Company Christmas Parties

Last night we went to Music Man's company Christmas Party.

I didn't really want to go mainly because we've had a few issues with the company but as a member of management, Music Man felt it was important we go. I tried to convince him in the days leading up to it the cat would be an awesome companion but he didn't believe me, so Miss Goofy and I went with him.

It was at a chain restaurant that we'd wanted to try but hadn't yet done so. Kind of an upscale Chuck E. Cheese, complete with video games and a bar, only more expensive and they don't serve pizza. Sadly, we weren't allowed to make use of the bar, since it was a company function and for some reason drinking at their functions is banned.

I did get to at least see a bunch of people Music Man works with. We didn't talk to a lot of people. Mainly cause, well, I'm pretty sure no one really wanted to be there. Music Man works for a corporation that has several used car lots in the Midwest and they're expanding into the South. This party was for the lot where my husband works and it's satellite lot. There were probably sixty people there, including the Area Operations Manager, Music Man's boss's boss and the HR Lady. Both of whom didn't really seem to want to be there but it seemed Music Man's boss, we'll call him, Big D, pestered the heck out of them to get them there.

See, Big D has only been at the lot for 10 months. I know cause he said so last night when he gave a little speech about how wonderful the lot was. Anyway, at last year's party, (I really hope kids weren't present) there was alcohol. A lot of alcohol. And then there were the gifts. Oh the gifts. For some reason this company now frowns on adult toys being given at an office Christmas party. Personally, I'm thinking last year's party was way more fun than this years. Needless to say, heads rolled, people got fired and this year the General Manager, Big D, was a nervous wreck and harangued people from corporate into coming to the party so there was no hint of impropriety.

The AOM (that's the area operations manager), is well an aggressive piece of...dog doo. Not a nice man. He came over to Music Man and started asking very abrupt questions. "Where exactly have been this week?" (He'd been to several lots recently) "What'd you think of the GM?" "He spends too much time in his office, doesn't he?" It went on like that. Needless to say we were not impressed with his lack of professionalism.

The HR Lady didn't really talk to anyone except Big D and the AOM. Music Man said bye to her as she was leaving and she turned briefly, said bye and walked away. We'd be worried but she had a guy with her that no one had ever met. I hope she had a lovely night. After last year's party, she earned the nickname "The Grim Reaper" cause if she was on the lot it meant someone was getting fired.

We spent the night talking to one of the salesmen. A lovely older gentleman, who I'm only going to call Mr. C. He was so sweet and lovely to talk to. He's only been with the company for a short time and he lives about an hour from the lot so for him to have driven in and attended the party was a bit of hassle for him. I'm glad he did though. We chatted briefly with the other salesman Mr. A although he's pretty young, so I'm not sure I like the Mr. part of his name. He had his lovely wife with him. She was a sweet and quiet thing. Not sure what she thought of the party or the company. They left pretty quickly after the party.

The other person we talked to used to be a salesman at Music Man's lot. He's now in the manager-in-training program and at a different lot. He's a hoot and his wife is just as wonderful. She's funny and reminded me a lot of me, down to the bleached hair that needs to be done again. Anyway, MIT L, that's what I'll call him, asked if he could borrow Music Man for a minute. He told me he was trying to get Music Man to start smoking.

I have to interrupt myself here to say, Music Man and I both grew up with parents who smoked. Neither of us do now and we're quite proud of that fact. To us it's a waste of money. However, Music Man and this particular work buddy have had a running joke about my husband's lack of smoking. It seems nearly everyone here smokes. That said I have to add that one of the women Music Man works with had smoked for her entire pregnancy. NO ONE HAD TOLD HER IT WAS BAD FOR THE BABY!!! I asked Music Man what about her doctor? He said he didn't know. Anyway, she found out after she had the baby it was bad for the child and quit. I'm so impressed with her for that. I hope she has quit for good.

Back to what I was saying, MIT L had asked to borrow Music Man and had made the joke. I said, if you get him started smoking, I'll have to kill you and I know where to hide the bodies. He laughed, his wife laughed, Music Man laughed. Everyone was laughing. MIT L then said, "As long as it's painful, bring it on." More laughter. His wife smiled and said about the same time as his comment, "I like her." I stuck out my hand and said, "Hi, I'm Micki." She introduced herself and we all joked a bit later when we were all trying to leave.

So to summarize the events of last night. We went to Music Man's company Christmas party. It was interesting in the kind of way that a car crash is interesting. I don't think I'd like to attend another one, but you never know what's going to happen. We had a good time if you think watching a bunch of people who are so afraid they're all going to get fired that they sit stiffly in their chairs and laughing is frowned on the way it is in church is fun.

The best part of the evening and possibly the most interesting: The GM's wife didn't come to the party. Her parents were in town but to me this spoke volumes. Why not bring the in-laws too? There was plenty of food. I'm just saying it was interesting.

Music Man

Some of the comments this man makes while playing World of Warcraft with his boss are...well they would be odd if it wasn't my husband.

Tonight his comment was, "Damn it I set myself on fire again."

My thought, "For real or in the game?"

The barbecue may have gotten him a few times in the past.

You Know You've Been in Oklahoma Too Long When...

1. You tell people you like both kinds of music; Country and Western and you are able to give examples of both.

2. In a restaurant you no longer have to ask if something is fried, you know it is.

3. You know you'll have your choice of tables in the nonsmoking section.

4. You start contemplating financing a tattoo.

5. You keep wondering what happened to everyone's accent.

6. You no longer nap during NASCAR.

7. You no longer think of environmental causes and try to find an answer, instead you start blaming them. After all, they are causes.

8. When you drive past a spot where a skunk sprayed and your out-of-state relatives react, you have no idea what they're talking about.

9. You know which casinos pay the best.

10. College football and God. In that order.

11. You long for a carrot that's not deep-fried.

12. Road kill. It's what's for dinner.

13. You see lost cow posters.

14. Even the Mexican's can't cook Mexican food.

15. You finally achieve your life-long career goal: disability.

16. You see lost cow posters and recognize the cow.