Gosh, where to begin?

Here goes. As Ahmed (our VP Finance and Business Development) likes to say, it's awfully dull to bet on a sure thing. That's why Yahtzee is North America's favourite home party game, and that's why we North Americans like to take our holidays at Knott's Berry Farm. We like risk. Indeed, we're addicted to it.

So.

In December of 1999, Ahmed packed a few belongings and a few tins of peas into his rucksack and set out for California. His goal? To spend both the holiday season and the Turn Of the Millennium at, or near, the aforementioned Knott's Berry Farm.

The twist? he planned to hitchhike!

Now, this isn't the sort of thing that would ordinarily raise eyebrows here at strongsmell.com; vice-presidents of Finance and Business Development need to recharge their creative batteries from time to time. Besides, many people have hitchhiked to California over the years.

Especially during the 1950s. Back then, California had a lot of those trendy "drive-in" restaurants, so it was easy to hitch a ride.

So off Ahmed went, eager for risk and adventure. We all knew we would miss him, and we shed a few tears and shared a few hugs. But we also knew he would be back one day, and that, when that day came, we would be glad in our hearts.

Then it was back to work. For a few minutes, all was quiet. Then Gerry spoke up

"Say," he hollered, "did anyone get the keys from Ahmed?"

For a few more minutes, it was quiet again.