Operation Manual

Acknowledgments

Dedication

To Mika, who at age nine taught his dad to laugh hysterically at the sight of a pig riding up a mountain in a

minecart. Laughs and love always, dear boy.

Acknowledgments

It’s an author’s dream to work with a talented team, and I feel like I’m having a better

dream than most. After 12 years away from Que working on entrepreneurial projects, I was

incredibly fortunate to step straight back into the fold of a fantastic group. I’d like to thank

Rick Kughen for his outstanding project direction, polished editorial efforts, and always

gentle prompting even as I started to run behind schedule. Rick, it’s such a true pleasure to

work with you again. Seth Kerney, thank you for so smoothly shepherding this book through

the numerous stages of the publishing process. Karen Gill, I appreciate your thorough, pre-

cise copyediting and constantly joyful feedback. Mark Shirar, you created a fantastic cover

and page design. And Tim Warner, thanks for a technical edit that truly left no block uncov-

ered, no cobblestone unturned.

Writing a book always feels a long leap into the dark, with the only light often being close

family and friends. I thank you all, in particular my dad, Tony; my siblings, Justin, Adele,

and Siobhan; my dear friend Laura; and everyone else who gave me no end of encourage-

ment, best wishes, and a chorus of variations on the very Australian “goodonya.”

Last, but by no means least, thank you, Amy, for your constant love, support, and encour-

agement.