Where's Nino?

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Published Posted Sunday, October 22, 2006 11:21 PM by Nino

 

It's been a while since I've blogged (and blogged regularly at that); where have I been?  I'll give you one guess.  Starts with "w" and ends with "k".   Did you guess "work"?   Well good for you; you are correct.

For the last three (more?) months, we've been putting in some serious hours driving hard towards an early December milestone.  Lots of work to do, functional changes along the way, and interesting technical challenges popping up just when you think you've got everything nailed down. 

So, yes, work has pretty much consumed me, and any free time (um...) I'm spending with family.  So blogging (and reading blogs) has been backburnered as has newsgroup participation any thing that is, well, not work. 

If I'm so darn busy, where did I find time to write this?  I'm on the plane, headed back to DC.

Why am I writing this post?  Well, some folks have dropped me some notes (via my blog) in which they pretty much have inferred that I'm a "typical lazy-ass MVP" and I "cut and run" once I got my MVP award.  Feh. Let's break it down (the anonymous and not-to-be-named cowards have raised my ire)...

1) That's an insult to all MVPs (and do I detect a hint of jealousy?).  Lazy MVPs?  I'm sure they exist - statistics says they must. It is unfortuante that this individual had a poor experience interacting with a MVP; however, one bad apple does not a bushel make.  MVPs are a hard-working bunch - writing, presenting, participating in community forums and newsgroups, and helping to flesh out early betas and such - on top of a full-time job.  Hopefully the process will filter out the 'bad apple' that this individual had a negative interaction with.

2) [in response to the cut-and-run comment] Timing can be an interesting thing. Right around the time I was awarded an MVP (April '06), I was staffed on my current project (I started on April 17, to be exact (yep, just finished Week 27)).  Since late summer it has been full_speed_ahead driving hard to our early December milestone focused on delivery (Delivery, delivery, delivery!). Will we make it?  Failure is not an option.

In sum, I did not "cut and run" once I got my MVP award. I was staffed on a very challenging project with a tough schedule (delivery and travel).  The little time I am not working (my little corner of a weekend), I spend with my family.   Everything outside of work I have back-burnered (my wife might argue that she falls into that category, too). I don't have time for it. Unfortunate as it is, that's the deal.  Additionally, I am very appreciative to Microsoft and to my peers for my nomination and

I'm doing what I can when I can for now and should get a bit more responsive in November when we're in the 'fix' phase.  After November, things should get back to normal...

We'll see.  Thanks for your continued readership.

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Comments

. Monday, October 23, 2006 9:50 AM

Nino, you continue to make great contributions to our community despite a hectic work schedule. If it is someone at MS complaining, have them contact me directly for evidence. With that said, the MVP award recognizes the impact a person has over the past year and comes with no obligations. We don't appoint an MVP to do a job, we award them for something they've already done. I appreciate all the work you've done. The project you are currently buried in is going to make a HUGE impact, so keep up the good work!

Drew Robbins
. Monday, October 23, 2006 3:44 PM

Thanks, Drew. I really appreciate your support. It was not anyone from MS complaining, btw.

Nino
. Tuesday, October 24, 2006 12:41 AM

I seriously take offense to anyone who says that my husband "cut and run". Obviously, you don't know Nino at all. Nino (at age 32) takes work more seriously then most people twice his age. Nino grew up working from the time he could walk and is more passionate about work than any one man should be. He also puts in more hours in 4 days then most people put in in two weeks worth of work. Nino gets to work by 7:30 am and has called me at 1:00 am still at work. I travelled to Washington DC with him once (he worked ---I visited friends) and he left the hotel room at 6:30 am and returned at 3:30 am. I was so worried I almost called the police. However, Nino thinking nothing of it, was doing what he always does and that is working and dedicating himself fully to his project(s). Anyway, for anyone out there that thinks Nino has a "big head" or "cuts and runs" you are sadly mistaken. Ask anyone who has ever worked with him, worked for him, or knows him and they'll tell you he's the most dedicated and hard working person they know. I don't say this because he's my husband, I say it because it's the truth. And the fact that I see my husband less than 2 days a week is evidence of that fact(s).

Shannon (Wife of Nino)
. Friday, October 27, 2006 8:36 AM

I'm not a frequent reader of Nino's blog, however when I read this entry I felt the need to comment on it. Having been on the same project as Nino since the beginning of May, I can personally attest to the fact that Nino's statements about his time commitments are no exaggeration.  

Shannon says: "Anyway, for anyone out there that thinks Nino has a "big head" or "cuts and runs" you are sadly mistaken. Ask anyone who has ever worked with him, worked for him, or knows him and they'll tell you he's the most dedicated and hard working person they know."

Well, as someone who does work with Nino, using the word lazy to describe Nino is purely laughable, as well as the insinuation that he has a big head. Anyone who would even think that obviously does not know him whatsoever. He's easily one of the most hardworking people I have ever met and someone I enjoy working with very much.

Ryan O'Neill
. Friday, October 27, 2006 1:33 PM

I'd like to back up Drew's comments.  Nino has had and continues to have a big positive impact on this community.  I also wanted to stress the fact that the MVP Award recognizes the past year's contributions with no strings attached for future performance.  Nino, if anyone expresses concern, please feel free to give them my email address - I have no concerns at all about your participation.  Now, get back to work.  ;-)

Michael Fosmire, MVP Lead, Microsoft