The Year That Was 2018
Tags: devadvocacy, launchdarkly, life, speaking
Published: 2019-01-29 22:25:10

---
title: The Year That Was 2018
published: true
tags: Dev Advocacy,LaunchDarkly,Life,Speaking
canonical_url: http://www.heidiwaterhouse.com/2019/01/23/the-year-that-was-2018/
---

I’m grateful when I have these to refer to, and I find them intimidating to write, but hey, it’s still January!

Just the Stats

| Conference talks | 35 |
| Conferences attended w/o speaking | 8 |
| Meetups  
 | 6 |
| Podcasts (See the bottom of the page) | 3 |
| Webinars | 6 |
| Workshops | 5 |

## DevOpsDays NYC

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dmozo_GPyJtksYZyowoGZZCLRcDzkbBpj5df4EQQmkvRjDRj-xEKwVOZyanxa691rDNBHltg4X9rcz4=w1653-h866)<figcaption>I got a drawing of my talk! How cool is that?</figcaption>

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E8tztryHTRE?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Choose Your Own Deployment Adventure, 30 minutes</figcaption>

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XWoG0CJYn6E?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Devil’s DevOps Ignite, 5 minutes</figcaption>

Also, I went to my first Broadway show (Come From Away).

## LinuxConf Australia

I turned around in less than a day and left for the sunny beaches of Sydney, to attend LinuxConf Australia.

![Printed: LINUX EVENT
Please Do Not Move
Handwritten: quickly or make loud noises](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7Wx_h7mTgpEJd-gkRXB3n-JZ60KMLhR2wbj0DC0URQza3r5eq2F0CM_VR1LJyYUkMochjSHM24w3qJA=w1653-h866)

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FJHsnqyvOjY?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>80 minute workshop from LinuxConf AU</figcaption>

I also went to the Maritime Museum and the Botanical Gardens. It was a lot warmer than Minnesota in January. I visited our customers at Atlassian, and I threw a meetup.

![Mangrove tree stand](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/L3GXHa6HckbPWKpwoOAIR2zzKj4Z4ORpn9caWMNcAKQB5NGTiOe6sRg6M56PjVhQ6FAssQpcpTyO526kBaTHrpDbU2h-DlrW2EqCk53HzaUaoD-ko_TGBNZ_QQrJzjzy8rWlf1N2UJhCjv_7wCVRsQRMBPwJoQR1rIajLixfxXxETt2_o8cVaIBaYuCXLT8z0XIImXBrdPS0T_0etZMmkEn_SC2jNFF9WLODvJlFUH5ijF9iIyH5xg66FgWZFCqgje8vTU9hFZYb4j2Wk2ewivNiiK421p51chrNdWPmg_suMycNoeFm4wu1WwzX02WODqEmLN2RsR4XYQrW5XDUvDk3N9u-2Q8DEddaiq8Bn6_KXRgyULUGEmKgzdeoEUqKQ_Gu8vq2r11dzrE4LDp4PvIENJJYCU187zT2gBuwxGr1E1b4sXcmFOxDKQBS5ZUQCK-5kpCwynW-zIhF6VlSaiVJswq8jb4ecrhz3KL0mgA1nkFbUC6cEtEFoxGbebFLuamgkHc-e8oX-LEu9ymBUtVp3y6bs95HBMTVWC_0pm-hPnSG4xGDxqucGkJLD7cEMVPqLDllXbxNQoARfpkoddfY7ELPuY3O-DcZ7KlX92iOT1iXyXqTvrKnyiftz9TqwJI_sF1qxcBsGcXrs-pETs24fA=w539-h405-no)<figcaption>The Botanical Gardens were huge and lush</figcaption>

![View down into a green, lush area with a winding footpath](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ryEph6NNYQj5Q8Y9BZpxZ_oi1ik_5R3xFNMtqCNQaUN8_-EOy0TbkfzQNkXQtZ-SRDbRG-wkRU1FZszJueh-0G-gqNyt4paFwh4-yEBK5GJsT2UFZY8WCBm28Gz5dGNHllBmVSOI5mOmkDGqvQaD8bHnZFK6BAklpVYz3p_-TH2mZgSmZ7knVHZaGgJAoIrzTKKXTlnLfHeyYaAk9Uwhuzb7zLCJ3dl7AA895g7KS6B0mPJ-Xm6wy0w36RlLJwCDkmz8Pj2PwnB2OVgt4Ta7rGzYhM9FmFNSBtRacOwtMXzbfvKsWeIoGpByet_Yya9RmkQaEgC53ztWeDrTvjvoBiO9ACVFNWvpZJXq7r4mlAI4eDfZUlbXxoRXxVYVPop6ysius4L86pmGN5_qdEw_ERRltB4ww0gly-jCBlUrEFhU0a-tbMoKy5Aklpk-aMtdskXMzmmz1nIZdD1rf6dhVMJyQ0W2ngW8ApOPrxGAc1F_J7784P2uWBB4wHxErGd15tDAx2it6vjO0if_ichpxxQiOGeWFniGXspX8mOsEXY6HZgX22TTKUaDzbgQvObT_nkQ7GXwfDSgpa5CU0D8Bd9STcgKvdSOH6sZ4ZIamLLhkzlxBWRT96BxxJsM7DR3ut5Yx9hrgzG6qrFjAgKysygIPA=w539-h405-no)

I went to see some friends in Melbourne, and went bushwalking and to Fern Gully, and did the Fitzroy walking tour and bought fabric. Hosted another meetup.

Home for a week, and then off to PyCaribbean!

## PyCaribbean

![Cityscape with midrise buildings, looking toward a clouded ocean](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xotV5lffLUusDzuE0fIn8hM_7vePjQfLPvsW9r-XZk1omLItbiAIMlw-KL8e2NZ7sX_rJpEu2cw_iG8=w1653-h866)<figcaption><br>At this point in Minnesota, it was, well, winter.</figcaption>

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YJuVzfCoW3U?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Choose Your Own Deployment Adventure, 30 minutes</figcaption>
## IndexConf

I went home, executed another quick turnaround, and headed to the Bay Area for IndexConf and a meetup at Sentry and a wave at the home office.

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yRmMOe6F-ks?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>The Spirit in the System: How We Can Reduce Risk by Embracing Failure</figcaption>
## Sentry Scouts Meetup

![A rustic tablecloth with a paper fire, a tackle box full of gummi fish, and some Girl Scout Cookies](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ih4Z0DLQzS-zZAczODHUCocqsFB5xLTxW41BEpsOY1DCakMXNlfxcL6o3X9ekbIF4Vihz_xwZF3JlVSRZT6GyMzW-TgwOWOv3o5uZaFfhlynHOB3r0pNKe0cd8AVRhXH6wCGY60W06jAR09bnZCQNNvUyM7LT51rZcqrmD_Uuh0WGr27VgrmcAqo2tyngSHhNCuAoK38-uedocDmh9h3PRkjofq54IrY40hxU5S5-GdJQOPX_rDDlERzKpc0TTR5BSZbN_6DIT7EN9q_5xgqUIGAZHeurLfU0GA74dK39FfgUzg7QRrbikAMnKb1FrDc1ULvyq1EPjpP6-jo7e22A50_nHvQxzF6paEKfA2uXO6C9EZ2NkzRVH_kTajYr6E11t0JLFCukOP0W1O7IfVNaQnQVa6ooQFO03eVCJruqkmiy7ZFIdkh735gDdXsVC7SD9XoE8OuAK5PP8sHJNE3Ehb0At12foqvwYFwlYFQ1qiAG8cTd3pvxppQw-RGje9JXSu0h1eTQ9sGFOjqWEKvJoZxClEdnWI5EnQhIwklq-sAQFnySUvI3H-2udmMzp-Osv0qiLbPIW48AAg_S77-M2PbZFWlP-1kibNabH_QKpKyOrvgeTCxCVB10ye6HRW4HJOBGxIxG-cIEn25d12h-ZEE7g=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>Chloe themed the whole thing</figcaption>

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/258889950" width="640" height="360" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

A few days at home and then off to New York for Software Architecture!

## O’Reilly Software Architecture

I gave my talk “Y2K and Other Disappointing Disasters”

![A card with my picture and name on it so people could come ask me questions.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gfzUs4Lqa1ni8pl80ewtv5OD-F6EVekmK__eHsQLKf_NOOMCproua_Nr289AxNFrImEVN-6ju2ShLfcmJADyeNLACC13VOmgQn6-OM-i91rsAn0hi6Bx3wXKdDgC212AZj1ptk-gYasDKw29AX61BOmsG0gIUIw3kpTCZCaXnv69OuQG4iyWMYivFJIZI8sFsQnoRUBPycyOxoT8hGs3MmbreC9sWlgcJsfxDOLvjJqcGHSQqAe6LSC2hydZfwnAruELbQaNYfmGvAb7qTlwlI5qdduixiRcFoPKHkBgJoCVzhlMY2m4CMtvWpdUL8hAHTFZpSzCQSXx9rbsvqJro7SrHEvGjPyLHgk_XhzO8Gz88PAwejpARvZOpy9FywyjikxBkBKYAaIo7GJv4cDABwr_PX3sCwJbxi0J3Bs8i7x6_rH2TqaEjQVYjxKKMrikKcI6mIEN02Y3hswTqxNZxjjLs7G1ZjzotomA2CYXBMPDKyE7md0hRV1xo1lb6bEdP75Q1Y3Hs3rHqGnXNQQtXeDshOnkQq_e5QrZq1gI74Yrbr4oY4OrGIBXpaFHDLwgy4Uk1n7Bq4RfbZkkG2euc1vsMT0Q4NfuQOf4u2Edq9qsYeNQfSbkj_voT1toOhma5uncxQgXu70JAlm8Wkdyb5xtTg=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>Meet the experts table tent</figcaption>

## The Lead Developer Austin

Zip to Austin for The Lead Developer. By this time I had completely lost my voice and delivered my whole talk in a creepy whisper!

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXvPChEo9iU?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>The Death of Data: Retention, Rot, and Risk. 26 minutes</figcaption>

![Custom-decorated cookies with the conference name, a bat, a cactus, and a taco.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N1YhM8oTH2euwwhFd0EYWXcHk3NiXLm48c0ahJoGRIK8DMEv9FjMXcu6xWYWsTqxEpiLP9OmBm-oIl73HJzeYZq6gDvMCS3a_5FZaRTF2J8cnSlfmzRlBnf6rlYbOqXLYzzubrsYu3JXars-qSEuEZGqFlmtCUgHJxbODKxYKuejPtm0hM24aJMa28iV11o2LVuBetEnAdcxv33oHRk9nw0yoNzcDqF41qfQIMpA-sqwTAbnIrr1rN5uzMDR6uvoJ71u9IGilCKsLu_NSMTzKiTWung-I4whwsEwNhoc61DQ2q_4uPFzjcLxhKvkdlGRfvy9nfUqJEDaqkN1VXlKb3eqgboN-o92VjikHmsHcc2FhTTIuKprDzdiKaRx1URLG2f3oF-ymmp3L73MuRSilKkWywZrboqTBwIZQ0V036IDtD6YrKDmbsNP9hSJXsFvEXJ-VNi_sswhTle_P1JP-WHgVMPKQqkOPtq39gMsjKcVHjc8MFEHcTkIqAx5gHenPX93lCyuN3M_ViHdSKz5p9jFO-uWJLZRz_uFW6cLdg58CjDPl8ZyIhqqJeusCgmiJPwepdLls6HIQbmwmdpy1fdlthPvFz-8JJgmjGUN62ndrQOz22K0XihqzIJbHc6O7RDCwG1wC3KXEoHT0nhcDkodSA=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>The speaker gifts were edible! A+. (not pictured, but appreciated, the cold care kit delivered to my room)</figcaption>

Next-day turnaround to go to Seattle for a Microsoft MVP meetup and presentation. I lost my phone! It was very unnerving.

## Midwest PHP

March really got started by me getting to speak at a hometown conference – Midwest PHP. I even got to go to my kid’s Quiz Bowl match! I also got to go to the Minneapolis DevOps meetup this month.

I gave the Y2K talk again, but there’s no recording.

## DevOpsDays Baltimore

DevOpsDays Baltimore experienced tribulations, but managed to, on no notice, move their whole conference by a day. It was an impressive feat! And I got to debut a new talk!

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5TixOicu7LE?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Disaster Resilience The Waffle House Way: Flat-tops and Feature Flags</figcaption>

![The harbor in Baltimore, with blue skies and cool architecture](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Q8_3XxdcZ7UEV2MUF6gm-6XoDw11ay5ijWQZPzl5xOdBq0ICVYHwZSYHF2cBku8Hp1QRinY6iXxfZtJYaY_qb4Z7r-QRgb-IHPH4Ho8JqR9l8zblpOjrUpRZZ6iZfyTkl5UZt6FARS8HKnTdvO7Oy6017_aDvVDdGM1t8HWheNki2imLFxWjZkW95hPJo0u6B4gHa2APVmCD2UzyqGRyoE1MtXYWPHoXL8OyTS90PUN54qkumfgt-ZzysY_0QuLgMPT6iyZj59zbuntmhIXnIeZ-YbvtwpGG-jPWyT_Ks1EZmJsmQxSwn--eA5TRsSEu9pN3n7k61xvVwiXZqS9E5VBJvz3QAy7OgXn3Ge7hjgXVquX0F7gm0q9iOdq8x7aAHiEvCzliT4dc7wvR-xu1wsPqsLc80RJOyDB7Ckj_5Y0O60pK-dMXse2Q9NA4VyeVW_UGefVExSmOTaxWXiK4E-_0GqYh720WrvIX2_yFjl0xaLJejupBDoqnxAfQCyOq5hmBztXCo6zfsSIXlWniuetzweSMGHIuzhQ0dbvV2s4mt1pJ14PQhSVt5jvGksywmnxBNdfPrYzOU6ZGQYrhLhUrzOhcGv9M99WXJan4uQLAq1RX76pobnjOOlNlSGn4Ym0DjlXNInRJyN1JDo13Sw0-Gg=w306-h587-no)<figcaption>There was a lot of snow here, and then there wasn’t.</figcaption>

When I got home, I got to do some speaker mentoring AND eat ice cream, so that was a good day.

I spoke at the NDC Minnesota pre-conference teaser, which was interesting, and it was cool to get to wander around the Xcel.

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U_-wCQWXgbM?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Fear of the Bus. 20 minutes</figcaption>
## Cisco DevNet Create

I started off April by going out to Oakland for a team event (baseball) and the team after event (tiki drinks). Then I went to Cisco DevNetCreate at the Computer History Museum, which was super cool. I gave an interview, a talk, and two workshops, which is a lot.

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GAFdaFeOMts?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Choose Your Own Deployment Adventure</figcaption>

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GKeCLq8TwEY?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Interview with The Cube</figcaption>

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CM83fVAiN_dSV6hB1qiGQbmME-80itIphosh3HdX3-YDhddvNALZk_ES814CfF6rOTJ2enmmPti-3-T_G3WuUF_KlFIy1iUtFVKfBdJvL01KcZiUnvIgFuTYrbT6qyQ19_5JW0wTh1h2NuLwXDM_cDpQ_cGOpuxDR-5uUApE3_jsh4ihGilIR056ijZf2VhZMypNnKuy8QClJx1WvCcK6K1LwtPnd09145NbNeE3rahiANUQrU1Ur2W8PoB6WUwJisbcTIbQGnQrKmYXdaiOF_yYacUP6_kcn1oi9jtD5XdiMPpcodflLDm_HSURsj1nUyUKA9zcW5HBVpcN6IZUoYhnlZ_aNFApA5wJX9TdFnJQ23LCHitUyjsCmUNgD5bal3qyorGGzaL90zYdVQH-SmtbahRQvd3GU3YrvftO_gd-wwxSm6LuFy5yTYobrLji7M46OgxCCZtb0QSSuq9SEREQ3kbLeqls4AvzE7T4rLJ0y5EptzAKgfff0F37blEi0wVwrbGDly6fPYfcfJQA_LQklDxg7u3rq-gEFnLjTjohCYzQdmWGkqCuVr1pCo1eAwidQx6o3Znlesavif5MyL7bH_i3YaIUQy6JRJLlV5JTPLVwwxN3hAxAW1WV3wslQuKYjNjeGzEC4c5DTVYmljwALQ=w441-h587-no)

## DrupalCon

I zipped across the country to DrupalCon to give (and get recorded), my talk about kids and internet security. Then I eyed up the weather report and left Nashville early to beat the blizzard home.

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLpeDXSh4nHjRRbzQW5D6PQVFPrTuh5y8m&amp;hl=en_US" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>The Kids Are Going to Be 200OK. 64 minutes</figcaption>

![A stained-glass decal on a window in the Nashville conference center](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DmhVHe3GiF07MtA7-CRIuexgd1pjdt5LOrwfPsg1pCn4Dh43a-PS80bKQcFCPAB2ohf8-SaQ0DJO16bFu_ALboKCVtp3xk6W8ay0f43xnr9XxNWoHTQ_Cem2aWvTKY5npdR-mfWfGR6D7eUBiOadWU2n-OKDhLMRL-7FDOkfjANFaFLHeFN6sr8xpfZawrYjVJPYekN93ADuND2K1Tn8g1Xf4NIZ9LiCik-VAnt86SUxc6PTh_m6CtMi4fCQw9MQpr5azAMbS1ySGp05qjqp722-RFfm28k_gC-H5l9Vk9MFRwfzujV777h0ouiKNh_LYq5_jfw2JtlECisSCTIXwn-82PyOMimY_FDK2Dei7O2O4RwHFEOzzHPsaA0LcLIPg9qa1vSkaRvm4ri_O9gI1YvA04m3jmx4pbXRLkwk48ABQ6W_llBHVMlaccyBLqXWC9upVQBQdmjQYn5mT3iXTLnnxHsp15vyYYt4DOH23bm6q_iZf5jBS4OozL85SQN0-dZEInXBjxLCHTelr0bOLtQ-HsmDwKwu_af9tFbZNdOJfTUYy0Oc4XpCDztPJrV_nbQUvXH5ozy01aUULQpdDd8LicPen7ucy-z5B9uMEeQlN6uIe3y-6_VCqUY8oeYupAvZ_lzM1RqAcDnu9BIm4C9zpQ=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>The branding on this conference was magnificent</figcaption>

## RailsConf

I shoveled out in time to go to Pittsburgh for RailsConf, which was FABULOUS, and to give a workshop at Google. I got to have dinner with the >Code people!

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ld414EypQzg?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Minute 55: Sticker lightning talk</figcaption>

![A conference center like a very beautiful airport hanger](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fkX7yGrsL0pU-j5wFK35MSGe_kMaTQNZPaZaGcogPySbmdtf4luTlR3v5ZDa-U9qrz8qLk2uEHHjx-hhyxouKBaCTi3VbCXGJh__-pJhWEeZSe7jjN8y1KF_2ZUPqPtsWdcGWn3E1T2duyFrhRhC1A8vdcE1Iakhhr9kCxWwFHvKxMy3rzvpQ3BT8RH6x3wJqKYvgKc8SFnZS3LBOjNUFir2l1LGWc6NBVp1Dxfid5c0Cv2r2D_Ex3LiUuZBcpmBl8XWlJiClv9JEQgzPIOboqytruEdeRpYpYO21EV7Z8_NDGKcleKnShBfsiM_qrJeFAJYOvEPN-YugjEKtXeauoVzbVKRIzbQ-LUwOCpr0-Fwjrapu6lUs9CrBN_DOPPrGDUA5LrWwP_i4PgWCo4mKmrdSYnaY53Q9eHHXJ-g4vKRdgzA7MUYvX-58LGHStJG-Q6Ge9lXRIbiUBj8zRgE_S1hzbCbVZ_s_R2ddUYMkcI4oSuGpjBvwX3kpDxHglRUFyuGnz2RS8CpJ5LxlG_RaHRJ8N7FuUnb3CXKocc52M_Q5tIRTy2qiCoIqPKFg7E3AZFrpZs1_QBlqReHw4QvKPeV6EqKQa0enwjckvyoOy1H33h95qBglAZqnzxByXzzNvGd7Z-yINAYq-bmvRagTUbw0Q=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>I think the Pittsburgh conference center is one of the most beautiful in the country.</figcaption>

![Sweeping architectural lines](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cs-IB97pHGA8gVOm3qKDh6ixm9_ewTQFAXk0BD8oSZaypb2oJlxpXb6ow7cNddMdirrxJFJJ8dZYQ7GgN24kZS9eRpmhoIAk3oIJpxIZfcgXGUps6zK58vKEHXEfGY_yIE3iUqgAR46zMW_mVkKbP3D8UkTskpyxV75UYbwquLCqGo_oci8jO_UK6mHy5RNJhVOy30n8KY0MLTi6yIK1LMHmJR03WzwNMJmAHyLKaTwsIkP7PsV4TlWsW7zWSjOM0R9LoqHevGphhbsbfCaZGpZGYhdWkr_pT5CAiCi0TaaF3-CKDn1v5K2ejnyE9haZa1JiEOPGgSNnl0tZQDTb2K5HsF70ceq_lQ0tvEZhxttTvoruxNELvoZOzNfq9YjpqEJmmsXEZ0lofETwsD-1MRiNFgKwIR08k-4mH9AMcC8BYKNzY4akfDBf6O9D8yDQz1CVPnSheDdWvxx0vLOFmCVAroCC0tQ45Ypt3TukbnTuZNtcA2k-8WOHeMXxGG_E6dQ-NVg-c_0xi99luPip62H_DhjGuMmX5usJ276IhQHAlciDivZ8AEEZb1FHGqf9vkVRLhQ5UqW67B5eQZVjrRvyB-MooSbOir90jlKzy8FVw7S2iS0NKYp297_jU6UoSN4PUxOvaDepQBL8pd4rgkurwQ=w306-h587-no)

I flew through Minneapolis, and waved, on my way to DevOpsDays Vancouver.

## DevOpsDays Vancouver

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hquAq5XoMs0?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>The Devil’s DevOps Ignite<br></figcaption>

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IZ53a_mJJV8?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Y2K and Other Disappointing Disasters. 26 minutes</figcaption>

![A field of yellow daffodils stretching off into a nightlit city](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OSEwiZFDMgZeeHqYTsiMN9DqLI76Yg6row2W14SevmKeHqi_i8MIZ_HrwiRDVkSxepdDhjtuOpDIwj7GM5PYzFSOk1Lz2Z0LBWMkCUj553zN_DKV7nr15XfEwsO-qpdQ4ZGsyRa8JCEu9cVLfqBONfFezGVxlWVSLI9iRDqPl82GEUghyrzAL6efHzqWcFnMClJiXO4RIaB1lDW-iLA87DTpZknIJ-qljTlj_OPgAXmAaP2ZJvDA3Ye8-bsICW5SYp28nyE8fjZ0Vpk0xoL_9OVZe7MwLDPVUgdo9cU9GdJJGNmE4FKBqoReakN0zI5-BCzFK885rj9_Pi4CskdqvxhydKAHTannRPEQGRz5qr2Uaeu3kBlDh2b6jUbTE01lEmjUjCel5Fp6W7Gr97Ht5bTkS2fs913x5neTtENhNp45Nxaggmm-GbdWChBzI-8iON9Lz3wxes2ncYuz7nADsnO-_nP5oQ7nYAUt_Rv1YSEiFDPldI1gJWZX8xJUTGWCF4Vx_sU__E5buMwvEcN0s4O77IF2zOEPJfiY3Jhpl28UHm39xQ7Mh6VRbvbBQplnn4V6TLzuqu6pE2_V_JIITRgvdhpwZzNU2kIs0A4ets6YX4u7pNFD-dJWTtdQeoPeW0U2HzYNxmspWJFV-JdzvCgMhA=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>Vancouver is very lovely in the spring</figcaption>

Came home and went to Minnewebcon, and then left again for Seattle to do a Write the Docs meetup and DevOpsDays Seattle. I also went out to my parent’s place to clean out their rain monitor. This is my role in life.

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Iuvq4N94NmSYe3IGJNV1JO_7pWc1PsWB5mBkmeoyA1Ep1Kmqy0AbtYDnN50ACxHxEVR0QyAEdWVpfTv99sghY5L45xvCD9NAdJWHJq-Ktyye1DPc2yCaDYgMNT0EP_uawuoMrNLV7CTulYPnO9YgsOUXyFNMZjS7CVG-vl3fTegynzRVJHGfQynmm73ha8Y3gOQUqc6rzpvchn55l3uFL2fAqcP1hHYnXUKdC8gVZhf-wmT4Qm_H57eKIMeK2Iz58oCsZ9_ty62oU-7IqoYL1d4sOUmGeLblkPCcm_rMQYiKCscJ062K5-UmfpneW80EosixLyy788nVLrcHhJBrAI3KZf3ovZUEAbZ8HZO_8fFKo-vTrNyqR8mjj76C-enlGagyGbxnQkF17xK6vkn8RjJrlaNCdgmD5ueR0kmmo9_60NvU8uFWmANLKu21Cn9YMbyW9p8yn4PDboNje1ceEK1XHcKTzx8C27lEsMXvdVtREqde0TV5WLpksVvCGAqSjOVc6ShPgMX-9_U8SvwjtZ-oHeoXNb48aVzbxn5_UmnTyFXdvGNBYxoa-jjMFg_ENpxfUJhQvUC_CSeO2slqJYKJdhxVkzI6fKbNFqLFvwPoYu8FJ3nl__a_PNIPb1MeJTd5b5mh4p9k7UFloCoE-nUoLw=w441-h587-no)

Made a quick stop in Oakland to see the team, take high tea at Lovejoy’s, and bug npm for stickers.

Write the Docs! One of my first conferences, and I love it so much. Portland is lovely in May.

## Write The Docs Portland

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nmcasxb6naU?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Sticker Lightning Talk, no slides.</figcaption>

![A bunch of people seated at tables in an old style dance hall.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_FeGp_12Ec5mHidtTX7eUql1f5gEWMEZ0faTfyerIkj4U8Hr3KU2YkeWXMXjdmCeSmdARNOXseXIN6hJDVCKKWIIfEa0rsdqI8Dsxpjl33jOr1wQVuzKfk3QSKIfuEShN03jGWBWpGAgppZH5dRp0DU5WvAqZAmn54e_jxcdFOBTas5wxxhJ5ZSi4TwF2WvVTMitlxp2flUMyzbU5HWdrFjHmGNFRc5uxo-0XJ1nGkGx8lNn0ph4qgTFzX4YzpYlxE1vevOhLAmtXw80lg93Fij2FglRGmuSDPE2gRvNtQN6sSdv2JKepaPhcqyg0Pd68XkoWqVPLoo8rvNnQAEsSvBmS-t7yGbtd2hs5sWOCUfSH-gpscvZi3QPbGEwPf2KaMalPGKsvFxgO7C1n2DyVX2aik0sNhRJyuKVSUG6h5Qcx07XM8CelIwnqgp03mkNzIk8ngYdqBtGV1_rqjWar4NUnJgyq5LzfRoVvUcqHrQifyq5M1WJfWJYhvJAIpJ4MkgY6M4gBssLrJNa1c5bk069r1o7q__kqi5pPiijMe4Cdgv1bhhtIXj7UmaEvfdYiSGXG1eWwQdAJ-F6zKmO7F1zXsQ7WTsw5RHc2tLNaETV_jG2nerCeTFL6Hx_RVhXlLGBHkfgFPtWXfRNJIwb5plRJA=w546-h410-no)

I didn’t linger, though, because I needed to get back home to NDC Minnesota.

## NDC Minnesota

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ff0dac7CFv4?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;start=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>The Death of Data. 44 minutes<br></figcaption>
## ChefConf

After a quiet week, it was off to Chicago for ChefConf.

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OZxe_rKICGI?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Y2K and Other Disappointing Disasters</figcaption>

![Graphical posters that say "Different is Purrfect"](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xP287lKrNI3yaMvrF2kKCsM9ri6PzJaBnW3U_rzJRojBWqK-3cWAhMsKPNnByN6kDOZn1sGEKj7CJ8BanBS2Cg_fKRlvZWGElQC0lO84NzL74ULdHQobtvU_HcMnhhK_t79nkApDswSU51XgrzY6Qx2Zh4Ae6eoMEjFLa2F2bzZqdashd3cg-EuI9Xl66Iy2zVa3JWbBd0VNnB5fGZLMvGwXjfOD8T6Kr1RRWnRw503HySGmvhlgnkSt5RYkBZHiiVJ2Lhbtrx47rNVRGu3J2HPNOKw0YvV4eaHYDbf81087NqTnfDr8dZ1_cgiDQOUL_O3fjZhacyCQYLIWuq12xeaIS33Msn6kz5ozERXJ9WX4mqmRLlnLyZ20pzTBlMbpyIj6SOR4m5l4ESfawMoIYMEPVBYhZQWDL_elzRlxMYctDIU5NBhJN_gdDh1rAqTU2SO5DxoTctuuwJYqtnE6CLF9TVnzl3vJQpHDvfeTrqYX-jIQH-0xsAhTAzrKAet9XvZ7LDCaq6267jp8SJ6hYE7SFUXkz66Ga3iOYdyWniP6uqek6L6ktUxiYqTidkmMHCu023V4VbtFflHsTSBsoNMf6uX0bNX5gE0QE8xVZH0zAkTzQuP2cB5xk2iAn6g2kmrPSGAg009pR86rm1-a8XCG3w=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>These posters proved so popular they now give them away as swag</figcaption>

Right after that, I took the Badger Bus to Madison for Wiscon, a feminist science fiction convention, which is exactly as nerdy and wonderful as it sounds.

The last stop of May was DevOpsDays Toronto.

## DevOpsDays Toronto

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IkiUp_fM6go?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Choose Your Own Deployment: Interactive Feature Flag Adventure. 32 minutes</figcaption>

![A large sketchnote of my talk.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MxeVaLG2DAIIeGARsGj5QkmhhmCp_9Ahi8JKK_FtMLZR0ehn-OtEhRxwPEZYCP1lh6dG233p6KGsQ8JjPEkBVFwKawp4FDQ5LFcxpgzlFR3J7tf0DefB_9rLzAYdvFUcRaTwio5b3npX5Bp-ZAv2Lmvzn77dvl-1PAY6MWow6v1iBRrKYF7o2kRzVc9YeHEzL1GeHukvdEbvrH8v2V8E8K-L4dGJSP34IRASs_30ApJWHQ3YR_7eLeN6oFOnmdvaIWirCKTHNSj4pJezT6GFz25IBX7d8u0OnvuYCtSCbNw2ZJLoUhflgrhNi1M-7oNVkzbL1dP0N-FRUU585H3pjUbPyWOu4JOxtMid_A0gTsqodeswhYpBZLyey_rqvcPH_WrhMjepWiCD5dPvGY8LI6XNPPyqCNhCGoxGI-jUaZyOLKGUOsFzfgFUpAjSHIMbl-fcW1xwew5ojZH1LIGAB8O2rlG6uLE2z5ZYelbNTMIR4dkr9g6n-96qV5Hvq0FYBPM-sj0-psNHNqVSlZLDKYJKZHnVJvh1_8Eaze_osy5I8-WLyHL_qVHgnypMzAQ7MGGq45LpleustQMph446sxXY00cPxy5ZUZ45veaItrJoLKS0GeMkiiJw5PCAMBjxYMM6mpO6XbdIPv380K6--oh_2g=w546-h269-no)<figcaption>It’s so cool when I get art of my talks!</figcaption>

The first stop of June was LaunchDarkly HQ to crush down on our Feature Flag book for a day.

I was actually around for my 20th college reunion!

## June and July

I took these off, mostly. I stayed home, my wife went on vacation. I went on a lot of bike rides and organized some closets, and napped a lot. I went on local bike tours.

![Happy white woman in a bike helmet, jersey, and hydration pack](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Qas3wpHB_Arc09LWvOuDeI8aw7Y0gioplX2u83Uoa2H2HZcONRM8dPsV4lbgMWsfkej9ls-jlLWarjHE_yK8M9ThOuG4oHFOphDW7ITshJVVnzBTE52Ko6ERLhWur-L0SKTVa2U55_kX8Rwc9pf1fDeHIlKAR1qe5rHhLSxMkCYRkd12j3v7pNGnhbE3zzP08ek1b1rU9YMaCQ8qDz6Tr0DN8o-qsCX1zgQ9FBsxM2H7gu3qGonsEEIieHt3diZ9fcUBemu2ToAUdFhTevEYow1-p0ukF9nBA-ZOW9neo4V0u0c7nzgabEQF5VorGRPqgfmDFqrWVKCIWb45T2aNAjrRTZ7Ndg5d19rngQ8ZajPgCZ6toVKVeWMwhemZrs-PwO8nOVM9kD3lOVwgk7XRjQyZ_UBep6YLbhA0QZJ4dQcOwtn1YMp1MHiF2BK1Bzt3VtFBlq_G1lCJNtAIBeLgGkyShgJv_lua40Kku5nNfDZREL5NtTqyAdi823D7VKNzsaKJoegoSk9OiXlp0PJwka6QfP9P3lT73xkT5Mn6Tk246m2lraQd9BGTeY4_6_Rmdy3JhmB0_arlkBqcdskrJ9oshMnliUDE7-Ot9eWxxK4rDx2C5gTnXxny57clS-zwuxYjukoMwMdmLz8nTMBo5oRbRg=w305-h587-no)<figcaption>It was a million degrees this day, and it was fabulous.<br></figcaption>

![A setting sun over a lush green field and pond, with a sliver of bike path showing](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZKa9G4AkggDWXSBsYi8APepkDraDkLr2aG1Ultd2ZNQ7yWyQmGknb9TFOORDx8wJICIUtnvGUAJI0EaA7gin68dP0JRa6dtXGuPB_0BjR1KqUo5GU4WJ-GoV988tEr_XYkYBgaJ1sCYddoOwu8Dbq_XLy1bBpEF8cksr3bAlaDr7ABJzGl_MdlpDuk9z_xwPJ7BHXmzmXJxga6gzfEQmXXLFkHQURCoLiKPsJY7jHXkKHm2cWjXR36UB8NKV6F5d6F--Nc-SA039tTuotUwuDdEcNdyOF4mEsLw5cjNQHazbChXG-u3hMKCK-jkSspfRNPbFFzC8uLxd5CIosDLwcsMT8_bFMjLHFFM7U_sOM7MavauO2Jeukm6sAQxKLnLS0A_mqGUJ01PnnIfwQ4f80VEU1JewCb7ZFN-N5Own_yviE7s96f3kB82G8VEMKGwxwb8k2C3g5hE2gyknX5c1UJOZliriX0Vre7wUZMyiD8ic4XAaqmleVN05UXwKSayTzPsywsbPddkY6ngELr47HsdgJoLrhuLU3erIchqSs3aSug65OrAmpHFCl-jYlUUOOGdxIuOzVMnE4g8ao7mqPmsSA_fOa4IwXG9TBKIzfdxqkiZ568TSZfToX_fOmG9mwYt77N3XOkZMk0vqZp4MDL7Kdg=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>My happy place</figcaption>

In mid-July I went to DevOpsDays Minneapolis.

![A crowd watches a presentation on a main stage.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/twyLtSp-fS0z35xWnv9RHafVV7mi-loASm6nCbQcLgM4syQsF78tRdFXIxNsEI7FjE06MJkzHqhYJWIt-_TXx6a7W8w6B6XqzUJuscI1t5OYzIektnKPX4srfBXdU8nowQhyHhKRwYzTO-3Hv0M3uGYf1HrojMn4wtfLeurhy-sKwT1xbmbk6UYT1I-aed2b1E-dpxzMq1JMf5OEFaPZd7V9QneETkWWeiobfPibkpgyoQkGSS9Y4Pr0GvQ71gTU5vup0syMPrN5mdJjsLzI6vHf1bZ92rEDuE1aatEu_wLVelTokMsGBQ8dSpPmEwOCoKo7kpZcoB1SXr7RSuIOruGY3NFn5PwZmkKVnTFKMwG9I9GyP81J6RqYEChkkBZmULRp1uBJBZeCTXV_6vH7ldCr9A-LcM3AegJF5Kk_WbOlOGpIHPsYqZI7EwSTHjB2KVoTNxswP7NgRrTVo9phW8xzz2rGuyHAgfAj2KED-pT3D0byvjUB8ftb9d2YWXCgi1qmi6ma-oj8Jsx7mOMT4gQLiEnIkZ6Pid2r_SXrgs5hpPcu8dzXO9IP-yZFWkHIM-LOfPZn7Qnf0PKEhl_xaf2G7XvCQ9J22BFnq7m5cfVYxRJ2bq7LcKOVMoAdgEFOlIA1N7Z1i0CIy9jmKbu79mUTbQ=w441-h587-no)

## DevOpsDays Indianapolis

In late July, I spoke at DevOpsDays Indianapolis.

![A complicated presentation slide.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gOS8GTTu8T81bOnerexh-fBIfv0kOtABjYixDXn-PDT5ihuY1Dz25SYAkTQiIG63Qlud5kxvDSRFK2ulc6Cyh6VBrKB0FNTJLKgJF_foRcvP8S61eh7I7D-mARqqNbSzxvEqDjsw9eK3Enini7yVDBhfvqndVHRlkHdz-dFWK2Z2WtWg92P64e77xG8jR94yiRV4jsojYl9v_7dcRBfgrUNCmLFctKH8lklBTsrHEquMiwuvh-XVu-sNxIf-vZeXJA8rgseyEppeFah3hR8-O9Gmwsc3xb02EBu2ocSsilAlamIQIb1GyymAUEWcusclIfO3Ea1mJJh26364_j1rlaJ72QjBbBsM-MOs-kvHWvVAB9ed4fUCMBeiUFcJo1CbtW9ry73CFPV-Lp5A9fr-Go5Iog6dff-GS-TdcvEtWuCL2JYUMSNiu0oWSxJxEQ34IdE5t_2cODJ4iErCWUCOWCtFlQ-vudHDSZqT8nYJs6WUI8psB_rOq5-cxDbtuWGAQhVUDDIYdTvKlTbaK-u9nNAkjWPFMmpbFXeCtcA-HplSFOwVY_xj-gZo3lUqnu3FYV0sgy7JyhRkmwZQEz1Ns7W30acc33su4GO0L0H2PYTSaGFS2XTob0wCk991_Z3bZS4Rn-YX7DigT2m7-u3Y4D5-Hg=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Nationwide talks about their DevOps journey</figcaption>

No video, sorry. But I did the Choose Your Own Deployment talk and the Devil’s DevOps Ignite.

We went up to the family cabin. There were cousins, and mosquitos, and wine coolers, and hammocks.

![A firepit surrounded by various chairs.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vVXEfF-t3mcITpDjUOo88dRi8qu7iBW8e36J0oNMpwwbfK8m1JplW2kJXk26qkBQj2lIhmDp5fCgRtKZcvmGSsIe84TJfhjNLBgev4o5hCiaoFPZzmI4Txw2hQEj-_zjGMVy6ME_Vx31Baceh0yxxI4_8cmMh4dYLzKv6HjitwSKe9ti25TzNAn6MbibG2bX7oX5s-jRgRUQYMgtYhtrgMce0LGSwg_BgbK9LYv5WGyuLQsGozU6zfw5B9vGZDtJwopmKad9YhfquGgPyZk2C26-GZQdPd13Jc0dpJw4mxfOS7jYod26WRHLf2DBsgnlSQXvwJHqSZ8iEUKnyy5GZBT5K7jqVmMypTivekxHY6nWn8HPeYgRz9bV9qa2Y139QcJMk1KD2FKRowE5wntQQelbOxjBZz8mN4xe_W-LWgXbRZ6_7aYX5lGgHeqesIYgK_JzJiUA-AYEynGaY2zl9tvp8QD5P8eS9BicsNjl4hcplceOm5zTDBWIirf8tjpf0reh0H4o5p100Qpz5lkNWnXN51hxXULIzdA4uplWC0S1ISeGZlpzK9uJFW7EqaBleKoOolmRBzT3S7RRhESzp6tnPeB1I8nHf10LmST3RVMfRrWjmIJo4udlOCB_xBmKmruhMf83WyhBh5p_hsWZE8BkHg=w305-h587-no)<figcaption>Dispute rages about what is burnable.</figcaption>

I got back on the road in mid-August. First I went to touch base with everyone in Oakland, then I went to Irving, Texas, to speak at an internal Verizon event.

![Me squinting in the sun and it's 96 F out.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/leonBpfV_YFiAcllEKSu7PWEQRGQ_eSG0McqVVbNXG5tHlo9Aj9lJjknk9i7sB2XJyBZIpEyrjsFnVdkfNvX2Codyg3zYaxW1oQsjtbNtELd4ggv2XMnKAJzP0A_c1B4ngj7K2VhycwqM9AeXqT8uCmHp3vmhGyk25qPA5AijIz96tkQ4ePLxab0TQf-RBvZq6W2PhEvnfLpl8bQ8lMpnkBYNisaGlG2KpRHuE4FONQKUpPZcKD5-3UsTmeF1mU5-dUlyTupuMo9DYGkF5I1Lokp5Pp8JD-2g3jynZbFsNKwG0isPyNrz3n0zUtOCrFOSBlmeJvCXJ9tQ95YMydLjZmxl2kWEJH-B0-wsorhnFEPB1r2RTYCrJ5uLVWqHjGjHzpOeprhAsJSGOutK9sdvMOZu-rWhZUjDhEHpQLOdMPmsZOskxeatcU9OSB_GgiErFmeW3IVi6Z5zTQWILMIAnCXQBBHMKIU4tLoyu79DYLVW-uORlXLY0MJ2NGEPUJJM1j3mfVZ4F2MbbsZkry078nerkhXLl4-qb8hFZk0epLzwhiO79iSbnmwPy2V4GJ1g0nT1ac1vjFmM80p7Ig4_8QW2ez-vM3nc8n-hCnmzhKoEFFcQSnlJVjBo6EitYyoodv5X8nxFlu3MRwDkRHO9NzfmQ=w306-h587-no)<figcaption>Yup. It was Texas alright.</figcaption>

From there I went back to San Francisco to attend ReDeploy! (It was amazing.)

## Write the Docs Cincinnati

Next up was Write the Docs Cincinnati! It was a fabulous time and I got to take the Underground Cincinnati tour! I don’t have video, but I do have slides+speaker notes for you, since it’s a one-off.

[The Man Behind The Curtain: White-labeling, automated generation, and the new variable](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1O48-GbJPqER5v4YhkzO06Fib3s4Y-OO7W4d3g3BhmbU/edit?usp=sharing)

![A mural of a classical roman temple painted on the side of a brick building](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aaPKsUd0RJE3BgSs3v2ymJP4YgWg98_iZVIkYljphZTBheiKmBxMYYcTcC3pNK-2-_xYWW4rNTDmygZxJKh2d14Z1hZqeCuOfjKMLEV1mRDi39oRY7l7lnYu0uu26L0RI3i1K_EpWANTmnm6M4j53cnvomJFjmGDIXAcAbm9LwHRWwTH3MwXJGPaA5Jfoja7nKy9rMmiRNkKMV5kOegdzYIAk6aVze_wD5lyqsIo7wGIgdw0Uo5f3P5vx5ZWLQ8blb8XgeT4WmpjNeD1cQwxNg3NXv9AaphL6tpnl-G_hjtg657OuHii_S0Zzpr_IDc4nwCoRH0AQJ3pub1BizYQ4v6cwsBkH--DwnKBunKnI8jlmqgfi_98DXJbEdr4iP-1I6suaM-uX21fLrGcPAR4v6YhUpXF8ACyAeMAkHK7BXYJuIwiZC4ztXqwqNs7OTf8QJ0ZF6-5dAZJr14IEqzAdAfZoEUlDn-3dnpWDDtAR4cOOhrT8Y5U_MKdmD1TpInpEQOdOh_kdYhpKw1MZ7Tn6cRoCru6E24GUSt3Yqhnbgt7VKfyx3US653PnyCu7xz3AaNCDfMi3TlA7CO3ksr3sG0esV8S_gMYV5dpTKL1Vn-WVjsFSpghJlTmKlt3refonIbZTvX2KIEt8WfjBFKDSVFYOQ=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>Cincinnati murals were on. point.</figcaption>

Straight back to MSP, and from the airport to the DevOps meetup.

I went to the Minnesota State Fair, which I love, unironically.

![Crop art that says "Bean Counter. Literally. Blaha for State Auditor"](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EtQEmSQ38XwSBU7XVMUtK3MqgiTXuSB2_rGKsb_y6beToR1xTkqc7MzASIwL4Hdh4_jAhDkUk8hwIIepzxKUjtT5kKNTfpeFy-RFSOJ0F8u4cMM5T4hmWN_Y99drwDTG1NHT4C3wVeMLnI7wFcDGvoSClFun-GYSopUVEi6lwdC-IivP8m9GVMBBKBrCj9B1f33sfHdN66tmYSDWTN_EQUiY7-mTWl6TYEe1iEfq9ky0913uVp3xInGxRZvoxXb1nvXkSW17yy7Gto1-foLoUau8Qc6im6vXaWCgpCXsPiYx3gHg_u73_LIIhD3HOHrgU-bHF8iQIZ3ukMbB401ugln4quBFEDSVsCKSXwmjrtbE0n6dZS2jxj3qa8969G1CU5koRhjMx36fl8V_aKo0F4kQDdgiQNoy79rpePu4B3rCecSFL1KpQn-jkr5NcM2GKNsGiPjfkYF9MSr4NJZ9mgASws1w_4kdOH3rRhgRoMkSQpCVTDOAKUe3-DkFGx24D_-AfL6--Ct7LnSHbzvg-DSp1WD6m-lX_9KxMTHRqGBZ7bRM7MSesZGxFxIv7DZQ7Ro0GDr7Kx9Sfx_wUo_EALddx5rgVCIhFCvaute0ZeTRf2utjxufDKLdBjrFs5xLExqqdHE8S_SoJR9kr_xm3a5sDw=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>She won.</figcaption>

## SRECon EMEA

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SWfsLwiDWzg?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

Over the sea to Amsterdam, and from there by train to Dusseldorf, for SRECon EMEA. Do not ask me about the reverse process. Suburban Germany is full of people willing to help the hapless, which is good.

![A 6 foot tall inflatable unicorn supervises a talk on capacity planning.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cpELvgdX_CLru_jvzOIMjkLTsBZ6Z2d7RzA7SWSp-XdckepzBh5v1vgAYEGjCljeMUa6g-IDbd3k6yCe05t1D3-eJ743lJKRWETiWndXGt68kdf9l9wMvSxq8bH9FadJM1T8hzitZTzJOONwAvwFouzOJrZUh1RA2XNToY6960-DgJXHf5z8OmedA5ATPp_Gfz73IL1EPSrzqXan1jk3FPSEkWjbGneHHFSwfRT9AJl2K8i6CQIqAqCd0fRx-5FzPlFzQ6cV6XnJplgoV-WZNf62wzCXSporOZfiM6Kl05mOOM51fHJU0UqvFIuw-aRmKKdcs8hCBGETLdcC-xUa0qA0UnDLmna3dTz-HtWPtZEtvXsVd9ATC0mDU6eZIVs9EY6fcIM8lxGqNw6YZ695Wjf_VcrrA6BK7nMsEaTyYirKvTpz0jitqCPXZjavNgtcIiOMRTID1ylCO_P2HvAmBhJ-E-rvrs5LHgFxX4A7BONBEaBSG9lh2K7oe68rV8lV7H8E0tMTODzv9fmCixmj4i3EtIstc2-9PaRjQtxalo535Q7SQ0UdbwrzrU1jRuXpM7v5j0AB7B-7odLg01kCyE91E3RgJ33zJL7C9jYwXTf78yUoE6_CF1ny0Mp8JD6d81zQOwKPDUtf_TMEUJTptF-ITA=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Unicorns are the patron animal of capacity planning. Everyone knows that.</figcaption>

I did get most of a day in Amsterdam, though, which was glorious, and I want to go back!

![A canal fronted by tall houses. There's a tour boat in the foreground.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5C_PLl4YAtr1YPzn9z4q1tyXHFnSLCCFujP4sC0AVyEnaubaPk_LcztER6Dvt6GEHfdA79uXc6u8SSTdt1Rtog5fZIKINdNCiV1XfzbVxtqTo8jVCtFDW9CVzBBS8k_VV9JIjHhWitJbuc09ViG_lr2Nbd51OG4hiEnHnQw1vND29MJqZXjWNzJAehHXP4uBE6Dmf_1Wk3q6EwrdR9GzWKJexsY5lJQ7cujnZNtgMujA4UdOTlM0fKYS0Pc7lRNGN3yrFyPWwc7kcWvQNTbDKZD06222K6KFeaObeow60WBChfT5tlB5foz_nvwTkVR3mRgoI2PvGDtx-cAcGzdTAECNEDP63jQNgyYhlvylRRAcc_k7JR8Bu5IJ-gRQX73HMbwhRktljWJzovMrJRdfTQZ4BPfKA8-_ECERxi-P7_PYznN6qsOWt4UWJ2O7k7k9zGraMwr_l1lgDWrVGzbRM4O4Hzcroqb7z4dXWipcZ6DSEnT7tzXu9WCfd4tOOJHWGOrq6qRO0mZDHwtR1CLMcZLO6ptzp1_zsHvaolYyS4_2uwDIk6TWCP5b-KVG8rfPn-AsrEfMl0hS-KyrAoIJGAO2kQ1D-yT-mHqBCfc68WS370P0QJpllV0KLcnY-BvxfU_5ys5K8IPcf8qRqfcBfLYg9w=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Taken while eating pannekoeken.</figcaption>

Back home for September, and the start of school.

Mid-September, back to Oakland, then Portland for DevOpsDays Portland.

## DevOpsDays Portland

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AGStp5QIvJU?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Disaster Resilience the Waffle House Way. 31 minutes<br></figcaption>

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PjdMSySJ2CQ?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Stick it to ME? The Sticker Ignite</figcaption>

![Glass and steel triangle roof.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/823KtBtJODNy3qGWyt2uOiI5xeHup9HJk-MRt5sa98r71KYYWIrBNXr_AMBG81WkiqYsbU0takbWrmjpo9HMrZkiAEN93vVg34dpvBOBrzDc8TG5alMRYJz2FPQC_URC7nQyPLs8RC1HPYSwtmrP-oFpQQftKKuBeCNyvvcK07EnX_2RnrlOI2vihuY0Xg9okdwApOEk0R_YafXL6JIuVz0CfGdeeLNOFl2T7b-R6fNtAu7lVSH6RgBq8SpOxwVGcsZDc5UlW5rRjq3MHmb0ZO7v-7dUQ7Jg3Ginwt0OIvxLGWFPIWZ3U5ZgNePhlkyHtcdN8q5IHLbD2oCyM1k222SS33PuZcM997rg80c4FLVovYEd-YYEIiSEjymrT1ZNMPiSyyU7dGDdzWWeA6atz3rT2zjJpJkF3Whi2y48NrjcWW6oqu2Z4SwtvvVV3QYAq4zPDtvrfeuSKd0wSH3Muz7QQ_DEcSFYlPheDswnvcoP-6YR4dUtUPH4jCFzubMhU11ckWmqx3zqXRj3sKcN0V-9n12anHk5DvO8ZNsUmysPlJdpIKlITPqQbn_SUXz-Jv3MfPpe4aqErKBQNPkfHk2LVZNqB-VSjLJ4_MIQXaN5Z2ejfvoAq7TCMRg38BvJA4EJIxARWo5pDbR-KCmA9ie0mA=w306-h587-no)<figcaption>The Oregon Convention Center isn’t bad.</figcaption>

Made time to see my parents, a really great production of Richard III, and then my bag and ipad and TO-DO LIST got stolen, so that was a bummer.

Home again, and to the MSP DevOps meetup.

Went out to Boston for DevOpsDays Boston a day early for my sister’s birthday. She was surprised!

## DevOpsDays Boston

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zqxkAkt9hUM?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Tinkertoys, microservices, and feature management: How to build for the future. 27 minutes</figcaption>

![A round room with girders overhead.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGlnfoq3anTIWW3ehzT07sOa0vZQjvUijSxcsiylesscrlyhfzPGFti0GhtsJ1Pubw4zxVWFh6VhJIDUFfkQODun1CQ6MRxdJTmg7amdHnk640zQ8Ni7vU0-uuKldxStRXPRNX6-nNlACnjnXtUX8O8CfRV5iLk1qSe5G6cBC6_k1ESccjldy-S48MviZOd_dUjgloFm-Te87u1hVyx_umKl6dNdxMFSYyCMKnCx-kLHUCZdY9eFvPYK7s4Qb_7HoJzbTY1j5KEK6IujNz2JLTdnQdWDWP6jXcka1wkdwegsfhUmbj2cgWeXCGMxNiqWiUKlYTIYMnhYvK3hkaYoHd2q4ZCqBkKZpjJcxtoNJqIuvmQVVWto8Yr5fyGckxeQ_rBWhwkcO4pinfYhc8l4XL1TwteqZCeC0kS_uuCBJn-cxsdcqU8uWq3WWBjIRx3984Udjniyds3JE1JS2_fHV0w_dqnFDDy7wq68piXeEUniH5Nny2b6ZjPgwCNX9EEZqGi7rd2h0c68AhSeVxYfEA54D4jyE8ysNbV_rFk0rUMYYhcZ4mwwWGrmiLj3DNnBgoJGTwU53ARQHIPviLDSFUgp4Iiysf29JXS50UbpHtMSzbXuVmNdL8k3kyKGZ5qyas9GYlvhz_3XsnWtVEwJOyiAw=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>The Cyclorama, in Boston.</figcaption>

Home for a few days and then Velocity New York! I also had a great Equalit-tea, a client lunch, and a great adventure in the garment district.

![A bulldog is spreadeagled on the floor in front of bolts of fabric](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H8I0kxfASGdn6wb2jsz2NMbpWX4xVgdm7qRNkzRBF6BxdK0r7rgQm7-Klk3tBEzyGvHiAnKRi6IaMU39HTwH6CR1zZ7chgRN5Ag5G1VUThUenqO7Iw1dMfVQiFblm1MtfMTYBK522Fwi7wQjGbzQHpITeAzffTQF5UhY3-QPVObwgb6yZ75N8q6vG3M8-4wLdoWtiU9uYcYlTwTlWVCGlDpx0EontFBVjoxOLD70z55M08zru2cdVSK7n3w-rA75ng62SyGO5R3GnLTIDHaojy8IriDgO6cRK_f0YnqwTXBDNZMJ1Tpck0QrnAYa4q9eXkpk1Sdpfcdh3dPmEofGkJzZmUtit216CipRWy5Dcry2vmNibydn7RqNsyi4kozXkcAAHZlPYFQ2k5aKPr533JVwBj9HOHDIJ1OROoby9aOpIdsMTKAegfyl7JGWwsdYFGuKmfGA-DueVN4zjIUwUEF6kz9YXKRw_iEx-28wZczkmJh38zg1aHhcp2B7Lg9QEAdHBx4v82fpzcPH7__yhdtauVKqwhBhbHg93vILO_URcTggb1RKdCAARX4aL3lBSCYA48q46q6sPy6lBTm-b_GTqj7hwIGI5JwQpCUNYNhSXDizW-xp73psnu7xMqoPXutjZjgiLFle804SHniSpq2UOA=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>The shop dog at Mood Fabric</figcaption>

## O’Reilly Velocity

I gave the Waffle House talk!

Home again, for a bit, and I got to go on one of the prettiest rides of the year, the Mankato River Ramble.

![A view of autumn leaves and a river](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bw7sABkrrT6h2R3ZOlXO0nt0DWyfQx9GTVyPFajJ8rPWHbdbPa8RdqMbAbHrRPaiHssmOzrg3zPI3JEqVCvjz0TrBNraCLpESBzG09RINyqtJAeTTQHAyR9t7NwUstdHPtU16KCkA_KAY0IkFtkNkpF6I78PkxH1Qys2tcey0MPhSOMEmHnus8XhwpdzTb3wsKGZ0hKp7YjI5dczVH7VxO-RFpAPBS_fG71fO3OFF5ZbkxiiOVZ6SkB0glCh6xgehlzNpQIOorP_TXCQ3G9u9Yvx_2SBVt0iekHeOlJQC2VdBOUiGqaBZ_M7ChtqItGsriJv9snEHi6Ydgub7Q8ziNZrZ6zNRYkdFb_YDU2parjaUnv1Ax95oIIEBTeROPyj9kCzqIT_DLFBJuHKCS0-sVpsspzXJQ9cBzS4wsOf_kULbb2kSZtCSZxBmAdN1pyFg_yfHSk3PpbqbiL3og6KZ83qeannfTFcNQqtrtB2tw-QTZKmOxHXBOhcnv1HQsiPv2BrOX0PHRFZrewuM8yd5WJSyB4WrGX_QSG_TTUo9DNysD6jf3vzxNCL_811Dr3eREC1DH7QOOG_WWQSb1Ub-dqIVPdQAwiU4KkL3gw2VfUxB2vn5OKgAWqt_iahstceslMTAVOcctihFcOw63qz4Dn-OQ=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Mankato River Ramble</figcaption>

## DevOpsDays Hartford

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EBtKSgAaNuI?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Every Scar A Story: A Talk About History</figcaption>

For my birthday mid-month, I went to DevOpsDays Hartford and did a new story!

A couple days at home, and I went to DevOps Enterprise Summit in Vegas. Truly a standout event. Even though I hate Vegas in general.

![A cross between a chandelier and ... a big shiny thing.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/L1QtRdXecxOJk16NxK91ErI5eIonhUDMdlXvPqJDT8VyB4bdfO6OAVhoap0JVunM1Kv5H5zCsJH1gJAgTrdZ21aP9verAO9XZHH9Vx-3VMsVq8YIbnYULOoDcaE6OM10NeBB4cbhdKPm1Gpt3N79_Br7LKDnHsBoJyqI9XRR53QRS9v9j3_3XccTFv70fb_FFYVN4h_xH0MYq7Mz4RUHsfNgsirExQwsvOmr1eSuS-k21tLpuz-2z0NwOsE2KyWy72cD8cL4uAwBTCuqhhtbn5B5MDUbe68K2FseyHRAHrp85P2MgAlqjuNBsoqz5NlCVolzCTYZoZ0evPTlQqvWV1IK5F50zPy10z5m8N2A1w9vK4xehxjUa3MOyx1Dowq8IS93NANBT3ZgCNYM6mMATNoVXjt9bJBnDRB59HVG3zBo5dsXo6I8z2Jw7Txs0EYutXoFn_VQyoTRtiLzqhtnBdgkf1QbRplJpQA7k-aE694AO8gjvYZg0Zgxq0hxxPyB2bZrTcwsc9B0GHg7ULwyQXP9_6M32b-F28EGDAU8r3uGGCL9eipe2_Vap9mocKEW9UVyR50a-2Itp9l0bLlz7wPiyavGzDojSUzGeSbTrEI0kViFr8Qzo3i4zmuw4ps1yUIOp4vnQ9-UAJ7Rw6910TdmYg=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Well, that’s very shiny</figcaption>

In late October, I packed my bags for the longest (I think) trip of my year. First to London, for O’Reilly’s Velocity and Software Architecture.

## O’Reilly Velocity and Software Architecture

No videos, but I did All The World’s A Staging Server (new), and The Death of Data.

[All The World’s A Staging Server – Slides](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Vk658SNrtUYw_5K_O7vC5KeCcUBr2aJwu71DiCuCS0o/edit?usp=sharing)

![A tree cleaned off a pillar coated with soot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DorKVLsWE-C9wS__DQORbFI9GtSRGjM_xnzN8DUNQTNR_WEKzNeOrdlglq9n4hke9atdEfGbH2oIY6lgD15P-_DQkU99Z3NLydrlUIqb8chR4asAwqRdseqqBL92ZFcRPf17HYCDbmQjzn9r7AdrCJKoTu3h1dT_gFAjVpIgGNDjyb7K6eSUqyPnQJ7xAj4Qj7LNSRzsV7NK9w60gAJEIoD5p9R-oC8zGZXb0CNHgsj6IaAA7vlgx4aQe-BERF5E6cGFwc-0OI9QVs4XE5b7OoUeG3t28x4fwKpiRXTUuhxz7z8B6I6yHYvgWPChu46jNArt6ZwjBHf4lnJ1XPTDAjh19Wwz3gwhneW7I2OUwZ6IL6SVtkHfdjeldJ3iI1HltwmXiX4oeM7a7W4-b9n_IsgRdYE9goBTdcgIe9WvZdSjICSg-kQjqFbyTQ91M-A2-8r3Rft7LUKmMdiJDRSTFpdSf5g9Y5nJ0UDcOlEtBv542jyu15MLKtTu9jCx84GXmOKalMPyEvaJw0KEa_-ML7jqik7-w6hTr47IEs1oXA89BiCzseF6QihN8s11HDVtswo99KuvZJkq3icdpJilWDj8iEqs0zuNeq11qWuyo9qVKV1HepSLQhhghlIrud19qQ6Cxr-oJl6YtsNsenB0iD_8sA=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>Right next to the conference hotel</figcaption>

I took a couple days to appreciate historic Bath, and then DevRelCon and then API the Docs.

![A large neo-Palladian building called the Crescent, with a giant expanse of mown lawn in front of it. Not pictured, but present, a ha-ha](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/98wQGQNETEZj-ui46ITs4zNLYF5KK8TFtaqiXoO-8NmFfSQ4810u-WeIBxhwNyPYcc2UQ-OtnLZuiTjnUdcN4aDKqSpJZ7xeEUQpTvDAnwRrufztZhnB754pf602-Yak0OW-bbOjLBYTl54hWKUmZEoJ6aMmYccnpjUy4uwclAmqnHSspXOGPOBjUlN4HINPYNkX9hzy7UEI1Pv66V1nhgxNPBNNPblpEVm8NpjJ7TLMVGaOa7nFvQtiEungku5PuxvKFCKdy4j0wcS-OT73eL7YFv77Oge7gndh2FNTu24LYfDPxxA5aA89NOnXYYtDfcLFDDOWmn9vB1IMdur0DwFekUzmvl6Shou2_ElT-JsG5id_x-kryU7othvsszBxqgNj6SdCBmkl_aEngz6nLNsCgJ6dvlSfpArNUem2bj_W7mAAx0_biz72jZ-3HC1iyyJogJynna2hPf90WdJlXqYgYvGt9SHQ7vIS2P7sRp9exNuK3ADH9MO69RyJT9kBSqTx-lNj-4gCj3gxun_SlqvE__ZOosJf8qJyktadEtciBgs4oKeMvJWq82gkTXxMSZvLbKCFLtCFIUh0QztieOkdOE1voIF77IDSkpwUHb51AidCyOLDsLYSAF2i7eu2o2uaZIPUjwq8tfq1-ieckXiBvQ=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Yes, this is that building you see in all those historical movies.</figcaption>

![View from the QE2 conference center](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9taB6Nq0e6HOSOxrM6d77iUvHkzzZIJpR-W7LVQKilO6iUFzssst3PTBSU_ZaTLszrVgJ_7AXiGw_HZgVFhVCwN50knry2APR-grRQdQs8qkBUgGiTYnW_dcfwFmH4hRdVgEAD64XyhPpzt7R7GIr1WVPri7_rMRQ9u51pqmJIYNnzUeg3ELIPYg-2B0ywWgixYYm2Qrf3HQTSkN9A65r9e6DTIT7p_RahZ6JR178qBf9KqQfjVx6jIpgNGdknhdNbS9TbsBLX2gTn4tEm3d6idzWcVWlswfVmP99kS3ZtBJNxstQ6GBf5Ao0ZZsyXKtcbqQ4n_ZiU5nbqWkncxI2TOvSph4FMZgRbMf-FrqE3YOeQ6NcK5qMuP0TzGobhX5y3UiDGI23YNO0Jn__-1t2edUodEIl5E8ViBVfbXSJfzgT-0pAfRiXSpOaJAFdtw2RVuodc9J6eaYqaNwDqkw6zxRxjFdkGJl8L82hvaIcNGFceQmaAqB5S_yCbqOmUuyX4ghjUTtBcx8udnHkyWLH5C6CpQZkDSf89NY277l4JNbq1jBg_Fg8X5U8eo7Dj2nlD8JVvPCzF3nJ_gUyT7barqqSSTto3ZIhmxEKP_c0ZvS3siy4ctvz5pfQUHk-Ut6OEsfQo7KNrbKtS-j5HZfPv17hg=w306-h587-no)<figcaption>Looking out over Westminster from the conference venue</figcaption>

I spent Bonfire Night in a warm open-air pool with a view of the fireworks in all directions.

I took Eurostar from London to Paris, and promptly got pickpocketed in the Paris Metro on my way to the TGV. Very authentic! I made it to Bordeaux, but it was a bit stressful. In Bordeaux, I got to do an onsite visit and training with a customer!

![A structured canvas tent with raw-wood interior walls and cast-iron chic furnishings. The bed at the center is made up in natural linen.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lygMpJSmcCt2kILxrxpM6lib7KqDHwEK-gEL99o71mxp8ZmaWgHMm_vYXTH2eK4A0uVyBxVRrjelgLpCiGShg_lUgKuSitnCbkh2Vt_XcYhdfP92fC2aeubotTD4O_wPUPjPsZSK3tZ786nN-fteC_xkJgjN2sHKZ84veKxvQ6eZlirBe-Qld5yF8SLo5omCXJ3nZNdiO6VAlQrxmxeFKT4IXda1wrRg-yRT5KuFgiij3ykWze-0rQdNek6-Tp7Tkd7IG5r1xuR5NM518UHnpyV7aRXOxOGs3iX0qcR7IgCm-r3iHSOJLkjmkkHh0UilOE0ZRI7xeMFH2q1npHjYDzjtqmlUcPkR31fTQhRiaWXAQOsi_1FgFB6DxkgyGeY-MopNMj3M5OmGsAQoET0lfz_w6VfDgS3IWOkl9OQfIzuFczwe2rDtMwuc5bji4z_IGhuHZJKhrwPacmY4eSf0MybEsFrMGt95xaefVsG6aNl7VornFrym9F7eTr1r6I_z8usJ-JmnYxW21d4e8DTRA2cqA86Z4OSiAbRLcTCXOcuqR2ZJfeBBsAVQpoyoTu7deqMMLe4abCPA9X1Ur8Xj61twdX2Xbj4Wfd7J6CL-tTgsexH9LaX4uDqgNCvYJyWfTmaEFYjhZ38AA6ALeuh_rIqqcw=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Glamping in Bordeaux. Just out of frame, the adorable but poorly-vented wood stove and the more practical electric heater.</figcaption>

## DevOps D-Day

After that, it was off to Marseille, for DevOps D-Day and one of the most invigorating cab rides I’ve ever been on. The conference was great! It was super interesting to get that experience of not being the dominant language.

<iframe type="text/html" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jmdR8zL-9cY?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;autohide=2&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>

<figcaption>Everything is a Little Bit Broken ~or~ The Illusion of Control</figcaption>

![A landscape view looking down and across a Mediterranean city, with islands and a rainclouds over the bay in the distance.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vdnY4FtotiISuaK5eIccSdo8tsESTScTi_yaf5P8bLq8eB3W3qwYk4mvGFDQPr6OpdH9sE_z40HBLxkN-I8NNcKSpaonGK8u2bAkZVjs35iMiz0Mg7aP-idiwCf9gDWQThW_bBwTA40kQuwZRJ87PODEOI019vVAd4w-LZf4hfrxpjlqDBST55ipYE6oGb8yTPIFSQdGIy-Lsz1fSv-Q_Elm-qJk9ikF0SHTeO_CkAXWUmI5WjvCIpsLNjU6D-iJ6TXKY5Ncqbyaz69jILYw6UVIiCAqglkDMPlevVfx7bTjSWkXW3KcX0sYsHn_oRG761tl1klh9DCZoTSxjgqnO1dHBFekaxAyXn53hFdLLDJJ3C9NntcU_ToW_3-BL9G6c9PJBgS4kRx94Uq9GiSMD7b9X7CBZHkANjjoGLUYJWMiJGOhu0muqDz95XkCD4gEDCho8Uz982ER8l1r27OqpDObwvjRBdEmbkmxSrdqEbe4w4-FgiDSD1FzN2yQlGls0fC51uMkzSokPSrsoIPQyEl5bx_ijNQ6lORiR5g6can2sDgQ-IyKbF75R5YExBm3Vs0N-2181VmtBzzRxvcQ4HNYlIXhZ2FCKFpkb28GjxeYoGcngAfJhl2rgwjR7Pqs6egvsc7ouMjZZp2ax1Lnthm7mA=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>Looking down from the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. One of those islands is Ile d’If, from Man in the Iron Mask!</figcaption>

I flew back from Marseille to Paris, but there was weather, and I missed my connection home, so I stayed in Paris a night. Did I do anything exciting? The heck I did. I stayed in and went to bed early.

## NoFluffJustStuff Tech Leader Summit

Megan (my wife) and I went to the Tech Leader Summit in Clearwater Beach. I have never had such a hard time paying attention to a talk I was giving as when there are beautiful white sands right outside the window. It was a fabulous location. I gave 3 talks.

![A picture of the ocean, taken from a glassed-in patio. The sun is just setting.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8tgv7YhvwnFcTh-5Q6T9OoJZDwkW5lH66AKgQNyYeVHZSounr2S1Pkhx0EU9bIFBiqHKxezGUW3Bh1SKh3XbKLb41gWy9klyG_cxt2EHYX1o1vhABHWsaeGy-jLCNdIYEyQkgz3eGxNKTXpUncaDoZMpKQeL_Ws86S6Wy-2cG3ZITwekeb0RTXkFer73-jFT8VZRRIrjEEJYjTw392ERLCgPt-H5JHdXaRnTXnBnDo2fdYhbf0jtOoazIPgHJFzyK5QuP_Mrmu7Gu1LHANUwHxccV-bHBZaFH5f6Kv9qSTPf3ZijtIBbAR4xZg519nH1-JaUvdsTn02NZAe2k35MNwmAqdmD6XeIXODdpQOyVxRM7DVMH77WsH-D6pQqcMswO7fDDekcDovfVKwPrwh2BvocniHWHvDGDFvEWr6NMZxUT8pCXMxjnqI-Xx_r4he-xrIWxF4Fz9_fepHjcWp_35iasuvmZTkT_qVsJl_Oz7QfhYtL8jDH2eG_ixqplF1IvizpaRg_jaY9MOL0XelDjgm1z64Vwl-HBxl7APObl3sTl7bYy8XC_wDdgVVvz8Lu-LX8JJTpBBecTUeeqQsJes6BPz6vetxKYu1UidXnbCWgNTSOg3AfU4Oy2RQIl4fa1vbQDvDcLe3z-9ME_nlqbzoulA=w546-h410-no)<figcaption>This was idyllic.</figcaption>

We came back, and I put on some less Florida clothes and went to Seattle for KubeCon. I didn’t make it to any programming, but the experience of talking to everyone was amazingly great.

![Looking up a set of escalators. At the top is a sign that says "Ahoy! You made it!"](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bh0mYylR3NadwmX3ANXQuLk5Xvm88Va7M98h4QOLrfbAh9JqiY2zEFQQJyIHLefDQQYIXXxIiFopEDFy3Xl6Lxehx2u-dmBXL4rlTYLm44Dhzx13WlthDuJkodfPV4iE8bf3SKCjevuF48oQZjelWgXNoamFqJhXI87QKKpXbtB9ep2M0z0KtmWxa9bpwoGxUhTlsWyD_8351BDIsh2KVPG93md5mlaV4WHGak4ofZjzM8HncDgPNKvcz0H1ZWHu56S76MdbUvfnsYHg2R27Vu1C768v-hy1kNJJUhaX-iiPU3aC_wxxySxzGs9N4pnoKDe8RZQ7f3fe1nHilqw3UFRft-r10ZAdTQqSq6wjtYfSelLThfRtPras2aA_SXi742nuSCrv8Ogw3EPmZEs8HOtMGkx08bc07zHb-Qx4kSEZ71-uGoja6HWTRci-r_c2ZZ664Pkk1vSXjfNxNySYyYGc0ItoQcX7CsIar3CsYFiTplh4KnJ9OH1GA939QrN7hLeKp7DlldOCFUQRuZVjiI3bX3cJCyEV7AYlYfG77Cx5YXJgUgq4dcMwirb2VcP78_YWquqfHMIuoS3E9ajgnWtbbGR281_yHbUr3RzgK6E-kKOqx9ITSqstHuXD4tvvB2KSMmWFc0lsn5M71iZBUCv8Vw=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>The vaguely nautical theme embraced by the Kubernetes community is charming.</figcaption>

I popped down for one last meeting in Oakland, which meant I got to actually see the end of a Moonshots week. That was cool. I taught another workshop, this time at Google HQ.

Home for the rest of the year on December 18.

![A stack of flannel pajama pants.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KhEnsHgfwvz21S1OG62bfITZGyqxt_zey-jVIYi4Oigd4WYb5WEpT2soNhYz50I6N1rjiQ-1vO4iM9NDL96t-_67GMnP16wMKnpGXUFRJbTiyMg8JWsVQI607DIPCYZ--75zFJoqBsGvWNXiaeQ33v6pYxMHdCzXw6iBDd1vDdPHNMdRAgEWAcGid-vAmYu2UrJYm233WIAHg3DCBGJFETh3zti5_-GJOOSRSpeoXThFBcOLv3rXcGOqTsaHynvVkUyNypxlhNJHl6PtX-_wNWGOaeptkqGxBRFDhvHTlDWOpu84pT-lRicb03uWGV-nQZTiyGtDjHNINsmGKwLCsLxcXkErTPyilnZKN0n3cjqgZRIFanNlIJAYe8IRkSNoQBYUnHQmaZXUY4DtXwJYVss0QUgN4ti6nt7Q7y1C54nst_KLstcWaMNwa0ZB17X36ZWWbwkul-n0Hp6kE9TO5Jcqc-pOMRTdliutvyp2zjWbw1wYgzsyFDa5UqHJjLmxe5TNZc_JW7TvzIy-mArOsReGuYoJ7iSw9OYeyC-cwGXMXs9SwEzVN7e2Te6H7p-2GTf7WZbkUIHhJATEPKWu7vcsILV2IlRUZG-Z8FQcUABSVltimSDISnE8pBXDXGq_b9-yHGQA3aPq7kDZOCQyXOQoEw=w441-h587-no)<figcaption>Work from home uniform</figcaption>

## Podcasts

[Greater Than Code: Episode 95: Cleaning House with Heidi Waterhouse](https://player.fm/series/greater-than-code-2479541/ep-095-cleaning-house-with-heidi-waterhouse)

[Screaming in the Cloud: Episode 1: Feature Flags with Heidi Waterhouse of LaunchDarkly](https://www.screaminginthecloud.com/episodes/2018/3/19/episode-1-feature-flags-with-heidi-waterhouse-of-launchdarkly)

[Parent-Driven Development: Internet Privacy and Kids](https://www.parentdrivendevelopment.com/internet-privacy-and-kids)