A Consolidated Blog

I have a list of blog topics that have built up over the past week although being out of action due to illness is apparently off-limits. Suffice to say I've made it to Dallas, feel fit as a fiddle, but it's not been the best week. However, in the spirit of consolidation which has permeated my life recently ....

The Paper

At times like this, 'The Paper', is all you need to say in my house for everyone to know what I'm talking about. It's been tough because my brain has been working at about 10 words per hour. (Ooops, almost mentioned that I've been ill there.) I did feel a certain responsibility to supply in-flight entertainment for people who should know better but in the end, I gave in and decided to finish it off on my 17 hour trip. I thought I was nearly finished 6 days ago, but ...

The Trip

Well, blow me if I the laptop didn't stay closed the whole way, which is despicable behaviour that I know I'm going to pay the price for in the next day or two. Honestly, 11 hours wasted on being pampered in first class, watching a couple of movies and sleeping like a baby. What was I thinking of? Should you ever get the chance to use a few of those air miles for a freebie or an upgrade I can recommend Lufthansa. It might have been a long way round but I could have done with a few more hours on that plane I'd been warned that Lufthansa service could be frosty, but I couldn't fault them. The best First/Business I've flown in but maybe I just got lucky. I could probably have done without getting up at 3:30 in the morning, but you can't have everything!

Hotsos Schedule

Someone queried a couple of my selections in my schedule for this week and it occurred to me that, horror of horrors, people might take them as recommendations. In fact, they're just very personal choices. For example, the reason I'm not attending some presentations is because I've seen them before. Anjo Kolk and James Morle's presentations spring to mind. It's fair to say I haven't picked what might be the 'best' presentations, just the ones where I might learn something.

Arrival

Alex G was already here when I arrived, so I tore him away from his IOUG paper deadline to grab something to eat, a few beers and catch up. I felt fantastic - my brain is finally working again - and by the time we got back to the hotel, people were milling around which led to a few more beers, which led to ... You get the picture. Registration was smooth and free beers were consumed. I met a few people who I've only ever met electronically, which is always enjoyable, some new people and a few mates. Eventually the jet lag kicked in and I was in my room by 10, making myself at home. Sure enough, I was awake at 4, but that gave me a little more paper time.

Blogging plans for this week

Look, let me just say one more time that my brain has been very slow all week. One unfortunate consequence of this is that I don't have any of the cables for my phone or camera, so photos are going to be thin on the ground. (But, hey, you've seen the quality of my photos before, so you won't be missing much!) However, Marco looks like he'll be taking care of that for me! Cheers, Marco

I'm also going to need to limit the blogging I think whilst I get back up to full speed and finish off the damn presentation! Priorities, you see.

Vista

It's on the list, but I really can't do it justice until I'm free of this conference, so Sir Peter Robson and Thomas Presslie will just have to remain on standby before I release the pack of hunting dogs they'll become when I dare to praise Windows Vista.

Right, almost time for breakfast.