A land of ports

I just got back from Portland this weekend, or more specifically, from Open Source Bridge. What a change from SXSW! I don't think I am made for "networking" conferences. From what I saw, there was a general level of contempt for one's fellows at SXSW, and chats were based upon "how can I use a relationship with you," or rather, "how can I leverage a relationship with you to benefit me." I hate that kind of talk. I'd like to leverage their balls with a crowbar. ANYWAY. Open Source Bridge was a stark difference because it was full of real people. Really nerdy people, but they were people. I'd like to be a bigger part of that community, not just because my job asks that I do so, but because I like real people very much, and I have a lot to learn from these particular real people. I only learned HTML two years ago, and I've learned a lot since then, enough to have my position now, which is quite significant. I'm a fine enough hacker, but I think I need to actually make something - that's my next step.

Fortunately, Portland has an amazing bookstore called Powell's, where you can find just about anything. The prices were not fantastic - but the anything factor is pretty tasty. I'm gonna have to give my old Gaithersburg, MD shop first place, though. I did get myself a nifty Javascript book, so now maybe I can finally learn an object-oriented language!

I met up with some old friends as well, and got to check out a really cool, albeit gray, city. Its priorities are more in line with mine, with locally grown, organic food the standard, and extremely easy public transportation. It's just too bad I love my job too much to leave.