Railsconf is the annual conference for Ruby on Rails, the web-developmet framework.  This year it was in Baltimore.  Stephie and Chanhassen and I went and stayed with friends in Frederick, Maryland.

What I got out of it: An excitement for my job, and for Rails 3.  Some knowledge as a software engineer.  And confidence that I can offer mobile apps along with web apps.

An observation:  I love how male-saturated my field is.  Railsconf had to be 96%+ men.  I love it because I can freely work with, talk to, collaborate with men.  Women outght to dive into web-development.  But I can work more intimately with men than women so I love having tons of men around to work with.

Touring afterwards

After Robert Martin's keynote, we toured Baltimore.  Highlight: the USS Constellation in Baltimore's harbor.  I am such a softie for sailboats.

Washington DC

Visited some cousins with a 1-year old daughter.  Went into the capital.  My impression:  I am very deterred by how pomp and self-glorying DC is.  Do not elect me President or Dictator, because I would cut the entire Federal Government down to just 2 or 3 buildings and the N Virginia and S Maryland unemployment would be 30%+ for a decade.

Summary

I would definitely go to Railsconf again, especially if it's in a good location.

I am in such an amazing profression, am glad to have found it, and am thankful at all the knowledge and open-source tools that are so freely shared.