[FRAMED]: David Lennox, Lead Systems Engineer, NY
Tags: New York, Work Life Balance, Working From Home, Company Culture, Systems Engineer

What are you guilty of?

Over-thinking and over-analyzing everything. Part of my job is risk management, so it kind of comes with the territory.

What was your last brush with danger?

Technically it was rebooting a server which had an “uptime” of over 274 days.

Your last brush with greatness?

Finding out that I’m going to be Dad in 2021!

CONGRATS! Your worst character fault?

Tidying and cleaning too much. I have been told that it is (or I am) quite irritating.

If you had taken a different path, what would you be doing now?

I would have loved to have been a detective. Or an astronaut. I would happily take either.

You’re on the run from the law, where are you headed?

The Philippines. I have a lot of family there who would give me shelter, food, and water.

Who’s your partner-in-crime?

My girlfriend, Hayley! Although it is usually me getting her out of trouble.

Fantasy cellmate?

Eric Cantona or Peter Kay.

What’s your favorite movie/TV show?

I have so many! Parks and Recreation, Schitt’s Creek, Phoenix Nights, Luther, People Just Do Nothing.

Your greatest achievement?

Achieving one of my dreams and moving to New York. Thanks Framestore for hiring me!

Most valuable skill?

Hopefully being a good listener — and making my team laugh!

Go on, say something bragging:

I am a classically trained pianist! I have been playing the piano from the age of four.

Name your vice?

Ordering too much food for the table at restaurants. Thank goodness for doggie bags.

That sounds more like a super power. The DREAM project would entail:

Working with Keanu Reeves in any capacity.

Your career highlight to date:

I have been fortunate enough to help build offices across the world, in Shanghai, Amsterdam, Chennai, New York, London just to name a few!

This week I learnt that:

There are more trees on Earth than there are stars in the Milky Way Galaxy (3 trillion trees compared to 400 billion stars). Not too sure who has been counting these though.

What’s your current view?

The Manhattan skyline. Can’t beat it.

What do you need to work, on the daily?

A shower, cup of tea (with honey), and a banana with crunchy peanut butter.

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

Friends and family.

Best thing about your work environment?

No queue for the bathroom (probably the biggest plus for WFH!)

Framestore is great at:

Being transparent and ensuring everyone’s voices are heard.

Favourite artform?

Surrealism (and the engineer in me LOVES extremely neat video cabling).

Favourite image?

Vladimir Kush’s ‘Metamorphosis’ (and a lovely cabled rack in the server room).

Fictional character you’d like to hang with?

Master Chief from Halo (I spent quite a few years playing Halo and used to play “professionally”), or Tom Haverford from Parks and Recreation. #TREATYOSELF2020.

Happiness looks like:

A clean and clear ticket queue!

If not here, then where?

In a cabin in the woods, whilst I cook on an open fire and listen to Christmas tunes.

What do you think of too often?

Buying gadgets I really do not need.

Couldn’t live without:

My Yeti gear.

If you ruled the world:

I would build a spaceship to leave this world and visit other worlds. Space fascinates me.

How are you staying inspired by working remotely?

I have more time to read and learn new skills, which keeps the mind stimulated.

How are you spending your weekends?

I love to go running, exploring new corners of New York. Afterwards, I really enjoy eating (where safe, allowed, and outdoors) at restaurants. I find a lot of pleasure in food.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself during quarantine?

To trust that everything will be okay, and there is a lot outside of my control!

Include a pic of your work station: