Lecorpio User Conference 2013

Our company held its first (annual?) Lecorpio User Conference on Friday, and it was a dandy.

The Utah team got to fly out to the Bay Area for it, which was cool, other than having to wake up before 4 am to make our Thursday morning flight. After landing in Oakland, we drove down to the office for conference prep and also to get our company shirts.

I think he doubles as a shirt model in his spare time

Our hotel was in Burlingame, so we'd be close to the conference in the morning.
For convenience, we hit up a restaurant in that area for dinner. Mmm, I love a good steak.

Everybody was at the venue early on Friday to set up, and we started meeting the clients right off the bat.

There were various speeches, presentations, and panels throughout the day, including giving the attendees a chance to air their thoughts and requests for updates to the software. Good stuff.

Thanks for a great time at the conference, Lecorpio friends and attendees! See you again in 2014!

IMHO: Don't Tear Your Achilles Tendon

It isn't worth it.

Really, there's almost no upside that I've been able to see so far.

Day 1: Tues, Sept 25
I tore an Achilles tendon a couple weeks ago on a work trip to the SF Bay area.
As is apparently the norm for these injuries, I was playing basketball when it happened.

Funny thing is, I had a feeling beforehand that I shouldn't play.
Didn't have my basketball shoes or ankle braces that I'd normally wear, and it just didn't feel right.

Well, ten minutes into the game, I was playing well and then, when going after a rebound, I suddenly felt like someone had kicked me in the Achilles as hard as they could. Searing pain and an inability to put any pressure on the ball of my foot were what got me worried immediately about a ruptured Achilles, but I hoped it was just a really bad sprained ankle. I really, really, really hoped.

On the night of the injury;
yes, that's a McDonalds to-go bag filled with ice.

Day 2: Wed, Sept 26
The leg continued to hurt like crazy the next day, and I couldn't walk very well on it. However, since we were on the business trip, we still went to the client site and I just hobbled around.

Hobbling through the airport was not too fun, but I was happy to be getting home where I could rest easier and get it checked by a doctor if it didn't feel better after a few days.

Next evening, back in SLC

Day 3: Thurs, Sept 27
My family had a few Bledsoe boots laying around from high school injuries, so I used one of those to be able to get around and function semi-normally. Driving my car was impossible, since it's a manual transmission, but my dad was kind enough to lend me his auto transmission car for a little while.

Day 7: Mon, Oct 1
Unfortunately, my walking ability hadn't improved after a week of that, so I figured it was time to visit an orthopedic specialist.

The docs at TOSH were booked through November, but they referred me their colleague, Dr Spencer Richards, at Intermountain Healthcare's Sports Medicine Specialists Group up in Bountiful, UT.

Fortunately, he could fit me in for an appointment the next day.

Day 8: Tues, Oct 2
Dr Richards was very friendly and easy to talk with, and he used an ultrasound to see clearly that my Achilles tendon had fully ruptured.

Let's just say the big black gap in the middle is a bad thing

Since Dr Richards doesn't do too many reconstruction operations, he referred me to Dr Troy Gorman at LDS Hospital, who has lots of experience and could probably fit me into the operating schedule soon.

Day 9: Wed, Oct 3
Wearing my Bledsoe boot, I hobbled into Dr Gorman's office, and he was able to quickly agree with Dr Richards' conclusion. Just to be sure no bone fragment had been ripped from my heel when the tendon tore, he took some xrays of my ankle. Thankfully, my heel was perfectly intact.

Things seemed to be moving very quickly at this point, and Dr Gorman said he could fit me in for surgery the next day. Yikes. I was a little nervous, but I knew it needed to be done and that I'd rather do it sooner than later, so he added me to the operating schedule and I spread the word to family, friends, and work.

Day 10: Thurs, Oct 4
My mom gave me a ride to LDS hospital bright and early. I checked in, filled out the necessary paper work, and got into this super awesome patient get-up. One nicety is that they let you wear your own underoos plus those pants, so your derriere isn't open to the world in the back of the smock. It's all about the small victories, right?

I kept the other sock, too, so I'd have a matching pair after.

As for pain management during the operation, they used both a nerve blocker and a general anesthetic, so I didn't feel anything and I couldn't even move my leg to cause any complications. I'm glad they did, because it would have been weird to be awake for the 1-1.5 hr surgery.

I don't like needles, but this one was absolutely necessary.

Afterwards, I was in the post-anesthesia room for a bit, and then my mom and I got to hang out in a private recovery room for maybe 30-45 mins. When I felt ready, they wheeled me down to the front doors, put me in the car, and let my mom take me home.

Yes, I was groggy at this point, but aware enough to ask my mom to take a picture haha

I know I've still got a lot of healing and then rehab ahead, but I'm glad to be on my way to recovery. And I'm grateful to all who have helped so far as well as those who will help in the future.

You can bet there will be updates and further posts in this 4-6 month long road to full health.

Adios to My DC Amigos

If you hadn't heard, I accepted a new position at a small company out in Utah.

Last night we had a little going away gathering, and I was happy to get to see a bunch of friends before taking off to drive across the country.

This is just a sampling of the pictures taken that night. If I posted them all, this post would be ridiculous long. Thanks to everyone for coming and making me feel so loved, and I hope to see you all again soon!

A New Job in My Old City

Yes, my DC time is almost up.

It's been quite the experience living right next to our nation's capital for the past (nearly) 5 years, as those of you who have followed my blog from the start know.

My Marriott experience has been great, but I'm ready for a new challenge and a new work environment, and the position I've accepted just happens to be back in my native Salt Lake City, Utah.

I'll be the newest Client Service Consultant at Lecorpio, which does intellectual property management software. That's a big change of career for me, as I won't be doing accounting anymore!

To celebrate the big news, Emily took me out for a steak dinner at Ray's the Steaks.
We both got hanger steaks; she chose the au poivre and I went with the original.

If you haven't eaten there, you need to go. So tasty.

This promises to be an exciting next chapter in my life, and I'm ready and excited to take it on!

Metallica Monday: Jump in the Fire

A couple great songs came from Metallica's debut album, Kill 'Em All. They established themselves as solid thrashers with songs like 'Seek & Destroy' and 'Blitzkrieg'.

Previously, I wasn't familiar with the third single from that album, titled 'Jump in the Fire'. [source].

While the song was written with a much darker connotation, I'm applying it as an anthem of not settling for a safe situation, and instead going all in for what I want to achieve.

Jump in the Fire

Not sure what I'm going to do yet, as there are several options.
Plus, I am not in any hurry to change unless the risks are somewhat calculated.
I'll let you know as I figure things out and take my leap of faith into the great unknown.

Time to go all in.

How I Contribute to the Confusion Between Amish and Mormon

I didn't realize it until I got home, but look what I wore to work today.

Dark pants, blue shirt, and suspenders. No wonder people get the Amish and the Mormons confused.

Meeting BoMF (Back on My Feet) Founder, Anne Mahlum

Marriott is a pretty big company, so sometimes celebrities and other community figures stop by headquarters, deliver a speech, and/or shake hands for a little bit.

Yesterday, our visitor was NFL football player Brian Orakpo.

The Washington Redskins' linebacker came in for a kick-off event for a partnership between the NFL and Marriott's Courtyard brand. He was well-spoken when answering questions, and I can confirm that he is just as large of a man in person as he looks on TV.

These pictures don't do the man justice. He's very, very big.

However, today we had another guest that I was probably more impressed to meet.

Back on My Feet (BoMF) Founder and CEO, Anne Mahlum.

Anne leading some BoMF participants

If you've never heard of BoMF, you should check out their website and learn more. In short, Anne's nonprofit organization "promotes the self-sufficiency of those experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem." How cool is that?!?

I first learned of Anne and her organization in Runner's World magazine in January 2009 [you can read the article here]. Her initiative, determination, and unique approach to helping the homeless struck me.

Anyway, Anne was here today, and it was awesome meeting her. She and her associate (the CFO, I believe) were friendly and we all chatted about racing and marathons and fund-raising for a few minutes. I came away even more impressed with her and the BoMF program, and wanting to help.

So I signed up to give a donation, and they were very grateful even though I'm sure they regularly receive much larger donations. If you'd like to contribute to BoMF, you can do so at this web page.

Can't wait to see who the next awesome person to come to headquarters will be!

The Holstee Manifesto

I had never heard of the Holstee Manifesto until my friend Bree posted this video on her Facebook page.

From what I can tell, Holstee is a super-hipster company that sells some interesting stuff, but what I'm really interested in is their inspirational message in this video.

We all need to live life, be creative, and do more with the valuable time we've been given.

Here's the Holstee Manifesto in one graphic.

To the degree that you currently can, I hope you join me in heeding its charge and spirit.

So what is your passion, friend?

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Big day! Today I experienced my first earthquake!

It measured 5.8 on the Richter scale, and its epicenter was about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, VA. [source] The big effect for me was everyone being evacuated from our office and having to wait outside for about 45 minutes while they checked the building for cracks.

I hear the Smithsonian castle and the Washington Monument sustained damage. Only a couple little things on my shelves had fallen over, and nothing broke. To get an idea of what I've been through, here is a picture conveying today's destruction:

I'm glad there was little damage, few (if any) injuries, and that we can all have a laugh about it. And now I can check "be in earthquake" off my bucket list!

A Job You Can Count On

Right now it's hard for people to find jobs.

The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate is hovering around 9%. [source]

That's scary.

Especially for people who have families and mortgages and are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table.

While I hope and pray for those people, it also makes me extra grateful to work in a field that has enjoyed security, even through economic downturns.

I'm an accountant.

Normal Rockwell's "CPA (Daydreaming Bookkeeper)"

Saturday Evening Post, 1924

It's not glamorous, that's for sure.

But it's safe and secure, which isn't easy to come by these days.

And according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, accounting is currently the best field to be in for seeking a job. [source]

So I'll take my green eyeshade stereotype along with a steady paycheck, and I'll continue forward.

D&T-FannieMae Holiday Bowling Party

Due to the economic struggles in the financial industries, Deloitte didn't have an official holiday party in 2008, so the first and last one I went to was in 2007. Talk about a big "bah humbug" from Daddy D.

Well, for the last couple months, I've been working on the Fannie Mae audit. To be more specific, I've been on the consolidations team there. Further specifics will only bore you to tears, and I'm not going to bore you here. Let's just say that I wasn't excited to go to Fannie Mae (reports from friends included that notoriously long hours were the norm). However, my hours weren't as bad as I expected and my team was actually very cool.To my great surprise, they informed us that, although the whole McLean office again wouldn't get a holiday party, the partners on the Fannie Mae audit were going to throw one for all of us. Now THOSE are the kind of partners that a team will work hard for. When there's a reward and some appreciation shown, that goes a long way!Lucky Strike Bowling was the chosen venue, and we all got to leave work early to make it there on time and get some warm-up bowling in before all the teams played. Of course, there was an open bar and lots of appetizers, so people were socializing and having a good time in between bowls and waiting for their teams' turn to bowl.I hadn't realized before this holiday party just how many people were on the Fannie Mae engagement, and how many I actually had worked with on prior teams. Also, a good number of friends that were in my same start class were at the party, so it was good to catch up with all of them.Thanks and happy holidays, Deloitte!

"The Sconces are Glass!"

Ah, the perks of working for Deloitte. Every year, we get to go to Georgia for some national training. Since we're making the transition to being Seniors/In-Charges, they sent us to Peachtree City, GA, for a week to teach us about the process of performing an audit. While that's what we did during the daytime, pretty much the fun stuff is what we did at night.

Most of the evenings were pretty relaxed, but we still found activities and things to do around the conference center or Peachtree City. For example, on Monday night there was a reception in the ballroom with lots of games, like ping pong, foosball, double shot, and that sort of thing. As it got later, the crowds thinned out and a couple of us guys were doing long distance basketball shots. A facilitator came by and said to be careful because "the sconces are glass!" We just kind of looked at him with blank looks for a second, as we had no clue to what he was referring. Turns out that the light covers in the ballroom were called sconces. Click here and here to see examples.

On Tuesday night I went for a run after class and then we ate dinner and caught up on emails and reading on the patio. Victor and Sara took advantage of the opportunity to sip champagne in celebration of Victor passing an exam.Since we'd been cooped up in the conference center for the last couple days, we really wanted to get out on Wednesday night. Some guys had heard that a Japanese restaurant/bar did karaoke in the back room, so we headed over. Turns out that karaoke isn't on Wednesdays there, but they did have a Wii hooked up to a projector screen, so we played some tennis and bowling before catching the shuttle back and playing some pool in the lounge.On Thursday we hurried out of class to go play some racquetball before the happy hour.Once happy hour was over, everyone wanted to go to a local bar for karaoke. This is kind of a Deloitte training tradition on the last night. Almost everyone went, which added to the fun.

I got a couple buddies to join me in doing "Fight for Your Right (to Party)" by the Beastie Boys. It was a crowd pleaser, for sure. I like that song because you can have as many guys as you want and it requires absolutely no singing ability. You just yell into the mic and do fist pumps. Go ahead. Try it the next time you do karaoke. I guarantee the entire audience will join in and be cheering you at the end. Later in the evening, I got up and sang happy birthday to Autumn. Let's just say it wasn't my best work, but I'll do better next time.The best part of training is seeing friends that live and work in other parts of the country: Southern California, Floriday, Minneapolis, New York, etc. You get to catch up and hear how everyone is doing and what they've been up to. And who knows when you won't be back and get to see them again, ya know?Best wishes, friends, and (maybe) I'll see you at next year's national training in Georgia!