So I was going to write up OSBridge before OSCON but it didn’t happen so here it is!
Ok for those of you not in the know OSBridge is : “Open Source Bridge is a conference for developers working with open source technologies and for people interested in learning the open source way. ”
When I first started working for Slate Technologies Chris (O’Rourke, one of the owners) tells me “Don’t come to the office tomorrow go to the convention center and volunteer at OSBridge.” This was my third week and I still hadn’t gotten down what we actually DID yet (we were doing more than just web design and development at the time) and I had no idea what OSBridge was or could be. I went and they had me on the info desk and I did my best to answer questions, luckily most of them were about where to eat or where to find the bathrooms and if they were to do with the conference I’d figured out where to direct them. This started my love affair with the Open Source Community, and not just because I’d met a lot of the people attending but because the people I hadn’t met were just as amazing. I’m not a programer and I’m not a tech person in the skill set but it’s the community I find myself the most at home in.
Needless to say I volunteered in 2010 and again this year and I love every minute of it. Since I don’t have much need for the sessions I’m always available at the registration desk, I get to meet everyone and answer all questions, I adore it, so it works out for everyone.
This year was great, it was at The Eliot Center, a great venue downtown that I’d never even heard of but will recommend to everyone looking. The organizers did a great job on everything. there was amazing food every day, it was vegan/vegetarian and they had gluten free options as well. It was interesting to hear people complain about the lack of meat, I don’t think they realize how much more expensive it is to have meat, and when you do you can’t just have 1 kind you have to have minimum of 2 and then a veggie option which always runs out first and there are a lot of people who wind up buying their own meals when they paid to have a meal. Ok I’m ranting just a little, but it was interesting to see how it all played out. One of the sponser parties had fancy meat and cheese plates that were pretty but even though I am an omnivore it was all pork based meats and I don’t eat pork so it was kind of a bummer for me and made me realize how glad I was that the food was meatless, and really really good!
The best part about this years OSBridge was the people and the way the venue allowed it to feel like it should, a community. Here are some photos from this year.
The Oregonian did a nice write up on Stuff. Check it out!
There are so many exciting things going on right now. Stuff is playing at Living Room Theaters June 17. I’m not sure how long it’s playing so you should get in and see it if you haven’t already.
The other exciting thing is my friend Travis’s Kickstarter funding his short film “The World of Missing Persons” launched today. He’s already halfway to his goal… That’s how excited other people are about it too! Wow they’ve raised another $1000 since I looked at it last! You have 29 days to pledge money to back the project. Not only will you have the chance to support the local film industry here in Portland but you are getting a glimpse into what the future holds. I can’t wait to see him accept his Academy Award someday.
If you want to see what else Portland has looking for funding the City of Portland – Office of Mayor Sam Adams has a page where they hand pick projects to promote and they rotate so it’s not just the same few.
Go out and support the local arts, you will feel better knowing you are helping.
I had 2 interviews yesterday, one with a temp service and one that is pretty much perfect for me. I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up and just take it one step at a time but it’s so hard when you are so excited about a job. I think this is the hardest part about Job Hunting.
Any suggestions on how to make it easier?
Today is Earth Day, and it reminds me of when I worked at Ferguson Enterprises and was on the Sustainability team. We got a lot of things together bt the only two I can remember was having ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ playing in one of the managers offices and my craft project I ran. I had people bring in old magazines, ribbons, yarn, and other craft things and I took soup cans that people brought for lunch and were done with and made pencil holders. Not as many people outside my friends participated but we had fun doing it. I still have mine too.
Thinking about working for Ferguson and the sustainability team reminds me of participating in the Westside Transportation Alliances Commuter Challenge in 2007. We did pretty well for our size. I think we were in 4th place for medium sized businesses. One of the participants from our office won the big prize of a buss pass for a year. That felt really good! It’s funny the good things we forget but when we remember it’s like finding gold at the end of a rainbow. It’ll definitely make my day brighter knowing I was a part of that.
Happy Earth Day everyone!
I missed Innotech today. I’m terribly sad but when you are sick you are sick right? So now I’m looking at attending #140 Conference NW
Silicon Florist has written it up here and it looks like a lot of fun! See you there!
Tomorrow is Innotech Oregon and I get to go again! Hope to see you there with my fancy new Moo cards! I got the mini cards for an exciting twist.
I was able to work with Lawrence Johnson on his wonderful film Stuff through my position with Slate Technologies and I’m excited to give you some updates!
The film won the Special Jury Award for Documentary Filmmaking at the 2011 Florida Film Festival ! Congratulations and I’m excited to hear more of this news!
You can keep up with other exciting Stuff news at the facebook page.
I re-added content from my days at Slate Technology for a little background on the work i was honored to do while I was there. Sadly they are no more but the memories are many and cherished.
So here is my first attempt at making this my “Please Hire Me” site. You can download my resume here and ask questions if you have any. Obviously this is just a rough throwing it up there. I’ll have something better going soon.
It all takes time!
My Resume
