Going to the RailsEdge Conference
A few months back, my boss signed us up for the RailsEdge Conference in Reston, VA. Well, it’s here. We’re leaving this evening after work, and it extends out to Saturday at 3:00 PM. While some people don’t really like conferences, I think I’m looking forward to it. However, I do agree with Chris when he mentions meeting people. I’m not interested in the “networking” that a lot of people enjoy, either. I’m just there because I’m fascinated with web programming and love to learn new things. And based on the session titles, I’m assuming the conference won’t be too fundamental, and I should come out of it with a few good tips and tricks. If nothing else, I’ll learn best practices and how to improve upon some of the things I’m already doing. We get a binder with all of the source code, presentations, handouts, etc. when we get there, so that’s cool. And of course we should, considering the cost.
The part I’m not looking forward to is leaving Amie here with nothing but her thesis to distract her. I know she has a lot to do and will stay extremely busy, but there’s something about not being in our “office” (basically a room with two desks and a love seat—plus a tv and mini-refrigerator) 10 feet away from her for 4 days that I don’t like. I’m sure it will pass by quickly, though. In the meantime, I’ll have to figure out how to make it all that time without her cooking! It’s going to be tough.
Chris Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 08:15AM
There are a lot of things in life I’d be more willing to do if it weren’t for that one tiny problem… other people ;-) Going to a gym, Wal-Mart, or a conference, it’s always the same – too many people. I feel like I already need to be in shape to be at a gym.
But I digress ;^) Have fun, and hopefully learn some new stuff (like all the new Rails 1.2 goodies)... and then write about them!
Ryan Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 08:49AM
I know what you mean about the gym. I started going before work in the mornings, which takes extreme motivation. I’d say my motivation isn’t extreme, and that’s why I haven’t gone for a few weeks.. ha.
But I joined a gym at Suncrest, and for about 6 weeks I went
nearlyevery morning. I wanted so badly to pick up the pace again, and start going, but I’m up far too late to get up everyday at 5:30 AM. If I could figure out how to go to bed earlier, I might even be able to eat breakfast in the mornings!I’m particularly looking forward to the conference since Rails 1.2 is officially released. This is my first “conference” I guess, so I don’t really know what to expect. Either way, I’m sure I’ll write about something.
Nick Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 09:52AM
You guys are too anti-social. What’s really so bad about other people?
Nick Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 09:55AM
And, yes, going to the gym early is hard – but it’s so gratifying. As soon as I finish my workout I really feel good. Also, you shouldn’t worry about feeling out of shape at the gym. Yes, there are a bunch of other people at the gym who are already in shape, and that can be intimidating. But remember – no one is born with big muscles. They were beginners once, too. ;-)
Chris Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 10:03AM
Not quite true: Chuck Norris was born with 24” pythons and when he was born he slapped the doctor for waking him up ;-P
Anti-social… I prefer the words quiet and reserved. I don’t like meeting new people. To me, anti-social has a far too negative connotation, as if to say there’s something wrong with me simply because I don’t need/want the company of strangers. Particularly at the gym, where I feel there are eyes on me followed by silent laughter as I feebly attempt to lift the bar… :-D
Ryan Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 10:46AM
@Nick: Do you lift at the rec center? When I start lifting again, it will be at the rec center, simply because it’s free. I always avoided it (for lifting), because until this year, lifting at 6:00 AM was never an option. I tried it one morning last week, and it was quiet and kind of nice.
I’m not anti-social, but I’m also not the person who goes with a friend to a random party where I don’t know anyone. And comments like “there will be a ton of people there” persuades me to go even less. If you can make sense of that, I’m somewhere in between.
@Chris: I agree with the negativity of anti-social. And I’m sure you’ve heard “nobody cares what you lift” before, but I really believe that with the gym. But it’s the same as a senior design presentation, nobody cared what I had to say, but I still hated being up there talking about it. Now that you have a house, maybe you have an extra room somewhere to put a few weights in? I’d love to have the luxury of working out at home.
Chris Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 11:36AM
Yeah, I actually have a bar and some weights – I’m mostly lacking motivation. I think the key to working out for me is having a partner, someone who will push me to keep going, etc. If all goes as planned, I’ll hopefully be working out with my pastor and the youth pastor starting in February. We’ll see how long that lasts, since it will be early in the morning.
Ryan Wednesday, 24 Jan, 2007 Posted at 05:06PM
That’s exactly what happened to me. I had a friend who was lifting with me, and he would meet me at the gym at 6:00 AM. That worked out well because neither one of us wanted to not show up because of the other one, and once we were there, we were both motivated. But then he quit going, so I eventually quit going.
Anyway, hopefully (if that’s something you want) you’ll stick with it—despite the soreness that overtakes your body the first week, you honestly do feel much better about yourself.
Amie Thursday, 25 Jan, 2007 Posted at 05:35PM
Of course it’s not easy being here without you, but I’m doing just fine. I always look forward to the end of the day when I get to see you in the evening…so it’s sad to come home to an empty place! I thought I would get a lot of work done, but have been pretty unproductive afterall. Oh well. I look forward to hearing all about your trip!