Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #3

From the Kap-files #3:

[ReKap:  In 3 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#3:  You know how yesterday, when I mentioned being most fulfilled at work when my creativity was allowed to run free?  Yeah -- plus also this made me feel the same way.

*This* is the newsletter for our division that I was allowed to publish every other week (our team was kind of like 'the Cloud', where all knowledge was stored ... hence the name).  It was truly a team effort to gather all the information (and to edit it ... because, for reasons I still don't understand, the feedback each and every issue was "maybe it could be a little shorter?") ... but the final cut got to be in my voice, and so, for 47 issues between 2011 and 2012 (yep, I've turned them into a binder as a keepsake to go into the archives), the entirety of my skill set converged into accomplishing this task.  Eventually, circumstances changed, rendering the concept outdated and so I shelved it, but for those two years, I was, as they say, "in my element".

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/31/14

So take these words and sing out loud ... cause everyone is forgiven now ... cause tonight's the night the world begins again.

Used in a sentence:  "So take these words and sing out loud ... cause everyone is forgiven now ... cause tonight's the night the world begins again."

I don't mind that my normal construct for posting wordplay each Wednesday means that I have to express that sentiment twice (although I do have to stretch the rules for sentences, which I do all the time in my posts)  ... because, as I know I've shared previously, the GooGoo Dolls' 'Better Days' replaced 'Auld Lang Syne' as my favorite thing to hear on New Year's Eve a few years ago.

Indeed, tonight's the night the world begins again ... Happy 2015 to you and yours from me and mine!

THE REPLACEMENT NEW YEARS EVE SONG (IMHO):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOp4NAq6EHI

IN CASE YOU ARE A TRADITIONALIST:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voq8OIU9kTM

IN CASE YOU ARE A TRADITIONAL TRADITIONALIST WHO NEEDS IT IN SCOTTISH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4pN0zn16jk

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #4

From the Kap-files #4:

[ReKap:  In 4 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#4:  In my time with my company, I have felt the most fulfilled any opportunity whereby my creativity was allowed to run free ... and as this countdown approaches its end, I can't not mention one of those creative projects that I got to do back in the summer of 2012.  (Double negative alert ... that means I *am* about to mention it ...)

After having "hosted" Flat Stanley for the first time in Chicago during Thanksgiving of 2011 for a high school friend's child, and knowing that our founder was named Stanley Kaplan (that's his face in the photo there), it was only a matter of time before "Flat Stanley Kaplan" was borne as an idea.  Employees took photos of him all around the country before our occasionally annual Vegas meeting, and I got to create a slide show of all the images.  (Note:  I kept my *other* idea of Adult Flat Stanley images to myself, as that would be on the NSFW side of things.)  Oh and that Olympic torch ... it was the summer of 2012 after all ...

Good (and pretty recent) times!

Random Tune for Tuesday 12/30/14

We interrupt this weekly presentation of all of those songs from that mixed tape back in college to continue an annual tradition of mine ... the dead celebrity tune trilogy with which I bridge every change of calendar.

In case you aren't familiar, as partially inspired by all of those "in memoriam" segments of all of those "awards" shows prevalent around this time, for the last few years, I have devoted three consecutive Tuesdays to finding tunes from three celebrities who passed in the past twelve months.

And, as I'm getting older, it seems like I "know" more and more of the faces each year (sigh).  To kick us off, on behalf of Robin Williams, and in light of the fact that I just (finally) got around to watching Happy Feet 1 and 2 this recent holiday season ... here's the little spark of madness he put into the penguin Ramon, and that version of the classic My Way!

A MI MANERA BABY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3tJBX2206w

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #5

From the Kap-files #5:

[ReKap:  In 5 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#5:  When discussing the "revolution" of working from home yesterday, I neglected to include one *major* perk.  Because of that change in late 2010, I was introduced to Skype full on.  (We had tried it in the physical offices a little before ... but it really took off in the home office setting.  And I know that young people and Oprah had been doing it for years.)  Skype became the virtual water cooler for our team of experts spread across the country who hadn't really known each other prior to the formation of the group.

But it wasn't just the communication channel that was special ... it was about the emoticons that got to color our chat.  Great was the day that included a notification that your Skype was being updated, and many a side conversation was conducted over the possibility that the update *might* include new options.  And at least once a month, one of us needed to google "hidden Skype emoticons" to make sure we weren't missing ANY from our daily lives.  (And if I could, I'd punctuate this post with the new pooping sheep for effect.)

Random Memorial for Monday 12/29/14

Gone but not forgotten:  Christmas in Chicago.

The holidays have all but gone, and although some traditions survived the transfer of locations in 2014 from the Windy City to Florida ... I will admit to missing the following things:

Watching snow fall from outside the bedroom window of the apartment at Wrigley.  Drinking hot chocolate whilst walking around the Lincoln Park Zoo lights.  Getting the annual Christkindlmarkt mug ... and the annual Asbach Uralt chocolate brandy candies ... and the annual WienerSchnitzel ... and the annual holiday ornament.  Purchasing cheap seconds at the Eli's Cheesecake dock sale.  Visiting with the Indiana family ... and playing Michigan rummy ... and drinking into the wee hours of the morning.  Taking what practically amounted to the *same* photograph each year of the big tree in Marshall Field's (I mean Macy's) downtown.

Mind you, I'm still very very happy with being here in the state of sunshine, but that doesn't mean that the traditions of the last dozen years can't be missed.

OH THE THINGS I MISSED THIS YEAR:  
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/10-ways-to-experience-a-classic-christmas-in-chicago

OH HOW I ESPECIALLY MISSED THIS:
http://www.christkindlmarket.com/

DULY NOTED FOR NEXT YEAR:
http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/articles/2007/november/755-floridas-sweet-holiday-traditions.html

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #6

From the Kap-files #6:

[ReKap:  In 6 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#6:  As we approach the end of this countdown, we also transition to how I spent these last few years with the company.  After a transformation in strategy and structure in late 2010, I joined a newly created team that was like a help desk for all internal employees with a side of special projects almost like we were consultants for our division.  And the kicker?  This team was part of the remote workforce ... and so, for the last four years, I've experienced the joy of working from home.

Mind you, there was a learning curve.  I'm pretty sure I gained fifteen pounds just from having the fridge and the pantry so close to enable a grazing habit.  It also took a few months to find the right spot to set up shop (back in Chicago, I created a "murphy office" that was nightstand after hours and the laptop area during the day -- just so I could be by a window).  But eventually I came to embrace all of the perks -- like having amazing flexibility, working from wherever I found myself in my travels, rolling out of bed a minute or two before the work day started, and not always wearing clothes.

All kidding aside ... that arrangement is what enabled me to so easily make the big move earlier this year from Chicago to Florida (after all, I could work from anywhere there was internet) ... AND it's what made adopting the two rescue puppies so easy.  I'm not sure what's ahead for me, but if it's not also "work from home", I know I have an adjustment ahead.

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 12/28/14

What southern Florida is talking about this week:

The Guinness Book of Records certified displays at the Oasis church out in Pembroke Pines, which I got to visit on Christmas night.  In 2012, it was recognized for the most live lit Christmas trees (530) ... and in 2011, for the most nativity sets on display (2300).

I'm a creche collector myself (it was supposed to be one for every room ... but now it looks like I'm going to have start doubling up OR add on some more rooms), so my ears perked up as soon as I read the article describing it in the local paper (oh, more accurately said, I guess that was my eyes that perked up).

The accompanying image is just one of the many ways that they were presented ... with more full shelves distributed throughout the sanctuary and the vestibule.  And a bonus ... outside it was snowing (well, some kind of fake snow that looked a little like confetti) and they had ice skating (well, a waxed board for some kind of rubber bladed things) and they had hot chocolate (well, and eggnog for those that find drinking hot chocolate in 80 degree temps off-putting).

In lieu of my usual companion links, I'll include the next three nativities that I'm hoping to add to my collection:

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #7

From the Kap-files #7:

[ReKap:  In 7 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#7:  For those of you familiar with StrengthsFinders, consider this exhibit A in how context is one of my top 5.

For those of you unfamiliar with StrengthsFinders, consider this exhibit A in how I'm an apprentice hoarder.

Time to make a Kaplan box for my "archives" ...

Random Posting for Penn State 12/27/14

Here are 9 Nittany Nuggets from today's game:

1.)  Bowl, baby, bowl!  Atta boy HACKENBERG!  You sure do love you some last minute shenanigans, not that I'm complaining!
2.)  Although, admittedly, I had to look up New Era, as I was familiar with the real estate agency Era AND the clean-your-clothes-chemicals called Era, but I had no idea what the *New* Era was.
3.)  Other than, you know, the "new era" of Penn State playing in a bowl game, after a few years off.
4.)  Probably not a surprise in light of my not-so-sophisticated view of the game, but I have to admit that I still often get faked out by the fakes and find myself looking at the wrong place on the screen.  *Blush.*
5.)  Just once ... could we possibly have one game that is called by the announcerfolk that doesn't attempt a play on words with "happy" during the description of the proceedings.  Is that too much to ask?
6.)  Speaking of announcerfolk, you do know that you sometimes sound a little creepy what with your fascination with "long big arms" and "riding that all night long".
7.)  Hey BC ... I think you let the Bronx spirit seep into some of those penalized plays of yours.  Although, to be fair, we let the Bronx spirit seep into our cheering.
8.)  So if a ref drops his flag out of his pocket, shouldn't he somehow be penalized?
9.)  And ... for the *last* time, atta boy FICKEN.  I like to think that I'm better to have known you and your story.  And what a perfect ending to this season!

In closing, thanks to the boys in blue and white for a season full of effort (and the occasional win along the way).  For those of you returning, here's to Sat Sep 5th in 2015 and the game against the Temple Owls (unless you want to count the Blue and White game on Apr 18th)!

THE 2015 SCHEDULE:
http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/big-ten/2015-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-schedule.php

CREDIT FOR THE PHOTO OF YANKEE STADIUM FROM THIS SITE:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/27/picture-of-the-day-the-pinstripe-bowl-at-yankee-stadium-2/

CREDIT FOR THE SPONSORSHIP OF THIS BOWL GAME FROM THIS SITE:
http://www.neweracap.com/en_us/default.aspx

Random Soapbox for Saturday 12/27/14

I don't mean to go off on a rave here, but ...

... it's time for my (5th!) annual "best of" list now that 2014 is about to become 2015.  And, as before, the list of 14 things I'll recall fondly for the year that is ending will be presented in alphabetical order, so as not to play favorites.

1.)  Bekins Moving Company ... The early weeks of this year were spent in the throws of the big move from Chicago to southern Florida.  So let me just kick off this list by mentioning that the best investment made for that task was with Bekins Moving Company.  To the extent that I can enthusiastically recommend them to anyone facing a similar situation, I wholeheartedly do.  Not a thing went missing ... not a thing was broken due to what they did ... not a promise from them went unfulfilled.  For that, they deserve the first reference in this 14 best things of '14 list..

2)  Burgers ... Specifically, numbers 6, 7, 8 and 9 in my ongoing quest.  Unaware of my Burger Quest?  For the last two years, I've been overlaying my travel plans with the Zagat 25 Best Burgers in America list, and I added four more experiences in deliciousness to my listings:  from establishments in Miami, Philadelphia, Austin and Houston.  You can check out pictures in the first link to my public Facebook album below (warning:  do not do so on an empty stomach, as I believe strongly that viewing the images will cause uncontrolled salivation-style hunger)!

3.)  Challenges ... Some years, it's all easy-peasy ... and then some years are 2014.  Of course, I do as I always have and fully embrace my challenges ... after all, I feel like my life shaped me to do quite well in crisis situations ... and so kicking off the year with a move across the country, and ending the year with the double whammy news that my role in my company isn't being funded next year AND that the landlord plans to move back into her house in a few months, is just the luck of the draw.  I've been posting inspiration for the day on Facebook since Nov 4 of this year, and I have a feeling that I'll be seeking out the same well into the year ahead.

4.)  Chicago ... It was a bitterly cold February night with almost all of the belongings already en route to the new homestead, just me and little Murder (the cat) sleeping on an air mattress (note:  cats who were never declawed and air mattresses actually aren't a good match).  Well, trying to sleep I should say ... seeing as how our shivering kept on waking us up.  That's my departing image from over a dozen years in the windy city ... an unbelievable chapter in my life that wrapped in the early weeks of this year.  I said goodbye as only I know how (with a countdown ... see the link below) ... and, if all goes as planned, I'll soon start counting down the days until I return to visit this upcoming Fourth of July weekend.

5.)  Florida ... There have been no bitterly cold nights here in the Sunshine State, unless you count that one time it dipped below 60 not that long ago.  And that's just one of the many many many things that are wonderful about life down here in southern Florida ...pulling the trigger to move, a trigger that was first floated as an idea back in 2008, was most definitely the *right* thing to do this year.  So many people commented as to how well Florida was clearly treating me (I do look even that much cuter with some sun).  Added bonus -- now I'm in the same state as my sister Sherry G!

6.)  Good Karma Rescue Agency ... Around this time last year, two pit bull puppies were born to two different litters ... one light brown and white and one black and white.  The light brown one was abandoned (along with his two littermates) and sent to "death row", where an animal officer contacted a local rescue agency (the Good Karma mentioned above), who managed to spare two of the three puppies (and get them to fosters to try to restore their health).  That same agency had also recently rescued the black and white one from a Craig's listing, where it was being given away because it only had three fully formed legs (and one appendage we lovingly call a "wing").  Because, sure enough, over the course of a few short weeks, *both* puppies ended up in *this* forever home ... and you can find out more of the story of Casanova James and Octavius (Ozzie) Julius at the link below.

7.)  Going Home ... There sure was a lot of travel in 2014 (and I haven't even gotten to all of the trips yet), and I couldn't have been more pleased that some of those experiences took me back to my hometown of Lebanon PA, primarily for my high school 25 year reunion.  Kind of.  The actual main event got cancelled at the last minute, but I still got to see many of my out of town friends who had already made plans to be there (made possible by the planning for a separate pre-game style social activity by the talented Kerri [G]E) ... and, since I hadn't been home in about 2.5 years, I purposefully jam-packed the long weekend with activity after activity -- many of them captured on film and posted on the Facebook -- including the traditional meal with Kristi [H]B (joined this year by Cheryl M), catching up with Erik S, revisiting the LVC campus with Andy P, visiting with Judy W and my sister Bonnie B and with the Laura W family, and drinking with my best friends at a get-together hosted by Eric F.

8.)  Grand Canyon ... For the third year in a row, my company held its annual meeting live in Las Vegas, and for the third year in a row, I took advantage of the opportunity to turn it into a subsidized vacation ... this year adding in a day trip to the northernmost part of the Grand Canyon.  As I previously described the magic in a post earlier this year ... "In that moment, I was experiencing the past and the present and the future simultaneously, opening up a portal of sorts into a crystallized clarity regarding my place in the world and the world's place in me.  I wasn't dealing with my body that had climbed to the highest point I could find, nor my mind that was processing the images I was taking in.  Instead, for the first time in a long long time ... maybe the first time ever ... I was communing with my soul and my spirit -- the part of me that was, that is and that will be."

9.)  Kaplan ... As I write this, I'm a lame duck employee at my company, seeing as how I found out on election day that my job wasn't being funded in the new year.  I'll wrap up nearly 11 years of what I consider my first real career employment this upcoming Friday (and, seeing as how I do love a countdown, I'm executing one of those as well [not yet available on the blog]).  As I've previously shared, I actually tried to leave twice before (one time to go write and the second time to move to Florida in 2008), but life intervened both times and I stayed on ... so this time, the third time, it's out of my control and my departure is going to "stick".

10.)  New Orleans ... When living in Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale was the go-to vacation spot at least once a year ... but often more frequently.  Now that Ft. Lauderdale is the address of my domicile, the question was waiting to be answered as to what would be the *new* go-to vacation location.  I can now affirmatively say that it is New Orleans, visited twice in 2014.  Not sure if it's the overall vibe ... or the drinking atmosphere ... or the history seeping out of every crack and crevice ... but it is already calling me back to return.
 
11.)  Orlando ... My job may be ending soon, but the move here to southern Florida did put me in the geographic proximity to scoot up the turnpike to Orlando twice this year to deliver some training at our company's call center.  As fulfilling as that was, it also put me in the geographic proximity to visit with one of my dearest friends since high school, Holly A, who lives in that city.  Reconnecting with her, whilst walking around and sampling all the nations' foods at Epcot, is one of the best memories of 2014.

12.)  Tara ... Not every memory about reconnecting with old friends is a completely happy one.  Mind you ... I really enjoyed reconnecting with college classmate Tara [K]H when her work brought her to my neck of the sands this past fall.  We went out to eat, she came back to the household to meet the newly expanded family, and we made plans to go out again in a few months when she returned.  Except she fell ill a few weeks later, and passed away unexpectedly of a staph infection that had entered her bloodstream.  A somber reminder to remember to live within each moment, not knowing if the next will be yours to have.

13.)  Texas ... For someone who likes to travel, there's little more exciting that adding a state in which you've never set foot to the list of places you've been.  Admittedly, there's still *plenty* of the great state of Texas to be seen, but starting off in Austin and Houston this past November seemed like a good beginning.  Add in the fact that the impetus for the trip was the wedding of my surrogate sister Wendy W, and rest assured that a good time was had by all.

14.)  You ... Because whatever randomness I happen to be focused on each day, I get to share it with you.  And because when I travel, I get to visit you.  And because when faced with challenges, I get support from you.  And because the real stuff of life is all about connecting with others, I so appreciate you.

With that, let's bring on my most favorite time of the year ... and let's close the challenging chapter of 2014 and bring on the exciting (if unknown) changes that will represent 2015.  From me and mine ... here's wishing you and yours a prosperous new year, full of the love of friends and family, as I can attest that that's a great place to be!  God bless!

A BOY ON HIS BURGER QUEST:
https://www.facebook.com/troy.neidermyer/media_set?set=a.4477027784149.1073741830.1843633569&type=3

SAYING GOODBYE TO CHITOWN, MY WAY:
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/search/label/50%20Things%20I%27ll%20Miss%20About%20Chicago

BECOME A FAN OF CASANOVA JAMES AND OCTAVIUS JULIUS:
https://www.facebook.com/thecasanovajames?ref=hl

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #8

From the Kap-files #8:

[ReKap:  In 8 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#8:   In my best Count von Count imitation ... 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ... 6 ... 7 ... 8!  Ah-ha-ha!  8 wonderful domestic work trips over the years!  8 times to travel!

I know, I know ... you're probably thinking that there should be more adventures like that over the nearly eleven years I was with the company -- but the fact is that, being based in Chicago as I was for so many of them, everyone always came to *us* when it was about gathering for meetings.  And note I clarified I'm talking about the domestic side of travel, which means the already featured two trips to either side of Mexico aren't making this list.

With 8 "subsidized vacations", as I tended to refer to them, I struggled a bit to find the right picture to accompany tonight's post ... but since I didn't take any photos that one time I went with a delegation to Detroit to help high school kids kick off their program (and came home early alone on a train for reasons I dare not yet disclose ;) ), nor of the two times in 2014 when I went to Orlando to engage in some training, it came down to a choice between the shots of NYC from the two different trips there in 2010 and 2012 (i.e.  the Freedom tower being built, the Rockefeller center Christmas tree, Times Square, summertime in Central Park) OR the many many images of Vegas from the last three summer weeks I spent there (i.e.  the strip, the Grand Canyon, the exorbitantly priced burger I sought out in the suburbs via a taxi as part of my Burger Quest series, etc, etc).

So ... what did I choose to represent those eight trips?  This sandstone fellow who greeted me in the Vegas airport each year (seemed fair, with Vegas counting for 3 of the 8, no?).  I'm going to miss ya, little buddy!

Random Flashback for Friday 12/26/14

And ... that's a wrap!

If it's the last Friday of 2014 (it is!), then it's also the last photo I'll post from 1994 (because that's my shtick ... to tell my story in pictures that are twenty years old).

As much as I'm looking forward to kicking off 1995 *next* week, I do first have to tell the tale of this image.  Those in the know might recognize that red, white and blue badge on my chest ... or might recognize the Travis H behind the beard ... or might just recall that a certain department store at which I worked gave out Polaroids like this one when shoppers stopped in to say hello to Santa Claus  (young 'uns, feel free to google what a Polaroid is ... I mean, was ...).

Yes, indeed ... Hills has once again appeared in the story of my life (young 'uns, feel free to google what Hills is ... I mean, was ...) ... which only makes sense, as, not counting the months at the Hills in Uniontown PA, I worked there from 1991-1992, 1993-1995 and 1997-1998 (truth be told, had it not been sold to Ames, and then summarily closed, I'd probably have a few more tours of duty at the place)!

Here's to an all new dedicated album on the FB in 2015 (and more of the same here on this blog) ... and 52 more memories ... this time from 1995!

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #9

From the Kap-files #9:

[ReKap:  In 9 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#9:  What better day than today (Christmas itself) to feature some of the wonderful gifts that I got at the annual (pre-great-recession) holiday parties for the greater Chicagoland employees.

We competitively played the "white elephant" concept, where you had a number that could get called multiple times, permitting you to steal from others or choose a new gift.  And when I say competitive, I mean competitive, as that Jelly Belly branded candy dispenser was only won by me with some reality- show-level alliance building.  The nightlight bustier and the peppermint Christmas monkey (who still makes an annual appearance at the holidays, despite the fact that he lost his peppermintiness many years ago) were acquired more directly.  [As a bonus, I found photos from that holiday party where the monkey joined my family ...]  

Or, in other words ... Happy Holidays!

Random Thought for Thursday 12/25/14

For the last 15 (maybe 16?) years, I've spent Christmas with my Indiana family ... but as time passes, little ones grow up and end up starting lives of their own in faraway places ... and now geography makes it impossible to gather around the table on a day like today.

The challenge this year was to find a way to honor as many traditions while also looking to make some new ones ... and having the puppies certainly helped with that.

But so did having the memories of all the Christmases past ... so even though me and mine can't be in the actual presence of those loved ones on Dec 25th 2014, we are with them if only in our dreams ... and in our hearts and minds and *definitely* in ourt memories.

Of course, that doesn't mean I can't do a trip-tych of sad songs to accompany this post ... [Although, if all goes well, the last one in the batch might not be as sad, as we *will* be home to the Chicago/Indiana area for the Fourth of July in 2015!]

SOME DAY SOON WE ALL WILL BE TOGETHER IF THE FATES ALLOW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILJ_EmP4cCo

MAY IT CARRY US THROUGH SHOULD WE EVER GET LONELY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CsLfxeW6lw

PLEASE LEAVE A LIGHT ON FOR ME:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqcbVAoJWCQ

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #10

From the Kap-files #10:

[ReKap:  In 10 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#10:  All good things must come to an end.  (And no, I don't mean that I'm ending this countdown before it's time ...)  In October of 2010, many quarters into the Great Recession, the Schaumburg center (where I started my career back in 2004) was shuttered. 

BUT ... not before a bunch of us with connections to the suite of classrooms, a video lab, a goldfishbowl front office, a manager's office and a few closets that were otherwise-purposed throughout the years could come together to properly wish it a goodbye.  I was honored to offer up a eulogy ... in which I modified Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" to fit the situation.  As this screen shot demonstrates ... a video exists (but only on the Facebook ... and only if you know the secret handshake [i.e.  are friends with she who posted it]).

Not to brag ... but some say it was the perfect way to say goodbye.  In other words ... quoth the Canadian goose that stood in for the raven (for obvious reasons to anyone familiar with the suburb territory there):  "Schaumburg's Nevermore!".

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/24/14

God Bless Us, Everyone.

Used in a sentence:  "I may tend toward the purple prose, and I may overuse the ellipsis, and I may birth the most convoluted of sentence structures that make ample use of parentheses, brackets and braces (that's how I know I'm firing on all cylinders [making me a triple-threat {in my own mind}]), but sometimes it's as simple as this:  'God Bless Us, Everyone.'"

From me and mine ... to those of you who celebrate, the merriest of Christmases to you and yours ... and to those of you who don't, well ... God Bless Us, *EVERYONE* anyway.

A COLLECTION OF OTHER DICKENSIAN QUOTES FROM 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL':
http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3097440-a-christmas-carol

YOUR CHOICE ... ONE VERSION A BIT EMBELLISHED:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC_lwk0UCe4

OR ... THE ORIGINAL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSyx6DaUwxA

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #11

From the Kap-files #11:

[I'm past the halfway point of this countdown, so surely you know by now that in 11 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#11:  Tonight's post is dedicated to those whom we eventually stopped referring to as an acronym out of respect for all that they did for the students.  We also didn't necessarily have to complete these forms that I found from a group training we did ... because we hired the *best* ones who were always unbelievable employees.

I know I'm going to miss a few names from this list ... but here's to our part time team members (some of whom went on to full time roles) over eleven years (well, seven years before the center staffing model went away) who sat in that first seat seen when students (and parents ... and the occasional homeless person ... and people looking for other testing centers ... and people looking for the gym ... and the tanning lady looking for copies) and advised our students (and everyone else) in any number of ways (all of them outstandingly):  Emily A, Courtney B, Jon B, Matt B, Shomari B, Zach B, Mike C, Jack E, Jamechia H, Lauren F, Matty F, Rajesh G, Rupal G, Michael G, Mita G, Eric H, Jay K, Ruby K, Malwina K, Amy L, Adam M, Cody M, John M, Amy R, Hima R, Dana R, Deborah S, "Ethan" S, Jenny S, Magdana S, Tim S and Elena T (who is last and certainly not least and may have even been the best, were we allowed to choose favorites -- which I don't think we are).  One of those people on this list took the phrase "I'm so hard-working, I practically live in the center" to a new level and someone is not on the list because she only worked one shift and then left because she was afraid that the green light from the copier would harm her unborn babies (and she had stuff off the interwebs to back her up).

No doubt I forgot someone on this list (culled from past group emails and contact sheets I located in my files) ... but even if the name was omitted ... or misspelled ... or whatever ... the fact that they all contributed to my personal success over the years will never be forgotten!

Random Tune for Tuesday 12/23/14

Track 26 of 39 represents the end ...

But wait?  There are 13 more songs, those of you who know how to do simple subtraction say ... and it's true ... this was a *2* cassette mixed tape from the best years at LVC back in the early nineties ... and the first one was jam packed with 26 tunes, ending with this song.

And what a classic song to end on.  If asked what one band best represented those years, I'd say for sure Toad the Wet Sprocket (and as this image shows, it may simply have been all about the timing, seeing as how their founding year of 89 was also the year I graduated high school/started college).  And nothing says, "these things weren't taken for granted" like reliving some of the best memories over twenty years later in the weekly posts I've been doing for the last 26 weeks.

After a brief hiatus (I have my annual dead celebrity tune trilogy covering the next three weeks), this "countdown" will resume on Jan 20 of 2015 with the second cassette and the final dozen songs.  Until then ... and in the spirit of this season ... I wish for you reflection and retrospection and the peace and understanding that comes from "not taking your things for granted" ...

ONE PART OF ME JUST WANTS TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNEt60MoK_I

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #12

From the Kap-files #12:

[I'm at the halfway point of this countdown, so surely you know by now that in 12 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#12:  As the story goes, a certain employee opened up the office file cabinets to discover this note (the image is a faithful recreation, like in those awful docu-stories on the TV) ... and seeing as how his last name was the second word of that call to action, he was somewhat surprised and concerned.

Ostensibly, the note was a reminder that we were switching background check companies (coincidentally, said employee shared his name with the departing company) and so the applications bundled in the rubber band would need to first have the insert swapped out with the form from the new company ... and that the note meant nothing more.

os.ten.si.bly (adverb):  apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually

And, in the wise words of Forrest Gump, "that's all I have to say about that".  (I couldn't *not* say SOMEthing in this retrospective ... but I also couldn't say EVERYthing, so I'll settle for the cryptic.)

Random Memorial for Monday 12/22/14

Gone but not forgotten:  Paddington!

Or maybe that should be "Not gone and now remembered", seeing as how the stuffed animal from the stories of my youth has his big screen debut coming up this week in a movie released on Christmas day.

From what I understand, the movie plot is top secret, but I have the scoop:  Paddington Bear ingratiates himself with Dennis Rodman, who packs him as a companion on a trip to North Korea, where Paddington, who's secretly MI5, manages to drown Kim Jong-Un in a vat of marmalade, "accidentally" of course ... and "Kim"-chi flavored Marmalade becomes all the rage back home.

Or maybe something else happens in the movie ... the bottom line is that I'm a bit twisted AND the other bottom line is that bear whom I remembered from when I was much younger, you will no longer be missed (unless, of course,  I'm right about the plot twist, and then your movie will get pulled and then the terrorists will win and then you WILL go back to being missed).

COMING OUT ON CHRISTMAS (UNLESS THE TERRORISTS TAKE IT AWAY):
http://www.paddington.com/gb/the-movie/

MARMALADE n ME:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyOwWBhLRpk

KIMCHI (WITHOUT KIM JONG-UN OR MARMALADE):
http://steamykitchen.com/16043-how-to-make-kimchi-recipe.html

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #13

From the Kap-files #13:

[I'm at the halfway point of this countdown, so surely you know by now that in 13 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#13:  *This* is a pre-great-recession story.

Once upon a time ... in a far-off organizational structure known as "Central" ... which encompassed many a midwestern state (and often all of Canada) ... throughout all of the land there would be an annual competition to be the best ... at ... well ... everything!  And in the calendar years 2006 and 2007, the "Central"-ians (not to be confused with those who still live in that coal town in PA that has remained on fire for decades) ... were deemed to be the best of the best.

The reward ... for two consecutive years, the "king" packed everyone up for a long four day weekend and celebrated with them in the wilds of Mexico (or, more accurately said, in a all-inclusive resort on each of the Mexican coasts ... first near Puerto Vallarta, and then near Cancun in the Maya Riviera for the second year).  I have many more pictures than the two I'm posting ... and JUST as many stories (probably more) ... but I don't have the time to get releases from everyone, so I'll only include the group shots.  (Note ... I *am* in the one above [actually, just my ear, because Shaun S is standing in front of me] but I missed the one below a year later because I was sleeping off "too much fun" from the night before and self-selected out of what I thought was an optional volleyball game.])

Sadly, our attempts at a three-peat were derailed by the arrival of the Great Recession and all that came after ... but those of us who were lucky to participate will always have Mexico!

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 12/21/14

What southern Florida is talking about this week:

Not so much about the whole holiday movie censorship thing (although who could have guessed that James Franco and Seth Rogen would start the apocalypse -- where's Dennis Rodman when you need him to ease this tension)... or even about the fact that it's the first day of winter and it's comfortably in the seventies (that's normal for this time of year) ...

Rather, it's all the news about Cuba that is taking over the airwaves.  Sadly, my knowledge of the situation is somewhat limited to the special ham sandwich and Gloria Estefan songs and some old JFK documentaries and the whole Guantanamo thing and how Ricky Ricardo always had some 'splaining to do and that the Jellyfish stung lady could swim there and how Beyonce and her man got away with breaking the law to visit and how my Uncle Paul might have smoked some of their cigars (allegedly) and that only in Miami is "Cooba" so far away (that last point courtesy of the Divine Miss M).

Of course, none of that random knowledge (and I had more than I thought when I searched my brain) quite prepared me for how things became very personal for those in the area with this week's news.  So -- begin the reeducation process now ... if only because I really had no idea how big the island was ... and also since I'm now living close enough for it to really matter!

THE CUBAN WITH WHOM I AM MOST ACQUAINTED:
http://icuban.com/food/cuban_sandwich.html

COOBA ... SO FAR AWAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgSpL5MNZX4

LET THE REEDUCATION BEGIN (BUT NOT IN SOME COMMUNIST WAY):
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/17/politics/cuban-embargo-questions-answers/

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #14

From the Kap-files #14:

[I'm nearing the halfway point of this countdown, so surely you know by now that in 14 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#14: From the actual desk of Troy A. Neidermyer ... my writing utensil caddy (if that's what this thing is called?) with the very same messages still affixed to it that stared at me each day I went to work.  The first item regarding the positioning of the instructor was a shout-out to my nurses-to-be.  Back in the center days, we had various customer types, and those studying for the NCLEX were the most ... let's say ... memorable.  For starters, it took WAY too long for me to figure out why every time we had a special class of over three dozen students, the majority of whom were women, we would always run out of toilet paper on the second day of four long days.  That point aside (which did mean frequent trips across the street to the Walgreen's), I recall fondly the early days of finding these students by travelling with Beth A to Rockford or DeKalb (or down the street to Palatine, with regards to my original center) and to DePaul and Loyola and the city schools in my later one ... and of the special characters I met along the way (I'm looking at you Marlene R) ... and to the students, to whom I replied when one of them complained that she didn't even know who her instructor was ... "the instructor is the person in front of the class" (forever memorialized on that label).

The other message?  Well that came from an honest-to-goodness fortune cookie from the Chinese restaurant next door (shout-out to Yen's!) and was a reminder that my professional development required me to rein in my occasional feistiness and my ... let's say ... creative ... emails for which I was once known.  (Note:  this past behavior in no way influenced my current situation, as I did, indeed, develop professionally through the years [especially after I started this blog to channel my creative energies]).

Random Soapbox for Saturday 12/20/14

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... *I'll* decide when I cross the street, thank you very much.

Look, one of the perks of living in a land where temps rarely stray from the range between the high sixties and the low eighties and the sun shines year round is being able to go for my lunch walks (out and about in the 'hood for an hour in the middle of the day).

However, rest assured that it is not lost on me that this area is *also* one of the highest for pedestrian deaths.

I've mitigated those circumstances by only ambling about during daylight hours ... but I also am keenly aware that day drinking isn't just for alcoholics down in this neck of the sand (I'm assuming that sand can have necks if woods can ...), what with all the vacationers out and about throwing caution to the wind and such.

So bottom line, and clearly I took the long way to get here ... but to the man who motioned for me to cross while he waited at the intersection despite the fact that he had the right of way ... I don't trust you.  I don't know you.  Which means, during that impasse today, you best have kept moving as I'm not about to risk the second half of my life on a game of chicken (assuming I have the good fortune to make it to full male life expectancy ... and, if so, just a side note, but I actually passed my half way point back in 2010 and neglected to properly celebrate).

And I don't care if you gave me a dirty look and yelled at me that you "were just trying to be nice".  The last I checked, the road to hell is paved with good intentions (and I wasn't about to risk having pieces of my body be put into that paving mix).

MY HALFWAY POINT WAS AT YEAR 38.2:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/08/us-life-expectancy-hits-record-high/16874039/

PATHOLOGICAL ALTRUISM (AKA THE ROAD TO HELL PAVED WITH GOOD INTENT):
http://reason.com/blog/2013/06/19/pathological-altruism-the-road-to-hell-r

BECAUSE *EVERYTHING* HAS A HISTORY ... EVEN ASPHALT:
http://www.asphaltpavement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=41

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #15

From the Kap-files #15:

[I'm nearing the halfway point of this countdown, so surely you know by now that in 15 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#15:   It was always about the rally.  Sometimes on a small scale (we used to have regular rally meetings in our center) or for a specific product ... but, in really important times, it was a rally writ large.

And every rally needs a soundtrack ... which is what is seen here from the falls of 2005 and 2007 (not sure why we weren't musically oriented in the year in between).  If you know me, you know that I love a mixed tape almost as much as I love a countdown (well, a mixed CD, as these were created in the sweet spot between cassettes and playlists), so maybe I'll have to promote these on my random Tune for Tuesdays in a few years.  Oh -- and by the way -- as far as I know, since these are limited edition collector's items and were never for sale -- any singers or groups who are reading this and recognize their songs needn't worry about any infringements of any kind.  (And a second "by the way", there should have been an explicit lyrics warning on at least one of these CDs [courtesy of a certain Mr. Mathers {who was NOT an employee, just to be clear}].)

One last point of historical significance ... this was a true TEAM rally seeing as how each location in our geographical area submitted its own song for the collection, as clearly illustrated in the 2005 edition's liner notes, a bonus picture below.  And that folks ... is how you walk down a musical memory lane!

Random Flashback for Friday 12/19/14

Merry Christmas to you and yours from me ... and this guy from twenty years ago during the holidays of 1994.

And by *this guy*, I mean the jolly old man in the red suit.

And no, *this guy* is NOT me (my cheeks were never that naturally rosy).

And yes, that border at the top and bottom of this image belies the fact that this is a Polaroid, just in case you needed more proof that this really is two decades old.

So who is it?  Well, considering this was the tail end of my first round of undergrad studies at LVC, it would be a good guess that it is someone from that chapter of my life.  And, as someone who was responsible for the cash box at all of our audience participation murder mysteries, he was able to maintain a list of who was naughty and who was nice (nice people came to see our shows, obviously).  Last clue -- there's an outside chance that he also arranged the lighting for this photo.

The best news of all ... I know from the Facebook that he still carries on this tradition (and, over in that arena, I'll let him tag himself in the photo when he's ready to "claim" his place)!

Here's hoping he brings you everything you want this holiday season!

Bonus Post: From the Kap-files #16

From the Kap-files #16:

[If you've been following along, then you already know that in 16 calendar days, my position is being eliminated at my job, and so I'm looking back through my files, mental or otherwise, representing nearly 11 years with the company ...]

#16: How can I say this one carefully?  In a competitive marketplace, it may be that a newer employee might happen to find himself or herself, upon walking home from our location, in the direct path of a similar business' location ... and that curiosity might be such that he or she might poke his or her head in, just to get a sense as to how the course of business was flowing a few blocks away...

... and that that employee may bring back the shocking report that employees of that other location may have created a cheat sheet of photos and descriptions of the people in your own office and that it was laying out where any newer employee with a curious streak might see it.

Which ... of course ... you know ... might just be "par for the competitive course" when you work for the better of the two companies ... or which might just stick in someone's craw nearly a decade later because he was described as short and bald (I'm tall in pacific rim countries AND I *choose* to get my hair cut this short).

Maybe.  Purportedly.  Avowedly.  Professedly.  Allegedly.  

Random Thought for Thursday 12/18/14

So ... after adding days 31 and 32 to my month of gratitude posts from November via the blog these last two weeks, I realized that all the other days were trapped in Facebook as exclusive content there.  Until tonight ... when I went backwards and notated all the things for which I was thankful as of this snapshot in time.  In no particular order (other than the order they were presented on the Facebook) ... THANK YOU ...

1.) to the 'hood kids for not tricking the homestead on Halloween when I had no treats.
2.)  to Master Zuckerberg for creating the Facebook world.
3.)  to Macy's for the sale on suit jackets.
4.)  to google images for supplying inspiring quotes.
5.)  to too many people who all served the communal purpose of offering up support when I shared bad news on the Facebook.
6.)  to black out blinds and black out curtains.
7.)  to Florida sunshine.
8.)  to the modern technological trouble-shooting tip known as the "power cycle".
9.)  to photo albums full of photos.
10.)  to that one pillow on the bed that perfectly fits my noggin.
11.)  to the vets (veterans).
12.)  to the vets (veterinarians)
13.)  to powdered sugar (i.e. on beignets).
14.)  to Guinness (and the bars that stock it).
15.)  to Wendy W (who was getting married that day).
16.)  to my quests.
17.)  to my pilots (past and present).
18.)  to the [post-dating] trickery built into the blog.
19.)  to the fact that the big 2014 move was to Florida and not Buffalo.
20.)  to bacon.
21.)  to garlic knots.
22.)  to super-heroes (specifically the Batman).
23.)  to the task known as yardwork.
24.)  to those that put their life on the line to protect us from lawlessness and anarchy.
25.)  to the combination of the DVR and on demand (which allowed me to 2.0 my television addiction).
26.)  to Golden Tee, whose 2015 version was getting played that night.
27.)  to NBC, for airing an encore of the Macy's parade for those who slept in on Thanksgiving.
28.)  to the fact that I have enough blessings to do this concept all month long.
29.)  to the TV gods for making it possible to see every Penn State game despite being in Chicago and Florida.
30.)  to YOU (and the ability to reconnect on the Facebook).
31.)  BONUS:  to whatever combination of nature and nurture that ensured I'm a happy drunk.
32.)  BONUS:  to the true colors exposed on the Facebook.

There you go ... that's my complete 2014 list during my season of gratitude.  Being twisted as I am, I kind of want to try another list of things for which I am ungrateful ... maybe next year?

DULY NOTED FOR NEXT YEAR:
http://thankfulfor.com/gratitude-season-tips-list.html

OR YOU CAN DO IT YEAR-ROUND:
http://getgratitude.co/

FIGHTING OFF THE UNGRATEFUL URGE:
http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/how-to-not-be-ungrateful/