This weekend was interesting.. it was osha Hashanah with beautiful gaff days and hard frosts at night. It was also http://hackmit.org . 

HackMIT is the worlds largest student-run hackathon. Usually it’s an in-person event at mint with about 100 students.. about half from MIT and half flown in from all over the world. ‘ve been there in person for the last 2 years. (see http://johncohn.org/base/2019/09/14/saturday-night-delayed-hackmit/  or http://johncohn.org/base/2018/09/16/sunday-night-post-hack/

This year.. HackMIT was virtual.. like everything else. There were 1900 students signed up and I was part of 2 sponsor challenges, one panel and was one of the three main judges of the event.. it was really well done.. We did all our mentoring remotely via zoom or google meetup



all the talks were recorded.. and all the judging was done remotely.. 
tat meant no 3 AM pizza parties, bowls of candy.. all night Mountain Dew .. No kids sleeping at their tables.. and now huge crew of new and old friends hanging out.. 

I was very happy with the technical work I  saw.. and loved talking to the students..

It was almost like being there…

emphasis on ‘almost’

this covid stuff is tough on us extroverts

nite all, nite sam

-me

Today is Rosh Hashanah… The Jewish new year. By the Jewish calendar it is the year 5781… last year is definitely one for the record books. The new year gives us a chance to start over… To make intentions. I am hoping that others good intentions play out. It’s pretty interesting that Ruth Bader Ginsberg… Arguably the Jewish person with the highest rank in government in United States history with diet this time.… My thoughts are with her and her family. I’m hoping her spirit and values Ignite hope and determination and the rest of us.

They do with me

May we all be inscribed in the book of life this year…

I hope it’s a good book

Nite all , nite Sam

Tonight starts the period of the Jewish new year.. tonight specially is Erev Rosh Hashana.. literally New Years eve .. Its been a crazy year.. lots of trouble and strife.. (just read about RBG .. what a great lady). Tonight and tomorrow are a good time to set our intentions for the new year.. let’s work hard to make it a good and sweet year.. G-d knows we could use one..

שנה טובה!

nite all,. nite sam

-me

Wait a nice end of week socially distant dinner with our friends Deb and Ian. Ian lives in Ottawa but he’s down visiting his mom. He had to go through all sorts of quarantine to get across the border. Deb made a fabulous dinner that went very well for the wonderful sunset behind Ian

Nite all, nite sam

-me