KFest 2010 Report

[Kirk Mitchell <kirkmitchell@gmail.com>]

Wow!  Another KFest started!  Number 14 for me!

I moved this summer, so I had a lot further to drive this year than in
years past.  I made good time, until I hit St. Joe and further south.
Torrential rain, flooding roads and construction, oh my!  Nice light
show with all the lightning, though.

I barely made it in time to participate in the group trip to Sweet
Tomatoes for all you could eat salad, soup, soft serve ice cream and
great company.  A good time was had by all.

I spent a large portion of the remaining evening shopping for the
Kookout, but did manage to cruise the hallways visiting old friends,
and introducing myself to the newbies this year.  I think we have 7
first timers this year, and a fine group they are!  Quite a few here
for the second time too!  We're a multinational collection this year,
with the return of Jeff Blakney from Canada.  His return from a long
absence was appreciated.

Alas, my long time roomie Ryan "Poi Boi" Suenaga didn't make it this
year, but Loren is a suitable replacement.  B-)

I did manage to last until 2:00 am before my travels caught up with
me.  I'm not so young anymore. B-)

This morning, I did make it to breakfast, coffee and bacon. And more
coffee.  They have a new fancy coffee maker, which will make you an
individual cup with varying flavors and strengths.  I'll be putting it
through it's paces.

I did more shopping, and when I got back, it was time to get the coals
burning, and the hamburgers and hot dogs, and phake phlesh cooking.
Fortunately, the rain had stopped, and it was just cloudy and muggy.
Things went well, and no food poisoning reported,  B-)

Tony Diaz did an impromptu demonstration on how to open an Apple //c,
which was interesting.  The remains of the //c remain strewn round the
commons area.  B-)

I made a quick jaunt to the Apple Store to get my dead Time Capsule
replaced.  They agreed to do so, even though it's out of warranty.
Yay, Apple!

That did make me late for the first few minutes of Mark Simonsen's
Keynote address.  B-(
What I did manage to hear was fantastic!  Beagle Bros has always been
my favorite computer oriented company...  exceeding Apple even.  Ken
Gagne was videoing, so perhaps he'll get it online.  Mark is a swell
guy just to talk to, as well...  He's truly an Apple II Geek like the
rest of us KFesters.

Dinner was great, but I won't bother with menus here.  B-)  After we
ate, we had a session with Rob Walch of the "Today in iOS" podcast.
This has been Rob's 4th year keeping us updated on the happenings with
iPhones, iPods, and now the iPad.  Great session!  Everyone check out
his podcast as well.  He's well informed and entertaining.

Around 9:00 pm, Ken Gagne of Juiced.GS fame provided our crew with
pizza and refreshments.  I about lost a hand, reaching for a piece of
mushroom and spinach pizza.  I'm surprised anyone is still THAT hungry
here.  B-)

BRB...  OK, I'm back.  Currently we're on round 6 of the classic Bite
the Bag competition.  I'm afraid this is for the young and limber
members of the conference, but it makes for a great spectator sport.
I've never seen so many face plants in such a short amount of time!
Already, several participants feature rug burns on their foreheads and
knees!  When I left, there were still 5 "Baggers" still in the
running.  And I think I'll cut short my report and return with some
bandaides.  B-)

Til tomorrow!