Showing Appreciation

Generally speaking, people these days don't expect much from work when it comes to the holidays. I hold my own expectations low, not because it won't happen, but more so as to avoid possible disappointment. However, I find I should have held my expectations exceedingly high this year instead. A good thing from anyone's point of view. The company I work for had a good year this year, and apparently good things (as well as sh@t) roll downhill, at least in this case.

Our sales person has a habit of making promises to new clients that are rediculously outlandish. A common "ailment" among many sales people and the top reason why sales and IT generally mix as well as oil and water. Among them are quick start dates. By that I mean, sign the contract and we'll have you on board and ready to go in a week! That's just fine for one client, but it seems this particular individual prefers to do this in groups of three. One person does not have enough hours in the day to crank out code to board three clients in such short spans of time.

As if to make up for this, the previously mentioned sales person has been lavishing gifts upon people. She bought a bottle of wine for everyone in my group, and sent at least some of us a link to a site where you pick your own gift. The choices were pretty nice too. Neither gift was expected, but I refuse to look a gift-horse in the mouth as it were.

Each year, my boss' boss brings in a gift for me as well. Usually it is a box of truffles. Yum. This year though, I was upgraded to a hot chocolate "kit" I guess you would call it. Four mugs, cocoa mix, mini marshmallows and all the necessary items. Everyone else got the old box of truffles. Not that I am scoffing at their truffles for they are quite good, but still...

As a final surprise, last night I was informed by one of the management that I am going to be presented with a huge 30" LCD monitor for my computer or something else of my choice if I so desired. I was blown away and quite literally beside myself. When I worked for the old MSS my Christmas bonuses were measly compared to the value of this. Although I did get a bonus in that day and time. So certainly nothing to scoff at.

At first I said yay to the monitor, but after thinking about it I realized that I would feel guilty having a monitor that nice that wouldn't get used often. So instead I am opting for a very nice digital SLR.

I have wanted a digital SLR since they first came out. They have always been out of our budget. Especially these days. Finally I will have my chance! And not just for some mid-grade SLR either. I can't wait nor can I put into words how excited that makes me. I have spent all day researching different camera models and I think I have found one I like. Now the wait begins...I will submit a short list of digital SLR models to management tonight and let them make the purchase. How exciting! Woo hoo! I haven't really "enjoyed" taking photos that much since my photography days in college. Ahh, those were fun times. Krista and I developed many photos together in the dark room there. Something tells me those times are coming back!