So I am getting my keyboard groove on today getting a lot done when the phone rings, and instead of checking caller ID or letting the service pick it up, I was all over that call. Mistake! (well not really, we’ll get to that in a few paragraphs)

It’s Williams-Sonoma, and it seems that one of the staff was doing a little technicolour yawning and had to leave. Finding coverage this time of year, especially when so many people are on holiday is a challenge. So I agreed to cover a few hours of the afternoon. Mistake (well not really, we’ll to that a bit later)

Covering a shift there every now and again is a great diversion from being a keyboard jockey. And since I am working, instead of doing something ‘fun’ – I readily rationalize the situation and feel no guilt. I also get some interesting social interaction, spend several hours on my feet, and it I am really lucky get to sample some cool stuff. (Today there was Rasberry-Almond Bread, and a little later Frozen Mocha Hot Chocolate that was even better than the stuff served at Serendipity)

But it gets better, the semi-annual clearance sale is in full swing. And today several pieces of Emile Henry that are not normally carried in my store were delivered just for the sale.

At the end of the day I went home with the Emile Henry Faitout that I have been eyeing on their website for a while. Regular retail : $128, with my employee discount and sale – $39 – for a great French casserole made of Burgundian clay.

And the best part, at least in relation to this goal, is that the new and fulfilling will happen again as new things are tried in my faitout!