Next week, there is a company wide event, culminating in a 700-person strong party. Because of this event, there was no staff Christmas party at the end of 2023, but one tradition has carried over - there is a theme. The theme for this year is "level up" which is lame, because it is so open. But, I am pretty sure there are a going to be a lot of Mario Bros. characters floating about.
Today, I went to a costume shop and got my outfit organized.
Top Gun.
Lame for sure, but since Tom Cruise and I have a lot in common (we are about the same height), it will be fine. So, I picked up a set of pilot overalls, and a colleague is going to go as Ice Man - and has the same get up. With the success of Maverick recently, there will likely be more of these at the event, but at least it is something. No one is ever forced to dress up for these events, but the fun people do.
Some people are lame.
It is interesting to see the people who don't dress up though, as often I can see in their eyes that there is some kind of jealousy, like a wish that they had the balls to dress up and make a fool of themselves. Granted, there are some things that I am not willing to do either.
Karaoke.
Dressing up though, that is something I don't mind doing. I used to throw costume parties a lot, and have been everything from a priest, to a French maid - fishnets and all. I am not sure I would go in drag to a company party though - or as a religious figure.
Does Tom Cruise count as a religious figure?
I am kind of looking forward to seeing how the week is going to play out though, as it is going to be an incredibly busy week. So much so, I am unsure when I am going to find the time to post. It is an early morning to late night thing, every day, Monday to Friday. And as I am facilitating Tuesday through to Thursday, I don't really have gaps throughout the day either. And then there is the slight problem that half the country is on strike on Thursday and Friday, so there is going to be a lot of additional tasks on top.
Some short posts for once?
I go through phases where I think that it would be good to write some shorter posts and just get some quick thoughts out of my head and opened up for discussion. Perhaps after that, I could expand on them when I have some time, factoring in what people have said. I have also considered writing posts based on comments that I get, and starting a discussion that way.
Would people like to be mentioned in a post like that?
It wouldn't be just as opposition as to what is said, probably the opposite. I think it is interesting to explore the different perspectives of people, and the value they bring to the table with their experience. I like the idea of having a pool of quality contributors participating in the discussions, like a digital reference group. Too much of social media is through stranger interaction - not familiar.
Strangers put on masks, especially when they think they won't get caught, or when they are trying to be something they are not. On the internet, it is easy to fake knowledge and experience, because information is only a Google away, but it is soon apparent who knows what, with a little drilling down into the subject. What is interesting is, that there seems to be an increasing expectation that people should know a lot, because it is at their fingertips, but that is not knowledge. Googling is not experience - it is just parroting what is read. There is no skill in that.
But it seems to make some people feel good.
I just wonder, what would their face by like in real life, as in similar conversations, they would have nothing to say, while others spoke at length from experience.
Would it be like those who don't dress up at parties?
A bit jealous and embarrassed.
I am trying to be a little bolder.
Care a little less. Connect a little more.
No mask - just some aviator sunglasses.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
While I'm sure some would be jealous that they're too prudish to cut loose, are you sure some of them are just thinking the lot of you are idiots and they can't believe that you would actually willingly go out and make yourselves look even stupider XD
Your idea of "discussion posts" harks me back to old forum days XD
Once upon a time when I was an aspiring writer, someone gifted me one of those "how to write" books aimed at kids. One of the scraps I remember out of there was to generally write what you know as "research can cover some gaps but not crevices".
I don't know about other people but I do make a point between "knowing" something (it's in your head, you understand it, you can at least somewhat explain/teach it to others) and "indexing" something (you know where to find more information when you need it).
it was mildly amusing when I discovered I don't actually havee memory issues I have indexing issues
And also it seems way too many just want to blindly and fervently believe whoever tells them what they want to hear/be right/feels good at the time. I had a huge argument with youngest the other day as he was absolutely adamant that there was no point cross referencing anything he was told because why would people he trusted lie to him, and he was furious with me for saying I would need to look something up that he'd told me because I didn't know a lot about it and he thought I should just trust him.
Pics of dressup? :D
Yes! But, deep down they know they are lying to themselves, as they see people having fun, while they are the proverbial wallflower.....
This is good advice. Over the years I have found some people who purport to be intelligent in an area - *Very unwilling to "show their working" - because they can't actually do the math :)
This is interesting. I will have to dig deeper into this :)
He doesn't realize yet, that they might not be lying, but it doesn't mean what they say is correct. Belief in something doesn't make it true :)
It is funny, but whoever is wearing a mask at work in real life, they finds it hard to put another one, right?
Perhaps that is the case! No wonder so many people are trying to discover who they really are - since most of the time they are playing at being someone else-
Wow, 700 people, that is quite the big shin dig. I can't even imagine. Even if all our employees came to an event, it would only be about 150 people. I've never been really big on dressing up, but I respect people who are brave enough to do it. I try to keep my posts around 1000 words, but I often wonder if people actually read that much anyway.
Yep - about 300-350 flying in for it from around the world.
This is the average I keep as well normally. I think some people read, some skim - some use the AI function to comment ;)
Yeah, I hadn't even thought about the AI function that they have now. Seems like cheating to me, but I can understand why people might use it.
Sometimes, worrying less and connecting more brings its downsides, but let's see how it goes.... Certainly, delving deeper into a topic in a meeting is a good tactic if we want to really get to know people and how much they master. Here in Canada, there is a lot of value placed on the information a person demonstrates they can handle and how they apply it. Job interviews are rigorous and depending on the position, the questions are globalized. I work with a multidisciplinary team that has passed the filter, and each one is good in their specialty. It's been a long, long time since I've been to a costume meeting, “since school, I think…”
The company KI work for has a very rigorous testing process for new hires. Many won't even go through the process once they find out, because they don't see it as worth it. However, we also have an average tenure about 6x the US average, and growing. hard to get in, worth staying for.
Costume parties are fun.
Why not Ecency Waves?
Once at a costume party I put on a wig (long blonde hair) and made a joke - hugged my friend.
When his girlfriend saw the scene - her boyfriend in an embrace with the "blonde", we both almost got beaten 😁
:D
Your story reminded me of one of my parties, where my dad dressed up as my mum, blonde wig and all. It was one of the funniest memories I have of him, as he was generally the very serious kind of person when it came to what he wanted people to think of him :)
All of us serious people have our moments of craziness 😁
So many people in one place? I would probably want to run home immediately.
I am sure that he is more popular than some minor deities.
I am looking forward to it. I know about 30% of them only, so it might be interesting to meet some more.
Isn't he a figure in the church of Scientology?
Correct. We see this in the IT corporate and other govt ladders a lot. People easily backstab each other by holding the mask. And worst part you can't win those small battles and unless you adjust survival is harder in those grounds.
I am glad that so far for now at least, the company I work for doesn't have a lot of backstabbing in it that I have seen. People get frustrated, but there is a general sense of transparency and openness, and discussion is encouraged.
I might be one of those that don't dress up and is slightly jealous of those that did. I usually commute, and wearing the costume already is not an option, while bringing the change of clothes is a bit of a hassle. Or maybe I'm just making excuses and I'm just lazy. Either way, I hope you have fun in your party.
Perhaps it depends on culture too. In Finland, people don't seem to mind dressing up in public (those who don't mind dressing up) so it is common to see people on the bus in a costume :)
That might be it. Asians tend to avoid standing out. Not all of course.
Shorter posts and expanding on comments sounds good to me, as does fancy-dress. There are a few photos knocking around where makeup was used.
My crazy busy weeks have passed for now and I don't envy you. Rest... or Post.. :)
A few hundred words and I am probably still above the wordcount of most people :D
After next week - I might take a day or two off. It has been intense, and next week is going to be a killer. Especially with the amount of drinking expected in the evenings on top of it.
Drinks are controllable, a little control is enough. If we know that something affects us, “why do we tend to abuse it…”.
I have no worries about controlling my drinking. It was a joke.
You and being a priest, you would make the participants abandon the religion 😄
The irony ;)
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STOPMask parties are always interesting
You’d be free to do anyhow you like without anyone seeing you, lol