May 15, 2026: north eastern wisconsin

I was at a local tech conference today. About a month ago, my CIO encouraged anyone who could to attend, to attend, and I confirmed with my boss before signing up. Fast forward to today, and I was called onto an emergency call with said CIO and one other individual.

His first question? How was the conference? Boom, I was there. I don't want to be there. I'm still there. Part of me is learning that I always wanted to be there after all.

Then we got to the heart of the matter and I gave an answer with the depth and confidence that not a single other person could produce. There was a reason I was brought forward by my silent sponsor and I delivered.

I know what I know. I know what I don't know. Now, let's build.

Today was easily the best day of my professional career. It's actually insane to me how often I've been able to say that since November 17th, 2026. I just re-read that article and what a cutie pie that innocent child was. That precious human has not a single clue what he has signed up for. He'll be pleased. He'll be very pleased.

This doesn't even touch on how beneficial this tech conference was. Multiple new contacts. All directly what I need. It's a bit palpable how much fun I'm having sometimes.

I'll stress the word sometimes.

I also ran into an old work friend at said conference today. A whole other remember tree grew from there. Decades are between myself and who I was.

It's different from this altitude.

Happy Friday.