Python class rattling around
Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2007-08-16 20:51:11 - Graham Ellis"Occupany Limit 230" says the room that I'm running my Python training course - for 8 delegates - in at the Watervliet Arsenal near Albany, New York State this week. Watervliet is being "demilitarised", which means that there's a whole lot of commercial companies - including the one I'm teaching - based there, but it's still very much a military based and I'm labelled with a bright yellow badge that says "Foreign National - Escort required", and the whole place is in a high wire fence with ladies and gents in full military fatigues all around.
Building 25 was built the best part of a century ago, and the conference room proudly boasts a picture of it in early days, standing beside the Erie Canal which is now a parking lot. Otherwise the room is glum - deep purple walls, and of course the obligatory Amereican flag on a golden floor stand near the podium. Power is provided around the edge of the room only, which means that my class of 8 is arranged, U shaped and as far flung from me at the front as is possible, and I'm able to keep fit AND provide the class by walking around to see each of them during the practical sessions.
Tom, on my course on day four of four, wonders that I haven't lost my voice - nah - I can keep going for six days if I have to and indeed there is some form of maveric enjoyment in using the extra space as a stage "in the round" and putting on what is probably a unique performance. Exhausting ... but fun. I'm going to sleep well tonight on our last night in Troy, but contented at a course well given and well received. The environment - any environment - can be turned to advantageous use. And I love doing so where I've got a bunch of interested delegates who have brought along their own data and programs and want to do some really practical learning.