It’s been almost two years since my last blog. A lot has happened in that time so I wanted to do a status update – No I’m not dead yet!.
The thing that has taken the most time has been starting the Melbourne Java and JVM users group, affectionately known as MelbJVM.
The group has grown from 14 people in our first meeting in March 2012 to over 500 members today with regular sponsors, venues. We’ve had both international and local speakers, partnered events with other tech communities, and hosted workshops. There is now an organising committee to help drive things as well. Â I have to say doing something for the community through MelbJVM has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I’d encourage anyone reading this with an inkling for wanting to help any community, do it, you won’t look back!
2013 was a great year personally as well
This happened
That happened
and then happened again the next day
These trips happened
 
 
 
 
as well as a massive conference trip in September
These gigs happened:
- Puscifer
- A Perfect Circle / Kyuss / Slayer at Soundwave
- Tool on my birthday weekend (refer to photo above)
- Black Sabbath in Melbourne
- Deftones / Tool / Black Sabbath at Ozzfest Japan
 
- Karnivool
I also had the pleasure of being Best Man at this event
Other than that, long time friends have had babies or gotten married or engaged and we couldn’t be happier for them.
Here’s to a prosperous 2014 everyone!
(2013 will go down for me as a great year and one that sets the bar high)
Well you do a cracking good job at the JVM meetups.