My tentative talk at the Apple Store
A little while ago, I was asked if I'd be willing to give a talk at the Apple Store in downtown Chicago, on either the third or fouth Wednesday in October. I meant to post this last night, because it's somewhat time-sensitive (I have to let them know by Monday), but unfortunately BSG and the Stargate* usurped my time.
I'm told they'd like me to talk about OSS, but I had the impression this was primarily just a suggestion to corral me so I wouldn't go into some long rant about how sexualized comic books are now, with half naked people running around yet leaving out the hard parts like pregnancy and STDs; You'd think Batman could at least mention off-hand he has a slot on the utility belt for contraceptives so he doesn't have to stop and ruin the moment by running out to the convenience store.
Anywho, this is cool in a way, as it may mean the old memo stating any guy calling himself drunkenbatman should escorted off the premises of any Apple retail establishment is more rumor than fact. And it would be really cool to meet some more readers and press the flesh (I know, I'm regretting using this phrase after the earlier paragraph now), and seeing The Cow projected on a screen inside an Apple Store would be amusing.
Unfortunately, I do have some concerns that are making me think twice about it, but am willing to make a deal...
I've got to like, you know, put on pants. I checked. And, much like prom night, reality never quite lives up to the fantasy. Some mystique may be lost, unless I bring a stack of bibles or something.
- I'd have to actually put work into something to talk about. And like, maybe make slides and stuff. Throw me up in front of people and ask a bunch of questions and I'm generally good to go, provided I've had enough sleep so we aren't repeating The Gaps in the Filter, but when it comes to things like OSS or well, basically anything, I don't really have an agenda to push.
- I'm not sure how many readers I actually have in Chicago itself, let alone willing to trek down to the Apple Store to hear me go on about something. My posse is basically all over the world, as something like the covercasts showed to good effect. Hell, poor Juan @ Macuarium basically has a part time job just translating my posts for his spanish readers.
While there would be amusing aspects to giving a talk and having like 5 people show up, and I'd have fun adding in the cricket sounds via iMovie later, it isn't ideal.
If there are 15 or so of you willing to show up in downtown Chicago on the third or fourth Wednesday in October, I'll show up too and do my dancing pony thing. Ten would actually be fine, but there's a flake-out rate with these things that needs to be accounted for, and do remember I have to let them know by Monday.
Posted by drunkenbatmanJuly 23, 2005, at 02:39 PM
Comments (49)
Posted by: Daniel Morrison at July 23, 2005 03:10 PM
I'm always up for an excuse to visit the city (being 3 hours away in Michigan). Count me in. I'll pony up a white russian.
Posted by: Helen at July 23, 2005 03:12 PM
DB, do you know if it is in the evening or day and what time? I'd love to attend but it would have to be after 6pm if on a weekday.
Posted by: Alan at July 23, 2005 03:15 PM
I'd love to go and would definately attend if it was in the evening.
Posted by: Patrick Weber at July 23, 2005 03:16 PM
Man, I used to live near there.. I have since moved quite a distance away. Do you think it would be possible to set up a video camera and record the whole thing and then post it up here?
I'd love to come, its just quite an expensive journey to get back over there.
Posted by: Ben Reubenstein at July 23, 2005 03:20 PM
Get me a date and I'll see if I can get a Ticket to Chicago. Fun City ~
Posted by: Barron at July 23, 2005 04:03 PM
I'll be there with bells on!
Well, maybe not bells. Perhaps bellbottoms? Hmmm, no, probably not bellbottoms either. But like you, I promise to wear some kind of pants.
Posted by: Chris at July 23, 2005 04:16 PM
I'll be there.
Posted by: Rory at July 23, 2005 04:16 PM
Yay for Stargate and BSG! (and usenet access, *cough*). I'm such a sci-fi junkie ^_^; You know you could always go dressed as Batman, that might be kinda amusing. But obviously replace the bat logo with the cow head :)
Posted by: Jason Terhorst at July 23, 2005 04:32 PM
I can do your PowerPoint/Keynote/someSortOfPresentationApp slideshow for you if you'd like, and could certainly do well enough with the cow images and such for you. I've done some very good work in the past for church, school, etc. PowerPoint isn't as bad as people think, and I've gotten pretty good at making it do tricks.
If someone would be willing to give me a ride from the Peoria area, I could certainly make the visit. ... or I can try to find a dormmate that has a vehicle of some sort.
Posted by: Ken Rawlings at July 23, 2005 04:32 PM
I didn't even know you were in Chicago as well until this post. Cool!
If it's the 3rd Wednesday I'll definitely be there. If it's the 4th Wednesday I should be able to make it, but may be out of town.
Posted by: Ben at July 23, 2005 04:34 PM
I'll be there... always up for an excuse to drop in!
Posted by: Similar at July 23, 2005 04:48 PM
If the event was in KC, MO I'd go in a heartbeat.
Posted by: Chris Woods at July 23, 2005 04:49 PM
I live and work no more than 10 minutes away. Name the date and time.
Posted by: Kevin Ballard at July 23, 2005 04:50 PM
Heh, I wish I was in the area, I'd love to go hear you talk. But I'm nowhere even close :/
Posted by: BigP at July 23, 2005 05:06 PM
If you do end up going to Chicago, check out the bar at the top of the Hancock building just a couple of blocks north of the Apple Store. I had a "Top Floor Tea" (Long Island) up there when I was in Chicago back in June. Granted, it was 4 in the afternoon. But good stuff.
Nothing like having a good drink 96 floors up.
Posted by: ProcrasT8 at July 23, 2005 05:07 PM
If there's a prospect of a dancing pony show, I'll be there. It's a good time as any to take the train in to the city before CTA decides to jack up their prices yet again.
Maybe you could persuade management at the Apple Store to superimpose the cow on the Apple logo for one day. Now, that alone would be worth taking the green line to check it out for myself. If anything, it can only help to garner attention and drunkenblog readers could locate the store much easier (every little help counts, especially when we're drunk). Kind of like a bat signal, except, you know, with a cartoonish looking cow head.
Posted by: RexBinary at July 23, 2005 05:09 PM
You understand OSS better then most anyone, and what other company that writes commercial software is going to ask you to speak about OSS? Get the word out now so we don't have more 'Cherry' code! Your drunkenbatman, lead on brother!
Posted by: foresmac at July 23, 2005 05:23 PM
I'm sure I could convince some PUMUGgers to go. Shit, we waited in line for like 5 hours for Tiger, but at least we made it in MacAddict!
Field trip!
Posted by: Phillip L. at July 23, 2005 05:36 PM
Careful, DB. I smell a cult brewing.
Posted by: Carl at July 23, 2005 06:01 PM
I'm outside of Rockford, IL and could try to get downtown if it is not too early (it would take a few hours to get there). Does anyone know how many seats would be available? It would suck to get there and left outside.
Posted by: Dustin at July 23, 2005 06:41 PM
How about a webcast for out of towners?
Posted by: Kim at July 23, 2005 07:21 PM
Well, if you ever find yourself in Melbourne, Australia... let us know. :-D
-Kim.
Posted by: Chris at July 23, 2005 07:27 PM
I'll send our sizeable Chicago contingent from ATPM over there. I'm sure they're up for a drunkenlecture, and it'll make an interesting piece for Wes's column ;) If I can get off work, I'll bop down to Chi-town myself.
cl
Posted by: Wes Meltzer at July 23, 2005 08:14 PM
Yes, Chris, I think we should go. And more to the point, I would love to put something like that in my column. 'Bloggable goes real life!' I can put my journalism-major skills to good use, or something.
Count me in, so that's at least one ATPM staffer... and possibly at least two, if Chris can come.
Posted by: pat w at July 23, 2005 08:34 PM
I'll be there if it happens.
Posted by: Troy at July 23, 2005 09:04 PM
Sounds like if you count all the maybes, then you might have your fifteen.
Unfortunately since I am in Western Australia I am probably as close as you can get to the opposite side of the planet :(
Posted by: tekun at July 23, 2005 09:28 PM
I'll be there.
Posted by: Anthony at July 23, 2005 09:38 PM
I'm always up for a good excuse to head to the Michigan Ave Apple Store. I'll be there.
Posted by: Leland Johnson at July 23, 2005 10:06 PM
I'd come.
Posted by: Rutger Al at July 23, 2005 10:18 PM
Really wish you lived in California. :( If this goes well, consider coming and doing one out here.
Hey, can you drink in an Apple store in the presentation areas?
Posted by: Harry Lime at July 23, 2005 10:47 PM
count me in!
Posted by: icedtrip at July 23, 2005 11:19 PM
wow. sounds like you have a lot of people signing up for this thing. i wish i could, but let me know if you are ever down in the south, and i will be more than glad to meet up (figured everyone else was offering the same, so why shouldn't i. damn the peer pressure!!).
Posted by: fudo at July 23, 2005 11:29 PM
Looks to me like the reaction warrants a tour, at Apple's expense of course. The drunkenbatman world tour! Keep us informed, eh?
Posted by: Aaron at July 24, 2005 12:12 AM
I don't think I can talk to wife into selling that many cakes for the fare from Houston. And I can't fit into my exotic dancer/juggler suit anymore. Count me out (but there in spirit, like a long-lost drunkenside-kick).
For the record, I went to the Sister's b-day party tonight and tried to get a white russian in a child-proof sippy cup. I got no love but thought of you.
Posted by: Pres-Gas at July 24, 2005 12:20 AM
Damn it all that the wife and I moved from Chi-town!!! We are wanting to visit over a weekend in October, and I'd love to get my geek on while there (must keep the pressure on in the conversion of my wife to the geek side). If it goes to a weekend in October, lemme know. It would be nice to hear from someone who is not a kool-aid drinker regarding Apple talk within the belly of the beast.
Posted by: Xystance at July 24, 2005 12:26 AM
*raises hand*
I'll see what I can do about bringing a posse... (grin)
Posted by: Gorman Christian at July 24, 2005 01:06 AM
I'll be there. Even if you are talking about comic book shortcomings.
Posted by: De Le Mas at July 24, 2005 02:05 AM
I wish I could get off school then to go see, but being in Georgia the trip would take too many days and my parents pay too much for me to go here. May I make some suggestions?
1. Have a question and answer session
2. Let the less fortunate who can't come send questions to be asked
3. Please someone volunteer to video tape this for upload. I can help with bandwidth.
Posted by: Dan at July 24, 2005 09:49 AM
<tangent>
You'd think Batman could at least mention off-hand he has a slot on the utility belt for contraceptives so he doesn't have to stop and ruin the moment by running out to the convenience store.
Actually, according to a friend of mine who worked at DC comics, the Batman writer's bible (or some such document) specifically prohibits him from having sex. That's right, Batman is all about abstinence.
</tanget>
Posted by: Jonathan Monroe at July 24, 2005 05:48 PM
I'll be there.
Posted by: hawaiiano at July 25, 2005 03:54 AM
db,
If you ever drop in the Apple Store at Ala Moana, of course, let me know and hawaiiano will be there.
aloha
Posted by: charles at July 25, 2005 11:26 AM
I'm a UChicago student and though it is only summer now I predict I will skip my homework joyfully and attend.
Posted by: LEGO Boy at July 25, 2005 01:05 PM
dang, DB. If you could come to NJ, I'd be there. If you're ever out here, you have a place to stay and eat. Oh, and of course, beer.
Hmmm, maybe you could arrange a live a/v feed from the store and take questions via iChat? If anyone could do this, I'd think the Apple Store could. And of course, make the podcast available after the event.
Posted by: Paul Baker at July 25, 2005 02:46 PM
I'll probably show up seeing as how I'm only a 5 min red line trip away.
Posted by: Gavin at July 25, 2005 07:00 PM
This is awesome news. I live in the suburbs about 35-40 minutes away from Chicago (depending on traffic or form of transportation), so it's really a very quick and easy trip to take. Count me in barring death or instantaneous combustion.
Posted by: Jeff R at July 26, 2005 01:18 AM
I'm in. Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from me. Congrats on getting the invite to speak at the Apple Store.
While I'm sure you're giving the first one away for free. Next time, make sure they pay you.
:)
Posted by: konozulu at July 26, 2005 08:43 AM
I planned on going to the Niketown to get new shoes that day. I will stop by.
Posted by: Clint Ecker at August 5, 2005 05:32 PM
Me and Jacqui would be willing to drive up there and see your talk, she's originally from up around there ;)
If it was the NYC store I'd go. If you're ever in Queens, let me buy you a drink k?