We all like to think that we work hard, most of the time that is true, but we certainly like to play hard as well. I don’t think that this is a bad thing, we all need to relax. If we kept working/programming our fingers to the bone, we would more than likely be dead before we hit 40, and that is definitely not my idea of fun. Also, I think that you learn more about work mates when you get them outside the work environment.

When I heard that this years Author-it Conference involved caving, rock climbing, adventure racing and partying, all with with the coolest bunch of people I have ever worked with, I was well pleased, to say the least!

Welcome to the Author-it Software Corporation Conference 2008 , which only lasted 2 hours (well the ‘work’ part of it anyway ).   We’ve had an amazing year so far and it was nice to celebrate it together.  All credit to Paul (CEO) and Steve (President) for acknowledging that this weekend was all about fun.

The first activity was the caving/blackwater rafting. Think icy cold water with a bit of mud and clay mixed in just for fun. Everyone took part, from Gung ho leaders and people of all ages and sizes from the very demure Kendra (Implementation) and Olinka (Quality Assurance) to front-rowers (for those not familiar with Rugby, think big, strong and built like a fridge!) like Adrian (Training and Implementation), Colin (IT administrator) and myself (Support Analyst).

Charging through the darkness we were positive we heard Smeagol, or was it Gollum? We could never be to sure but we felt the ‘power of the ring’, but search as we might we had eventually to settle for a chocolate fish and a hot cup of coffee.

Tracey (Office Administrator) did a fantastic job organizing the outdoor activities and the venue ably assisted by Julia (Office Aministrator) and the dinner later that evening was fantastic. I can’t remember the exact details of dinner. All I can say is what do you expect when there is an open bar!!! The evening was merry everyone talked and drank the night away.

As mentioned earlier, it is much easier to get to know people in more relaxed settings, and the night was only just beginning as we found out…

I think the presence of alcoholic refreshment was meant to make the games night harder (or more fun), either way we definitely raised the roof off the hotel! The first ‘game’ was like monopoly, where teams had to compete with each other. I was on Paul’s (the CEO) team and so the pressure was on. We did not disappoint!

We had Deidre (Financial controller) handling our finances, which involved collecting the cash and not paying out a cent, Richard (Business Development Manager) selling his services to the highest bidder, AND John (Development Director) tackling the challenges with highly organized gusto! His driving skills were also brought to the fore. I was the link man, running around directing people. It’s the only role in the game where I could wield power (the influence of the caves earlier perhaps?). And not that the result mattered but We Won!Once the award were handed out (lots of chocolate) we all drifted away to our beds, but not before we paid taxes to Gretchen (Director of User Assistance) and as long as we gave her some chocolate we were safe….. to be continued

Posted by Martin Irawan, Technical Analyst, Author-it Software Corporation