Scribbles

Hey, it’s my annual pilgrimage to JavaOne again.  I try to make it to this conference each year, and I think I’ve only missed one in the last few years.  This time, given my situation, I approaching it with a different mentality and physicality.

Java has become a much more mature technology compared to back in the hayday.  This is apparent in the talks and sessions offered.  Other than it being a huge software developer conference (supposedly 15,000 this year) where people get to meet up, talk shop, and party, I wonder how many more years they can sustain it.  This time around, I plan on focusing more on the business aspects of Java related technologies and what intentions Sun has for their crown jewel.

Luckily I convinced my boss to let me book a hotel this time around, since I will be presenting a BOF session with a good friend and colleague.  This saves us the hour long commutes we’ve made in the past years, and allows us to participate in more of the after-hour events.  Last night we had an incredible dinner downstairs of our hotel, the Westin St. Francis.  It was the priciest dinner I’ve ever had, the seven course taster menu at Michael Mina’s with the wine pairings.  The pairings were incredibly well done, given the restaurant’s reputation for their wine cellar. I did find, however, the reds to be less impressive.

I’m excited about this week.  It’ll mark my last attendance at this wonderful conference as a developer.  I’ve made great memories in past events, and I don’t see it being any different this time around.