New Year 2008

On January 8 we finally left for work. Yes, for the first time this new year.  But no pity, no sympathy!  While everyone is recovering from vacation, and the entire country revives after the long holidays, Neotech this day saw the traditional “doyedalki” (to use Anton Tabakov’s term), or ‘finishing off of leftovers’.  It’s not yesterday’s salads that we are finishing off, however.  We have much to do, and can barely manage it all in one day.  Firstly, we have to share with each other our stories of the New Year holidays, and secondly we have to give and receive presents ungiven or unreceived at the Neotech New Year celebration.  Finally, we have to recall what it was all like at the celebration itself, reliving the colorful moments over again – once again, all together.

– X –

Oh, if gaze could…

People gathered for the celebration in small groups, nobody hurrying.  All knew that there was plenty of time ahead, and that much was in store: fishing, and ice skating, and contests, and the open-air disco... They were saving their strength for an entire day of celebration.

A party of new arrivals sauntered pompously towards the shore of the pond, heading towards the pavilion where mulled wine and pirozhki were being served.  As they went they gazed over the territory which they were to possess, the cabins, in one of which they would needs take up residence (it was December, after all, and warmth would be needed), exchanging jokes and merry comments about those already standing on the bridges with fishing poles.  These latter – tense and concentrated – stood stock still, gazing at the water, seeming not even to breathe… In the feeble light of the day, this beginning of Neotech’s company event reminded one of the smooth gyrations inside a glass tree ornament.

Suddenly, on one of the bridges a shout rang out (either of fright or of joy): something large and powerful was thrashing in the water.  Everything came to life.  Someone helped to pull the line, someone brought over the net; Neotechnicians came running from the pavilion, pirozhki and undrunk glasses of mulled wine flying in all directions.  The group on the shore froze in confusion and dismay: what was this?  Everything had started, and without them?  The taut line, the tense fingers, the trashing and weight of the live trophy... Why wasn’t it he or she standing on the bridge right now?  Why hadn't he or she claimed that wonderful prize?  Well, who had stopped them from coming earlier?!

Talants and fans…

On the Trout River, which had become Neotech’s territory for the day, the Neotech figure skaters appeared on the ice.  Smiling mysteriously, Alexei Dudaty skated, gliding smoothly, arced trajectory… Weaving in and out around him grasshopper-style was Lena Martynenko’s little daughter.  Hand in hand, our Thumbelinas set out – Lilya Klevtsova, Yulya Tarasova, and Elena Sokolenko.  To be sure, their private coquettish laughter was not fated to last for long: everyone surged forward, catching hold, dragging behind, lively and mischievous – no-one even had time to note who was in this whirlwind or what their names were.  Newcomers to the ice amazed all, among them Kyrill Ryabkov and Sergei Sant, who skated, unafraid of appearing funny and awkward, and drew others in by their example.  Few, however, can skate as did the director of sales and marketing!  Everyone gasped with delight, watching his flourishes, whispering quietly back and forth: “He used to be a hockey player!”  “No, no; he studied with Tarasova when he was little!”   “Not Tarasova – Tarasov: he played for the Central Army Sports Club.”  There you have it: every day you sit at your desk, and never even suspect what hidden talents and abilities your colleagues possess.

Meanwhile…

Gradually it grew dark, and everyone began moving gradually towards the cabins.  There the tree was ablaze with light, and the frosted cottage windows shown invitingly.  But naturally it was impossible to go past the pond with the fishermen and all those cheering them on or sincerely sympathizing.  Then a miracle happened: after a valiant fight, Igor Sokolenko hauled in a 35-killogram Sturgeon (for truly, such a “Tsar fish” can only be described with a capital “S”).  Not only were there ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ all around – some temporarily forgot how to breathe.  Igor himself was a sight to see at that moment, his voice cracking and eyes aglow… It was clear that he was one who could worthily be called the “Lucky Fisherman.”

How to describe our New Year so as to fit it into journalistic format?  Perhaps I’ll simply present it as a list.

• Naturally, there was fresh ukha, or fish soup, and fish hot off the coals – all of it caught with our own hands.  Moreover, the catch was so plentiful that we not only ate to our hearts’ content, but each took a fish back home.
• There were the addresses of the winners of the contest for best – and therefore most provoking, challenging, and expressive of our “club” spirit – cheer for Neotech, its MegaText project, each one’s own department, the players of our common team, translation in general, and the lot of translators as a whole.  The best cheer was found to be the amazingly touching and humorous composition of Mikhail Pavly.  Named winners of MegaText were – all of MegaText, so unanimously vocal were they, and so spiritedly did they shout all others down, making it obvious that this was a staff that truly played as one.
• Following the voting were the awards, presented once again in Neotech and for the first time in MegaText.  Prizes acquired owners in the following nominations:

In Neotech:

Cheer Leader – the most beautiful and enchanting, able to encourage, give flight, and prepare for feats of valor.  This, in the opinion of the entire company, was Anna Zolotukhina, director of the oil and gas group.

Chosen as Defensive Linebacker or Stopper was Sergei Chernyavsky, head of our drafting department.  This is a warrior man, capable of defending and supporting not only you, but also his own opinion.

Named On-the-Field Coach, possessing the authority and experience, patience and kindness required by the position, was Yury Vasilkov, director of operations.

Rookie of the Year – the newcomer, both promising and capable of much… This nomination had two winners: a uniform number of votes were garnered by editor Elena Fomkina and Alexei Popov, assistant project manager.  Alexei, however, being a true gentleman, publicly cast his vote at the celebration in favor of Elena, thereby ensuring her victory.

And, finally, the Help Defender or Soul of Neotech.  Uncontested victor of this nomination was once again Pavel Khailov, user support specialist of the Neotech internal network.

In MegaText the best from two nominations were chosen:

Goalkeeper.  This was won by a large margin by Elena Martynenko, layout designer.  I believe her victory came as no surprise to anyone, for she is hard-working, responsible, intelligent, and apt to smile – in a word, half a team in one person.

And Scarfer, or the one most worthy to wear the MegaText club colors.  The winner was pronounced Elena Sokolenko, senior manager of the MegaText project: all colors suit her.  Besides, she beautifies any club or company by her presence.

• Then there was the torchlight disco by the bonfire.  The excitement of the contests, the heartfelt laughter of the joking, the warm contact of souls… It was good to be together!

If you’d like to know more, write or call us!  Upon request our company representatives will come out to conduct a special presentation equipped with quality illustrative material.