Choice Mindsets

Choice Mindsets

19 May

Posted at 08:36h in Uncategorized

Craig Eley:
“I feel like a Transformer.”

We got a new fridge in our Sidney office, and that meant the old fridge went to live elsewhere. Craig Eley, “helping” with the move, just sort of wandered around holding the freezer door panel, looking rather robot-like.

Speaking of Transformers, what vehicles would the Choice One-bots convert into?

  • Nick Selhorst would be a Ford Focus just like his Choice One car.
  • Ryan Bruns would opt for a Blackhawk helicopter, but at his height, we think he’d better fold into a Reliant Robin.
  • Craig Frilling would, without hesitation, be his sweet 1989 GMC Safari van.
  • Matt Hoying would be the A-Team van. The humanoid version would clearly need a mohawk like B.A. Baracus. Hey, let’s shave your head today, Matt!

 

We’re guessing that Craig’s Transformer vehicle of choice would not be “Stainless Steel Refrigerator-mobile.” Indeed, he would prefer to be Cadillac Eldorado. However, because he has a few grey hairs, we’re guessing he’d probably actually transform into Dino-bot. Either way, he’s a classic!

06 May

Posted at 14:44h in Uncategorized

Brittany Clinehens:
“Is no one working today?”

 

Choice One’s Sidney office was out of power first thing one morning this week, and although the early birds in the office sent around a message that the office was dark, Brittany missed it. She was then confused since there were no lights on when she arrived, as if no one else was coming to work. (In her defense, the businesses across the street were lit up with power.)
So what happens at Choice One when there’s no power? First, we panic for irrational reasons (is there a battery backup for the coffee pot?!). Then we contemplate doing non-power/computer/server-related tasks we’ve been putting off—cleaning up our desks, tidying up the common areas, writing things on paper like in the old days. But then we come to our senses and keep working by heading to Burger King for the wi-fi (but mostly for a croissan’wich or two).
Thankfully, Brittany’s confusion and the power outage passed quickly. The power came on, typical work commenced, and no one had to actually clean up their desk. But we did take a third croissan’wich to go!

21 Apr

Posted at 16:10h in Uncategorized

Wes Wolters
“I left my calculator in the fridge again this morning.”

Boy, that’s the worst. You have a big day of engineering in front of you, and it hits you: you forgot your calculator in the fridge. Rats! Wes carries his calculator in with his lunch so he doesn’t forget to bring it from home each morning, and sometimes it accidently goes straight into the office fridge upon his arrival. Which means… he’s doing calculator-required math at home in his free time? Let’s hope he’s just studying for the P.E. exam and not that bored.

Even though we engineers love math so much we could probably eat it for lunch, perhaps Wes might consider packing something a little more appetizing. Perhaps he could bring a fruit salad of apples, grapes, canta-slopes and tangent-erines? Maybe carrots, celery, and radii-shes? Or more realistically, since we tend to be more of a sweets crowd, he could share with all of us a couple slices of cherry “pi.”

Hope your calculator quickly thaws for use, Wes. Because when math, food, and engineering collide, magic happens! And apparently bad puns, too.

09 Apr

Posted at 07:21h in Uncategorized

Brittany Clinehens:
“How do you adjust signal timings?”

Craig Eley:
“We have special tools: we’re traffic engineers.”

 

 

We all know by now that traffic engineers are pretty much superheroes. But now we have learned that not only do they have special brains, but they have special tools, too!

 

With 30+ years of traffic engineering experience, Craig has been adjusting traffic signal timings for many moons. Considering Craig’s continued enthusiasm for signal timings, which is almost as intense as his enthusiasm for roundabouts, these “special tools” must be pretty high-tech. Maybe a special radar speed detecting gun? An intricate stopwatch with laser beams? A flux capacitor?!

 

Unless we’re mistaken, based on the photo, the “special tools” needed to adjust signal timings are… hands. So while we know you’re a great traffic engineer, Craig, we’re a little concerned that you’re not very up-to-date on basic human anatomy—most people have hands. However, if you really do use a fancy stopwatch and we come across a box of lasers under your desk, your superhero secret is safe with us.

25 Mar

Posted at 09:25h in Uncategorized
Megan Bornhorst:
“Sammy? That’s A LOT of boxes!”

 

What’s with all the boxes? Charity Cup, that’s what! And thanks to our clients and friends, we raised over $8,000 for the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association and Ronald McDonald House Charities! THANK YOU!

 

This year’s event was a virtual trivia contest, and each participating team received a box of snacks, drinks, and Choice One swag in advance of the event to help them celebrate from wherever they logged on. Graphic Designer Sammy Kuck was busy packing up the party (can you find her?), and was a little hard to find among the veritable fortress of boxes. We found her back, don’t worry, and the event went off without a hitch (and without losing anyone). The trivia contest winners? The Village of Fort Loramie–Adam Schmiesing, Abby Bergman, and John Puckett, along with Choice One’s Mitch Thobe!

 

We couldn’t be more appreciative of the big-heartedness of our clients and friends for donating to such great causes. Each and every year you all blow us away with your generosity to and enthusiasm for the MVDSA and all of the great causes supported by the Charity Cup. Thanks for once again bringing joy to the wonderful people in our community who are so positively impacted by your support. We look forward to seeing you next year!

26 Feb

Posted at 14:10h in Uncategorized
Matt Hoying:
I just caught Sammy in her “work” mittens.

It’s not that we try to keep it cold at Choice One. It just… happens.

 

There are benefits to a cold office. First, we keep our field surveyors well-seasoned for work outside in cold weather (although not Alaska cold, Eric, we still don’t get a chopper). Second, it matters less when there isn’t any room in the fridge for our lunches. And third, we get to do extra of one of our favorite things: wearing green (in layers, naturally).

 

There’s no shame in “work” mittens, Sammy. As our graphic designer, we need you to stay warmed up and ready for anything, like sketching graphics for Choice One promotional stuff and developing cool project renderings. Unfortunately, though, mittens aren’t going to help you with your most daunting task: getting engineers to cooperate on Christmas card photos, music videos, or anything beyond perfect right angles (or the occasional roundabout circle). For that, you may need to trade your mittens in for boxing gloves.