An "Awarding" Experience

I belong to a group that will have its annual awards ceremony in August. Somehow I ended up on the awards ceremony committee, which means aside from planning food, date, and time for the ceremony, we're also responsible for nominating people for awards.

Thank heavens we all get along, because what could have been a nasty meeting instead turned into a laughter-filled one. The issue was whether or not to give everyone an award. I (surprise, surprise) came down on the side that we're not 2nd graders and adults are perfectly capable of attending an awards banquet and not walking out with an award and not feeling suicidal about it. (And if they do feel suicidal about it they have deeper issues and it's not my problem.) I also think it detracts from the specialness of the real awards if an obvious effort is made to ensure everyone gets a ribbon. Upset because you didn't get an award? Well hey--then there's your motivation to work harder next year.

There are two women on the committee who in all seriousness are probably among the most kind hearted, generous, and giving individuals I've ever met. Just lovely, lovely people. And they gently pointed out that just because I didn't need a ribbon, doesn't mean it wouldn't mean a lot to someone else. 

Good point. We reached a compromise where we will have "major" awards, and then perhaps quick recognition of members for various contributions and achievements, without going overboard on the "filler" awards.

At one point everyone was laughing at me for being such a hard-ass and I told them this is the reason I don't have children. "Didn't mommy just give you a hug yesterday, dear? Don't be needy." They were howling.

Of course, I'm also the person who ADORES the anti-motivational posters at www.despair.com.  My favorite is one that has a large picture of golden french fries in the bright red McDonalds box with the big old "M" trademark on the box. The caption underneath reads: Not Everyone Grows Up to be An Astronaut.

HA!

What's your take on the culture of awards? Are we overdoing it with the "everybody is a winner" mentality or are awards simple yet effective ways to motivate and boost morale?

Going Green

I have no idea what Blair and my combined "environmental footprint" might be, but I suspect it's on the largish size. While we verbally support going green and the environmental effort, the sad fact is that we are more words than action.

In an effort to come about, we recently ordered green bags off the Internet. These square, roomy, and sturdy bright green bags are made to replace the need for plastic bags--which refuse to decay and are taking over the earth. So the bags arrived and we carried them into the store and, I must say, I was feeling rather superior as I opened them at the register, eschewing the plastic bags mere mortals were using and hoping everyone was paying attention to the fine example we were setting.

The superiority didn't last long. While we did pack the groceries in the bags, we had forgotten to order produce bags. Which meant, of course, that we stuffed celery, carrots, peppers, apples, and grapes into plastic bags and then put those bags into our nice, environmentally-friendly bags. Drat. Foiled again.

Plus, while we take the bags in for weekly grocery shopping, we're finding it more of a challenge to remember to carry them into a Target or CVS. We've each draped several of the bags in the passenger seats of our cars in the hopes of remembering to USE them a little more often.

Baby steps. First the bags, then maybe one day we'll get rid of our gas-guzzler/polluter of an SUV in favor of a hybrid. But for now, if you see me walking around with a purchase in a plastic bag, you have permission to smack me.

Bathroom Graffiti

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That seems to be the attitude of The Green Bean, a coffee house I frequent as they have free wi-fi and will allow you to occupy one of their tables for hours on end with only the purchase of a small coffee. Kind of an artsy place as well, great for the creative spirit.

For the past several years, the Bean has suffered from bathroom graffiti (At least in the ladies room. I can't speak for the men's.) Inked commands to "Love God Now!" countered by the "God is a lie" and "Smoking weed is good for you" agendas.  The scribbling was out of control, with barely an inch of wall space left and "fights" taking place via writings on the wall.

The other week I noted that the Bean had taken action and painted the walls black. Depressing, but I supposed effective to stop the writing. Only they didn't stop there. I discovered today the black wall is actually a chalkboard and they've provided a big basket of thick, colored chalk for the messengers to write away with. I find this a clever way of keeping walls clean (one swipe and an offending message or language is gone) while still satisfying customer desire.

One thing that interests me. Some of the writings on the wall are rather bizarre and I have a hard time picturing the people I see at the Bean as writing them. But who knows what goes on in private when it's just you, a toilet, and a piece of chalk, eh? Power to the people...

Attack of the Dufusai

DUFUSAI:(noun) [Doo-fuss-eye] Of or pertaining to more than one dufus; plural of dufus; i.e., "The dufusai in the car behind us are gaining..."

Blair invented a new word. I like it. We were driving home and some hooligans (i.e., people younger than us) were driving haphazardly in a jeep in the lane next to us. "Beware the dufusai," said Blair.  We think it could be the next big thing for Webster's. Watcha think? =)