Personal Lotusphere ramblings and wrap-up...
Category Lotusphere2007
Every year, I tell myself I'm going to be a blogging maniac at Lotusphere and record everything. And every year, I end up going dark after day 2. Doesn't mean I'm not there... Just that I'm spending too much time learning and seeing and doing to be tied to a keyboard. Maybe next year I'll reduce the guilt level and just admit up front that it's not going to happen. :)
With each passing Lotusphere (I think this was #11 for me), I am amazed at how much the community means to me. Yes, I always come back with my head buzzing about all the new stuff available, as well as a laundry list of things I have to do and implement upon my return. But even more than that, it's the knowledge that I'll be meeting up with some of the best friends I have, and I'll be part of something far, far bigger than my little corner of the world (no references to my vertically-challenged limitiations there). It's hard to explain to someone just what that means to me...
Probably the closest I can come to it is this... I was having breakfast with someone Friday morning before I left. I related that I've always struggled with feeling like I'm "tolerated" instead of "accepted". It's gotten better since I started with the anti-depressants, but it's a demon that is never far away. Her words of how she and others view me in this group brought tears to my eyes. (And you only thought I was going for the laugh on Thursday night, Ed!) I am amazed and humbled to be part of a group that drives and innovates a product far beyond what's considered normal. And I can't begin to comprehend how many friendships I've developed that span continents and cultures, real-life and virtual-life.
Thank you all for making this one of the best Lotuspheres I've ever been a part of. You're all part of the reason why I love my job and consider myself extremely blessed.
Every year, I tell myself I'm going to be a blogging maniac at Lotusphere and record everything. And every year, I end up going dark after day 2. Doesn't mean I'm not there... Just that I'm spending too much time learning and seeing and doing to be tied to a keyboard. Maybe next year I'll reduce the guilt level and just admit up front that it's not going to happen. :)
With each passing Lotusphere (I think this was #11 for me), I am amazed at how much the community means to me. Yes, I always come back with my head buzzing about all the new stuff available, as well as a laundry list of things I have to do and implement upon my return. But even more than that, it's the knowledge that I'll be meeting up with some of the best friends I have, and I'll be part of something far, far bigger than my little corner of the world (no references to my vertically-challenged limitiations there). It's hard to explain to someone just what that means to me...
Probably the closest I can come to it is this... I was having breakfast with someone Friday morning before I left. I related that I've always struggled with feeling like I'm "tolerated" instead of "accepted". It's gotten better since I started with the anti-depressants, but it's a demon that is never far away. Her words of how she and others view me in this group brought tears to my eyes. (And you only thought I was going for the laugh on Thursday night, Ed!) I am amazed and humbled to be part of a group that drives and innovates a product far beyond what's considered normal. And I can't begin to comprehend how many friendships I've developed that span continents and cultures, real-life and virtual-life.
Thank you all for making this one of the best Lotuspheres I've ever been a part of. You're all part of the reason why I love my job and consider myself extremely blessed.
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Comments
Posted by Curt Stone At 09:15:28 On 30/01/2007 | - Website - |
I hope and pray that the next year means more of that. I missed 2007. Eleven you say? WOW
Posted by Ben Poole At 13:31:17 On 28/01/2007 | - Website - |
I agree with Devin.
It was great meeting you on Thursday. It seems like just about the time I meet people each year, I'm heading out the door. This time it was just literally since I was getting in the car right after that session. But hopefully we can reconnect earlier next year. I enjoy reading yours and others' blogs so much that it's also a big part of Lotusphere for me every year.
Posted by Jackie H At 06:28:56 On 29/01/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 17:20:03 On 29/01/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 09:31:15 On 30/01/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 12:04:23 On 28/01/2007 | - Website - |
Tom, you are one of the "in crowd"; I can only wish to be as "tolerated" as you are.
-Devin.
Posted by Devin Olson At 11:57:32 On 28/01/2007 | - Website - |
Love you! (but no kisses)
Posted by Curt Stone At 13:05:21 On 29/01/2007 | - Website - |