Since a few people asked, the server decided to take a dump the one day I take a break away from the computer in months (literally).

I'm not sure why it did, and I'm not particularly interested in finding out why. I wish I could promise that I'm actively doing something to fix it, but given the rarity of the problem (i've never had to actively monitor the servers on the CPU end since 2.0 was implemented), the only proper solution is for me to run a fail-safe network of multiple load-balanced servers. Of course, there is a financial limitation right now, so I haven't been able to purchase new servers.

However, once 2.1 launches, I will look more seriously into purchasing more hardware to power this site - you guys deserve better than the crappy speeds that the database server spits back.

. . .

I just finished reading David McCullough's 1776. It was an alright read: the jist of the book is that George Washington wasn't a legendary leader because of any special managerial or military prowess ... he became a legendary figure because had persistence and heart. The one thing I didn't like was the abrupt ending - one moment it's talking about the victory at Trenton ... and then the book fast forwards 6 years and ends. Not cool.

I highly recommend Jeffrey S. Young and William L. Simon's "iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business." It's a fascinating look at the mercurial character of Steve Jobs. As I continue to learn more and more about the lives of these successful characters, one factor always seems to come into play - their general arrogance and lack of character (not to be confused with a lack of personality). Of course, I also always hear my friends saying those "driven" folk up in NYC are awfully rude. Is a "successful" lifestyle and a laid back approach to life mutually exclusive? When I think about it, I can't think of many wildly successful people who seem well-humored, humble, and generally laid back. The story time and time again with people like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates is that they generally surrounded themselves with incredibly smart people and simply pushed them to their absolute limits, whether it be through fear, sheer strength of will, or by exploiting the willingness to create something great.