TheBuzz
TheBuzz
All this fun and
a paycheck, tooSo you drag yourself to work after a long weekend only to find a memo from the bosses saying your four-day week will end early so you can catch the big game.
The dream-like scenario came true yesterday morning at Starr Seigle Communications Inc.
Via e-mail, senior management electronically encouraged about 100 staff members to attend a potluck tailgate party in the company's largest conference room for the 1 p.m. kickoff between the UH Warriors and BYU Cougars.
"Well I figured nobody would be here anyway," said Jack Bates, chairman and chief executive officer, "so we keep 'em around the office this way."
"The only requirement is that (staffers) wear green and black and bring ti leaves."
Will there be a face-painting contest? "That's a great idea, thank you," he said. "The person that wins will get a day off."
Bates has extended an invitation to the agency's clients and vendors to stop by, given the belief that many companies will hang it up early for the game, which will air on ESPN.
"This is as close as we come to a Superbowl in Hawaii," he said. "And BYU, after last year, they're going to be out to get us, there's no question about it."
Last season, UH bested BYU 72-45, ending the Warriors' six-game losing streak with the bonus of spoiling the Cougars' bid for a perfect season.
A source guaranteed anonymity told TheBuzz that downtown types inclined to sneak away might head for Players Sports and Entertainment Club on Alakea Street as one of many possible venues.
"Our crowd will be 80 to 90 percent businesspeople, it always works that way," General Manager Gary Dickman said.
Some leave early, some call in sick and others get permission, said Dickman, who predicted that some people may fall ill suddenly after lunch.
"I'm the lucky one, I go to work to see these games, I don't have to miss anything," he said.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com