Yet...I Resisted

 I watched as several co-worker prepared the room for our office party. Halloween decorations hung on the walls, but the biggest change came when box after box of sugary treats burdened tables in the corner. Doughnuts, brownies, candy bars, Halloween snacks...they just kept coming.

And yet, I did not partake.

It's a miracle.

What's funny (for me...) is that I hardly had any breakfast before I reached the party room. I should have jumped at the table, loading anything and everything on a plate and gone back for more once it was empty--especially, the Krispy Kreme doughnuts. They looked heavenly. 

But, something happened, something that doesn't happen. I looked at all that delicious food and the urge I get to eat as many treats as possible was gone.

I must be getting old.

As a kid, this time of year was the best time of year. Autumn is still my favorite season, but not for the same reasons. When I was younger and could eat candy all day long, I looked forward to Halloween, Thanksgiving, then Christmas...all good food holidays. Plus, everyone knows Halloween candy is not available on Halloween day only. When I worked in an office, I knew exactly who had candy at their desks and when it was replenished. When I needed a "pick-me-up" I'd take a walk around the office and take a candy or two.

The office party was a huge success. Most of the table-full of treats went uneaten, so we all, myself included, had to pack up bags of goodies to take home. I have no idea how long it's going to last me. Maybe I should give it away at Halloween.

Yes, I was surprised not to have jumped right in and gobbled up the goodies. Not sure what changed in me...

But I hope it lasts.

You Can Catch More Bees With Honey Than With Vinegar--You Can Catch More People With Food Than With...No Food

 Before the world-changing events of the past couple of years, my employer held summer parties for their employees. Many times I've attended these events. Many times the schedule for these events remains the same...

Food and games.

Since it's summer and "recommendations" from experts have changed, my employer has resumed these parties. This past week, it was our turn. The location--an incredibly beautiful public park in Logan, Utah. The purpose--to gather as co-workers, eat food, and enjoy the break.

Like years before, I attended (as the photographs prove...). The event began with introductions. Of the fifty or sixty people attending, I knew about 10%. Next, came the food. Good food! It was catered and I filled my plate. 

A question came to me...

Would we have gathered if there was no food?

The idiom came to me, "You can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar." I'm no biologist or apiologist. I have no idea if this phrase is literally true, but I am pretty sure if this gathering had no food (or pre-meal snacks...), attendance would have been down. Of course, if this were a mandatory party, we'd show up, food or not.

Next year, God willing, the e-mails will be sent a month or two before the summer party takes place. If things remain the same, we'll have the option to attend or decline. Also, if things remain the same, food will be served. There should be a new idiom...

If you serve food, they will come.

Getting To Know You...Getting To Know Me

This morning, I left my work desk, climbed in the van, and drove north. It was time for a team office party. And that's where we played "getting to know you" games.

What is it about office parties? The games seem to be part of the plan. In defense of the organizers, the people at this particular party do not work together often, if at all. We all have very specialized job duties and for that reason, we're all under the same manager. Today we got to meet each other, and by the time the party ended, we all knew each other better.

I don't know who came up with the party games, but they were fun. We played "rock/paper/scissors." We acted/sounded like barnyard animals. We spelled out four-letter words (the safe kind...). We sat across from each other and asked questions printed on a card. I think the card game allowed us to find out more about each other than any of the games. Who knew Forrest Gump was a person someone wanted to be in a movie?

The rain came, the temperature dropped, the food was eaten, we got in our cars (and vans...) and drove home. Normally, after an office party, I'll see the people in the office and ask how they're doing, maybe catch up on something they told me when we first met. Now that I telecommute, I have no idea when I'll see them again in person. It might be soon--it might be years. But, on a somewhat cool day in September in a park in Ogden Utah, I got to know them a little bit better.

Dressing Up Santa...

We had our famous Christmas party today. I was Santa. The costume was a loaner.

I missed last year's Christmas party, because I hit and killed a deer. Want details? Look: HERE. Okay, the link has less to do with my accident, and more to do with my history of cars and the names we gave them, but the accident is why I missed last year's office Christmas party. I was driving home after buying a gift the night before the party for the party's gift exchange and I hit the deer and killed the poor animal. It's the only deer I ever killed.

We have a great team and the parties we have reflect this. We had a short staff meeting, then played games (doughnut-eating-off-a-string game, a wrapping contest, and a unwrapping contest). If you'd like the details, let me know and I'll tell you how to play the games.

I've never been Santa--in proper attire--before. I didn't do much but said some, "Ho, Ho, Ho's" which is something all good Santas do. I remember being told that my dad had a Santa suit and somewhere I believe I've got a picture of him dressed in it. I think perhaps the suit was even around when we sold my parent's house and it was tossed out as so many memories were. Thinking about it, I'm sure the suit would not be suitable as a Santa costume. For one thing, the last time my dad wore it was in the 1960's and he was 6' 4" tall--hardly something I could wear. Still...it would have been fun to see it.

Another Christmas party is in the books, and this Santa had a good time.