Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm one of those sappy types that actually thinks about what I'm thankful for, and thankfully enough, I don't have to ponder too long.

I'm so thankful for my wife and kids. All of them are wonderful in their way, and the degree to which they enrich my life isn't something that can be measured. Only their absence while they were at the beach this summer while I had to work gave me a peek into how much they fill up my life and heart - I'm one pathetic cat without them.

I'm thankful for my family. Crazy as they are, hers and mine are wonderfully diverse and never, ever dull. I hope for health and happiness for them all.

I'm thankful for the BMW community, a group of enthusiasts who by and large understand the transition between an appreciation for the brand and products to the friendship of others who have the same perspective. For me, the balance falls with the people, a reminder of which came with the death of Dan Erwin. Despite the true tragedy and sadness of the occasion, his funeral was time with people who are lifelong friends and we had a good time in his honor.

I'm thankful for my friends, now scattered all over the place and their continued well-being. Each of them has a special place in my heart, and one day I hope I can return all the favors they've done for me.

I'm thankful for what I've accomplished in my career. I've traveled the world, seen a lot of things and been a part of many really rewarding parts of the business. At the end of the day, a career that lets you express your passion and get rewarded for it is hard to argue with, and I've been very lucky overall.

I'm thankful for my health, and the fact that I can play basketball three days a week and not completely suck...most of the time...

I'm thankful for all the things that I enjoy - my house, my BMW's and other nits and bits. It is hard for me to say I don't live well.

I'm leaving things out. I know I am, and you are probably thankful for that as I wrap up this particularly sappy blog. But in these tough times, I know I'm a lucky guy, and that is a lot.

Happy Thanksgiving!

BlackBerry Storm Unboxed

Well, it is finally showing up on-line (pictures at CrackBerry.com), and I have to say it looks pretty slick. If I were a BlackBerry guy, I'd be a lot more attracted to this than the BlackBerry Bold. The unboxing makes it look like a lot of homework has been done - I'm definitely going to find one as soon as they're out there and have a peek!