It’s always a bittersweet victory to be the last of my hiring group. The other six who were there with me in 1999 have been gone for a few years now, the last guy Scott left for Brazil to live. I used to buy him a cigar for us to celebrate surviving another year of the hectic pace at AppleCare. I’m glad to make this milestone, don’t get me wrong. I only regret not having a peer to share the date with. On the upside, I do have my friend Ethan to share the year. I can’t remember his hiring date. Maybe we’ll have a drink to toast our former comrades when he visits Austin soon. I know I couldn’t have done it without their (mainly indirect) support.
Then another drink for those who’ve toughed it out with us! On to 12 years!
Finally, I want to have a drink to mock all my former bosses who said I’d never add up to anything. They say living well is the best revenge and April 12 generally is the day it officially started for me but I think I will postpone a little ceremony for our Vegas trip this Summer.
Bonus stage: whoever, can name my favorite boss to knock wins a drink or something comparable from me. Somara is excluded because she’s married to me. I may have a couple runner-ups.