Today we have our annual Lifer Lunch for those who have been with the company five years or more! Traditionally it's a big deal for new inductees, who receive a very posh designer pen, and a warm welcome from those of us who have survived both trench and gorilla warfare to arrive at this point!! The only people more important than the newbies at the lifer lunch are the Decades (ten plus years - they receive special surprise gifts), of which there are currently five...Group totals 20 people this year!!
Our office is located near a very popular destination area, which has a myriad of culinary choices to suit every palette. Usually, we gather in the lobby and walk en masse to a swanky restaurant near by, which works best for all involved because inevitably there is a conference call or meeting someone has to finish up or leave early to attend.
For their part, the Bob's are in rare form when we start planning each year as this event is very personal and important to them, so important that we start planning this lunch a month in advance, so important that every detail is micromanaged, so important that Chief Bobs wife picks a lunch spot that we now have to drive to because its her favorite lunch spot, so important that Chief Bob has scheduled a lunch meeting with other people because Chief Bob forgot about our lifer lunch today!
The reality is, noone is surprised and really the most important thing is that we have Chief Bob's credit card, so things are looking up! And we're off...
