If you are an Apple Developer, you have no doubt been bombarded lately with reminders that Apple is shutting down its developer portal for Christmas beginning today Friday, December 21st, through next Friday, December 28th. What shall we do without our daily dose of download statistics?!

When I first experienced this annual shutdown my first thought was: Why? Isn’t this all automated? It probably is, but maybe it isn’t! Perhaps every price change and meta data update we submit is dutifully reviewed and approved by a human! Or to some degree or another, perhaps a human is involved somewhere along the line when it comes to producing daily statistics. Who knows.

Or maybe it Apple’s way of giving its hard working employees a well deserved break, and subtly reminding us — the hard working developers — also to take a break, to re-charge, to re-connect with family and friends — with humans! — and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and the holidays.

I’ve come to welcome, if not a little hesitantly, this respite every year, knowing that at the end of the break a nice surprise most certainly awaits in the numbers for the holiday week!

The end of 2012 (and if you are reading this, clearly not the end of the world) marks 4 solid years that I have been doing iOS development. With the start of a new gig, about which I wrote recently, I have fully transitioned in that time to a full-time, professional, singularly iOS developer, and I couldn’t be happier. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to make this transition, for the opportunities — both private and commercial — to use and hone these skills, and for the many, many kindred spirits and professionals I have met along the way. It’s a great community to be a part of. All I can say about it is: Thanks!

On that note, let me close by wishing everyone happy holidays and a happy and prosperous new year. It’s a great time to be an iOS developer!