Entries from Andrew Ruthven

• Booked flights: check
• Booked accommodation: check
• Andrew Registered for LCA: check
• Andrew Hacked Silly Description: check
• Susanne Registered for LCA: in progress
• Andrew Hacked Silly Description for Susanne: pending

Awesome. I've just registered for lca2011, it looks to be an awesome conference! They have a great line up of speakers, some amazing venues (I know, I've seen some of them already), and a fantastic group of people in one place.

The reason that I've already seen some of the venues is that Susanne and I attended the ghosts weekend that the lca2011 Ninjas held earlier in the year. During the ghosts weekend the current organising team bring a number of previous organisers, some people from Linux Australia and their team into one place, lock them in a room and absorb as much information as they possibly can. They bombard us with questions, they tease out tidbits of knowledge and in exchange for that they let us into a few of their secrets and show us around. Admittedly they show us around and then interrogate us on what we think of them.

That was my first time in Brisbane, and an overnight stay is no where near long enough. I'm looking forward to spending a week in Brisbane, and hopefully getting a chance to take in a bit more of the city. As much of a chance as you get when attending a conference that is though...

There have been many things about becoming parents that have surprised us. There are also been things from organising LCA2010 that have surprised us. One of the more surprising things that is that Susanne has become more of a geek.

Not terribly surprising really, that after co-directing one of the ultimate geek conferences that you'd pick up a few things. Not only is Susanne now an expert Inkscape user, she is now at home hacking HTML, writing using LaTeX, posting on Twitter & identi.ca, using request tracking systems and last but not least IRC. IRC was vital to organising LCA, but Susanne and I have continued to use IRC now that LCA is over to chat while I'm at work, and as it turns out around the house. For example:

<MadHatter> 16:10:54> Please pick up your son
<MadHatter> 16:11:05> now please
<MadHatter> 16:11:10> NOW please
<MadHatter> 16:11:12> NOW
<MadHatter> 16:11:18> NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW
<MadHatter> 16:11:28> I'm on strike
<MadHatter> 16:11:41> Andrew
<MadHatter> 16:11:56> Andrew Graeme Ruthven!
<MadHatter> 16:12:10> Pick. Up. Your. Son
<MadHatter> 16:12:13> Please
<MadHatter> 16:12:19> Please!

The funniest part was that, even though I was using my laptop, my IRC client wasn't running. My IRC proxy was happily logging those requests, so when Susanne was cracking up with laughter (thinking I was ignoring her) I was able to catch up on what was happening...

One of the things that people may not realise, is the number of meetings that go into putting together a linux.conf.au. Currently we have fortnightly meetings (but only one to go!) so that everyone can be kept up to date on where things are, what (if any) issues there are in the various areas and to generally have a chat.

The photo here's a typical LCA2010 organising meeting. The scones aren't typical - they were made by Andrew & Heather's son Max, who you can see through the door (they were certainly appreciated, thanks Max!). We've been using the training room at Catalyst as a handy location in town that easy for people to get to, and tucked out of the way.

Also not visible in the photo are Susanne and our son Adam, and Heather who's taking the photo.

Attending LCA2010? Use LinkedIn?

How about showing you're attending on the LCA2010 event on LinkedIn!

The newest addition to the Ruthven family shot into this world with great gusto and enthusasim on Thursday morning. Dad was in great shock at being woken up at 2:20 am, when contractions began, then a mere 2 hours later at 4:32 holding his son - Adam Ruthven. Mum was in even greater shock at arriving at the hospital to be told that she was ready to push!

Mum & Dad are both incredibly proud of Adam, weighing in at 3.6kg (7lb 15oz).

Dad & Brooke brought Mum & Adam home on Friday morning, where we've had to readjust to once again having sleep deprivation.

Brooke is thoroughly enjoying having a baby brother. She is being a perfect big sister, helping us care for Adam, even helping with nappy changes! (We're hopeful this will continue...)