I'm on the Chrome team at Google, working on tools to help improve developer productivity and satisfaction.
My personal projects include TodoMVC, which helps developers compare JavaScript MVC frameworks and AuraJS. I've also written 'Developing Backbone.js Applications' and 'Learning JavaScript Design Patterns'.
First do it, then do it right, then do it better. This is one fundamental I always keep in mind when developing anything.
If you're a developer wishing to learn something new, regardless of skill-level, remember that as important as it is to read, it's equally as important to get out there and *do*.
Create a new gist or fiddle, pop open the console and experiment. It's effing fun.
I feel honored to have quite a few friends involved in OSS, many of who are spread across the world but remain active and passionate at what they do. Thanks to my wife, family and the OT-crew for being ah-mazing.