Derek Beatty's Moment

The first DAC I attended, the 25th DAC in Anaheim, was my most memorable, not simply for being first. Perhaps most notable was a total budget of $500, including my flight from Pittsburgh. As a grad student planning my wedding later in the summer, I couldn't afford to exceed this. I felt better after being introduced to John Darringer, staying at the same frugal hotel. Dipping into my pocket by only 5 or 6 dollars, I actually came out ahead after adding my share of a best-paper award! 25 years later, both marriage and interest in EDA are still going strong, so DAC is only the 2nd-best thing for me from that summer.