I have not played soccer since my dad died. As I was driving to the field for our last match of the season , I decided to dedicate this game to his memory. I rolled my ankle badly in the opening minutes of play but decided after icing it into total numbness that I would continue even though lateral motion on that foot was all but impossible. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, I scored our only goal equalizing the score at 1-1 and earning a jar of Number 9 Salsa (awarded by our manager for each goal). Settling for a tie was not what I had hoped for but I think my father was smiling down on us as the boys and I devoured the entire jar.
Mission Accomplished: Each year iRobot sponsors a paintball competition. Divisions compete against each other and corporate. As I understand the history, my division (Home Robots) has never won. This year, my boss assigned a colleague and I the task of putting together a winning team and delivering the iRobot Cup to our division. Through good planning, preparation, and gutsy execution that goal was achieved this day on the field of battle. From the top:
My boss, in our mobile Command & Control Center (I rented a U-Haul truck for $40 bucks).
The Blue Team, composed of our first time and less experienced players.
iRobot CEO congratulating, our Red Team captain for an undefeated 5-0 winning record.
The victorious Red Team, composed of our most experienced warriors.
Later this month, I have been invited by the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Academy to give a presentation at Concord Carlisle High School. I will be presenting my career journey to students with the hope of inspiring them to consider a future in the field of science and technology. This poster, created by one of the students, was placed around the school to publicize the event today. Both boys reminded me how embarrassing I am to them and how stupid my chosen title was. I must be doing something right.
Halloween may have passed but apparently Nico and Maya felt that Nala should be given an opportunity to get in on dressing up. I never know what to expect when I walk in the door after returning from work.
I spent several hours today sorting through nearly two thousand photos I took over the weekend. My goal is to get the number under 500 before I send them to Erica and Nick. Here are a few of my favorites of Maya. She is starting to look so grown up.
My company, iRobot (NASDAQ: IRBT), has been named to Forbes magazine’s just released list of “Best Small Companies in America.” Ranked number 16 on the list, we were selected for our significant sales and earnings growth in a challenging economic environment. My previous company, Sonos, also continues to do well also and I continue to stay connected with many folks there.
We joined relatives for breakfast and I was able to relax for the first time since the wedding. I think I was more nervous about the wedding than Erica, feeling an awesome responsibility to capture all of the key moments. I spent a little time wandering around Louisville before we had to pack up for the airport.
My niece, Erica Basile, was married today to Nick Skinner. The ceremony and reception were beautiful and it was apparent to all how truly in love these two are. I had the honor of being their photographer and felt an enormous responsibility to deliver professional results. Having now reviewed the images, I am very pleased with what I shot and feel a tremendous sense of relief. Wedding photography is actually quite difficult and there is absolutely no margin for error. Although I was exhausted beyond imagination, my role afforded me the privilege of being an intimate part of Erica’s wedding.
The family travelled to Louisville, Kentucky today for the wedding of my niece, daughter of Jeanine’s sister Lauren. Maya is a Junior Bride’s Maid in the bridal party and I will be the photographer. After a rehearsal at the church we all went out for dinner at Boca de Beppo. We enjoyed meeting the grooms family and reconnecting with family and friends from Indianapolis.
Maya carved our only pumpkin this year, a gift from our next door neighbor, and conducted a lighting test before putting it into service on our front porch.
After work, Jeanine and I joined Sarah Doherty and her husband Kerith, co-founders of SideStix Ventures, to watch Nicolai play soccer. He has been testing their forearm crutches and has earned a reputation as their most aggressive field tester. Over time, he has broken almost every component on the crutch which has led to a series of design improvements. They wanted to see him play first hand to better understand the kinds of forces he exerts on their product. They were both amazed by his speed and the variety of crutching techniques he employs, some of which they say they have never seen before. The game was close and resulted in an exciting 1-0 win for CCHS.
Pictured here are a set of prototype carbon fiber tubes they left with us for Nico to torture test as soon as I can fit them to his crutches.
On my way to work this morning I paused for a quick shot of the Concord River. The muted colors due to the overcast skies fit my mood. This would be the perfect week to get out on the water but I am afraid a busy work schedule and preparations for Erica’s wedding will not afford the opportunity.
Union College has placed a wonderful article about my father on their website. You can read the full article by following this link to College Mourns Professor Frank Calabria.
