Staff Bytes
Toastmasters Unplugged Goes to Oxford
Every half hour, a hammer strikes the old bell in the clock tower atop Seney Hall with a melodious clang. Cast in 1796, it is the oldest historical item at Oxford College.
On November 15th, five members of Toastmasters Unplugged, OIT's Toastmasters group, offered a public speaking roadshow for Emory's Oxford College. OIT members who attended were Liteacha Davis (Call Center), Desiree Fortune (Call Center), Lamar Kelly (Enterprise Services), Wade Moricle (Integration), and Keith Rooks (Enterprise Services).
The meeting, held in historical, 120-year-old Seney Hall, attracted over a dozen Emory employees from around the Oxford campus, as well as Toastmasters Area Governor Yana Mosley.
Various members of the group demonstrated the meeting roles and gave speeches, including a speech by Wade Moricle called "Why Should You Join Toastmasters?" Wade likened the development of one's speaking ability to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, in which belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization can be achieved through this endeavor.
He concluded by saying, "Toastmasters isn't easy. But it isn't particularly difficult either. It is what you make of it."
The Panel Be Illuminated
Strange messages are often the norm in the computer world. Whether lost in translation of simply misspelled, they are a reminder of carefully examining your work. As an example, Anne Marie Alexander (Integration) submitted this Bizhub message, which reads, "Due to an alert, the panel be illuminated."
Yes, it be.
Peter Day Muggle Disguise
Look deeply into his eyes!
This Halloween, Peter Day (Integration) dressed up as a wizard disguised as a muggle. "Muggle" is the word used in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling to refer to a person who lacks any sort of magical ability and was not born into the magical world. If you look deeply into the photo, Peter's eyes follow you as you move left and right.
John Wilson's Daughter Helps Win State Volleyball Title
Sidney Wilson is in the back row, fourth form the left. Bump...set...SPIKE!
The Sandy Creek High School Lady Patriot volleyball team recently won the Georgia AAA state championship. They played against St. Pius on Saturday, October 29, 2011. Congratulations to John Wilson, Jr. (Enterprise Applications), whose daughter Sydney (fourth from the left - the tallest one, go figure) was one of the pivotal members of the team.
This was the school's first state championship win since 2008. The volleyball team has been to the state championship match four out of the last five years and this was their second state championship win.
You Got The Right One, Baby
"I want to get a vending machine, with fun sized candy bars, and the glass in front is a magnifying glass. You'll be mad, but it will be too late." - Mitch Hedberg
Thanks to Kim Comstock (IT F&A), two beautiful vending machines finally adorn the 1762 entrance, shining like Christmas trees!
"After a full belly all is poetry." - Frank McCourt
"Distant water won't quench your immediate thirst." - Chinese Proverb
"That's a big Twinkie." - Winston Zeddmore, Ghostbusters
Al Shelton: Santa Paws at Work
Anybody have a dog biscuit-shaped candy cane?
Kids are great.
Pets, some not so much. One 140-lb dog named Coda peed on my foot, One, named Tripod, had the worst gas I think I've ever encountered. Only one cat used its claws. First, it jumped to the back of the chair, then after it got behind me, it used my back as a springboard to get out. I still have the marks.
The pet pictures were for a Humane Society fund raiser. People donated to the shelter to get their pet's pictures with Santa Paws.
Yes, I have multiple red suits. One style (material) for humans and one for pets.
- Al Shelton, Application Developer, Enterprise Applications
Queen of Recycling Coronation Ceremony
All hail, Her Majesty of Recycling!
Dawn Francis-Chewning (Academic Technology Services), author of our Greening IT Series, was recently coronated as "Queen of Recycling" by her peers. She received a crown, robe, and magic wand, which she plans to use against the evil forces of "careless wastefulness" and "stubborn ecological destruction." The good news is that when she grows tired of hero work, her costume is recyclable!
Joe Johnson Gets Married
Notice that Joe is sporting his LSU colors.
Joe Johnson (Enterprise Services) married Lauren Davis on November 1, 2011. The wedding was held at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Lauren is a nurse from Douglasville, GA. She spent many years living in Australia and, despite her disinterest in American sports, still puts up with Joe's other loves...LSU and the Saints.
Jymbellyn Carthon Celebrates Her First Anniversary
Jymbellyn on one of her taller days.
Jymbellyn Carthon (nee Harrison) and her husband Michael recently celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary. Jymbellyn didn't get to tell the world a year ago, so we thought we'd help spread the news.
Jymbellyen, who works in the Call Center's Service Desk, is extremely proud of her husband. He went to UGA and works as a Clinical Applications Analyst II for a company called Medquest.
Michael also is a member of the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra, playing the double bass. He plays the electric bass as well and is learning to play the guitar. If you are interested in the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra, you can see the upcoming performance schedule at http://dekalbsymphony.tix.com/.