Random Hallmark moments: The X Factor

   Today Dave and I were asked to give an update on personalized cards to our whole department at our monthly meeting. And while I was up there, I looked out to the audience and saw that Gary had his iPhone out, clearly taking a photo. I guess I should have followed my instincts and dived behind the podium. Because later he sent this:

   This is why artists shouldn't be allowed to take Algebra. Clearly it's fraught with humor potential. For some other funny-cause-its-true stats, check out Graphjam. Like these:

Hilarious, but learn how to spell "you're," stupid.

Fair Fight?

   Gary (aka RunningRockChalk) challenged me to a race on Nike's site: who could log 48 miles first? As you can see, he smoked me. But Allyson posed an interesting question...

   I should have gone with Jaime's suggestion all along. The ol' "Tonya Harding Maneuver."

   Anyway, I hope we can do another challenge, and seriously, Mom—thanks again for the awesome, awesome gift of the iPod Nano. This Nike iFit thing is so much fun that it's amazing motivation to run, thanks to the gaming principles like challenges, levels, and sharing data worldwide with other runners!

Random Hallmark moments: I'm 12 again

   I had possibly my most immature moment at work today... ever.

   A guy was giving a presentation about this cool new software that we're considering. He reviewed the pros. And when he got to the cons he cited that "you need your dongle to make it work." But he didn't stop there. He talked about inserting the dongle, sharing the dongle... dongle dongle dongle. I held it together pretty well until I glanced up at Laurie, who was across the table. Her smirk got me. I tried to stifle my laugh and looked down at the agenda he had distributed. It said "dongle." Crap! Tried to concentrate on the presenter but he had his laptop open: "dongle." Looked up at the screen: "DONGLE." Please, sir. Can we stop talking about your dongle?!

   The initial presentation was given a week ago (I wasn't there), and Gary drew this cartoon of Maureen, who apparently had the same struggle I did. Probably a good thing we were separated.

Dongle - (computer science) an electronic device that must be attached to a computer in order for it to use protected software

Random Hallmark Moments: my awesome team

   Today was the annual EMW holiday party, and there were a lot of desserts and a lot of laughs, which doesn't really distinguish it from any regular old day at the office. Exactly how we like it. "EMW" stands for Emotion My Way, the name of our department. Which is not to be confused with the "related" video on Youtube, about the EMW pole dancing competition.

Stephen, me and Joan

Too cute... Melissa and Camille

Kim and Melissa... and Michael! (Also, Joan's fingers.)

Lindsey, Maria and Laurie: our fearless leaders

Joan and Kim. I don't think I've ever seen these two not laughing.

I don't know who this idiot is.

Melissa trying to enjoy her salad.

The three sweetest words in the English language:

Much ado about meat:

More desserts than anything else. We know how to eat!

 My chocolate-mint brownies. Jackson Pollack couldn't have painted nicer brownies, I'm pretty sure. And I ate fully half of them.

Thanks to Melissa for the photos, since I forgot my @%&! camera!

   Later, Gary sent these heartwarming holiday videos with this comment, "Btw, I meant nothing by which photos went with which character... I was just having fun. Okay, maybe Jen was an obvious choice."   An EMW Christmas Carol  /  It's a Wonderful Group

Random Hallmark Moments: Emotion My Way all the way

I took the photos above after my new team's inaugural day away in April. As we were leaving for the day, someone threw out this "gang sign" for us... I'm not even sure to whom the credit should go. But it's awesomely hilarious! And below is our good-lookin' creative team: