Saturday, March 18, 2006

Getting to know you

I’m doing this thing at work called “Getting to know you.” I was given the opportunity when the management in our group decided we needed to do something to increase communications.  It’s actually been something I have always wanted to do, interview people about things they don’t think about.  The trivial things, like what they do outside of work and what kind of movies they like to watch.
The experience has been nothing short of amazing.  I have done over 20 interviews and every person, EVERY person has been incredibly interesting.  These are people from all walks of life, men and women living life, going through trauma and strife and happiness and joy.  In a 30 minute interview I get to learn so much about them.  And every one of them has told me how “uninteresting” and “boring” they are before the interview.  Telling me they have nothing to say. 
Which leads me to think about work, about life.  I’m involved in a project, we’re installing some software, and the project will have lasted 18 months or so when it is over.  I’ve been on larger projects before, worked with large groups before, but I’ve never been so aware before.
On this project:
3 people have had parents die
2 babies have been born
3 people have been engaged (including me!)
And that’s just the beginning.  There have been accidents, surgeries, family strife, divorces, celebrations, graduations are coming, and many more…
It amazes me, all these people who live their lives, their every day lives, doing extraordinary things and never thinking twice about it. 
I’m lucky to have noticed.