360Flex – The Speakers

I was up in Seattle doing some work in the first Starbucks ever. I had a tight deadline writing some copy for the J Peterman catalog.

I’m working on the quilted chambray nightshirts copy when who should strut through the door, but Ryan Freakin’ Stewart! (Ryan doesn’t walk, or run, or skip, he struts)

RFS: You John! Good to see you, what’re you doing here!?

Me: Hey man! Just doing a little side work. Trying to figure out how wrap up some copy, the catalog goes to press tomorrow.

You excited about 360|Flex? I’m really glad you’re sponsoring, it’s always awesome when folks in the community show their support, it means a lot!

RFS: “The only friend who hasn’t betrayed you. They only friend who won’t be dead by sunrise..” What’s this copy for?

But yeah, it’s great to be able to support you guys! I still remember the first 360|Flex in San Jose, that was bad ass!

Me: So what do you think people who attend your session will be most surprised by/about?

(I glance over and notice Starbucks has started selling what looks like the tops of muffins. How incredibly genius!)

RFS: How well PHP and Adobe’s services interact and how straightforward it is to add a touch of real-time to a Flex application.

Me: Yeah I’ve noticed the real push Adobe is doing into the PHP world. Great job opening that door.

(Ryan notices the muffin tops too, looks at me, gets up and gets in line. There’s always a line at this starbucks, you’d think it was famous or something)

(I go back to work wrapping up my copy for the quilted chambray nightshirts. When did a Kenny Rogers Roasters open on Pike Place?)

(Ryan comes back)

Me: What session are you most excited about, besides your own of course.

RFS: (inbetween bites of his chocolate chocolate chip muffin top) I’m going to come across as a suckup probably, but I have to say my boss, Kevin Hoyt’s session: Flex + Phidgets == Beer. He’s been doing some cool things with hardware and the Flash Platform and it opens up a huge new area for Flash developers to delve in to.

Me: I just can’t wait to have my beer poured by a Flex App! Flex and Hardware is awesome, and not often enough talked about… except of course at 360|Flex. Between, Kevin and Justin Mclean we’ve got Flex and Hardware awesomeness locked up!

What are you most looking forward to at 360|Flex San Jose?

(I get up and change my seat. That red glow from the Kenny Rogers Roaster across Pike is blinding me!!)

RFS: Seeing everyone again. This is far and away the best Flex conference in the world and it brings together the best of our community. Catching up with old friends and making new ones again is always the best part.

Me: Totally agree! About the ‘best conference’ part and the catching up with friends! I can’t wait to see everyone myself! These random meetings are awesome! But I want to see everyone in the same place at the same time!

(A customer walks in, I think he might be wearing a European carry-all)

What would you tell someone that was on the fence about attending 360|Flex, to convince them to come?

RFS: That there is something for everyone. If you’re a new Flex developer it’s a great way to get up to speed. If you’re a veteran then you’ll see people you know and you’ll be able to see what the most cutting edge minds in Flex are doing. If you’re a Flash designer or ColdFusion developer you’ll see how your tools and technologies can interact with the Flex Framework and the developer community.

(I nod.)

Hey, is that guy wearing a purse?

Me: No, I think it’s a European carry-all… no, maybe it is a purse.

(We finish our drinks, and get up to leave)

Hey wanna grab lunch? Isn’t there a pakistani place up the street?

RFS: No, it closed down a few weeks ago.

Me: bummer, was really craving authentic Pakistani food. Oh by the way, Who do you think would win in a fight, Lion Voltron or Vehicle Voltron?

(Ryan types something into his laptop, reads a bit, and turns it around, it’s the wikipedia page

RFS: From the Wikipedia entry: The series, which aired in syndication from September 10, 1984 to November 18, 1985, was originally titledVoltron: Defender of the Universe. So I was 3 years old when it went off TV. But I know who Voltron is sort of. I always liked the green one. What does that mean?

(I shake my head)

Me: It means you’re a freakin kid! I can’t believe how old I feel!!! Serenity now!!! Serenity now!!!

Want to hang out with Ryan and make fun of him for being too young, or commisserate with him in not knowing who Voltron is? Register now for “far and away the best Flex conference in the world”

360Flex – The Speakers – Ryan Stewart