I don't love being a corporate worker. Executing on someone else's agenda to earn investors profits just isn't fulfilling. There are exceptions to every rule though, and some days on the job are actually pretty sweet. Case in point; Thursday 7/23/2015.
I had spend the last several weeks boning up on web application security principles and practices, and Thursday was the day I presented the newfound knowledge to my team. I learned a lot of attack patterns and defense techniques, and explored their impact on our site. I was able to identify several vulnerabilities, and I even patched one just before the presentation. This was a big deal for me, as I knew next to nothing about web security before being assigned to become an 'expert.'
I was nervous about presenting security topics to a room full of more experienced engineers. Surely in my hours of research I had missed some things they had spent years developing. Ultimately, though, the presentation went off without a hitch. Discussion was lively and everyone left the room feeling more informed about security on the web in general, or in our app specifically. A great weight was lifted off my shoulders. There was actually a meaningful result to my month-long self guided journey. (I'd love to share some technical details about the things I learned, but I have an obligation to do exactly the opposite! If you want to learn about web security in general, this is the book I started with: http://www.amazon.com/Web-Application-Security-Beginners-Guide/dp/0071776168/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437812466&sr=8-1&keywords=web+security )
I got that "business high" that comes from a job well done. As I was riding it out, I read on the news that Amazon's stock had skyrocketed 20% after hours due to a strong quarterly earnings report. It's actually doubled from when I started two years ago! Stock is a pretty big deal for Amazon employees because it's a big part of our compensation packages. Needless to say I was happy about that too.
I got a buzz that comes from making some surprise money, and when it mixed with my business high from the presentation I became corporate cross faded. It felt good, and I finally understood why some people choose to devote their lives to long hours in the office. Of all the addictions to have, this one at least puts money in your pocket instead of the other way around.
The best was still yet to come. It just so happens that not only was this quarterly earnings day, but it was also Amazon's 20th birthday! To celebrate, all employees and their +1's were invited to a private Macklemore & Ryan Lewis concert at Century Link Field. Amazon must have splurged book a private show from an A-list act in an NFL stadium, which is impressive for a company that preaches frugality. Felicia and I had an awesome dinner after work, then we headed down to the show.
I had never seen Macklemore live before, but I've been to my fair share of rap concerts and I was worried this one was going to be wack. A stadium full of software engineers isn't the most exciting crowd...Can they provide any artist with the right kind of energy?
It turns out yes they can. Either that or Macklemore was just being a good sport. Maybe a little of column A and a little of column B. Either way, the show was a blast! I forgot how much I liked The Heist. They put on an amazing live performance as well, and it's easy to tell Macklemore had fun just being himself on stage in front of 15,000 people.
While I've had a good experience at work lately I still think it's smoke & mirrors compared to what I ultimately want out of life, which is just to "do me." If I can win grammys on go on world tours in the process, like Macklemore and Ryan Lewis when they just "do them," then even better :)
Until next time!
TGIB
