After reading through several Chatter Threads, most of the time with much laughter, I must comment. I have not been a nerd or geek my whole life. I didn't realize this until about 12 years ago. It was a tough decision for me, considering at that time I didn't even know I was in the closet, much less that I needed to 'come out'. Since I have not always been a nerd, but a convert, I feel a have a perspective that many do not share due to my life before geekdom.

In this time I have maintained that programmers are not made, they are born. You've seen them. Someone who can quote the Language Reference to you verbatim, but couldn't program their way out of a paper bag. Along with my born vs. made theory, I have decided the vast majority of developers are truly left-brained, with a decided tendency toward the creative. Thus you will find many developers who also excell in the fine arts such as music or art or theater. Just read through many threads if you don't think we have a flair for the dramatic. Along with this 'type' of personality comes a sometimes volatile temperament.

So what am I getting at? It is obvious some of you guys hate each other with a passion. It is also obvious you are very talented and passionate about your positions. So, having rambled for a while (I enjoy rambling): Don't lose your passion, don't get pissed off and threaten to leave and divorce us, don't stop having lively engaging and hilarious snipe attacks and most of all have a Happy Holiday season.