Andrea Jaggers in front of the Denver Convention Cen...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
W+P Three Wheeled Races
Look at that crowd...you'd think this was the Indy 500. Team WP sporting our hot jerseys. Nothing says fun like the founding principle of the company having a blast on a tricycle. Tye Brown with the pedal down Cigi and Anda playing bumper cars with their trikes. To celebrate our halfway mark through Million Mile May, the employees of Williams + Paddon participated in the first annual Big Wheel and Tricycle Races. I ask you, who doesn't want to...
Weekly workplace humor #3
Rule #3: Messy deskTop management can get away with a clean desk. For the rest of us, it looks like we’re not working hard enough. Build huge piles of documents around your workspace. To the observer, last year’s work looks the same as today’s work; it’s volume that counts. Pile them high and wide. If you know someone is coming to your desk, bury the document you’ll need halfway down in an existing stack and rummage for it when he/she arrives. -Tr...
Keep those legs moving!
Williams+Paddon friends, family and employees have truly stepped up the efforts this year. Last year our efforts brought us 3rd place in the category of small employers with 4,248 miles. This year we are on track for first place with a pledged 8,211 miles. In addition we have been given an Honorable Mention in the category of “Bike Friendly Employer”. It is a bit ironic that the winner was SMUD. I am convinced that the only reason they won is due...
"green" tower
Talk about green washing...this "house" takes the cake, the ice cream and the presents. Here are just a few interesting facts:1. single family residence2. 570 ft. tall3. 6 floors of parking4. 1 helipad5. 9 elevators6. $1800/ft7. 35,000 s.f. 8. 2 billion construction cost9. The architect, Perkins + Will, is so 'proud' of their green washed masterpiece that they won't even put the project on their website.Sustainability is most commonly defined as,...
Who will win?
The race is on...Jack Paddon vs. Chris Jaggers. Who will be the first to 700 miles? 800 miles? Like two Roman gladiators facing off in front of thousands of cheering on lookers, these two highly competitive gentleman attempt to out dual each other in a fight for WP biking supremacy....
Snow ride
The plan was well thought out. A ride from JTW's cabin up the Old highway to Donner Summit were Diane would have a picnic lunch ready for the tired riders. It was a well planned event but good ol' Mother Nature decided to dump two inches of snow on our route. The message from Jim Saturday morning says it all..."unless you have snow chains for your bike, the ride is postponed."- Jim and Brian...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
AIA Convention '08 - Boston
Convention 2008 can be summed up in two words: Green BIM (ok, so it’s one word and one abbreviation). While many of the seminars were hit and miss, the exposure to the latest in technology was a good eye opener. The world of professional services is moving rapidly into the world of Building Information Modeling and Integrated Project Delivery. We learned some great things about on-line sources that can assist in conceptual energy performance modeling...
The Page 13 Violators share 1st place for the 1st time!
The Violators took the field on Friday night with a gleam in their eye and a hunger for first place in their bellies, for a few others it was more like a belly full of beer! We quickly took the lead in the first with four runs as the Ball Busters’ pitcher was having a hard time throwing strikes, and whatever strike he did pitch we “put it where they ain’t”. With a solid lead under our feet, our defense stepped up again and put down our first place...
Weekly Workplace Humor #2
Rule #2: Use computers to look busyAny time you use a computer, it looks like “work” to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal email, chat and generally have a blast without doing anything remotely related to work. These aren’t exactly the social benefits that the proponents of computer revolution would like to talk about but there not bad either. When you get caught by your boss (and you will get caught) your best defense is to claim that you were teaching yourself to use new software, thus saving valuable training expenses.-T...
The Death Ride
Look at those smiles...little did we know what was in store for us as the day progressed... Mmmmmmmmm.... Even Jack couldn't survive his own ride... I think I'm either sleeping or passed out...probably passed out!The story begins with a mid week invitation from Jack for a leisurely ride of a mere 20 miles around Lake Natoma. You’re probably saying to yourself, “Oh, that sounds wonderfully delightful”…ha, I laugh at your naiveness. Then he suggests...
On Site and In Style
I snapped this great picture of Jason's backside...I mean Timbuk2 bag on site at Sacramento Unified School District ERP (Emergency Repair Project).-Beverly...
Mother's Day Boutique Update
I would like to thank all you who came out to supported our Mother’s Day Boutique and those of you who helped in setting it up. We had our most successful Sierra Adoption fundraiser yet as we raised over $ 3,100, making a new record for our fundraiser events and putting us over the top for our fundraising goal. I would like to specifically thank Andrea, Amber, Shannon, Kim Settle, Cigi, Naaz, Aerie, Jodie & Trish for all their help in making...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Weekly Workplace Humor #1
Rule #1: Never walk without a document in your hands.People with documents in their hands look like hard working employees heading for important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like their heading for the canteen. People with a newspaper in their hands look like their heading for the toilet. Above all, make sure you carry loads of stuff home with you at night, thus generating the false impression that you work longer hours than you do.This is the first in a series of how to tips on the art of corporate advancement.-Tr...
Mayhem at Maidu
At noon on Friday, 16 members of the office changed into their cycling apparel, strapped on a helmet, and hopped on a bike for a quick one mile ride over to Maidu Park for a City of Roseville sponsored “picnic in the park”. It was interesting to see how quickly serious workers transitioned into a bunch of crazy kids on recess. Some people literally seemed as though they were recalling the joys of forgotten childhoods zipping all over the park in...
Biking Yosemite
Here is my picture of biking in Paradise. The challenge of riding in Yosemite is to keep from crashing off the road as you stare at the waterfalls and majestic cliffs. Well worth the risk. -...
Monday, May 12, 2008
Habitat for Humanity
What a glorious day to help out our fellow man. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and we strolled onto the site ready to work our butts off. I’d be lying if I said it was all smooth sailing from there but to be truthful our foreman was a little confused when he saw our group approach the house… why you ask? Well it seems he was unaware that he would be getting any volunteers that day. Not to fear though… he was eventually able to...
Violators Show Precision in latest Blowout!
As the beautiful Spring begins to pick away at our vast roster and send everyone on vacation, the Violator’s make the best of what’s around. That’s right, the Violator’s took the field with only four girls on Friday night, causing an automatic out every time a fifth girl is called for, thus putting us at a slight handicap. However, it really didn’t affect us, as we had a record setting 12 run first inning rally that sealed it for the rest of the game. Amongst those runs was a homerun for Brian Lefholz, on a misplay in the outfield. We also showcased...
Funny Pics from the Tour de Lincoln
Yes...that is a Williams + Paddon 'Tattoo' on Jill Thompson's (City of Lincoln) leg.Not to be outdone by showing of the legs...Robi proudly sports the road rash, bruised ankle and swollen knee...compliments of Jack.Dorel, the Italian/Greek wild man road biker with unlimited energy...why you ask? Simple...Go Girl Energy Drinks. I think the pink really complements his eyes.-Brian...
Tour de Lincoln
With ‘May is Bike Month’ in full swing, a contingent from WP set out to tackle the Tour de Lincoln. Saturday was a beautiful May morning. It was sunny, the temperature was in the low 80's and we had the bike riding animals from W + P poised and ready to rack up some miles!.Jack, Nan and Randy Dawson (Trish's husband) started off before any of us even showed up. There were tackling the 63 mile ride which included a 3,500 foot gain in elevation. Kim...
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sponsored Riders
Everyone knows that Robi has really taken to cycling as of late. She now owns a multi thousand dollar bike and to help offset that cost she has acquired a sponsor. That's right, Mark and her are now sponsored by Sunkist Orange Juice as evidenced by their oh so cute matching outfits....
Roseville Arts – Home & Art Show Tour
Last Saturday couldn’t have been a more perfect day for a bike ride. For some of us at W+P who wanted to get those biking miles in before the month of May slips away, Saturday was indeed a gift for all of us. A group of us joined forces and headed out in one direction, and two of us decided to kill two birds with one stone (so to speak). Why not get the biking mileage and exercise in while enjoying the Roseville Arts - Home & Art Showcase tour?...
Timbuk2 Travels
Kim snapped this great shot of her WP Timbuk2 bag catching some rays on The Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, California. If you go on vacation or just go to an interesting spot around town...take your bag and a quick photo for the blog. What a great way to capture all the places the PEOPLE of WP visit.-Kim Settle and Brian...
May is Bike Month - Week 1
Well, Well, Well...What a kick-off week it was. Here are some highlights:]· May 1st we saw at least 9 or 10 commuters. And a very nice breakfast provided for us. Thank you!· Kim Settle’s ride from all accounts was a great success!· James Engler even got out and rode (If he can do it so can you Naaz!)!· Williams+Paddon is second on the small Employers leader board.· Like Big Brown at the Derby we have a dark horse leading the pack! Way to Go Lefholz!...
The Rumble at Woodcreek Golf Course
It was just another typical twilight evening at the golf course for the bi-weekly golf outing; birds chirping, the low muffle of chatter and laughter emanating from the putting green and clubhouse, the sweet smell of grass on a light evening breeze, and good company as always. Yep, Tuesday twilight golf was here again and all those who showed up had been looking forward to playing and especially since it was a different course, Woodcreek. But alas,...
The WP Tour de Lake Natoma
Our MayisBikeMonth Kick-Off Ride & BBQ was a great success! Jim Williams & Rose Cottle took off from my house & did the Roseville Arts! Tour, with Rose encouraging Jim to partake of as much wine as possible at each of the stops on their tour, in hopes of slowing him down on the road, just a bit. Meanwhile, Mark Posnick & Robi Kaseman on their stylie & lightning fast road bikes, Terry Green on his vintage Raleigh (complete with...
The Unofficial History of Hacky Sack
The co-operative kicking sport of Hacky Sack has ancient origins from China, Thailand, Native America and nearly every country. Perhaps one of the most interesting hacky sack stories stems from Scotland during the dark ages. As the story goes, young shepherds would often kick stones to each other to pass the time while they tended their flocks.On a related note, the game that we play in the parking stalls at lunch, “Handi-Hack” or “Hack Pong”, whichever...
WP Bike Garage
Like a scene from the classic renegade biker movie 'Wild Ones', our bikes were lined up everywhere we could find room. The office looked more like a bike shop then an architecture office on May 1st (the start of May is Bike Month). We had great participation with almost half the office riding that first day...let's keep it up for the entire month and smash our 6,371 pledged miles. That should be no problem with Jack boasting about riding 6,000 by...
