Happy birthday to me !.. I turned 50 today here in San Fransisco with Diane. the love of my life, beside me…
(and about 2600 other folks at this conference to help me celebrate) .  It’ s amazing to me that a day that I’ve imaged since the time I could count.. the day I’d turn 50 has come.. and almost gone.. More amazing still is I don’t feel an different.   All in all I have to say I’m very content with where I am in life now.. The ups, the downs, adventure, struggles, travel, work. life. play and the loss of Sam are all wrapped together in complicated and beautiful web of memories. Life’s not going to fast or too slow for me now.. it’s just about right..

Here’s the first picture of me at 50 (charming wife included)  as I’m ready to give my talk this morning.

I got downstairs at about 7:30 for the 8:15 start of the conference. I was the last of four plenary speakers..
There were about 2600 folks there this morning . This picture doesn’t’ really capture the size of the room.. it looks pretty big when you’re standing up in front .

The first three talks were good and interesting.. and technical.. Mine was a pretty funny contrast. I was nervous as hell when I got up to talk.. but the moment I started speaking, I relaxed and rolled with it. I had a good time. I could tell that many folks resonated with the message of my talk.. Several came up to me and told me that they were going to start doing outreach…That’s all I could ask for out of the day.. I just saw that there’s a story on eetimes about it

I was so relieved and relaxed as soon as I finished. The four speakers and the conference chairs  were ushered upstairs to a small lunch where we got a chance to unwind. They gave us each a plaque to thank us for speaking.. then fed us very well.. It felt strange and fun to be pampered so much. 

Laura from ISSCC had actually ordered a birthday cake for me (my first of 4 today !) .. They all sang happy birthday !  It was really sweet..

I spent the rest of the day attending talks at the conference.. mixed in with hanging out with Diane. My friends Rob. Larry and Leah had offered to take us out for my birthday.. They suggested Indian.. which sounded good to me.. We walked over to the restaurant.. and SURPRISE!. thee were about 30 friends from all over. I was so shocked I was speechless. It was such a cool mix of people.. Some IBM folks. some CMU folks… and even my leeeeetle seeeester Mary, brother in law John and new baby Theo.. who I’ve never actually seen.  I got to hold him for the very first time ! It was such a wonderful surprise.. I really, really could not believe it.,

I remained pretty speechless through the night. I managed to talk to everyone there… it was really. really cool

My firend Bill even wrote a poem  for me..

Then out came ckes 2,3, and 4. I had some of each.. and all were delicious..

We finished up a little before 10 and said lots of long goodbyes…

It was truly an excellent and memorable day. Thanks to everybody who helped make it so..
And thanks to all of you reading for being part of my life..  I’m looking forward to the next 50 !
Good night my friends, nite Sam
-me