User defined function

I just now have created my first user defined function for SQL Server 2000. Nice new feature in SQL 2000, but I really never tried it out until just now. My brother who is a senior in college this year recently asked me if I liked my job or if it was just work? Well sometimes I like it, but recently it has been just work. I have a project I'm working on but it is a struggle keep motivated. Ugh... I think I need a vacation or something.

The moon shone bright and gold last night as I started into the 440 miles between Boston and myself. It hung low in the sky, framed by the tall dark silhouettes of the Pennsylvania Appalachians. Bod Dylan was singing soft and sweet from the CD player and the moonlight reflecting off dark clouds seemed to give his harmonica an extra hauntingly powerful boost. Everything looked and sounded a little sharper than normal. It was a brief moment of Zen, peaceful and calm. It felt like God was checking in saying "How are things these days?"

About an hour earlier I had said goodbye to two good friends from High School who had met up with me in State College, Pa, to go to Brandan's funeral. There was a full ceremony that afternoon and I heard many people speak about Brandan who actually filled me in on a lot of details that I had missed from the time I knew him until his death. I had not really kept in touch with Brandan, but it was inspiring to hear about how he had pursued his dream of becoming a pilot and achieved that goal. I wish I could have a chance to catch up with him now and talk about all the things he'd been through. Still I'm glad that I could be there with my friends to pay our respects.

It was a somber day with lots of fresh grief all around. It made me want to call all my friends that I haven't talked to in a while. Made me want to see my family and give them hugs. It made me really appreciate my life and relationships, kind of like Thanksgiving times ten. A tragic but real reminder that nothing is promised or guranteed to us in this life. It may be a little cliche, but totally true that each day we have really is a gift. I hope I can make the most of the days that I am given.