Rewards and Recognition
After an incredibly intense month or so, things abruptly calmed down.
I finished the work that was assigned to me - and, fortunately, I was assigned to a set job. Instead of piling me on with more work, I was released to go back to my 'home' team. And that was just in time - we had a little social at work which was a great deal of fun. Prizes were given out, a delicious potluck meal was eaten, and I was able to enjoy a - surprisingly? - relaxing day at the office.
My friend Neil wrote about the little piece of recognition he got from our Member of Parliament earlier this month, and I was surprised that I had not received it. I mean - it's not a big deal, but did I anger the politicians or something? I don't know how I would.
Still, it wasn't a big deal.
And it was a good thing I didn't stress about it - it turns out that I also got a similar certificate - it was sitting in my mailbox at the office for the past 2 or 3 weeks!
That's one of the funny problems that arise with long jobs in big teams: you're always at the client site, and there's always someone else coming into the office to drop off and pick up mail.
If I was expecting to pick up something critical (read: "client related"), someone would've wandered up to my floor to get my mail. But since I had no inkling of having something interesting to pick up, no one checked, and so my recognition was delayed.
Contrast the delay with the ultra-fast reward I got at the end of the day: one of my friends tipped me off to a source of extra concert tickets. The Barenaked Ladies were playing the Air Canada Centre - if I was interested, make the call.
I did - and saw the show from pretty sweet seats. Thanks work - nothing like freebies and perks to brighten your day after having slogged through a fairly intense period of work.
Next up: a few days of training out of town. Then back to 'normal' work.