So much fun. Too much fun? Is that possible? Maybe, but probably not.
OMG, again and again and again I promise myself that I won’t do what I did which is try to do too much all at the same time but I’m frankly greedy. And lazy. We all know the second is true but the first? Gluttony in the name of coffee and Kscope are pretty much it.
Kscope is without doubt the peak of my professional year. Who knows, it might be the peak of my personal year but that would be sad so I won’t admit it except in the dark recesses of my heart when I lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, realizing the futility of Man, the comedy of life, my profound sense of ennui, and the eventual entropy death of the universe. But then all I need do is think of ODTUG and Kscope and all is right with the world. It’s that good.
Wrapping up Kscope17
Sleep? What’s that?
I didn’t get much of it.
It’s all about the people
From the hippie Australian (and fellow co-presenter) to the crazy bag lady (yeah, Natalie, I’m looking at you), what makes Kscope so special are my colleagues and friends that I largely only get to see once a year.
Moving shopping for Natalie and my 10th Kscope anniversary we arrive at the Essbase aka Oracle Analytic Cloud session on Sunday. Standing (or sitting) room only suggests it’s a popular thing. Of course yr. obt. svt. was in the front row because he’s sad, sad, sad. Seriously, this started when I was a uni student – I figured and continue to figure is that if I show up, I ought to get the most for my money. Also, I can hear better that way.
Dinner in the beginning but I’m not sure when
In Asia (or very often everywhere else in the world) there’s what’s called the Asian “Yeah!” when being photographed via what looks like the peace sign. Yeah, yeah, a stereotype, but go query the Great Googly Moogly and you’ll see I’m right.
NB – Stock photo I swiped of the interwebs.
But that isn’t the only context that Man (or in the above snapshot, Woman) flashes the V sign.
V For Victory?
Do something physically impossible to yourself?
Damn Commie hippies and yet the Coolest Man in Hollywood?
Or “Peace, baby” in a booking photo? Say “Cheese” for the nice policeman taking your booking picture.
Dunno for sure, but I’d go with the first.
Hand gestures, but not the V
From left to right we have Pete Nitschke, Rodrigo Radkte de Souza, Jessica Cordova, Celvin Kattookaran, Ricardo Gampaoli, and…bugger, I’ve forgotten his name. So much for the theme of people, people, people unless The Man Without a Name is acceptable.
This is in the bar at the speaker meeting. Notice that none of us are drinking. If I were there it would be a nice glass of milk although I soon broke this All American goodness.
Three very misguided women
Ghadia, Alexsandra, and Jazmin came up to me and thanked me for the work I do for the community. What work? I was so gobsmacked by these thanks that I thought it best to capture it on film (heh, the 21st century’s equivalent to film) and so I got them to post ‘cos, “Pictures or it didn’t happen”,
Note the chap on the left who is absolutely amazed that they’re thanking me for…I dunno, but something. J/k, they were thanking me for the drivel that is this blog. I told you they were delusional.
Back to the presentations and the people
Here’s my buddy Joe Aultman beginning his Groovy and Calculation Manager presentation.
And Celvin doing the same in a different session. Groovy is groovy.
Speaking of delusional, here’s newly minted Oracle ACE Gary Adashek. Despite Gary’s questionable taste in dress, he made it to ACE, leapfrogging over ACE Associate which is proof positive if proof be needed that he is pretty awesome. And has a strange love of trains.
My former boss, Tracy McMullen is moderating the Planning ACE Lunch n’ Learn. She still talks to me so there’s proof that forgiveness is possible in this lifetime. OTOH, perhaps she’s remembering our time not all that long ago as Tracy is shooting one of those “Could-these-eyes-actually-launch-little-daggers-if-I-really-really-tried?” looks at me. So maybe forgiveness isn’t in the cards.
Jake Turrell and (this won’t be a surprise if you look below) my Blog Bro, Celvin Kattookaran were my co-panelists.
The Women In Technology lunch. I enjoyed being the token male at my table and having my Favorite Customer Ever, Amy Dailey, sitting to my left. At least she wasn’t cruel to me. I kid, I kid, I really enjoy the lunch as I can take criticism. Also, I think I agreed with all of what was said. It’s a good event.
Is this the Kscope Wednesday night special event? Surely, yes. Look at those suits – snazzy. Look at the ladies’ frocks – beautiful. Highballs and cocktail glasses and of course the witty repartee that Kscope is well known for – what could be more elegant? And dancing. Surely ODTUG’s members are much the same.
I’m the Junior Executive type talking to the blonde.
Is this what the DJ spun up at the Wednesday night event?
In 2017 we have the below.
Would you believe that those dancers aren’t proud ODTUG members? Neither would I.
Hah! See, I told you I was the elegant (ahem) guy talking to a blonde woman. Here’s Alexsandra and Yours Truly.
The Kremlin for the after party? Isn’t that what people used to try very hard to leave? Perhaps this is the Lubyanka?
It’s all winding down now. Here’s Celvin and his lovely family. Note that Blog Bro has a smile on his face as does everyone else.
I’m not the only one who finds them adorable. Here’s my new bestie, Neviana Zhgaba contemplating a Federal offence. Don’t do it Neviana, no matter how cute she is.
What would a conference be if not capped off by an enourmous amount (3 lbs. worth if you’re wondering) cinnamon roll?
Here are the sad faces of the prediabetic. From left to right that’s Joe Aultman, Tim German, and Pete Nitschke.
Danny Bryant and Joe Aultman again. They are practicing that strange modern practice of photographing their food. Food is for eating, fellas. Oh, how did I get a snap of the roll? ‘Cos I’m a hypocrite, that’s how.
Here’s Pete Nitschke and Opal Alapat. This must be after the Giant Bun as they are smiling and are thus on a sugar high.
Sort of amazing
Kscope has many facets: charitable work via the community service day, education, many teaching moments, and networking like you’ve never seen it before, and lastly partying. It’s quite the seductive mix which is why I come back year after year.
Yeah, a humble brag ahead, but I and my copresenters (and I think all presenters) spend hundreds of hours working on our presentations. It’s hard graft but worth it because it means I go to what is obviously The Greatest Oracle Conference Anywhere.
And yet it has a cost. As I showed in the beginning of this post, I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep. I wasn’t the only one.
Q: What does Kscope make you crave? A: Sleep.
‘Nuff said.
And with that,adieu
What can be more relaxing than a meadow on a hike post conference. Here’s a lovely meadow towards the end of one of my favorite trails in – would you believe – New Jersey. From Perth Amboy (not the most salubrious town in America) to this. Truly a state of contrasts.
There are many people I haven’t mentioned. To all of you, thank you for making Kscope truly the height of my professional year. There’s nothing to touch it.
Be seeing you in Orlando at Kscope18.
