Another (HOT) one bites the dust.

We are all absolutely devastated. Yes, it was rough when they laid off 4 people a couple weeks ago but today is really rough. It is Alison's last day. For those of you that didn't know it, we had the hottest architect in the world working at our firm. No, it was not Frank Gehry, it was Alison. She's so hot, she almost gives Jessica Biel a run for her money.

Upon getting hired, her bio was sent around the office. How can someone "into watersports" be boring? And she has looks to boot. With last weeks firings, (oops, I mean lay-offs) the male to female ratio has gone way off and losing Alison is just another nail in the coffin. Sexual innuendos took a nose dive after Stuart left. Now, I think they will be non-existent.

To give this woman some credit, she was also a hell of an architect. Though she was monopolized by everyone's favorite pen-chewing project manager, we are all sure she had to be doing something right. We all wish her well as she moves on to whiter pastures (in architecture, white is always better).

The "life without... " list is getting pretty long these days - almost a little too long. Let's hope that we have a little stability before the asteroid hits.

So Long Pete

This has been a week of uncomfortable celebration as we savor our last few days of working with Pete. Yep, you read it right, Pete is moving on to greener pastures and now someone else will be responsible for cleaning up his manure.

Steve, who has been filling in for Andy since he went off to school will now have more shoes to fill as he tries to fill in for Pete. Of course, Steve’s quality and quantity of work will have to diminish quite a bit to reach that goal. Perhaps a few Jager-Bombs before work may put him in the right frame of mind to work as hard as Pete did.

We have to admit that regardless of how much Pete did or didn’t contribute to the ongoing work at SGW, he was a source of endless entertainment. In addition to the mounds of work that he created for Steve the Younger, his unique methods of plan dimensioning will ensure SGW’s lifelong relationship with all of its clients as they attempt to build to Pete’s drawings. Pete’s actions were equally matched by his exuberant appearance. We will truly miss his flowing cape and magical T-square. Pete’s appearance brought an other-worldly flair to the office.

Many people have been seriously affected by Pete’s departure. Stuart started balling the minute he heard about Pete leaving and hasn’t stopped since. Other co-workers have resorted to binge drinking –the funnels in the back room are getting a bit out of hand. I am seriously worried about what will happen to the fragile chemistry that we have here at SGW once Pete is actually gone.

I am sure Pete is going to make the most of his new position – we all can’t wait to hear what his new title will be. For those that are interested, we have started interviewing (John and I) for someone to move into Pete’s seat. You have to already work at SGW, you must despise George Bush to the point it makes no sense, and you have to be willing to enter into random conversations on any subject at a moments notice.

-C.P.