Monday, January 29, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Friday Boogie Break
Some Mary J. "Family Affair"
Kylie "Spinning Around"
What "The Office" teaches us. an article from MSN.
What "The Office" Teaches Us About WorkBy Robert Half International
The popular TV show "The Office" hilariously satirizes the nine-to-five work world. The sitcom features a collection of cube-dwelling characters who are occasionally offensive, petty, obnoxious, inept, annoying, self-absorbed or unproductive -- or all of the above.
The show has clearly resonated with the public and pop-culture enthusiasts, perhaps because people sometimes catch a glimpse of "The Office" in their own workplaces. But "The Office" offers viewers more than just laughs. The show is a cautionary tale serving up weekly reminders of how not to behave in a professional setting. With the corporate misfits of "The Office" in mind, use the following tips to avoid becoming the person your colleagues dread to see walking toward them.
Joke with care. When it comes to having a good sense of humor in the workplace, focus on developing the "good sense" part. While most professionals can easily identify jokes that fall into the "absolutely acceptable" and "clearly inappropriate" categories, they have trouble navigating the gray area in between. Many employees have found themselves in hot water for merely inching a toe over this fine line. So, if you're unsure if you should tell an off-color joke or forward a risqué e-mail, remember that it's better to be safe than sorry. No matter how well you think you know a colleague, refrain from joking about age, race, religion, gender or other sensitive subjects. Also, steer clear of making sarcastic remarks, which can be easily misconstrued.That said, levity does have a place in "The Office" environment. Having the ability to laugh at yourself -- and difficult situations -- goes a long way toward maintaining perspective, reducing stress and building rapport with co-workers. But you don't need to be "The Office" comedian to win over your colleagues. Just be willing to see the lighter side of the workplace.
Forgo fulsome flattery. There's nothing wrong with trying to impress your boss. After all, your manager plays a pivotal role in your career advancement. But it's important to be sincere, and actions speak louder than words. Show your boss that you're loyal to the firm by working hard and making smart decisions, not by playing politics or becoming a tattletale. The most respected and well-liked professionals treat each person in "The Office" with the same level of courtesy. Those who don't burn bridges and breed contempt among co-workers.
Avoid the gossip grapevine. Unfortunately, the ubiquity of workplace whispering can make gossiping an easy pastime to adopt. Skipping the opportunities to share juicy rumors about a pending merger or a colleague's weekend adventure can be hard to resist. But resist them anyway. Talking behind someone's back or passing along highly sensitive or unsubstantiated information as fact will only undermine your credibility. Though it can be beneficial to be aware of what's being said by the water cooler chit-chatters, it's wise to keep the information to yourself.
While funny and farcical, "The Office" does shine a spotlight on the many pitfalls of exercising poor judgment in the workplace. Use what you learn to handle yourself with tact and professionalism. And always remember that people enjoy working with individuals they like. By showing respect to both your boss and your co-workers, you'll build camaraderie -- and a solid reputation.
Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 330 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Oscar Ballot
http://a.oscar.abc.com/media/2007/images/nominees/printballot_2007_2.pdf
Friday, January 19, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Employee of the Month
There's a big shock. Way to go Kevin. I guess if we all "went to lunch" with the boss, we'd get awards (and STD's) too. All your valuable "input" for the "team" has been appreciated. Actually that part is true, thanks for taking one for the team. What would we do without you. Dick.
New Hire Welcome Kit
Dear _____________, Welcome to the department. We will add you to Sharepoint and get you on the monthly meeting roster. We're glad you are here.
Sincerely,
_________________
Boss
Thursday, January 11, 2007
a cube by any other name
19 Human Litterbox (hang a toilet paper holder by the door)...
18 Cube farm
17 Mush-room
16 Door-less Padded cell
15 An Office? Not 'Exactly'
14 Soul-Sucking Pod o' Death
13 Tomb of the Unknown Bureaucrat
12 Slack-In-The-Box
11 Headquarters, Jodie Foster Fan Club
10 Peon Palazzo
09 Yuppie Terrarium
08 The SnackFooda Triangle
07 Liberal Arts Majors Entry Point
06 Luxury Manhattan Apartment
05 Picasso's Folly
04 International Porn (or any other topic) Downloading Headquarters
03 Fortress of Servitude
02 Casa de Livin' La Vida Veal
01 Wraparound Turbo Demoralizer 2000
hmmmmm
- Being told to "Think Outside the Box" when I'm in the @#$%? box all day!
- Not being able to check E-mail attachments without first seeing who is behind me.
- Fabric cubicle walls do not offer much protection from any kind of gunfire.
- That nagging feeling that if I just press the right button, I will get a piece of cheese.
- Lack of roof rafters for the noose.
- My walls are too close together for my hammock to work right.
- Women: Damned near impossible to adjust your bra or slip without comment.
- Men: Co-workers tend to stare when you take your pants off.
- 23 power cords, 1 outlet.
- Prison cells are not only bigger, they have beds.
- When tours come through, I get lots of peanuts thrown at me.
- Can't slam the door when you quit and walk out.
Fun T-Shirt for those Departmental Get-Aways
No really, Get Away! Friday Boogie Break
"Call on Me" Eric Prydz, the real video was too much, this is funnier.
Kylie, enough said
WTF, I thought Brit was off the drugs.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Biggest News Article of 2006, well of all time really
Kevin Federline, Wife DivorceDecember 18, 2006 Issue 42•51
Celebrities and personal drama took center stage before a gossip-hungry public this year, and perhaps none received more press than superstar rapper Kevin Federline. So when his wife of two years abruptly filed for divorce, the country took notice.
K-FINISHEDFederline, whose immense success allowed him to buy expensive jewelry for his ex-wife.
According to Federline's publicist, Marilyn Chang, the spouse, a 24-year-old entertainer who worked as a singer and foreground dancer at Federline performances before wedding him in 2004, presented Federline with divorce papers on Nov. 7 citing irreconcilable differences.
"K-Fed gave it his best, but in the end it just wasn't meant to be," said Chang of the reportedly tumultuous relationship between Federline and his partner, whose vocal talents have been featured on several pop and dance albums. "The good news is that this separation might afford Kevin the opportunity to finally move on and grow as an artist. This marriage was really slowing him down, and I think many will agree with me when I say we want the old Kevin back."
Federline is seeking sole custody of his two sons, claiming his estranged wife, a struggling actress who has appeared in soft-drink commercials, is unfit to care for 1-year-old Sean Preston and 3-month-old Jayden James.
"Kevin is a family man," Chang said. "He will do whatever is necessary to protect his kids, and he will not be undermined by this irresponsible hanger-on, who was only in the marriage to springboard her own career."
Federline has two children from a previous relationship with Shar Jackson, costar of the mid-90s UPN sitcom Moesha and a featured player in the 1997 Nickelodeon feature Good Burger.
© Copyright 2006, Onion, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Onion is not intended for readers under 18 years of age.
WTF...
"Hello all! I had my mom cook something for us (but I can cook it too- believe it or not!)… It is a spinach + feta cheese pastry, can be eaten cold or warm, morning or afternoon and it is called ‘BOREK’ in Turkish. Please come by my office, outside the printer room and taste one! You will not regret it :)."
Why do we let them in?
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Rules to live by...
Rule #1. Do NOT for any reason get on a ferry outside of the US. Especially in or near Africa. They sink all of the time. Most recently one in Indonesia went down. over 500 passengers and 177 have been rescued so far. Seriously, this is a weekly occurence off the coasts of Africa. Trust us, Don't Do It. You'd be better off swimming.
Rule #2. Do NOT for any reason get on a bus in Mexico or Central/South America. The reason for this also form the daily and weekly news about how they are always falling off cliffs. Down the cliff with few survivors. I don't really recommend any other form of transportation in these areas, i.e. scooters, just walk. or rent a tank or some sort of all terrain armored vehicle.
There will be more rules to come as we analyze trends in worlds happening.
