My coworkers rule

Last Saturday the gang threw me a little surprise party for my 20th anniversary of employment. Unlike most "surprise" parties, this one truly was a surprise. I had nary a whiff of anything suspicious, even after seeing "JG's Party" written in my wife's day planner on Saturday evening (the cover story was that she and I were having dinner with Tim and Margie. (I figured she just thought the dinner would be better than the average dinner).

The cars were hidden masterfully, and I truly had no clue about the proceedings until I walked in to a veritable "this is your life" gathering of coworkers and friends.

So this is my public thanks to them. Not just for a stellar party, but for 20 fabulous years. Although, after 20 years I'd figured I was wired in to the day-to-day operations enough that I'd find out about the HUGE BERKELEYING PARTY that was being planned.

I guess Margie nearly cracked on several occasions, but i figured she was just having a mini stroke when she'd shout o me from her office "We're gonna have..." or "I'm gonna cook..." then abruptly stop mid sentence.

Thanks guys. I hope I haven't overstayed my welcome yet.

jg

Awesome! Congrats again!

Oh and don't worry about Margie, she was probably interrupted by something Tommy said on the board.

Finally got my issue yesterday. Great page and a third! Congrats on twenty years!

I've worked for GRM/ CMS for 8 years now. As you guys can probably tell, it gets pretty intense here at the "world headquarters" from time to time. (ie... nearly always

We all honestly get along, and like each other. However, during the course of battle we have all wanted to choke each other to death at some point. During my stay here, I've wanted to kill JG the least.

Congrats on 20 years! JG does an amazing amount of work, and a damn good job at what he does. It has been a great privilege of mine to work along side him.

Would it be okay to start a petition for you to have a regular column going forward? Your column was great, but your last article on the 25 hours of T-hill literally had me crying! "Shame on you, Patrick Dempsey!" That sent me over the edge. I would love to see a column from you in every issue.

All in favor, say "I".

I

JG's party was a blast. If you guys are nice, maybe we'll share the slideshow we had running all evening.

JG Pasterjak wrote: I guess Margie nearly cracked on several occasions, but i figured she was just having a mini stroke when she'd shout o me from her office "We're gonna have..." or "I'm gonna cook..." then abruptly stop mid sentence. Thanks guys. I hope I haven't overstayed my welcome yet. jg

Seriously, what workday doesn't include me spontaneously spouting some recipe or lunch ambition I just thought up? It's like I have tourette's, only with beef cuts and pork parts instead of curse words.

The whole point last weekend, though, was to thank YOU. I seriously do not think we'd have the company we have today if we had not said 20 years ago to the kid with the moussed hair, "Okay, you can come hang out with us on the weekdays and maybe get paid when we can afford it." We turned a corner that day, although it took us all a little while to get far enough out of the hole to know it.

Margie

dyintorace wrote: Would it be okay to start a petition for you to have a regular column going forward? Your column was great, but your last article on the 25 hours of T-hill literally had me crying! "Shame on you, Patrick Dempsey!" That sent me over the edge. I would love to see a column from you in every issue. All in favor, say "I".

The part about finishing twice had me crying on the way to work.

J.G., Congratulations! You guys have an awesome office and this is just further proof!

David on the slide show.... Pretty Please??????

Congrats J.G.

I would say something about your article but I haven't gotten my copy yet.

Wow, 20 years! No one does that anymore. Most companies will find a reason to dump you when they think they have to put out for yor retirement.

Congrats for your stick to it-ness, your talent and mostly your patience. You're in good company. How the time flies.

Dan

Moussed hair, eh? I had that, too, in the 1980s. Nothing worse than having your coiffed 'do ruined by a helmet. That's why I shave my head now (and, unlike some of you, moussed "Flock of Seagulls" hair is still within my reach, should I choose).

Congrats on the anniversary -- and I loved your column. I keep hoping you will write a story about your epic Volvo adventure (oops, a typo nearly made that much more exciting than expected). Your style reminds me of John Phillips, and I mean that as a huge compliment to you.

dyintorace wrote: Would it be okay to start a petition for you to have a regular column going forward? Your column was great, but your last article on the 25 hours of T-hill literally had me crying! "Shame on you, Patrick Dempsey!" That sent me over the edge. I would love to see a column from you in every issue. All in favor, say "I".

eye

voted up!

It's "Aye". Didn't you learn nuttin on Talk Like a Pirate Day?

pssshhhh, its "arrrrrrrrrr" and then you have to say "matey", everyone knows that

Wally wrote: The part about finishing twice had me crying on the way to work.

My wife finished an inline skating marathon twice.

She wiped out ~300 yards from the finish, and in the crash her timing chip came off. Not realizing this, she finished, then went back to get her chip and finished again.

You guys have too much fun

Congratulations JG! I loved the articles and you're always friendly at the office.

wait! you work here?

J/K

congrats.

(dude, that is half your life...)

EricM wrote: (dude, that is half your life...)

With any luck it'll be three quarters someday.

Marjorie Suddard wrote: The whole point last weekend, though, was to thank YOU. I seriously do not think we'd have the company we have today if we had not said 20 years ago to the kid with the moussed hair, "Okay, you can come hang out with us on the weekdays and maybe get paid when we can afford it." We turned a corner that day, although it took us all a little while to get far enough out of the hole to know it. Margie

Hmmmm. That's right. 1990 was at the very end of what will hopefully be remembered as THE darkest days of Auto-X / Auto-X & GRM / GRM. Then comes Mr Pasterjak who leads you from the darkness into the light. I guess there's only two things left to do. Throw palms at him, then crucify him. It's been done.

Keep up the good work. Here's to many more.

Congratulations - keep 'er lit

The volvo will certainly get some ink. Just need some time to get a few things done on it and I'll start writing.

As for a column, while it'd be fun, I just don't know that I'd have the time to to it to the level I'd want to do it to. I do promise that I will at a minimum try and be more bloggy. And maybe i can sneak a column in from time to time. David and I have often talked about recounting some of the wackier stories from the earlier days. Many of them are real funny, but just as many are completely unfit for print.

And look for the first batch of photos from the 24 Hours of the nurburgring soon. Maybe even some video, although we're on a pretty tight schedule and editing is time consuming.

And thanks for the kindness.

jg

JG Pasterjak wrote: . David and I have often talked about recounting some of the wackier stories from the earlier days. Many of them are real funny, but just as many *are completely unfit for print.* jg

That's the ones we want to read!