Wow, am I ever behind on publishing the meeting minutes.
On January 30, 2013 Claudia Kunzler, FOCM Member in good standing for several years, Johnny Murphy, newly inducted member, and I had dinner at TasteVin Wine and Cheese in San Carlos, CA. The owner is FOCM member in good standing of several years, Sue Simpson. You will notice that TasteVin Wine and Cheese is one of FOCM’s recommended businesses and a 10% discount is given to anyone stating they know me or showing their FOCM card.
A contribution from FOCM member Stuart Munson
So one of the things I used to do at meetings was to listen for interesting phrases which when taken out of context would sound rather funny. This all started when at a meeting probably 5 years ago, I started noticing a lot of the typical cliché business phrases and began to write them down as I heard them and then would make a tally mark next to how many times it was repeated.
So I have decided to put these in an ongoing series in this, the Humor section of the website. I will be removing the name of the person who said the phrase, I may put their function/responsibility as long as it doesn’t give away the individual. I’m sure some of you will recognize some of your own statements and those of others and I cannot stop you from commenting (actually I can) or guessing who said which.
The first one is a much more recent one, overheard at a conference while we exhibitors were packing up our booths.
“Nice box”
Had this thought this week while traveling on business.
You know this whole “1% vs 99%” topic and “income inequality” and “raise the minimum wage” debate – well I saw this quote from Pope Francis in Time Magazine, February 3 edition: “I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.” That gave me the idea to leave a $5 or $10 dollar tip on the morning I check out of the hotel. I tip when I’m out at a restaurant or in a bar while on business travel. The servers are making a comparatively low hourly wage as are the housekeeping staff at the hotel. Maybe some of you already do this, I know that I may have done so only once or twice ever.
So then I thought, what if a lot of us who fit this description: work full time, travel occasionally for business or pleasure with some discretionary income (eg, kids out of college and on their own), did the same thing. Rather than having the government engage in forced redistribution of wealth, citizens would be helping citizens for the betterment of society and the economy. Lower wage earners would have additional income with which could help them buy additional food, goods, services, thereby improving the economy.
I believe it has a spiritual impact (it’s better to give than to receive). Am I naïve? Do you think this has merit economically or would it be a drop in the ocean and have no or minimal economic impact?
Seen in Readers Digest January 2014 are these true newspaper headlines:
County to Pay $250,000 to Advertise Lack of Funds
– Register-Guard (Eugene, Oregon)
4-H Training Scheduled for Shooting Instructors
– Pine City Pioneer (Minnesota)
Study Shows Frequent Sex Enhances Pregnancy Chances
– Winchester Star (Virginia)
Police: DUI Charge for Woman Celebrating End of Earlier DUI Suspension
– Chicago Tribune
Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop, Find Weapons
– Tulsa World (Oklahoma)
While attending the Outsourcing in Clinical Trials West Coast meeting, I was fortunate to have dinner with two of my former ICON co-workers: Claudia Kunzler and Debbie McCoy. We had a good night with great conversation, laughs and a good dinner at KingFish Restaurant in San Mateo, CA.
No way could I ever do this job.
Thanks to FOCM member Jace Leffler for sending this to me.
In late January of this year at the Outsourcing in Clinical Trials West Coast conference, Lorri Perkins received her FOCM card. It was a very moving ceremony, many tears of joy were shed.
Lorri and I worked together at ICON Clinical Research. Lorri then went to work for ClinStar and has recently joined ChemDiv’s IPHARMA Division. Thanks to Debbie McCoy for taking the photo and making sure to get her company’s logo in the background.
February 22, 2014
A good group is expected: Brian Frankel and Gwen, Chris Diehl and Polly, Sheryle Browne (FOCM’s favorite massage therapist), Carol and Harlan Cox, Angie Lee and Mike, Carol and Don Lewis, May Singh, Gayle Grandinetti, Deb Jendrasek and me. Sadly Carrie Gallagher, Mike Burrows and Wendy Revenaugh are unable to attend