Let the SOBCon08 Live Blogging Begin

I’m sitting at the gate at Tampa International Airport waiting for my 8:30 flight to Chicago. I got my laptop cord fixed, so I’m ripping away at some work that’s been piling up, now that I’m not at the office chained to incredibly dry and poorly-written technical documents.

Speaking of editing, I saw Seth Godin’s recent Twitter and went to his blog to see what he’s talking about: Sucking all the juice out.

The Reader’s Digest version of his short post is that is copyeditor took out all of the personality out of his latest work. He doesn’t blame her, but the job description, because she did exactly what a copyeditor is supposed to do. It’s just frustrating to no be able to recognize your work as your own.

A senior editing friend in the magazine world recently told me that most authors see his marks “as some strange rape of their prose.” Ha! I thought that was hilarious. As both a writer and an editor, I can see where he’s coming from. It takes a lot to learn to appreciate peer review and critical analysis. I can also see how Seth is frustrated.

Oppps! They’re calling groups now. Bye!

SOBCon08 Attendees to Mimic Gilligan’s Island

Summer of GeorgeHopefully with different results, because I have to be back at work on Monday. Liz Strauss posted on the official SOBCon site that Friday’s Open Comments night will take place on “Summer of George,” a party cruise boat with a special musical opening by Christine Kane.

I love party cruise boats, as they hold a special place in my heart. I took my wife of 18 months on a 3-hour dinner yacht cruise of Tampa Bay for our 4th anniversary just a couple of months before we got married. They are so fun and comfortable, and there’s never a lack of scenery or food.

I am very much looking forward to re-connecting with those folks from last year, especially Terry Starbucker, Muhammed Saleem, and Phil Gerbyshak. I’m also highly anticipating meeting my new business buddy, Cory Miller and his friend, Brian Gardner. I’m sure this year, I’ll meet new people and make new connections.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot! Liz is announcing a new contest today on the SOBCon site.

So how about it? Does the boat cruise spice it up enough to push you over into the “in” crowd?

Travel Arrangements for SOBCon08, Check!

I reserved my room at Club Quarters on Monday and got a good deal because I settled for a double bed to save $20/night. No point in getting a queen bed when you’re only 5’4″, right. I know several people who have bigger right thighs than my waist, so that should be plenty of room for me.

This morning, I made arrangements on Travelocity to fly American Airlines and saved over $80 from yesterday’s rates. I don’t have any idea what happened there, but I’ll take it. The only downside to my particular return flight is that it gets me back to Tampa at 10:45pm on Sunday night. Work will be a real drag in the morning.

I’m totally stoked about getting off the plane at O’Hare and walking out to the curb to meet Terry Starbucker enroute to the hotels. We aren’t staying at the same hotel, but I can assure you that I’ll be heading wherever the action is as soon as I can.

If you are still making plans to come, join me at Club Quarters and we’ll have our own group over there. Free wi-fi, baby!

Why I’m Excited About SOBCon08

Following Terry Starbucker’s lead, I decided to tell you why I’m excited at the prospect of attending the second annual SOBCon08 in Chicago May 2-4.

  • Obviously, a big pull for a founding attender is to re-connect with old friends from last year’s event. I met more people in one place in those two days than I had in a very long time before that, and not since.
  • The speakers and format of the event is unlike any other I have seen around or heard talk of. We will actually be in small workshops to look at ways to make our blogs better, to meet the needs of our readers and ourselves.
  • Liz and Terry picked a terrific venue for the event this year at the Summit Executive Centre, near the Miracle Mile. There are several selections of hotels within walking distance, and two of them are offering conference discounts. I will likely be staying at the Club Quarters, if you want to meet me in the bar for some chillaxing and geeking.