Every now and then, I step out of the food groove here on OWF to write a personal message. Births are a good excuse, and this weekend must feel like one for a dear friend of ours, so it's reason enough.
For the last year or year and a half—maybe longer—our friend meriko has all but disappeared from her own life and the lives of her friends and loved ones. In that time period, she's had three dozen days off; that includes weekends and holidays. Her typical work day lasted about 15 hours; often they'd run longer. She's learned to get by with teensy-tiny amounts of sleep.
She doesn't work for a startup.
She was a key member of the team that brought you the most anticipated consumer electronics device on the planet. Few of the people who camped out at Apple Stores on Friday can imagine what she's been through. But we've had up-close seats since she joined the group. (As with everyone, including her husband, she could only say she was working on a secret project until January's MacWorld. Imagine working so hard and not being able to talk to anyone about it.) If you like your new iPhone, if you were impressed by that keynote, if you're amazed it shipped on time, thank meriko and her team for their sacrifices and dedication.
Congratulations, meriko, and welcome back. Melissa and I send hugs galore.
Now, go! Sleep! Take a day off, or maybe even two—in a row.
