Serge the Concierge

Navel Gazing, Twittering about Twitter, Blogging about Blogs

Having presented a panel at South by Southwest Interactive 08, Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet, I was invited to submit an idea for the 2010 edition. I think i will do it only if a topic came up that I am passionate about.

The ever wise Dave Winer gave me pause by saying that speeches suck and panels even more.

Is it all about selling your 'expertise'?
Is it more about listening to yourself talking, navel gazing, than sharing experiences and having an honest exchange? Twittering about twitter, blogging about blogs.

Tech tools are just that tools in the same way that cars take us from point A to point B.

As the situation in Iran shows online tools can be very effective. Such events make sharing how many copies of your book have sold and incessant self promotion sound trivial.

So should I save my traveling dollars for other shores, say pairing an October event in Lisbon with a visit to Portuguese wineries.

No I am not at the 140 Characters Conference, just thinking out loud on the train ride to Rudipalooza NY stop.

Bonne Journee

What is a Good Use or Waste of your Time and sometimes Your Money

There are weeks or days when I could be in many places and choices need to be made.

Today for example I could be in Rome for the Vernissage of the Hiroshige "Master of Nature" exhibit or in Austin for South by Southwest as I did last year with my Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet panel.

Instead I will stay close and spend an hour at the Rosé Wine Tasting from Sud de France in New York.

Why?

I decided this year to save my time off and my traveling dollars for family plans.

Musings on Time and Money for Monday Work Etiquette # 81

 

Bring your Pink Slip, Get a Free Month at Office Nomads (Seattle)...Dogs Welcome

Rather than sit at home filled with gloom, perspire and spend the day with people who might even inspire you with free office space to boot.

Just bring your Pink Slip to Office Nomads, a coworking space in Seattle and take advantage of their Pink Slip Special which goes as follows:

"We hope we’re wrong, but chances are you or someone you know recently lost a job. We understand your plight from experience: In one fell swoop you’ve lost your income and the office space and community you rely on day-to-day. Well, we want you to know that losing a job doesn’t have to mean spending days trapped at home alone. Whether you’re job searching or using your new-found freedom to finally dig into that awesome business idea, Office Nomads has space in our tight-knit community for you. The best part? Because we know how tough it can be, we’ll get you started for free.

For a limited time, first-time visitors to Office Nomads who show proof they were laid off can get a free one month daily-drop-in membership - a $375 value! You’ll get a desk and free high-speed Internet access, and be a part of a strong, fun office community again."

Two things that stand out on their Membership page, they welcome dogs and they are not afraid of the competition as they list other coworking spaces in the Seattle area.

To conclude, Susan Evans of Office Nomads and 4 co-conspirators will dive deep into coworking and innovation in Regional Whuffie Building: Attracting Innovation to Your City at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin (Sunday, March 15, 3:30 pm)

Positive vibrations for Monday Work Etiquette #80

Previously: Can't Get Enough! Book Lovers at Work sign up for the Six Book Challenge

Related: LaidOffCamp, New York, San Francisco...BarCamp for the Out of Work or Underemployed?

Cupcake Social, March 15, 2009 in Austin during SXSW with Rachel and Nichelle

Since Nichelle invited us to share the news, if you are in Austin on March 15 for South by Southwest or just in town and want to get a sugar kick and some cupcake love, here's the place to be.

Nichelle and Rachel of Cupcakes Take The Cake fame invite you to a Cupcake Social (details below).

Where: Tiniest Bar in Texas 817 W 5th St Austin, TX 78703

When: Sunday, March 15th, 2009, 4pm

More info: Cupcakes + Tech= Cupcake Social 2.0 Come eat cupcakes with bloggers, developers, foodies, founders, new media nerds, social media geeks and sweet people. Cupcakes Take The Cake is having a Sunday social at Tiniest Bar in Texas.

Free cupcakes (while supplies last) Cash Bar.

Reservations required. As I am writing this there is still room for about 100 more guests.

Nichelle knows everyone so I am sure it will be a good mix...

Enjoy!

Related: Cupcakes: Favourite greedy treat of me-generation, says Zoe Williams

Did I sign up for South by Southwest in my Sleep? my.SXSW makes me wonder

A funny thing happened on my way to running errands on Tuesday.

The following message popped up in my e-mail:

Welcome to my.SXSW

Hi Serge Lescouarnec,

Thank you for registering to attend SXSW 2009, it's our pleasure to invite you to use my.SXSW—a feature-rich overhaul of the Online Registrants Directory. We understand that folks attend SXSW to network with like-minded people—which is why we think you'll find this an invaluable tool before and during the event.

Created by The Social Collective with your needs in mind, my.SXSW allows you to communicate with other registrants and attendees year-round—its messaging system integrates with Twitter—and join groups of attendees with specific interests. You can also build a personal schedule for SXSW 2009, sign up for SXSW Alerts, and upload a badge photo.

To get started with my.SXSW just login

We hope you enjoy my.SXSW and are looking forward to seeing you in March.

The only thing is I do not remember registering for South by Southwest.

Did someone register me?

Did my panel idea From Consumed to Thrifty: Strategies for the Good Life in a Wobbly Economy get the green light late and no one bothered to tell me?

Did I register in my sleep and failed to realize?

I am puzzled.

Maybe Brian Brushwood of Revision 3 (is he really) who will share "tricks on how to scam your way into ANYTHING, whether it's a business meeting or a hot-ticket event" and other ways to "Scam Your Way Into Anything or From Anybody" on February 13 at 5pm did it to prove his point?

Could be Lane Becker (Get Satisfaction) who is offering on Sunday (March 15) a panel similar to the one I had in mind titled "What Do I Do With Myself, Now that the Economy Has Collapsed?" get me a freebie as a consolation prize?

If I don't make it at the last minute to Austin, should I take Luke Johnson advice in The hot money is in live performance (FT, March 3) stating that in this recession "entire events are being canceled while individuals will fork out to be there in person for pleasure" and so far "it seems that being able to say “I was there” matters more when it comes to a concert than a conference."

Would my money be better spent on a frugal vacation?

An amusing twist to my week

In the meantime I am able to send messages and comments to my fellow "attendees".

Are some of them shadow ones like myself?

Bonne soiree!

Related: Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet

Which were the worst (and best) business conferences and events you ever attended? When? Where? Why?

Which were the worst (and best) business conferences and events you ever attended?
When? Where? Why?

I will be hosting a discussion on this topic on Wednesday, September 17 (7:00 pm) during Web 2.0 Expo New York.

It is titled 'How Much is Too Much? Where is the Value in Attending Conferences?' and part of the Birds of a Feather sessions, another way to look at my Consumed to Thrifty theme...

From what I just read on the Web 2.0 Expo Blog, these evening sessions take place in the boardrooms of the Hudson Hotel located at 356 West 58th Street across from Columbus Circle and Central Park West.

It is part of Web 2Open.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

I hope some of you can join me for this conversation.

Web 2Open is Free but you do need to register.

If you do not have a badge and would like to attend Web2Open for Free, register for an Expo pass at http://www.web2expo.com/ny using code webny08opn now through September 15, 2008. This pass will give you access to Web2Open, Hybrid Sessions, Keynotes, the Expo Floor and Birds of a Feather sessions.

Related: Vote for our Panel 'From Consumed to Thrifty: Strategies for the Good Life in a Wobbly Economy' at South by Southwest 2009

Wanted to Vote, Try Again...The 'South by Southwest Panel Picker' was down...Seems to Work Again

If you tried to log on to the South by Southwest Panel Picker earlier today To Give Us Your Vote and could not, the system was down.
As of right now, it seems things are working again.
So please try again
Yes technology breaks down sometimes, things are not always perfect.
Thanks to Hugh Forrest for Updating Us.

Last Day to Vote for our 'Consumed to Thrifty' Panel (South by Southwest 2009)

Friday, August 29 is the last day to Vote for our Panel From Consumed to Thrifty: Strategies for the Good Life in a Wobbly Economy' at South by Southwest 2009.

Register your Vote by Clicking on the Stars (in our Panel Picker Page)

What it's all about you might ask:

With the economy on the rocks for the past year, the idea for a panel discussion at South by Southwest Interactive (Austin, March 2009) titled From Consumed to Thrifty: Strategies for the Good Life in a Wobbly Economy slowly percolated, like a good cup of espresso.

These Strategies for the Good Life in a Wobbly Economy go From Home Swapping and Thrift Shops to Dropping Bottled Water and Lattes and exploring what path we can take to live well without breaking the bank and being a Scrooge.
We will share tips and tricks on travel, work, food and more.

Vote via the South by Southwest Panel Picker.

This message has been approved by the Serge the Concierge campaign.

Merci beaucoup

Danke Schon

Muchas Gracias

Thanks a lot

Sloppy E-Mails, the Weakest Links and a side trip to the New York Aquarium...Have you Voted for us Today?

Don't worry, I did not loose my inspiration today or fall off the surface of the earth.

I got my priorities straight and took the little one if only for a short visit to the New York Aquarium.
I had to rush back so I could get some lawyerly advice on old matters.

Besides that, I have been e-mailing away, trying to gather enough votes to make my Consumed to Thrifty panel planned for South by Southwest Interactive (2009) fly...

Am I spinning my wheels? The Deadline (Friday, August 29) is fast approaching!

For some of you it might sound like a waste of time or unhealthy habits.

In any case, I am still sending e-mails with broken links (thanks to Dan Pink for pointing it out), a sense of urgency or rushing though it.

We get sloppy.

The naked truth from yours truly, Serge the Concierge.

Confused as to How to Vote for our South by Southwest Panel: Register and then Click on the Stars

Confused by the Voting Process for our

'From Consumed to Thrifty: Strategies for the Good Life in a Wobbly Economy'

Panel at South by Southwest Interactive, it might have been our fault.

So here is a clarification, a correction

Register your Vote by Clicking on the Stars (in our Panel Picker page)

Feel free to add your feedback in the Comments

Voting Deadline is Friday, August 29 by Midnight.

Related: Vote for our Panel 'From Consumed to Thrifty: Strategies for the Good Life in a Wobbly Economy' at South by Southwest 2009