Even With All That Mess

Last Saturday I was at Linux Day, giving a talk about alternatives to Linux, drawing on thirty years of experience. After many years, I met Renzo Davoli again and we had a chat. I felt that old spirit come back. Back home, I kept thinking about that period, about those days. About FreeOSZoo, which I ran with so much passion - the same passion I put into BSD Cafe and illumos Cafe today. And I felt the urge to look back, digging through old emails and old photos. Old texts that could bring old memories back to the surface. Time, as we know, smooths the edges and softens the wrong notes. Until I found this photo. That day. Bologna, 23 November 2003 I’ve just come back from my parents’ place, after a weekend with the family. The train journey was quiet enough, but as usual I stink of the train. I’ll take a shower as soon as I can. One of my flatmates is in the bathroom, getting ready for his guests. I’m not in a hurry. Ugh, though. I won’t get a moment of peace tonight either, and…