Five years gets me...

...cheese.  Allow me to explain.

Pdub is kind enough to recognize, with a selection of tangible goods, "career milestones" for every five years of blood, sweat, and tears you pour into the firm.  As of about a month ago, my internship time + a start date of June 2005 = five whole years of working away in the world of public accounting.  In my book, this is definitely something worth celebrating - many, many hours of, quite literally, blood (paper cuts hurt, you know), sweat (hauling boxes of tax returns down to the UPS dock drop is rough), and tears (busy season breakdowns, both in and out of the office - it's true).

So, it's time for my five year treat!  I might actually use/admire/enjoy several of the offerings, including the iPod shuffle or Nike iPod Sport Kit (which might be nice if they also provided the Nike Ready shoe and iPod nano required for it to actually function) or a Tiffany necklace.  Don't get too excited by the Tiffany necklace thing, people - we're not talking diamonds here.
 
Now, I realize we need to have a selection that appeals to a broad range of five year celebrators, but what use do I have for a golf bag or putter? None. Although one of my colleagues did suggest getting one or the other and selling it on eBay - could probably turn a decent profit that way.

Several of the options read like a wedding registry:  popcorn maker, coffee maker, fondue set, tea kettle, paella pan.  I'll pass.  Cashmere pashmina wrap or Kobe Bryant 81 points PhotoMint Framed Collage (??).  I'll pass.

Then comes another round of Tiffany...key ring (Texas Tech works just fine for me), money clip (gonna say this is male-focused and not really geared towards me), crystal bowl (do we have some kind of agreement with them about the number of products that have to be from Tiffany's?).

 

Two different Waterford pens (I'm partial to the Pilot G-2 07 myself - don't really need that fancy pen) up for grabs, along with a wine chilling carafe - but let's face it, I'm a planner and have that bottle of white in the fridge when I know I'm going to need it.

I also didn't necessarily want something tangible to remind me of work every time I look at it/put it on/use it in any way.

Cowgirl Creamery Seasonal Starter Kit.  Three seasonal cheeses.  Sign.  Me.  Up.

50+ years...Ralph Lauren domino set?  Fancy espresso machine?  Baccarat whiskey decanter?  Hmmmm....I don't necessarily think that's going to keep me around when I'm 73.  Actually, I really hope I'm not working when I'm 73.  Unless it's at my bakery.  Or cheese shop, at this rate.

Obvious winner in the five year category?  Cheese.  Nothing but cheese. 

Note: this post may or may not comply with my workplace's public communications and social networking policies.  I'll chance it.  Also...slightly concerned about stinkiness of one of the cheeses, which have actually made it here and are waiting in the fridge for their party.