As many of you know, PLY was originally developed more than 10 years ago when I decided to use Python in the "Intro to Compilers" course I taught at the University of Chicago. In that course, we wrote a full-fledged compiler that converted a simple programming language to executable machine code. I've long since left the university, but have recently decided to offer a compiler implementation workshop here in Chicago. In a nutshell, it's a group of six programmers in a room who will spend four days working on a similar project while loading up on an insane amount of coffee. If you're interested in PLY, or compilers, or a programming challenge involving a lot of moving parts and a lot of advanced Python, you might find it interesting. More details at:
http://www.dabeaz.com/chicago/compiler.html
In the interest of full disclosure, preparing this workshop has been a huge amount of fun ;-).
Cheers,
Dave