dan flies

I got this surprising email in my inbox this morning:

Hi Dan,

I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has been short-listed for inclusion in the third edition of our Schmap Minneapolis Guide, to be published later this month.

www.schmap.com/shortlist/p=71896257N00/c=SE20411056

Clicking this link will take you to a page where you can:
i) See which of your photos has been short-listed.
ii) Submit or withdraw your photo from our final selection phase.
iii) Learn how we credit photos in our Schmap Guides.
iv) Browse online or download the second edition of our Schmap Minneapolis Guide.

While we offer no payment for publication, many photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.

Our submission deadline is Sunday, September 16. If you happen to be reading this message after this date, please still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are updated frequently – photos submitted after this deadline will be considered for later releases).

Best regards,

Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

So I followed the link, read the terms and conditions and submitted the photo. I’m not sure if they’re actually going to use it but it was nice to see a random appreciation of the photos. It caps a week of comments and contact submissions from random people on Flickr. It is a good feeling to know that someone likes what you’re doing.

The drive to Des Moines is painful, especially after a week of vacation.

Last week, as you can see I was in Baltimore to visit my sister. The rest of the week was spent at Agile 2007 in Washington, DC. It was another great conference. I went to the conference knowing that there was no space for me to volunteer or for admission as attendee. This was confirmed when I emailed the volunteer chair. Since everything was lined, but I decided to go to DC anyway.

Monday is always a slow day at the conference, and I had some work to do so I spent most of the day in my hotel room. Even though I was not a conference attendee I could partake in the ad hoc evening events (where you really learn what’s going on). On my way to the conference hotel I ran into the volunteer chair. After brief hellos, there was a space available and I was in the conference. My patience was rewarded!

Over the next three days I attended a few sessions, but spent most of my time participating in the Conference-within-a-conference aka CWAC. It is the Open Space part of the conference. The best discussions from sessions, late-night ramblings, and side topics from other Open Space discussions.

Again, similar to last year. I have a strong desire to leave my current position and totally nerd-out in a new Agile position. But what it really means is that I need to get back in to flexing my technical skills. So stay tuned to this space and hopefully I can do a better job or getting my skills back. (Unlike the post from last year).

Another back to work image

Summertime in Baltimore. My sister and I went out to a real crab shack for dinner. They laid out a big piece of paper dumped a half-dozen crab out on the table with a hammer and a knife. We were both pretty clueless on the best method to get our meat but we beat them into submission.

You can see my new O’s hat I got near Camden Yards. We were hoping to get tickets to the game, but it was completely sold out. There were thousands of Red Sox fans out for the game. I probably saw more BoSox fans than O’s-fans.

I’m now in Baltimore to kick off my vacation tonight. I’m the City Cafe down the street from my sister’s apartment. It has been a crazy couple of days, but I hope I can start relaxing soon. Vacations are few and far between, so hopefully I can make the most of it. I do have a back up vacation the first week of October, which should be closer to home.

We are asking that ALL partners and employees based in Minneapolis check in:

After Katrina, my employer sent everyone laminated check in cards. They have had a national check-in system for some time. I took the understood the value and kept it in my wallet, but I never thought I’d have to use it.

Then the bridge I used to drive everyday, twice a day collapsed. I check in with my brother and father and everyone was OK. Sarah is in Baltimore, so every one was accounted for. And really knowing where everyone works and lives, I wasn’t too worried. That is the great thing about having a predictable, reliable brother. Of course they can’t say that about me. So I made the calls. “I’m safe in downtown Des Moines.”

It is a terrible tragedy, I can only hope the best for all Twin Citizens, in the coming days and months as we figure out why and try to rebuild a main artery.

4 dead, 79 injured, 20 missing as recovery efforts continue

Hardy and I made another visit to the Como Zoo Conservatory Wednesday night. They opened gardens to photographers and artists to use tripods to photograph the summer flowers.

It was kind of disapointing, many of the summer flowers were beginning to wilt. The roses had considerable damage. That said, there were still a few gems that were able to find. I’ve posted a couple on Flicker.

I’ve also posted some fireworks pictures from the Taste of Minnesota fireworks display on Independence Day. Some cool bursts over the crowd, with some passing cars providing ground level “displays”.

I hope you enjoy.

Really all I need in an ’08 candidate is 1) an person that will flow the Constitution and a the laws of the United States 2) hires staff and desires a culture of competence, not loyalty in the government.

Eight, even four years ago I didn’t think it s was a lot to ask for, but as we have found out the ability to do your job in the upper levels of the federal government does not matter.

Political Hiring in Justice Division Probed – washingtonpost.com

Bush’s signing statement spree

Letters Show Deep Value Giuliani Puts on Loyalty

Killing Habeas Corpus

Is Ron Paul the answer?

The 50 Who Matter Now – Agile Software Development (33) – Business 2.0Why it matters: It started as a rebellion against overwrought, Dilbert-style software development projects. Today the set of practices known as agile software development is reshaping the way coders and entrepreneurs create Web-based services.

Agile teams work very quickly — sometimes in as little as a week — to create small chunks of code. Once a component is finished, additional features are added, with the process repeating indefinitely. Agile also has a reputation for enabling managers to deliver products on time and under budget, which helps explain why it has become a methodology of choice at companies like Google and Lockheed Martin.

You’re damn right. Agile is gaining some notiriety. Now if I can only get my bosses to notice I could make some progress. Any way, get your tickets for Agile 2007 in D.C. I’m going.

A Slate article about how corporate culture is still rooted in Benedictine traditions. But the thing I noticed was his commentary on how Britain and America bet on roads and France bet on trains.

Years ago, the French made a bet on railways and went about building high-speed lines across France. They have won the argument: Britain and the United States look backward by comparison. The transportation legacy of Margaret Thatcher was miles of new roads and nothing but more traffic and pollution. Her wish on her first day in office in 1979 was to bring harmony where there was discord. On London streets and on British highways, you can now come across drivers who not only look as if they want to kill you, they drive as if they are trying to kill you.

What a terrific weekend on Lake Okabena in Worthington, MN. I took a few photos and posted them on Flickr. Dan Norman was the official photographer of the event since 2005, more photos should go up on danorm.com soon.

Visit the regatta’s web page at worthingtonwindsurfing.com.