A Travesty

A shocker awaited me at lunchtime on the first day back from Spring Break today. So much so that I felt compelled to write an email to the entire staff of my school, something I don't often do. Here was my letter:

"Hello all,

For my birthday back in February, my team members got together and bought me a present that was near and dear to my heart -- a giant bottle of ketchup. This bottle had my name written on it, and it was placed in the door of the refrigerator in the teacher's lounge, to be used as needed at lunch time. When we left for Spring Break, less than 1/3 of the bottle had been used.

Today, with four very tomato-friendly chicken strips waiting on my tray, I opened the fridge, expecting to find my beloved condiment, but instead discovered that the bottle was gone.

The fridge was full of other things -- plastic bags with food, bottles of water and soda, etc -- so I don't believe that this is a matter of the refrigerator being cleaned out over break (and if it was, there needs to be an announcement next time). Rather, this seems to be a straightforward case of Heinz-jacking.

This is just wrong on so many levels.

To whomever stole my ketchup, all I ask is that you place it back inside the door of the fridge. No questions will be asked, no charges pressed.

Thank you,

JP"

While in the lunchroom, still reeling from the theft, several other teachers mentioned that things have gone missing from their rooms. A CD from our coach's office, candy from several classrooms, pencils, etc.

Hopefully whoever it was (and really, there were only a handful of people around during Spring Break) will get the message and knock it off...