One Lump or Two?

Raise your hand if your boss asks you to fetch coffee for him or her?

I happen to be "old school" so I don't have any problem getting a cup of coffee or lunch for my busy partner. Or my busy associate. Or another busy secretary for that matter.

However, on more than one recent occasion, other secretaries have commented on how they think it is completely inappropriate for a boss to expect a secretary to get coffee.

I know we've come a long way but unless it's illegal or immoral, I simply don't care. Plus, if my boss needs caffeine to keep turning out those magnificent briefs, then I'm here to help. I mean "support" means just that, right?

But, where do you draw the line? Some of you may be too young to remember Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl." You should rent it on DVD. I will never forget the scene of her pushing the dim sum cart down the hall. I admit I'm a sucker for a good pork bun.

What about "The Devil Wears Prada?" Now, that was no easy job for sure. But Anne Hathaway was an amazing assistant.

I think there's something to be said for being there to assist in whatever capacity is needed.

What are your thoughts? Do you do coffee? I'd love to hear from you.

WEBINAR - April 20, 2011 - Best of Automation & Timesavers in MS Word 2003

PRESENTED BY DAVIDSON STAFFING

Best of Automation & Timesavers in MS Word 2003

$49.00

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Increase your efficiency in MS Word 2003 and save valuable time creating documents! This class will show you how to use Automation tools, including, AutoCorrect, AutoText, Customizing Toolbars, etc. Plus, how to Create Forms with Text Fields, Drop Down Lists, or Check Boxes.

For more information and to register:

www.davidsonstaffing.com

Doubles As A Lunch Box

A funny thing happened on the way to the pharmacy. Whenever you run out to do errands on a Saturday morning (sans makeup), inevitably you'll bump into someone you know. Well, yesterday, I got lucky. Before I could bump into anyone I knew, I received an "intervention" from the esthetician. Yes, there is an esthetician in my pharmacy. Cool, huh? Yep. I think so too.

Anyway, I told her that I was just picking up a prescription but I was in the market for a new moisturizer. She could see that I was not a teenager and directed me to the collection of the "Juice Beauty" line geared for more "mature" women.

Since I hadn't really used their facial products before, she suggested that I purchase this Juice Beauty kit that was left from the holidays. It's an "introductory" type thing to get you acquainted with the line. So, that you can fall in love with it and then realize that you can't afford it because you have to pay bills or something like that.

But, at 29.95 I couldn't pass it up. Not only did a get a new moisturizer, I got a cleanser, an apple peel, an antioxidant serum and a reflecting gloss.

I hope this stuff works but if it doesn't, I can use the cute little container for my lunch.

Have a great week!

Should Co-Workers Be Facebook (TM) Friends?

You know, ever since Facebook opened its portals to the general public (as opposed to being for college kids only) many questions have come up as to not only what is proper Facebook etiquette, but what does it really mean to "friend" someone?

Clearly, we don't define our Facebook friends in the same way we do those people we would call when we get a flat or our boyfriends have dumped us or when we need someone in which to confide. And do we really want our colleagues to know that our cousin in Wichita is in need of prayer because their husband just ran off?

But, the water is becoming a little murky. Initially, I didn't think it was a good idea at all to make co-workers my Facebook friends. In fact, I'm not even sure I should be using Facebook at all. I mean, once it's posted, it's there - forever. Oh, sure you can delete it or deactivate your account, but somewhere in cyberspace whatever you've said gets "cached" and in employment terms the wrong thing in the "cache" could land you "cash-less."

Say, I wanted to say something snarly about my boss - not that I would ever even think anything bad about my boss - but just say I did. I was having a rough Monday, I wanted to vent and I posted something on my wall that was less than "positive?" I have coworkers who are my Facebook friends and they casually mention to another coworker the "funny" rant I posted this morning. And they tell a friend and then so on and so on and so on.

The rule of thumb that I've chosen to follow, for the time being, is that unless it's someone I would want to have dinner with after hours, I'm not friending them. Of course, by not accepting their "friend request" you're sort of putting yourself in a situation where they might be offended. But is it better for them to be offended now than you be fired later?

Just a little something to think about as we end up the week.

Oh, and if you don't accept my friend request, I won't be offended. I'll just cross you off my holiday card list.

:)

Would You Take The Meeting Notes, Please?

Gladly! PaperMate may have saved the art of letter writing. With their cool line of pens, including the new Biodegradable Ball Point Pen, writing is not only easy, it's downright fashionable.

I was watching the Super Bowl this year and saw a commercial for PaperMate. And I thought to myself, "When did PaperMate get so hip?"

It may be time to step away from your keyboards and get back to basics. "Thank You" is so much nicer on a card than in an email. Wouldn't you agree?

The Paper Mate Team sent me an assortment of pens to try out. I love them all but I think the Gel Pens are my favorite. They're so like "gellin."

Check out all your old favorites and the new lines of pens at:

www.papermate.com

XOXO


*PaperMate provided me with free samples of their products for the purposes of preparing this review.

Davidson Legal Presents A Table of Authorities Webinar- March 23, 2011

Learn in the comfort of your own cubicle :)

Table of Authorities in MS Word 2003 - $49

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Learn how to properly mark citations and generate a Table of Authorities in MS Word 2003, including revising the “selected text,” choosing the proper category, creating proper short citations, and correcting the most commonly made mistakes.


For more information:

www.davidsonstaffing.com

All Work and No Play Makes Jill A Dull Girl (and Jack a very dull boy)

I ran across this really cool blog and I thought I'd share it with you. So many of my colleagues have an artistic side and this site has some really cute projects.

Paper Crafts Connection is all about - well paper crafts. Check it out:

www.papercraftsconnection.com

Enjoy! And feel free to pass along links to other blogs which might be of interest. Just because we work in a law firm doesn't mean we're not cool!

* Pictured mailbox created by Damask Love