I made another quick podcast in my room. You can get to it by going to http;//thepridelands.podshow.com. Here is the direct link to the episode – http://m.podshow.com/media/1390/episodes/46883/thepridelands-46883-01-23-2007.mp3
You can also subscribe to my podcasts by going to http://feeds.feedburner.com/thepridelandspodcast.

I’m getting ready for AD303, my session here at Lotusphere.

Thank you to everyone that attending my session this afternoon! I hope that you enjoyed it… I know that I did!

I’ll place the slides up here on Thursday morning after my next session.

Theme: IT Revolves Around You!

There’s a freaking rock band playing… Line of the morning, "It’s the cast of a suburban Boston production of Jesus Christ Superstar."

He’s telling us the story of the beginnings of the Space Race. This isn’t ‘The Right Stuff’… It’s better! The first computer in space had only 4K of memory… 4K!!!

He considered himself a technician. He travelled over 3 days to install a mirror on the moon. They were measuring the distance to the moon from earth. He figured he needed the information for his mileage on his expense report.

"Good design stands the test of time."

First, Rock and roll and then Neil Armstrong… I’m excited!

Mike is back. "…rendering the office obsolete. Office obsolete… I like the sound of that.

You know what? I’m stopping here. I can’t connect online, so I’m going to tell you what I saw later.

Nothing much… Just a rundown of what’s going to happen. Check it out here: http://m.podshow.com/media/1390/episodes/46418/thepridelands-46418-01-20-2007.mp3

You can also subscribe to my podcasts by going to http://feeds.feedburner.com/thepridelandspodcast. Enjoy!

I’m sitting in my room watching a little television. I’ve walked around, had lunch, etc.

My trip down happened without incident, except for a little delay for deicing. Once I reached the Orlando International Airport, I walked across the airport and down to the Disney’s Magical Express area. Seven minutes in line, then off to another line for about five minutes to get on the bus. One half hour later, and I was at the front desk checking in. (I didn’t have any of the negative problems that others have had with Disney’s Magical Express.) My room was ready, so I took my carry-on items and dropped them off, then I went to lunch. After lunch, I went back to my room where my bags were waiting for me. Before I knew it, it’s 5 PM.

Maybe I’ll walk around some more…

I’ve already started taking some pictures. Everyone is tagging their Lotusphere pictures with ‘Lotusphere2007’. Go to Flickr and check them out!

As I sit here drinking my overpriced Starbucks coffee, eating my overpriced blueberry scone, and waiting for the Southwest Airline flight 1317 to open its doors so we can walk in, I start to think about my expectations for Lotusphere 2007. Some thoughts…

There are going to be some cool announcements. We are going to hear more and more about IBM Lotus Notes 8, and see a lot more of it in some of the demos. We may even get a chance to touch it in some of the labs. (You won’t see any Notes 8 in my session, AD303.)
Lotus is starting to get back to the top of its game, and all eyes are on IBM to provide leadership, direction and support. This year, THEY WILL NOT DISAPPOINT!
It’s going to be over before I realize it. By the time I get my bearings, people will be saying goodbye. That’s one of the worst parts of this… having to wait a least a year before seeing anyone again.
I’m going to be tired… very, very tired… but I won’t mind. Thinking of all the cool technology I will be seeing (and touching) will keep me going. (A couple of beers will help also.)
I’m going to miss my ‘pride’. It’s because of their support that I can do these sort of things, but I will get a chance to see them when they arrive on Wednesday.
The phrase ‘I AM’ will make a return. IBM/Lotus Software will also give all of us bloggers something to hang our hats on (again).
IBM has been preparing us for what developers and administrators will need to compete in this global marketplace. Unlike the job opportunities in Michigan, Lotus Software will continue to be something that we can work with, on and in. Thank you IBM/Lotus Software for keeping us busy.

It looks like we’re lining up, so they must have wound up the rubberband on this bird. See you in Florida!

This morning in Detroit
Originally uploaded by Ray "The Lion King" Bilyk.

I’ll be in Florida in 3 days… not missing this!

Thanks to Chris Whisonant and Curt Stone for hearing my tale of woe (I wasn’t whining). Here are 5 Things You Don’t Know About Me:

1. I used to be in the theatre in high school and college. My college professor, David Regal, told me I should give up whatever my degree was and go into acting full time.
2. I used to be in radio production/broadcasting in college also. My other college professor, Jerry Curtsinger, told me I should give up whatever my degree was and go into radio full time. (I just found out today that he died on May 22, 2006. He was a very cool guy… One of the few professors I’ve ever went out drinking with, and the only one I’ve drank with after a 12 hour final exam.)
3. I brew my own beer. It’s a hobby I got into a few years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I think that my beer is good, but I keep practicing…
4. I worked for the McDonald’s Corporation for six years. Unlike others, I’ve always felt that my years at McDonald’s were good. Yes, I smelled like burgers for two months after I left, but it taught me some very important life lessons. I also had some great times.
5. I’m a HUGE fan of Pink Floyd. (For me, it’s like a religion.) I’m also a great fan of Hall and Oates. (It’s something about Daryl Hall’s voice.) I also enjoy the music of Jimmy Buffett, Alan Thicke‘s son, Robin, and will listen to any song if there are strings and orchestration in it (like anything from E.L.O.).

Since I took so long to get some time to get this list together, I may have to add 5 more soon. Oh, and Tawnya and Bruce… YOU’RE IT!!!

For those of you who registered early enough (and provided an email address), you should have received an email regarding how to logon to the Lotusphere Online site and how to update your badge information. (There are two separate URL’s.)

No much on there yet, but it looks promising. Hopefully, it will perform a bit faster…

If you see me online, feel free to ping me.