Visiting Gnomeland, Iowa

cobalt · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 60

Hi and greetings from Gnomie cobalt. Been suscriber for several year and find it is my number one tech resource and entertainment ezine! I plan to be in Des Moines for the day Monday and would like to meet up with any bloggers and Gnome staff / gurus. Especially wondering how to contact Chris Pirillo as I have a few questions and info bits he may be interested in. Developing my own email newsletter for beginners who've actually used computers up to those with intermediate general computer and online skills.

I am actually an avid blogger teacher trained in El Ed, Special Ed and art, so my approach combines multi-disciplines to be able to translate and motivate nervous newbies. I find that there is enormous info within narrow special groups, so I suscribe to tech, law, librarian, education, and journalism blogs and forums to be able to avoid re-inventing the ... electrical circuit?

Suggestions on reaching Gnomers that day? I may be able to set up another time as I come to Iowa about once a month from Illinois. Monday am I will be in Des Moines as I am driving my youngest to ship out for Basic Training in the Airforce - whoa! This soon-to-be "empty nester mom-slash-60's survivor" is easily distractible when meeting other bloggers and creative folks into IT and public forums of sharing information and application resources.

Write me back online in the forum or how does one post email addy in a PC-way (pun intended)

cobalt / BJ

brian · Joined: Dec 04, 2002 Posts: 9

I don't think you have to worry... the Lockergnome staff checks in here from time to time. I don't know when Gretchen and Chris are getting into Iowa for GnomeDex but I wouldn't be surprised if one of them tries to contact you through this post. Also we usually like to try to have an a non-sanctioned pre-GnomeDex get together for those people showing up early to GnomeDex.

As for meeting up with other Lockergnome Staff then I should let you know that only a few live in Des Moines right now. We have quite a few in Iowa but only a few in Des Moines. By the end of this week I will no longer be a writer for Lockergnome myself but I hope to still assist Lockergnome from time to time and I would be happy to make myself available to meet with you. I may even be able to get Jake (Digital Media and Apple Core Newsletter) and/or Lori (One of the brains behind the scenes) to tag along. Who knows, maybe others would show up too if they are in town.

Feel free to contact me through my personal Web site (www.genxtek.net).

Talk to you later,
Brian Stevens
Staff Writer
Lockergnome Windows Daily

cobalt · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 60

Thanks for the reply Brian! I am going to be in Iowa City on Sunday till Monday morning and then another 100 or so miles I think it is to get to DM. I'd love to get in touch if possible - here is an email address of mine that's good for area Gnomies to use to contact moi: moihehe123.RemoveThis@yahoo.com

Not sure of when Gnomedex is, but at present the registration is out of my range as it coincides with my move into a summer sublet apartment. However, I AM good for some brewskis or cuppas if any interested would like to meet on Monday in DM! I bet that sounds just boring as heck for those nowhere near Ioway and wondering just where it is, LOL! (It's right up there by Oregon, right?)

cobalt / BJ / C'est moi

cobalt · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 60

Thanks Quest, and Brian and Lori for responding to my post/email... Nice to get a quick reply on this! I am excited that I may be able to do the Dex in July - hope to combine with a trip to see family then, too.

I've had an interesting experience writing to online web developers, creators, editors, authors and suchlike over the last few months - most respond to emails and my posts! Wow! Is this unusual? How the heck would I know - ask me if I personally know very many online geeks that share knowledge! (nada one, zilcho - and then there are you folks and some others of late). Was happy to meet Dan Gilmor, Phil Greenspun, Steve Jones, etc. thru their sites recently. Now I'd like to meet Mr. Wambooli, Dennis F., some naked PC guys, Tara C. and others who I revere.

Oops, I should make clear I am not a groupie, heh heh! So, anyone in the great state of Ioway interested in an informal get-together in DM this coming Monday? Cheers, BJ / cobalt

cobalt · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 60

Brian and/or any other Gnomies around Des Moines on Monday - hope to meet up with anyone there to blather a bit perhaps? I will check Sunday morning and Monday morning to see if anyone has gotten back to me by email re a little impromptu get-together on Monday in the afternoon or evening. Moihehe123.DeleteThis@yahoo.com - cobalt c'est moi.

cobalt · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 60

FYI - Lori and Brian are great folks to know! Just wanted to pass along that I heard from both and got to meet Lori in Des Moines where we had a fine, fine meal downtown. Nice to meet another Gnome-type there as well - greetings to Mr. Wi-Fi, too!

For anyone interested in Gnomedex, I got to see the hotel Savery and the convention area and the surrounding nightlife which was fun and visually-engaging. One must see DM by night to truly appreciate it. A bit like Minneapolis and St. Paul to my eyes. After hearing of more about the presenters and expected events, I just can't wait to go there. For me, I am especially happy that this even was NOT on one of the "Coasts" as both those areas are prohibitively expensive for conventions, lodging, meals, etc. DM is a great central location with good air connections and very pleasant to visit. How many big cities can you go to and feel comfortable walking around the downtown and arts district feeling quite safe? The golden dome of the impressive state capital building was a wow, too!