We have such good students

I have to admit, I'm just a bit biased when it comes to our students.  We have such good students.  I've said that many times, in many circumstances.  Good, as in smart; good, as in hardworking; good, as in being really good people.  I love seeing and hearing about our alumni, and what they are up to these days.  Seeing an article about one of our grads was what pushed me back to this blog, after I took some time away for family. 

In today's local paper, there's an article about Tilt.  Tilt is still fairly new to Blacksburg, but has several other locations.  One of our grads is the director of engineering for the Blacksburg location, which is being called "Tiltsburg."  Check out what Ian Good and Brian Hartsock, both grads of our department, are doing at Tilt.

While you're at it, read about Blacksburg's own TechPad.  Tilt is located there now and you can see  the growing list of companies that have moved on from TechPad.

In the article about Tilt, the Roanoke Times mentioned another one of our grads.  Hayden Lee was the president of the VT Entrepreneur Club and I sent out announcements for him to our students several times.  He's now part of a start up called CONVRGE.  As someone who used IRC in the early 90s and was excited to try AIM when it came out, this looks pretty cool.  Read more about Hayden and this really neat startup. 

Life and other distractions

I knew it had been a while since I had posted anything on my blog, but I didn't realize it had been since the end of September.  This year has been a rough one.  Someone recently said "your year has been a singular, bad experience.  I'm sure you hope it won't be repeated."  I can only hope so.  From the little to the big, things have not gone well this year.  I've lost my dad, a best friend, and several pets.  Trying to find perspective has been a constant challenge this year.  I've said several times that I'm sure it sounds stupid, but you never really know how much you'll miss someone until they are gone.  That's really been true for me, as there are so many things that I associated with my dad and my friend Jenn. 

I'm not sure that there is anything "normal" in anyone's life.  Trying to find a new "normal" seems almost like searching for the Holy Grail.  Mom told me this morning that this is the first Christmas since she was 14 years old that my dad hadn't been with her.  I don't think there is a new normal for her or for the rest of us.  I think it's just life and you do the best you can.

I'm going to try to get back to blogging about things that matter to me.  It's something I enjoy and maybe it can help me find a new "normal."