I got beer. And a mouse.

It was more than I expected. Having been expecting nothing (is that possible?), I was very pleasantly surprised.

Yesterday the Facilities lead person dude who works for the acknowledged world leader in streaming technology based here in Seattle gave me what is probably the coolest wireless mouse/receiver thingie in the entire world, a 12-pack of Alaskan Amber (out of their own personal stock, no doubt) and thanked me for all of my hard work over the last year.

It is, quite sadly, more acknowledgement than I've ever received from my own company over the last six years. Hell, my then-supervisor didn't even bring my 5-year service pin so as to engage in the requisite Shaking Of The Hand Of Management. He gave it to my "foreman" (don't ask about the quotes) to pass along to me.

The 12-pack of AA is currently nestled below a 12-pack of Pyramid Snow Cap out on my deck in the chill Seattle air. The mouse, which has the absolute best Chinglish instructions I've ever seen, will go in the bag with the laptop and work very nicely with same.

Thanks, Jimmy.