We got free dinner at Ducks, a local hot spot, so why not go, right? š It was actually pretty good—I know more people now than I did at the Christmas party, so I didn’t feel quite as uncomfortable. And of course, Jane and Dick saved me a seat with them, so that was great! (They are so cool—I love them!) There was an open bar (great!) and great appetizers (the garlic bread and crab dip was TO DIE FOR). Let’s just say it’s a good thing I saved up my carbs all week for this night…three Amaretto Sours, probably a half loaf of the yummy garlic bread, and Pasta Alfredo! DEE-licious!
But the most awe-inspiring part of the night was the awards. The staggering amounts of money involved overall were unbelievable (well, maybe just for a newbie to real estate). Of course they had Top Rental Agent and the Million Dollar Club, but that’s nothing compared to the level my boss is at! In 2004, Onslow County had something like $285,000,000 in sales (approximately 2800 homes). Our office did (approximately) $44,000,000 in 2004 (compared to like $32M in 2003). Of that $44M, my boss was responsible for 25% of that, or $11,000,000 (give or take a few thousand). I knew she was a player, but I didn’t realize she accounted for 25% of the entire office’s sales! She received Top Lister, Top Sales, and International President’s Premier (I think it was). Phew!
Jane then thanked her “team” and gave Dick and me a card and gift certificate! (Tom, we’re going to Rucker Johns when you get home!) Then, to top off the evening, Countrywide Mortgage (the mortgage people in our building) had a drawing for a $40 gift certificate to Pier One…and I won! YIPPEE! I also got to take home one of the glass fishbowl centerpieces!
There were only two slightly not-good things about the evening (and I say not-good because they don’t really even classify as bad). First, it was cold and very rainy…and we happened to be on the enclosed patio…so they had those large patio heaters going…which created condensation…so we were constantly being dripped on throughout the night! Second, and I didn’t realize it until I got home…I smelled like smoke! There was NO smoking in our room, I didn’t smell smoke the entire time I was there, and the only access I had to smoke was on the 10 second walk to the patio and the 10 second walk back outside. Yuck!
But, all in all a very nice night!