Justice asked a bunch of us to write a treasured memory that we have of Donald Belcham as a birthday tribute to Don. I am in a bit of a blogging slump so I figured I would oblige his request.

My memory is from DevTeach Vancouver last year. It all started at the Party with Palermo. Donald started the night off having a great conversation with a bunch of us about the merits of TDD and how it relates to life, the universe and everything.

Then someone told him that the booze was free.

Donald proceeded to order the finest scotch available in the bar. For those that don't know him Scotch to Donald is like Beer to Bender. Donald was ok but then Jeffery Palermo announced that booze would only be free for the next 5 minutes.

I was standing at the bar when the announcement was made and I heard Donald yell "LETS DO SHOTS!!!". Luckily Donald kept it classy and suggested that everyone do Prairie Fires (tequila and Tabasco). Knowing the dangers that Prairie Fires can bring, I tried to convince Donald that he should do something less harsh like Whiskey.

After 10 Prairie Fires everyone was amazed that Donald had proceeded to keep them down and we went for more drinks at The Earls on Robson Street. After 10 minutes I look over at down who is slumped over and hiccupping. 10 more minutes pass and Donald's cheeks are full with a finger holding in the gray liquid that eventually shot out into D'Arcy Lussier's hot chocolate (that whole sentence just sounded wrong).

The next day Donald was scheduled to present and he lays out a great metaphor which to me, is pure Donald Belcham:

"A development shop without Cruise Control and NAnt is like having too many prairie fires here at DevTeach. Everything looks ok on the outside but sooner or later things are going to blow up."

PHENOMINAL!

If this blows your mind, make sure to check out Donald at this year's DevTeach Toronto. He will be presenting not one, count em 4 different presentations all likely to be fuelled by prairie fires and scotch.