The stories that went with the giant photos presented to me at last nights farewell celebration.

While traveling in China I became involved in a chopstick slippery peanut pick-up contest (I may have been the one responsible from turning a casual dining experience into a competition). The goal was to pick up, one at a time, and hold as many slippery peanuts as possible with a pair of chopsticks. It is much harder than it sounds or looks. Our local hosts were amazed when I reached a total of five compared to their best effort of three (at least these are the numbers I remember although the fish may be getting bigger every year).

It is generally not a major event when a senior executive wears a suit to work. In my case, however, it was not until year four of my stint with iRobot that I did so. We were in China to participate in the opening of a new factory building dedicated to manufacturing iRobot products. The SVP of Operations felt it necessary to hint several times that those participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony should be well dressed. When I arrived for breakfast in a suit and tie that morning my colleagues were so shocked they felt compelled to document the occasion with a photograph. I prefer to wear clothing suitable for climbing tall mountains when I go to work. They are far more comfortable and equally appropriate for overcoming mountainous challenges in the office.

Whenever attending a work function, I was sure to bring along the appropriate photography equipment to document the event and the environs. In the case of an executive retreat to a Maine shoreline hotel, I brought along a 300-800mm telephoto birding lens that is half as big as I am. What is not shown in the photo is the fact that the end of the lens is propped on the shoulder of a colleague who was acting as a make shift tripod for the 15 pound rig. Always at the ready with a camera it was noted that I was probably the highest paid corporate photographer in the world.