I consider myself incredibly lucky.  I have a wonderful family, two beautiful kids, a nice house, and a great job.  I’m also lucky because I know some of the most wonderful, intelligent, witty people in the web analytics universe.  People like Bryan and Jeffery Eisenberg, Jim Sterne, Gary Angel, and Robbin Steif.  People whom every time I talk to them I get all energized about what we’re able to do with web analytics and how our craft is positively impacting businesses all around the world.

But my hero of the day is Avinash Kaushik.

You all already know this since I know you read his blog as actively as I do, but for the record, Avinash is one brilliant cat.  I don’t agree with everything he says, but even when we disagree, we disagree professionally not personally and quickly agree to move on.

One thing I do agree with is Avinash’s decision to donate his book advance to two charities, The Smile Train and Doctors Without Borders.  Like many of you, I was nearly brought to tears when I read about Avinash’s daughter Damini having to have another major surgery.  Having a daughter myself, it pained me to think about how scared I would have been in the same situation.  Reading about how brave Damini is made me respect Avinash and his wife even more (if that’s possible), knowing that our children reflect us in so many ways.

And so when Avinash puts his money where his mouth is and makes this kind of gesture to the universe, I am humbled.  I am absolutely humbled to know Avinash and to consider him a friend.

I strongly recommend you check out Web Analytics: An Hour a Day and pre-order your copy from Amazon.com today.