I thought I wouldn’t make it there:

Here’s a glass is half empty whining, seeking empathy recap:

* Drove to JFK, pouring so hard traffic would periodically come to a stop on the expressway
* JetBlue flight was packed, with warm air blowing like a convection oven at about the halfway mark
* Two kids, about 3 and 4 years old, screaming, fighting and crying for 6 hours directly behind me, parents oblivious or helpless
* Two people next to me became fast friends, speaking so loud for 6 hours straight, I couldn’t tune them out with my iPod. I now know their mortgages, financials, plans to divorce, how they met their spouses in intimate detail
* My tv screen went black halfway into the flight
* Room wasn’t ready for 2 hours at the hotel
* Apple store across the street ran out of iPhones 20 minutes before I got there, and were surprisingly rude

Here’s a glass is half full, glad to be here in San Francisco summary:

* But I made it, alive
* 65 degrees, sunny (perfect)
* Met a ton of old friends, long time online friends finally in person
* Brad Inman can still put on a show
* Chief Economist at BofA main session gave great, forthright overview
* Listened to Craig Newmark – quirky and endearing, “Constitution gets used again after the election” discussion (plus, as an added bonus, Craigslist discussion)
* Hung out with Dustin Luther, saw his terrific presentation at the main conference
* Winced at hyperinflation talk (1000%, 20 years, without factoring in corrective market forces) but otherwise loved the bull vs bear discussion, and at the end decided I didn’t need to jump off the Golden Gate
* Couldn’t twitter during the conference, no ATT reception on the main conference and didn’t realize how simple the wireless password was. duh!
* Went to the Trulia BBQ – on the trolley and spoke at length with the Marker Man who had to turn sideways to fit – best (only) meatballs I have ever had in SF
* Had dinner with some of the smartest econ bloggers out there – UrbanDigs, Naked Capitalism, Calculated Risk and their better halfs
* Realized it was about 2:30 am EST and had to end the evening without going to the Curbed party (I know, serious wimp)

Going to cook some more today.

One Comment

  1. Noah July 26, 2008 at 11:50 am

    Had a great time Jonathan! Good to see you and thanks for coming out for dinner!

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