I took dad to the barber shop. It was a quiet day, and soon only one of the two barbers was busy. The other one - the barber not cutting my dad's hair - picked up his guitar, which was conveniently at hand, and began playing songs that we knew, or thought we knew, and just like that a sing-a-long broke out. Sometimes we had the words; sometimes we just hummed; occasionally a passerby would stick his/her head to see what they were hearing and smiled appreciatively; and before we knew it 10 minutes had passed, my dad's hair was high and tight, and enjoyed a spontaneous moment of fun at work.
This can't happen everywhere or every day, but when it does, everyone benefits.
So next time you have a momentary lull, break out your guitar, ukelele, kazoo, etc., and give you and the people you work with and for, an unexpected treat. I think they'll thank you!
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Fun Food
When I go shopping - and yes, I do occasionally shop - I always include a line item for Fun Food. What this is varies according to my mood and what is available in the store. Cookies, Ice Cream, It's It bars, Sweet rolls, etc., have all qualified at one time or other.
So, why not have a Fun Food Party? Each person brings in his/her favorite fun food and co-workers and colleagues nosh their way through the tasty treats.
And, if fun food is too restrictive, you could expand to Comfort Foods - mac and cheese comes right to mind - and really make a day of it.
Bon appetit!
So, why not have a Fun Food Party? Each person brings in his/her favorite fun food and co-workers and colleagues nosh their way through the tasty treats.
And, if fun food is too restrictive, you could expand to Comfort Foods - mac and cheese comes right to mind - and really make a day of it.
Bon appetit!
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Millions of reasons to celebrate
The San Francisco Giants just celebrated the 50,000,000 person to come to a game at their home field. There was a big brouhaha and much ado and feting of the lucky individual.
Most organizations have similar milestones available to them. The millionth search; millionth interlibrary loan; millionth customer; etc. I think these are all worthy of celebration and are probably very easy to arrange. When I was a Santa Clara University, it was easy to figure out when the 1,000,000th search on out catalog was done. At 999,990 I began to count down and when I saw the milestone search I went to the reference room and casually asked who had done a particular search. When I found the person I congratulated her and had her picture taken and made as much of a fuss as I could. She felt great; so did I.
So much of what we do we take for granted; it is the nature of business. But when the opportunity arrives to cheer and especially to involve a customer/client in the process I don't think that opportunity should be forsaken.
So go ahead. Get some balloons; a camera; a special award; and make that millionth of whatever sort the big deal that it is.
Most organizations have similar milestones available to them. The millionth search; millionth interlibrary loan; millionth customer; etc. I think these are all worthy of celebration and are probably very easy to arrange. When I was a Santa Clara University, it was easy to figure out when the 1,000,000th search on out catalog was done. At 999,990 I began to count down and when I saw the milestone search I went to the reference room and casually asked who had done a particular search. When I found the person I congratulated her and had her picture taken and made as much of a fuss as I could. She felt great; so did I.
So much of what we do we take for granted; it is the nature of business. But when the opportunity arrives to cheer and especially to involve a customer/client in the process I don't think that opportunity should be forsaken.
So go ahead. Get some balloons; a camera; a special award; and make that millionth of whatever sort the big deal that it is.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Tom Swifties
The theme in this morning's (5/18) New York Times crossword puzzle was Tom Swifties. Do you remember these. They were once a fad of terrific proportion. For example:
"And that's another plus for you," said Tom positively.
"Can't we get this balloon to fly any faster," said Tom blowing hot air.
"I can get there faster than you," said Tom swiftly.
(See http://www.fun-with-words.com/tom_swifties.html for more examples.)
In any event, it could be fun to create these little puns out of your workplace environment.
"I'll help you find that source," said the librarian searchingly.
"I can negotiate the contract," said Tom tactfully.
You get the idea. It's a game for one and all, and the winner can say, "I won," triumphantly!
"And that's another plus for you," said Tom positively.
"Can't we get this balloon to fly any faster," said Tom blowing hot air.
"I can get there faster than you," said Tom swiftly.
(See http://www.fun-with-words.com/tom_swifties.html for more examples.)
In any event, it could be fun to create these little puns out of your workplace environment.
"I'll help you find that source," said the librarian searchingly.
"I can negotiate the contract," said Tom tactfully.
You get the idea. It's a game for one and all, and the winner can say, "I won," triumphantly!
Monday, May 11, 2015
May 14th - Chicken Dance Day
Okay, you know what you have to do on Chicken Dance Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOgC5ZwaMwI
As the lyric says: "Do the chicken dance; make you happy for sure."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOgC5ZwaMwI
As the lyric says: "Do the chicken dance; make you happy for sure."
Edward Lear - Creator of the Limerick
May 12 is the birthday of the wonderful Edward Lear, creator of the limerick. In his honor, and with all suitable apologies to his skills, I offer the following trifle.
May 12 is the birthday of Edward Lear,
Who deserves a most rousing cheer,
He developed the trick,
That lead to the limerick,
A poetic form that we now hold most dear.
For more on Mr. Lear: http://www.biography.com/people/edward-lear-9376108
Sunday, April 19, 2015
I Like Limericks
Limericks seems to be the theme that people who visit here enjoy the most. I refer you to http://humorinlibraries.blogspot.com/2010/10/library-limericks.html for examples.
And here is one from Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!
This librarian has a new role.
The stacks I no longer patrol.
The patrons all flip as they check out my strip.
I'm dancing and working the pole.
The connection? "Mayfield Public Library in Scotland is hoping to attract new membership and interest in the library by offering a free pole dancing class this weekend, during an event called "Love Your Library Day.""
And here is one from Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!
This librarian has a new role.
The stacks I no longer patrol.
The patrons all flip as they check out my strip.
I'm dancing and working the pole.
The connection? "Mayfield Public Library in Scotland is hoping to attract new membership and interest in the library by offering a free pole dancing class this weekend, during an event called "Love Your Library Day.""
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