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Themers in a Photo – Grand Meetup, 2017 Edition

A few weeks ago, Automattic held its annual Grand Meetup. That’s where the company I work for gathers together in one place for a week to strategize, work and bond. Every year, we throw a party at the end of the week, complete with a photo booth. Piling into the photo booth (or in this case, photo area) has turned into one of my favorite things.

Many themers posting in a photo both, holding signs, silly props and wearing funny masks and faces.

Of course, we also took a serious one.

Group photo of the Automatic Theme Team

Between all the work, I had a bit of fun too. A few nice hikes, plus a ride up a mountain in a gondola. We saw a bear! Although, I didn’t snap a great picture of it. One of these days I’m just going to move to the mountains because I love it so much. 🙂

  • The fog sets in on the mountain, on one of the peaks.
  • A view of a gondola on the Peak to Peak experience in Whistler, B.C.
  • A view at the mountains from inside our gondola.
  • A few themers on a podium.
  • A overlook near Brandywine Falls.
  • Daisy Lake.
  • Brandywine Falls.
  • Daisy Lake.
  • Brandywine Falls.

Here’s to another great year at Automattic, surrounded by awesome colleagues with a worthwhile mission!

Themers in a Photo – Grand Meetup, 2016 Edition

Many themers posting in a photo both, holding signs, silly props and wearing funny masks and faces.
Many themers posting in a photo both, holding signs, silly props and wearing funny masks and faces.
Many themers posting in a photo both, holding signs, silly props and wearing funny masks and faces.

This past week, Automattic held its annual Grand Meetup, where the entire company gets together to talk about the past year, plan ahead for the next one and work on a few cool things…

Oh, and we throw a party at the end with a photo booth. As you can see, my team, the Theme Team, knows how to take a good photo. 🙂 I’m lucky to work with such a great group of people. They’re more than coworkers – they’re friends. People who inspire me, push me, teach me, make me laugh and probably overuse the 💩 emoji. Nobody’s perfect.

Skywalk Trail on Rainbow Mountain

  • A lookout, overlooking a lake, on Skywalk Trail.
  • Standing on a bridge on Skywalk Trail.
  • A waterfall, near a lookout on Skywalk Trail.
  • A waterfall, near a lookout on Skywalk Trail.
  • A view of trees high up, near a lookout on Skywalk Trail.
  • A view of Rainbow Mountain.
  • A view of Rainbow Mountain, from a field.
  • A big group of Automattician’s eating lunch near the bottom of Rainbow Mountain.
  • One of the glacier lakes at Rainbow Mountain.
  • A view out into the valley, standing near one of the glacier lakes at Rainbow Mountain.
  • Me and a glacier – selfie style.
  • A view of the glacier lake, from standing in front of the glacier itself.
  • A glacier on Rainbow Mountain.
  • A mix of debris from the glacier and a view of trees and grass.
  • Me in front of the glacier.
  • From left to right, Stu West, Jonah Braun, Xiao Yu and myself on the glacier beach.
  • Walking on the glacier beach.
  • A small stream on the trail to Rainbow Mountain.

This past week, while at Automattic’s annual Grand Meetup, I completed the most difficult hike I’ve ever done. Myself and a small group of Automattician’s hiked up Skywalk Trail on Rainbow Mountain – a challenging hike full of amazing views. It’s near Whistler, British Columbia in Canada.

A screenshot of Fitbit, showing 34,033 steps.

I say difficult because about an hour into the hike, I wasn’t sure I would make it. I huffed and puffed up a few steep hills and had to take a lot of short breaks. But I pushed through and enjoyed the best payoff – the views (see the photos!). I felt it the next few days with sore calves and quads.

A big thanks to Joe Boydston for organizing the hike, Stu West for hiking back down with me, and the rest of the group for being such great company.