So the ALT.NET conference has begun, Donald Belcham is dressed up in his full-body plush dog costume and is apparently asking the remainder of the conference when the "yiffing" is about to start.  I suppose I should have informed Donald that "ALT.NET" was *not* an alternative lifestyles conference before he left, but I'm sure the results will be more entertaining this way.  There's been a lot of interesting technical topics discussed thus far but let's be honest, you don't *really* care about a bunch of developers hugging each other and singing Kumbaya every time someone mentions the word "Monorail".  No, you are wondering whether Martin Fowler has accepted his certificate yet!!   I have an update from my contact in the field:

"Hey, you wanted to know whether I talked to Fowler yet.  I came up to him at a quiet moment and said, 'Great news Martin!  I have a little something here from your friend Justice Gray'
'Justice?  Where is he?  He told me he was going to be here you know.'
'Um, Martin, he wasn't able to make it today.   But he did give you this certi...'
'HE PROMISED ME!!!!'
'I know, but he's not here and I...'  
Martin, shaking uncontrollably, bellowed 'You do something.  You take a picture of me right now and you send it to Justice - that way he'll see the kind of havoc he has wraught!!'  I fumbled for my camera as Martin, choking back tears, stared at me with the anguish of a thousand souls in torment."


"Martin refuses to speak to me and is now giving me the cold shoulder anytime I am near.  I don't know if I'll have a chance to give him this award but trust me, as a man who wears Linux-themed shirts in public I am no stranger to adversity.  I'll keep you posted."

Tom, I want to say thank you for trying to help the healing at ALT.NET.  It's nice to know that while some people representing Edmonton are running around in Snoopy costumes and dry-humping fire hydrants, *someone* is actually trying to take the first important steps of healing in our community.

Martin - don't run from the pain...embrace it!  Only then can you - and all of us - transcend it into something more.

I will keep you all posted with the *real* news of the conference as I get it...feel free to send or post updates as you have more pertinent info!