OSCON '06

I'll be attending OSCON this year. I'm convinced O'Reilly decided to hold the conference in Oregon because of me ;-). There is something happening here and it is nice to be part of it. I've signed up for a single tutorial and a pass for all the sessions and special thanks to MKP for giving me the green light.

Stumptown

This town is serious about coffee. I'm not talking about the big chains or boutique coffee houses one finds in most places. Good roasting techniques, fresh coffee beans, and great service. My neighbor suggested we visit Stumptown coffee and this morning I ventured up to division and SE 45th in search of something and I a can say -I had a GREAT cup of coffee. Humm...A great cup of coffee. I held onto that thought for a moment as the taste of the Sidamo and scent of the roaster reminded me of trips to India with my folks so many years ago. When was the last time I could say that ? Fast forward .. To date I have had a cup of the organic Holler Mountain Blend (Indonesian and Latin American blend) and Ethiopia Natural Sidamo (African). Both were quite good and I'm looking forward to trying more varieties.

Any coincidence is worth noting .....

If in fact everything is changing, the question of whether there are constants in the natural world is one worth pondering. What I mean by constants are universal rules or laws that are not tied to human perception or experience. How might we begin to examine them ? Is the constant state of flux of our world (moving boxes aside ) governed by laws or some framework or abstraction that is constant ? Is the randomness governed by laws? One might argue that the speed of light might fit this defintion. The principle of covariance says a physical law takes the same mathematical form in all coordinate systems ." Our vantage point in the universe and particular position in space and time would need to somehow be factored out of such an examination. By doing so, we may arrive at some core principles that can more accurately be used to understand a shared experience of the world around us. Einstein's study of the speed of light fits this defintion in some regards. He proved that the speed of light remains constant regardless of the relative motion of it's observers. If for example you were in a grey rental Chevy HHR (let's hope not!) driving to the Oregon Coast on Route 26 past a grove of trees at the speed of light and measure a beam of light you happen to be shining out the window --- The beam of light is still traveling at the speed of light relative to the ground. A speed limit of sorts that remains constant in a universe where 'nothing endures but change'.

Oh All the Places You'll go ...

Congratuations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away !

in-between

An often overlooked benefit of moving is that it forces one to reevaluate life and begs the question "Do I really need to take that thing along with me clear across the country?" I'm staring at an empty apartment and 2 suitcases are all that I've held on to. It is kind of like reducing your life to its simplest factors and it makes you wonder do I really need all that other clutter? Dr Wei looked me in the eye and said travel light and happy trails (well not exactly in those words) and point well taken. I enjoy spring cleaning and there is something very liberating about getting rid of several bags of garbage. Stuff you just accumulate and are not quite sure why you are holding on to in the first place. I'm in an in-between place right now -- I watched my car and almost everything I own being loaded on a truck and am sitting in an empty apartment on the floor with a laptop. It is almost like deja vu because just about 4 years ago I was sitting right in this spot in an empty apartment listening to my typing amplified in the empty rooms. It was just like this when I moved from the east village and the upper east side of Manhattan. What was it that Jackie said about "finding yourself in the same place over and over again until you get it exactly right?" I leave for Portland on Thursday and with the exception of my family, things I had identified as 'home' are traveling at 70 MPH due west and slightly north. Until I reconnect in Portland with the part of my life on a truck and get a sense of my own in my new home I think I'd say it feels like being 'in-between'. In-between is a transitional state where you can reflect, grow, and plan the next phase of your life. I'm looking forward to the next major change and looking back at the last one with a smile and an occasional laugh. What a ride and its just getting started. Hold on to your hats ... Next stop the west coast.