Monday

Work
So today I had a realization at work. Every so often, of all the employee's we help on a daily basis, one of them is really appreciative of the work we do for them. Even though we're just doing our job.
I've now had this happen to my twice. Twice in eight months seems very rare, and I'll agree. But its a very nice feeling, and so twice in eight months goes a long way.
These are two isolated events. So these two customers both received new computers, and my task was to deliver the systems to their cubicle and set them up. Often times our customer will wander away to talk with someone while I'm sprawled on the floor, half of my body underneath the desk, wrapped in some awkward way around their existing computers. These two customers were different though. These two both wandered off, and came back with a cold beverage. One brought me an orange juice, and the other a Coke.
Sprawled under desks like that is very tiring work, and I usually end up with sweat dripping off my face. Granted I'm somewhat out of shape, but regardless, I think most people would break a sweat doing all this crawling and hauling of computers. So these cold beverages are more rewarding as you drink it while sweating. But more rewarding than the cool liquid and cold can to place against a hot forehead is the feeling of appreciation. Sure most customers say "thanks" for us setting up their computers, but most of them are too busy and so wrapped up in their work they don't have time to stop & think about what we did for them, and really give a genuine thank you. I hold no grudge against them for it. I'm used to working thankless jobs, and I don't mind. I prefer to be in the shadow, rather than the spotlight. But this small act of consideration, simply to say "that looks like tiring work. thanks" goes an incredibly long way. And just when you're beginning to think the whole world is falling apart, and people are growing dumber by the minute, someone goes and buys you a soda can on a hot day. And your perspective really changes.
I know most of my posts about work are always filled with bitching and moaning about stupid customers, but if you don't already, I suggest taking those posts with a grain of salt. I tend to become very expressive in my frustration. So I figured I should post a good post about work, to try to counter-act all the bad vibes.
After-work
It was hot, and Ngoc didn't want to stay at home, and I was feeling more or less the same way, so we decided to take a trip to Valley Fair & wander around the mall. We kinda looked for a picnic basket, but none of the snooty stores in the mall looked like they would sell a picnic basket; not unless it was made by some big-name snobby European designer. We stopped off in the Apple Store, drooled over the respective pieces of Apple hardware we each want (she over the 20" iMac, and me over the PowerMac, 23" LCD Cinema display, AirPort Extreme Base Station, Mac Mini, and iPod). And instead of going for broke, all I bought was some cleaner stuff to keep my existing Apple product looking shiny and sleek. One day I will own all the above mentioned dreams. And my home will be a haven to sleek Apple products and secure, easy to access wireless & wired points.