Sheep, Sand, Snow, San Francisco

I am back. Let the celebration begin.

Before you start to ask all sorts of questions like "How was the trip?" and "What kind of cheeses are there in New Zealand" and "What? You left the country? No wonder the last two months have been so good..." realize that you are talking to an email message and that I can't hear you.

New Zealand was a blast for both Krista and I. The beautiful countryside,the ridiculously friendly people, the greasy kebab shops, the campgrounds, the 68 million sheep (not an exaggeration), etc. were all amazing. We biked from the top of the North Island to close to the bottom of the South Island, while stopping here and there to hike, kayak, and occasionally meander. I could spend the next ten pages making sheep jokes but since I have spent the last five years of my life doing that, I will refrain.

Many of you know I am NOT a cyclist and had not even participated in a "Tour De Parking Lot" much less a foreign country. During the trip I had a reoccurring daydream where I was standing on one of New Zealand's largest bridges with my road bike held high in the air, and then I threw it off the bridge into the canyon below, smashing the bike to pieces. That dream always made me happy. But, overall I liked cycling. We averaged about 70-100 km a day, which is a different number if you convert it into miles.

Upon returning to the U.S., I immediately went on vacation and visited my parents in Florida for the holidays, where I met my third nephew, Benjamin David Simmons. Since Benjamin and I are both the third child in our families and are the youngest, there is little doubt that Benjamin will go on to great success in harassing all his "friends" with annoying newsletters. All three nephews were so great to be around, even when Uncle Bryan was losing the wrestling match and getting eye-gouged. 

Then, I relaxed during a five day stint in New Hampshire at the marvelous Chez Fairbairn where I was treated to my third day of skiing, a Picasso exhibition, lots of gingerbread cookies, and being woken up in the morning by having my face licked by a half doberman, half black labrador. 

After New Year's Day, Krista and I drove from Austin to the Bay Area in California. Let's just say I think we overpacked the UHaul trailer and that a cross country road trip takes a lot longer at 45 mph than at 70. Also, I highly recommend "Books on Tape" for road trips, especially tapes with characters with severe Itailian accents. 

The company that I am starting with a couple friends is called "Reactivity." Reactivity is not just another software company but an entirely new type of company. I am more excited about it than anything else I have ever done. I promise you'll hear more about us in the near future. 

Being back in the Bay Area is great, except for all the people that I know.  I guess I didn't realize that everyone else who left California has returned, except for people from Chicago. Here's my new address and phone number. Feel free to write it down at no extra charge.

BJR
1895 EDNA MARY, Apt. G
Mountain View, CA 94040
650.941.5475

My departure from Trilogy was hard to do since I left a ton of great friends who miss me terribly and are still in mourning over my absence. If you see any of them, let them know that you understand the magnitude of their loss both on a personal, professional, and weight scale.

Don't be a strangler,

BJR