"By special request..."

If something is traveling at 4,863,905 furlongs per second, how far would it travel in a year? Don't use any numbers in your answer. One Hundred Fifty Three Trillion, Three Hundred Eighty-Eighty Billion, One Hundred-Eight Million, Eighty-Thousand Furlongs. My father (Doug Knott) use to work with you at Westvaco in Wickliffe, KY. He forwarded to me your article about "Holiday Parties" and it was right on point. I think I took the right approach to this weeks riddle. Great read! Adam D. Knott SunTrust Nashville, Tennessee, USA --- Adam, your dad is a great guy, but your answer is wrong. Jim *** Have you trained Laura yet? Mickey Nell McMahon Tell City, Indiana, USA --- Ok, this is a ringer--Mickey Nell is Laura's cousin. Jim *** Good point about going to the party, because it could have been difficult to arrange. I had a boss who would get irritated at employees who opted not to attend Christmas parties without a good reason. I think "not attending" could be added to the "things not to do at a Christmas party when layoffs are looming." James Heidt Akzo Nobel Atlanta, Georgia, USA *** I distinctly recall a Jaakko Poyry Christmas party, I think Christmas 1990, or later. I joined JPC in July 1989 but did not marry until February 1990. I remember Denise being there. The alcohol did flow (hey, we were all Finns, right?). I do recall some near-career-ending bru-ha-ha with some of the ladies who liked... some of the ladies... and boy can they get jealous! It was fun, and revealing. My dad and mom quit going to his Christmas parties early on. My dad worked in the same place from 1954 until he retired about 1989. Larry Wells Atlanta, Georgia, USA *** Hi Jim, This week's riddle: If something is traveling at 4,863,905 furlongs per second, how far would it travel in a year? Don't use any numbers in your answer. I think that the answer to this week's riddle is that it would travel a parsec. Bob Hurter Ottawa, Canada --- Bob, you are the brainy one of the week. Jim *** Hi Jim, Your comments about (Christmas) party gatherings reminded what my immediate boss at Newton Falls NY (1958-50) said. His comment was that I didn't have to drink at these, simply hold a glass of ginger ale! On another subject, the economy situation reminded me of what Joe Namath (NY Jets) said about the AFL win over the NFL Baltimore Colts i.e. the 50% of the time he would "call the play at the line". That took a lot of previous preparation. So how does that relate to today? When someone gets summoned by their company to retire or leave, their ability to deal with their future depends on how well they have prepared. One has to make what preparations one can before a layoff happens. Your comments in past NI's (can't recall which ones or the details) about being prepared should not be taken lightly. You know, depending on how bad the recession gets, this could apply with what we should be doing to cope with it. My best, Chuck Green Webster, New York, USA *** Jim, I always enjoy reading Nip Impressions and your wonderful insight into business and whatever is on your mind. I hope you, Laura and family had a great Thanksgiving. The mfpa artists are truly inspiring. We had one here in Wheelersburg who died a few years ago. I also have a friend who is a blind artist. You can see her at http://www.sharethevisionohio.org/ Phyllis Noah Wheelersburg, Ohio, USA --- Another ringer--one of my cousins. This must be cousin week. Jim *** Jim -- you asked, "If something is traveling at 4,863,905 furlongs per second, how far would it travel in a year? Don't use any numbers in your answer." My answer is "not very far – since it would either burn up from friction or hit something in a short period of time." Tom Rymsza Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ### Have a comment? Send your email to jthompson@taii.com. Unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume we can use your name if we publish your letter.

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