2006 June

Day before yesterday at Bloggercon two “blogosphere” stories were told by two people I consider friends. The stories were personal and both were about the death in each of their immediate families. These two friends are, of course, bloggers. They told of how they turned to their writing to help them cope through such difficult times in life.  

I guess that has made me think doubly about why I read these friends blog posts but didn't write about it in my own. I've decided to write about my friend Joz's ordeal at her request.

Here's what has happened…

Today my friend Joz sent me an email asking for support, prayers and/or good thoughts as she and her family deal with a stroke her father has suffered. Joz is a wonderful friend. I am sad to hear she's going through such a rough time. Since I am far away I will extend my love and friendship across to her through the blogosphere - I hope you will too.

Joz - know that you are loved and supported. No matter what comes next you have lots of friends and family to help you get through good or bad. We will hope for all the best friend.

Wow, what a day. I can feel the love in the room.

 ”It's better to be the dumbest one in the room than the smartest.”

(Told to me by a true Matriarch who touches my life from time to time.)

Today I feel privileged to be in that position. The bloggercon people are people I truly feel a connection to. There hasn't been one who has made me feel like my questions were “dumb” - even when they were.

Thank you - to all the developers who listened!

I'm at Dave Winer's Bloggercon. This is the first time I've been to a “user” conference that has no sponsors/vendors. The topics are on the “user” - what tools they/we use and lots of “how to” Dave said he thinks of Gnomedex, Blogher and Vloggercon as sister conferences. That was really nice to hear! All these conferences are in the same mindframe of focusing all our attentions on the attendee. I too think of these conferences as family.

Chris and I go to lots of conferences -mainly techy. This is refreshing. The feel of it reminds me a bit of Blogher. All inclusive is the theme and it's totally doable with such a small crowd. People are sharing the tools they use for blogging, searching, posting and reference. Doc Searls is the “ss” (Slave Stenographer) this is definitely worth your time - check it out.

Senator John Edwards - yes, that Edwards- democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004. 

A potential democratic candidate for  the 2008 presidential election… if you ask me.

 Hope to see you there too!

Chris and I do listen to what you say. After Gnomedex last year, we heard that people continued the conversations from the conference center into dinner and cocktails at various local establishments. We decided (right then and there) we would try to incorporate that into Gnomedex 6.0 . This year, we have been working our fannies off for the networking parties!

Thursday night, like last year, we are having early registration and a mixer at the Odyssey Maritime museum. There will be cocktails and food. It's a chance to see where the conference center is and get to know the other attendees before Gnomedex gets into full swing.

Friday, we are having a party at The Museum of Flight - in The personal Courage Wing. Could there be a better spot to have conversations about technology, innovation, and talk of what is to come on Saturday's event? The Personal Courage Wing will put us in the midst of personal stories of the innovative thinkers from the past. Poetically, this is perfect because that's who the Gnomedex attendee is - an innovative thinker for tomorrow (living today). We are still in need of sponsorship for this party - as no company has yet stepped up to the plate to help make this happen (so we're having to fund this night out of our own pocket).

Saturday, the party is at The Experience Music Project and The Science Fiction Museum . And my personal favorite treat - Doubletake -  an art exhibit, on display at EMP. Here's an excerpt of their discription. “These pairings include Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works from masters such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Dégas and Vincent van Gogh with modern and contemporary works from such artists as Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein. We believe that these comparisons will give Impressionism a new context for modern audiences, resurrecting the power of the artists’ rebellious intent. ” In case you didn't know, Gnomedexers are the avant-garde.

Last year, we were no less than “the lunatic fringe.” From my standpoint, Gnomedexers are free thinkers - artists who use technology as their brush with the Internet as their canvas - Woodstock, geek-style.  Don't underestimate this group's intellectual powers or their business prowess.

At Gnomedex 4.0, there were conversations about a new technology called “podcasting” and debate surrounding RSS and its debut to the mainstream world. Look at the attendee list from 4.0 and the businesses that grew from those names.  

At Gnomedex 5.0. some of last year's new technology was ready to go mainstream - and Microsoft announced implementing RSS in IE. Adam Curry talked about taking our media back and has since taken mainstream media by storm with Podshow and his many new ventures that are changing traditional advertising.  Dave Winer and Steve Gilmor are always at the front of the tech curve, too - as has been the case with Attention and OPML.

Bottom line, people: When Gnomedexers talk you'd be wise to listen; when they debate, you'd be wise to record it and listen twice; and if you are lucky enough to be in the same room with them… hey, you just bought a seat at the Algonquin Round Table, now - didn't you? Only a few more main hall seats are left - and Cove passes will soon be available at the same price, so don't hesitate a moment longer.