Happy Birthday, USA!
How can I make posts on July 4th and not wish the country a happy birthday? It would just be unpatriotic.
And thinking of important dates, it appears that I'll be speaking at VSLive NYC, in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, on the morning of September 11 2006. I mention this not so much to promote the event, but just to make a public point that I really prefer not to treat this date as "normal" work date--I had to speak at VSLive on September 11 in the past (in Orlando, it was somehow easier) and found it emotionally debilitating, and doing so seems to me to trivialize the anniversary in some way.
I'm hoping that the bravery of those that actually witnessed and survived that day will inspire us to remember the sacrifices of all those involved. (As you might guess, I'm trying to work out the emotional issues before the date itself...)
So Happy Birthday, USA. I'm so happy to be here.