Deep Thoughts By Kids...

I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don't have any clean laundry because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?
--Age 15

Give me the strength to change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big bag of money.
--Age 13

I bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.
--Age 13

My younger brother asked me what happens after we die. I told him we get buried under a bunch of dirt and worms eat our bodies. I guess I should have told him the truth--that most of us go to hell and burn eternally-- but I didn't want to upset him.
--Age 10

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
--Lori, age 8

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
--Ricky, age 10

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich. --Pam, age 7

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on Whether they seem to be yelling at the
same kids.
--Derrick, age 8

i doubt these were actually from kids but funny nonetheless.

-Brian L.

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FINALLY!!!

How many of you have struggled with a ketchup packet only to have the contents exploded all over your shirt? Why is there only enough ketchup in each packet for 2 frys? And why are these little devils virtually impossible to open without pliers (or for those without tools... teeth)? The tiny packets have p*ssed off millions for over 40 years...until now. My guess is the CEO of Heinz actually had to attempt to open his own ketchup packet for the first time and realized how frustrating this process can be. From this revelation we now have a design with 3 times the ketchup per packet, easy tear off top and the option to dip. Good design is good design, whether in a building, a car or a ketchup packet.

interesting side note: according to the CEO of Heintz, "We created the packet in 1968... and consumer complaints started around 1969."

-Brian L.

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I'll take 3

A life-size bronze sculpture of a man by Alberto Giacometti was sold Wednesday at a London auction for 65 million pounds ($104.3 million) — a world record for the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction, Sotheby’s auction house said

Sotheby’s had estimated the work would sell for between 12 to 18 million pounds. The sale price trumped the $104.17 million paid at a 2004 New York auction for Pablo Picasso’s 1905 “Boy With a Pipe (The Young Apprentice).” That painting broke the record that Vincent van Gogh had held since 1990, and its sale was the first time that the $100 million barrier was broken.

“L’Homme Qui Marche I,” a life-size sculpture of a thin and wiry human figure standing 72 inches (183 centimeters) tall , “represents the pinnacle of Giacometti’s experimentation with the human form” and is “both a humble image of an ordinary man, and a potent symbol of humanity,” Sotheby’s said. - Courtesy of MSN.

-Brian L.

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Dishwasher

I would like to take a moment to direct your attention to a small yet fairly obvious magnet affixed to the front of the dishwasher. For your reference, please see the attached photo (entitled “photo.jpg”). While some may believe its message is clear, other seem a bit adverse to truly understanding what the message insinuates. So for those who lack the ability to clearly comprehend its message, I offer the following explanation: When the word “Dirty” is up (or legible without standing on your head) it means that your dirty dishes belong inside the dishwasher. The attached photo shows the little magnet in the orientation described. Now, when the little magnet is in the opposite orientation (with the word “clean” clearly legible from our normal upright position) it would be helpful if every once in a while you partake in removing the “Clean” dishes from within the dishwasher and placing them in the appropriate spaces clearly labeled in the upper cabinets above the dishwasher and/or in the drawers adjacent to the dishwasher.

Thank you for your time and continued efforts. I hope this little explanation helps in some small way.

-Eric

p.s. - I know Eric took great time and effort to write this short story entitled "dirty dishes," but I think further explanation and clarification might be necessary. Perhaps a diagram, or sketch, or maybe an instructional video to help the class? If anyone else was confused, Eric has requested that you leave your dirty dishes at his desk and he will be sure they are taken care of properly. What a nice guy.

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Happy #% Birthday Naaz

No one really knows exactly which anniversary of her 40th birthday this was but we do know she likes little mini cupcakes. 23 for her and the last one split between the rest of the office. Those crumbs were delicious!

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How The Other Half Lives

Sly Stalone
John Travolta

Oprah

Billy Joel

Jennifer Lopez

Eddie Murphy

Eric Driever

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New Year Same Ol' Jack

-Jim

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Town Hall Video

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Architecture for 5 cents

I came across this article about an out-of-work architect and his plan to pull himself out of this economic pit. He lost his job (twice) in 2008 and decided to put up a home-made stand at a local farmers market. His pitch was to offer architectural advice for 5 cents. It worked. His modest approach has led him to multiple opportunities. A two-story home addition, a deck, a master bedroom, etc. Small work but its work he's enjoying... and he made more last year than any year prior working for someone else. As he put it... “It’s developed into what I was supposed to do. It’s a lot of work, it’s scary, but I love every minute of it. If someone offered me $80,000 to sit behind a computer, I wouldn’t do it.”

-Brian L.

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Test Answers

-Brian L.

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quote of the week

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination” - ?

"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway" - John Wayne

"I'd rather laugh and have a stomach ache than be negative and have a heart attack" - ?

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Cold Enough For Ya?

Everyone deals with cold weather in their own way...Brian Whitmore enjoys to keep warm with a handy dandy SNUGGIE (as seen on TV)

-Kim S.

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Peace for Families

In Recognition of Williams + Paddon’s leaderships commitment to community involvement and outreach the staff presented, as a Christmas gift, two rocking chairs to Jim and Jack to be donated to PEACE for Families and placed in the recently completed shelter.

Photo shows Jim and Jack presenting the Chairs to Michelle Coleman, PEACE for Families Executive Director.

Chairs where engraved with quotes:

“Rock to your dreams without ever leaving this spot” - Jack A. Paddon

“When you find yourself in times of challenge Rock On!” - James T. Williams

-Robert

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