The past few months have been a roller coaster and extremely humbling. At the start of this process, looking to find a new role, I might have even been a little cocky. Despite being let go as part of a large restructuring I truly felt like I was good at being a software engineer andContinue reading “Job hunting update”
Author Archives: Sandy McFadden
Unexpected Goodbye, Unshakable Gratitude
The past few days have been difficult. After over 10 years working at Automattic my time has come to an end. As with any loss there has been a mix of feelings, but most consistently how I’ve been describing it to those close to me asking is heartbreaking. Although I always knew I didn’t haveContinue reading “Unexpected Goodbye, Unshakable Gratitude”
Unseen influence, unspoken thanks
As I was sitting in a rural high school gym yesterday I found myself reminiscing about my own youth. It wasn’t for a typical reason you might think of for a middle aged man watching high school students play volleyball. Despite liking sports and even once walked into a tryout to play for my highContinue reading “Unseen influence, unspoken thanks”
Reading with Ezra
One of the benefits of my renewed reading habit that I hadn’t seen coming was with my youngest Ezra. He has lots of energy and loves to be busy. His favorite thing is being outside, digging, collecting sticks and rocks, just being hands on with nature. Ezra is also very inquisitive so I didn’t thinkContinue reading “Reading with Ezra”
Not so fast
Right now I’m supposed to be high in the air flying across the country. Having my boys experience looking out the window and down at the clouds. The force of takeoff as you rush along the runway and then feel the wheels come off the ground. Watching the trees as they get smaller and smaller.Continue reading “Not so fast”
Noah’s first day of work
Today I’m feeling proud as a father. Yesterday Noah has his first real full day of work. A couple of summers ago we hired my friends son, who had started a landscaping business, to replace our front lawn. Since we put it in it was terrible. The hydro seed never took and it was mostlyContinue reading “Noah’s first day of work”
Local Authors
This year I decided to read more again. Like most things in my life I seem to do this in cycles. Reading is something I enjoy, but will go through periods where I do next to none. A couple of Christmases ago I received a book from local author Christy Ann Conlin, The Speed ofContinue reading “Local Authors”
Query Loop Future Filter Plugin
This is the first year in a long time that I haven’t been helping coach my son Noah’s basketball teams. It’s felt a little odd, but I’m pretty out of my depth at the high school level and the team has great coaches. So this year I’ve focused more on the tech and media sideContinue reading “Query Loop Future Filter Plugin”
Ten years at Automattic
Today marks ten years from when I officially started at Automattic. Before I joined this company I switched jobs often. I guess I’ve still switched roles fairly often, but I’ve stayed with the same company. Being able to switch roles is one of the things I love and value about Automattic. I can try newContinue reading “Ten years at Automattic”
Day One Meetup in Prague
In October of this year, most of the people who work on Day One all traveled to Prague for a meetup. A chance to all be together, plan, work, and team build. It is such a great group of people. Working remotely is great, but there really is something magical about being in person withContinue reading “Day One Meetup in Prague”
Sandy McFadden 