> What is the impetus to write or read these things? As I've mentioned in other HN threads, I'm a living patio11 success story. Over the past two years, the t

> What is the impetus to write or read these things? As I've mentioned in other HN threads, I'm a living patio11 success story. Over the past two years, the trajectory of my life changed from "Well, maybe I'll figure out a way to get out of this $70,000 USD a year developer job some day." to "So that's what having six figures in the bank feels like, I guess we can have kids now." in large part thanks to the example he sets in posts like the one linked here and the advice he gives. Aside from that, although I don't know him personally, Patrick has been an unreasonably nice human being in any interaction I've had with him, and I'm quite sure other HNers would agree. Celebrating his successes in 2012 I think is a good enough reason for him to post this here.