Yes, I do have an award named after me. It all started as a joke some years ago but has turned into something fairly respectable these days. There's a website, a nominating process that goes on for quite sometime and then a commitee that vets the nominees and ultimately decides who the award should go to. I am on the committee which is made up of past awardees.

Anyways, the latest winner of the Dirk Award has just been announced. Its none other than Kaladan Petkov, who is a good friend and close colleague that has joined me recently for a number of trainings, including ones in Tajikistan and in Northern Thailand. Cheekay Cinco, who also joined us in Thailand as a trainer, dubbed him the "Bulgarian Chuck Norris", mainly because of his beard and rather large frame.

What I mainly remember about all the times I've worked with Kaladan is how much he's made me laugh. Just about anything that we were focused on at the time. I've sat in the back of a room watching Kaladan lead a training session and witnessed him suddenly break into a dead on Yoda impersonation saying "Linux leads to fear, fear leads to anger, anger leads to suffering...", and watching the participants real with laughter.

Anyways, he's always been a hero of mine, so I'm particularly proud that this years award went to him. You can learn more about why Kaladan got the award at http://www.dirkaward.org.