If you're a fan of 24, this will make sense to you. (If not, you'll think the rest of us are obsessive and crazy). After two years of madly trying to catch up to 24, I'm finally on Season 7, and hoping to finish it before Season 8 starts airing in January. The casting decisions have been interesting to watch, and in particular, Dave and I have loved the comings and goings of several 80's actors.
Someone behind 24 must have loved the 1980's, and given these actors roles on 24 as a shout-out! I love seeing them on the show now, even though it makes me feel old and sad for them because they are all clearly past their prime. Alas, much like their careers, their stints on 24 are short-lived:
1. Sean Astin
When he showed up as Lynn McGill for half of Season 5 before dying in the nerve gas attack, all I could think of was Samwise Gangee and his big hairy feet. Even though I loved him in the 80's in the pre-pudgy days, as Mikey in the Goonies, I didn't like this casting. How could this short, lispy man be running CTU?
2. Ricky Schroeder
Great casting, but WTF happened to his face? Silver Spoons was great as Agent Mike Doyle in Season 6, but instead of rolling him off onto a stretcher with his eyes blown out, they should've just killed him.
3. C. Thomas Howell
Hardly recognizable as Kim Bauer's creepy psychologist-slash-boyfriend Barry, he shows up for 2 episodes in Season 5. Lookin' a little rough, this was a bit part (hardly spoke!) for an actor that I will always regard as Ponyboy, and "stay gold" he did not. As well, this casting must have been some sort of favor, because this guy is the same age as Kiefer Sutherland and way too old to be Kim's boyfriend.
4. Chad Lowe
Looking the best out of all of these 80's actors, he has maintained some youth while living in the shadow of his brother Rob and his ex-wife Hilary Swank. He doesn't have the same screen presence as his brother, but his portrayal of Reed Pollock as the shifty deputy chief of staff was spot on in Season 6.
5. Other Randoms in Short (2-episode) Appearances
Sara Gilbert
From Roseanne fame, this actress hasn't shown up in anything regular since playing Darlene Connor in the late 80's. It's too bad her appearance in Season 2 was uneventful and passed pretty quickly... I guess they only had room for one female nerd at CTU.
Lou Diamond Philips
La Bamba shows up in Season 2 as the guard at the underground prison where Victor Drazen (Dennis Hopper) is being held. I think he called in a favor to his Young Guns co-star to get him this short gig on 24.
Kevin Dillon
OK, this isn't a big name from the 80's, but much like "Johnny Drama", I'm sure he's been trying to work since the '80s. When he appeared on 24 in Season 2 as the creepy loner living in the woods in the annoying Kim Bauer side-story of that season, he hadn't started playing Johnny Drama on Entourage yet. But by the time I saw Season 2 on DVD, I was already a fan of Entourage. So seeing him on 24 with the same voice, mannerisms and insecure personality, all I could think of was Johnny Drama.
Jesse Borrego
Remember him? He played Jesse in Fame in the 80's! In 24, he was Gael, the CTU agent in Season 3 that buggers with the skin-eating poison that ends up killing him.
Lukas Haas
Most people probably don't know who this is, but he played the little Amish kid (the witnesss) in the movie "Witness" in the 80's. A regular working actor without any big starring roles, for those that follow celeb gossip, he's probably now more known for being a member of Leonardo DiCaprio's personal entourage.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Walking the Path of Elizabeth Gilbert: 5 Highlights of Finding the Real People Behind "Eat, Pray, Love" in Bali
If you’re a warm-blooded, breathing woman, chances are, you’ve read (or at least heard of) the book, “Eat, Pray, Love”. If you haven’t, this best-seller from Feb. 2006 is author Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir of her journey to recovery from a divorce, by eating her way through Italy, meditating in solitude in India, and finding healing and love in Indonesia. I don’t compare my life to Elizabeth’s, nor was I one of the mid-life-crisis groupies secretly wishing I could leave my husband and travel the world for a year. However, since my travels were taking me to Indonesia for two weeks last month, I was intrigued enough by the Balinese chapter of her journey that I decided to walk in her footsteps for a few days.
The key “real people” she meets, establishes strong relationships with, and who change her life in Bali are two main people: Wayan, the healer woman, and Ketut Liyer, the old medicine man. I’d never gone to see any kind of fortune teller or alternative medicine doctor in my life. But was curious enough to open myself up to meeting these people and giving them a chance.
It was pretty easy to find them. A simple Google search produced this page from Elizabeth Gilbert’s website (http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/faq.htm) that gave us simple directions to find Wayan and Ketut. As she said, simply asking any local or cab driver will get you to them. Here are the top 5 highlights on my meetings with them.
The key “real people” she meets, establishes strong relationships with, and who change her life in Bali are two main people: Wayan, the healer woman, and Ketut Liyer, the old medicine man. I’d never gone to see any kind of fortune teller or alternative medicine doctor in my life. But was curious enough to open myself up to meeting these people and giving them a chance.
It was pretty easy to find them. A simple Google search produced this page from Elizabeth Gilbert’s website (http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/faq.htm) that gave us simple directions to find Wayan and Ketut. As she said, simply asking any local or cab driver will get you to them. Here are the top 5 highlights on my meetings with them.
- Their existence has not changed that much after being major characters in a best-selling book. Surprisingly, Wayan has her traditional Balinese medicine shop in a very non-descript building in the town of Ubud, where she has always been. Ketut Liyer is still sitting on his “porch” (though it’s not the type of porch us North Americans imagine) in his traditional Hindu-style compound. Both have definitely seen an influx in visitors, and I imagine will get even more after the movie version (Julia Roberts will be playing Elizabeth Gilbert), but neither had big flashy or expanded businesses as a result.
- But they are charging a lot more than 25¢. Each of them charged us $25 for our services, and in a country where the average daily wage seems to be $5, they’re not doing too badly either.
- Wayan’s palm & body reading were more accurate than Ketut’s. I went into both experiences with sceptical curiosity – some hopes of being told that I’m brilliant and will be a millionaire soon, yet bracing myself for some bullsh*t response. Since we had come all the way to Ubud and found them, my husband Dave and I both jumped in and had palm/body readings with both. It’s probably no shocker than Ketut is quite old (he says he’s now 93), and therefore, I blame it on his age that he said some of the exact same things to me that he said to my husband two minutes later. Wayan, on the other hand, was bang-on with some pretty specific details of my past, so I listened to her more intently when she doled out advice on my health and hints into the future.
- Wayan’s magic may be the real thing. While we were in Wayan’s shop, where people are treated simultaneously – not in privacy and not exclusively – we met a few other foreigners who had come to get her “magic” treatment. Some had heard of her from the book, and others had been referred to her by other patients. One of them was an American man in his 40s who had come to her seeking help for a damaged shoulder. After a 30 minute Balinese treatment by Wayan and her assistants, he was in shock. He exclaimed to us that he had seen numerous chiropractors, massage therapists, and physiotherapists in the US, and still had constant pain and inability to raise or rotate his shoulder for 15 years. He was incredulous that one treatment would “heal” him. He went on to say that he would listen to anything Wayan told him to do, including taking herbs she recommended for clearing his liver, and reconciling with “whoever he was angry with for the past several years because it was causing physical damage to his liver”. (He did say that that would be harder than getting the shoulder treatment since that would mean probably apologizing to his ex-wife).
- They were both anticipating the filming of the Balinese segment of the movie with Julia Roberts. We literally missed the cast and crew of “Eat, Pray, Love” arriving in Ubud by a few days! Wayan was already anticipating them coming, posting a picture of Julia Roberts right below Elizabeth Gilbert’s picture on her wall. Surprisingly, though the producers had already paid them a visit to explain what was happening and to let them know that actors would be playing them, neither of them knew much more detail than that. I would only hope that Julia Roberts would take the time to visit them like we did and experience traditional Balinese readings, healings, and treatments to truly walk in the steps of Elizabeth Gilbert.
Monday, November 23, 2009
5 Lessons in Comparing Office Cultures
Having just changed companies (from Maximizer Software to ActiveState), and now getting used to the culture at the new office, here are five specific ways in which the two companies are different.
1. Political Hierarchy
Keep in mind Maximizer has 100 people in Vancouver, and another 75 in international offices (UK, Australia, South Africa, and Hong Kong), while ActiveState has less than 30 people in Vancouver only. That said, Maximizer is no Microsoft or Oracle. But the flatness of the ActiveState culture at first caught me off guard. At Maximizer, as a member of the senior executive team, I mostly socialized and collaborated with the other senior executives, and those that were one level under me (directors and managers). I rarely spoke with staff level (unless they were in marketing), and the staff in sales and support (the largest groups) would never speak to me at company social functions. In fact, most of them never came into my office, and if they did, they acted very nervous. ActiveState is entirely different in that everyone is more on equal ground and anyone can go into the president's office even.
2. Gay Office Managers make for Fun Times
At ActiveState, our gay office manager/receptionist/accounting & customer service assistant provides a core element of our open, fun, friendly, and humorous workplace. He jokes around with everyone, from the marketing staff up to the president in the same tone. At my old company, a gay office manager certainly would not have fit into the culture.
3. Perks are Good
Maximizer was getting to the point, and with the economy and all, where we were pulling away things like food and snacks for staff (though we did still have massages). At ActiveState, I was pleasantly surprised with fully stocked kitchen with fresh fruit, tons of snacks, breakfast, and lunch options. Then, I learned that there was staff yoga/pilates three times a week that the company subsidized! This feels like the tech boom of 1999 or a video game company, and I'm liking these perks.
4. People Invite Each Other to Parties
At Maximizer, in all my years there, I don't recall ever being invited to a house party that a staffer was having. In one month, I've already been invited to three. Very surprising and different coming from my old world, but seems to be the norm here.
5. Operations need to be Streamlined for Growth
ActiveState, having grown up in the open source space, and being a smaller company, has some streamlining to benefit from in operations and IT. Even before I started, and they asked me what type of software (OS, apps, etc) I wanted on my laptop, I was surprised. And I was allowed to bring in my new BlackBerry, while others were using iPhones or other mobile platforms. Choice is good, but I definitely wasn't used to the ad-hoc nature of IT operations.
1. Political Hierarchy
Keep in mind Maximizer has 100 people in Vancouver, and another 75 in international offices (UK, Australia, South Africa, and Hong Kong), while ActiveState has less than 30 people in Vancouver only. That said, Maximizer is no Microsoft or Oracle. But the flatness of the ActiveState culture at first caught me off guard. At Maximizer, as a member of the senior executive team, I mostly socialized and collaborated with the other senior executives, and those that were one level under me (directors and managers). I rarely spoke with staff level (unless they were in marketing), and the staff in sales and support (the largest groups) would never speak to me at company social functions. In fact, most of them never came into my office, and if they did, they acted very nervous. ActiveState is entirely different in that everyone is more on equal ground and anyone can go into the president's office even.
2. Gay Office Managers make for Fun Times
At ActiveState, our gay office manager/receptionist/accounting & customer service assistant provides a core element of our open, fun, friendly, and humorous workplace. He jokes around with everyone, from the marketing staff up to the president in the same tone. At my old company, a gay office manager certainly would not have fit into the culture.
3. Perks are Good
Maximizer was getting to the point, and with the economy and all, where we were pulling away things like food and snacks for staff (though we did still have massages). At ActiveState, I was pleasantly surprised with fully stocked kitchen with fresh fruit, tons of snacks, breakfast, and lunch options. Then, I learned that there was staff yoga/pilates three times a week that the company subsidized! This feels like the tech boom of 1999 or a video game company, and I'm liking these perks.
4. People Invite Each Other to Parties
At Maximizer, in all my years there, I don't recall ever being invited to a house party that a staffer was having. In one month, I've already been invited to three. Very surprising and different coming from my old world, but seems to be the norm here.
5. Operations need to be Streamlined for Growth
ActiveState, having grown up in the open source space, and being a smaller company, has some streamlining to benefit from in operations and IT. Even before I started, and they asked me what type of software (OS, apps, etc) I wanted on my laptop, I was surprised. And I was allowed to bring in my new BlackBerry, while others were using iPhones or other mobile platforms. Choice is good, but I definitely wasn't used to the ad-hoc nature of IT operations.
Monday, August 31, 2009
5 Things NOT to Say to Make a Kid Cry
If you're like me and haven't had much exposure to children, yet are now thrust in the midst of your mid-30s friends' kids, here are 5 things NOT to say to their kids. Trust me - toddlers don't have the same sense of humor as us and don't think sarcasm is funny. At all. In fact, you may scare them shitless if you say these things, which I quickly learned after my attempts to make them laugh, backfired and made them cry.
1. "Your mom has asked me to drive you to Kelowna."
Saying this as you jump into the drivers seat of a mini-van that has 3 children strapped into carseats in the back may elicit a 3-year old to burst into tears. Then, his older brother MAY say something to you like "you don't know much about kids, do you".
2. "When you were a baby, your older brother vaccuumed you up and you got stuck inside a vaccuum cleaner."
You'd think that I'd learn from the incident above, but no. A year later, I said this to the same kid. Of course there were no giggles, but rather a pout/frown and beginnings of a "waaah" type sound. I quickly retracted my statement and told him I was just joking, which was followed by "that's not funneeeee!!"
3. "A bear's going to smell the honey and PB on your face and come and lick it off."
Again, kids don't understand sarcasm, and this elicited a facial expression which seemed like a combination of fear of big bears and confusion that perhaps I was referring to Winnie the Pooh... followed by "Bear coming?"
1. "Your mom has asked me to drive you to Kelowna."
Saying this as you jump into the drivers seat of a mini-van that has 3 children strapped into carseats in the back may elicit a 3-year old to burst into tears. Then, his older brother MAY say something to you like "you don't know much about kids, do you".
2. "When you were a baby, your older brother vaccuumed you up and you got stuck inside a vaccuum cleaner."
You'd think that I'd learn from the incident above, but no. A year later, I said this to the same kid. Of course there were no giggles, but rather a pout/frown and beginnings of a "waaah" type sound. I quickly retracted my statement and told him I was just joking, which was followed by "that's not funneeeee!!"
3. "A bear's going to smell the honey and PB on your face and come and lick it off."
Again, kids don't understand sarcasm, and this elicited a facial expression which seemed like a combination of fear of big bears and confusion that perhaps I was referring to Winnie the Pooh... followed by "Bear coming?"
4. "I don't care what your parents let you do, you have to go to bed now."
Trying to be their parent and lay down your own rules when you're just baby-sitting for the night does not work. I tried to play "bad cop" and my husband ended up having to play "good cop" while this toddler cried herself to sleep. I was never asked to babysit her again.
OK, so I only have 4 again this time. Probably a good thing, and will try to NOT make more small children cry.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
5 Things that Make New Orleans Unique
Everyone knows to go to New Orleans for Bourbon Street, Mardi Gras, post-Hurricane Katrina support, etc... And I've always suspected that New Orleans would be a culturally unique experience from any other American city. In my few days here this week in NOLA (which I learned stands for New Orleans, Louisiana!), I've already discovered evidence of unique things to experience.
1. Alligator Fritters & Turtle Soup
No joke, they actually eat that here. I ate a gator fritter last night; haven't tried turtle soup yet, but my colleague did. Not as freaky as you think - and yes, tastes like chicken.
2. Current culture & language reflects French history
The only place in America that isn't so, well, America. They actually use the Fleur-de-Lis as their symbol here - not just in Quebec! And they still teach French in some schools, not Spanish.
3. Mugginess
The only place I've ever been where you step outside, it's so muggy that your eye glasses steam up immediately. So muggy that Bikram's could hold his yoga classes here outside.
4. Jazz
Their airport is named after the legendary jazz musician. What other city names their airport after a musician? And you can see why when you walk down Bourbon Street and hear sounds of traditional and modern jazz from several hole-in-the-wall clubs/bars. Very unique - love it!
5. Deep fried everything - and they got grits!
Not just fish and chicken, but beans, artichokes, alligators, mushrooms. It was so difficult to find non-deep-fried food at the party last night that I cheered when we found raw carrot sticks at one of the tables. And for northerners - you can try grits in New Orleans, served even at fancy restaurants!
1. Alligator Fritters & Turtle Soup
No joke, they actually eat that here. I ate a gator fritter last night; haven't tried turtle soup yet, but my colleague did. Not as freaky as you think - and yes, tastes like chicken.
2. Current culture & language reflects French history
The only place in America that isn't so, well, America. They actually use the Fleur-de-Lis as their symbol here - not just in Quebec! And they still teach French in some schools, not Spanish.
3. Mugginess
The only place I've ever been where you step outside, it's so muggy that your eye glasses steam up immediately. So muggy that Bikram's could hold his yoga classes here outside.
4. Jazz
Their airport is named after the legendary jazz musician. What other city names their airport after a musician? And you can see why when you walk down Bourbon Street and hear sounds of traditional and modern jazz from several hole-in-the-wall clubs/bars. Very unique - love it!
5. Deep fried everything - and they got grits!
Not just fish and chicken, but beans, artichokes, alligators, mushrooms. It was so difficult to find non-deep-fried food at the party last night that I cheered when we found raw carrot sticks at one of the tables. And for northerners - you can try grits in New Orleans, served even at fancy restaurants!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Top 5 Handy Apps on my BlackBerry
With all the buzz a few months ago about BlackBerry Apps, I downloaded lots of different apps to try. With the buzz faded, here are the ones that I actually kept on my BlackBerry and still use to manage my life, and when they come in handy.
1. WorldMate Live
As a traveller, I can't live without WorldMate now. It takes e-tickets one step further so you don't have to print out your email confirmations. Instead, you track all your flights, hotels and rental cars in WorldMate Live, sorting it by trip. You can even book hotels through the app - which gives you great deals since it's connected with Hotels.com.
Handy for those times when US Customs is suspicious of your constant entering their country, and they ask for proof of my return trip. Tell them you don't have a printed ticket, and instead, show them your flight in WorldMate app on BlackBerry! Very cool.
You can get this one in BlackBerry App World or http://www.worldmate.com/.
2. Shazam
Finally, the must-have app for iPhone fans is available on BlackBerry! And it's as cool as people say. This is the app that "listens" to whatever tune is playing on the radio or at a bar, and tells you the song and artist! Very handy when you're thinking - "I love this song, who sings it?" and don't want to ask your friends because it's probably Kelly Clarkson and you'd be embarrassed, but you still want to download it and rock out to it whenever you want, and not have to wait for the next time you hear it on the radio.
This one is available through BlackBerry App World.
3. Facebook
For Facebookers, this is great for those times when you're waiting around for something or someone with nothing to do or read. I pull out my BlackBerry and Face-stalk the latest status updates from my friends, and update it with useless information on what I'm doing while waiting for a flight, a green light, or a ferry. Handy for those times when you want to brag about the cool things you're doing when you're not at your computer.
This one is available through BlackBerry App World.
4. Yap with MyCaption
At my company, we're testing various voice-to-text apps for mobile devices. Handy for those times when you need to say something long (like a long email or a long meeting follow-up note for your mobile CRM), and it's too much to type (whether you have fat thumbs or regular thumbs - sometimes, you just don't have the patience to type out more than a few words on a BlackBerry).
For testing, we downloaded various apps and the best one turned out to be Yap with MyCaption. Yap on it's own is OK, but had troubles with punctuation (creating big run-on sentences in the text version of what you said). But MyCaption (powered by Yap) was better, as it has some humans to help with the technology (probably some humans in a big call center in India listening to your messages and fixing the errors that the technology makes). It still thought that "Murray" was "Marie" (prompting all those CC'd on my message to Murray to start calling him Marie in the office) - but converted a 2-minute message into a pretty accurate email.
You can get a trial for this one at http://www.mycaption.com/.
5. Maximizer Mobile CRM
Of course I can't write a blog posting about BlackBerry apps without mentioning the app that pays my paycheque, Maximizer Mobile CRM. Handy when I'm on a business trip, I can see updated info on the customers and partners I'm about to meet, including the past emails, letters, phone calls I've had with them. So now I can be lazy and not print out all their files and info beforehand - I just look it up in the morning on my BlackBerry. It helps me remember important details from past conversations, and record details of the meetings I'm having, so I can remember them easily in the future.
More info at www.maximizer.com/mobilecrm.
1. WorldMate Live
As a traveller, I can't live without WorldMate now. It takes e-tickets one step further so you don't have to print out your email confirmations. Instead, you track all your flights, hotels and rental cars in WorldMate Live, sorting it by trip. You can even book hotels through the app - which gives you great deals since it's connected with Hotels.com.
Handy for those times when US Customs is suspicious of your constant entering their country, and they ask for proof of my return trip. Tell them you don't have a printed ticket, and instead, show them your flight in WorldMate app on BlackBerry! Very cool.
You can get this one in BlackBerry App World or http://www.worldmate.com/.
2. Shazam
Finally, the must-have app for iPhone fans is available on BlackBerry! And it's as cool as people say. This is the app that "listens" to whatever tune is playing on the radio or at a bar, and tells you the song and artist! Very handy when you're thinking - "I love this song, who sings it?" and don't want to ask your friends because it's probably Kelly Clarkson and you'd be embarrassed, but you still want to download it and rock out to it whenever you want, and not have to wait for the next time you hear it on the radio.
This one is available through BlackBerry App World.
3. Facebook
For Facebookers, this is great for those times when you're waiting around for something or someone with nothing to do or read. I pull out my BlackBerry and Face-stalk the latest status updates from my friends, and update it with useless information on what I'm doing while waiting for a flight, a green light, or a ferry. Handy for those times when you want to brag about the cool things you're doing when you're not at your computer.
This one is available through BlackBerry App World.
4. Yap with MyCaption
At my company, we're testing various voice-to-text apps for mobile devices. Handy for those times when you need to say something long (like a long email or a long meeting follow-up note for your mobile CRM), and it's too much to type (whether you have fat thumbs or regular thumbs - sometimes, you just don't have the patience to type out more than a few words on a BlackBerry).
For testing, we downloaded various apps and the best one turned out to be Yap with MyCaption. Yap on it's own is OK, but had troubles with punctuation (creating big run-on sentences in the text version of what you said). But MyCaption (powered by Yap) was better, as it has some humans to help with the technology (probably some humans in a big call center in India listening to your messages and fixing the errors that the technology makes). It still thought that "Murray" was "Marie" (prompting all those CC'd on my message to Murray to start calling him Marie in the office) - but converted a 2-minute message into a pretty accurate email.
You can get a trial for this one at http://www.mycaption.com/.
5. Maximizer Mobile CRM
Of course I can't write a blog posting about BlackBerry apps without mentioning the app that pays my paycheque, Maximizer Mobile CRM. Handy when I'm on a business trip, I can see updated info on the customers and partners I'm about to meet, including the past emails, letters, phone calls I've had with them. So now I can be lazy and not print out all their files and info beforehand - I just look it up in the morning on my BlackBerry. It helps me remember important details from past conversations, and record details of the meetings I'm having, so I can remember them easily in the future.
More info at www.maximizer.com/mobilecrm.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The 5 Guys You Meet at Tech Conferences like WES
On my return from Research in Motion/BlackBerry’s annual Wireless Enterprise Symposium (WES), I reflected on the type of people you meet there. Firstly, like most technology conferences, it’s dominated with men. I’d say 90% at this one. ALL of my BD (business development) meetings were with men, and the only women around seemed to be the ones in the booths. So here are the types of guys at WES this year. (PS – since this blog posting is about tech, it’s likely going to have a bunch of nerdy acronyms, so will define them as I go along).
1. Young guys there to party.
At a tech conference, these guys are the minority. This is not the real estate industry. At WES, these guys hardly go to any conference sessions, and instead, spend 4 days poolside in Orlando drinking, 4 nights partying and trying to meet the 10% women at the conference (or other more “friendly” women in the city). At WES, I think most of these guys are the customers, usually not partners like us who need to put on a more serious game face. This year, some of these type of guys actually built a BlackBerry party-organizing app called “WES After Dark” to post info on where they were going to be partying, encourage others to spread the word and come out partying. I would’ve gone to one of the parties, if it wasn’t for them posting pictures from the first night at Hooter’s and other party pics that made me realize that hanging out with these guys may be a CLM (career-limiting move)! Considering it’s a recession, these guys were drinking on their expense accounts like it was 1999 – I guess mobility is the exception to the recession!
2. Tech Entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley there to pitch their product.
Aggressive entrepreneurs with lots of mojo that walk around pushing their product on anyone that they think is influential. Usually Silicon Valley or NY types that think they have the next killer app, want to partner with RIM or get bought by RIM. One of these types hi-jacked a meeting I was in with a RIM/carrier alliance person (yes, influential). He name dropped like crazy about where he used to be an exec and whose on his board of directors, yet he didn’t have business cards on him (odd!). I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one that didn’t really understand the business value of his app…
3. Tech nerds there to learn.
This is the majority of the guys at WES… serious nerds there to get their BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server) certification, and start clapping when Mike Lazaridis (RIM co-CEO) announces some small new feature, and Mike Kirkup (RIM Dev Relations Manager) says that they’re going to start publicly tracking technical issues. These guys actually attend all the technical sessions, and get excited about being in the hands-on labs all day. These are also the guys that stand around at the parties by themselves, checking the status of their servers on their BlackBerry’s, and staring at the 10% of girls that walk by as if they haven’t seen one of us in 5 years.
4. Nerds and old guys that party once a year at WES.
These guys are hilarious because unlike Type #3, they’re nerds and old guys that aren’t shy. They think they’re like Type #1, but they’re clearly not. When they’re sober, they’re geeking out on their BlackBerry’s, and after a few drinks, they jump onto stage when will.i.am is rapping and DJ’ing and think they can break dance or balance drinks on their head. The old guys are standing near the front of the stage like it was a Grateful Dead concert, yet probably have no idea who will.i.am is. They’re just excited to be at a concert and not at home with their wives and kids.
5. Guys there to do bi’ness.
These are most of the guys that I personally met with. BD and Sales types within RIM, software/hardware partners, and carrier guys that cram in as many face-to-face meetings as possible during the week to build relationships and progress deals. Whether they’re from start-ups or huge carriers, everyone wants to capitalize on the huge BlackBerry market where there’s big opportunity and a piece of the pie for many players. We’re pretty new to the mobility and carrier game, but I’m quickly realizing that this is a club based on relationships and credibility. And the more the right people vouch for you, the easier it will be to do business with others.
1. Young guys there to party.
At a tech conference, these guys are the minority. This is not the real estate industry. At WES, these guys hardly go to any conference sessions, and instead, spend 4 days poolside in Orlando drinking, 4 nights partying and trying to meet the 10% women at the conference (or other more “friendly” women in the city). At WES, I think most of these guys are the customers, usually not partners like us who need to put on a more serious game face. This year, some of these type of guys actually built a BlackBerry party-organizing app called “WES After Dark” to post info on where they were going to be partying, encourage others to spread the word and come out partying. I would’ve gone to one of the parties, if it wasn’t for them posting pictures from the first night at Hooter’s and other party pics that made me realize that hanging out with these guys may be a CLM (career-limiting move)! Considering it’s a recession, these guys were drinking on their expense accounts like it was 1999 – I guess mobility is the exception to the recession!
2. Tech Entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley there to pitch their product.
Aggressive entrepreneurs with lots of mojo that walk around pushing their product on anyone that they think is influential. Usually Silicon Valley or NY types that think they have the next killer app, want to partner with RIM or get bought by RIM. One of these types hi-jacked a meeting I was in with a RIM/carrier alliance person (yes, influential). He name dropped like crazy about where he used to be an exec and whose on his board of directors, yet he didn’t have business cards on him (odd!). I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one that didn’t really understand the business value of his app…
3. Tech nerds there to learn.
This is the majority of the guys at WES… serious nerds there to get their BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server) certification, and start clapping when Mike Lazaridis (RIM co-CEO) announces some small new feature, and Mike Kirkup (RIM Dev Relations Manager) says that they’re going to start publicly tracking technical issues. These guys actually attend all the technical sessions, and get excited about being in the hands-on labs all day. These are also the guys that stand around at the parties by themselves, checking the status of their servers on their BlackBerry’s, and staring at the 10% of girls that walk by as if they haven’t seen one of us in 5 years.
4. Nerds and old guys that party once a year at WES.
These guys are hilarious because unlike Type #3, they’re nerds and old guys that aren’t shy. They think they’re like Type #1, but they’re clearly not. When they’re sober, they’re geeking out on their BlackBerry’s, and after a few drinks, they jump onto stage when will.i.am is rapping and DJ’ing and think they can break dance or balance drinks on their head. The old guys are standing near the front of the stage like it was a Grateful Dead concert, yet probably have no idea who will.i.am is. They’re just excited to be at a concert and not at home with their wives and kids.
5. Guys there to do bi’ness.
These are most of the guys that I personally met with. BD and Sales types within RIM, software/hardware partners, and carrier guys that cram in as many face-to-face meetings as possible during the week to build relationships and progress deals. Whether they’re from start-ups or huge carriers, everyone wants to capitalize on the huge BlackBerry market where there’s big opportunity and a piece of the pie for many players. We’re pretty new to the mobility and carrier game, but I’m quickly realizing that this is a club based on relationships and credibility. And the more the right people vouch for you, the easier it will be to do business with others.
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