Just Sayin' ...

When Avatars Come to Life

Just breathe and take the laptop out

Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents took you to Disneyworld (or land, depending on your coast)? Think back to the excitement you had walking into this very magical place for the first time.  Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto…all the characters that had made you feel so special were going to be there and you were going to get the chance to meet them. This is how I felt last Tuesday when I was getting ready to attend @jeffpulver’s 140 Character Conference.

I walked into the Kodak Theater just after the program started. Even though the venue is only minutes away from my house, I found a way to be late. I think mixed with my excitement was a certain amount of nervous energy because, quite frankly, I had committed myself to spend the next two days with a group of people I had never met. I’m a theater geek. Always have been. Always will be. What could I possibly have in common with hundreds of techies?

The glow from the screens of open laptops bathed the chins of the attendees that were spread throughout the first level of the house. I found a seat in the back and took it all in. My laptop stayed in its bag in case I needed to make a run for it. Just breathe.

The first break came around so I headed out to the lobby to get some coffee. I liken this moment to when my parents dragged me into the “Hall of Presidents” at the Magic Kingdom. You sit there for a while looking at the picture and then all of a sudden the Presidents come to life. All the little avatars that had been dancing across my screen for months were now walking and talking and laughing and hugging. It was a bit surreal.

After the break I got up the courage to start tweeting the content from my iPhone. I wasn’t ready to open the computer just yet. Each speaker or panel was only about 10 minutes in length so there were lots of opportunities to share a variety of information. The little pearls of wisdom from the stage were coming faster than my fingers could hit the keypad so I knew it was time to take out the laptop or run.

I opened the bag.

It’s really about the people

Over the course of the next two days I started meeting people and my comfort level rose. My friend @JessicaGottlieb stuck by me at the beginning and introduced me to some of her favorite tweeps. Jessica was such a gift for me because she’s extremely tech savvy and has been around this industry for years. It’s like being escorted through the park by Snow White if Snow White swore like a sailor and had cocktails at five. I adore this woman and was so proud of how she tore it up on Day 2 when she took the stage at the Kodak and talked about “Monetizing Mom on Twitter”.

The one person I was really excited to meet in person was @kim. We had been tweeting for months and I loved her energy. When I found her it was like seeing an old friend. Huge hugs and introductions to her friends followed and I felt very welcomed. So great to meet and hang with @brianjeremy, @stephenseidel and @SarahKennon. Kim is a true connector with a generous heart and spirit.

The party that night was a blast. @LoriMoreno is a doll. We had such fun as @DvinMsM filmed us running toward each other in slow-motion, chariots-of-fire style for her documentary. @mayhemstudios is not only a gifted web designer but also a warm, engaging human being. @earthXplorer is the guy everyone wants to have as a friend. @Ohdoctah is an infectious laugh machine. @iamkhayyam is the epitome of tech-cool (@mattsingley is my other favorite tech-cool guy but I didn’t meet him until the next day).

I sat next to @adventuregirl the morning of Day 2 and I tell you she is even lovelier in person than she is online. She is Cinderella and resides in the center of the park. Her panel on “The Making of an Internet (twitter) Celebrity” was one of my favorites.

Lunch that day was a highlight of the conference for me. @CiaoBella50, @BethFrysztak, @earthXplorer, @aaswartz, @mayhemstudios and I laughed for an hour over the longest French fry you have ever seen. It’s one of those “you had to be there” moments but one that I will not soon forget.

Thinking about the closing parties I can’t help but smile. I headed in with Kim and Sarah but we were soon separated and I ended up hanging with my lunch crew, new friend @ellenrossano and the comedy team of @BigHeadAsian and @AnythingAnthony. My sides hurt from laughing so much.

What kind of geek are you?

So what does this mean for me? Am I a tech geek now? Time will tell. What I do know is that there is something very special about social media and that comes from the people in and around it. They share a common link but bring to the table a variety of interests that anyone can take part in. Social media is inclusive. It’s about sharing your authentic self and connecting with people at that level. It’s warm, comfortable and loving.

I went home on Wednesday with that feeling I thought you could only get after a full day at Disney. The happy memories still keep flashing through my mind. Through social media and especially twitter, I have forged friendships with people residing in different cities, states and countries. It really is a small world after all.

For the Love of Country

I just returned home after working the first half of the month in the South, specifically Nashville and Atlanta. I lovingly refer to this as “The Jeff Rago Confederate Tour ‘09”. I was thinking of getting t-shirts made. Anyone interested?

I had been to Nashville for the first time a few weeks prior and got my first taste of the honky tonk as I bounced around from bar to bar on Broadway. That street has an energy all its own. One thing I can say about the ladies and gentlemen of the south is that they like to drink and they love their country.

Country music lingers in the air as if God installed surround sound in the city of Nashville and is spinning the hits 24/7. You breathe it in when you wake and it spoons you to sleep at night. There is nowhere to run so the best thing is to just embrace it and enjoy the ride.

Now my knowledge of country music is very limited. I have a few Dixie Chicks albums and I did do a mean Achy Breaky in the 90’s but that is pretty much where it ends. I have a strong Mason-Dixon line in my music collection.

A good chunk of my Nashville time was spent at The Grand Ole Opry. On stage, back stage, in the house. There was no part of that building that I didn’t inhabit. When you get up on stage you can’t help but notice this big oak-colored circle up front and center. The Opry has been in its current location since 1974 but prior to that it was downtown at Ryman Auditorium for 30 plus years.  They cut a piece of the Ryman stage and brought it over so that singers could perform on some of the same boards as the great country music legends. I love nostalgia so I had to stand in that circle.

Looking out at those 4400 seats while standing center stage was thrilling. I was on the same wood that legends like Elvis, Johnny, Patsy, Dolly and Reba have all performed on. So this is what it feels like to be born a coal miner’s daughter. Jesus, take the wheel. Hand me a banjo!

Later that week I was invited to sit up on stage during the Tuesday night performance being broadcast live on WSM radio where it has been for over eighty years.  Wow. Those 4400 empty seats were now filled with cheering fans. I saw and met Little Jimmy Dickens and Charlie Daniels and I have to say that some Hollywood “celebs” could learn a lesson from these country music icons.  Both men are gracious and kind. Their talents are exquisite. To see Charlie Daniels fiddle his way through “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” a few feet away almost made me wet my pants. It was foot-stompin’, knee-slappin’, jaw-droppin’ good time.

The next night I head back to The Grand Ole Opry for some more country music fun.  First up, Josh Turner.  With his soap opera good looks and his rich, baritone voice, he envelops the house like a velvet blanket. It’s hard to believe this gorgeous sound is coming out of him. Lady Antebellum takes the stage next and they are fresh, sexy and fun. I really love their sound. Darius Rucker closes the show, which is fantastic but a little surreal. Hootie without the Blowfish singing country? It works really well.

I left Nashville a little more enlightened to the world of country music. I wouldn’t say I have become a die hard fan yet but there is something really special about this genre. The talent is undeniable. The heart is authentic. The passion is contagious.

Romancing the Fall Line Up

The last few Fall seasons I really didn’t put myself out there to meet and discover new shows because I found that when I really started liking something it would get cancelled. Since networks weren’t giving shows chances why should I? This year I decided to dive in and start romancing the Fall line up. Here are a few shows that I have been hanging out with:

GLEE – We met in May and it was love at first sight. Our first date was magical. We laughed and danced and sang. It was one of those evenings that ended way too soon. I was ready to make out with it all night.

June came and “Glee” had to go away with its network for the summer but fortunately we became friends on Facebook. I would get little notes all summer long keeping me up to date. It was out of sight but definitely not out of mind.

It came back a few weeks ago and we just picked up where we left off. I think we’ve spent four evenings together so far and after last Wednesday I realized I could really commit to this one. We have a really strong connection. We get each other and it always makes my heart smile.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – This one surprised me. I had been dating its cousin “True Blood” all summer and really didn’t think it could do justice to the family name. Our first date was intriguing. I wanted to know more. It was such a good looking show that I didn’t think it could possibly have any substance. I was wrong. It has an old soul and I am really looking forward to getting to know it better. We’ve been out three times so far and it’s really going well.

MODERN FAMILY – We just had our first date last week. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was very happy with the outcome. It really has a great sense of humor. It’s also smart which I like. Sometimes it’s really hard to get that perfect combination of intelligence and humor in one show but so far “Modern Family” seems to have it. It’s still too early to tell if we have any chemistry but, if nothing else, I think we are going to be really good friends.

FLASH FORWARD – Like “Modern Family”, “Flash Forward” and I have only had one date together so far but I’ve already made a note in my DVR for the second. It has a lot of mystery around it. It’s thought provoking but doesn’t give away too much. It’s playing coy right now making me want to come back for more. I’m not one to play games when it comes to romancing my Fall line up but there is just something about this show. I can’t really put my finger on it but I have to go with my gut on this one.

MELROSE PLACE – We dated for a few years back in the early ‘90s and it was really great. We had a standing on Mondays and I remember always feeling great afterwards. I thought things were going well and then one day it just up and disappeared. No note. No phone call. No nothing.

When I heard it was coming back all those feelings got stirred up inside. I guess I never really got over it. We have a standing on Tuesdays now and I am a little bit older and wiser so I am being cautious. Our first date was shaky. I guess after all these years it’s hard to just start things right back up again. I could have just jumped shipped but I felt I owed it to myself to give it a chance. We’ve seen each other a couple more times and it’s getting better. We still haven’t hit our groove yet but I look forward to our Tuesdays together and hope things work out. Everyone should have a least one guilty pleasure.

What shows are rocking your world? Please leave a comment below and let me know. I am still playing the field and would love to meet them.

“The Voice”

It happened to me in the spring of 1986. Some friends and I decided to get out of Evanston and took the train into Chicago. We went to Water Tower Place and, as all good teenagers do, immediately went to the record store. While laughing and sifting through albums the music changed. A piano started playing but none of us were really paying any attention. Then I heard “The Voice”.

“I believe the children are our future”…the laughing stopped.

“Teach them well and let them lead the way”…I moved closer to the speaker in the store.

“Show them all the beauty they possess inside”…my mouth dropped open.

I stood frozen in the aisle absorbing every nuance of this incredible sound. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Time stood still for almost five minutes.

As “Find your strength in love” gently waned out I made my way to the counter.

“Who was that”, I asked the salesperson. She pointed to a display next to the register that read, “Now playing” and under those words was a picture of Whitney Houston on her self-titled debut album.

With the last of my cash I bought the cassette tape (CDs were still three years off in my future) and headed back to school with my friends. I popped the tape into the cassette player and listened to it five or six times straight through.

“Whitney Houston”, “Whitney”, “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and “The Bodyguard” became the soundtrack to my late teens into early adult years. I danced. I laughed. I cried. She sang me in and out of love so many times I can’t even count. Well, not always love but you get the point.

I sat down with Clive Davis in February of 2007 just before his famous Pre-Grammy Party for an interview. It was the year that Jennifer Hudson’s star was rising and he talked about the debut album she was recording. Rumors were circulating that Whitney was going to record again so I asked him about her. He said she was going to be his date for the party and yes she was very excited to get into the studio. They had even picked seven songs at the time. I was thrilled.

Fast forward two and a half years later and that promise has been fulfilled. “I Look To You” hit stores on August 28 and debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. “The Voice” is heavier and more mature than it was but it is still there. The album is soulful and rich. It feels like an old friend has come home.

Oprah’s two-part interview with Whitney shed light on what the last several years have been like for her. She didn’t shy away from talking about the drugs or rehab or her volatile relationship with Bobby Brown. She spoke softly but with sincerity. The interview was like watching two old friends catching up. It was honest and real. It made me root for her even more than I already was.

With a strong faith and the love and support of her family, Whitney was able to come through her darkness. Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera and Celine Dion sent video messages to the pop icon when the interview transitioned to Whitney’s live performance on the Oprah set. Bobbi Kristina and Clive Davis sat in the audience with looks of love and pride on their faces. Oprah had tears in her eyes. The audience embraced her.

“The Voice” is back and I have a new soundtrack. It makes my heart smile.

Deify, Vilify, Crucify…and Repeat

Kanye West has become yet another celebrity to fall from grace as society lights its word torches and spews venom on the outspoken artist. “Douchebag”, “asshole” and “jackass” are just a few of the names courageously typed by the masses in response to his impromptu commando performance at Sunday nights VMAs. I am not saying that these terms don’t reflect the action but really did you expect anything different?

What Kanye did to Taylor Swift was rude and disrespectful. I think we can all agree on that. But the name calling? Have we all reverted back to the 4th grade? Kanye West would not be Kanye West had we not made him Kanye West. Let’s take some responsibility here.

We build up celebrities to the point that they become demigods and then at the first sign of a mistake we rip them apart. We buy their albums, see their movies, attend their shows and see them as role models while waiting for the other shoe to drop. That boot barely hit the stage Sunday night before nearly 300,000 tweets about Kanye’s antics hit the web. Like salivating dogs ready to pounce on a raw steak we dove in. We tweeted and retweeted and re-retweeted an amazing 293,024 tweets in one hour according to Trendrr. Everyone’s two cents was put into the piggy bank and then the media took over and had a field day. This is celebrity gold in entertainment news so maybe I should say field trip because this is far from over.

Celebrities are just human beings living in heightened realities. Fame was not a class taught in school so if you are lucky enough (or unlucky enough depending upon how you look at it) to achieve any sort of notoriety you are on your own to figure it out. Some handle this challenge with class and dignity. Others do not. We can only hope that those that do not learn from their mistakes and do not repeat them. We may be a judgmental society but we are also a forgiving one.

I read a tweet yesterday from Matt Singley that really makes sense: “No amount of calling Kanye West names will change him. The only way to get him to shut up is to quit buying his music.”

I couldn’t agree more.