Here is some footage from today's Polar Bear Plunge down at the Marina in Kirkland. We did not participate although I was almost taken out by a dog leash in the middle of the video. Hardly polar conditions with some sun and pretty warm for this time of year.
[cross posted from the Gist blog]
We were very fortunate to have Seth Godin visit Seattle on Friday and share his thinking with an intimate crowd downtown. The tickets went fast and, if you were lucky enough to get one, the gathering definitely did not disappoint. Starting with the song at the beginning (not Seth) to the quick and witty answers to questions from the crowd, Seth provided perspective and insight into how our connected world is changing how we work, think, and communicate.
While he didn’t come right out and say it, much of what he was talking about fit the new workstyle theme that we believe is defining the future of work. From thinking about the difference between a job and work to knowing that whatever it is you are working on will get “blown up” due to innovation and ease of connection. Jobs come and go but work combining both skills and passion transfers from project to project as you go through life.
I definitely recommend adding Seth’s blog to your daily reading (if it is not already there). Also, he posted pictures from the event here. Be sure to check them out!
I had a great time speaking today at a TechStars event here in Seattle. Big thanks to Andy Sack and Kayla Roark for organizing and to Perkins Coie for the 48th floor conference room on a (finally) sunny day here. I met lots of smart and energetic entrepreneurs, heard lots of pitches, and tried to add a bit of value along the way. My presentation was about "getting started" which is arguably the hardest part of starting a company – just starting.
I am really looking forward to being a TechStars mentor to this year's class and seeing these great people be successful. Here are my slides (also big thanks to the Slideshare folks for featuring this deck today on their site!):
This weekend marks the annual visit by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Seattle. As part of the festivities around Seafair, there is an airshow and boat races on Lake Washington.
This is footage of two F-18s flying over my house as part of the Boeing airshow (not the Blue Angels). I missed recording them on their way in but managed to grab my Flip video camera on their way out.
I love a good flyover…
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend TEDx Seattle yesterday. If you are not familiar with TED and its purpose, I highly recommend you check it out and watch some of the previous presentations. They promote "Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world." The "TEDx" events are local, independently produced events that follow the format and flow of the main event held annually which is definitely on my list to attend at some point.
Essentially, TED is about spreading ideas and providing a forum for sharing information and broadening perspective.
There were lots of great speakers and thought provoking presentations yesterday. I kept my computer closed and phone off during all the sessions choosing to go old school and actually write down a few notes during the presentations. Here are a few of the things that made the most impact on me:
One of the more meaningful sessions (to me) was Eugene Cho's presentation about One Day's Wages. Truly inspirational and something I plan on learning more about.
Also, be sure to read Todd Bishop's nicely written summary of the day and you can get a feel for it 140 characters at a time via the Twitter chatter here.
I believe it is important
to hear speakers present on things outside of your daily tasks, lives,
and subject matter expertise. I use to be better at finding the time
and venues to learn about new things and have made a commitment to
better prioritize this in my life.
I have been taking the bus back and forth to Seattle from Kirkland the past several weeks as I am spending more time down at Gist these days. The 255 bus literally picks up about 50 yards from my house and takes the same route downtown that I drive so really no excuse not to take it.
I am mildly ashamed that it has taken me a couple years to actually give it a go and have embraced my rookie status as I learn the ins and outs of when the fare changes, why the bus stops some places and not others, what to do when the downtown bus tunnel is closed, and the best time to pull the cord to signal you want to get off (not too early!). I have learned all these lessons over the past several weeks and am sure I provided a bit of comic relief to all the hardened veterans on the 255.
It's a nice ride, clean buses, good people, and a bit of prep time in the morning and decompression time in the afternoon.
What a day today. Sunny and warm. I fear this is just a teaser of what is to come but on days like this there is no better place to be. Here's a pic I took with my Blackberry while walking Riley looking West over Lake Washington to downtown Seattle from Kirkland.
I have yet to meet Brad in person but have corresponded with him and met some of the team at the Foundry Group. I am a bit of a Boulder fan boy and the combination of technology, venture capital, start ups, and Boulder has made me a long time reader of Brad's blog.
Brad's coming to town on Wednesday February 25th from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Palace Ballroom at 2100 5th Avenue in Seattle. Here's his post on it.
Good friend TA McCann of Gist (where I am helping out a bit) as well as Dave Schappell of TeachStreet have pulled together what looks to be a great event with the $5.99 admission going to Seattle micro-finance non-profit Vittana.
I have a conflict that evening but am sure it will be a good time with some great folks.
Here's another report from the Seattle microcosm of the economy. We went over to University Village today for a few items and so that I could check out a new MacBook at the Apple store as I go through the process of picking out a new laptop.
The Apple store along with just about every other one was mobbed with people. Parking is always an adventure there as you weave among buildings and pedestrian crosswalks, but today it was a serious challenge.
Saw lots of bags and the Apple store was packed full of people so not sure if folks were just ready to be out after a week of being snowed in or if the retail spending fire is still burning a bit in this corner of the country.
It was also very cool to run into a few people we knew. One of the great things about Seattle is that it is not so big that you won't have a chance unplanned encounter with a friend when you are out and about.
1:53:55.
That was my chip time today for the Seattle half marathon. Here's the results. Surprisingly good given the fact that I parked AFTER the race had begun. Traffic was pretty much a nightmare getting to the start although I can't say that I did myself any favors in terms of planning other than leaving the house really early. I guess I got my stretching in working the clutch in my car as I made my way through the traffic.
I will say that it seems that a better job could be done getting folks off I-5 onto the Mercer exit then up to Seattle Center. The only police car I saw actually pulled someone over for blocking an intersection as we all made our way to the start line. Remember – follow the rules in Seattle!
A good race and nice stroll through downtown as well as some of the really cool neighborhoods of Seattle (Leschi, Madison Park, etc.).
Venture Vice 