Another day at the office

So, I'm sitting here in my suit. It's what my farm-raised football-playing friend gets teased for calling "heather brown." I just rediscovered that amazing illusion of Bendy Pen where you hold a pen parallel to your desk and wobble it side to side while bouncing your wrist. It's amazing, isn't it? Just amazing. I love that Bendy Pen trick. Hrrmmm. Just answered a phone call because I'm on phone back-up. It was a cute old lady who wanted to make sure that our office manager changed the name of her alumni group from spelling alumnI to alumnAE because the group began as all women. She said it "got her all wrangled" when she received a newsletter. Did you know that "alumni" is male? I didn't know. Learn something new every day. Like yesterday, I learned that cream cheese stuffed soft pretzels are not as good as classic salted soft pretzels dipped in lukewarm nacho cheese. And that it's hard to enjoy a rodeo if you can't block feeling sorry for calves getting roped. One managed to stand up with all of its legs tied together and then it slowly toppled over onto its nose. I laughed out loud, but then I wanted to cry about it. What an emotional roller coaster. I'm going to have left-over chicken fried chicken for lunch today. Yesterday I took the Controller and Grant Director to lunch because I beat them at an Apprentice bet and ordered it at a sports bar with the Controllers high recommendation. It was good, but I do not understand it. What is chicken fried chicken? And what is chicken fried steak? And why don't they just call it fried chicken if it's chicken?

Racing Katherine Peck

I'm the youngest of my colleagues by ten years. The next oldest is my boss and then most folks are at least ten years older than her. I say this only to make the point that most people I know in professional circles are slightly intimidating to me. They have big brains full of experience. Katherine Peck gets the highest rating on the Intimidation Scale - five stars for brilliance (she used to be a lawyer and now is the VP of Programs for one of CO's most respected foundations), five stars for presence (you know if she's at a meeting, even if she doesn't speak), five stars for respect (everyone knows her and defers to her judgment) and five stars for appearance (always polished in a suit, tall and built like a football player). I feel comfortable speaking to her enough to say 'hello' and this is only because I've seen her comfort a baby before so I know she has a soft, compassionate side.

I recently went to a professional association meeting - it was my turn to drive to this particular location about a 30 min freeway drive from my office. Katherine Peck's office is in my building. One of Katherine Peck's co-workers works with me on a project and she rode with me to the meeting. When we arrived, Katherine Peck pulled up next to us in her shiny black BMW apparently having left the office significantly after us. I learned she also goes by "Ol' Lead Foot." When leaving, I just so happened to gaze across my spunky little Hyundai into the adjacent Beemer and received a challenge. Katherine Peck with raised eyebrow and subtle nod. It was on. It was neck and neck on I-25 - changing lanes, blocking, dodging. I only lost her at the exit ramp with a poor lane choice.

I wasn't quite sure Katherine Peck even knew we were racing...until the next association meeting last week. Katherine Peck sauntered up to my table (after I had stuttered hello at the beverage table) and said to big-eyed me, "I'll give you driving lessons anytime." Then she smiled! Ohmigoodness. Then a parade of her co-workers came and introduced themselves, laughing, wanting to meet the legendary racing girl. I'm a lunchroom LEGEND! This is quite possibly one of my greatest achievements to date. Katherine Peck, look out. I'm on your heels.

Fear of Skiing

I read an article a few years ago that has provided me with some sustaining comfort. It told of genetic differences in peoples' adrenaline. Some people have positive, exhilirating adrenaline in extreme circumstances. Some people have heart-wrenching, horrific adrenaline in the same circumstances. I fall in the latter category. I've never liked rollercoasters and the thought of bungee jumping makes my palms drip. It's okay, right? My body's just not designed to enjoy that kind of thing? Now I live in Colorado. I've had several friends sit me down and explain the responsibility that I carry with this residency. You see, people around the world wish they could live in Colorado and ski every day. Therefore, I must ski or I'm spitting in the face of humanity's dreams. I've never been one to spit in anyone's face, let alone humanity's dreams, so I've dedicated the winter of '05 to this endeavor. I suppose it doesn't help that my brother broke his arm in half skiing a few years ago. And it's hard for me to get visions of running into trees or small, helpless children out of my head. Plus I have so far to fall. I've had two days of lessons and come Saturday I'm officially on my own. I have all the gear I need...several things old and borrowed and one item new and blue (my skiis). Now I'm just trying to get some nerve and hoping that I get the grace to enjoy my time in the postcard-perfect winter mountains.