I often say I am where I am in the community because of other folks. As we approach the close of this year, I'd like to give specific thanks to a few people who have really made a huge impact in my life this year. This list is by no means complete. It's the top 5 who first came to mind when I thought of the category. Interacting with everyone has helped me more than I can describe and if I tried to thank everyone who has made a difference, I'd crash SQLServerCentral.com's servers. Or be like that actor at an awards show who ignores the time limits. And I'm only putting people in one category.

These Folks Have Kept Me Grounded:

• Jack Corbett (blog | twitter) - Thanks for the chats over email. They make a difference.
• Steve Jones (blog | twitter) - Thanks for the mentoring you do, not only in SQL Server, but in life.
• Andy Leonard (blog | twitter) - My brother from another mother, do I need to say more?
• Andy Warren (blog | twitter) - Thanks for the advice and encouragement you have for me every time we talk.
• Joe Webb (blog | twitter) - Thanks for taking the time at SQL Saturday - Nashville to talk with me on a very personal subject I needed help dealing with, the loss of the twins.

These Folks Have Inspired Me to Be Better:

• Jonathan Kehayias (blog | twitter) - You know and understand more than you give yourself credit for. And you're trying to balance family, a professional career, and military service. You, sir, are awesome.
• Andy Kelly (blog | twitter) - I don't even know where to start. Community, VLDBs, performance, is only the surface.
• Adam Machanic  (blog | twitter) - I said it before publicly and I'll say it again: I've probably learned more from you and what you've written over the last three years than anyone else.
• Brent Ozar (blog | twitter) - Your writing and interaction inspires many of us. Your willingness to share is unbelievable.
• Paul Randal (blog | twitter) - It doesn't matter the subject, I always come away from any of your conversations learning a lot - even if I'm not an active participant in them.

These Folks Have Reminded Me to Look at the Lighter Side:

• Bobby Dimmick (blog | twitter) - My partner in crime on the local scene and fellow Beaufortonian, you help me see the greater scene. Glad you're local to me.
• Grant Fritchey (blog | twitter) - You fit in the category above, too, but your comments and quips, your kilt fetish, gee, you fit here.
• Sandra Mueller (blog | twitter) - My partner in crime on Twitter since I met you at SQL Saturday - Columbia, plus you're a fellow USAF veteran. What's not to commend?
• Jorge Segarra (blog | twitter) - Starting with your on-line persona, you may be a serious IT pro, but you always remember to find the humor in everything.
• Buck Woody (blog | twitter) - The definition of on-line humor and light-hearted quips.

As I wrote the thank yous, I thought of many more names that could fit in these categories. Whether I listed you or not, thank you.