I’ve decided to do a photo post for my official “year in review” but going through my iPhoto and Flickr archives I realized it would be impossible to only choose one photo to represent each month. I’ve decided to do this recap of 2008 in two posts, January to June then July to December (which will follow later) each with photos representing each month.
January January 2008 Archives
Several big things happened in January, the first was meeting Tom Larscheid and John Shorthouse up in the broadcast gondola of GM Place thanks to John.
Another was being named one of the “Tech Women to Watch” by Raincity Studios (which was celebrated among with the other fine women named at Launch Party).
There was also my flash trip to Toronto to be a part of the victorious Team Blogger on CBC’s television show, Test the Nation. I met some amazing bloggers and podcasters from across the country (and traveled with some too) and got to meet Samantha Bee (our assigned celebrity and blogger).
I visited my friend Keira’s favourite little place to play in the snow for the first time last February. Mount Washington over on Vancouver Island is pretty darn amazing and I had a wonderful time hanging out in her hometown to boot.
This was the month for Northern Voice where I live blogged, updated wikis, wore a sheriff badge, was on a panel, and captured my friend Dave’s now internet-famous talk, “F*ck Stats, Make Art“.
We also went camping with Duane, got really soggy, but still managed to make campfire nachos.
If you’d like to continue this as a meme please do so, I’d love to see 2008 in photos by others as well.
Stay tuned for part two (July to December 2008) either later today or tomorrow as it’s action-packed with celebrity meetings, and tales of my plunge into self employment.
We’re nearing the 3-week mark until we kick off the first-ever WordCamp Whistler; a world-class conference in an amazing location all for the sake of networking, talking, and absorbing all that is WordPress (the world’s top blogging platform and system of choice for this site and many others).
However, we are still looking for a few sponsors at the various levels that can help us out with costs. In exchange (among other things) you’ll get link love, shout outs, and exposure to all guests and our global audience. Sponsorship packages start at $100 and go up to $2000 (where you will even get a small speaking slot to talk about your company).
Check out the sponsors page on the WordCamp Whistler website for more details and be sure to book your ticket as this is a not-to-miss social media event (heck, we even have awesome swag!)
After a very long day yesterday our heads finally hit our pillows in small town Iowa. We’ve been reunited with John’s family and all of his nieces and nephews (that I can tell he misses dearly since he can’t stop playing college football on Playstation with the boys).
We didn’t accomplish much today but I did get in some shopping that included checking out every retailer from Walmart to the local fabric store/kitchenware/drug store (this was after we tried to get into the tanning salon/accessories shop but it was closed).
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love small town America.
Thanks to my new adventures as a freelance blogger, I’ve been able to experience more concerts this year than ever before as a guest contributor for E!Online.
However, when not on the clock for E!, RadioZoom, or Miss604, we still made time to catch amazing acts just cause. Here are some of my top Vancouver concert picks from 2008.
March 2008 Nada Surf
John introduced me to Nada Surf years ago and although some in the crowd only knew their song Popular or the single the opening band had on the high school pop drama Friday Night Lights, it was a great show.
April 2008 The Black Keys
One of the loudest shows I’ve seen at the Commodore, The Black Keys were amazingly heart-thumpingly awesome. These two men from Ohio rocked our sock off and provided so much base our nostrils tickled and shot glasses bounced off tables in the packed ballroom.
Also in April, No Use for a Name played the Commodore with NOFX. I had an interview with NUFAN but I was double-booked that night (I think it was the VIDFEST launch). I’d pretty much give anything to get a double bill like that back in town.
May 2008 Von Bondies
I admit, I first heard of the Von Bondies when John introduced me to Rescue Me in 2005 (their song C’mon C’mon is the opening theme) but soon-after explored the rest of their catalog. It was another great show with a band we love to enjoy, in an intimate live venue.
Our pal Matt played an amazing full-band show at the Orpheum for his hometown fans. He went on to releaseLive at Massey Hall in the fall of 2008.
September 2008 Hanson
You didn’t think I would miss talking about how we hung out with the boys from Hanson do you? I brought Keira along with me for a podcast and online article interview with Zach, Taylor and Isaac.
September 2008 Less Than Jake
The absolute highlight of my year as Less Than Jake was the reason I created my first website in 1997 and 11 years later, I was interviewing them and covering their show at the Commodore. John took some great photos, which are in his set on Flickr.
What made this even better (and the concert of the year in my books) was that Reel Big Fish opened up for them. I couldn’t stop smiling (or singing or dancing) the entire night.
It’s a pleasure to experience such talent – whether by using my own credentials as a respected blogger and music podcaster, or simply being happy fan in the crowd. I look forward to getting out to more local shows this coming year and can’t wait to see who will be rolling through town in 2009.
If you’re a local band and you’d like to introduce me to your tunes, get played on RadioZoom or have me cover your show, please feel free to contact me.
One of the stars of Sex and the City and with numerous other credits under her belt, Vancouver Island’s own Kim Cattrall will be speaking at UBC next week.
Cattrall will talk about her career and issues such as women in the workforce, post-feminism, and self-image, at an appearance in Vancouver on January 7 (noon to 1 p.m.) at the Frederic Wood Theatre (6354 Crescent Road, UBC), where she’ll be interviewed by Jerry Wasserman, the acting head of the UBC Department of Theatre, Film, and Creative Writing. [Georgia Straight]
There is no cost for admission although you will need to call in advance for tickets.
If I were in town this wold be a not-to-miss event as Cattrall is engaging, powerful, and a strong career woman whom I’d love to hear speak and give insights.
