Hardly was I home after a snow-extended stay in Copenhagen
(ironically, caused by less snow at Heathrow than fell on my last
night in Denmark) before the phone rang and THE question was asked.
None of the niceties like "Did you have a good journey?", "Was it
an inspiring conference?" or even "Was Brett Gonzales there again
this year?" but straight to the point. "What did you bring me home
from EuroSTAR, Daddy?" My children are well into their 20's, but
still expect presents from EuroSTAR - my fault for getting them
used to it.
In previous years, I could get away with mugs, pens, squeeze
balls or Post-It pads. One was given a thick testing tome, to be
used as a prized door-stop in a shared house (the right weight and
with appropriate gravitas). However, since the family meal out when
my wife returned from a bathroom visit to find us all changed into
Testing T-shirts, fashion accessories are preferred. Items bearing
a testing reference are the new 'must have' items of apparel. They
all have "I'm Quality" hats from several years ago!
In 2010 I managed to secure three conference shirts - it took
many loaded coffee trays delivered to the registration desk to
obtain these valuable items. They were duly wrapped in festive
paper and presented to wife, sister and daughter on Christmas day,
amid disappointed howls from my boys asking where their equivalent
items were.
EuroSTAR 2011 has a competition for the best freebies: "ExpoSTAR
- The search for 2011's best expo giveaway!", so promises to be a
rich hunting ground for parents wanting that extra special testing
gift. The competition closes on April 22nd, and
there are already some imaginative items that a testing
bounty-hunter could return with. Testing pyjamas and matching
hot-water bottle is an obvious example of what could be a much
sought-after souvenir from Manchester in November.
I am travelling to EuroSTAR 2011 by car, travelling alone and
with several empty cases with me. It is the only way I can be sure
of carrying all the goods home. When the children ask THE question
at the end of November 2011, they will not be disappointed!
Peter Morgan is a freelance software testing professional who
has a long, wide
ranging career encompassing all
aspects of the Software Development Life Cycle. You can access his
personal website here.
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