A very good friend of mine once said to me of himself, "I'm not the sharpest pencil in case." What a thing to say about yourself! I am mad at myself for not correcting him and pointing out his very good points. There's always points when you might feel down on yourself but everyone has something valueable to offer and a voice and can make a difference.

Years later, this friend has run an impressive effort to help India called HelpingHandsForIndia.Org. When last I tried to contact him, I found out he was back in school pursuing further education. I'm very proud of him and happy to consider him a good friend.

I'm not feeling like the sharpest tool in the shed right now particularly. My wife says I put too much of myself into my work and don't leave enough of a reserve. I must just remember to stick with it and do a little at a time and weave the success story one piece of code at a time. Ideas can not inspire if they don't have substance. I need to work on substance, strategy, and presentation and less on hard work, brute force ways of getting things done.