Tianna Brown - Winner!

Tianna wins for the second week in a row because she is this years Ooodles of Noodles Top Ramen Award winner!  Yes, at the Top Ramen Award Winner's Feast on January 8, 2010*,  Tianna will be honored with the Ooodles of Noodles Award and get to wear the Top Ramen Crown of Glory.

As a secondary, and dramatically less important reason for winning this week, Tianna benefited from a marked laziness in the Awards comittee which simply did not want to move the sign.  There was also a temporary Scotch Tape shortage which Leo assures us will be rectified in January.

As a side note, Tianna's cheery disposition and delight in being a winner was a plus.  So that helped.

Congrats Tianna on winning the last Top Ramen award of 2009!

* The Top Ramen Award Winner's Feast is traditionally held on the first available Friday of January and signifies the end of the Holiday Season.

Tianna Brown - Winner!

Any one who requests a signed copy of the Search Star Trek spoof poster knows what makes cool  - cool.  Tianna reaffirms her grip on reality and priorities by elevating the importance of Search to the same level as Tiger Beat teen celebrities.

Thank you, Tianna, for making all of us at Search worthy of pin-up status.  This weeks Top Ramen award has never been so confidently and unanimously granted.

Kevin Graham's Jester hat -- Winner!

This is an impressive week in that its the first that an inanimate object has ever won the Top Ramen Award.  Kevin Graham himself had a remarkably productive week for Search.  After a business decision wrecked havoc on the entire VC system, Kevin swooped in and prevented cascading damage at break-neck speed.

He also managed a maintenance window that involved Search with precision and attention to detail.  Although all of that quick thinking and hard work made Kevin look good, it didn't flatter, bribe or otherwise pay homage to Search. 

In stark contrast, Kevin's Jester Hat makes Kevin look good everyday.  Adding a fresh breath of levity and taking the edge off meeting with systems, Kevin's Hat makes all of systems look approachable, friendly, and fun. 

Although Kevin's Hat didn't directly do anything for Search, it always signalled a friendly "Hello!" whenever Search came to call.  It contains, in its very fibers, the spirit of what it is to be a true Top Ramen Champion.

Here's to you, Kevin Graham's Jester Hat, may all who walk by you feel the spirit of the Ramen.

Note:  Kevin Graham serves as Hat Model only and is not yet a winner.  However, as the Hat needs a model to attend the January Winner's Feast, Kevin has been granted a special, non-transferable dispensation by the Top Ramen Awards committee to attend

Dan Wierenga -- Winner!

Dan Wierenga wins this week for being the first contestant to bribe the judging panel.  Not that it was a good bribe.  A couple pieces of candy spread out amongst 5 people is really a crappy bribe.  But we wanted to set a precedence here - that bribes are not only "OK" - they're encouraged!

Perhaps in the future, contestants will consider larger bribes (such as beverages, lunches, cash or vehicles).  The sky's the limit here now that Dan punched through the glass ceiling of ethics that was holding everyone back.

Way to go Dan and thanks for setting a valuable precedent!

Current Word Cloud

Sometimes its nice to see the Ramen in the cloud...

Marc Riddle -- Winner!

Marc wins this week for a myriad of reasons.  First, Karl was going to win for not coming in when he had swine flu.  But, we couldn't imagine Karl taking the lead in the Ooodles of Noodles contest.... 

However, Marc sits next to him.  So that was a plus.  Marc also sits next to a big column. That makes it easy to put up the "Congratulations" sign.  He also had a Baby somewhat recently....  And he is mostly helpful and has good hygeine.  Add it all together - and you have this weeks most deserved winner!  Congrats Marc!

Chenille Hollis -- Winner!

Chenille wins this week for excelling in two areas.  First, she handed out pay checks to people.  Second, we didn't have to move the "Congratulations" sign and we are low on tape.  Congrats Chenille!  Your check disbursement abilities and seat selection are unrivaled!

Eric Feay -- Winner!

Eric Feay  pulls down this weeks prize for more of a lifetime of achievement.  Kind of like when a celebrity wins best actor when maybe they shouldn't have - but they came so close so many times for so many years, you just gotta give it to them.

Eric's been with the company for over 9 years and during that time he has never hindered or even bothered with the fine people in Search.  Nine years of a beautiful relationship.  Fantastic.

Sometimes saying nothing when there is plenty to be said is quite an achievement.  Discretion being the greater part of valour and all...

Congrats Eric!  Here's to keeping it on the down-low for the next nine years!

James Kiser -- Winner!

James flew to the top of the Top Ramen award contest with a couple of well-timed "How's it goin?'s".

Once, whilst passing a Search Team Member on the way to/from the mensroom.  And Once, whilst passing through the famed and respected "Coffee Time" at 3:00 weekdays in the breakroom.

His confidence while saying "How's it goin" along with the head gesture that simultaneously displayed his confidence and coolness in communicating that he acknowledged our existence -  swayed all of the judges.

Here's to you James Kiser, a man to whom we can only reply, "It's goin' well, James - thanks for asking!"

Aran Deltac -- Winner!

With one of the toughest weeks ever, One competitor rises to the top.  We had help from QA, VC Media,  systems, even upper management did their best.  But Aran Deltac provided code samples and advice that allowed Search to implement some cutting edge code in a timely manner.

Way to be a team player Aran!  We look forward to inviting the first winner from the VC Media team to the end of the year Winner's Feast (sponsored by Nissin, makers of  Top Ramen - the first name in Ramen-style noodle products)

Kenny Flegal - Winner!

Kenny earns the coveted Top Ramen award for showing up to work after temporarily misplacing his right arm.

Its difficult to work in a stressful, exciting, high-paced environement - but even more so when you temporarily detach your arm.  Kenny had his arm reinserted and was back to work quickly!  Great Effort - and hold on to the rest of your limbs!

Picture coming soon!

Kelly Harrel-- Winner!

Kelly shows over-the-top exuberance for the team by asking "how's it goin'?" several times during the week.   Team members say thats the most any one has noticed them in 6 months.

Dave Hampton Winner!

Dave won because Noel said he did.  And Dave was out sick.  Photo Credit - R.Lundnnqviqstfish.

Matt Burns - Winner

Matt earned the award largely because of a lack of competition.  He wasn't outstanding.  Certainly not amazing.  But some weeks, just average will do.  Congrats Matt for being Average in a week that Average was good enough!

Dov Endress

Dov won the prestigious TR award after helping to fulfill SOX requirements for the team!

Karl Keyton

Karl's hard work in doing something for Search earned him this prestigious award! I think he fixed some boxes that somebody else broke or something.

Noel Casim

Noel won the award for coming back to work after he had his innards removed. Way to go Noel!