An Idea is born.

S: What a beautiful thing to say!  I don’t know if I’ve ever seen this message before…. Should I admit that?

A: Ha that’s awesome.  I can’t say that I’ve seen that either.  There always seems to be something CET doesn’t.

A: …Did you know Verizon was getting the iPhone???  Breaking News 6 months ago.
S: Hah!  I know right?!  And I don’t know how many more times I could say that they got it back in February.  I feel like G is a recap kind of guy.  He says what he’s going to say, then he says it, and then he reviews what he said.  Like a 3 paragraph essay in 6^th grade.
A: Oh totally.  Recap and repeat an uncomfortable amount of times.  I think it’s a generational thing.
S: Lather rinse repeat… as needed.  Phoebe sings that song in friends.
A: If we don’t publish this email we should at least make a blog of it.
S: That would be hilarious!  How would we do it though?  A post at a time?
A: Yes I would think so.  Or a day of emails at a time.
S: Ooh.  Better.  I like that.  Perfect Rainy day activity.
A: How I feel toward CET’s advanced graphic engine:

S: Hah!  I have to ask—what search terms did you use to find that?!
A: “how CET makes me feel”

Or

Graphic rendering creatures

S: Nice.

A: Rawr.

S: Have I ever mentioned that sometimes I’m an incredible idiot?(I feel like even when I’m being an idiot I at least need to be an incredible one)

So Jenny furniture has those sectional pieces right?  I was looking at them over and over again and could not figure out how to have a two-seater where both sides had arms… Luckily Steelcase has that image gallery for idiots like me.

End+End=Wow.

A: I can relate to that.  If you’re going to be stupid at something may as well just go all out.  (Not saying you’re stupid at anything, just a general comment)

What does a chi-wawa know about Mexican food?

A: Blast!  I started the CAP upgrades and I actually need to work in CAD right now.   
S: The worst!!
A: Indeed it is.  On the upside I get to look at flights longer.  Flights in November to Atlanta are 279 one way.  Not too shabby.  But do I want to see family and home or Hawaii?  It’s a tough call.
S: Hmmmmmmmm.  That is a debate.  I noticed the other day that Anc to Salt Lake is 200 each way.  But that isn’t anywhere near as fun as Washington.  Or Hawaii for that matter.
A: I’m voting on Hawaii.  Someday we’ll have kids and will go home to visit anyway.  Need to travel now while we can and it’s cheaper.
Oh also, didn’t know if I mentioned that there is a small chance Barat’s parents may move here.  I would be thrilled.  It would be great to have somewhere to come back to if we move out of state or have a babysitter :)

S: Wow!  That would be so exciting!!  I would want my parents to move here—but I love having a reason to go back to Washington :)

I think I would vote for Hawaii too.  Are you thinking November?

A: Yes I know what you mean.  It kind of takes North Carolina out of the running for a place to move.  The point was to be near family.  B’s family seemed more normal than mine so that’s one of the reasons I was thinking NC.  I love Atlanta because it’s my hometown but it’s not perfect.  Traffic there is horrendous and it’s the main reason B doesn’t want to move there.

S: Fair enough.  I think Georgia has one of the top ten state populations, and I would imagine that Atlanta has most of it.

I think I have managed to convince D that New England is pretty much the greatest place in the world.  So that’s ideal for me.

A: Nice!  Can I come visit you?  I’ve always wanted a reason to visit to new England.  I can just picture you in a cape cod style house on the beach wearing j.crew and your little children in crew cuts in a catalog living style house.

S: Hah!  I know right?  But of course at that point the cape cod cottage will be at the Vineyard… and yes, you can always visit me there.  My real house will probably be in Connecticut.

I feel really good about this life.  Especially the fact that I will have children and still fit into J.Crew clothes.  I feel really good about this.
A: Good, I’m glad. 

It’s settled then.  I’ll see you in New England in a few years.

A: Do you like to mae-sure furniture?

S: Oh my heck—it’s like my favorite activity!

Do you like to leave work early?  That’s my second favorite activity.

A: Thought so.

I’ll go ahead and say leaving work early is my personal favorite activity.  Mae-suring furniture is a close second though.

S: I wish we could do your favorite activity right now.

A: Oh me too!  Think anyone would notice?

S: Freak.  Probably not.  It’s not like we’re doing anything… or at least I’m not.

A: Whatever!  I’m totally planning my Hawaiian vacay. Boo Ya!

S: Ooh!  Have you bought tickets yet?

A: Not yet, it’s in my “cart”.  I’ll probably do it tonight when I can discuss it with the husband.  I guess I should take his schedule into account too…

I forget I’m not the only one sometimes when I make plans.

Hey, no one is perfect!

S: I hear ya.  I’m still working on that whole concept—but I am doing a lot better at it!

A: It takes time.  I’ve been better but I still have slip ups from time to time. 

S: The afternoon is creeping by at a painfully slow rate…

But in other news, it is almost our second favorite time of the day!

A: Yes agreed.  Perhaps this is an opportune time to catch up with Catalog Living.  I haven’t done that in a while.

S: Hah!  Funny you mention that.  I did that this morning for the first time since May or June.  There were quite a few back pages.

A: So how’s the new guy doing?  Never know if the new ones are going to stay or not.

S: Hah!  Is that what you thought when I started here?  If so, fair enough and kind of true :)

Every time I walk past the area he’s talking to R about football… so he seems pretty fit-in-ish.  My money is on:  just graduated, couldn’t find a job in the lower 48, so he came home and found this.  I’m saying 1-2 years tops… but he’ll be fine in the mean time.

Any bets?

A: Haha not necessarily actually.  You seemed solid enough.

That’s a good thought.  I do know this: he lived in California.  He’s from Seward.  He went to UAA a while ago.  He drives a lexus with cloth seats and a GSP.  He has not been in the systems furniture business before.  I think your bet is not something I’d want to bet against. 

S: Seriously?  Everyone knows that if you drive a Lexus you should have leather seats… or at least I thought everyone knew that….

A: Yeah well I guess one slips through the cracks every now and then.

You know the six month-iversary is right around the corner.

S: Yikes!  It sure snuck up didn’t it?

(I thought that one was hilarious too :))

S: So where do we want to have lunch today?
A: Well since I need to run home real quick it would have to be a 45 minute type of place.  Great harvest is always good.  There’s that deli in the university center, ummm yeah any other suggestions are welcome.
S: I want to go to Great Harvest and just get bread.  Is that bad?
A: No, that’s kind of what I was hoping you’d pick… I strategically left little options for you to choose for that reason.

S: Well you know me, I am all about creating a situation to my best advantage :)  Great Harvest it is.  But I don’t know if I even want a sandwich…..  I really might just get bread.
A: Youngest child syndrome.  Glad we understand each other. :)

Their bread is beyond delicious so I would not judge if you just got that.  When would you like to go?

A: Do you want me to run home first and put away my food and meet you there or do you want to just do it all together?

S: Um.  Just let me know when you leave your house and I’ll meet you at Great Harvest then.

A: Ok I’ll leave now!

S: Gah!  Now I have a case of the post-lunch nod-offs………………………………………………………………………………………….

(No, I did not fall asleep on the keyboard.)

A: Ha!  I get those just about every day!  

S: I know right?

Yikes.  I am just about ready to call this week a wash… again.  I’m just tired of weeks happening all the time!  Someone should really do something about that.  If I was in charge of CET…..

A: Yeah really.  If we could work weekends and have Monday through Friday off that would be great.  Keep in mind most businesses are closed Sunday anyway so really you’d just work on Saturdays. 

S: Or maybe just Mondays or something since they’re already miserable.  Even with the work week switched, I think I would still be categorically against working on Saturdays. 

A: That’s true.  I like it.  if you find a business that has that schedule with a salary and insurance let me know. 

S: Done and done.
A: I love how he explained multiple times about the project matrix downloads and then also sends an email explaining the same exact thing.

S: This explains a lot.

S: Hahaha!  That’s freaking hilarious!  I wish I had read this last night! 

PS.  I feel like today is going to be one giant party… = Why even be here, because we sure as heck won’t get any work done.

A: I know I tried to send it as soon as I could but you had already locked your screen.  Maybe next time.

Yes I really don’t want to work, especially since I’m so slow right now… since my lunch is an ASID meeting and is billable I’m considering asking J if I can leave at 4 since I’m not technically taking a lunch.  Think he would go for it?  He’s Gen X so they’re all about the family time.

S: Hmm.  Intriguing possibility.  I’m not sure.  What time is your ASID thing?  I know today I’m actually going back to the whole lunch thing.  My parents have decided they are taking themselves to the airport, so I’ll go out to lunch with them and say goodbye then. 

Don’t judge me if my eyes are red when I get back to work.

A: :( I hate goodbyes.  I’m not any good at them.  Glad your parents had good weather most of the time though!  What did you do with them last night?

S: Me neither—especially with my parents.

We went to Kincaid and then ate at Mooses Tooth.  It was a lot of fun.  I’ve been raving about their pizza for three years, so hopefully it was all I made it seem :)

A: We were there last night too!  We got there a little late though – around 9:30.  It was B’s parents 38^th anniversary.

Did your parents get to see any moose?

S: Yes!  They saw moose and bear and eagles and Denali and the Northern Lights.  The tide change, caught halibut, biked the coastal trail, and ate at a million restaurants.  And chilled out a lot.  I would say they had a good trip.  I wish I had been able to do more with them—I feel like all I did was eat with them…  I must have gained 10 lbs this week!

A: Definitely sounds like a successful Alaskan trip!  I can’t tell if you’ve gained any weight which you probably haven’t ;) that’s probably the one nice thing about work clothes though!

I’m really excited for our Denali backpacking trip but I’m anticipating rain which I’m less than thrilled about.

S: That is going to be so fun!  Which day are you leaving again?

A: Sunday after B’s tournament game so probably after 4pm.  We’re assuming they’re going to the championship game since the team B put together is made up of that semi-pro soccer team (that didn’t happen because of funding) so odds are in their favor!

S: That sounds exciting!  I’ll cross my fingers for the game :)

A: I hear you listening to Hanson circa 1997. ;)

S: I was trying to decide if I should be ashamed or not……. And then I decided that everyone needs a few guilty pleasures in life.  Mmm-bop?  Totally one of mine.

A: Bahaha don’t be ashamed.  What girl who grew up at that time doesn’t like Mmm-bop?  No judgment what-so-ever I just thought it was entertaining.

S: You’re missing out on some great convo… the gen-x er and baby boomer are complaining about how people expect them to respond to emails and texts immediately.  Frankly… I live on email and my cell phone is basically an extension of my hand…. So I don’t get the drama.

Also, apparently they take offense at smiley faces… :)

A: Oh man that’s really sad that I missed that. Yes I definitely respond to texts right away and emails too if I’m notified.  And they take offense to smileys?  Who doesn’t love seeing a smiley face in an email?  It lightens the whole mood. :)

S: I know right?  Oh, the generations.

A: What in the world?  CET put a random blue box in my 3D view when I have nothing there in 2D or 3D.

S: Weird!  It looks like a ceiling box.
A: Proof you saw the Auroras :)

S: Hooray for proof!  It is beautiful isn’t it.
A: Yes!  Lucky you!

I’ve been print screening it up lately.  I think it adds to our book.

A: I almost feel like I’m wasting time here.  I barely have anything to work on and my in-laws are finally in.  I’m sure you can relate having your parents in.  Have they kept pretty busy while you’re at work?
S: Yeah.  They’ve done enough to enjoy the trip, but they’ve taken their time.  They say they’re enjoying just taking a break.  I’m considering leaving even earlier today if I can finish my projects in time.  I really want to take them to winner creek, but they think we won’t have time.
A: Sure you’ll have time!  Its light out until almost 11.  And Girdwood isn’t that far away.
S: That’s what I said!  I mean—I know they like to go to bed early, but jeez!
A: He totally took his earphones out to listen to what we were saying and put them back in just now.  I think he really wants to be included in our conversations but its hard with the generational gap sometimes.
S: It’s also probably hard to keep up considering 75% of our conversations happen through email.
A: Yes, that doesn’t help.  I can’t focus today.  Sad face.

Did you find out C’s (I’m sure I’m butchering the spelling of her name) favorite candy bar?

S: Close!  Well, I just took a stab and got her a snickers.  It was pretty entertaining though.  It pretty much went exactly like I was anticipating—which I always like. 

A: Yay fun!  At one point I did have it spelled right but I never go with my instinct, naturally.  Did you see D again last night?

S: You blue, you.

No, but he did do the cutest thing!  I got home super late at like 1:30, and there was something waiting for me on the doorstep.  He had left me a rose and a note that said, “Just wanted to remind you how wonderful and beautiful you are”.  How cute is that?!

A: Awh!  Can’t beat that!! ;)

S: I know right?

Do you by any chance know of some markerboard that would be nice and small that I could wall mount, or even put on wall channels?

A: Not off the top of my head.  There’s the Visual work tools stuff but that’s probably more complex than what you’re needing.  I think Answer has the marker board skins too but don’t know how it would wall mount…

S: For your I’ll-be-darned collection

C:  No, it would need to be a separate whiteboard.
S:  That’s I what I figured, but I thought you might know some install wizardry that I didn’t.

A: Hahaha!  So did the problem get resolved?
S: Sort of.  I just got a regular wall-mount whiteboard.  It’s not the size I wanted, but I guess it’s not terrible.

A: Saturday, in the park, I think it was the 4^th of July.
S: Does that mean you can hear my music?

A: Not all the time.  I heard that song and Only the Good Die Young. :)
S: Nice.  At least they were good songs :)  I got so used to only listening to Enya, that I forgot I needed to turn down my volume for everything else.

A: Hahaha oh I see that makes more sense!  I did enjoy those songs.  Only the Good Die Young reminds me of my two best friends and I dancing to it in front of our old dance studio late at night.  We’re such dorks, it’s great.  
I really want to leave.  Lucky you taking off soon! Perhaps you could sneak me out in your… purse?

S: … You might fit.  We could certainly try.

A: Think anyone would notice?

The mental image of that is sheer entertainment.

S: I know right?  Hah!  It would be quite the event, that’s for sure.

A: What I picture is me stepping foot first into your green purse.  After the first failed attempt I lay down on the purse and you proceed to pick up your purse, mostly covered by me, and grab the handles on either side of course.  You struggle vigorously to lift the purse with both handles and me in/on it.  Since that kind of worked you hobble to the door with me laying essentially flat like a board, red faced and bullets of sweat running down your face.  Success as we hit the sunlight and I scramble to my car. I peel out and head home into the sunlight while you straggle behind out of breath from the episode I just caused you.

A: How is it possible I have no interest on this month’s credit card purchases for my Alaska Airlines card?  I’m not complaining!
S: Nice!  That is always a good day!
S: 

A: Haha that’s great!  I’m guessing that’s aimed toward Gen Y-ers.
A: It's a snipe!

S: Ah!  It’s like my mascot!
A: My personal favorite snipe:

S: Hah!  Do snipes like chocolate?

A: Oh they love chocolate! :)
S: I think I found it!  ca-caw ca-caw, Rawr!!
A: I like how G went back for seconds of the cinnamon roll.

S: Steelcase makes e-cards?!?  No freaking way!

A: Yes they do!  I was just testing it out :)

S: Excellent notion.  I think we should start sending them to all of our customers.  Nothing says ‘I care’ like an e-card after all :)