06 October 2008
The sign of a good festival are long lines of people, lots of cars, high spirits and loud music. More people than anticipated, is a measure of success, aka good PR.
I really enjoyed Rocking the Daisies. [I did warn Cath that I was the festival-working type (and needed to work ALL the time) and not the festival-attending type. I think Cath and Nicole finally believe me! If nothing else they know I am NOT the roughing it/camping type. I love festivals, but honestly prefer working behind the scenes than attending them. I don’t like camping…it’s the reason man evolved.
Weekend highlights:
- Mud is fun. Where else would Wellies look cool?
- The organisers went all out of their way to accommodate the masses. Guessing there were approximately 10 000 people. Well done guys!
- Redbull and Speakerbox discovers SA’s new talent: The Plastics.
- Cloof Wine Estate is gorgeous. The daisies (yes in a literal sense) makes it!
- 26 bands, 22 DJ’s, 8 comedians and a kick-arse crowd.
- Rocking the Daisies Radio on 92.3
My personal highlights:
I feel like I have done a shoddy job of capturing the festival. I’m pondering the value of having a dedicated social media/blogger at a festival like that to capture what really counts: the stories on the ground.
The value of having a blog (and flickr stream) with comments and interviews with ordinary people attending the festival (the crowd is what makes it) could be both valuable and entertaining. As usual I was completely fascinated with the attendees.
I would have liked to interview some interesting beings. Sadly time didn’t allow it. I would be like a naughty child in a crowd like that. In fact I probably already am. I did do one round of social gallivanting - grabbed a camera and notebook and went about “chatting” to strangers - traded beer for comments/photos.
In summary it was a successful festival. Well done to the organisers from Complete Events.
Since this is my blog, I get to be biased: well done to Mango-OMC. The team did a phenonemal job with media and publicity on this event. It’s a privilage working with a team that really functions calmly in a cohesive unit under pressure. Rare and mind-blowing. You guys rock! (For Christmas I am getting you all red ALL ACCESS armbands, walkie talkies and clipboards…)
Posted in: Events
05 October 2008
Just a quick post:
It’s a beautiful sunny day in Darling. The weather is fantastic, the band line up is great and I think by this afternoon I will be able to sit back and take it all in. Maybe a yummy, Funky Fab Butlers pizza and some wine?
PS Vida E and wireless is really all I need in the morning.
Posted in: Events
04 October 2008
One post, multiple updates:
Time: 9:30am
- FeistyFemale is a bad camper - I’m more of a green tea, gym and spa girl. However I did survive the first evening.
- It was cold, MUDDY and very windy. I finally managed to sleep an hour between six and seven!
- I have now constructed a complete list of things you take on camping trips and things that are space wasters…hair-straighteners are so meaningless when you’re running up and down in the mud trying to survive the cold open showers.
Time: 1:24pm
- The sun is shining and it’s warm. Yippee!
- A picture is worth a thousand words. Check out the set on Feisty’s Photo Space.
- It’s pumping, I’m guessing we close to 7000 people.
- The organisers have arranged extra parking, toilets, and cleaners.
- An extra field for camping has been secured.
- I ran around taking photos and chatted to random people in the crowd and the Fest-goers are loving it!
- I am looking forward to Eagle-Eyed Cherry tonight!
- The Feisty Lifestream might also be insightful if you want to keep track.
Time: 16:20
- Wow, where did the last three hours go?
- Despite the excitement, I am secretly craving a two hour gym session. Sad but true - this happens often… need to run and swim everyday to tame the personality.
- The band line up is tops.
- I think the Kolo Nova Movie Band has become one of my favourite bands. It’s upbeat and has a distinctive Fiddler on the Roof sound. (Being backstage does have its perks.)
Time 12:00
- Long day! Eish.
- Eagle Eye Cherry was cool. More in the next post…
Night folks.
Posted in: Events
03 October 2008
It’s been a long but exciting day.
My day = 18 hours and still going! Fast paced environments and curious people make me tick.
Sitting at the blogging station sponsored by Digicape working on a Mac for the 1st time. (The elite gasp!) I’m in awe that Henk aka Skyrove managed to get wireless to the bundus. It’s like oxygen for an internet addict.
My brain is slowly starting to shut down - so a bullet point list it shall be:
- The day has been eventful, with an unexpected influx of people.
- 7th Son rock.
- I finally know what the Dirty Skirts sound like.
- Redbull Radar battle of the bands have a winner - congratulations to The Plastics!
- Check out the Rocking the Daisies WAP site - SMS DAISIES to 32424
Things I should have packed (listing it for those that might be on route):
- Boots! It’s a little muddy.
- Padded jacket, scarf and gloves. It’s a little chilly.
- Business cards. I am a compulsive networker and forgot this crucial element.
- Wet wipes! (Can you tell I am not a mommy yet.)
- More cash. The food is yummy.
Will do detailed reports tomorrow during the day.
Night folks!
Posted in: Events
30 September 2008
A super fun Geek Dinner, with super intelligent, mind-blowing people.
1. Joe’s Talk
The 4 hour work week
Apart from the fact that I learned I had an MBA [Management by Absence] this talk was the one I could heavily relate to. It covered points I often think about.
- Don’t follow the rules - done
- Avoid the attention sharing culture - does unsubscribing from twitter and social media sites count?
- Reinvent what is important - done
- Blatantly ignore things that are not interesting -can’t help myself here…fascination is key
- Learn not to finish things - need to learn this ASAP
- Build a reputation of stubbornness - think I might be half way there…
- Don’t let things own you - done
If I look at the above list I am well on my way. One quote that really stuck with me was “It’s not what it costs it’s what you pay for.” [Where is that from?]
Brandon made an excellent point “You are not mission critical” in your work environment, you are merely the preference…
2. Jonathan H
Getting things done
I was going to do a decent update on the valuable talk but Jonathan already wrote a COMPREHENSIVE summary of his talk. I simply can’t regurgitate content - the real SMO gurus and geeks might frown and I do live in SA’s Silicone Valley after all!
Interesting stats:
- The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s research findings over the past five years show that the percentage of people between the ages of 18 and 64 in Cape Town who pursue new business are 190% above the national average.
- In Johannesburg, it is only 60% above the national average.
- But only 5% of new entrepreneurs in Cape Town and only 6% in Johannesburg make use of the latest technology in their businesses.
- Only 15% of new entrepreneurs in Cape Town expect to have more than ten employees in five years’ time.
To conclude. The rules:
- Don’t say “I will [ later ]“
- Don’t say you don’t have enough time: you’re lying
- Don’t expect it to be perfect (or even to work) at first
- Don’t over-think and over-design
3. Jonathan E
Half Price Tuesdays
Need I say more! The website where you can find Cape Town’s best specials. Help Jonathan test the site. We need to have this idea in action. I reckon this one is going to score hire on the kiefness ladder!
4. Kerry-Anne
Slideshow Kareoke Summary
- Never ever refer to and/or use imagery of Britney Spears in a presentation.
- Brad Pitt on the other hand is a whole other story, and is completely acceptable!
- Death by slide is illegal and slides should be visually appealing.
- Refrain using bad words in your presentation e.g. those that would make you or your audience blush.
- Consistency throughout a presentation is crucial e.g. like good humour.
- And for god’s sake don’t look at the slides while talking - you might seem unpreprepared!
5. Random thoughts and notes on the social side of things
- I once again sat at the naughtiest table at the Geek Dinner.
- *giggle* Thanks to Joe’s talk someone took my number.
- ‘We’ were once again the last to leave.
- Life [and work] is really about fun folks. It occurred to me last night that I love my life - I get up in the morning and I can’t wait to explore. Life is an adventure.
- Geeks have a phenomenal sense of humour. [And I love laughing!]
Looking forward to the next geeky gathering.
Till we meet again.
xxx
Posted in: Events
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