Pineapples and Flood Water

It was a year ago today that everyone in my office building were called to the lobby for a special announcement. Most of the office had already gathered by the time I broke free to join them. A few moments later I was handed a pineapple from (then CIO) Bruce Brown who proceeded to congratulate me on winning the PEAK Achievement Award. It was a surreal moment.

The year that followed has been a trying one. There have been a lot of changes, but none that have helped to decrease my workload. Winning the Award has a definite demotivational side when you realize you've reached the top and the best you can do now is to try hard to stay there. Winning the Award also comes with the baggage of feeling like you're letting everyone down if you don't constantly overachieve. I work an average of 60 hours per week now... and recently discovered the word karoshi which is Japanese for Death from Overwork.

A week ago Monday it took me a record two and a half hours to get to work. By the time I arrived, the city of Bothell was ordering all of the buildings in our office park evacuated. The creek that weaves through the area was approaching flood stage. I decided to stay and help with the sand bagging and water diversion activities. I stayed for almost 16 hours and, although water breached the levees, our efforts helped to prevent any water from entering the building.

I actually made it on KING5 Evening News that day, but you have to watch closely. There are shots of a shovel scooping up sand and filling a sand bag. You can see the Livestrong bracelet on my left wrist as I shoveled, and my signature black Reeboks covered with sand as I filled the sand bag. I'm also visible from a distance, wearing yellow rain gear with a navy blue baseball cap.