Welcome from Kevin Remde: Who I Am and What I Do Around Here

Greetings!

By way of introduction, here is. an introduction. My name is Kevin Remde, and consider myself the luckiest geek on planet earth.

"Really? Why?"

I'm glad you asked. Like many of you, I have always been the family "computer guy" (if you don't count that brief period in my life when I studied to be a musician, composer, and vocalist). I received my BA in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!) many many years ago. Since then I've worked as a Software Engineer, an IT Technician, and even as a Manager of Information Systems for a small software company out of Minneapolis.
And for the past 6 years now I've been working for and representing the best company on planet earth. I work for Microsoft as an IT Professional Evangelist.

And that just happens to be the best job on planet earth; at least for me. I'm the guy who geeks out about the latest and greatest, and is genuinely excited when I learn something new to make my "digital lifestyle" more efficient. And as a former IT worker and manager, I'm especially well-suited to talk technology. And to do so passionately. I absolutely love talking Information Technology and what it means to businesses as well as individual workers; especially when I know I have something to say that you will find useful - whether you're an IT worker, an IT manager, or just another enthusiastic geek like me. I also have a few Microsoft Certifications that I'm rather proud of.

And my theatrical and musical background is a plus as well. I'm just as comfortable getting up in front of large audiences in a packed launch event setting as I am delivering TechNet Webcasts from my basement office in Plymouth, Minnesota.

"Okay.. that's cool. But that's all work stuff. What do you do for fun?"

My real life (the more important one) involves being father to 4 kids and husband to one wife (It'll be 25 years at the end of this month!). My oldest boy (18) is in his first year of college, and begging for a Mac. (Sorry, Joe.. it's not going to happen. I'm not going to spend 2x what we need to in order to get ? the functionality/flexibility/security you'll get in an inexpensive, awesome performing Windows 7 laptop. That, and.. Hey - You don't bite the hand that feeds you.) Then there are my other boy, and two girls. (Ages 16, 14, and 12.) I won't tell you my wife Nancy's age. I'll just say that she's 3 months older than me. I am the proudest Dad on planet earth. (Oh.. and within the past year both of my boys achieved their BSA Eagle Scout rank. Yeah.. I'm bragging on 'em!)

Other than playing around with digital photography and videography, the other main hobby I have is to sing in a band. A number of years ago some neighbors and I became aware of some pretty strong musical talent right in our own little neighborhood. So we got together to play at a birthday party. Since then we've played several parties and very worthwhile charities. We never get paid. It's just for fun. (Q: Mid-life Crisis? A: More Cowbell!**) And did I mention that I am the best singer on planet earth?

"No, you didn't."

Don't believe me? You can come out to see the band on one of the rare occasions that we play. Or better yet, if I'm in your town for a presentation, let's go out to Karaoke together. I'll buy you a beer, or give you some software, if you get a better crowd reaction than I do. (Yes.. I'm challenging YOU.)

So.. To summarize, and I think you'll agree:
Best Singer + Proudest Dad + Best Job + for the Best Company = luckiest geek on planet earth.

And add to all of that the fact that in addition to my "Full of I.T." blog, I'm honored to be contributing my thoughts and opinions here on this blog. Do you have a question, topic, complaint, or pressing issue around Microsoft technologies (or the finer points of cowbell playing) that you'd like me to address here? Let me know. Enter some comments, or contact me, and we'll get the discussion rolling!

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**And yes.. I am the principal cowbell player in the group.