Turkey Trot!

Folsom Turkey Trot 2008

From left to right: Steve, Joey, Nicki, and myself.

Dogs were welcome!

Everyone waiting for the 5K to begin

In the Parkway

There must have been at least 1,500 people The finish line!

A great way to begin Thanksgiving day, with a fundraiser. Our last minute decision meant we walked our 5K with only four employees. We tried to recruit as many as we could from Circuit City, but to no avail. However, we ejoyed ourselves and donated to a good cause.

Finally, a taste of fall!

I hate kats...

Today is one of those rare days where I actually have a lot to write about. Unfortunately I'm tired, and don't have the gumption tonight. Why can't I ever win?

I've decided to write about my friend Tom. A bunch of us ex-Borders inc employees decided to get together for a '3 year reunion'. I worked for Borders Books from 2003-2005 and made a few friends for life. Tom was is one of them. Tonight we met at the Streets of London Pub. Tom and I got to talking and he told me of his unexpected termination from Borders recently.

Tom was is one of those guys who you can't wait to see every day. He has the personality as unpredictable as the grey hairs on his short beard. And if he happened to not work on your scheduled shift, you would be disappointed with your day. Tom is also a part time minister and columnist in Folsom. You can read his articles in the Folsom Telegraph every Tuesday. He ministers at the Harbor Church held at Folsom Middle School.

Well, on with his story...

Borders in Folsom was replaced with a new director last month. Tom had worked with the same GM for the last 8-9 years. Upon the first week of the directors arrival, who we will call The Kat, Tom was given a write-up. The second week he was given another for taking an urgent phone call (which pertained to his only son) while on duty. His third and final write up was put into motion in week three. So, in the short time The Kat had been in 'office' he replaced a 9 year veteran. How could HR or corporate not take his experience into consideration?

Tom admitted to his depression because of the termination. He openly explained that in his 50 years of life, he had never taken any prescription therapy for depression, even though it runs in his family. He was proud of that fact, that he wasn't dependant. He could hold his own. But with the help of a unthoughtful management style, he has slipped into a deep dullness. Tom now sits in front of his computer day in, looking for jobs on career websites. It's a sad day when a man like Tom, is seen desolate and broken.

The world needs more Toms and fewer Kats.

Good Day

Another year has gone by which means I'm another year older. My parents and grandmother helped me celebrate on Sunday with dinner and presents. I can't tell you how determined my grandmother can be. (I think this runs in the family, both me and my dad have it too) She wanted to get a poster of the 2008 men's Olympic basketball team. After looking everywhere she could think, she turned for advice. She called Ailene Voisen from the Sacramento Bee. Ailene is a big-time sports writer for our local paper. Well, she too didn't know where to find a team poster. She gave my grandmother an address to a man in Colorado named Craig Miller. Voisen said if she didn't hear back from Mr. Miller, to call her back.

My grandmother hand wrote to Mr. Miller asking him the same question. This was sometime in August. Finally in late October, my grandmother received an envelope from the United States Olympic Committee. Inside was a letter that read:

"Dear Mrs. Alexander, Thank you for your recent letter. Unfortunately I'm not aware of a poster being produced of the 2008 USA Basketball men's team. However, I have enclosed two copies of the team photo. I hope you will enjoy these and thank you for your continued support of USA Basketball and its teams.

Sincerely, Craig Miller."

For my birthday, my grandma gave me the framed photo. How cool is that?

My sister also helped me celebrate by buying me a round at Folsom Lake Bowl. Thanks Nicki! It was good to hang out with her and a few of my new co-workers. An awesome day!

Sunrise

I got up extra early this moring and found this out my window.

If you want a job, break a table...

In the background you could hear The Clash's "Should I Stay, or Should I go". In the foreground you could see me leap onto one of the four circular tables in the employee room. With my Guitar Hero guitar strapped on, I air-rocked to the music. I was given scenario number four, for my interview at Circuit City. Each interviewee was given a sketch to act out. Some of the others included acting your favorite sport; or if you were a professional wrestler, what would your signature move be called and what would it look like.



There were four of us in the "City Connect" or interview. After waiting for 30 minutes for the GM to arrive we headed to the back room. We were all greeted with high-fives and ACDC as we filed into the room. The GM and current employees started off by introducing themselves and showing us a quick slide show. They asked all of us several questions and we all responded with the typical give-them-what-they-want-to-hear tone. Now, it was time to get down to business. Literally.



I was lucky enough to go second. I was given the scenario of rocking out to a song provided by Guitar Hero. Well, I had to show-up Greg. He's the customer service manager and had mean intro when we first walked in. With his rock-out he slide on the floor, kicked chair, and almost broken guitar, he was tough competition. Now it was my turn to show these 'kids' how it was done. The music started and I pulled out a blue guitar pick from my wallet. (I don't know why, I always keep it there) I couldn't have planned the opening to my performance any better. I leaned into my power stance, and gave a nice I-own-the-world glare to everyone. It was time for some action. I bounced to the beat and threw in a little head bobbing. My audience was getting into my performance. They all looked like they were enjoying themselves. So I had to turn it up a notch. I jumped on top of the center table. I figured this wouldn't be enough, some other guy/gal must have done this before. I thought, I better add something to this.

My left leg lead the way as I made my move for the second table. As my foot landed, the table under me began to move. The landing table slipped about 2 feet forward. My right leg, still on the first table, luckily went straight down. My launch had caused the first table to fall straight over. With my left leg still on top of the second table, my right foot hit the ground. I thought I was a goner. If the first table hadn't tipped over, if it would have stayed up or slid back, I would have done the splits in mid air - between two tables. I landed with my legs frozen in ninety degrees. No groin had been pulled.



My embarrassment couldn't have been more noticed. I hurried to correct the fallen table and slid them closer together. My face felt like it was going to melt and my heart was in my throat. I don't know what shade I turned, but it must have been close to hot-rod red. Everyone in the room burst into laughter and applauded my efforts. Greg examined both tables and found one couldn't handle my power move and cracked.





I got the job.

20 Miles!

Yes, we did it, 20 miles in the rain. We ran from, what I call, the new Folsom bridge (across from Karen's Bakery) to Gold River. The rain made for a refreshing training run. The temperature was something in the low 60's and almost zero wind. I wish I had a helmet cam or something I could show for my run, but my training watch will have to be the proof!

Here is the link