http://www.alexloddengaard.com A blog by Alex Loddengaard Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:26:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I was in Malmo, Sweden for Oredev, an awesome tech conference, October 31 through November 7.  I then vacationed in Rome for a few days, from November 7 through November 10.  I'm lazy so I have notes to share, but not a polished, fancy blog post.  Having blogged extensively about ... http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2009/11/19/malmo-sweden-and-rome-italy/ It's been nearly six months since my last update.  What can I say?  I suppose I just haven't prioritized sharing my life and thoughts on the internet (which is perhaps the biggest reason why I'm not on Twitter).  I admit that I miss writing, but I've managed to fill my ... http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2009/06/02/remember-me/ Learn Django and you'll be revitalized.  Django is like drinking from the fountain of youth when it comes to web programming.  It makes your life better by being insanely intuitive and generally unbelievable.  Expect a more in-depth post hopefully soon. I can say with a strait face that Django has made ... http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/12/10/burned-out-on-web-programming/ I ranted pretty hard yesterday about American automakers getting bailed out. Jack and Sierra just shared this, and I had to share it as well: Photo credit: here. http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/12/09/american-automaker-bailout/ Have you run a bad business?   A business that has failed to cater to the market's needs?  A business that has continued to sell bad, unreliable products?  A business that should be filing Chapter 11?  A business that is utterly inefficient, plagued by unions and bureaucracy, and completely inferior to ... http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/12/08/got-a-bad-business-its-ok/ I just got a new Macbook Pro.  Wow. The packaging is unbelievable.  Seriously.  I wanted to cry when I was opening the box.  The computer is just sitting there waiting for you, even staring at you with its puppy dog face.  It was one of the happiest moments of my life. And ... http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/11/26/new-macbook-pro-computer-nirvana/ I would estimate between 5,000 and 10,000 people were grouped around the steps of City Hall, listening to stories, hoping for change, and believing that Gays will have equal rights soon.  I was utterly touched by my experience today.  I laughed at a few signs like the following: I was sapping ... http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/11/15/san-francisco-prop-8-protest-the-fight-for-love/ There's a nation-wide Prop 8 protest this Saturday.  Find the protest nearest you by reading this.  I'll probably post photos from the SF protest, which is at 10:30am in front of city hall. Peace and love. http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/11/13/prop-8-protest/ I love Keith Olbermann.  As a friend has said, "He is fearlessly confident to speak his opinion."  Not to mention he and I have similar political views.  Please watch this six-minute video of Keith Olbermann on Prop 8.  He talks not of politics and religion but of love. http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/11/11/keith-olbermann-on-prop-8/ Today is a sad day.  Today marks the end of an era for me, an era of rack-mount computers, data centers, nerdom, and fantisticism.  Nearly 18 months ago, some friends and I installed a 1U rack-mount in a Seattle data center.  I had purchased the machine thinking my social network ... http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/11/11/lessons-in-hosting/