January 29, 2004
Dear Everyone:
Today we celebrated my 30th anniversary with Company. The anniversary was actually last May, but each time we scheduled the luncheon, something came up and we had to reschedule. As it was, two people who had been invited weren’t able to make it this time; although I was able to invite a “last-minute” substitute (who didn’t mind being a last-minute substitute) for one.
It’s not easy when you have six guests, plus your immediate boss, plus her immediate boss, plus the Operating Company President and Vice President. It’s those last two that make it difficult. They’re expected to attend the luncheon (or dinner with fewer guests) for every employee in their company who passes the 30-year mark. And the 35-year mark. And the 40-year mark. Etc.
Early last year, I received a notice that my anniversary was coming up and to go to a Website to select my gift. (They also sent a catalog in the mail.) I looked through the catalog, thinking “I don’t need another clock,” “I don’t have any room for a huge world globe,” etc. Then “Jeannie” looked at the catalog and immediately focused on the Coach watches. “Jeannie” loves anything from Coach. She has a half-dozen of their famous handbags, mostly acquired from “high-end” second-hand stores and eBay.
So I placed an order for the watch and then waited. And waited. And waited. You don’t get the gift until you get the luncheon (or dinner with fewer guests). Finally the big day arrived. Along with gifts from my boss and several of my guests. I got more presents today than last Christmas and my last birthday combined. I should have 30-year anniversaries more often.
As for the watch (leather band with the Company logo and six diamond chips, one for each five years of service), it will take a little while for the two of us to get used to each other.
In other news…
Last weekend, after moving the DVD player upstairs so I could use it while on the treadmill, I decided I needed a combo VCR and DVD for the living room. It’s true that there’s already a VCR in the living room, but I figured another one wouldn’t hurt. “Jeannie” decided that she needed a new VCR/DVD as well, so we picked out twins. The idea was that if my machine was identical to hers, she could call me with a question and I could answer it over the phone.
I got my machine set up and working that Sunday morning. I also noticed that an annoying buzz was beginning to come from the old VCR in the living room when I played tapes, even tapes recorded on the same machine. It seems I got a new one just in time.
However, when we went to set up “Jeannie’s” TV, we discovered that her 14-year-old television doesn’t have the hookups in the back to accommodate the VCR/DVD. Of course, we could get a converter. But after seeing all the shiny, new TV’s at the electronics warehouse store, “Jeannie” really wants a new TV.
So the plan this weekend is to locate a friend with a big enough vehicle to go to the electronics warehouse store and bring the new television to “Jeannie’s” place. Then I’ll set it up.
As for the rest of that Sunday, I had planned to do some work on my laptop while watching movies. But I suddenly realized that it was imperative that I go back to the same electronics warehouse store and buy a 20” refrigerator for my bedroom. By storing the vitamins, juice, water and Diet Coke in the tiny fridge, I would save all the time that I spend going downstairs to the kitchen and back upstairs every weekday morning. That’s two trips per day saved.
I found the tiny refrigerator in a corner of the electronics store. I managed to pick it up and get it into my shopping cart. When I reached my car, I realized that it would never fit in the trunk. The maximum clearance is 16 inches. (This is the reason we need the friend with the large vehicle next weekend.)
I was able to persuade the box to fit into the back behind the driver’s seat. When I got home, I was able to coax it out of the car and through the carport and patio. Getting it up the stairs by myself was quite an adventure, but we managed in the end. And now, I save at least two to three minutes getting ready for work each morning. What could be better?
Love, as always,
Pete
PS. And
the Company Vice President who couldn’t come because she’s vacationing
in the South Pacific? She
sent a gift: A new clock.
P.
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