I think my funniest award that I won was after my first semester in ROTC. The officers running the unit were asked by some community organization to nominate an outstanding cadet to be recognized by the organization. The name of the cadet was supposed to be kept a secret until the award dinner (where they handed out awards by several organizations at once). I was nominated for this award, and it was the last award given out for the evening. (I wish I could remember the name of the organization.) Anyway, I got the award, and the representatives from the organization looked a little uncomfortable as I walked up to accept it. I did some research on the organization afterward, and it turns out that it's a men-only group. (I've often wondered if the captain nominated me on purpose to tweak with them. I wouldn't put it past her.)

I've bought tons of raffle tickets for charity events and have never won a single prize. Lottery tickets, well, I've won maybe $5.00 prizes here and there. Achievement awards, yes, I've received some acknowledgement awards (e.g., job performance, etc.). But prizes? Not really.




I always chew on Orbitz gum when I'm at work. So right now, there's a lump of "chewed" gum stuck under my desk, about 1.5 inches in diameter.