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Regular Dad Vs. Geek Dad

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:00:57 +0000

Geek dads do it better!

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Posted by Paul to Geek Is Awesome, 2013. | Permalink to Regular Dad Vs. Geek Dad

Equality

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:00:43 +0000

You wanted equality ladies!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Equality

Equality

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:00:43 +0000

You wanted equality ladies!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Equality

Equality

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:00:43 +0000

You wanted equality ladies!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Equality

Awkward by Chris Klein

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:00:01 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/v/EUzCSD678p8 Perfume ads have gotten out of hand. However, those Calvin Klein sexy black and white shots with intense voice over paired with the video from Chris Klein's Mama Mia audition, simply inspired us. We've created our own line of perfume...for the everyday woman. Awkward by Chris Klein.

Awkward by Chris Klein

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:00:01 +0000

Awkward by Chris Klein

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:00:01 +0000

If The Next-Gen Consoles were Game of Thrones Characters

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:51:57 +0000

Okay, I know that the first image is *not* a console, but the point still stands, right? And what did poor Hodor ever do to deserve this?

Have you visited Geek Is Awesome today?

Posted by Paul to Geek Is Awesome, 2013. | Permalink to If The Next-Gen Consoles were Game of Thrones Characters

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Vengeance DLC Map Pack Preview Video

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:17:01 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-78MwnAAXI Yes, it's that time of the year where I get ridiculously excited by another COD DLC pack. I know I shouldn't, but I'm such a soft touch...

Get your first look at "Vengeance," the third DLC Map Pack available for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Vengeance includes four new Multiplayer maps: Cove, Detour, Rush, and Uplink, a reimagining of the classic map Summit. Also included is the brand new Zombies adventure Buried, which features the new bonus Zombies weapon, the Ray Gun Mark II. Vengeance arrives first on Xbox LIVE on July 2nd.

Voice of Reason: Christopher Hitchens – The Conversation Worth Having

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:01:04 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I09qsn9VRSk Check out this very interesting animation based on speech taken from a debate between the late Christopher Hitchens and William Dembski.

Christopher Hitchens contemplates humanity, life and death in one of his last public debates. Arguably one of Hitchens best speeches ever.

The Trouble With Cheap Apartments

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:12:59 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/v/2cCtHhsRj9A There's a very good reason you find out everything you can a bout a piece of property before buying or renting there.

The Trouble With Cheap Apartments

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:12:59 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/v/2cCtHhsRj9A There's a very good reason you find out everything you can a bout a piece of property before buying or renting there.

The Trouble With Cheap Apartments

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:12:59 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/v/2cCtHhsRj9A There's a very good reason you find out everything you can a bout a piece of property before buying or renting there.

Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:39:13 +0000

It’s the sex and alcohol episode as Paul, Daniel and Steven discuss teaching women to masturbate, alcohol warnings for women, 8 month long erections, pregnant teen boys in Chicago, police roadblocks, and ugly prostitutes.

Links to all stories mentioned in this episode can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:39 — 31.5MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

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Posted by Paul to Unfollowing Jesus, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:35:04 +0000

Links to all stories mentioned in this episode can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:39 — 31.5MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

Have you visited Geek Is Awesome today?

Posted by Paul to Geek Is Awesome, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:31:05 +0000

Links to all stories mentioned in this episode can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:39 — 31.5MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:31:05 +0000

Links to all stories mentioned in this episode can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:39 — 31.5MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:31:05 +0000

Links to all stories mentioned in this episode can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:39 — 31.5MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – I’m Gonna Do It With Pants On

Little Fellas In Your House, And You Never Knew They Existed

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:14 +0000

To be fair, we’ve always suspected the existence of the sock fairy/gremlin!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Little Fellas In Your House, And You Never Knew They Existed

Little Fellas In Your House, And You Never Knew They Existed

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:14 +0000

To be fair, we’ve always suspected the existence of the sock fairy/gremlin!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Little Fellas In Your House, And You Never Knew They Existed

Little Fellas In Your House, And You Never Knew They Existed

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:14 +0000

To be fair, we’ve always suspected the existence of the sock fairy/gremlin!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to Little Fellas In Your House, And You Never Knew They Existed

No Man Ever Wants To Hear This In Bed

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:59:01 +0000

Ouch. Ego permanently removed in one quick snap!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to No Man Ever Wants To Hear This In Bed

No Man Ever Wants To Hear This In Bed

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:59:01 +0000

Ouch. Ego permanently removed in one quick snap!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to No Man Ever Wants To Hear This In Bed

No Man Ever Wants To Hear This In Bed

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:59:01 +0000

Ouch. Ego permanently removed in one quick snap!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to No Man Ever Wants To Hear This In Bed

300: Rise of an Empire (Official Trailer 1)

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:38:49 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqy21Z29ps Not sure how I feel about this. I loved the first film but it may be difficult for a second installment to rise to the level a bar that was set very high.

Based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster "300," this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield—on the sea—as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. "300: Rise of an Empire" pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes, and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy

A Lie Is Still A Lie

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:22:25 +0000

The irony is strong with this one!

“A lie is still a lie even if U believe it! Seek truth!”

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Posted by Paul to Unfollowing Jesus, 2013. | Permalink to A Lie Is Still A Lie

Link’s Shadow – The Legend of Zelda (Short Film)

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:54:28 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8yqwvYo5PA This epic short movie featuring Link and his shadow is a must watch for anybody who is even remotely a fan of The Legend of Zelda games.

Three hunters in a forest discover that they have trapped a demon - Dark Link! An epic battle ensues as they try to prevent the murderous demon from reaching their village. The elder clansman gathers his mana and casts a beacon in to the sky, hoping to summon Link to save them.

I Wish Every Wendy’s Had This Burger

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:34:04 +0000

According to the person who posted this on Reddit, this burger is an actual thing at a Wendy’s up in Canada. You know, in case we didn’t have 500 other reasons to want to move there!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Sara to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to I Wish Every Wendy’s Had This Burger

I Wish Every Wendy’s Had This Burger

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:34:04 +0000

According to the person who posted this on Reddit, this burger is an actual thing at a Wendy’s up in Canada. You know, in case we didn’t have 500 other reasons to want to move there!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Sara to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to I Wish Every Wendy’s Had This Burger

I Wish Every Wendy’s Had This Burger

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:34:04 +0000

According to the person who posted this on Reddit, this burger is an actual thing at a Wendy’s up in Canada. You know, in case we didn’t have 500 other reasons to want to move there!

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Sara to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to I Wish Every Wendy’s Had This Burger

Religion Is Always In The Control Business – Bishop John Shelby Spong

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:57:39 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BkP9-HG8-I In this interview John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal bishop from Newark, N.J., (interviewed by Keith Morrison on Dateline, NBC, 8-13-2006) talks about the use of religion as a control mechanism. Thanks to @ClassicSophie.

Maurice Moss to replace Matt Smith as the 12th Doctor?

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:00:47 +0000

Unless you’ve been living under a rock with your fingers in your ears, you’ve heard that Matt Smith will make his final appearance as the 11th Doctor in the 2013 Doctor Who Christmas special.

Speculation is rife as to who will replace Smith, but we have it on good authority that Maurice Moss (from the IT crowd) would like to be the next Doctor.

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Posted by Paul to Geek Is Awesome, 2013. | Permalink to Maurice Moss to replace Matt Smith as the 12th Doctor?

The Tender Touch?

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:00:36 +0000

To quote George Takei: “Oh my!”

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

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The Tender Touch?

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:00:36 +0000

To quote George Takei: “Oh my!”

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to The Tender Touch?

The Tender Touch?

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:00:36 +0000

To quote George Takei: “Oh my!”

Have you visited UrlyBits today?

Posted by Paul to UrlyBits, 2013. | Permalink to The Tender Touch?

Norm Macdonald: A Christian Who Doesn’t Believe In DNA

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:50:03 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_i0uvsyTPg Comedian Norm Macdonald tells Larry King about his religious and scientific views.

"... Haven't scientists always been wrong? Like, like, they used to think the sun went around the earth. And everybody's, 'Hey that scientist, well he's so smart!' "

Evolution

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:46:51 +0000

I’m assuming that the next step is simply your finger!

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Posted by Paul to Geek Is Awesome, 2013. | Permalink to Evolution

Nothing Serious Podcast – Prancercise! It’s Really Hot!

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 21:00:25 +0000

A great time was had by all as Paul, Daniel and Steven discuss shooting escorts, throat cancer for oral sex, apps that warn you if you’re going to crash into something while texting and walking, text operated coffee machines, atheist monuments, being fired for getting pregnant via artificial insemination and much more…

Also, Daniel gets excited about Adam Savage’s Maker Faire speech, and did we mention that prancercising is really hot?

Links to all stories mentioned in this episode can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:30 — 26.5MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

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Posted by Paul to Unfollowing Jesus, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – Prancercise! It’s Really Hot!

The Terrible Rolling Tide Of English

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:43:42 +0000

Whenever I hear the inimitable Stephen Fry talk there’s usually a cord struck deep within. This brief talk about the Irish language and Ros na Rún to The Phil, (December 7th, 2010) is no exception.

“One can’t deny the terrible rolling tide of English”

Is English (or Chinese) destined to become the universal “common” or “basic” language imagined in so many sci-fi and fantasy novels? If these languages are destined to be so, should we be teaching our children Chinese in order to make sure they are prepared for doing business in the next 20 years?

As the world becomes more online centric, and international trade becomes a mundane everyday experience for even the smallest of vendors, I find myself wondering if when my son arrives the right thing to do for his future would be to have him learn Chinese as a second language?

After he’s mastered Chinese he can then learn some of the more esoteric and aesthetically pleasing spoken languages if he is so inclined.

While Irish is a beautiful language to me and I’m very proud of my heritage, the most practical application I’ve had for it since leaving school was the ability to understand commands in the military and hold conversations that I didn’t wish to be overheard while abroad.

You know the kind of conversations I’m talking about. There’s the ones you usually have in very hushed tones about someone being a complete prick, or a terrible waiter, but when you do it in a language that not many other people speak (comparatively) you can do it without resorting to looking like you’re trying to discussing cleaning the puss from your genital herpes in a room full of parrot like five-year-olds.

It was the same with German and Danish. I spent 7 years in Denmark, yet almost every time I opened my mouth to talk in Danish people wanted to practice and speak in English to me. It actually came to the point that I would ask please not speak to me in English or I’ll would never become fluent.

Beyond the cultural broadening that tends to occur when one learns a new language there’s little “future value” to learning German, Spanish, French, etc., as a second language when the vast majority of populations of these countries already speak English (in some cases better than native English speakers I know).

Language is an issue of national identity. It’s tied to it on a fundamental level, and of course there’s a strong need and desire to keep our national heritage (wherever you may be from), but we tend to forget that the young human brain is a wonderful malleable information sponge. If we start teaching our children languages early on, there is no reason at all why they cannot achieve fluency in multiple languages.

While I’m at it, perhaps I should instill an early appreciation of another language as well – one of the more fundamental programming languages, in order to ensure he is well grounded in our increasingly technology based society?

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to The Terrible Rolling Tide Of English

Patton Oswalt On Gay Marriage And The Bible

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:16:36 +0000

Simply awesome and hilarious (if slightly NSFW) piece from the stand-up routine of Patton Oswalt . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp4yu7HL8l4

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie on Science and Religion

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:40:55 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jPKnF74b4A I just stumbled across this wonderful collection of clips where the two halves of Fry and Laurie opine, as only they can, on matters of science and religion.

Lipton: Do you share Houses's skepticism? Laurie: I do. Big chunks of it, yes. I'm not a religious man. Again, I think this is connected to my father. My father was religious oddly enough, but I nonetheless I suppose was impressed by [and] enamored of his devotion to medical science. I find I am a fan of science. I believe in science. A humility before the facts. I find that a moving and beautiful thing. And belief in the unknown I find less interesting. I find the known and the knowable interesting enough.

Dad’s Not An Idiot – He’s Me!

Wed, 29 May 2013 20:22:57 +0000

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that just as there are stereotypes that (some) men impose on women, and criticisms that should never be leveled because they are sexist, the pendulum swings both ways and it is perhaps most evident in the area of parenting.

As you may know Sara and I are expecting the arrival of our first child in early August. This will be my first child, and Sara’s fourth. With babies and parenting in mind Sara linked me to an article by Aaron Gouveia over on the HuffPo – It’s time to stop treating dads like idiots.

Aaron reached his breaking point when sent a picture of a onesie that said “This shirt is Daddy-proof!” and I find myself totally sympathizing with him.

The same people — mostly moms — who claim to be overworked and desperate for dads to do more are all too often the first ones to criticize them for not doing things right when they do step up. And by right, I mean their way. I’ve seen dads criticized and made fun of for how they dress the baby. For how they feed the baby. For how they handle things differently than moms. Despite the fact that most first-time moms are just as clueless and confused as first-time dads, it’s chic to make fun of the dads, while moms are assumed to know absolutely everything. As if the parenting instruction manual is imprinted in the female DNA. The fact that mothers face an unfair societal expectation to be a perfect parent from the get-go is a separate, albeit deserving, issue. But it’s no reason to crap all over the very same people you just asked to help more.

I’m a very lucky guy in that I have a very supportive wife, who has more faith in me than I do myself, and is already experienced at navigating the oft-convoluted and confusing paths of child rearing. I shall have a guide.

That said, I like to think that even without Sara to back me up, as a reasonably intelligent person with a fair degree of common sense, the ability to use Google, and to read and comprehend above a fifth grade level, that I could do just as well as most first time mothers. Heck, with the exceptions of giving birth and breastfeeding, I’m willing to bet that I could do better than a fair chunk of first time mothers, and many repeating mothers.

Let’s face it – not all mothers are great moms/parents!

What I’m saying here is that first-time dads deserve some slack. Within the space of a few weeks two of my friends shall join me in the becoming first time parents and one of them shall be the stay-at-home parent. I’m confident that we’ll all do rather well even if I am also rather terrified.

Sure we’ll make some novice mistakes. Sure we’ll drop some bottles, get peed on, ~~feed the baby beer~~ and do something terribly stupid at least once, but be honest, doesn’t everyone? After all, that’s how mommy learns!

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to Dad’s Not An Idiot – He’s Me!

The One Thing a Pregnant Woman Should Never Hear From Another Pregnant Woman

Sun, 26 May 2013 15:34:44 +0000

We were out running errands yesterday and stopped by Walmart to pick up some prints I had done at their photo center to frame and hang in the nursery. Got the pictures, which turned out way better than I expected, and picked up a couple of other odds and ends. The weather was great, we had no obligations and nowhere to be, and overall I was in a fantastic mood.

Until I got to the checkout line.

The cashier looks at me as people so often do these days(going on 8 months pregnant it can’t be avoided), and asks me how much longer I have.

“Oh good!” I think, “At least she’s not another of those telling me I must be due any day now”, which I get….a LOT.

So I tell her I have about 9-10 weeks left.

“Oh wow!” she says, “You are WAY bigger than me and I only have 6 weeks left!”. At which points she points to a belly the size of which I have not seen since mid-first trimester, and on most people looks like she just has a predilection for Oreos.

I get that every person and every pregnancy is different. I get that not every belly is the same size. What I don’t get is what pregnant woman says that to another?? Really?? It’s not enough being reminded on a daily basis how huge I am(thanks!), how there is NO way I am going to make it til August(I will), and how am I sure there’s not 2 in there??(3 ultrasounds say no.) But to hear that from someone who sure, surely should know better? I cussed and ranted all the way to the car, much to Paul’s amusement.

She may have a tiny belly, and probably will have a smaller baby, but I am wishing her some great big ginormous hemorrhoids to make up for it.

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: pregnancy, Walmart, who says that, wtf

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Happy Mother’s Day to Those Hallmark Has Forgotten

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:02:13 +0000

Mother’s Day has always been something of a hard day for me. I am one of those horrible people who chooses not to have a relationship with her own mother, and while I don’t regret it for a second, it makes Mother’s Day somewhat bittersweet. As I log into Facebook tomorrow I will get to see half a million status updates of people thanking their moms for being so wonderful, pictures chiding people that they should always appreciate the woman who brought them into this world, and thank goodness I don’t have cable, because I’m pretty sure the Hallmark and FTD commercials would be enough to put me over the edge.

Not every mother is wonderful, and not every person who gives birth is worth celebrating, and there are many, many people who should be recognized on Mother’s Day but aren’t.

I was in Hallmark today, and I didn’t see any cards recognizing those who should be mothers, but through battles with infertility are not…yet.

There was also a lack of cards for those who have been pregnant but suffered losses, and those who have lost a child.

You won’t generally find cards for women who are non-custodial mothers, those who are estranged from their children for their own health and sanity, or those who have given children up for adoption.

Not every mother or those who wish to be fit into the standard soppy holiday mold, but know that you are thought of, and appreciated, nonetheless. I wish you love and peace on this bittersweet day tomorrow.

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: bittersweet, children, holidays, loss, love, mother's day, mothers

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Tumultuous

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:11:58 +0000

Tumultuous – I like that word. Tumultuous - Say it out loud! It rolls off of the tongue. Tumultuous.

It’s a rather apt word for how life has been lately between preparing for the arrival of Malcolm Tennant, the demands of clients, family, podcasting, and the slow but deliberate revival of our network of sites.

I would like to say that all of the excitement has left me with little time to write, but I would be lying. I’ve had plenty of time to write. I’ve just had great difficulty in organizing my thoughts into any kind of coherent order and I’ve had even more difficult in prioritizing what I should say if I could organize them. That may not be a bad thing…

I’ve been expending my creative energies in other areas lately. Podcasting has been getting a lot of my attention. We’ve even been experimenting with live video podcasts on Nothing Serious, but after repeated crashes of my podcasting laptop whenever I used Google Hangouts (even though 3 way video chat on Skype works without a hitch), we decided that wasn’t the route to go. Daniel, Steven and I did actually record one hangout, but upon reflection we have decided to go “audio only” and not split our attention. We’re simply going to produce the best damn audio podcast we can. Period.

Expending energy, not just the creative kind, is a priority. Not that I have an overabundance of energy, but I do have an overabundance of overstuffed adipocytes. Needless to say I’m back on the low-carb boat and working out every day. I don’t know how well that’s working yet. I’ve been back at it for 5 days but lack the courage to stand on the scale.

The lack of desire to stand on the scales is not because I don’t think the diet changes and exercise is working, it’s because I’m afraid I’ll be disappointed by the results. Silly I know, but what can you do? At least Sara puts up with me, eh?

Maybe the exercise will shake loose some of the grey matter that occupies the space between my ears and I’ll start writing more? We can hope!

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to Tumultuous

Please Support The Kim Hodson Cremation Fundraiser

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:20:12 +0000

I extend my deepest condolences to my good friend and mentor Steven Hodson, who’s beloved wife Kim passed away this morning.

Kim had been struggling against cancer and several chronic conditions for many years.

Steven has been unable to work outside the home for several years due to the caring for Kim during the course of her illnesses.

Throughout this time Steven has given a lot of himself to the tech community. He’s worked on many projects, podcasts and contributed to many sites with me, and I’m sure that if you read tech online you’ve probably encountered him at some point or another.

Sara and I would like to give back and support Steven in his time of grief and ensure that Kim’s cremation expenses are not another burden on him during this difficult time.

Steven has been a mentor to myself and others online, and we would very much like to see the online community give back to someone who has given it so much over the past decade, by contributing to this fundraiser.

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to Please Support The Kim Hodson Cremation Fundraiser

Nothing Serious Podcast – Facebook Ghosts (Google Hangout)

Fri, 03 May 2013 20:43:33 +0000

Download: Nothing_Serious_Podcast_05022013.mp3

Steven Hodson joined Daniel and myself on a Google Hangout for last nights Nothing Serious Podcast. It was the first time we tried one, and it takes some getting used to, but I am confident that with a bit of practice the video will be as good as the all important audio podcast.

This weeks topics included Call of Duty: Ghost, the next Xbox, Facebook, Yahoo, Flickr, Dailymotion, Google Glass, privacy, rainwater and more…

A full list of links mentioned in the show can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:45 — 27.9MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – Facebook Ghosts (Google Hangout)

Clearly Google AdWords Does Not Care About Trees

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:25:44 +0000

Listen up Google AdWords team!

As a long-term user I really appreciate it when you send coupons for free advertising to my clients and myself. It’s always a great way to make sure that we test out new features or simply to pull time away and devote a little time to tweaking our advertising campaigns for greatest benefit.

Free stuff is always awesome, and we love it! You know we do!

On the other hand, free stuff that we can not use is not awesome.

For example, today I received $150 credit for AdWords that would be enabled as long as we spent $50 (which we do in no time at all). That brought such happy joy, joy feelings to my heart and put a big old smile on my face. It’s the little things…

But then I flipped the sheer over and read the small print. In order to use the promotional credit I needed to have an AdWords account which is less than 14 days old.

My smile quickly disappeared and look of confusion crept across my face as I tried to understand why on earth Google would send this to me – a card, a brochure, and a letter all wrapped in Google envelope, while making a point of using paper from “responsible sources”?

I was under the impression that the use of “responsible sources” also meant that you used the product responsibly?

Maybe I got that one wrong?

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to Clearly Google AdWords Does Not Care About Trees

Nothing Serious Podcast – The Lowest Common Denominator

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:35:28 +0000

Download: Nothing_Serious_Podcast_04242013.mp3

Daniel and I get geeky and then get political in the latest Nothing Serious Podcast as we discuss everything from the new Xbox, the deliverability problem of Kickstarter and whether or not birth control should be made available without prescription.

A full list of links mentioned in the show can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:35 — 26.4MB)

Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – The Lowest Common Denominator

Nothing Serious Podcast – Atheist! Ask Us Anything

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:16:07 +0000

Download: Nothing_Serious_Podcast_04182013.mp3

In honor of “Ask an Atheist Day“, Daniel and I are joined on this weeks show by atheist and internet activist Ryan Burkhart. We get stuck into a wide range of topics including zombies, Max Brooks, Google, Drones, Pope Francis, illegal downloading at the Vatican, Facebook’s double standards, and more…

A full list of links mentioned in the show can be found on the Nothing Serious Podcast site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16:58 — 35.3MB) Leave a comment – call us at 251-281-8730.

Posted by Paul to Paul O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink to Nothing Serious Podcast – Atheist! Ask Us Anything

Week 11 – Stormageddon’s Heartbeat!

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 03:23:26 +0000

This is a recording Paul did for me of Stormageddon’s heartbeat coming from my doppler. I’ve been able to pick it up since 8 weeks 4 days, but it’s gotten easier to find as the weeks go on. Hoping to feel some movement soon so I won’t be inclined to check it so often!

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: cool, doppler, heartbeat, pregnancy, recording, Stormageddon

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The New Years Resolution Post That For Once Isn’t Full of Bullshit

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 02:17:42 +0000

In the past I have been the queen of the New Years resolution. I love making them, and feel like there is always room for improvement. Even if you don’t keep them, there is a lot to be said for making goals and striving to stick to them.

2012 was an amazing year for us – Paul’s immigration stuff got finished, he got not one but two long-term consulting jobs , we got a great visit with my mother in law, I got to spend more time with my family, and we found out we are expecting a new arrival next August. We are happy with the rental we are in, and everyone is healthy.

We did ok keeping our 2012 resolutions, which included things like getting the immigration stuff finished, preparing to get pregnant, and trying a new restaurant every month. So now I’ve hit a dilemma – what do you commit to change when life is going pretty well?

Losing weight is kind of the old stand-by, but being pregnant throws a bit of a wrench in that. I could try to commit to losing the baby weight by the end of the year, but will I really be happy putting that sort of pressure on myself so close to the holidays? I think not.

This year my goals are going to be more realistic. 2012 was all about change for us, I’d like 2013 to be more about slowing down to enjoy life.

I want to take more time to read. It’s something I greatly enjoy, and not having a ton of energy these days, it’s easy to do without much effort.

I want to de-clutter a bit and get rid of things that aren’t used. Not because I want a spotless house, but because I want to simplify, and useless things that just take up space are stressful.

I plan to eat healthier now that the holidays are over. Gaining weight is part and parcel of being pregnant, but I don’t do myself any favors by eating poorly, and it just makes me feel sick afterwards.

Finally, I want to work on being kinder to myself. I’ve always said I want to lose x number of lbs, or read x number of books, or do this or that, but when life happens, all I see is that I didn’t accomplish what I expected to.

Overall I’d like to just stress less and enjoy more. I feel like sometimes we get so busy and so caught up in things that we forget to live in the now and do what makes us happy. Cooking good meals, spending quiet evenings with friends, having more meaningful conversations…This is my plan for 2013.

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2013. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 2012, 2013, New Years, pregnancy, resolutions

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I’m Too Tired to Write Anything Amazing, So You’ll Have to Settle For This

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:13:17 +0000

Every day I make these big plans for things I’ll be doing after work – cooking an awesome dinner, getting some housework done, and then writing a fascinating blog post detailing the incredibly deep thoughts I have during my fairly mundane day job, followed by fantastic sexy times with my amazing husband, after which I get 8-9 hours of blissful sleep.

That shit just ain’t happening.

Despite my good intentions, dinner never seems to get planned out ahead of time, I am too tired to do much when I get home, and I fall asleep around 8pm most nights only to toss and turn half the night and wake up as tired as when I went to bed.

Paul has been a real trooper about all of it – making dinner when I’m tired, doing laundry, cleaning the fish tanks without me even having to ask him, and generally just being supportive and amazing.

The only thing that has really thrown him so far is not how tired I am, but how emotional I get. Twice now I have burst into tears in restaurants right in front of him with no warning whatsoever. Once because he said something really really nice, and once because I realized I was going to have to shop for some bigger clothes.

Pregnant, and having to shop for bigger clothes…can you imagine?? Yeah, makes more sense now, that day it was particularly devastating.

Teary outbursts aside, things seem to be going well enough. I have my first appointment tomorrow morning, where they will do a pregnancy test and take about a gazillion vials of blood. I’ve never quite understood the notion of giving you a pregnancy test when they typically don’t see you until you are a few good weeks along and have already peed on about 367,967 test at home. With my last I was 9 weeks before they had me in and I was already showing, but they still did a test, I guess in case that lump under my shirt was actually a cheesecake tumor or something?

I’m not sure if they’ll be doing an ultrasound tomorrow or not, but I’m hoping they will be. Paul is going to the appointment with me, and this is all kind of new and exciting for him. It would be cool for him to get a glimpse of what’s going on in there, since the only physical proof he has so far of these changes are a bunch of dry pee sticks and a wife who cries at the drop of a hat.

Will update tomorrow on the appointment, but in the meantime, I got this in the mail today. LOVE it!!

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Finally, Something Blog-worthy!

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 03:05:53 +0000

I’ve been planning to get back to posting to my blog for ages not, but short and sweet, today I got one hell of a reason to do so. It’s a bit faint, but 3 positive tests can’t be wrong. Estimated due date August 9, 2013.

It’s a pretty bad pic, but at only 10dpo, the line is a bit faint yet.

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2012. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: omg, pregnancy, test, wtf

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Return of the ‘Who I Am’ Blog Meme

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 05:10:02 +0000

Way back in the day, when blogging was fun and not something we did because advertisers paid us to, we used to do funny little blog memes. Present a topic, write your post, and then tag others and challenge them to do the same. I haven’t seen this done for awhile(or maybe I just don’t do enough blog-reading these days!) but seeing a post on Reddit tonight that asked the basic question “Who are you?”, it kind of inspired me to want to bring this back.

Who I Am…

I am a 33 year old woman

I am a computer geek by profession, and a blogger who blogs constantly, but writes little, and I want to change that.

I am smart. Like, REALLY fucking smart. Unfortunately those brains did not come with a lot of common sense, which I didn’t seem to acquire until my late 20′s.

I am married to an Irish guy, and after knowing each other for 5 years, his accent still drives me crazy. He works from home because he likes being his own boss, and I pretend there are benefits to this, but the fact is if I let him work outside the home women will start throwing their panties at him every time he opens his mouth. I’m not kidding, the accent is just that. damn. sexy.

Thanks to a very nasty divorce, I am a non-custodial mother, which still sounds really odd. It’s been this way for 2 1/2 years now, and I am pretty used to it by now. That doesn’t make it any easier, but I am far enough out to be able to see the positives of the situation. I often jokingly call myself the Disneyland mom- have fun with them on the weekends, and then send them home for the crappy parts of the job.

As of today I am also the mother of a 14 year old. This really doesn’t seem possible, as I am far too young for this. She must have skipped a few years when I wasn’t looking.

I love animals way too much, and am the owner of a rat, a bunch of tiger barbs, and a frog named ‘Asshole Frog’.

I know absolutely, positively, without a doubt that I do not have herpes in any form.

I have never broken a bone.

I tend to step up and take a leadership role in organizing events not because I enjoy the job, but because I want to see things happen and get frustrated when no one else will do it.

I have lost 14lbs in the last 6 weeks, and am committed to a low-carb lifestyle. I can’t even really say committed, it just IS what is normal for me now. Poor Paul is having a harder time of the adjustment, but is doing well with his own weight loss.

I am terrible speaking in front of groups or when I am put on the spot. In fact, I really hate large crowds in general, they make me anxious.

I used to deal with depression, complete with therapy and medication, but it has been completely gone since my divorce. Draw your own conclusions.

I am a voracious reader who was often told to put the book down and go play outside as a child. I read my first Stephen King book at the age of 9, and was reading on a college level by the time I was 10.

I am not a tv watcher, I think most of it is stupid and mind-numbing, and am very picky about the series I do watch. We have one television in the house and do not subscribe to cable.

I am always right. Even when I’m not, I am.

I love being 33, and feel like life is only getting better, even with the occasional challenges.

So, who are YOU? I do hereby tag Selina, Heather, Paul, April, and anyone else who wants to play.

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogging, funny, meme, personal

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The One Where I Bare My Soul to the Internet About Being a Fat-Ass

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:56:34 +0000

I had a breakdown recently. Not a omg off to the loony-bin! one, but a very, very emotional low point for me. Why? My weight.

It was one of those things that started out as something completely different, just a fight that Paul and I had over…crap, I couldn’t even tell you what. I think it started as a bad day and I said something or he said something and then a lot of things were said, some that probably shouldn’t have been. You know the kind, every married couple has them.

As the argument escalated and feelings were hurt, I came to the sudden conclusion that every problem I had, with my marriage or myself, was because I had become an absolute fat-ass. And then the tears started, and wouldn’t stop. It was a sobbing, self-loathing, torrential cry where Paul tried to comfort me despite the nasty fight we’d had, and the more I thought about the way I looked, and the insecurity I had because of how I looked, the worse it got. It was not pretty.

My friends and family who love me would tell me not to worry, I’m a pretty girl, I just weigh a little more than I am comfortable with. At 5’3, I had topped out at 165lbs. Overweight by BMI standards, and just shy of being classified as obese. I had about a year ago bought size 14 pants after my size 12′s got too tight. These were my ‘fat pants’, and yet now they were getting tight as well. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin, I hated looking in the mirror, and I was getting to the point that I hated taking my clothes off in front of my husband, which gets a little awkward when you love that sort of activity as much as I do. In short, I was completely miserable with myself, and it was starting to carry over into other areas of my life, including my marriage.

Once I calmed down and my nose stopped running so much(fuck I am ugly when I cry!), I made a decision that I was done being a fat-ass. I would work on getting my weight down, and my self-esteem up. There was no reason for me to be as I was – I know how to lose weight. I’ve done it before. It’s only allowing myself to fall into habits like stress-eating and cheese danishes and endless cans of Coke that causes me to get this way. And my self-image needs some work, for sure. Paul pointed out to me that night that he has about the same amount of weight to lose as I do, but I don’t see him the way I see myself. He looks like he’s gained a tiny bit, but it’s barely noticeable. Yet I can look in the mirror myself and see nothing but the ginormous cow I swore I’d never be. I don’t see other people this way, just me. Because no matter how big they are, even if they are twice my size, they don’t seem as big as I am. Logically it makes no sense, but feelings rarely do.

My resolve to change started the very next day. For me this meant starting back on a low carb lifestyle, and cutting out those beloved cans of Coke cold-turkey. I’ve used low carb to lose weight before and never had an issue, but for some reason this time I developed what we call ‘keto flu’, causing me headaches, shakiness and muscle aches for about 24 hours while I pretty much went through carb withdrawal. It wasn’t fun, but I was so determined, and I pulled through it without giving in. I did things a little differently this time, not worrying about counting carbs or calories like I have previously, but instead just sticking to the foods that are good for me and letting the rest take care of itself. The result was an overall loss of 10lbs in the month of May, and that includes a little water weight picked up over Memorial Day weekend from the wine and the salty meats. It’s a start.

I rewarded my loss with hitting a couple of thrift stores this past weekend and picking up some cute summer tops and a pair of jeans in my current size, and one in the next size down for encouragement. I figure a $4 pair of Michael Kors jeans can’t really be passed up, and it keeps me looking ahead.

I also signed up for the Tech Geek Weight Loss Challenge. Sounds way more complicated than it is, just a bunch of Twitter people tracking their weight on a spread sheet and encouraging each other to keep going at it. Paul has signed up too, so we’ll be doing it together and hopefully seeing some good results. He is as always my greatest champion, believing in me even when I don’t always believe in myself.

As I type this I am officially 11lbs down from where I started this time, and determined to make a 30lb loss. I don’t know how long it will take, but if it takes me till Christmas I’ll make it happen, because I refuse to give in to the fat-ass in the mirror who makes me feel so unlike the gorgeous, confident woman I could be. I’m going to get there, come hell or high water.

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2012. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: emotional, fatass no more, personal, weight

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I Have the Coolest Kids Ever, or At Least the Biggest Doctor Who Nerds Ever

Sun, 13 May 2012 18:19:36 +0000

This is what I woke up to this morning, and I can honestly say Hallmark can suck it, because they NEVER could have come up with something so amazing. I’m not sure even the kids themselves will ever be able to top this one.

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: card, doctor who, kids, mother's day

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Awesomely Geeky Valentines Day Cards

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:45:28 +0000

Just some random geeky Valentines Day cards that I ran across and loved. Hope everyone is having a great day!

© Sara O'Flaherty for Sara O'Flaherty, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: funny, geeky, Valentines Day

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Pre-Conference Dinner Info

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:53:07 +0000

Hi everyone!

Just a reminder in case you didn’t catch it on Twitter, the pre-conference dinner will be held Friday night from 7-9pm at Dreamland BBQ on Old Shell Road. We’ll be in the big caged in area at the back of the restuarant, just look to your right when you walk in the door.

Dinner is free for attendees, you will only have to cover your own beer tab.

For those from out of town, set your GPS to 3314 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36607. The parking lot is not huge, but you can use the lots of other businesses right there as they all close at 5pm.

Looking forward to seeing everyone friday night!

No, Really, WHAT is Barcamp??

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:11:08 +0000

When I posted the last blog post, I thought I was giving a pretty good idea of the spirit of Barcamp and what the event is about. Turns out people don’t care what it’s about, they want to know what it is. Like the actual, nitty-gritty, what happens when I get there, and what do people talk about?? kind of details.

Fair enough.

What happens at Barcamp?

When you first get to Barcamp you’ll want to grab and fill out a name tag, because you can expect to meet a lot of people. Once everyone has arrived, those presenting will write down their topic, and the organizers will quickly work out a schedule for the day based on those proposed topics, organizing them into several tracts. People then check the schedule and decide what topics they want to attend, and off everyone goes to those rooms. There will be short breaks in between sessions, and an hour-long break for lunch(we mentioned free lunch, right?), followed by the afternoon sessions. All sessions should wrap up around 5pm, and then volunteers will help clean up. There will be a place designated for the dinner afterwards, and those who want to continue the good times go and much enjoyment is had.

What are the topics about?

This is by far the hardest thing to answer, because there is no limit to what a session can be about. Here are just a few of the proposed session topics from registrants so far-

Pen and Paper Role Playing Games
Cyber Operations
Healthy Living/Weight Loss
Casino Gambling
Cryptography
WordPress Custom Post Types
Mac OS
Ghost Hunting

Understand now why I say there is no limit? The point of Barcamp is to share your interest and your passion, and at the end of the day, maybe learn something new. Everyone knows something about something, and sharing what you know is what it’s really all about.

What if I get bored in a topic? I hate being stuck in a room for 30 minutes to an hour feeling like I have to be there.

Barcamp is governed by the “Law of Two Feet”, which means you have two feet, so use them! If the session is not your thing, get up and go to another one, just be sure to move quietly and be respectful to other attendees. There are usually several great sessions going on at once, so everyone understands wanting to catch bits of more than one. It’s ok to move about.

Who will be there?

We currently have people registered from Pensacola, Mobile, Biloxi, and even as far away as Birmingham. Barcamps draw geeks of all kinds, from the noob to the expert, and are a great way of meeting new people and networking.

What should I bring?

Laptops are never a bad thing to have, Barcamps are often live-blogged and/or streamed. If you are handy with a camera, we’d love to get lots and lots of pictures! Comfortable clothes since you’ll be sitting all day, and clean socks since shoes are pretty much optional. (Did you know Barcamp New York makes that a rule to help keep the atmosphere casual?) Business cards are recommended for exchanging contact info, even if you are not a professional. (Vistaprint usually offers free ones that you can slap on your name, email, phone number, and Twitter handle, you just pay shipping.) Beyond that, just bring yourself and your friends, and be prepared to participate! The best sessions are always a balance of presentation and discussion.

I really want to go, but I don’t know what to talk about.

Here are some session list from other Barcamps that might give you some inspiration.

Barcamp Penang 2011 Sessions

Barcamp Nashville 2011 Sessions

Barcamp Portland 2011 Sessions

Barcamp Portland 2010 Sessions

Barcamp Milwaukee 2011 Sessions

If you are still having trouble, shoot me an email at sara@barcampmobile.org and I’ll do my best to help you figure something out!

Barcamp Mobile 2011 Registration is Now Open!

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:00:32 +0000

What is Barcamp? Let’s get the biggest question out of the way -
No, it’s got nothing to do with bartending, and it’s not actually a camp.

What Barcamp actually is is a user-led technology conference, made up of people who come together for the sole purpose of sharing knowledge. One of the few conferences where there are no ‘experts’, no keynotes, and no one is paid, it sets itself apart from the typical for-profit technology events. Barcamp users come because they have a deep desire to learn, and to share with others the skills, the ideas, and the philosophies that drive them.

Everyone who comes to Barcamp is expected to participate. Most will present in 15 to 30 minute spots about whatever they are interested in. Photography, iOS, social media, mobile apps, cloud-based computing, gaming, wordpress, blogging, network security…it’s all there. Not to say it’s all about computers! Juggling, making a zombie apocolypse survival plan, even making the perfect cocktail are also topics that have been touched on in previous Barcamps! One of the most exciting parts of Barcamp is that you just never know what you are going to hear. Even those who don’t present share in the responsibilities by helping organize, helping to procure sponsorships, gruntwork the day of the conference, and providing great pictures and live tweets of the event. Barcamp is truly, in all senses, for and about it’s users.

There is no fee to attend Barcamp, and all facilities, internet, food, etc is provided by generous sponsors who help make this event possible.

Be sure to register, and share your plans to attend with others so we make make Barcamp Mobile 2011 the best one yet!
Have questions? Know someone who would make a great sponsor? Shoot me an email at sara@barcampmobile.org.

Online Ticketing for Barcamp Mobile 2011 powered by Eventbrite

Barcamp Mobile is Looking for Sponsors!

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:06:44 +0000

It’s that time! Barcamp Mobile is looking for sponsors for our 2011 conference!

The University of South Alabama CIS department has agreed to host us an officially sponsored activity, giving us access to all the space we need and a great wifi connection, which is the perfect start for a user-led technology conference. Luckily Barcamp is pretty simple, so that means with classrooms, chairs, wifi, projectors, and white boards, we have the biggest part out of the way.

What else do we need? FOOD!

As the saying goes, geeks gotta eat, and we’d like to be able to provide all meals like we did for Barcamp 2009. We are looking for local businesses who don’t mind putting up a little cash for a great cause(and a bit of free promotion!) to help offset costs for a night-before meet and greet, as well as breakfast, lunch and snacks the day of the conference. All sponsors get a special place in the sidebar, mentions in every blog post, lots of twitter mentions, our eternal gratitude, and the knowledge that you have helped make the world a better place by facilitating the sharing of knowledge amongst those with a strong desire to learn.(And did we mention we’d love to be able to thank you in person for your donation at Barcamp?)

If you are interested in helping us make this the best event possible, drop me an email at sara@barcampmobile.org so we can discuss sponsorship options. If you know someone who owns a local business who would be a great addition to our sponsor group, hit me up and I’ll send you an email to forward on. It takes a community to put on a Barcamp, so lets get the ball rolling!

Barcamp Mobile 2 – Barcamp Strikes Back

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:39:30 +0000

Good grief this has been a long time coming!

We had such huge ambitions for Barcamp Mobile 2 in 2010, and one thing after another kept throwing itself in our way. After deciding 2010 clearly wasn’t going to happen, we reset our sights on early 2011, which seemed like a great idea at the time, but didn’t quite mesh with reality.

Never ones to give up, we have committed to putting on the second annual(ha!) Barcamp, and have secured the venue. Barcamp Mobile will be returning to the University of South Alabama CIS building November 12, 2011. We’ll be opening registration shortly, and encourage everyone to register early, as space will be limited to about 100. As always, admission will be free.

We are currently looking for sponsorships to cover event costs(geeks gotta eat!) and volunteers to help pull it all together.

Want to get involved? Drop me an email at sara@barcampmobile.org .

Be sure to hit the subscribe button, follow us on Twitter, or join the Facebook page for updates!

Barcamp Mobile 2009

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:07:23 +0000

I’ve been trying for weeks to figure out a way to do a wrap-up post for Barcamp Mobile 2009, and to be honest, I’m still having a hard time.

When I decided to volunteer a bit of time to helping plan the first Barcamp to be hosted here, I had NO idea what I was getting into. Literally, I had no idea, because I’d never been to one before. I just knew that after looking up what Barcamp was, it sounded like a great idea, and I wanted to go. (Funny bit of trivia here, I volunteered to help organize only because one of the rules of Barcamp is ‘everyone participates’, and I am terrified of public speaking!) However, once I got involved, it became so much more than just something to do. I realized the principles behind the project- the inclusiveness, the sharing of information, the creativity- really do set Barcamp apart from anything I’ve ever seen, and that it is something I truly believe in with a passion. I am thankful to have been a part of Barcamp Mobile 2009.

We had a great turnout for being the first Barcamp in this city, with around 35 people attending. Small potatoes compared to some larger cities who are on their 3rd or 4th year, but for the inaugural event, we were incredibly thrilled. With all the talk afterwards, we expect the numbers will easily triple for next year’s event.

For those who were not able to attend this year, you missed some great sessions. With such an eclectic mix of people, the topics and discussions were varied, ranging from network security to photography to social media and beyond. It was impossible to walk into a room and not end up learning something new.

Our pre-conference social mixer(sponsored by Automattic!) was held at Baumhower’s Wings the night before, and the impromptu after-party at Buffalo Wild Wings on Saturday night were both a ton of fun. After spending the day together, the Buffalo Wild Wings event was the more relaxed of the two, with the after-party being capped off with an after-after party(!) of a group of 11 heading off for a 10:40pm showing of the new Star Trek movie. We may be geeks, but we know how to have a good time!

I can’t think of any better way to wrap this up than to say thank you to everyone who made Barcamp Mobile 2009 what it was. Thank you first and foremost to my co-organizers- Michael Ivey, Gillis Jones, and Brian Wright. Thank you to Paul O’Flaherty for both your hard work on the newest incarnation of the site, and your patience in dealing with me as I worked to pull this together. Thanks to Michael Owens for the pictures and creating the Flickr pool for Barcamp.

A huge thank you to the sponsors, without whom we never could have made this happen. Thank you to Baumhower’s Wings for hosting us, and Magnolia Media for the kick-ass logo that we will continue to use on the site.

Most importantly, thank you to the participants, both local and those who traveled from as far as Birmingham to be with us for this event. It was awesome meeting everyone, and I hope you will consider joining us again for the next one.

Next one…? You heard it here first! After such a great time this year, there was no way I could walk away and not commit to doing this again! Keep an eye on this blog (subscribe here!) and we will be talking about both local events going on such as the monthly Tweetups and news from the Mobile Bay Technology Alliance, but also documenting the joys and headaches that go into planning Barcamp Mobile 2010. Be sure to follow us on Twitter as well for all the latest news.

Sara (@SaraOflaherty)

© Sara O'Flaherty for Barcamp Mobile, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments |
Post tags: Barcamp2009, Mobile Bay Tech Alliance, participants, Planning, Satori, Sponsors, Twitter

Barcamp 2009 Projects

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:05:27 +0000

One of the best things about Barcamp is that when you get together so many intelligent, creative people in one place, great ideas are sure to happen. Barcamp Mobile 2009 was no exception.

The Satori Project

Satori Coffee House is a local favorite here in Mobile, and we were incredibly excited when they signed on to sponsor the breakfast for this year’s Barcamp. (Barcamp Mobile 2009 trivia bit- Satori was actually our very FIRST sponsor!) What blew us away however was going to pick up the food on that Saturday morning, and finding out that not only were they providing us with free breakfast, the manager himself came in to make the scones and coffee hours before they were even open!

Everyone was so impressed with this, the idea was hatched that these incredibly nice, but maybe not the *most* internet-savvy people should be repaid in the best way a bunch of techies know how- build them a website! Previous to Barcamp, Satori Coffee House had a Myspace..and that’s it. No Twitter, no Facebook, no..anything really. In a matter of hours, we had an amazing team of talented people put together http://www.satorisoundcoffee.com as well as a full-on social media presence, most of which can be seen here, so be sure to add them! – http://www.google.com/profiles/satorisoundcoffee .

The website is still a work in progress, but we will continue to work with Satori to bring the word to the masses about their great food and amazing atmosphere.

The Mobile Bay Tech Alliance

Prior to Barcamp, ideas had been tossed around about how to make Mobile more tech-friendly to draw in new businesses and generally make life better for everyone. During the conference, this was further discussed and we realized that we had some great resources, but no way to get them together. The result is the Mobile Bay Tech Alliance. This organization’s purpose is to bring together the tech community in Mobile and the surrounding areas to foster and encourage technology-related events and networking in both professional and social capacities.

Still in the very earliest planning stages, we are nonetheless growing quickly. For updates on this exciting project, follow the Mobile Bay Tech Alliance on Twitter, and be sure to join the Google Group to become a part of the action!

© Sara O'Flaherty for Barcamp Mobile, 2009. | Permalink | No comment |
Post tags: Barcamp 2009, Mobile Bay Tech Alliance, Satori, Sponsors