As of this past week, I began blogging. Two entries in, and it occurred to me, that while I’ve joined this phenomenal company, and have been working with these particular technologies for roughly 15 years, hopefully, I have gained the right to talk to you about these VDI subjects. You may not have any idea who I am. I hope you will soon and that these posts will resonate with you. I want my words to have meaning for you. I really don’t want to be yet another voice in the wind. I also hope my voice is not so dry, so as to bring information to you in a way that you find it compelling and not completely boring and overly technical.

I’m not just a technical guy. So, I’m writing this particular blog to sort of introduce myself to you, and maybe let you know some of the things that interest me.

First and foremost. I am a husband and a father. We have a blended family. My wife and I have been married for over 6 years, and had each been married and had children from our previous marriages. Pam is a Teaching Assistant and works with K-5 children with autism and other spectrum disorders. She loves her work, and has no idea how amazing those around her see her. She is also a frustrated, but so very talented writer. She’s got this amazing voice, and she’s so funny. From her previous marriage, came Joey, who’s leaving this fall for his freshman year at the University of Maryland.(Pam is traumatized and very proud.) His major is Government and Politics and he was accepted to the Scholars program for Public Leadership. At 18 he already holds a public office and will be an incumbent on the ballot in November. We’re so proud. He sets his sights on things and goes after them. This is a trait of his that he has displayed for as long as I’ve known him, and from all stories I’ve heard, from birth. A truly driven personality and without question, Joey will achieve whatever he chooses in life. Lindsey enters seventh grade this fall, and is smart, beautiful and sensitive. She is loving, loyal, creative, and so very honorable. If something is important to you, she will never forget it and is one of the most thoughtful people I know. Lindsey loves with all her might, and she is mighty. From my first marriage, I bring India. India enters high school this fall. She is simply lovely. She love to read, adores musicals (dare I mention “Rent” and “Wicked”?). She is also sensitive, introspective, very intuitive and empathic. She loves animals, and wants to teach children with special needs, while acting on Broadway. This is a girl with lofty and admirable aspirations. I am truly blessed.

While I spend a lot of time reading the blogs, and listening to podcasts, (isn’t that what driving and plane trips were made for?) I also try to spend some time reading for pleasure, and have many favorite authors. I like to read fiction, primarily, though not exclusively. This gives the mind an opportunity to wander. While I haven’t invested in an iPad yet, I love my Kindle. The only problem I’ve run into is that they make me turn it off at take off and landing.

I also love movies. I can’t go any further without mentioning my all time favorite movie: “Apocalypse Now.” This classic really has it all. Great cinematography, soundtrack, acting, pacing, story, scope, backstory, history. Love the movie? Check out “Hearts of Darkness.” This is the documentary made by Eleanor Coppola of the creation of her husband’s masterpiece. so completely cool. Also, if you haven’t seen it, please check out the extended version of the “Apocalypse Now, Redux.”

I believe that there are perfect movies, and that the story is only is only part of that puzzle.

I grew up playing musical instruments. while I started playing guitar and piano, it became the French Horn that became a passion of mine, culminating in playing principal horn at the Chicago Metropolitan Youth Symphony at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. Believe me, the view is different from the stage than from the cheap seats. So cool. Lately, I don’t have any time even for the guitar. I still love to play, though it’s just mediocre rhythm guitar at best.

I truly love music. It’s a constant. I have so many favorites. I seem to be stuck in time. I listen to the stuff I grew up on, but sometimes new things creep in, so anyone who has recommendations on anything: authors, movies, music, please feel free to toss ’em in. But here’s a random list from my iPhone: Jerry Garcia (it is Jerry week, after all), Peter Gabriel, Todd Rundgren, Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, World Party, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Frank (and Dweezil) Zappa, Anything that ever had Eric Clapton in it, Traffic, Marillion, Any iteration of anything Beatles related, The Velvet Underground, The Neville Brothers, The Police (but before Synchronicity), Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Talking Heads… Do you get the picture? I suppose I should stop. Please, feel free to talk to me about music. For the past few years, I’ve been actively expanding my collections of live performances. For so many of these bands, it’s about the freshness, and the spontaneity of the impromptu moments. Beware, though, I will quote random lyrics.

Recently, I’ve been giving thought to lyrics as they reflect on life. I do think that to finish up this post, I want to say that we can learn from anyone and everyone, can’t we? So, in honor of Jerry week:

“Once in a while
you get shown the light
in the strangest of places
if you look at it right.”

As Pam says, I love to share the music.