The Party Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
Blue Q can be a lot for a new employee. Every job has its own special culture and routines, and then you have to get cozy with US – a rowdy bunch who talk over one another, eavesdrop indiscriminately, and display an uncommon passion and love for what we do and who we do it with.
But that’s what Kristin, the newest member of our graphic design team, heroically walked into when she started a couple weeks ago. Her arrival also lined up with preparations for our 2016 Holiday Party, an event at which our quirks are never more resoundingly on display. But, like a champ, she came back the next day to jot down some quick observations.
We also asked John for his thoughts, both for the sake of contrast and also because he’s the best. Did you know that his title is actually Johnny Appleseed? Like, part of his job is to make sure good vibes spread to every nook and cranny of this place. Plus, he’s been to seventeen Blue Q Holiday Parties so he’s kind of an authority.
Now, without further ado, here you have it: the Blue Q Holiday Party through the eyes of two beholders. We hope you enjoy their little dance – and the photos, too!
Kristin: The way I see it, company Christmas parties can be split into two categories: the parties you have to go to, and the parties you want to go to.
John: The Blue Q Holiday party is Legend. It is an annual epic feat involving a lot of careful planning but also plenty of room for improv, last-minute additions and spilled drinks.
Kristin: By the Friday of the party, I’d been an employee for a whopping two weeks. In the art department, we spent much of those weeks designing, printing, cutting, gluing, and hanging things for the big night. No detail was overlooked, and I just tried to keep up. “I really like this,” I was told about one of my first projects. “But let’s make it a little more ‘easy.’ We’re all about the vibe – take what you know and shake it up!”
John: The 2016 party was far and away the best ever – everyone is saying so. There was so much fun to be had; so much food to eat, so much wine and whiskey to drink, so many friends to say hello to. There was a photo booth! A book swap! There was pie, a video DJ, shenanigans, tomfoolery, revelry! There was good-will and laughter! There was a short film of the year-in-retrospect to remind us all just how friggin’ hard we rock!
Kristin: What struck me the most about the Blue Q Holiday party was that no person was overlooked. We had an awards ceremony (complete with pom-pom waving cheerleaders), a ski-themed photo booth, and even a movie about us (filmed via drone and featuring all of Blue Q’s employees)! Every person was included in the festivities in some way, and made to feel like an important part of the family.
John: The highlight of the night was far and away the awards ceremony for our crew members from BCARC. Everyone was recognized; names were called, theme music blared, and applause poured through the room as the winners swaggered and strutted up to accept their trophies and dance for a minute or two in celebration.
Kristin: I’ve still got so much to learn here, but I do know now that Blue Q’s is one of those holiday parties that you want to go to. I can’t wait to keep learning and growing with this group of people who are so rapidly becoming a mini family to me.
