Time to Pause a Bit

I’ve recently accomplished a few things that I had set out to do (in no particular order):

• Speak at TechEd (2 years ago, I attended for the first time)
• Write a book
• Finish my MBA
• Work at Microsoft
• Become a father
  • 
•  Go to China
  • 

It’s also been a big year in terms of simple time

• Libby had a big birthday, as did Mum
• I graduated from high school 10 years ago
• It was 10 years ago I fell in with a crazy group of folks I manage to still call friends :-)
• 10 years ago, I read a book that really pointed me on the path I have been on and influenced a lot of the decisions that I have made.
• 5 years ago, I married the most wonderful woman in the world
• 5 years ago was a really tough time for me personally

At this point, I have an opportunity to take a bit of a brief break.  My brother is getting married, and his bachelor party has changed from a simple, crazy night on the town into a week long excursion across the American west.  I’m really looking forward to getting out on the open road, with beautiful scenery, good friends and a good book or two.  I want to recharge, to clear the cobwebs, to answer some questions and question some answers.   I also wouldn’t mind throwing back a brew or two under some of the clearest skies in the US.

I’ve been so incredibly fortunate in my life, and the main question I want to come back with an answer for is simple really, “What now?”

I’ll be posting pictures to flickr with some regularity.  As will my brother.  A rough map is below.  See you in a week or so.