The Sorensen Institute’s Summit on Blogging and Democracy in the Commonwealth was held today. Wedding preparations don’t give me the time to do a proper report (or, likely, blog very much for the rest of the week). Suffice it to say, it went well, particularly once things really got humming in the afternoon. About sixty people attended. The discussion was good, I witnessed many an unlikely meeting of the mind, and we all got to know a good number of people in ways that I think will benefit us all, and certainly the Virginia blogosphere.
My favorite part, though, was when a couple of dozen of us got together afterwards for drinks and dinner at Guadalajara, a Mexican place down the road. I was disappointed that more people didn’t come out. I think the most useful discussion occurred in that informal setting — I certainly got the most out of that portion of the day.
It’s well worth noting that the attendance and involvement of journalists was impressive. In particular, I was impressed by the Charlottesville Daily Progress‘ Bob Gibson and the Washington Post‘s Mike Shear — they were active participants in the day’s activities, and joined us for lively and interesting discussion at Guadalajara afterwards.
I intend to post a full attendance list before long, in the name of a little Google-lovin’.
I wish I could have been there. Being 17 is rough sometimes.
It’s a shame I missed it, as well. We should probably try to set up a semi-regular social meeting at some point.
Hey blueinthecommonwealth, tell your parents that Kenton was there, and he’s only 14.
Thanks Waldo for getting the ball rolling on this (your disclaimers notwithstanding, you deserve credit.)
Yeah, I wish I could have hung out for a while at the restaurant. Several of us RaisingKaine types — including Kenton — ended up hanging out for an hour or so at the hotel, then we all had to leave (except for Kenton, who was still waiting for his father to show up, last time I checked; Kenton, did you ever make it home?!?) :)
I made it to the restaurant :)
I’m sorry that I missed out on El Guad afterwars, but I needed to get back. Still, it was a good and productive event. I even found myself getting along with some of the liberal bloggers; I feel so dirty ;) . Kudos to you and Chad (no longer John it appears) for aiding in the set-up of this summit, as well as to your lovely fiancee.
Waldo, I’m sorry I missed the get-together at the Guadalajara — I’m sure that’s where the best conversation of the whole day took place. But being a family man, I do value my time with the wife and kids, so I headed home. Thanks for your role in bringing the conference together. And best wishes for the upcoming nuptials!
I enjoyed being there. I’m definitely going to try to talk “my people” into setting up a blog at our website BlackOut2005.com. I’m going to suggest that we set it up similar to how Bacon’s Rebellion has theirs with a line-up of contributors. And also stealing a little bit from Lowell, how’s this for a by-line?… “The BlackOut Blog: Blogging Dick Black Out of the House of Delegates”.
Go Eileen! Let us know when you’re set up. I’d love to contribute a piece or 2.
Josh
But being a family man, I do value my time with the wife and kids, so I headed home.
Oh, I understand entirely — I’d hate to come across as critical as those who couldn’t come out afterwards. In addition to basic life commitments in the Great Big Offline World, I know that some people had a mighty long drive home (Steve, Chad, and Brian come to mind first). I’m just grateful that so many people were able to come here on Saturday for the event itself.
Kenton, sorry to hear you had to wait. Would’ve been happy to get you back to NoVA (four years at Hampden-Sydney w/o a car meant that I had to rely upon the kindness of strangers for a social life, making me particularly generous on this score), if you could’ve tolerated the cigars and Fox News on XM radio. ;-)
James: I actually had offered to drive Kenton back to DC, but he apparently didn’t want to be forced to listen to NPR and Air America for 2 straight hours! Ha ha. – Lowell
Roll the dice and pick ’em as to which would’ve been worse!
My radio at the moment is…off. Preset to 90.1, C-Span. [Only half kidding.]