Its been an odd week - mainly quiet, generally not interesting at all. The GNOME Foundation stuff became yesterday's news, which was a good thing. The Board spoke of it yesterday, but the minutes aren't out yet. I'm certain I'm not going back though. Work has been odd - again its a lull, so its misleading. A noteworthy purchase on Saturday of a seriously comprehensive treatise on Bristol's history, which should keep me employed for a while. Elsewhere in the world, news which would otherwise be fantastic is disappointing. Its hard to understand I suppose - but falling short of your own expectations is harder than disappointing someone else.
Its very strange to re-read yesterdays positive entry after today's events. I woke up pretty determined to use the energy of last evenings IRC debacle positively. However, on logging in I discovered a mailbox full of the most ill-informed, offensive and generally just stupid crap. Amusingly, much of it was not from GNOME Foundation members. Disappointingly one message was actually from a Board Member (albeit cast as a 'personal view'). After some coffee and some pondering I decided I'd had enough. I also wanted the Board to do something to save the Committee and help them to make some sensible guidelines. I mailed a comprehensive resignation letter and did the administrative stuff necessary to remove myself. Pretty immediately things got crazy. Friends woke up and went into bat on my behalf (which was very reassuring - and I feel priviledged to know such good folks). Discussion began, and lasted for much of the day. I was planning to disappear for a while, but ended up sticking around and responding to the huge volume of mail. I wrote a small FAQ to address the flames. Its been a very odd day. I think it's going to be quieter now, but I think some good things have been achieved as a result of today.
Empty trays and a bit of a lull indicate a good time for a couple of days off. So I have some spare time tomorrow and on Friday, which feels luxurious right now. What could have been the 'Night of the Long Knives' for the Memebership Committee on #gnome becomes (after a long, hard struggle against flameage) a reasonably positive experience. Could not have made it without the support of some old friends however, for which I'm grateful. Inevitably I'm questioning my contribution - but like I said - I think we do the best we can with what we have, basing decisions on a somewhat open policy, along with prior decisions. As for how often we get it wrong, that would depend on one's view on personal responsibility and accountability I suppose. Overall, its been a troubling and tiring night - and I just hope people understand I'm not really a perl script. Much progress on literary projects too, which also provides some encouragement.
Straight to Bristol for peace vigil/anti-war demo after work. Very well attended, with press, TV and radio interest. Happy hour waving placards and receiving hoots from passing motorists. Impromptu dinner and nice chat, which was pleasant (if pretty fast!). To Colston Hall to attend what Tony Benn prefers to call a 'Public Meeting' - half rumination on power, responsibility and memoir, and half a question and answer session with the audience. Both entertaining and inspiring. There is, after all, work to be done.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
