When we first arrived Jen Simmons, Owen Winkler, and Kel (Joseph Kelter) were already there talking about various topics dealing with WordPress.

At this point I kind of flew off the handle at my disgust in the current WordPress world and with Habari (which I didn’t know Owen was one of the developers). However, after Owen literally gave me his laptop, in cool tablet form, to use Habari – and I can definitely say that the project is showing signs of potential. With Owen at the helm, I think the project definitely has a chance. Perhaps someday I will write up my thoughts on both of these topics.

Rob Sandie and Tom Kim

At this point people started to trickle in until the entire room was filled with people, conversations, and card games. I ended up mingling with Josh, Mike, and Jason for the majority of the time (which wasn’t long enough) and didn’t get to speak with many people that I really wanted to be able to.

Next month I’m going to try to get back down to the meetup (though I think I’m going to Philly at least two other times during the month of March so I have to check on a few things), and hopefully I’ll be able to speak to those I missed this time (Tom and Tony I’m looking at you two).

To any of you that attended that I did not get to meet or talk to – please make it a point to say hi to me next month.

[tags]weblogger, meetup, philadelphia, pennsylvania, ten stone, mike stickel, matt regula, jason santa maria, joshua lane, jen simmons, owen winkler, chris fehnel, eliza devroe, wordpress, habari, tony g, tom kim[/tags]
[slug]meetup0207-recap[/slug]

First, we met up with Andrea and Tom. This happened to be Tom’s first Meetup also. It would seem that Meetups are an old hat to Andrea, since she is involved not only with the WordPress and Weblogger Meetups, but because she also frequents the Philly Webstandards Meetups as well.

Mike, a freelance developer and Nintendo DS player, was the next to arrive. Mike’s hill-top view, like Andrea’s, into “the standards movement” was refreshing. Hopefully they, and their entire team, will keep up the good work they are doing on that front. Mike is a Ruby on Rails convert, so he is also involved with that group in the Philly area.

Ellen, who brought Pineapple stuffing (which I found delicious) and lover of cats, showed up next. Ellen’s perspective into the attidude, demeanor, and personality of cats really made me think twice about our cats. Ellen described her blogging purposes as “fooling around”, which is why I think many bloggers do their writing. In some ways, it is definitely the purpose for most of my posts here on my site. I find my personal blog a very personal outlet for ideas and thoughts that wouldn’t, and perhaps shouldn’t, otherwise have any public view.

Scott McNulty, system administrator and fellow Macintosh enthusiast came with his smile on. He did not hold me accountable for my Drew Carrey comment, to which I will forever be in his debt. By far, the funniest guy in the group, Scott even made Ellen’s Pineapple Stuffing recipe hilarious.

Ben, fitting name for a bloke in Philly, came in fresh from the Philly Pillow Fight (his photos from the fight). Ben has a firm hold on what he likes musically, so he and Chris had a nice discussion regarding that. Here are some photos that Ben took while at the Meetup.

Amardeep, also known as Deep (the best name on the planet bar none), wandered in from the nearly 75 degree Philadelphia air. All of us wished that we had more time to talk to Deep, though the amount of people and the amount of time that we had together didn’t add up. Deep teaches Literature, and so his site is driven towards his thoughts on that specific topic.

Marisa of Apartment 2024, showed up beaming. I doubt she’ll ever live down the fact that her site comes up first for “Does Papaya make you poop?” on most search engines. We all have our vices Marisa. She also writes for the Philly Metro blog, which has the purpose of advocating local blogging. It will be decades until we see a Clifford Metro blog, this much I can assure you.

Tony, whose specific job title eludes me right now, works for TV Guide in Phildelphia. I didn’t realize they were based there, but you learn something new everyday. Again, another gentlemen that I wish I had more time to talk to, he writes his personal blog for the very same reason we all do, as a place to jot down thoughts. Recently Tony wrote an article called Bon mot du jour, in which he states that he isn’t always as eloquent as he’d like to be. I can fully attest to that, being that I’m often caught saying something that sounds like someone ten years my junior.

Stephanie, of Patrick Murphy 06, walked in next. I didn’t get any time to speak with her, but she’s on the front lines of blogging about politics in the Philadelphia area. Seems like their doing a fairly good job too.

Leah (spelling, sorry) and Duran came in last. Slackers. After talking to Duran for a little while I learned about his hatred for Active Directory, or those that manage it improperly to be sure. I’m with ya Duran. Leah, another person I only literally got to say “Hi” to, was very excited to get some help with her backyard. Go help her out if you can. Oh, and she thinks that Hilary could use a bra. I can’t say I agree.

Final thoughts Springer style

All in all the trip was definitely worth getting to my first Meetup. I had fully expected to see Owen, who ended up having a medical situation, and I hope he recovers quickly from that. Jason Santa Maria, Rob Weychert, and Joshua Lane of Pixelworthy were supposed to show up too. I hope their teeth are ok.

It was enjoyable, if only for a few hours, to spend some time with people that hold the same importance on this thing called blogging that I personally do. I look forward to doing it again one day, and I’m even considering starting up a Meetup closer to home.

[tags]philadelphia, meetup, weblogger, wordpress[/tags]

This Saturday, at around 2pm EST, Eliza, Chris and I are heading down to Philadelphia for the April Philadelphia WordPress Meetup, organized by Owen Winkler.

Shortly thereafter, since it would appear that the WordPress meetup will only last about an hour, we’ll attend the April Philadelphia Webloggers meetup.

Having never been to a meetup, I can’t say as I have any expectations as to what will happen. I’m simply going as a trial to see what all the hoopla is about.

If you will be in the Philadelphia area, and can attend either meetup (which happen to be at the exact same venue), then please stop in and say hello.

[tags]philadelphia, meetup, wordpress, weblogger[/tags]