How do you catch a T.Rob?

As you know many of us Maysters have been missing T.Rob. He was here and then he vanished into the sunset. To me, setting a trap just seems too extreme. I was thinking that if we all set up this virtual room with some nice decorations and maybe set out some protein drinks or protein bars, maybe we could lure him in here. It would be along the same idea of like leaving cookies and milk out for Santa. Any other ideas? John P.S. Actually I checked his profile and he has been very busy. I'm happy to report that I did see a recent post and commitment to stop in to see us. Somebody reach up in there and lightly tap on his computer screen in order to get his attention....okay?

Hey I am with you, we need to set something up to lure him back on the boards. Lets send him a message that everyone took new pictures of themselves and we are all nude. OH NO.... that may scare him away. Anyway, I miss him too. Hugs, Esther

Thanks for the laugh Esther! * Cyndi *

That would be a kick...... we could post, NAKED PHOTOS HERE! Bet we would have a lot of people clicking on that post. Hugs, Esther

Esther, I looked at your family photo and honestly thought that you made a decision not to be in that photo. You look barely old enough to be 40 in that shot. I did finally find you through the process of elimination. Can you say "time for a new avatar photo?"...and that new avatar photo comment goes out to many of you Maysters. Also, I agree with not using the group photo to lure T.Rob back...not a pretty sight. I'm the guilty one as I did ask for ideas. John

OK JOHN, I LOVE YOU! Thank you for the nice compliment. I am 60 years old but I act like a kid because I love having fun and practical jokes. In my pictures all you have to do is look for the one that is dark and looks like no one else. I am honestly the mother and grandmother of everyone in the photo. My blonde daughter is standing next to me and I have 3 sons. My kids always tease me and say that everyone asks who the dark lady is in the photo. I am Italian and even though my children and grandchildren tan easily, they are basically very fair like my German husband. Thanks again for the compliment, you made my day! Hugs, Esther

...let alone a couple months. I focused on my surgery and recovery so long that when I returned to work, stuff was piled up to the ceiling. The presentations I gave at two conferences in April and May and the article I wrote resulted in a flood of consulting engagements and I'm booked solid 12 weeks in advance these days. Plus this has sparked interest internally and so I'm trying to come up with a curriculum to teach other consultants how to assess and fix the security problems I've been speaking about. Of course, timing is everything and last month at a hacker conference, a new security vulnerability in the software I specialize in was revealed. This broke open the dam and now 10 times as many customers and consultants are interested in security for this software. This is a great opportunity for me to raise awareness of the problems (and the skill level of customers and consultants) across my industry, fix a lot of problems for customers and maybe, just a little, build my reputation and boost my career. One indication that my efforts are paying off is that I have been invited to give my presentation at a conference in Vienna Austria this November and my management approved funds for the travel. I've been invited to overseas events before but did not have the backing to get funded until now. the work I've done so far made that possible. So am I saving the world? Not exactly. And it's a lot less fun than hanging out here and cracking jokes with my friends. I just hope I still have some friends left when I come out the other side of the tunnel! I have been reading messages and blogs, even replied to a few so far. I'm trying to get caught up with everyone by the end of the weekend, then it'll be a while before I come up for air again. But not 2 months this time, I swear! (Here's the article - not that the content will mean much to most of you. it's all technical software security stuff and very boring, but when you get published, it's nice to show off. OK, everyone go "ooooohhhh, ahhhhhhh" now. http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0701_col_wyatt/0701_col_wyatt. html )

Of course you can't. The thinner we get the crazier we get! I can't wait to read the article. I'm actually heading to Orlando for CMP XChange next week. I'm sure I'll see some of your IBM counterparts there. Since my hubby owns a computer biz, I have to learn about all this technical security stuff. Ya might not be saving the world, but you're making our customers happier I'm sure. And, when we have happy customers, I'm happier cause I'm the one who answers the company phones. Congrats on the article! * Cyndi *

Thanks, Cyndi! Nice to know there's a few other byte-heads out there. Have fun in Orlando. I was there in May and my wife was supposed to come down at the end of the week for a couple days in Animal Kingdom (as if our home isn't already animal kingdom with three cats, two dogs and two in-laws hanging around...). But at the last minute, my daughter and her fiancee crashed their ATV and got banged up. Glad they didn't get hurt badly but they were out of commission for a couple weeks and the wife stayed home. So there's a two day vacation orphaned and floating around Orlando somewhere. Catch it and put it to good use! Congrats on the clothes, BTW. I can't believe I'm in 40 jeans and buying from Target and Wal-Mart now. It's a great feeling, eh? Great new pic, too! -- T.Rob

Okay gang....we can say we knew T.Rob before he became an international star. Based on what I read, I think we are even going to see less of him. T.Rob...that is really great. You are already experiencing the big break of your life it seems. We have missed you but as they say, you have to make hay while the sun shines. Go for it man...make the most of it. You are in a 40 waste already. You are just doing great. Keep up the great work and it is great to have you back, even if it is for a short time and in small chunks of time. John