when it all ends

I am writing this now, and posting it now, and dating it for January 4, because that is when I should really do it, but I won't have the time that day. I'll probably update this as we go along, but I wanted to take the time to thank people properly, real names and everything, for the time I have spent here.

Christina - heaven knows that without you I would not have been hired, and without you, I would have gone crazy a million times over. Thanks for everything that you taught me, and for not killing me when I made the huge mistakes, and thank you most for the times when you and I just sat in your office and talked about any and everything. Thanks for understanding me. Thank you for LISTENING. I know we will be friends for life.

Jessica - without you, I probably would have lost it tens times over. Thank you for your innocence and belief that things will truly get better. For every cynic like me, the world needs a wonderer like you.

Frank - I know I will never meet you, but you had uncompromising vision and a magnetism to bring people so different together. You continue to do the impossible, even from the beyond.

Jeff - I know you are now gone, but you were an ally when I needed one, and a baker for every occasion.

Ginny - We had some friction, but you never stinted on praise when it was due.

Debra - Also gone, thanks for the scone.

Blake - my first 'friend' here, you were always amusing, and that is important

Jennifer - Stoic was never so awesome as it is with you. So reliable, and able to take the fireworks.

Andy H - I kept my word, and left when I said I would.

Kendall - another one, gone, and the reason everyone loves you is because you are truly amazing. Thanks for being an example for going after you dream.

Patty - Always good humored, always in early. So sunny, really.

Bhavik - For having hopes & dreams, and letting me make fun of your idealism

Dave - For being everything that let you be #9 Dave.

Gail - Thanks for being crazy, and being okay with it

Shelley - Genuinely nice people are hard to find, but you are one of them

Sherry - rides and therapy and the inside scoop

Amy - She who provides chocolate has many friends. But she who is a friend has more. Good luck with your fleet of friends.

Linda H - Gone, but never forgotten. always thinking of the little person, and I can't think of someone I would rather plan a holiday party with.

Bernard - When someone can get me to laugh about my grandmother, and let me hide in their office, pretty amazing.

Dana - For inventing the venting chair. For keeping in touch with George. For being you

Donna C - For being willing to offer your two cents, and asking before you offer.

Kurt - You make everyone smile

Daniel - For being the Queen of the place, and for not apologizing for yourself.

George - For banter, for being another stable person

Abbey - For being the Go-between

Tory - For you surliness, and for sense of humor

Maggie - One of five, and being nicely honest

Ken - For recognizing someone on the breaking point, and helping me put out tablecloths, and talk on rainy days

Hashim - Next time, I'll let you look at the HD TVs, I promise. We do make a great team. And, if we did get married, you are right, I wouldn't have to change my last name. I hope your wife understands

Suzanne - What can I say? (giggle)

Linda B - Because in those weeks when we talked to each other every day, I had a peer group

Jolie - Don't let the mold grow on you, get out while the getting is good

Dennis H - I barely know you, but you have some snarking skills that are undeniable. Nothing brings people together like a shared apathy

Ben - If you knew about this list, I'm sure you would be surprised you are on it. But you are. What do you think about that? Because I don't know what to think about it.

Bill - for treating me like a professional, even in the manifest times when I was not being one

Sierra - For being one of five and a great neutral zone

Laura J - For always laughing. No matter what you say, I don't believe that we really stole your youth.

Kua - for always being willing to cancel the appointment

Joanne - again one of the five, and a force to be reckoned with

Mike - Always said hello. Allow me to say you are made for better things than this

Rose - for adopting me, and letting me see people through your eyes

Miss Meg - When we became friends, I don't know, but we are. And for being you at all times

Ron - every institution needs a loose cannon

Deb - for always being willing to come running

Laura Z - I hope this doesn't ruin you

Sue - Sassy is always in style

Julie - Striving for excellence and setting the standard, and being willing to help

Modesto - for caring deeply about the things I couldn't spare a thought for

Paul - the example of a lifelong learner

Dave B - for always delivering, and good work too

Alana - unintentional comic relief

Maena - you are what you are

Danilo - all those times I said Jason was my favorite? I was lying. You are so personable and the combo of linguistics and geography is intriguing

Jason - Staying late is a thankless job. So thank you

Jen K-L - you want to learn and you want to help, and that is what counts

Mark - you are the guide to style and catty remarks

Chris - always ready to stand the joke, and deal with my harangues

Graham - Service with a smile will never go out of style. Do you have a pair of scissors, by any chance?

Ruth - For being so level on the surface, and dealing with the crap

Sam - For believing in the legend and mythology, and being so jovial

Ellyn - for keeping us from gross errors

Peter - For the oysters, what else can I say? An artist.

Shawn - because you created my favorite exhibit, not that I ever told you




I'm sure there will be more, but I'm going slow.