sat here. That's right. The first queen of England." I was so amazed. Who knew that in that very room the daughter of Henry VIII graced the very place I was sitting in? I didn't think she made it to the Americas, but what do I know? All in all, I was glad to have checked out the space center. I will post pictures. Really I will.
  
  

I need a pat on the back...

As a blog is a place to vent, let me take a moment....

I worked my ass off on Client Dutch with the help of several co-workers. I did in 3.5 weeks what normally takes 6-8. I completed the project not only before vacation, but on time.

So where is the thanks? Not a word from the executives that I/we did a great job and things went really smoothly. Nothing. That sucks. I am in need for attention and acknowledgement for a joob well done. With the lack of response, it makes me really want to go back to working my 8 hours and leaving. (Which I suppose I should do anyhow.) Is this asking for too much? Maybe I am being a baby about it, but when it is drilled into your head that the project MUST BE DONE ON TIME and it is not only done on time, but EARLY (okay, only a couple of days...) I expect some form of thank you from my superiors to my team.

It's so annoying and frustrating.

Thanks for listening. I am done, for now.... :-)