Time for a quick wrapup of my 2011…

January – Started the year with a successful new session at Codemash.  Here’s hoping this year’s version  is even better.

February – Participated in the Microsoft MVP Summit in Redmond, WA.  As a Microsoft employee who works in Ohio, I don’t get many opportunities to interact with the folks at headquarters.  Every trip out there is a rewarding experience.

March – Got to attend South by Southwest (SxSW) in Austin, TX, where I met a ton of passionate mobile developers who I still have relationships with today.  Also got to take my wife and children to Hocking Hills State Park, where we did 5 days of "cabining."  It was excellent.

April – Participated in the Microsoft MIX conference in Las Vegas, NV.  Met a ton of developers that were excited about Windows Phone, and gave many phones away.  I also had an opportunity to visit the headquarters of Zappos, which left a lasting impression on me.  They have a very unique way they look at their business, and I only hope that when I start a company, that I have the kind of vision they have.

May – May rang in the 2011 edition of the Stir Trek conference, and it was another grand success, with over 700 attendees.  2012 is poised to be even bigger.  I also had the good fortune to be asked to travel to Dublin, Ireland to speak with developers all over the island about Windows Phone.  Sara and I made the trip a few days early, and toured the Emerald Isle.  It was a wonderful, whirlwind trip, and I hope we get more opportunities like that in the future.  Almost immediately upon my return however, I tore the ACL and meniscus in my right knee playing volleyball.  I’m still doing physical therapy today.  To close this busy month, my little sister got married in May.  I couldn’t be happier for her and her husband.

June – June kicked off my first ever bookwriting experience, and it didn’t disappoint.  I spent the remainder of the summer writing, editing, and re-editing a book on Windows Phone development.  I also had my injured knee surgically repaired, and I have someone else’s ligaments in my leg.  I am thankful that someone was willing to be a organ donor, even if it was for something like a knee ligament.  I also took a week-long vacation to the beaches of North Carolina with some good friends.  It was a great trip, and I ‘m looking forward to hanging out with everyone again this year.

July – I turned 35, and my little brother got married.  I wish them both the brightest future.  Also, I spent most of this month writing the book.

August & September – August and September were probably my busiest travel months.  I visited St. Louis, Cleveland x 4, Chattanooga, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Austin, Tulsa, and Terra Alta, WV.

October – In October, I was introduced to the staff at Chagrin Falls High School.  I helped them start an “App Club” and they have about 20 students actively building apps for Windows Phone.  They’re learning invaluable lessons through this experience about software development, marketing, design, and analytics.  I continue to look forward to working with them every month.

November – I got to help kick off the inaugural M3 conference, which is dedicated to all walks of the world of mobile development.  Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, design, and business were all represented.  It was an eye-opening experience, and a great conference for Columbus to hang its technology hat on.

December – After a week-long trip to Chicago early in the month (I really love that city, btw), I got to take the last half of the month on vacation.  Now, I still had work to do, but I did my best to at least do 1/2 days when I could.  It’s been a relaxing end to the year, where we will have some neighborhood friends over for board games, Kinect, and some pizza.

I’m looking forward to an exciting 2012.  Resolutions will be forthcoming in the next few days.

(This was my 53rd article of the year.  Next year, expect the bar to be raised.)