Read on Twitter
Man, sometimes life outside of trading is so cool.I got a call from an old friend tonight. No, this isn’t a Billy Joel song
We worked together 4 years ago. He’s in Portland, OR, and I’m in Indiana.He was the awkward guy in thick glasses, and I was the new senior hotshot engineer
We worked together 4 years ago. He’s in Portland, OR, and I’m in Indiana.He was the awkward guy in thick glasses, and I was the new senior hotshot engineer
For the sake of this thread, let’s call him “Rich”, because that’s his real name. 
He was the awkward, unloved project manager on the job. The project was behind, not his fault, but he was the scapegoat. Delays, miscommunication, all laid out on him.
He was the awkward, unloved project manager on the job. The project was behind, not his fault, but he was the scapegoat. Delays, miscommunication, all laid out on him.
I’m new to the job, and don’t know anything except what people told me on day one.
So that week, he comes busting through the door of our trailer and asks if I want to go to a minor league baseball game. I said “I like baseball, but who are you”. The other guys laughed.
So that week, he comes busting through the door of our trailer and asks if I want to go to a minor league baseball game. I said “I like baseball, but who are you”. The other guys laughed.
I declined out of self-preservation instincts, and Rich was visibly hurt.
I observed him in meetings getting pummeled by management on schedule. I witnessed his struggles with MS Project during presentations and offered to help.
I observed him in meetings getting pummeled by management on schedule. I witnessed his struggles with MS Project during presentations and offered to help.
I heard his lack of confidence on calls to our boss, and started to defend him. I felt the air come out of him often.
We worked together with the project team for two more months, and I learned that Rich was clearly over his head on this team.
We worked together with the project team for two more months, and I learned that Rich was clearly over his head on this team.
As a former PM myself, I recognized quickly his frustration and ostracization.
I found myself a nice apartment n Bend, Oregon, where the project was. Two bedroom for when my family comes to visit.
I found myself a nice apartment n Bend, Oregon, where the project was. Two bedroom for when my family comes to visit.
Then one, one day, management comes to me and says we need to consolidate housing. Could Rich come live with me. Nobody else had room.
Always the team player on a project, I said “Sure, no problem”. In my mind, I thought, what’s the worst that could happen? I can take him, lol.
Always the team player on a project, I said “Sure, no problem”. In my mind, I thought, what’s the worst that could happen? I can take him, lol.
So he moved in, and immediately I could see what the project team was missing. Although awkward, Rich was kind, soft-spoken and acquiescing. Extremely smart, but without confidence.
I thought, this is why he gets run over at work, but he seems harmless enough.
I thought, this is why he gets run over at work, but he seems harmless enough.
That first night, we’re having a beer at the kitchen table. He flops down the local free weekly rag with event schedules. He says, “There’s a trivia night at this bar in Tuesdays. You’re smart, we should go”.
The next night we went, and lost. But I got to know Rich that night
The next night we went, and lost. But I got to know Rich that night
I saw him offer up his seat to a cold latecomer. I saw his contemplation and concession to me when he didn’t know an answer. His honesty and kindness. Open book.
One question referred to music, and then it clicked. We started to talk about music, and haven’t stopped since
One question referred to music, and then it clicked. We started to talk about music, and haven’t stopped since
Turns out, we have the same taste in music. The Clash, English Beat, The Cure.
Over the next several months, we debated the Sex Pistols vs. The Jam. He taught me things about music I was sure I already knew, but didn’t. I introduced him to bands he would love, but never knew
Over the next several months, we debated the Sex Pistols vs. The Jam. He taught me things about music I was sure I already knew, but didn’t. I introduced him to bands he would love, but never knew
We became thick as thieves, and over the next 6 months, I realized that this awkward, unappreciated guy would be my best friend on the project.
Then, in the spring of the next year (2017), he was let go. He went back to Portland, 3 hours away.
Then, in the spring of the next year (2017), he was let go. He went back to Portland, 3 hours away.
We stayed in touch, and months later another buddy from the project and I planned a trip to Portland. Rich insisted we stay with him. So, we did.
This under-the-radar, kind soul had no hard feelings from the project. He insisted we stay in his home.
This under-the-radar, kind soul had no hard feelings from the project. He insisted we stay in his home.
We talked music again, and never got bored. We stayed up much too late, and didn’t once bring up work, projects, or careers. That’s a true friend.
We’ve tried to stay in contact, but you know how it is. Once or twice a year at best.
We’ve tried to stay in contact, but you know how it is. Once or twice a year at best.
But he called me tonight, and we talked for over an hour. Like we never left off. It was a beautiful thing.
Last note for this story. One night after the Tuesday Night Trivia, when he knew he was about to get laid off from the project, he was very upset. We had had several IPAs, and he was worried. His daughter was going to college, and he was losing his job.
He said “this whole year away from my family, and for what, now I’m out of work”.
I said “You won’t be out of work for long, and you are my best friend on this project.” I thought he knew that, but his brightened eyes said he didn’t. We hugged, and went home.
I said “You won’t be out of work for long, and you are my best friend on this project.” I thought he knew that, but his brightened eyes said he didn’t. We hugged, and went home.
So then we talked again tonight for an hour about music and family. Never got to the topic of work. He’s doing great, and so am I.
Don’t ever be afraid to take in the strange guy. He may end up being your best friend in the project.
Don’t ever be afraid to take in the strange guy. He may end up being your best friend in the project.
