I Just Don't Get It

It has now started to become more of a mission for me. I am actually looking for things that I don't get. I figured if I stick to only three at a time per post, this will actually come pretty quickly.

1. Halloween and Christmas already???? It is only July 10. Fourth of July holiday ended and retails quickly move all of the merchandise from a prominent display in the front of the store to the back clearance bin to prepare for the next holiday shopping. I am used to seeing back to school supplies coming out shortly after Fourth of July. Then it is followed slowly by Halloween items, Thanksgiving and then Christmas (which gets scattered with whatever is blue and white so they can have a Chanukkah display). I was actually at Babies R Us this past weekend to get a baby shower present. As I am walking towards the registers, I see that they already have Halloween costumes for sale. I actually stopped for a second to reflect on the fact that it is JULY!!!! Then yesterday on my way to work I drove by a billboard for a radio station. The advertisement had a sun on it wearing a Santa Claus hat. The tag line below the station identification said "Your holiday music station." I have already resigned myself to the fact that the day after Thanksgiving most radio stations start the Christmas music. But the day after July 4th? I think that is a new record of ridiculous.

2. Candy. I have a candy dish at my desk. My cube mate had it on her desk before she moved to a different cubicle. Since I usually need a chocolate fix, I decided I would invest in a candy dish. The guy who sits in the cubicle next to mine eats a lot of the chocolate but since he contributes to purchase candy, I have no problem with it. What I do have a problem with is when people come by my desk to either say hi or ask me a question and then complain about my candy choices. Seriously, you are complaining because I have candy and not chocolate today that I nice enough share? The other problem I have is that people will stop by my desk to take some candy and I don't even know who they are. Should I follow them to their desk and randomly take things off of their desk? It isn't like the candy is on a table outside of my desk and just for everyone to help themselves. It is on my desk within arm reach for me. What is even funnier is that people I know or who really stop by to discuss work will ask permission for a piece of candy. I usually just laugh and tell them "Any time!" It is nice that they have manners but I do provide candy for those people who stop by to actually get work done. Though I have had to put up the candy dish when I leave the desk because apparently me not sitting here to monitor the candy becomes an open invitation to anyone walking by to have some candy.

3. Maternity Leave. I have only 4 weeks of work left before I go on maternity leave. There still has been no decision on who will be doing my work while I am on leave. I keep having to tell people that this date isn't exactly negotiable nor can I move it out. She is coming whether I am ready or not! (more on the not ready side but I won't go into that.)