Do I look like I need Lotusphere bad?
Truth be known, for me, going to Lotusphere is not just an opportunity
to further my training on the world's most advanced collaborative
platform tools, and its not just a chance to meet those great folks whom I first get to know through blogs, podcasts, and email, but its really about temperature. Sure,
us Canadians have adapted to cold temperatures. And most of the adaptation is
mental. For example, we accept the fact that that yellow thing in the sky will be
hidden behind clouds 90% of the time while our feeble tans fade away.
We accept that from some point in October through to early May, most of
us will just give up on outdoor activities and hibernate (there are
apparently a minority who embrace the cold and ski, snowshoe, skate or
other strange behaviour). For me hiberation means giving and partaking in hospitality, movies, Wii, Internet, and potlucks at the church.
Now I realize its not really that bad here in T.O
(that's Toronto, Ontario for those who are not up on the lingo) compared to many other places even within Canada. I am on Lake
Ontario and the so-called "lake effect" apparently protects us from the
extreme temperatures that would be experienced in other regions of the country. In
2006, my first 'Sphere, I met a number of people from Iceland, Sweden,
and even Germany who were experiencing record cold temperatures, far
lower than anything we'd ever get in T.O. I imagine for these folks,
the "temperature bonus" of going to the 'Sphere is an even bigger deal.
Now, I am not a big business traveller-type so I am still awed
how I can get on a plane and in a matter of hours, have no need for a
coat, or even a sweater. I know many of you have lost that fascination over time,
yet this innocence makes this trip even more pleasurable for me.
I was just talking with my wife today about how we could arrange for
her to get down there with me, but with four kids, the cost, the short notice,
and the fact that I really want to pour myself into networking this
year and will be unavailable for her, it just doesn't make sense. So, here's my photo. I really want to
meet many of you and develop some new friendships in the community.
Don't be a stranger, be warm and say hi. I'll try to do the same. See you there.
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Do I look like I need Lotusphere bad?
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1 Jose Zaldivar Trackback I will be attending too. Check out my blog! I am sure our eyes will cross and will look at each other! and think, wait a minute! You are in shorts and pale! you must be from Canada too! Well, lets try to make an effort and connect! I am travelling with kids but manage to get a good rate @ the Lake Buena Vista Resort & Spa. I am
not sure if I will see them as I will like you immerse myself in
LS! My wife and I will go to the Universal Studio night for
sure!
Anyway! I will see you there!
Jose Zaldivar
Calgary, AB, Canada!
2 Thomas Steinhaeuser Permalink Yes, the temperature is definitely better than up here (even compared to Halifax) with none of the white stuff but be careful: your 'no coat - no sweater' approach didn't work too well at last year's opening party: it was freezing and everyone was inside or wearing every piece they had with them.
See you at Canada night.
Thomas
3 Roland Reddekop Permalink @Canadians - I'll definitely make the effort to find the pale ones there (though not every Canadian is pale). Yes Canada Night for sure. I still proudly wear my Canada Night at LS T-shirt from my last visit in 2006. Does anyone have any info about what night that is and where? Last time it was concurrent with the BlackBerry party down the hall.