Jon Sagara

A coworker of mine recently visited the salad bar of a local grocery store.  Dissatisfied with some of the store’s recent changes, she decided to write a letter:

I used to come to your store for the salad bar – where a employee would hand make it for me and toss it.  It was great.  Now we have a manual salad bar with half the ingredients and no way to toss the salad.  I am disappointed and have no reason to shop at <store name> anymore.

Here is the store’s EPICALLY AWESOME response:

Dear <snip>:

Many thanks for your email and for sharing your thoughts with us.  As store director, I’m always eager to hear what’s on your mind because you’re our valued guest.  Your feedback is extremely important to me and my staff, and I want to follow up with you personally.

You share with us your disappointment with regards to our new salad bar arrangement.  I’m so glad you’ve voiced your concerns, as I’ve got some information that I hope will please you.  We feature a wide variety of salad options for our guests, including choices of greens, 26 different salad ingredients, and eight different dressings, just to name a few.  Chicken and salmon (along with other items) are available in our deli case.  You mention that you miss having an associate toss your salad.  Please know that we would be delighted to toss your salad for you, so please don’t hesitate to ask any associate – we’re here to serve you and to ensure your complete care and satisfaction. In addition, if there’s a salad item that isn’t at the bar, please contact an associate, and we’ll check to see if that item is available.

<snip>, we’re committed to providing you with spectacular service, a unique shopping experience, and the finest products at the lowest overall prices of any full-service market.  After all, you deserve nothing less!

[...]

Sincerely,

<Store Director>

*That* is customer service.

We just had a company-wide powow, and the Chairman of the Board said something that resonated with me:

I want to work with guys who are going to get down in the fox hole with me and shoot.
And when the ammo’s gone, stab.
And when the knife’s dull, choke.
And when there’s no more war, drink tequila.

Couldn’t agree more.  Passionate, gritty coworkers are a blessing, and if you have them, consider yourself lucky.  If you don’t, maybe it’s time to find a better place to work.

Just another day at the office, playing with blocks. He has no idea what is in store.

Troy just heard a booming “Ho! Ho! Ho!” coming from down the hallway.

And he’d really like to know WTH is going on here! Mama!

Santa comes bearing gifts!

“I still don’t trust you, mofo.”

Note the coaster in Troy’s hand. Even after he’d opened all of his presents, he still preferred to play with the coasters. Probably had something to do with the pictures of golden retrievers on them.

“Okay, fool. We’re cool, I guess.”

Or not…

Troy! Run!

Note the stunning lack of progress compared to the previous picture. This is due to a phenomenon known as “stubby little Japanese legs”, an affliction he shares with his father.

In the end, though, it was a very merry xmas, one I was fortunate to share with my family. Thanks for the great holiday, everyone!

And, Kelly, thanks for the new drawers.

This is, by far, my favorite picture of Troy from xmas morning:

He’s opening a John Deere tractor set.  Thanks, Debbie!

I have been slightly preoccupied with life as of late, and, hence, have been ignoring this blog.  Very recently, however, our family received some great news.  Just a few weeks ago, my brother-in-law, Chuck, proposed to his girlfriend, Becky.  They are engaged to be married this coming summer.

I couldn’t be happier for them.  They are a great couple, and I look forward to sharing many great moments with them.

Congrats!

Yep, #2 is on the way.  Kelly is 15 weeks along, and, so far, the little nut appears to be healthy.

Can’t wait to meet you, little dude/dudette. 

I somehow missed this, but the Cartoon Network float RickRolled the entire Thanksgiving Day Parade-watching world on Thursday.  Have a look:

Well played, Cartoon Network.  Well played.