Posted via email from Tyler says…

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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But if you don’t show up, you can’t do any of those things.

If you value your community, your church or your job, you’d best show up when the opportunity presents itself to change what you disagree with.

Don’t like someone? Disagree with established practices? Not like what rules are in place?

SHOW UP AND SAY SOMETHING.

Your opinion, no matter how relevant, doesn’t matter if no one hears it.

So show up.

Posted via email from Tyler says…

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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Posted via email from Tyler says…

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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Posted via email from Tyler says…

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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1. My brother the hunter (w/ pics)
2. Why I hate Ignite (insert your city here)
3. What Twitter lists say about you

But it matters. To some of us, it matters more than others. To begin:

I’ve been bulimic. I’ve been diagnosed bipolar, ADHD and clinically depressed. I’ve weighed as much as 245lbs and as little as 155lbs. I’ve gained and lost 35lbs in less than three months. I’ve set my clothing on fire, broken my hand on an escalator and punched through a door. I’ve been handcuffed three times, never for the aforementioned reasons. I was accused of rape by my fraternity president AFTER the girl claimed her friend had made it up. I had to go to court to fight a charge made by a bitter girl from a group home I worked at for three months.

Is it because I’m unhappy? Nope. I love my life. Is it because I have body issues? Not sure of that, either. Is it because I’m crazy? Maybe.

Being successful means overcoming whatever is holding you back.

Live your life open.

Hi, I’m tdhurst. Nice to meet you.

Props to @skinnyjeans.

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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Posted via email from Tyler says…

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

Related posts:

1. Why I hate Ignite (insert your city here)
2. Outsource what you can’t do
3. You don’t count if you don’t show up

1. Make the application process harder. Require video or some sort of slides with voiceover. Only the very interested people would do that, and, well, that’s what people want, right?

2. Make the voting process public, but don’t let the public vote on the submissions.

3. Make it your absolute goal never to have the event in a venue that doesn’t have great cell/WiFi service ever again. Being connected online breeds better discussion during and after the event.

4. Have the after-event party at the same location as the presentation. Keeps momentum going.

5. Arrange follow-up meetings with speakers and interested audience members. Keep the fire hot.

6. Have awards, but not for entire presentations. Best Slide, Best Joke, Best Use of a Prop? Award them at the after party.

7. Have the audience vote on #6.

8. No one person can present at successive Ignites.

9. Require a prop. Microphone doesn’t count.

10. Stop taking criticism so damn personally.

Posted via email from Tyler says…

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

Related posts:

1. Why I hate Ignite (insert your city here)
2. Things I’ve learned from parties

2. It’s run by nearly the same people, giving it a similar look and feel.

3. It’s become lauded by the mainstream as a microcosm of the burgeoning geek community, when really, it’s not.

4. It doesn’t allow for any interaction between audience members during the show.

5. It’s too short.

6. It’s far, far too easy to succeed. With the entire audience on your side, where’s the motivation NOT to screw up?

7. It’s very tough to find a venue that can handle the technological needs of many of the audience.

8. It’s boring.

9. It seldom affects anything long term. Know anyone still talking about their Ignite presentation?

10. It’s the lowest common denominator for all the GeekWeekAZ activities.

For those that love it, I would really like to know why.

Posted via email from Tyler says…

PS…notice the “I” in the title. Just me. Not you. No one said Ignite sucks.

Oh, and here’s how I’d improve it.

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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Posted via email from Tyler says…

Thanks for reading, we should high-five.

I tweet from here: @tdhurst. Lots.

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