Wrapping up some stuff before leaving for Maine, the Director of PCL Production stopped by to say "hi" and asked if I was attending the 3Q Rewards & Recognitions ceremony next week. She reacted sheepishly when I said I was on vacation next week: "Uh, well I better tell you then, you've won an award." And... for -- get this! Demonstrating Core Corporate Values.

Management and Staff nominate candidates every quarter, and usually I set those chipper e-mails to "auto-delete". I am the first to have received nominations from both locations. I win "Company Bux" to purchase cool items like a Bose Radio -- which I just might!

Days like this make me feel I'm living in a novel by Sartre. Any minute now, I'll panic as I watch myself turn into a giant cockroach or millipede. Although I can't see that I do much to add value to the company, I get glowing reviews and raises and... now awards. (Cynical laughter.) Well... Job Security I guess.

I will add to this entry later: I'm putting off going to the Mall to purchase gifts for my family. I have no idea what to get any of them -- what do you get for folks who have everything? What do I get for a 1 year old child that's not a pukey stuffed animal or an educational toy...?