Now You See It...

First, let me say this, now that I've driven home in the frozen tundra after toiling through my Monday trying to concentrate on the spectacularly tall piles of paper on my desk, but instead fighting to ignore my addled brain worrying about Keith driving to Branson and the pipes possibly freezing, then bursting, then flooding, that...

(DEEP breath)

...THIS is some lame bull$#!* RIGHT HERE....

...annnnnd scene.  Today's winter rant complete.  Despite my deep resentment toward Old Man Winter, we press on as life goes on.  So, it was very good that our employee soiree at my workplace, The Elms Hotel and Spa was such a bang-up success.  It was well-attended despite the monstrously bitter chill.  A wonderful brunch with everything from pork tenderloin to housemade macaroni and cheese to tortellini salad were served with some decadent desserts to boot, like the luscious-looking trifle.  There must have been a little magic in the air as every morsel seemingly vanished when it came time to photograph the food, with the exception of these lone cupcakes...

All of those sinful desserts must have disappeared during the raucous applause when the awards were given to Pam Collins (below with GM Eric) our Employee of the Year, or to Deby Musick, our Unifocus winner.

Still, there seemed to be a little something...mystical in the air.  The culprits behind the magical mayhem must have been our entertainment; the illusionist Jean-Paul, his wife/medium Julianne and their Capuchin monkey Frankie.  Indeed, these folks spun the crowd right 'round with some utterly mind-bending, brain-tickling illusions and tricks.

In the end though, I think the reason behind the enchantment was the mere existence of this long-awaited night of relaxation and gratitude that this group of hard-working associates so richly deserve.  These guys toil so diligently to keep our guests happy and it was very gratifying to see them all kick back, eat some killer food, revel in the entertainment and let themselves be taken care of for a change.

Warmed my cold, cold heart even.  Until I walked back outside.........