April 15, 2008
The Mic Is On: We’re Talking about Things People Do When Spring Comes
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:00 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
Spring Changes Everything — Even US!!
Ever notice how people change when the flowers start coming up? They get nicer, spruce things up, and offer random acts of kindness, play baseball fly kites. What signs of spring have we seen in the people around us? Think of how people respond to
- spring fever
- spring cleaning
- spring fashions
- spring weather
Of course, we’ll talk about everything under the Spring sun as well. And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)
Oh, and bring signs of Spring links to share. Hey it’s better than talking about TAXES!!
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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326 Comments to “The Mic Is On: We’re Talking about Things People Do When Spring Comes”
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Trisha said
Hello!
Marti said
Hello! Happy Spring!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Trisha!
Has the ground gotten ready for the garden yet?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Marti!
Great to see your sunshiny face!
Linda Sherman said
Happy Spring!
Spring is a great time to clean your work area to make space for great things to happen.
Marti said
We just completed a Spring ritual for the last time….daughter went to prom on Saturday. Last child at home, and she graduates next month, so we will not do prom again (she said with mixed emotions)
Trisha said
Its been kind of muddy. I haven’t done a whole lot yet. I really need to get my sunflowers started soon.
ME Liz Strauss said
Clean up my workspace . . .
Hi Linda!
I did that once.
Linda Sherman said
My stepdaughter just did a really good interview on MTV about how to do a cool prom nite event. It’s video so don’t expect you to watch it now - but lots of cool suggestions.
http://www.joonbug.com/emails/zTempImages/press/Update08/mtv/index.html
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh Trisha,
Bet you can’t wait until you can get the garden going.
Marti said
It SNOWED here on Saturday, hardly “prom” weather - LOL! Fortunately she had a velvet jacket to wear over her formal.
I’ve missed you so much, Liz! Hello to Trisha and Linda.
Scot Herrick said
Well, here in Seattle-land, the rainy reputation is in full force — a very late spring. But, it is still snowing in the mountains and that’s good for us since our water comes from there.
Can’t wait to get to sunny Chicago on May 2nd for SOBCon08!! Plane, hotel, and a seat at the Summit is all arranged.
Hope to see many of you there.
ME Liz Strauss said
Marti!
Did you bring pictures??
Linda Sherman said
@Liz Ha! We don’t do it often - but it did make you feel more productive in that clean space, didn’t it?
Marti said
Pictures at Flickr, let me run and get the link…..
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Linda!
Prom video link . . . nice thing to add for spring night!
Linda Sherman said
Hi Marti!
Marti said
Here are pics from prom - all taken at grandma’s.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberpumpkin/sets/72157604531635760/
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Scot!
A spring trip to Chicago to take a blogger boat ride! When do you arrive?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi everyone! I love spring - my “happy” time! Everything comes alive.
Marti said
Thanks for the link, Linda! I’ll check it out later, promise
Linda Sherman said
Here’s the DIGG link for her video if anyone is feeling kindly after seeing it. She really did a good job. If you see what she looks like, you know what my husband looks like. They look like brother and sister when they’re together.
Scot Herrick said
Liz — O’Hare at noon on Friday (leaving 6:10 AM from Seattle — the two hour time difference…). I should be downtown around 2 PM if things go well — and we don’t have spring storms!
Linda Sherman said
Yes Glenda, Spring is a happy time. Of course here in LA, we don’t really get seasons we’re kind of happy all the time. But there is that extra boost from lots of bird chirping.
Kristen King said
Spring is NOT my happy time. My allergies are so bad I can barely leave the house the last week and a half. Ick. So instead I’m cleaning. Woohoo!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Glenda!
I think people come alive in Spring too!
Linda Sherman said
Marti, Caught the flickr pics. Cool.
Marti said
I had to giggle when her date had the tails, top hat, white gloves and cane! They had a blast
Joe said
Hey Liz and all,
I got tiny baby little grass coming up that I seeded last week.
Looks like a crew cut on the dirt, but it is a sure sign of spring.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Kristen,
No allergies in the city. Too much concrete for the trees.
Marti said
Oh Linda, that is one of my favorite things about spring - hearing all of the birds chirping! We live out in the country so it’s very pronounced here.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Kristen, sorry to hear your allergies get so bad. That’s a bummer.
Marti said
Kristen, sorry to hear about the allergies taking away from the joy of springtime
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Yes Liz, Spring is when people shed their winter layers and come alive!
Marti said
Linda, thanks for peaking at the prom pictures. She’d never gone before so it was really special for us. You have kids?
Marti said
Here in tornado alley, we have to start being alert to Mother Nature’s nasty moods. On Monday we got hurricane force winds here - blew out two windows in my house!
Kristen King said
@Liz - the funny thing is that I’m a country girl! I just didn’t grow up in THIS area, so i’m getting slammed. It’s bizarre.
@Glenda - Thank you!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Linda, those birds start chirping mighty early these mornings!
Marti said
Hi Glenda, wonderful to see you again! I’ve been absent too long.
Linda Sherman said
Marti, I love the sound of birds chirping. I spent May, June, July with Wal-Mart in Bentonville a few years ago. They are on a bird migration path there and the birds are so gorgeous - 5 kinds of cardinals alone. I stayed 10 minutes out of town in a condo complex surrounded by woods. I installed a bird feeder on the little patio. Coming from living in Tokyo I was ecstatic with being in nature. I loved it!
ME Liz Strauss said
Yeah, Marti,
When I was in Dallas at WordCamp, Frisco had a Tornado Warning. Being from Tornadoland, I took a nap.
Char said
Hi all! It sure felt like Spring here today. I’m starting to feel the need to plant pretty flowers.
Linda Sherman said
I live part time in Kauai and we get a cacophony of bird chirping around 6AM there. I try to go to bed early there so I can enjoy it.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Char!
Planting pretty flowers is such a splendor!! It makes me feel like I’m designing the world.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey Marti! Where have you been? I missed ya.
Trisha said
Kristen - I usually have bad allergies too - I used to never go out in the spring. I started getting allergy shots though and that helped.
Marti said
Liz, you took a nap during the tornado warning! That’s too funny!
Linda Sherman said
Does anyone plant herbs or vegetables? I dream of doing these things but am never in one place long enough to make it work well.
Linda Sherman said
@Marti
Tornadoes are scary. I grew up with hurricanes in Miami but have never been in a place with tornadoes long enough to see one. Sounds terrifying.
Marti said
Glenda, we’ve had a very rough year. I’m full-time caregiving for grandma, and find very little time to enjoy socializing. So wonderful to get to be here tonight!
Kristen King said
@Linda - I went to Kauai for my honeymoon and have fantasized about returning ever since.
@Trisha - What kind of allergy shots? I will have to look into that.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Kristen,
I have awful allergies — being in the city helps a lot. Though the highrise dust doesn’t help at all.
Joe said
Spring in Chicago and time for SOBCon. I can hear it already.
The crowds cheering as we enter the center of town
The Bloggers clicking clacking on the Keyboards on their laptops
The Twitterers tapping the Keypads of their cellphones
The great groan of the internet learning vicariously what a great time they’re missing
Oh for Springtime in Chicago (wind and all)
Linda Sherman said
@Kristen How long ago was your honeymoon in Kauai? It’s probably changed since.
Marti said
Linda, I lived in California for a while and the earthquakes scared me more! With tornadoes you have some warning, or at least an inkling (hmmm, the sky is black and the wind is blowing very hard, perhaps I should take cover) But with quakes, it’s just BANG! they’re there!
Linda Sherman said
@Joe from birds and flowers to keyboards. It should be a nice season in Chicago though, no?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Joe,
Chicago is hardly windy in the Spring. But it cold still be nippy on that boat on the river and the lake.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Ahh right, Marti. I forgot. Caregiving can be so draining; so important to remember to care for yourself too. Glad you’re here tonight.
Trisha said
@Linda - I started a little herb garden a few years ago. I don’t do vegetables though. I mostly do butterfly gardening.
@Kristen - I went to an allergist. He tested me and I started getting shots. Its kind of time consuming though.
Marti said
Hiya Joe! Oh how I wish I could be there with you. Daughter graduates that weekend though.
ME Liz Strauss said
Marti,
Where I came from, if you couldn’t see the funnel, you were doing fine. This place had no trees. I figured i had a good hour before it got near.
Besides it was Texas, there wasn’t a basement.
Linda Sherman said
I lived in Japan for 20 years and earthquakes are a total yawn for me. We get tremors in Tokyo at least 1 - 2 times a month. You say, oh, there’s an earthquake. NHK immediately pops up with the location and magnitude which is always of interest to everyone then life goes on. Unless stuff fell off your shelves.
My FIRST earthquake was in LA and was scary I must admit. One depends on the ground to stay still.
Trisha said
Did someone mention tornadoes? I’m scared of them!!!!
Linda Sherman said
@Trisha. OK what is “butterfly gardening?”
Marti said
Liz, you are the quintessential Midwesterner! Stoic and unruffled in the face of danger!
Joe said
Liz, I remember last year in May, I arrived in shorts and almost froze to death.
And talk about the wind, I had to walk backwards to pretend I was actually moving forward.
Yeah, I think I’ll bring my winter coat!
Trisha said
@Linda - its growing plants specifically for butterflies. oh no, you got me started!
Rick Cockrum said
Mart! Hiya sis!
ME Liz Strauss said
Marti,
Is that what I am?
I thought I was a pain in the patutty.
Linda Sherman said
@Trisha Ah so you get lots of butterflies in your garden. Sounds wonderful.
Trisha said
Butterfly gardening consists of growing two general types of plants: host plants and nectar sources
Rick Cockrum said
Marti. Marti. Marti. Marti.
I didn’t forget how to spell your name. My fingers forgot how to type.
I’m glad your daughter had a good time at the prom.
Suzie Cheel said
Hi , it is autumn here, but where we live we don’t really notice too much change in colours
Linda Sherman said
Any spring fashion thoughts. I just read that “cocktail shorts” are the next cool thing, replacing capris.
Trisha said
Host plants are the ones they lay their eggs on and the ones the caterpillars eat
Nectar sources are the ones the adults use for food. Although some adult butterfly do not feed on flower nectar
Marti said
@Linda, wow- you are pretty stoic about earthquakes! I guess it’s a matter of what we become accustomed to.
I like vegetable gardening, it’s a joy to see something grow from a seed or seedling. And no store-bought vegetable tastes as good as the one you grow!
We grow pumpkins to sell here. It is so much fun to watch kids scampering around the fields in the fall!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Rick!
Have you met Marti?!
[giggle]
Trisha said
Each species of butterfly has only 1 or a few plants it will lay eggs on - nothing else will work. Most of these plants are native to the particular area.
Marti said
Hi Rick! Great to see ya! How I’ve missed chatting here!
Linda Sherman said
@Trisha So you have a garden half full of chewed up plants. Still sounds really nice. Do you have a photo of the butterflies in action in your garden on flickr?
ME Liz Strauss said
#73
Hi Suzie!
Yeah, is it rainy?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey Rick, good to see you!
Char said
Linda - I was spring shopping at Ann Taylor Loft this evening and saw capris in all styles, but saw plenty of dressy shorts too.
Trisha said
Where I live, in general, most host plants are native prairie plants.
Marti said
Liz! You could never be a pain!
Linda Sherman said
@Marti I envy people who grow vegetables for themselves. You are right, they always taste special. Fortunately, in Kauai, we have neighbors that share some of their left-over garden production with us.
Joe said
Anyone notice how quiet Twitter gets when OMN starts?
Trisha said
@Linda - yes, I gets lots of little baby butterflies eating my plants. I actually have a site and blog about it but I haven’t updated it in so long, I am embarrassed.
Char said
Joe - I can’t even get Twitter to load right now.
Kristen King said
Oh, goodness, you all just reminded me: What is the weather like in Chicago in early May? I’ve never been — no idea how to dress for SOBCon and don’t want to freeze or melt (or overpack)
Marti said
@Trisha, the butterfly garden sounds wonderful! I had no idea the butterflies were particular about where they lay their eggs. I love learning new stuff - thanks for sharing!
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Glenda! The sun is shining in the north, huh? Sometimes I think southwest Pennsylvania is a part of Washington state that migrated and forgot to bring the sun with it.
We grow tomatoes for the groundhogs, lettuce for the rabbits, and strawberries for the birds. Does that count as gardening?
Linda Sherman said
@Kristen For Blogger Social in NYC April 4 - 6 they suggested we check the 5 day forecast shortly before. It said rain, we were lucky it was gorgeous but it got cold before we left. For Chicago I would suggest bringing stuff you can layer just in case.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Kristen,
Bring a jacket, because of the lake effect. Everything’s cooler by the lake. You’ll think you’re on the shore. It’ll probably get to the low 60s.
Joe said
Speaking of Twitter. If you want to send a message to ALL SOBCon followers at once, just send a Direct Message to SOBCon and it will show up for ALL SOBCon Followers.
That could be good for meetups or dinner meets, drinks after an event. Whatever.
Or just to keep our friends who couldn’t make it informed.
ME Liz Strauss said
Rick,
No apple trees for the squirrels?
Linda Sherman said
And a nice wool neck scarf. It is usually windy in Chicago.
Suzie Cheel said
Sun shining. windy though bit cool at the beach but rainbows so very blessed
Marti said
@Rick, loved your veggies for animals comment
Trisha said
@Marti - yes they are particular, which is one reason why it is important for there to be lots of diversity in plants everywhere and for them to be native to the region. No host plants - no butterflies.
Linda Sherman said
For Affiliate Summit West, I am not sure what they did but any open tweet that had ASW08 anywhere in it created a second open tweet from ASW08 so you could check the archive there for all related tweets.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey Rick, cloudy at the moment. But past couple of days were beautiful. Trees are in full bloom. I love the renewed energy!
You’re so kind to garden for the critters.
Rick Cockrum said
We have a sycamore for the squirrels. The apple trees are also for the rabbits. In fact, Lady Glynis trimmed them during the winter. We left the branches for rabbit food. There are very few branches with any bark left. ( But I think our cat believes we just left them as a rabbit lure so he could hunt more easily )
ME Liz Strauss said
Linda,
You make sound like the wind blows and blows. Not so.
Linda Sherman said
@Liz Is Leah Jones coming to SOBCon?
Marti said
Hi Char! Great to see you again!
@Suzie, are you in Australia?
Angela Maiers said
Happy Spring All-great topic! First sunny day here in Iowa! Just got back from a walk with the family, rewinding Idol, and ready to join the conversation!
How are you all?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Linda!
Funny you should ask about Leah! She couldn’t come. Then her plans got cancelled. She asked me today if there was still room. So I think she’s in!! I love Leah.
Linda Sherman said
@Char I just checked Twitter to see if there was a problem and it appears to be fine.
ME Liz Strauss said
Why Rick,
You’re an ecological farmer. You’ve got a whole food chain going on.
Marti said
Hi Angela! We’re practically neighbors, I live in Missouri.
Linda Sherman said
@Liz I love Leah too. She drew me onto Twitter (Dec 25). I think that you and I crossed paths on her blog talking about being single and Singelringen.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Angela!
When you go to Atlanta, think of me. I’ll be missing a red-haired friend from OZ who’s going to be there.
Joe said
@ Linda, the reason for this setup is to contact ALL followers for news and updates, but regular @’s still work if you happen to be logged into the SOBCon twit page or do an @ SOBCon.
Advantage is reaching all the followers with one @ from anywhere by anyone
Linda Sherman said
I’m so glad that Leah will be at SOBCon!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Rick, I understand. I’m advocating for “my” squirrel to save the walnut tree. The building manager isn’t a tree lover, unfortunately.
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh yeah, Linda!
I remember that conversation at Leah’s.
Linda Sherman said
@Joe That contact system sounds very cool.
Marti said
Thanks for the Twitter tip, Joe!
Angela Maiers said
Marti- what part of MO? I worked with the St. Louis schools for several years, and love, love, love the city and the teachers there!
Liz-I am so looking forward to Atlanta, but I am still very sad that I can not make it to SOB. I wanted to meet everyone in person!
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh Angela,
You could still stop by on the way.
Char said
Yep - Twitter is back up.
Ugh - kids are not being super cooperative tonight - don’t they understand it is OCN!
Char said
I mean OMN
Angela Maiers said
Liz- I do not know if you heard.
Galba Bright from Tune Up Your EQ passed away today. It was of natural causes, but he was only 31. What a terrible loss for all! http://tuneupyoureq.com/
ME Liz Strauss said
Char,
Open Comment Night, Open Mic Night, it’s all the same to me.
Trisha said
@Marti - I’m in MO too! I’m in the St. Louis area.
Joe said
Linda, Marti
I was trying to figure out a way to do that for the longest time then Twitter started Twitter Groups and Terry Starbucker found them.
I just wanted to let people know how to reach everyone with one @ for SOBCon using DM.
Linda Sherman said
@Joe Ah. Terry Starbucker. He suggested I come check out Open Comment Night when we were chatting on the Cirle Line during Blogger Social. Does he often participate?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Linda!
Terry used to come by more often. He travels a lot now. It was at open comment night that SOBCon was born. SOBCon was actually Terry’s idea.
Suzie Cheel said
@ Marti yes on the Gold Coast- Tweed Heads sitting here in T shirt and shorts watching Ed Dale do great Thirty Day Challenge tv on twitter very good
Linda Sherman said
@Angela Natural causes at 31?
Joe said
Char, If I remember correctly, the FIRST Tuesday night Liz ran open comments it was called OPEN COMMENT NIGHT.
Am I right Liz? I WAS here for the First one if you remember.
Somehow, it migrated and transformed and evolved and ended up being Open Mic Night.
No idea exactly when it changed, but it has been Great ever since. Whichever name we use.
Marti said
Sorry for skipping out there. daughter ran into the living room and said, “Can I please use the computer?!? It’s a video game emergency!” I was laughing so hard she took over and looked up some kind of code - LOL
Marti said
Angela, I live 25 miles east of Kansas City
Trisha said
@Marti - you missed that I live in MO too
Angela Maiers said
I’m going to be in Chicago on May 19th & 20th. Maybe we can do a tweetup or post-SOBcon on the 18th? Sansone will be with me for a gig with the Lake Villa School District
ME Liz Strauss said
No Angela,
I didn’t know. He and I emailed some a little while back. That’s sad.
Linda Sherman said
@Angela @Liz I looked at the link to the message about Galba. Regrettably I didn’t have contact with him before. Did you know him personally? Would you like to say something?
Rick Cockrum said
Never thought you would need a computer to play on the PS2, did you?
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh Angela,
On the 18th I’ll be flying home from the UK. It seems were not meant to meet in Chicago this May.
Marti said
@Trisha - how cool! I was born in St. Louis (oh gawd if there are hackers out there they have one more clue to stealing my identity - LOL)
Marti said
@Trisha - are you on twitter? There’s a great guy named Tojosan who’s from St. Louis
Trisha said
@Marti - If you are ever around here - stop by and say ‘hi!’
Linda Sherman said
@Marti I just looked at your blog. I think it’s too late for the mysterious identity.
Marti said
Sure will, Trisha!
ME Liz Strauss said
Sounds like we have a “show me” state meetup in the works.
Trisha said
@Marti - I think I just added that guy as a friend recently. I haven’t used twitter a whole lot yet. I need to do that.
Rick Cockrum said
Linda - sshh. we weren’t going to tell her.
Trisha said
@Liz - that would be cool with me, I’m not too fond of flying.
Angela Maiers said
I never met Galba personally, but we emailed several times. My first experience with Galba, was the first week I launched my blog. He was the first to engage in a conversation with me. He was an incredible encourager with a passion for people and connectivity. He was just so young.
Marti said
@Linda - LOL on “secret identity”!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Yes Marti, where is Tojosan tonight? He’s so sweet. I’ll go see if he’s on twitter and try to drag him over here.
Marti said
Rick you are such a hoot!
Timothy Johnson said
Hola and Howdy everybody!
Angela Maiers said
@Trisha - you need to use Twitter more. I have found it to be such an incredible way to meet and make connections. Beware-it is somewhat addicting! @Glenda, @Liz, wouldn’t you agree?
Linda Sherman said
Tojosan (Todd Jordan) put this comment on my blog post about competing and gender differences April 8th. He’s cool.
“I’m glad you competed, though I feel you truly saw it more as an opportunity to shine than a competition.
On the question, being a man, our culture is all about the win, unless you beat the favorite, then it’s all about how you played. Men may be more naturally competitive, but I think rather we are more openly competitive. Men and women both desire to win, and drive for success. But I think men are more literal. If winning in a game is defined as the highest score, our culture steers men to assert that it is only a win if they get the highest score.
As I’ve grown older, I try to define things against my goals for why I’m competing instead of winning or losing a competition. I think that if one is totally focused on the win, they are likely not focused on the quality of how they play. For instance, if I’m entering a chess tournament. I may not win the tournament, but if my expectations are more about gaining experience and enjoying the challenge, then I’ll be happy, even if I don’t win.
Anyway, there is value in the effort, win or lose. The key is what you choose to walk away from this competition with; what are you take homes.”
Angela Maiers said
Howdy Tim-gotta love this Iowa weather! It is beautiful here!
Trisha said
About Twitter - I always think - who’s going to care about what I’m doing?
Marti said
Hi Timothy! Great to see you - been too long!
- - -
Angela is right about twitter. I adore it and could spend hours (if I could find the hours) there enjoying the conversation and information.
Linda Sherman said
@Angela I would agree about Twitter. I just started Dec 25th, it has been very valuable for me. I think it is important to be selective, use it for relationships. It is not MySpace. The objective should not be to get as many followers as possible.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Yes Angela, twitter is very addictive. Wondering how I could get paid to tweeter!
Linda Sherman said
@Trisha @Marti @Liz
repeat:
@Angela I would agree about Twitter. I just started Dec 25th, it has been very valuable for me. I think it is important to be selective, use it for relationships. It is not MySpace. The objective should not be to get as many followers as possible.
Marti said
Linda, thanks for sharing Todd’s comment. He is an amazing person. I so hope I get to meet i=him in person someday. Heck, I’d like to meet ALL of you in person someday!
Angela Maiers said
@Trisha - I thought that at first, too. I think it is a balance of sharing resources as well as little tid bits from your life. I think the life things let us know that, no matter what our jobs and responsibilities-we all need to do laundry, cook dinner, pick up the kids, etc…
My point-people really do care about hearing about your life-it is a great equalizer.
Linda Sherman said
@Glenda the way to get paid to Twitter is to be a community manager.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Tim!
Did you find a place to stay in Chicago?!!
ME Liz Strauss said
Todd’s coming to SOBCon.
Suzie Cheel said
Ed Dale doing great twitter stuff on ustream.tv and talking about # tags?
Using twirl and tweetscan
Angela Maiers said
@Linda - how does that work? What does a community manager do?
@Glenda -getting paid to tweet-sounds like a great gig!
Suzie Cheel said
my screen not refreshing any ideas?
Trisha said
Thanks Angela!
I need to take a break now and call my mom.
Marti said
It breaks my heart that the dumb ol’ school scheduled graduation during SOBCon. What were they thinking?
Linda Sherman said
@Marti It seems like there are lots of opportunities for meet-ups where you can meet folks. You can’t attend too many of them but if you plan in advance you could hit one or two a year. I am going to BlogHer in San Francisco in July. I was really glad I went to Blogger Social in NYC. Blogger Social was really terrific for me. I can’t justify attending expensive conferences. SOBCon sounds decently priced. I’ll see if I can work that in next year.
Joe said
Twitter is what Twitter Does
It’s like a Box of Chocolates (that didn’t look right as I was typing)
It’s what you make of it.
I started using Twitter because everyone else was.
Now, I use it more as a means of connecting to further relationships.
Twitter is what you make it.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
@Linda community managers?? I didn’t know twitter had such things. What am I missing?
Marti said
Wonderful to meet you Trisha - look forward to further communication!
Todd Jordan said
Howdy! I’m here.
I see you’ve been talking about me!
Marti said
I never heard of community managers either, but I’ve been pretty out of the loop of late
Joe said
Suzie f5 will refresh the screen if it doesn’t do it automatically.
Linda Sherman said
What does a Community Manager do? There is a Community Manager group on Facebook. If you go to my profile (you can find the link on my blog) you will find the group.
Or you can check out a few folks like @Mack Collier, @ConnieBensen and @RichardatDell
Marti said
Todd! {{HUGS}}
ME Liz Strauss said
Why Todd!
How great to see you?!!
Ssshh. Everyone! Todd’s here now!
Todd Jordan said
I’m blushing now.
Marti said
Joe is such a fountain of knowledge, I am in awe (seriously)
Timothy Johnson said
Hi Angela - yeah, lovin’ the Iowa weather
Hi Marti - sheesh it has been forever… how have you been?
Hi Liz - big hugs until I can hug you in person in 17 days
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey Todd!
Linda Sherman said
Community Manager. I didn’t mean to say that there is a community manager for Twitter. But there are community managers active on Twitter as well as 100’s of other places on the blogosphere because that is their job. To follow, enhance and participate in the conversation about their brand.
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Todd!
ME Liz Strauss said
Lot’s of hugs and open bar on the boat . . . just got a sponsor. :))
Marti said
Great to see you Todd, I have missed you!
Linda Sherman said
@Todd Hi! How did you hear we were loving you behind your back?
Todd Jordan said
I’m very excited about going to SOBCon. Can’t wait to meet some of you in person for the first time. Be warned, I’m planning on bringing cameras. Blogger casual is good though. The cruise sounds like a lot of fun Liz. Great idea!!!!!
Glenda, Liz and the rest, howdy howdy!
Todd Jordan said
Marti, hello there. I’m alive and well and still in Missouri!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Wow, awesome Liz!
Linda Sherman said
@Todd @Glenda
Oh! I see I missed Glenda saying she was bringing you over
Joe said
YaHoo (no not that one) Open Bar on the Boat!
Does that include Thursday night too? *grins*
ME Liz Strauss said
I’ve been down the river before, Todd.
The view is spectacular!! Nothing beats Chicago for architecture.
Todd Jordan said
Did someone say free drinks?! (liz)
Marti said
I’m still taking care of grandma, rarely get to do anything on the web. I’m surprised I remember how to type - LOL! It is so wonderful to get to chat with all of you I am nearly crying from joy.
ME Liz Strauss said
It’s looking that way, Todd!
Todd Jordan said
HOw do I become a community manager?
Marti said
Todd, the Midwest is well-represented here tonight, several Iowa and Mazoorah folk.
Todd Jordan said
Marti, I know that’s a full time job. So good to see you ‘out and about’ tonight.
Good deal Liz!
Linda - Glenda reminded me very subtly.
Linda Sherman said
Please let me share what I learned at Blogger Social to help you take maximum advantage of SOBCon - the social part.
SLEEP before you go. I stayed up all night the night before I left because Ray and I often do that when we travel trying to tie things up and then packing. You will want to hang out till all hours and then you will be tired and ladies - then people will take photos of you. I looked pretty haggard in the Blogger Social photos.
Spend your time WITH the people there and blog or whatever later.
Todd Jordan said
Liz - great use of the wiki to share that!
Marti said
Todd, how is your MIL?
Joe said
Ok, for those of you who care, we are at 2.072 comments a minute.
Not to bad, about AVERAGE.
We are better than that, let’s talk it up!
Todd Jordan said
Rick, howdy sir! I have Cockrum relatives. Long dead I believe though. From Ill?
Todd Jordan said
MIl is closing up on her current stay in the hospital. They’ve been making her walk everyday and she’s been sleeping better. Recovered from recent dehydration etc. But with all the meds, it’s a crap shoot.
Rick Cockrum said
My Illinois relatives are in Rockford, where I hale from. We’re from Alabama and Georgia, though. There were a lot of Cockrums in southern Illinois, but no relation that I know of.
Angela Maiers said
@Todd-Big hello from Iowa- nice to meet you!
Todd Jordan said
The comments are going by like my Twitter stream. Anyone here know of any blogger guilds?
Marti said
Todd, my thoughts and prayers are with you
Linda Sherman said
Let me tell you about the cruise on Blogger Social NYC. Again the point is to be with the people. I got hung up on being outside with the statue of liberty for a while. If I had know how bad the food was on the Circle Cruise I would have eaten before I went. Your cruise hopefully is a different deal. If there is an open bar it is already different. We were drinking Friday night and Saturday night so we didn’t need more drinking on Saturday 12 - 3.
Todd Jordan said
@Rick darn that.
@Angela howdy there Ms Iowa!
Free wireless at the conf Liz?
Todd Jordan said
Marti - likewise w/grandma.
Any place they give drinks away for free can’t be all bad.
Linda Sherman said
@Todd If you go back in the stream here, you’ll see my advice about becoming a community manager.
This is my first time at open mic night. May I ask what time this runs till?
Marti said
Todd would that be gold-plated blogs?
No wait, that’s “gilded”
*snicker*
I am silly and clueless, sorry
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Todd, by blogger guilds, what specifically are you looking for?
Todd Jordan said
If only the gold on my blog was the plating, but alas it’s just the content.
I’ll check back through for the community manager stuff.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Todd!
Definitely state of the art space where the conference is
Summit Executive Center
Todd Jordan said
@Glenda - Some folks here in greater St. Louis area are starting up a bloggers guild. Much like a writers’ guild but for bloggers.
Joe said
@ Linda, it’s like any party. People funnel in and out and eventually the last one leaves.
No official end time. Sometimes it continues the next day!
ME Liz Strauss said
Linda,
Sometimes I fall asleep and the party’s still going.
Todd Jordan said
@liz the MacBookPro will be right at home then.
Speaking of Spring…what better time to usher in newness on our blogs, yes?
Marti said
Linda, it was a pleasure to get to be at your first open comment night! I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
that sounds cool, Todd.
Marti said
Todd, what will the guild do?
Meikah Delid said
Hi Liz!
Hi everyone! It has been a while since I was last here. Well, lots of things!
We don’t have spring here in Manila though… spring must be a good season..eh?
Timothy Johnson said
Well, all, going to turn in early tonight. Look forward to seeing many of you at SOBCon in a couple of weeks.
Joe said
See ya there Tim
Marti said
Great to see you Tim. Sorry I will miss you at SOBCon
ME Liz Strauss said
Good Night, Tim!
Hope you found that room!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
so bummed I won’t be at SOBcon. Maybe next year. Sigh.
Todd Jordan said
Hiya Meikah, welcome to the party!
The guild will seek to promote and support local bloggers. The guild intends to support blogger mentoring, bloggers rights, and help protect bloggers from content theft. That’s just part of the goals.
We’ll see if it survives the craziness of everyone acting like kids in high school. Dang the under 40 crowd.
Linda Sherman said
@Marti Thanks.
It’s still just 7PM here in LA and I have a pile of work to do tonight. It’s been great to meet everyone!
I’ll definitely check back later to see the rest of the stream.
Have fun guys! It was great to meet all of you. I will be going back to pick up your blogs.
Once again - all my contact points are on my blog in the “links” section. I’m also on FriendFeed.
(Somehow this got stuck on Firefox so I just switched over to Safari)
hugs
@lindasherman
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Meikah!
Thank you for your recent support! You have lovely weather most of the year, don’t you?
Todd Jordan said
I’m hoping the guild will help promote local bloggers though hosting blogging conferences, and supporting efforts to do wordcamps and such.
Marti said
So sorry to have to leave, but the mornings come awfully early around here. It was SO wonderful to get to chat with y’all! Blessing to each of you!
Todd Jordan said
Frankly, I hope the guild gets off the ground, but I so don’t want this to become about the guild being closed versus open. What I’d love to have happen for example is if I plan a blogging event out where I live, that the guild would show support for it, even if it happens outside the guild’s doing it.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Marti!
Thanks for being here!
Todd Jordan said
Marti good night.
Rick Cockrum said
Good night, Tim.
Hi Meikah.
The guild sounds like a good idea, Todd.
Marti said
Best wishes to you with it Todd! Sorry I am too pooped to stay any longer, it was great to get a chance to chat with you. God bless, darlin’
Meikah Delid said
Hi Todd! The guild you’re talking about sounds good! Good luck on that one…
Wow, yeah SOBCon time is nearing! I’m sure it’s gonna be a blast ~ perhaps a bigger blast than last year’s.
So can anyone describe for me, what’s spring really like?
Todd Jordan said
Does your blog need Spring cleaning? Too many badges on the side? Too many flashy obtuse things? Then come join us at SOBCon and find out what successful blogs are doing!
Angela Maiers said
Night all - wish I could hang around and chat-but going for my long run at 5:30 AM. Training for half marathon in May! I will check back in the morning for more info on the guilds-sounds interesting!
Marti said
{{HUGS}} to Liz
Rick Cockrum said
Bye Marti. Come back sooner. A prayer for Grandma.
Todd Jordan said
Angela Good night - best wishes.
ME Liz Strauss said
Meikah,
Spring is barren trees sprouting leaves and grass coming up from the ground. Flower like the one in the picture above are only 6 inches tall and they peek up right after the snow. Baby rabbits and robins start to show up and the warm air replaces what was too, too cold.
ME Liz Strauss said
Bye, Angela.
You need to save some things for June.
Meikah Delid said
Hi, Rick, good night Angela!
Todd, my CustServ (http://custserv.gbwatch.com) blog needs more than spring cleaning. It needs pumping up to be alive again. *sigh*
Todd Jordan said
Meikah,
Spring for me is warm suns, cool breezes, fresh air, and the sound of nature. Birds, leaves brushing against each other, and the wind whistling through the trees.
Todd Jordan said
I have a group blog that seriously needs tending and more contributors http://livereadings.wordpress.com . Give me a shout if you’re interested in contributing some poetry and prose readings.
Todd Jordan said
http://custserv.gbwatch.com Didn’t load for me.
Trisha said
Todd - I’m in St. Louis too. I was part of some st. louis bloggers group at one time, but kind of lost track of it.
Todd Jordan said
Want to share this link for you Twitter folks out there - http://www.toondoo.com/View.toon?param=213877
Rick Cockrum said
Bye Angela.
Meikah - you really need winter to understand spring. The world has been frozen, dead. The grass is brown. The flowers only small slivers of dead leaves. Trees’ branches wave against a sky gray with scudding clouds as snow falls (straight down on a nice day, as they say in Scotland).
Then you awake one morning and the sun is shining. A flash of yellow catches your eye and you see the first flowers of spring opening up. Blossoms appear on the bare limbs of the apple trees, and you see baby rabbits hopping around the yard. Instead of going out with boots, and an insulated jacket, you’r comfortable in a wind breaker. People smile more. The air carries odors of new grass as green appears amongst the brown of last fall’s dead leaves.
That’s spring.
Todd Jordan said
@Trisha want more on this one? It’s at http://stlouisbloggersguild.wordpress.com/
Meikah Delid said
Wow, that’s really nice, Todd! If that’s spring then I think we have a season like that too here in the Philippines. It’s the time right before the summer heat sets in. Much like there, don’t you think? It’s just that we have different summer months: March-April.
Trisha said
Thanks Todd!
ME Liz Strauss said
Well done, Rick!
That’s spring for sure!
Joe said
Meikah,
Imagine being locked in a refridgerator for a few months and finally, Finally someone opens the door and lets you out.
You finally get warm and see all the green budding plants and appreciate what it’s like to be warm and in the sunshine.
Rick Cockrum said
I think we had the same spring, Liz.
Must be Illinois.
Rick Cockrum said
Joe, you got spring this week!
Meikah Delid said
Todd, what a nice image! I’m sure it’s a joy to see the seasons there change from dreary to sunshiny. If you were a writer, you’d get a lot of inspiration!
Todd Jordan said
Spring is the sound of dogs outside and children playing in the street and the ice cream man.
ME Liz Strauss said
We get dappled spring here — a day now and then, a day three days later. By the time you figure a raincoat might be a good idea, it’s summer.
Char said
So, did everyone get their taxes filed on time?
Todd Jordan said
yes to the tax question.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Char!
We had such a screwy year. My husband was nervous. So we filed EARLY>
Joe said
Rick, we’ve had a little like Liz, one day nice, 3 days not so nice.
Tomorrow is supposed to be 70 something tho, you know I’ll be working outside!
Becky McCray said
Late to the party again. and I’m no spring chicken …
Meikah Delid said
So spring doesn’t really last long? I wonder if there’s a blog that writes about the change of seasons there ~ just that.
ME Liz Strauss said
Becky!
You look familiar!
Todd Jordan said
Hey Becky!
Becky McCray said
Liz, I do? I’ll take that as a good thing.
Becky McCray said
Hiya, Todd! Glad to be here, on a windy spring night.
ME Liz Strauss said
It’s good, Becky. It’s good!!
Becky McCray said
Wow, I’m worth two exclamation points. Gotta be a record. (OOOOOOOO I just thought of something I was supposed to do by SOBCon!!!!!!! Yike, must add to my to do list)
ME Liz Strauss said
Uh-oh!
I don’t like the sound of that!
Becky is plotting I can tell.
Meikah Delid said
hi there Becky!
Becky McCray said
Ummmmmm……. maybe …. (looks around evasively)
Becky McCray said
Howdy, Meikah!
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Becky. Hmmm. evasiveness
ME Liz Strauss said
Becky,
It looks like Jim Beam is going to be a sponsor.
Becky McCray said
Hi, Rick! (more or less)
Todd, I applaud the giving nature of your postcard project. Very neat.
Becky McCray said
Liz, really? Jim Beam, for SOBCon? There are a million jokes to be made of that …
ME Liz Strauss said
Maybe we could start some.
Joe said
Spring is the time I like the best
Of them all it renews the soul
Seasons change but you can attest
And there is no reason to console
When Spring arrives we all can jest
Bout Winter that has gone beneath our sole
Now is the time to put out our chests
And celebrate new life within our souls.
Berma Shave
Nite Liz
Nite All
Rick Cockrum said
Nite, Joe. Enjoy Chicago in the spring.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Joe,
Sleepy Swell!
Becky McCray said
Between the Saloon Keepers Daughter and the Liquor Store Owner at the Jim Beam Sponsored Event including SOB in the title, I think we ARE the joke.
Goodnight, Joe.
Todd Jordan said
I’m having a hard time keeping up. Stepping out. Take care everyone.
ME Liz Strauss said
on a boat!
ME Liz Strauss said
for a three hour tour.
Becky McCray said
Goodnight, Todd.
Liz, On a river. In Chicago of all places for a booze joke.
ME Liz Strauss said
Give me a shot and call me Al Capone!
I told you the story about doing shots with my mother?
Rick Cockrum said
Bye, Todd. It was good to meet you.
At least the boat isn’t called the Minnow.
ME Liz Strauss said
Yeah, Rick, that would be funny. . . . the Minnow!
Becky McCray said
Liz, let’s have that story about doing shots with your mother.
Rick Cockrum said
I’m off, too. Good night all.
Thank you, Liz.
ME Liz Strauss said
I thought I told it you.
Here you go:
Doing Shots for My Mother
Becky McCray said
Rick, great to see you here again.
Rick Cockrum said
Night, Becky. Enjoy SOBCon08.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Rick!
Thanks for that lovely description of spring. Stunning!
Becky McCray said
Rick, I will. Definitely will be an exceptional event. Hope to meet you someday, too.
ME Liz Strauss said
Don’t we both hope to meet Rick, Becky.
I think we’ll have to catch a movie in Pittsburgh to do that.
Becky McCray said
Liz, that story reminds me of … you.
Did I tell you I have a little personal site now, kind of like your Letting Liz Be? It’s Outstanding in my field.
I doubt it’s very interesting to anyone who doesn’t already know me.
Becky McCray said
Liz, that’s a date. Movies in Pittsburgh sounds like a great retreat event.
ME Liz Strauss said
I thlike your new site.
I like the idea of retreat in Pittsburgh for movies.
Meikah Delid said
Hey no more talk of springtime as the night is slowly giving way to the morning?
Becky McCray said
Liz, we have to find someone to run the theatre for Rick, so we can enjoy the time together.
Meikah, you think we would stay on topic??
ME Liz Strauss said
I’m slowly giving way to bad typing.
Becky McCray said
Slowly, Liz? Or Quickly, as in, too quickly? You aren’t commenting from the iPhone are you?
Meikah Delid said
Liz, hahaha… I think everyone’s has gone to bed there. Here it’s almost lunch time yet. Still at the height of a hot workday!
You get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow is another day.
Take care!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Becky,
I think it’s slowly becoming quickly.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Meikah!
Thanks for coming to enjoy our spring!
Becky McCray said
Thanks, Meikah. Good to meet you here. Seems like Liz attracts the nicest people.
ME Liz Strauss said
You’re here!
ME Liz Strauss said
I think I’m packing it in.
I just listed all of the Jim Beam labels for the cruise bar.
Meikah Delid said
Liz, I just LOVE your line: “Thanks for coming to enjoy our spring!”
Thank you, indeed!
Linda Sherman said
Liz, thank you very much for hosting Open Mic Nite. I enjoyed meeting your pals on my first night here. Sorry I missed Becky McCray.
Wishing you a great SOBCon and a very happy Spring.
Matt Keegan said
Spring is most definitely here and my taxes are most definitely done — double joy!
Marti said
Thank you all (especially our wonderful hostess) for a delightful evening! Blessing to all of you!