“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America (Courtesy of Goodreads)

With winter comes reflection, TC Camp and Chapter elections!

Chapter Elections. If you are an EBSTC Chapter member in good standing, even if you have yet to register for 2018, you should have received a ballot to vote for chapter officers. If you have not received a ballot, please request one from Richard Mateosian (xrmxrm@gmail.com). Please return your ballot to Richard by December 31!

TC Camp. TC Camp is a fun, educational, technical writing experience. If you haven’t registered (or don’t know what it is), I strongly urge you to check it out. TC Camp 2018 happens in Santa Clara on Jan. 26-27. Friday will be the pre-Camp API workshop* (Peter Gruenbaum), and Saturday will be workshops** in the morning with the “unconference” in the afternoon. This is a great opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and have fun! There will also be a job board this year. Volunteers and sponsors are also welcome. Find more information, and register at TC Camp 2018.

Reflection. Winter feels like a natural time for personal reflection. How best can I direct my energies next year? Shall I go in a new direction or continue as I am, but with more breadth or depth? What skills or knowledge do I need (or want) to gain in the coming months? “…if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours,” (Thoreau, Walden, The Literature Page, 20 Dec 2017).

I wish you a very Happy New Year!

— Gale Naylor

* Documenting RESTful APIs Using Swagger and the Open API Specification, given by Peter Gruenbaum.

** Workshops on Minimalism, Chatbots, and WordPress/SEO, and Adobe’s Ambassador workshop