Re: KansasFest 2012 Report

[Kirk Mitchell <kirkmitchell@gmail.com>]

Today was the official start of KFest, and a busy day it was!

I have the advantage of living in the next time zone west of KC, so I got up way earlier than I wanted too, but was ready for breakfast. Of course, just like every other year, our schedule disagreed with the cafeterias' schedule so we had to wait.  Still, bacon healed that insult quite nicely.

Hackfest officially started, and a number of our 'festerers are competing.  Anticipating a total slaughter, I refrained from joining these geniuses in competition.

With growing dread, I spent the rest of the morning watching the clock until it was time to haul the buns, soda, chips, condiments and ice to the lounge, and then braved the heat to light the charcoal.  Rockhurst has a very nice large grill, but unfortunately it's imbedded in the ground, and of course it's also not in the shade.  I'm hoping that the nearby tree and bushes recover from the firestorm.

It was 103 F or nearly 40 C when I started, and before too long, I had the veggie burgers and hot dogs nice and charred, and this time labeled them, to avoid our resident carnivores from accidentaly snarfing them like they did last year.

With the help of Martin Haye, 56 hamburgers and 32 hotdogs were delivered, and thankfully they left some for me. B)

After eating, then changing into less smokey smelling clothes, I want to the conference room and waited  eagerly for our Keynote speaker, John Romero to show up.  

Right on time, he arrived, looking just like a rock star, and things got started. Ken Gagne had everyone introduce ourselves and tell a little about us, which was interesting, especially learning about our newer members, but I about fell asleep during mine.

And then it was Johns' turn.  He had a nice presentation on the big screen, where he talked about many of the programming gods he'd worked with or met (I think he may have been a bit shy about talking about himself), but gradually opened up more about his experiences which of course were fascinating.  He knows well the joy and love for the Apple II and really took me back those long years ago when both personal computers and myself were young!

Be sure to watch the video of this when Ken gets it online!

After a short break, John returned for some Q&A and went into more details on his programming experiences on the Apple II, and some of his more recent history in the gaming industry.  Great Geek history!

That was the afternoon, and we broke for dinner, where we chowed down and chatted.

Afterwards, Rob Walch of "Today in iOS" gave a presentation where he played back his last years predictions (he scored better than any so called psychics), and some of the features we can expect this coming year.  For some reason, my eyes decided to take a rest, but I heard every word.  I'm new to iOS this year, so it was all good!

Geoff Weiss gave a session on "Behind the Scenes: Tool Sets on the Apple IIgs" but I missed it because I lost track of time visiting.

The smell of pizza wafting down the halls brought me back to reality and the Juiced.GS Reception, where I found 4 pieces of pizza with my name on them (they were thin slices though) and everyone participated in more cheesy chatting.  Thanks Ken!

Afterwards, things grew quiet.  TOO quiet.  And checking the schedule, I realized I was missing the Bite the Bag contest!  I made it down to the conference room in time to see the three finalists in Round 8, but there was no bag.  They were down to just the bag bottom laying on the floor.  Perfect! I got there just in time to take some pictures of some face-plants and remarkable showing of acrobatic skills! Ian Johnson won the first of many of the available prizes for this KFests' contests, while Ken Gagne, and Daniel Kruszyna took away some goodies as consolation prizes.

The halls are now buzzing with happy chattering, and I'm in here typing, but now I'm joining the fun.  

Wish you were here!