Software Engineer at JPMorganChase, DEFNA Director, PSF Contributing Member, DSF Individual Member, DjangoCon US Volunteer

Last Notes

Here's my PSA. A friend was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. Skin cancer screenings would have prevented it. I did one this week for the first time. I had to seek it out myself. I had one suspicious spot that was biopsied and benign. Consider doing one just in case.

2026-08-30 01:28:29 UTC

I have watched nearly all of DjangoCon US online. A moment happened during Day 3 lightning talks that was very meaningful. The longtime conference photographer Bartek Pawlik did a lightning talk of photos from DjangoCon. If you <3 this conference, it is a must-watch.
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/117/181/861/585/233/192/original/85fa26820a70b114.png

2026-08-09 17:52:56 UTC

The Python documentary inspired Guido to interview some of the key Python developers from the past 25 years who weren't mentioned in the film. This page also includes a link to a detailed historical interview Guido did. https://gvanrossum.github.io/interviews/index.html

2026-07-29 22:16:53 UTC

It's an honor to be the Django Software Foundation Member of the Month. Thank you for inviting me to do this fun interview! https://www.djangoproject.com/weblog/2026/jul/29/dsf-member-of-the-month-katherine-michel/

2026-07-19 17:10:25 UTC

My PyCon US 2026 Recap is live. The conference was an absolute blast, and I am still taking away new learning. Thank you to everyone who made it happen. I can't wait for next year! https://katherinemichel.github.io/blog/conferences/pycon-us-2026-recap.html
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/947/748/368/649/217/original/9e159e20503704b0.jpeg

2026-05-03 17:43:49 UTC

My Southwest Headquarters Tour blog post is at #3 on Hacker News and going up in points. Take a look if you are interested in a cool experience. :) https://news.ycombinator.com/
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/511/881/768/856/281/original/1b32cd5e324786f5.png

2025-12-10 04:45:42 UTC

Compilers were the real revolution, not AI, says Linus. Likes it for maintaining code, not so much writing code. Plus, how he manages Linux these days. https://www.zdnet.com/article/linus-torvalds-ai-tool-maintaining-linux-code/

2025-11-20 03:14:51 UTC

After ~8 years on the DEFNA Board, I stepped down earlier this year. What a nice surprise to stumble across this thank you from the board this week! ❤️ https://www.defna.org/defna-board-member-update-july

2025-10-07 21:50:58 UTC

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@nprofile…g2vu @nprofile…6zgt @nprofile…fpsy @nprofile…76tj @nprofile…fsjf That looks so good!

2025-05-01 01:52:21 UTC

DjangoCon US CfP closes in four days, and we would love to have your talk proposal. If you are looking for ideas, I've written up a list of talks I'd love to see. 😍 🐍 https://katherinemichel.github.io/portfolio/djangocon-us-2025-topics-inspiration-list.html

2025-01-06 00:15:58 UTC

I've walked past this deserted alcove at Dallas Love Field Airport a number of times and only recently realized its significance. It overlooks the site where Air Force One was parked when LBJ took the oath of office after JFK was assassinated. On the wall is a replica of a bronze plaque embedded in the taxiway at that spot. I'll stop again sometime when it is light out to see the real plaque.
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/113/778/527/845/201/613/original/3f31b68613f17b24.jpeg
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/113/778/527/841/373/302/original/0f9e7de1d32e26bc.jpeg
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/113/778/527/837/991/925/original/13b9a1ce6ef0260c.jpeg

2024-09-01 13:25:14 UTC

"Custom user models are a complexity tax that most projects simply do not need. We should deemphasise them, and get rid of that." A spicy take yesterday from former Django Fellow Carlton Gibson. William Vincent will also be giving a talk on the subject at DjangoCon US in a few weeks. 🐍 🌶 https://buttondown.com/carlton/archive/evolving-djangos-authuser/

2024-03-03 17:19:45 UTC

Great news. The DjangoCon US CfP is open! I've written up a list of topics I'd love to hear more about as inspiration. 👀 Whether you are a first-time speaker or seasoned veteran, we'd love to see your proposal. 🐍 https://katherinemichel.github.io/portfolio/djangocon-us-2024-topics-inspiration-list.html