Though tangential to our general discussion of the Bengals being an amateur organization here at WDR, for those interested, here are few comments on the Blogs With Balls Conference this past weekend. Also, I wanted to throw up a picture of my ugly mug for all to behold.*
Held in the basement of one of those New York City midtown mega-pubs (Stout, in this case), the BwB Conference was really a drunken socializing/networking event masquerading as a conference. And given it was a conference about blogging, that atmosphere felt just right.
However, the raucous nature of the conference ensured a continuous tension between a) actually learning and listening from the various panels that spoke throughout the day and b) socializing. Without question, b) dominated and I walked away feeling that I did not gain much from any of the panels, including the panel I spoke on. And you can see that point repeated over and over again in the recaps here. Of course, huge disclaimer, I missed a few panels as I left for the afternoon to take care of some errands. So feel free to discount everything I say.
However, it was nonetheless a lot of fun, well attended by both bloggers and traditional media members, and I met some very enthusiastic and interesting individuals both sympathetic to and amused by The Cause. Also, it appeared many folks were genuinely interested in the WDR story as a lot of the audience questions were directed my way. It also helped that our moderator Matt Ufford of With Leather and KSK (check out their recent Bengals post) had no problem being a dick and repeatedly quieted the audience. MGoBlog captured our panel (which was supposed discuss how to attract the attention of traditional media) best with this summary:
The WDR guy talked about some of their Project Mayhem stunts—placing urinal cakes with ignominious Bengal records in every urinal at a home game—and about how they've galvanized a fan community around their cause; that was the best part of the panel. A discussion of what happens after your post about Allison Stokke gets shot across the internet doesn't do much; a discussion of how you can get yourself some notoriety without resorting to 1) dumb luck, 2) hot underage chicks, or 3) getting fired would have been appreciated.
And that pretty much sums it up. A lot of fun but less informative than it should have been. But for a first time event, certainly it beat expectations. Thanks to the organizers for giving our humble little blog a spot on the panel. Version 2.0 of the conference will be held in Vegas this October and I recommend attending if you like things that are fun...
*Look at my double chin! Look at it!
Dude, you kinda look like Carson.
Posted by: Thom Tadsen | June 16, 2009 at 02:51 PM
WDR, while we concur that the drinking and subsequent 'din' did indeed make panel-listening about as difficult as watching the Bengals, it did serve rookies like us well. We are a lot less clueless about stuff. That, and we now know about you guys. Just sayin'...
Posted by: www.MeetTheMatts.com | June 16, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Yeah Matt - I guess I am being a little harsh. To anyone who attended it was clear the event was a smashing success. And just getting so many folks in one place in person was clearly the most important thing.
I was probably just a little too hungover and tired from the night before to sit patiently through the whole event.
Thanks for your question on the panel. But as I said, no way WDR ever gets press credentials. Bengals must clearly despise us and would not give us the time of day.
Posted by: Sleeping With Bieniemy | June 16, 2009 at 03:30 PM
@Thom - somewhere in Cincy, a small child has a signed nerf football from "Carson Palmer" sitting at home. Evil. I know.
Posted by: Sleeping With Bieniemy | June 16, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Hmmm... That's odd. I thought Bienemy was an Asian name.
Posted by: Rich | June 16, 2009 at 05:24 PM
I think he has always looked like a combination of his two idols, Carson and Geedy Lee from Rush.
http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/drew/geddy%20lee.jpeg
Posted by: Brosef Stalin | June 17, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Geddy Lee...of salesman? OF SALESMAN!
Posted by: Sleeping With Bieniemy | June 18, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Hopefully you do not keep your sack in a vise like G Lee must do to have a voice that high.
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