Bob, our project manager here at work, calls a Friday morning meeting each week where we update him on our status of the reporting and progress reports. In this meeting, Bob usually brings donuts, and a trinket gift of some sort. He walks around the room as the meeting opens, reaches into a bag, and pulls out a little something for each of us. Its always themed. A few weeks ago, it was Hotwheels cars.
Which is how I scored this sweet '71 Maverick Grabber:
On a later date, I received this Stingray:
Today, the theme was little bath toys.
Which is where I got this dolphin:
Which is where I got this dolphin:
Always random, and I'm not sure what the point is. But they make for great decoration in my 'cube'.
"Dr. Todd" works in the cubicle next to mine. He's about my age, and a PhD. We tell jokes to each other, and bust each others chops, all day. This morning, before our project update meeting, Dr. Todd said,
"What would you do if I said, 'I like turtles...' during my status update at the meeting today?"
I always accept his off the wall challenges, because he never follows through. So I responded with,
"I'll give you 5 bucks."
This is the point in our conversation where we get back to work and nothing is ever said about our bet again. Because they are always so off the wall, neither of us actually thinks the other is serious.
...Today was a game changer.
...This recollection of previous conversation is typical, because Dr. Todd has a huge brain.... He remembers everything. These random comments about things 6 months or a year ago, are not uncommon. So his comment about wanting to say "I like turtles..." would in fact be hilarious...to him and I. None of the other PhD's, engineers, project managers, or upper management would be amused.... But Dr. Todd and I would have thought this random humor would be priceless.
Fastforward back to this morning's meeting...
As the distribution of trinkets completed, Bob had each one of us report on our progress. A dozen or so of us reported, and the attention turned to Dr. Todd for his updates on the reporting. He started his comments as follows: "First of all, I'd just like to thank Bob for today's toy... Because, I like turtles." He held his toy in one hand, proudly displaying it for us all to see. ...you guessed it... A TURTLE!
Then he glared in my direction and gave me a smug look and a grin. Then carried on with his report.
I couldn't believe it. What are the odds, someone could say "I like turtles..." During a meeting of this caliber, and not look like a complete fool?!
I couldn't contain myself... I interrupted as Bob tried to continue with the meeting,
"Did you seriously give him a turtle?!" I exclaimed.
The meeting carried on... Leaving me to look like the fool.
Bravo, Dr. Todd, you bested me this time. You'll get yours...I'll get you for this.
...Until then. Here's your $5.
(I know what you are thinking...they had to have conspired this ahead of time. Let me say, Bob is much to serious of a guy to be willing to participate in our shenanigans. I'm positive he had nothing to do with this. And Dr. Todd mentioned saying his quote, long before Bob had even shown up today, so I know he had no idea what the trinkets were, and once more... had no idea which one he would receive randomly from the bag. This was a complete, random act. And I'm not sure, it could happen again in a million years.)
Then he glared in my direction and gave me a smug look and a grin. Then carried on with his report.I couldn't believe it. What are the odds, someone could say "I like turtles..." During a meeting of this caliber, and not look like a complete fool?!
I couldn't contain myself... I interrupted as Bob tried to continue with the meeting,
"Did you seriously give him a turtle?!" I exclaimed.
The meeting carried on... Leaving me to look like the fool.
Bravo, Dr. Todd, you bested me this time. You'll get yours...I'll get you for this.
...Until then. Here's your $5.
(I know what you are thinking...they had to have conspired this ahead of time. Let me say, Bob is much to serious of a guy to be willing to participate in our shenanigans. I'm positive he had nothing to do with this. And Dr. Todd mentioned saying his quote, long before Bob had even shown up today, so I know he had no idea what the trinkets were, and once more... had no idea which one he would receive randomly from the bag. This was a complete, random act. And I'm not sure, it could happen again in a million years.)
