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My 11th year here at TechRepublic

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by Sonja Thompson 2 views

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Eleven years ago, in October, I started working for TechRepublic. It's amazing how quickly time has flown... and how many site redesigns, challenges, and job titles have come and gone.

I was sitting here, thinking about what an amazing journey this has been - and how the TR staff and community are like one big extended family to me.

Thank you all for helping make this an interesting (and sometimes quirky) place to work. <3 :)

70 replies

by charliespencer

Didn't think this gig would last, did you?

In your honor, everyone is required to stick a 'J' in their names in this thread.

Palmjetto

by slayer_

Do you guys have an office or do you all work from home, I'm curious how TR works.

SinisterJlay

by Sonja Thompson

SinisterJlay - you should come to Louisville next year and see for yourself! ;) The past two years (during the TR event), we've walked folks through the "mothership" so they could have a visual of what goes on behind the scenes.

Almost all of the editors have cubicles - except for Jason, Bill, and Toni (since they are in management roles). Jody is the only editor that telecommutes on a full-time basis, but she comes in every once in a while when we have a team lunch. :D

However, quite a few folks work from home when needed. It's definitely nice being able to have such a flexible schedule, but I think I end up working MORE in the end (hmmmm.... I think they're on to something here)!

by charliespencer

They've got free espresso and soft drinks in every office. The cubicles are lined with satin or Corinthian leather. The chairs come in two models: Kirk or Picard. There's a catered pizza buffet on even numbered days, with Chinese on odd days. Everyone has an Alienware desktop AND an iPad, with dual 36" monitors. Sonja herself sits in a full-scale reproduction of the Oval Office.

Really; I've seen it for myself.

by jamesrl

For me, I can't imagine TR without your active presense here. I can imagine though that at times we have driven you almost crazy. In turn I'm sure you've done the same to TR management.

Thanks for being there, and keeping this crazy family glued together.

by jasonhiner

have been a big part of TechRepublic's many successes. Congrats on 11 years and thanks for your many contributions (and many more to come)! :-)

by Sonja Thompson

for everything you've done to help make these past few years interesting. :)

I distinctly remember going into your office a couple years ago and telling you that I'd rather poke myself in the eye than continue doing what I was doing (as far as my job responsibilities and duties). Your response was, "Well, let's have you do something else then."

I appreciate your trust and faith in my abilities, Jason, which has allowed me to recreate myself many times over here at TechRepublic.

by Sonja Thompson

but I wasn't given a watch or anything like that. LOL! We might have had cake... you know how we like to find any excuse to have baked goods around here. :)

by maryweilage

Sonja,
Thanks for all of your excellent work for TechRepublic. From your thoughtful tribute videos to your silly videos to your organization of two TR events and much more, you do a fantastic job. Thank you also for your years of friendship. It wouldn't be the same here without you!

Mary

by Sonja Thompson

is you, Mary. I don't think anyone has covered my butt more -- and for so many years -- than you! I am so thankful to have you in my life. <3

Edited to add "And happy 11 year anniversary to you too, Mary!!" :D

by bethblakely

I got out at 8, but I gotta say, you certainly helped make all 8 interesting. I'll never forget eating at The Bristol on Bardstown Rd with my husband and mother in law, and seeing you waving at me like a crazy person from across the room. LOL

One of my favorite parts of the job EVER was working with you on the podcast. Sweet biscuit!

by Sonja Thompson

Grrrl... I have to laugh just thinking about those podcasts - not to mention the video pilot! I think you should talk to Marilyn about picking those back up, so that you can utilize those hidden (okay, not so hidden) talents! Miss you!!

by charliespencer

Just because you don't work at TR anymore doesn't mean you have to be a stranger. Don't wait until Sonja's 22nd (apparently the girl works in Base 11) to come back.

by oz_media

Hope all is well with you and that you have found your millions now. You sure were fun to have around too, this is like time warp day!

Maybe Jesus will resurrect soon! LOL, right, better chance of ITLobo popping up again.

by bethblakely

Hey everyone! Thanks for the warm welcome and wishes. :-) What a bunch of sweet biscuits. Where's mah butter?

I think Soni and I should start doing a private podcast about life in general, don't you? It'd be way better than that other one about "tech stuff." LOL ;-)

by charliespencer

But Jason keeps taking my camera and exposing it X-rays, a strong magnetic field, and the Ohio River.

Did I mention the private river-front lodge with company Jet-skis, full-time kitchen staff, and a fishing guide on retainer? Or the luxury box at Churchill Downs?

by gadgetgirl

(Glad I saw this today, I'd have been MAD with myself if I hadn't)

From me, thanks for making TR a fun place to be when I get the chance these days.

Thanks for all the giggles on the TROL's and TROLOV's too.

Thanks for inventing Pet of The Week (and for twice getting my beloved, sorely missed Murff in there)

Thanks for all the EXTREMELY hard work you put in organising the past two events

(and for the even harder work in pushing Jason along to set dates! :p )

Thanks for letting me have an extra few days with you this year, and get my head together before heading back home again.

Thanks for being there, for everything you do, and for all the hard work you put into the site and the extended family.

Because that's what it is. An extended family.

Now I'm wishing what I said I would do at the last event - reword the Care Bears' "It's great to be in the Care Bear Family" into "It's great to be in the [b] TR [/b] FAMILY!

(insert the link from YouTube if you can, dear, I can't get on from work.... I barred YouTube.... ;) )

Here's to the next 11 years, or 111 years.

Just stay in the family.

Loads and loads of love and hugs

:x :x :x :x

GjG

by jck

On the 11th year at TR...my V.P. gave to meeeeeeeeeeee :^0

Gratz, Sonja. I hope you have many more :)

by jck

Jason's flying us all to Louisville????

Hell, I don't think I can get off on that short notice :(

Oh well ;)

by Mark W. Kaelin

So that was what the big heavy sigh I heard on the other side of the wall.

Congratulations and thanks for not throwing stuff at me for the past 2 years.

by maecuff

That's awesome

11 years at one job is an impressive feat these days.

Err..dunno where I'm supposed to fit a 'J' in my name..

Guess I could be Jae instead of Mae for the dae.

Ohh..I wrote you a poem! About me!

:) Happy anniversary..

by charliespencer

The 'j' goes wherever a 'ya' sound would fit best. 'maecjuff' is also an option.

Banana-fana fo fonja,
Fee-fi-mo monja, Sonja.

by oz_media

I didn't think of it as time at the same job, when I do I cringe at just the concept of 11 years! :)

I was thinking, 11 years hanging out on TR was getting up there with some of the peers here.

I think if TR was my job(actual WORK), I'd be spending all day posting on band websites. :D

by seanferd

Happy anniversary Sonja. You certainly have helped to make TR a place that I wanted to visit. (Now I practically live here, excepting the occasional absences.)

by Sonja Thompson

I will never forget our phone interview with you. We were definitely up to no good when the questions started with "What are you wearing right now?" LOL!!! So happy that you stayed around after that. :D

by seanferd

That was one of the worst days for anyone to contact me by phone, but you chased me down. I admire your dedication. :^0 !

My brain was certainly not working in TR-mode at the time, but I had a lot of fun.

You should have tried me yesterday - I was stuck on a roof after this craptastic ladder blew down. I eventually had to hang-drop off with barely anything to grip as i worked myself over the edge, covered with the Jetcoat I had sealed the edge with a week before. (I wonder what Beth would have thought of my jeans and boots then. Hm.)

by nexs

As long as the challenges are continually coming your way and monotony has made a wide berth from your professional life, I hope to see you here for many more years.

If the day comes where you seek alternative bill-paying opportunities, I still hope to see you, but perhaps on this side of the firewall instead.

by michael jay

Oh, that is right, I have to work for a living, eleven years of fun.

So very fine to have you in my life and I hope you stay forever and always.

Love you Soni, but you knew that, congratulations, and here is to many more.

Hugs

by oz_media

And I mean that in the nicest way possible. It was rather starched, if you will, before you brought the "community" feeling to TR.

We had some 'pithy wit' tossed about once in a while, you know that stuck up, ponsy, better than thou kind of humour (thanks to folks like Jay and a few peers lightening up the room a bit), but not the fun and friendly atmosphere we have today.

I remember talking with yuo on the phone for my TR Interview and trying to get my tongue around the word 'nemesis' while thinking of the word 'evil', you didn't skip a beat and in your true, professional and fun nature you picked it up and continued without a hiccup.

You've always been a pro, you've always been a BLAST and I certainly hope you plan on hanging around a lot longer.

Kudos to a job well done and thanks for making the community what it is today!

Did you get your gold watch yet? Maybe you can get TR to pick you up some "special" swag, with D-cells to pass the day away.

(see, I couldn't have just left it nice and clean, had to go and screw with it! damn!)

by Sonja Thompson

I kept reading and waiting for you to say something sketch, and you didn't let me down. LOL!

Seriously, thanks for the nice words - and for trusting me with your address and phone number. And now... where's the highest bidder? ;) <3

by av .

Congratulations, Sonja, on 11 years with TR! You have made this place such a warm, inviting online community to be a part of because you have always reached out to the community with your posts, videos and commentaries. Not afraid to get your hands dirty with the likes of us. We know we're a handful sometimes. :^0

Thats why we all love you and hope that you will continue for many more years to come.

AV

by nicknielsen

Hope you're still here (if you want to be) 11 years down the road.

And thanks for all you do...like sending swag. ;)

by hal 9000

No wait a minute that's supposed to be a Curse isn't it? :D

Most sensible people like the Slow Dull Way of life as it is nice and secure with no worries. And then there is TR> ;)

Happy Anniversary Soni.

Col

by juanita marquez

For a few seconds, I actually felt a little ill anticipating "You've been a wonderful audience, goodnight, Louisville" or somesuch.

Whew.

Grats and don't scare us like that! :P

by cmiller5400

Sorry I'm late to the party... I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't use a computer on my vacation last week. And I didn't!!! ]:)

by cmiller5400

That I missed it. Thanks!!!

PS: Yes I had a wonderful birthday! A nice spice cake and some vanilla bean ice cream. YUM!

by hal 9000

On the grounds that self incrimination is not allowed in the courts unless the person in question wants to do it.

I don't. :D

Col

by seanferd

I think the TR peers would love it. I would. You may just become the next internet "thing". Watch as it goes viral.

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