I Should Be Dead, Right?!?
How is it that before take-off the exterior temperature is 80°C/176°F? Once airborne and at altitude, the exterior temperature was a much more reasonable -50°C/-58°F, but does it matter since…
Meandering Thoughts #44
I'm in Norway to attend and speak at NDC Oslo and - typical of tech conferences - plenty of random entertainment for the attendees. What did I find? Pinball! Of…
Devoxx Greece 2025
I submitted multiple talks for this year's Devoxx Greece, and, happily, the reviewers selected Demonolithing The Monolith? Forget It! to be presented. I've given this talk previously (including other Devoxx-branded…
Immaculate Inning and Spies
Sunday, Miami Marlin's pitcher Cal Quantrill pitched an immaculate inning, striking out three batters on nine pitches. Though exceeding rare at one time - none between 1928 and 1953 -…
Non-Traditional Families
[Disclaimer: the following happened decades ago, time likely makes for faulty or embellished memories. Names changed in the extremely-unlikely chance that someone who knows the family actually reads this and…
A Hill With A View
At 277m/909 feet, Lycabettus Hill (also known as Mount Lycabettus) is the highest point in Athens, with incredible 360° views of the city below. [Spoiler alert: a lot of rooftops!]…
Random Learnings #54
I recently traveled to Athens, Greece to speak at Devoxx Greece, without question the furthest south and east in Europe I've been. The above is a Greek typewriter, with -…
Memories of Mom #37
Mom was always leery about medicine, but in particular I remember her pushing back on x-rays unless absolutely necessary. My guess is that they were somewhat safe, but probably used…
Memories of Mom #36
As the first grandchild, many similar versions of this picture exist: Baby Scott climbing into and out of the sandbox in Evanston, IL. The home movies from that day demonstrate…
Charley Finley and NIL
Charley Finley was the owner of the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics for twenty years, 1960 to 1980. During that time he successfully alienated his players, fellow owners, and even…