If I don't write about my personal life, Elissa will kick my ass. So here it goes! ;-)
I've been working on my REAL World sessions the last two days. They're going to rock -- if you don't already have tickets to REAL World 2006, you need to get them. It's well worth the money to go. I can promise you that you will learn things you never knew before, and networking with all the "big names" in the community. I always have a blast putting faces to names with people I've corresponded with for years. And to be entirely honest, I've learned new things at every RW, and I WRITE the product! Ok, now I'm done plugging that up...
I'm doing three sessions: threads, Win32 UI and design patterns. I opt'ed out of the networking sessions this year because I was getting stale with them. However, I'll be available for any and all questions the entire week, so just grab me and ask away. I'm especially helpful over beer. ;-)
But writing my sessions has been a rather strange task. How do you cram enough information into an hour to make it useful when the topics are so very broad? It's going to be interesting. I'm thinking of trying a new format with my design patterns talk. I think I may prepare about ten or so design patterns before hand, and then whip thru anything I can possible get thru, but have Q & A during the session. However many we get thru, great! If there's time left over (which I doubt), then I'll do design patterns on the spot.
While I was working today, my doorbell rang.. Mom came over to drop off some mail I got and my digital camera. She happened to be nearby (over at the library) and wanted to see how the trim work was coming along. She hung out for a few minutes, pet the cat and took off.
Then, about an hour later, the door rang again. Strange! It was Doug (Andrea's dad) -- he happened to be in the area and wanted to see what I've done with the house. So we BSed about the fire dept and stuff like that, and I may be playing doubles racquetball with him on Thur nights.
While Doug and I were BS'ing, my dad came over! It was just a zoo in my house today. :-P He and I quite planed down my last shelf and got it sanded. So now all my shelves are ready to go. w00t!
Everyone finally left, and I went back to work. Yaw hee.
I'm very excited to see Lis; that's less than a month away now! We're making plans for doing fun things like a picinic and hiking and stuff. It'll be a blast. TX is gorgeous in the spring, so I'm really stoked about the idea of hiking and picinics! :-)
I really don't have much to say right now because my mind is almost entirely made out of mush. Too many things going on, and I am getting quite burned out on life lately. Sorry if this post is rather boring because of it, but I think I'm going to end it on a good note.
Lis rocks and is the bestest girlfriend ever!
I'm getting quite burnt out on life as well... we're in the same boat.
LOL! I'm having the same problem with my presentation -- as my father would say when I was a kid, "You're trying to fit 10 pounds of sh** in a 5 pound bag!" I know I've got too many slides, but I'd rather go through a lot of material at a fast clip (as long as the audience has very complete notes so they can follow along) than go through too little material slowly and bore everybody.
Awww...thanks! I certainly try. Though much of the time I'm sure I fall short of it. And don't forget to add camping to the list! Don't think I'm going to let you get off this time without camping. It's been long enough! I want to go, and maybe I'll even catch a snake for you if you cook our dinner.
So I would love to go to REALworld, but I'm waiting until REAL offers student discounts for all of us poor college students. And then there's that whole explaining-to-the-professor-why-you-won't-be-in-for-a-week thing. While my CS professor might not have a problem, I dunno about the rest of 'em. Can you write them a note? :-P
@Jake -- then we should get together for beer damnit!
@Scott -- That's the way I view it as well.
@Lis -- don't push your luck... camping? It's below freezing out right now. ;-)
@Mike -- I'd be happy to write you a note. "Dear Mike's Prof. He's gone, learning valuable things. Deal with itHope that's ok with you."
hmm..seems my strikethrough tags got stripped. Oh well, it was funnier in my mind.
Below freezing? I'm talking about in Texas! It's more like spring here right now. 60's during the day....don't you want to come back right about now?
I think that will do, thanks Aaron! :)
Seriously though, I would love to come if I could simply afford it. But between hotel, airfare, and the conference fee itself, I simply can't do it. Want to hold it in Washington, DC next year?