I’ve done a few live blogs in my time… well maybe about 3 or 4, the most “valuable” being the live blog of Matthew Good‘s living room performance back in August [Miss604]. Seth Godin recently made some valid points about liveblogging as a medium – something he observed at a recent conference.
Compare these liveblog posts to posts written an hour later, ones that digest and reflect and chunk the information. These are deliberately designed to inform the reader, not to remind the writer.
I don’t mean to pick on the medium. I think it’s incredibly valuable–for the poster. We’re finding a growing dichotomy now, between blogs that help the reader and blogs that helps the writer. [Seth Godin]
It’s definitely difficult to relay information on the go, it’s basically rapid-fire note taking. I find that I type a lot of inside jokes when I’m liveblogging, things that could either be better explained with a post-mortem or left out entirely in a recap. What I find most valuable about liveblogging is the instant feedback and interaction with readers. For the evening with Matt Good people could ask questions in my comments and I would relay them directly to him, then I would type the answers.
The same thing goes for fellow Crazy Canuck, Alanah, when she liveblogs games on Canucks and Beyond. You get her instant feedback about how she thinks the game is going and comments are wide open for discussion.
Regardless, there is a time and place for everything – sometimes people cannot get to the show, to the conference or the demoCamp01. For that reason, I’ll keep bringing my laptop and have it handy to jot down anything that comes my way, whether it be live, or 10 minutes after the fact. I just hope that this is in fact of merit to the reader.
Update: On a very related note, I will be liveblogging at DemoCamp01 tomorrow – to read more check the Bryght events page, the wiki and John’s post.
As much I despise Robson Street, malls and shopping downtown in general, there comes a time when you just need a little retail therapy. That, and the fact that for some reason 3 pairs of my jeans decided to get torn all within the span of a week, lead John and I out in what little sunshine kissed the city this afternoon.
No matter how much we think we can stomach the throngs of tourists, Sunday walkers (every day of the week) and crowded sidewalks full of dilly-dalliers, we’re never strong enough to withstand Robson’s commercial splendor for more than about 30 minutes. The first stop was eBags, since getting my Macbook I still have not purchased a decent bag in which to carry it. I did get one super cheap but it’s just an over-the-shoulder style which has been causing bad posture and soreness for weeks. Of course the shoulder soreness also causes John pain since he became my masseuse Feb 25, 2006. eBags is located right next to the “House of Clogs” and across from Hon’s. They have some great deals and I found a cute little inconspicuous laptop bag for $19.99.
The next stop was jeans for me and a shirt for John. After a quick pitstop to sample the new orange mocha frappuccino at the corner of Starbucks and Starbucks, we headed toward my never-fail ultimate jean-getting store: The Bay.
Now you wouldn’t think that a department store, in a mall, in downtown Vancouver (or any location really) would have decent, inexpensive, non-hideous denim, but they do. I had great luck a few months ago when I purchased a pair of Buffalos for $20 so I thought I would give it another go. Not that I care at all about the brand name, but seeing as how this is the one pair that hasn’t fallen prey to the rippage, they’re my pretty much the star of my wardrobe at the moment. After about 5 minutes we found a shirt for John, went upstairs and had some luck with the jeans – again. The price tag was a little higher than desirable but when I got to the cashier, they were surprisingly 40% off – and this is what I’m talking about. You have to dig to find what little gems there are at The Bay but once you find them, there’s always a lovely surprise like a discount – which of course is the best surprise when it comes to shopping.
The next purchase for both of us will have to be shoes, but we’re saving that for another day. Although, have you ever noticed that outside of Payless Shoes on Robson there is always a pair of discarded shoes? It’s obvious that people walk into the store in one pair, buy new shoes, and deposit their wear-ins outside near the garbage can. You can be guaranteed to find a pair of shoes there at any time of day, any day of the week. I wonder if Payless has ever considered accepting peoples’ old shoes and donating them? Well, the still-decent ones anyway.
One thing’s for sure, before any more shopping I have to do some serious closet-purging. The last time I did that I had a hard time locating a drop bin or finding a charity that would pick up goods downtown. So if anyone knows of a way that I can work out logistics to get my donations dropped off or picked up, please let me know.
The walk home was pretty soggy, especially since we both left the house wearing sandals, but that justified coming home and vegging on the couch the rest of the afternoon. I’m just hoping the rest of the weekend isn’t as grey, I’m unsure it will be perfect beach-going weather but perhaps we’ll venture into the Park regardless as I’m going to need a little time to detox from today’s mega retail experience.
We’re doing absolutely nothing this long weekend. That’s right – nothing. Seems like everyone is up to something so that, combined with the rain now falling on the city means that I’m not feeling the happiest right now. Someone whose really not doing so great (which is more warranted than my whining for no reason) is Duane, who just had surgery [DuaneStorey.com]. John and I are gonna head over to his place this evening and we’re all going to have lots and lots of beer.
Also, I have to post this because a) I was SO shock-y all day at work today and 2) it makes me giggle. Have a great long weekend!
Update: This is what happens when you get Iowa, Chilliwack and Surrey together in one room… with beer [Flickr]
John’s back at it with another Six Song for this month. We haven’t both hopped in the “studio” for a while for a regular episode but I assure you that RadioZoom Podcasting good times will be happening soon. After last night’s post about Less Than Jake I got in contact with their management and have the a-okay to use their tunes on a future episode so be on the lookout. For now, hope you enjoy this installment of the Donut Spectacular John prepared with his new iMac setup including:
It wasn’t long ago that I made a post to support the fill-a-bag sale over at Discollection [Miss604], although only a few weeks ago the vintage clothing store shut its doors due to problems with the building in which it was housed.
From the design concept to the display ideas to the customer service and goal of being meeting place for friends, Discollection was a dream, an art installation, a community based store and a happy place for the cats in and around Gastown.
These are the characteristics that will define the future direction of Discollection and my work as I move into my kdon line.[Discollection.ca]
It’s sad to see the store go but as Kim alludes to in her post, the future is looking pretty bright, including the sale of clothing through her website and also a potential go at the Canadian version of Project Runway [wiki], which has several international versions including Project Catwalk in the UK [wiki].
It was announced last summer that the popular reality show for fashion designers was headed our way [Canada.com] and Kim has informed us all of her intentions.
For all you out there who are wondering if Project Runway Canada has called yet… here is what I can tell you.. I made it to the final stages of the interview process and am waiting to get the phone call telling me to pack my things and get my ass to Toronto for the summer! If there is no update by June 10th, it means back to the real world and the only enjoyment I will get out of the show is meeting the cool peeps in the interview room and watching the show next fall. [Discollection.ca]
Be on the lookout for the kdon line, and her debut representing local designers, entrepreneurs and fashion gurus on Canadian reality TV – good luck Kim!
