Jeff and the Smilegals / Fond farewell message from the "Tanyanator"
After 3+ years and THOUSANDS of phone calls, its time for my farewell. I never really was good at good byes, so I hope this not to be an actual goodbye, but rather a "see you later". The past 3+ years have been pretty amazing and I take with me some very special memories, big life lessons, and a whole lot of laughs.
When I first started, Smiledog consisted of just 3 day time girls, and two girls splitting the night and evening shifts. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I remember I worked my birthday my first year, which happened to fall on Labour Day, and thus a holiday. I thought that was a great idea. Until I realized just how lonely I was. Sang a little happy birthday to myself. It was pretty pathetic. And the shifts were til 1am! I don't know how many slices of pizza and donair burgers I bought just to keep myself going until 1am. And then go home, and be as alert as ever. I know Lois and Debi can agree to that. So many times each one of us considered just sleeping at the office rather than taking the time to drive home. So many white knuckled drives home after shifts during a snow storm, or, after a power outage. Remember that time we sat outside the Fall River office in my car and just chatted and smoked cigarettes. Or the 12/13 hour shifts on the rotating schedule. No time off, tons of time off, no time off, tons of time off. No wonder we smoked ;)
The office grew and grew. Remember when we got so big we had to set up the little desk for Christina basically sitting on the window? And she made friends with the lady who walked her dogs?
Remember how the back computer was the only computer we could access remote clients computers? And it was usually Brittany, Jenn, or myself who HAPPENED to be sat there.
There were the clients we loved to talk to. And then there were the ones that we reallllllly could live without. Remember how we weren't allowed to say hi to a certain client or ask how he was? Or the crazy greetings? "Hello! Its an outstanding day at, my name is Tanya, how can I assist you?!" "Good afternoon, ??? Group, home of the" I still can't say certain greetings without without at least taking a huge breathe before hand.
Staff came and went. Some staff we managed to hang on to, others slipped out of our reach, and others we weren't entirely sure what Jeff was thinking. ... I won't mention any names. But remember the time we had to lock the door over in Fall River?...
I've made some really close friends from Smiledog. Whether its current staff, past staff, or actual clients.
I've taken so much from my friendship with each of you. We've all squared off, puffed out our chest and had a little 'Screw You', but in the end, you guys are the best.
Brittany: I'll never forget your first shift with me. New Moon opening, and holy crap was our largest client busy. You did exactly what I needed to do, and didn't even bat an eye "Just pick em up and say hello" I yelled at you as both of our screens were full. Or how we made you come back after that crisis and get Smiledog back up and running. And you couldn't get out of the backup database? My training you was standing behind you pointing at what information to get. Thus was the beginning of Brittanya.
Debi: I remember when you first started thinking to myself "Deidre's MOM is going to work here? Oh Lord..." I didn't know if I should expect a spunky older version of Deidre that I was to fear, or someone that reminded me of my grandma that couldn't work the computer. Low and behold, you're both! lol. I don't know how many times you and I were laughing so hard we were crying. That call when each time you spoke, the fog horn went off? Or the person who lost his wallet, and you were SURE it was a prank call? Or how you would toy with the spam callers ("My screen went black!") You'll always be the Mama dog (or Mrs Clause at Christmas) to me.
Christie: When I came back from Vegas, and you were there, I felt so bad I hadn't bought you a fridge magnet like I'd bought for everyone else. I remember telling the girls and Jeff that you don't even have to answer the phones, just keep telling your jokes, and that'll be fine with me. I've never met someone who had the exact same sense of humor (and the same horrible hearing) as me. And I've NEVER met someone who could calm down a peeved off client like you do. And you always get the crazies, don't ya? We have so many stupid insider jokes that came out of nothing (well, mostly my lack of hearing). You'll keep me laughing even when I'm not there.
Amy: "Shut the front door!" I couldn't count how many times you said that in your first week. You came into Smiledog running a mile a minute, and never slowed down. I laughed so hard when Brent from Balance said you sounded like a puppy you can't leave alone for fear it'll pee on the floor, cuz its true. Not that we're concerned about your bladder control ;) but you definitely were (and still are) the Smiledog puppy in my mind. Keep running! ...and stop posting sweets on my Pinterest feed! :)
Tarah: I remember Brittany and I chatting about 'the new girl' when you first started, and we were both so concerned about how quiet you were! You never talked, or joined in the conversation. Or if you did, you were so quiet, one of us was bound to talk over you. I was so scared we were gonna run you over, and you'd leave as quick as you came. But you stood your ground and came out of your shell and really rounded off all of us loud, boisterous girls. You just keep surprising me :)
Lois: Lois, lois, lois. Sometimes I just shake my head at the time we've spent together. You came around just after I started and always put a smile on my face. You were the one I could truly reminisce with about the OLD days, and you and I were the original people to get Tim from Surrey BC asking for those friggin magazines. Oh. My. Lord. I'm shaking my head right now! lol. I'll never forget the prank Loman pulled on me. Or just how much we loved scaring the crap out of ourselves with TAPS and Paranormal Activity. I'm happy you're back.
And Brandie and Quintela: Its a shame we didn't get to work together more, but I know you'll love your time at Smiledog. The girls are amazing and will help you with anything you need. And Jeff and Joan will do anything for you. The team truly is the best.
Jeff and Joan: I find it hard to come up with the words to express what you guys mean to me. I felt I've grown in the past 3 years because of you two. We've both had talks together and I truly appreciate that. And everything you two have done for me over the years - it hasn't gone un-noticed. Smiledog truly is an AMAZING idea, and it still blows my mind how it makes the job easier for SO many clients. Kudos Jeff, on coming up with this. And Joan, how you manage to keep him organized, we'll never know. We all secretly assume he created a reception business, so that he actually had multiple personal assistants making sure he had everything when he left for the day. Keys? Wallet? Phone? While you two are the same age as my parents, and you have daughter older than I am, I consider you friends.
I want to thank everyone for the get together today, and the card. And the kind words, and everything. Christie, thank you for the food and brownies (and flower and Smiles). And thank Patrick for me as well. One thing I'm definitely going to miss is the camaraderie, and the sense of being a team.
I don't think I'll ever be able to say I'm an ex-Smiledog. I consider myself a Smilegal emeritus (definition: retired or honorable discharged from full time work, but retaining one's title on an honorary basis).
I look forward to keeping in touch with all of you, hearing the latest on our clients, or getting projects Jeff.
See you later
"The Tanyanator"
