The Donut Connection

Dear Members and Constituents,

When I hinted I might be guest writing the weekly donut e-mails from time-to-time, I didn’t expect to be doing it this soon. Ed is on PTO and someone needed to let this social network we call the Friday Donut Club know donuts had arrived. Speaking of social networks, do you ever get friend requests or invitations to connect from folks you don’t know? If you’re like me, it happens fairly often. For the most part, when I receive these I am often compelled to do some research on the off chance I know the person but don’t remember their name. Then there’s the case of warhad faseel, voice presidetn at OMRAN (SIC). He is in the real estate industry in Afghanistan, has 27 connections on LinkedIn and wishes to add me as the 28^th. Warhad’s dominion of the English language notwithstanding (I presume he meant his title to be “Vice President”), and even though real estate prices in Afghanistan are probably a screaming deal (in more than one sense of the word), I struggle to understand what value he thinks connecting with me would have. Perhaps he presumes I’m in the market for a poppy plantation near Kabul. (who isn’t?) Is he looking for fiber optic services near Kandahar? He is a 2^nd degree connection, so we appear to have a friend in common but what else might we possibly have in common that makes him want to connect? The world may never know. What we do know is Jennifer Torres is filling-in today for Andrea Pierantozzi (donut girl) –there seems to be a common theme around replacements. She delights us today with four dozen hand-picked beauties. They’re sitting pretty at their NEW usual location (just down the hall from where I sit). So come make a connection with some sweetness.

Happy Friday!

Writing Into the Sunset

Dear Members and Constituents,

I think corporate America’s obsession with efficiency is generally healthy. Companies create competitive acumen as waste goes by the wayside. Product prices drop as productivity proliferates. Granted, it’s not all goodness. Change can be disruptive and it seems people seldom stay in the same post for long. Institutional memory can easily evaporate and re-formed teams can sometimes struggle re-building their chemistry. Standing as an affront to the unintended negative side-effects of continuous improvement is Level 3’s own Friday Donut Club. It was 489 weeks ago today that I started this ragtag band of sugar seekers. Although the club has moved up (one floor) and around (four offices) and grown from fifteen to fifty members (with a hundred and fifty having gone through the ranks at various points in time), it has always had two constants: donuts and my fingerprints. For the past nine years and change it has been my honor to preside over this “vice”. The time has come for me to take a break from managing the affairs of the FDC and make room for a new “vice” president (get it?). This morning, as Laura Serna Macia makes her debut as “donut girl” (donuts are here!), Ed Stocker has gracefully agreed to take-over our beloved club’s reins. Before you protest or inquire about my plans, let me assure you I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here at Level 3, in the same office (and I reserve the right to “guest write” the Friday Donut e-mails from time-to-time). Please join me in thanking Ed for stepping-up and keeping this tradition going.

Happy trails!

Take in the Donuts

Dear Members and Constituents,
We’ve all seen them. Cameras strapped around their necks, hair disheveled, making unexpected stops along the way. Looking out of place and not caring about making fools of themselves. As a matter of fact, we’ve all been them. Visiting the sites locals know about but never bother to go. Not caring that the traditional cuisine is not what locals eat and the antiques have recently been aged. I’m talking about tourists, of course. Why is it we only behave that way when we’re so far from home? I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact we don’t know whether we’ll ever be back, so we want to take it all in. As tourists, we have an expiration date and want to make the most of the limited time we’ve got. At home, on the other hand, we’re surrounded by the familiar, we have our comfort zone and we take our ability to take the sites in “sometime” for granted. I know folks who lived in Anaheim but never went to Disneyland until they moved three thousand miles away (my folks, as a matter of fact). But, if you think about it, we all have expiration dates. Nobody makes it out of this thing we call life alive, and nobody knows how long they’ve got left. So, why not borrow a page from the traveler and live like a tourist every day? Take it all in! I propose we start with the donuts. They’re here, courtesy of Austin Hurt (donut boy) and they’re not getting any younger. Grab yours and enjoy!
Happy Friday!

Yea Winter

[Posted by Ed Stocker]

Dear Members and Constituents,

Last week we celebrated the arrival of fall to our fair city. Now, our two weeks of Fall seem to be behind us this year.  Today we awake to the first really cold and snowy morning telling us Fall is gone and Winter is marching forward.

To help combat the chill in the air and the dark skies above, Karl Schaller has brought in today’s treats.  We’ve got 4 dozen Donuts from LaMar’s to brighten up the morning and make it feel just a little warmer.  They’re delivered and ready to enjoy in the usual spot, 32C-510. Come on down and make your morning just a little better.  You’ll be glad you did.
Thanks,
Ed

Certainties

[Posted by Ed Stocker]

Dear Members and Constituents,

Fall is here. You can feel it this morning, the cool air and light mist. Leaves are starting to turn and rakes will be brought out of garages.  Football, whether you lean toward College or Pro, is taking over stadiums and TVs.  It's a certainty every year that Fall will follow Summer. 

Friday donuts have also become a certainty. Even with JP traveling the expectation is set that the Donut club will move forward.  Nino Mecevic has taken it on himself this morning to make sure that happens and has delivered four dozen donuts form LaMar’s this morning, including a nice array of specialties.  So come down to JPs and get one while they last. 

Happy Friday,

Ed

Forecast – Sunny Chance of Donuts

[Posted by Ed Stocker]

Dear Members and Constituents,

As I sat wondering what type of deliciousness was going to welcome me in the morning I thought I would take a look at the available data and see if I could forecast what to expect. Using the YTD results of the Donut Club I pieced together a picture of what we typically receive.  I determined that on average we will have 4.27 dozen donuts.  But it is likely that today we will l have exactly 4 dozen, as that happens 65% of the time.  Krispy Kreme’s are likely to have more than four dozen donuts, but, 5280, with an admittedly small statistical sampling, always shows up with 5 dozen.

In sequencing we see that Krispy Kreme’s will follow LaMar’s or Krispy Kreme, but, rarely will they be delivered the week after Winchell’s. Donuts are most likely to come from LaMar’s or Krispy Kreme.  Both brands have their followers and the arguments over which are better can be great, but that is a subject for a different email.  66% of the time one of those fine purveyors will produce the donuts we enjoy

. 

Given the available data I am forecasting we will see Four dozen donuts form LaMar’s this morning.  JP’s out of the office, but Shellie Wesson isn’t.  She has met my forecast and has delivered four dozen donuts from LaMar’s for your enjoyment.  It looks like she’s a fan of specialties, so come get one while they last.

Happy Friday,

Ed

The donuts are dry!

Dear Members and Constituents,

As I made my way to work this morning, letting my mind wander to the lazy hum of the overboard motor and watching a pod of dolphins swimming in my wake I got to thinking: 300 days of sunshine, my donkey! Someone decided it would be funny if Coloradans had to walk in Seattle’s shoes for a week. With the weather the way it’s been, I suppose a good share of you are probably working from home today. Those of you who decided to brave the elements will be glad to hear, Karin Ratchinski (donut girl) has an impeccable backstroke, which means she managed to keep four dozen Winchell’s donuts dry for you despite making the perilous swim from the parking structure. So, as you keep your thoughts on Lyons, grab a bear claw and make your way to the ark. Most of all, try to stay dry.

Happy Friday!