Well It's Something....

And yes, it's an anecdote.

But frankly, I think it's perfectly hilarious, and since it's the weekend and the blog pickens are usually somewhat slim, perhaps you won't mind that my content today isn't as....cerebral.... as I had hoped it might be following my resolution.

Shortly before Christmas, while leisurely browsing in Target, secure in the knowledge that my shopping was done, I happened upon a trifling little item that struck me as perfect for Husband.

I already had a gift, but it was just so him, that I couldn't resist. And so, it found it's way under the tree and when he opened it, he laughed.

It was a desk calender titled "Dumb Office Dares".

Examples:
~For a full day, holler "PHONE!!!" every time a phone rings.
~During a meeting, conspicuously sniff both armpits.
~Put a beverage in a paper bag and casually sip from it throughout the day.

You see, while most people would probably read them, perhaps guffaw, and then discard them, Husband is the type of person who will actually do them. And he has a couple of co-workers who will happily aid and abet hiim.

Not only will he do them, but he will get away with them.

Husband is well liked, for one thing. But he's also fairly....relaxed, in terms of his social graces. Though highly intelligent and very good at playing the professional game when he needs to, at heart, he's just a good ole country boy, and the people he works closely with understand that.

So when he does something unconventional, people simply accept that as part of his...er....charm. They just shake their heads and smile indulgently. They all but pat him on the head for his waywardness.

It helps that he works for a very small company, in a fairly intimate office setting. Certain protocols are ignored and most office etiquette is eschewed for a friendlier way of relating to one another.

Still, there are limits to what people will put up with.

Yesterday, the daily dare instructed him to take his garbage to a colleague's office while said colleague is present and dispose of it in their garbage without saying anything.

Husband is one of a handful of people that have been with the company since the very beginning nine years ago. He chose a woman who is fairly new to the company, having been hired only about nine months ago. As a result, I suspect, she is still figuring Husband out.

So, without preamble, he waltzed into her office, garbage can held aloft. He made his way around her desk and nudged her chair wordlessly, indicating that she should move. Which she did. He then extracted her garbage can and ceremoniously upended his own into it while she looked on in stupefied amazement.

As he exited she couldn't contain herself and said sarcastically, "Uhh...thanks for the garbage."

He turned, gave her a grin and a thumbs up and then left, in response to which she could be heard to mutter, "Ooooookay."

Husband returned to his own office where a conspiratorial co-worker was straining to contain her giggles.

He left the office shortly thereafter without enlightening her, though I feel certain someone else must have. I've met her twice and she seems the type to enjoy a good joke, even if it's at her own expense, so I'm not terribly worried.

Not all the dares involve a victim. But I told Husband that when they do, it might be a good idea to leave the page on the desk of the daree, with a note thanking them for being a good sport.

Otherwise, he might find himself on the receiving end of some not so good natured retaliation, particularly since the company often employs foreign contractors who might not necessarily understand or appreciate the American sense of humor.

I wouldn't want Husband to be branded an infidel for absconding with someone's stapler.

That would really suck.