sixlets

my current tweet/facebook status:

"just discovered what was missing in my 24 years of life: sixlets. http://www.oldtimecandy.com/sixlets.htm"

pretty much, this is good stuff. apparently, sixlets are nostalgic for people, but i don't think i've ever had them before today! my one co-worker thinks sixlets are better than M&Ms. i'm going to have to test each one for quality of chocolate flavor and satisfyingness. i think that i will be a more un-biased judge, seeing as i have no nostalgic obligation to the sixlets but i'm also very open to new experiences of chocolate.


so far, the sixlets are crunchier, so the crunch is satisfying, but i'm not so sure about the flavor. i think that the flavor of the sixlets could use a little more chocolate and a little less candy shell flavor. and they definitely taste different depending on the color of shell you choose to eat. the orange ones definitely have an orange flavor. again, i'm not sure it this is a good thing. it does add more variety, if you're into that. me, i'm a purist.

in summary:

sixlets

• satisfying crunch
• variety of flavors
• less chocolatey

M&Ms

• less crunchy
• more chocolatey
• consistent, dependable flavor
• Abby's choice

blame

somehow, the sun is out being sunny and everyone seems to be down this whole week. i would blame it on the weather, which is usually my solid go-to when i need to blame something, but the sun has been out all week.

never fear, though! i have a theory. actually, it's several small theories that amount to one big theory (not to be confused with the big bang theory, which isn't really a theory but a tv show).

we were spoiled by the heat wave from a couple weeks ago. suddenly, it's sunny but not so warm. it's such a letdown.

also, all of the fun springtime allergies are kicking in. that, plus the change of seasons (apparently, they are two different causes -- two sicknesses, if you will) is giving everyone major allergy symptoms. it's hard to be chipper when you head is clogged and/or aching.

um. so really, it's just two points in my theory. but i think i'm right. does anyone else have any opinions they'd like to share?

april fools day 2010

this was the best april fools day i have ever experienced. EVER.

the morning started as soon as the earliest early birds attempted to clock in for work. i say "attempted" because they couldn't! for some reason, about half the company's mice would not work. this was hours before i had walked in the door, so i had no clue how the chain reaction actually went down. i do know our IT guy stayed late the night before to run some end of the month reports, and so he was one of the first to be blamed, but it didn't end there. i'm told that i was even suspected, since i'm the late shift supervisor. people even checked this blog! i'm so flattered. but of course, if i had planned a diabolical april fools prank, i would have waited until AFTER the prank completed its full life cycle before writing about it. anyway, when i walked in, people had already retaliated against the person they thought had been the culprit. that person was not me, and they were not happy. and they told me about it.

as is his daily routine, my manager took his 10am smoke break. big mistake. as an ode to the episode of The Office where JAM hides Andy's phone in the ceiling, we hid someone's cell phone in the ceiling directly above said manager's desk. unfortunately, it did not ring with an annoying a cappella version of "Rockin' Robin." but it was still really good. i will let my Twitter updates recap this one:

long weekend, getting out early: definitely a good day for an#aprilfools joke. ;)5:30 AM Apr 1st via web

news alert! my manager has lost his bouncy ball. we're all being interrogated. if it was you, please return it.6:28 AM Apr 1st via API

ok, he's now hearing music in his office and he can't find the source...6:31 AM Apr 1st via web

now he's checking the server room for the source of the music...6:36 AM Apr 1st via API

alright really, who has the bouncy ball? he's taken the phone hostage (found it in the ceiling) and wants the bouncy ball for ransom.7:09 AM Apr 1st via API

update: phone #2 was found playing the theme from The Office and returned unharmed. phone #1 is still being held for ransom.8:50 AM Apr 1st via API

RT @narbhflaith: Every day, every moment is a blessing. Especially with the way this office does April Fools!#fb9:13 AM Apr 1st via Chromed Bird

RT @alyankovic: As a wise man once said, “April Fools Day is for amateurs. You NEVER need an excuse to mess with people's heads.”11:02 AM Apr 1st via Chromed Bird

so, that's how it went down. phone #2 was mine, and i knew he would find it taped to the bottom of his chair, but it was good closure, what with the Office prank and then the Office theme song. :) i just couldn't help myself. we eventually found the black bouncy ball sitting on a desk in the department. he must have left it there earlier in the morning and forgot. once found, someone typed out a ransom note saying, "we have the black bouncy ball. we are willing to exchange it for the phone. please leave the phone at the drop spot and you will get your ball back." the "drop spot" was explained as the counter by the back door to the bathroom. he was extremely stubborn about not giving the phone back and sacrificing the bouncy ball forever, if that's what it took. he ended up giving it back before his lunch break.

but then, while he was out of the department doing something, we all had a brilliant idea! 

and now for the big finish! most of customer service's phone hidden around our manager's office, all called at the same time! what a noise!11:21 AM Apr 1st via Chromed Bird

as the Supervisor, i thoroughly approved of this as a team building exercise. morale in Customer Service is high, and laughter is good for the soul. 

my birthday!

today was my birthday celebration in the department. yay! so, special thanks going out to my customer service peeps for thinking of me! a couple of honorable mentions:

• caitlin - for bringing in really awesome buffalo chicken dip. yum.
• the party planning committee - for planning another great excuse to pig out! 
• miss judy - for finding a card with my name on it! 
• audie - for decorating my office and giving me these beautiful flowers!

ok, these aren't the actual flowers. but they're close! and even prettier because they have a little red on the outside petals. 

so, in honor of my birthday...

The Office quote of the day: [after blowing out his candles] Michael Scott: I asked for trick candles. Dwight: Pam was supposed to get 'em. Michael Scott: Ok. Well, when she comes back we'll do it again.

how to land a job

x

it's that time again! the customer service department is hiring, and i realize that i have enough experience with this process to put some important tips out there. so, if you're reading this and you've been recently laid off and need a new job, please take the advice of someone who has spent a lot of time reviewing resumes, interviewing, and training new hires. this is the real world. put on your grown-up pants!

applying for the job

• write your resume.
• make sure there are no spelling errors.
• check your grammar.
• keep formatting consistent. if you're listing your jobs in bold, list all of your jobs in bold.
• make sure your phone number is on the resume.
• re-check grammar, spelling, and formatting.
• if there is an application to fill out, answer all the questions.

interview day

• show up. (you'd be surprised at how many people find this step difficult.)
• smile.
• answer every question. if "i don't know" is your answer, make up an answer.
• look interested.
• ask at least one question. if you don't have any questions, make one up.

date of hire!

• show up. (again, this one is often missed, but it's crucial to having a job.)
• try. or at least look like you're trying. 
• texting or checking your personal email while you're supposed to be training does not look like trying. 
• taking notes does look like trying.
• come back the next day. repeat. 

anything i'm missing? feel free to comment and add your own!

frequently misspelled word of the day - misspell

fun abbreviation of the day - CID - Consider It Done