October 19, 2007 >>>

Team Building and Pumpkin Carving

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Can carving a pumpkin be considered a team-building exercise? This is a question I would have never expected to answer on a Friday afternoon.

It all began when I innocently mentioned to a coworker that my family never carved Jack O'Lanterns for Halloween. Angela was very disturbed at hearing this. Apparently, every red-blooded American child is expected to wield a knife and gut a pumpkin each October, and my childhood was therefore depressing and bleak. Angela then insisted that we were going to carve a pumpkin during our afternoon break. Little did I know that when Angela says we are carving a pumpkin this afternoon, she means we are carving a pumpkin this afternoon. With the raw materials procured over lunch, we informed our boss of the plan and told our coworkers that, if needed, we could be reached in the break room between 3 and 3:15 p.m.

The actual carving wasn't too difficult. Of course, working with an experienced carver helps. There was a brief moment when I stopped mid-cut while we considered what would happen to the discarded pumpkin flesh over the weekend. Would the cleaning crew take out the trash tonight, or would we return Monday morning to the sickly smell of rotting pumpkin? After some deliberation, we agreed that if they didn't clean tonight, the pumpkin smell was preferable to the toxic fumes from the freshly-waxed lobby floor, and pressed on. As the curious wandered by the break room to gawk and give advice, we stated that this was a team-building exercise to build trust between the members of the marketing department. Angela had to trust that I wouldn't cut her fingers off, and I had to trust Angela to hold Mr. Pumpkin steady during his delicate surgical procedure.

So, does pumpkin carving make for a stronger team? In my experience, yes. Today, my colleague and I completed our daily job duties and created a new objet d'art for the conference room. I also learned how to safely handle a deadly weapon in the workplace. And, Angela says that if I die this weekend, she'll feel better knowing that at least I got to carve a pumpkin once in my life. You can't build that type of camaraderie with a two-day business retreat.

posted by on October 19, 2007 at 7:44 PM

October 07, 2007 >>>

Operation: Welcome Home

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If you've ever had the great pleasure of meeting my friend Patti (one of the finest cookies in the aisle) you might be aware that her boyfriend Rob (pictured on a visit home) has been serving in Iraq. We are expecting that sometime before October 13 Rob, who is making his way through Kuwait back to MI for a time, will be back in North Platte for the return home ceremonies.

I am going to drive up and be part of the welcome gang. I am putting together a Welcome Home kit. I had a bath-tub brainstorm and thought how wonderful it would be if we could throw in lots of Welcome Home cards. I have so many cool, fun, creative friends who could draw a funny picture or use the attached for inspiration, write a note, and maybe just include your first name and city. I will print them all off / burn messages / include this in my kit. if you want to contribute something physical I can shoot you mailing info. I know it's short notice but I thought I would love to fill up his basket with lots of love!

posted by on October 07, 2007 at 2:27 PM