Vlog Every Day October 2014 | Day 19

“Three Bullet Points”

1] Today was hurry up and wait day. This is typical of pre-conference time: everyone coming in to the nesting grounds like a flock of penguins. Regular (no workshop) attendees couldn’t register until 11AM – which I did after a great breakfast at the Original Dinerant. Then we had to wait until 5 PM to receive the blessing of the conference committee. But, from about 1 to 5 we (a group of about 20) went off the reservation to a couple of brew houses and had samples and meat and cheese tastings. The walk was long and hot, but it was all good in the end.

2] Tonight, after the blessing, was the “little social event” at Punch Bowl Social. It was O.K., but it lack a certain je ne sais quoi. It reminded me of being back in college – trying to get a drink at a crowded bar – nothing left for anyone else to do. So, me and a former employee of CIS went a couple blocks away for a couple beers. That was good.

3] Tomorrow is when the learning happens. I’m back in the hotel at a respectable hour writing this post and thinking of bed. Here’s to tomorrow and next day and the next (half) day. Already, I can’t wait for the wife to get here.

#vedo14 or #vlogtober

Vlog Every Day October 2014 | Day 18

“Three Bullet Points”

1] I’m in Portland staying vigilant not to let the “weird” rub off on me. To that end, on the train ride from the airport a guy got on that reeked of skunky weed. He looked to be about 250lbs, but he did a nice pirouette to get out of the door.

2] I met up with fellow Texas A&M web developers Tim and Don St. Martin. They got here too late for my dinner, otherwise I would be eating at Fogo de Chão with them right now. I had subway – I can’t spend too much cause I left my corporate card at the office. Hopefully I can correct that Monday.

3] It’s already been a really long day. I woke up at 4:30AM CDT, and I probably won’t go to bed until 2AM CDT.

#vedo14 or #vlogtober

Vlog Every Day October 2014 | Day 17

“Three Bullet Points”

1] It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Portland. I’m sure it’s pretty much the same – kinda like Austin.

2] Technology has changed (a little) since High Ed Web 2011, which was in Austin. Responsive design and HTML5 are norms not l33t speak for a cool new project you are starting.

3] Confession: I’ve never driven a minivan. We sat in a few, but never drove one 100+ miles on roads I’ve only been on a couple times in my life. This should be fun.

#vedo14 or #vlogtober

Vlog Every Day October 2014 | Day 16

“Three Bullet Points”

1] With less than 1 week from early voting an appeals judge struck down the block on voter ID law earilier this month. This is not done.

2] (I could burn some bridges with this one.) To make a website sometimes you have to throw out design, structure, and existing biases and prejudices. Start with nothing pre-conceived. Build from there.

3] I made some last minute changes to my HighEdWeb schedule website. I basically did what the .org did, but sooner and more l33t.

#vedo14 or #vlogtober

Vlog Every Day October 2014 | Day 15

“One Bullet Point”

1] I told you yesterday, coming up with material is hard. I had a few thoughts and I lost them. I settled on one from the past. When I was about 12 years old my uncle John took me and his friend hunting. They left me behind in a tree stand and went on ahead. I didn’t have a gun – not even a pellet gun. I saw squirrels and rabbits and even a deer, but I could only look. When I was 42 years old I bought my first guns – one being a rifle – but I’ve never used it for what it’s intended for. I have yet to kill an animal. It’s like when friends and family know you want to hunt they’re like “I’m busy” or “You don’t want this.” And if you try to seek our professional outfitters, you have to pay an arm and a leg (and a tip). I need a friend’s land and time, or I need to win the lottery to pay for a hunt.

#vedo14 or #vlogtober