Fear and Loathing in Chicago... CDI Update.

OK, So maybe I'm not Hunter S Thompson. But heres the latest saga of the conference. Since this is the Uncle Mikey free press, I guess none of this will make the *offical* web site detailing the conference. Thank god, cause I know that someone in the future *will* hold this against me. It is almost 3:00am CST. So here is another posting for your amusement. I guess that those who don't have a sense of humor have already hit the delete key by now. This morning / yesterday morning, I blew off the keynote speaker. Hey, I've seen Phil speak and while he's a great guy, he probably wants me tar and feathered by now. Instead, I went for a quick 20 mile ride and made *freinds* with some of Chicago's finest. Boy, one comment about working off those donuts and they get pissed. At least I can now say two things. 1) I was chased by at least 40 cops and got away. [Not that they were trying ;-] 2) I fought the law and I won. Anyways, enough about me. As Nick says, the IUG is moving forward. I think that its proof positive that there is a loyal user community even though some of us are critical of Informix and want to see better products. (Heck I'm a stock holder and better products means more sales. ....) The focus of today was Nyles trying to determine if New Era is really dead. I didn't get a chance to catch up with him but he was in hot pursuit of this topic. The sessions were cut and dry. Not to say they were bad, but if you have been to one conference, you know what they are like. To get the most information, you need to corner the techies and force massive amounts of drinks and question the death out of them. (Hmmm, maybe that's why they miss the parties. ;-) OK, speaking of parties, lets get on the good stuff. They were held at the Hyatt and were fun. Especially the IUG party. This roving reporter managed to crash a few of the others and they were fun, but of the parties at the Hyatt, IUG was the best. Just ask Clem about the sushi. Of course there was a lot of talk about some woman in red, but maybe someone else could post about that. ;-) Off site parties were the European party and the Latin America Party. Now for those who were at last year's conference, the Latin American Party was definately the best. This year the party was held at Excalibur. (Sniff, I didn't get invited, nor did I have the time to crash it. No hablol espanol. nor can I spell. :-( The european party was held at Drink. Now it just so happens that it's like 3 blocks from home and I *happen* to hold a vip card. (I sometimes stop in for a drink and a smoke.) Definately a good choice for location. Lots of people. Definately a nice crowd. Only thing strange was that there was some chick who acted like she was on acid and kept insisting that I get a tatoo. Phil White was seen, and the question of the day is did he get a tatoo and if so, what was it? I and another local freind who shall remain nameless, (He just happens to run the local user group's home page. So hit it!), went off to a local joint we affectionally call home. Chez Iggy. For those who are at the conference and will be in town Friday, head there. Just get there before 10:00 because there is a crowd on Fridays. Its a quaint little bar which serves great food. Just tell them Mikey sent you. Better yet don't. They might take you around to the side and beat you up. ;-) [Iggy's 700 N. Milwaulkee Ave. About 1 mike from Drink] Yet, I digress. After leaving this bar, I was walking home and I saw this group of insane people just leaving Drink. I was kidnapped and forced to join them at Kingston Mines. (A local Blues club.) Damn, these Informix people just keep going and going.... No wunder Informix is outselling Sybase. I left early but I am sure that there will be a few who will close the place. [I'm too old and fragile.] To be completely honnest, most of the important stuff goes on in the evening. Tomorrow Nite, or really tonight, is the Informix Party. So stay tuned. Same time, Same bat channel. -Mike