I’m not entirely sure where the last 12 months have gone. I drove over 5.5 hours yesterday back to Dublin, from spending Christmas with my family in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick. I did the drive two years to the day moving myself to Dublin for my current job.
When I was leaving the mothership was asking when I’d next be home, and already looking at my google calender I can see an opening in February, and if not then March for Mothers day. That’s 3 months into 2010 or a quarter the way through. Which made me think where had 2009 gone.
January 2009 was a quiet month, I don’t think anyone really is in the mood to do things, everyone is exhausted after Christmas and waiting on pay day! I did get the brain fart of having my own event over in Ireland for OSS events as I was tired of always having to travel to events, and wanted one in my own back yard, and so I created OSSBarcamp.
February kicked started nicely by waiting for 6 hours for a flight to FOSDEM due to 2 inches of snow in Dublin airport, the inability to cater for a bit of snow is baffling. It was my first year at FOSDEM, and it was well worth the wait, I’d tried to go in the past and always other events clashed. I’ve booked to go again this year and looking forward to seeing more of Brussels this time. Towards the end of February, Ubuntu-ie had its first big event, taking part in Global Bug jam. We had the help of DIT sponsoring us a venue and had students come along and learn how to take part in logging bugs and triaging them. Good day out followed by a few quiet beers.
March swiftly arrived and my brain fart of OSSBarcamp turned into a reality, turns out if you organise it, set a date, book a venue folks do come! Great day was had and lots of good discussion took place. As with organising any event, it takes it toll on you and you clearly need a holiday ( any excuse really) and I went over to London for a few days as a holiday. Great break away and saw London again for the first time in a long time and did all the touristy things and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
April saw Jaunty release party and the Irish LoCo in full swing burning cds in the pub and handing them out to people, having a pub quiz and meeting more people off IRC land and over a drink having a chat. I should add that once a month we all meet up in Dublin for a face to face meet up, but we did have over 20 people turn up for the Jaunty party, dinner and drinks, and a late night.
May, Kick starting the month was our first Geeknic – a picnic for Geeks. Knowing Ireland you cannot always guarantee the sunshine, but we had a nice day out and people brought along their kids and it was nice to do something different. I sponsored myself to attend UDS Karmic in Barcelona, but before I got here I went via Edinburgh for the weekend to see the Heineken Cup final, at least an Irish team won! I’d bought the tickets Months in advance!
I’d never been to a UDS before, and it was fantastic, to quote ubuntu folks it was AWESOME! Getting to meet people you’ve spent time talking online about the work you’re involved in, to work on projects face to face for a week and come up with ideas, solutions and a way forward is remarkable. I got to meet some great folks and I’m really glad I went.
June saw the first MySQL meet up in Dublin, not sure more were planned but it was nice and great to see more groups starting to have more meet ups and discussions take place. I came back so energised from UDS I went for my membership which I’d been putting off as was nervous.
July moved house, bloody stressful! Summer months tend be filled with weekend trips home and to Lahinch and visiting mates. Ubuntu Ireland became a recognised LoCo in July, so we were rather happy as a team!
August, we had our second Geeknic in Farmleigh Park followed by drinks and meeting some of the people behind Ubuntu who were in Dublin for a sprint! My mate TC came home from Canada for 2 weeks so was back and forth to Lahinch and Limerick. Busy month.
September, I ran another OSSBarcamp, and 3 of the presenters from Ubuntu-uk Podcast, Laura, Tony and Daviey came over! It was a great way to celebrate Software Freedom day and meet more people. Pretty sure there will be more of these to come. I just need to work on a venue.
October I turned 30 and fled to Canada for 12 days to see what all the fuss was about. I had an amazing time and celebrated my birthday in multiple timezones to keep everyone happy. Ubuntu Ireland had another Bug jam day and release party, Karmic Koala this month so all around a busy month.
November, I got sponsored to attend UDS Lucid which took place in Dallas, USA. It was a fun packed week, with working on Ubuntu and night time events, from firing range, ice skating, and meals out to having an afternoon in the A&E Department at local hospital. Y’all come back now ye’ here!
December is the month, of Christmas meet ups, and working crazy to get it all done so I could take a few days off, and catch up on doing diddly squat. I did just that!
Cripes, I did a lot, and now I know where the time went. 2009 was amazing fun packed and entertaining, I hope 2010 is just as good! Looking forward to working on more cool projects and helping where I can.
