Vegas

I work at the world's craziest and best company.  Opower tricks you into saving energy.  We use behavioral science to get people to do what their brains tell them they should, but habits don't often allow.  We also have a really interesting culture.  Everyone is smart and works hard, but we also play hard too.  Next week, I have three company-sponsored happy hours on my calendar.

Last week, Opower held its second annual Engineering offsite in Las Vegas.  We stayed at the Aria hotel, which is right on the strip and is quite nice.  It's one of those places where the curtains automatically open and the room welcomes you to a gorgeous view of the mountains when you first arrive.

Room w/a View (sort of!)

Fountain outside Aria

We spent a day learning stuff.

Then we were supposed to participate in a hack-a-thon, but because I no longer code, my manager and I spent the afternoon at the pool bar (surprisingly, we did talk about work for a while).

Evenings were on our own, so we explored.  We explored deliciously large burgers.

I recommend the Farm Burger.  Where else can you taste duck bacon?!

We explored Paris

and Caesar's Palace

and New York, New York

Live Irish Music @ Nine Fine Irishmen

and our Ocean's Eleven fantasies.

I even learned how to pay craps and won $50.  (Granted, that's not much but I feel pretty good that I've beat every casino I've ever walked into.)

I finally realized this was not about getting work done.  Rather, it was about team-building, and maybe having a little leverage during the recruiting process (does YOUR company fly you to Vegas?).  Regardless, I had a really great time and made some friendships that slipped past security at BWI and will probably stick with me for a long time.

What a great team!