Recently I switched from working in the Reservations Office to working in the Marketing Department. I have been assigned various projects. I was working on something today and was brainstorming. I walked around the office and asked everyone for their childhood vacation memory. What was the typical family vacation? What I discovered was there is no set "typical" family vacation.
For my family, it was the trek to the beach. Myrtle Beach. One trip, in particular, rings a bell because we felt like glorified Beverly Hillbillies - only I didn't realize it at the time. It started with our station wagon. There is a running '70s cliche about the white station wagon with the wood paneling. That is exactly what we had. I don't think we wore a seat belt the whole trip as my dad chain smoked Salem lights. This was a very different time with no glimpse of anything remotely politically correct.
A few years ago the main question in the media was WHERE?
Where's Waldo? Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? Where in the world is Matt Lauer?
And in a historical context, where is Jimmy Hoffa? Where is Amelia Earhart? Not to imply they are at ACE by any means. Just making a reference.
And my personal childhood favorite - Where's the Beef?
These days, the main "Where" question is "Where is Conan O'brien going to move?" However, I have a new question for all ACE fanatics. There is a mystery afoot at ACE these day. The Welcome Center is gone. I made up fliers and put them up around town. No response. I put a picture of the Welcome Center on milk cartons to no avail.
How was I to know that one afternoon could change my life? You never know when love will find you. I never expected "The Notebook." Frankly, I expected "Grumpy Old Men." When we met, it was like in a movie. I was walking toward her and everything became slow motion. I tried to play it cool but she had me at hello. I felt a goofy grin come over my face and I knew it was love. People always say that when you know, you know. I knew.
We spent the afternoon together with some other co-workers. They could tell I had it bad for her. She let me call her B. B. She seemed to understand my every move. And she was such a good listener. I talked and talked and she was a captive audience. Then Trish was there to get our picture. Normally, it would have been corny to get a picture on your first date but this seemed OK. It was love.
So this year, I have made a list of ACE-related New Year's Resolutions. I readily admit that I have not taken advantage of all that we offer here, but this is my year: Scott's top 10 for 2010.
Now, what you have to understand - and I have referred to it in many blogs - is that I am moderately to severely athletically challenged. More aptly put, I am a clutz. Sometimes, situations like that make me very nervous. And those nerves can breed what I call "the donkey laugh." A loud, honking hee haw of a laugh.
It surfaced once at a Moroccan restaurant that had a belly dancer. And she was very buxom. Well, she took a shine to me and gyrated and thrusted to the point that it was full tilt donkey city. I still can't eat couscous.
Lately, I have been overcome with the news. This all began in December with the endless snow. I felt like Jack Nicholson in The Shining; all of the snow was driving me over the edge. And that was topic one on everyone's mind. Have you checked the weather? When was the last time you checked the weather?
First of all, I am not Willard Scott. Secondly, the only 100th birthday I celebrate will be my own. Smuckers or not. Why is everyone obsessed with milk and bread when it snows? I am concerned with Little Debbie cakes and Coronas. Obviously, my priorities took a U-turn.
My Google Calendar is overloaded with things. Deadlines. Appointments. The last thing I want to worry about is a made-up, fake holiday like Valentine's Day.
You will not see me going out and buying a Ground Hog's Day card. To me, Ground Hog's Day is a movie, not an occasion. And Arbor Day. Is it ironic to buy an Arbor Day card made of paper from a tree? It totally challenges my newly discovered green attitude. We are killing trees to make cards made of trees for a fake holiday about trees. Confusing.
But I digress. This is about February 14th, and how ACE has just what you need for this so-called holiday.
Posted by: ScottP in Thomas The Cat on
Jan 29, 2010
Thomas the office cat passed away this month after a long illness.
Seasons change. Employees come and go. Guests check in and check out. Thomas, however, was the one constant at ACE.
I worked in the Reservations Office for 2 seasons before I moved to Marketing and have had the Thomas experience. Reservations was Thomas' home and he ran the roost. He was the king, and he knew it.
