Problem Solving

Over the years I've noticed that people at work can generally be divided into three groups when it comes to solving maintenance problems at work.

Group One - People who consciously or unconsciously never actually notice a problem.  I can't prove whether the cluelessness is deliberate or not.  But if you point out the problem to these people, they will say - wow, yes, there is a problem, but I did not notice it.

Group Two - People who notice the problem but choose to do absolutely nothing.  Sometimes it's because of ignorance - yes, there's a problem, but I don't know who to contact about it.  Sometimes, I attribute it to laziness - why should they do anything?  If they ignore it long enough someone else will take care of it.

Group Three - People who see a problem and actually take action to correct said problem.

Me, I tend to fall into Group Three.  It may not be my property, but there's no reason to let things deteriorate.  If I let something get to a point that it takes a LOT of money to fix, the company may decide to pay the money to fix it and then cut back in another area which could possibly cause me some annoyance.  Why chance it?

Example:  one day I'm walking to the break room shortly after getting to work to put something in the refrigerator.  No problems.  After lunch I walk to the break room to get my item out of the fridge.  On my way there, I have to walk by the soft drink machine.  On the first trip, no problems.  Second trip, there's a big damp spot in front of said vending machine.  Not good.  I get a piece of paper and a pen and write down the number of the company that owns the vending machine.  I give them a call.  They immediately know what is causing the damp spot.  They come out promptly, fix the problem and use a water-extracting machine on the carpet.

Note:  when I called the vending machine company, they reacted as though I was the first person to call.  It was never mentioned - oh, yes, that has already been reported.  Nope.

Now, I do not know the exact number of people working in the building.  But, between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, I was NOT the only person to walk past that machine.  Yet, nobody else called.  The number of the vending company was prominently displayed on the front of the machine.  Yet, nobody else called.  Writing down the number, walking to my desk and calling the company took less than five minutes.  Yet, nobody else made the effort. 

Sheesh!

Papillon

Champagne on New Year's Eve

A bit of history (historical history, not my history):  In 1772 Philippe Clicquot-Muiron founded the company that would eventually become Veuve Clicquot (pronounced vuv klee-KOH).  In 1798, Philippe's son, Francois Clicquot, married Barb-Nicole Ponsardin.  Francois died in 1805.  His widow (veuve is French for widow) was left in control of a company that handled banking, wool trading and Champagne production.  Barbe-Nicole decided to concentrate on the Champagne production.  As part of that, she is credited with the breakthrough allowing for the mass production of wine.  When Barbe-Nicole died in 1866, Veuve Clicquot was a substantial Champagne house and respected brand enjoyed by, among others, many of the royal houses of Europe, including Imperial Russia and England.

I had heard of Veuve Clicquot and had read a biography of Barbe-Nicole a couple of years ago.  So, when I found Veuve Clicquot Champagne for sale at, of all places, Costco at a reasonable price, I bought a bottle planning on having it on New Year's Eve.  Although it is a very pleasant wine to drink, sadly it did not blow me away.  I was expecting WOW!  Or even wow!  Instead, I got an OK.  Sigh. 

Oh, well.  I celebrated New Year's Eve as I like to - quietly and at home.  I definitely don't like going to New Year's Eve parties.  I went once (with friends) during grad school and hated it.  I don't like crowds.  I especially don't like noisy crowds.  I even more especially don't like drunk, noisy crowds.  So, staying home is just what I like.  No noise.  No crowds.  No standing in line to use a public restroom.

I just wish the Champagne had lived up to my hopes and had blown my socks off.  I guess if that's the worse thing that happens in 2012, I should have a pretty good year.

Bonne Annee,

Papillon