Random thought — in my last post I mentioned being in Boston to meet with “some journalists,” as if I wasn’t a journalist myself.
True, I’m not working as a journalist these days, but I prefer to think of myself as a “non-practicing journalist” rather than a “former journalist.” I tend to think that being a journalist is not just a job, but something that a person is as opposed to something that one does. Maybe that’s giving too much credit to the practice, but I think being a real journalist is a way of thinking as much as it’s a way of working.
I could digress here on a long discussion about the differences between being a blogger and a journalist, and why the whole “blogging vs. journalism” thing is a bogus distinction, but no time this morning. Feel free to discuss, though. 
Headed up to Boston yestereday for meetings at the Waltham office and with a few journalists. This makes for three weeks away from home with a weekend at home in-between. With this much travel, you’d think I’d be better at packing… I can’t help it, though — I tend to pack for every contingency. (Hey, I might need this bandsaw while I’m away!)
With any luck, and if the travel gods are smiling on me, I might be able to get my flight changed to leave Thursday night instead of Friday night.
Also hope to have a little time to poke around Boston while here — I’ve been to Boston several times since January this year, but haven’t actually had a chance to do anything except fly in, check in, do meetings, and fly back out. Which is a shame, because Boston does have quite a bit to do and see.
I’ve identified a serious defect in going to conferences like OSCON, and it’s this: You spend two weeks pre-connecting with people you only get to see at conferences, making plans to have detailed discussions and/or generally enjoying the company of said people who you see only rarely. The actual week of the show, you only get to have rushed conversations, and then vow to catch up later. Well, the next week after the conference is too busy and then things get pushed aside… and eventually, you’re back in the pre-confernence mode planning to talk to people.
OK, I’m exaggerating, but by just a little. I enjoyed being at OSCON last week, and enjoyed having the chance to catch up with many of the people who I only see every few months — but never really had the time to hunker down and have a good conversation that wasn’t rushed.
Still — it was good to see everybody. I hear the actual conference was great — I didn’t actually get to attend any sessions where I wasn’t speaking or moderating, but I heard great things, and the exhibit floor had some fun stuff. The people, however, are what make OSCON a great show — and this year’s was no exception.
Been watching The West Wing again, and the repeated references to Roll Call caught my interest. I was thinking about subscribing to Roll Call until I noticed that the print subscription is $455 and the online-only subscription is $285 for a year. If I had time to read it cover-to-cover every day, I might consider that worthwhile, but seeing as I would probably only find time to skim it daily (if that) maybe a bit overblown.
Still, I’d like to find a site or news source that’s similar in depth and that isn’t right- or left-wing. Any suggestions?