So, how do you celebrate two years of blogging?
July 30, 2007, 12:23 pm
Filed under:
AL,
Birmingham,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Blogging,
Blogroll,
Commentary,
Where to find Dre I’m not quite sure where the time’s gone. I really didn’t even realize it until I started making the first major changes to the site in months. Somewhere between beginning to transfer posts from this account to a self-installed version of the site, I was immediately reminded that Saturday was two years since I first decided to join the blogosphere. As always, here’s the obligatory link to the first post.
This year has been a crazy one for me, with the death of my grandmother and the decision to go off on my own and launch a website. Both have definitely affected how I view the world and have made me appreciate those that can continuously burn a candle at both ends. In many respects, I guess I’ve accomplished the intent of the 101 in 1001 list (already moved to the new site), to get out of the comfort zone and push the limits. I just hope I’m not pushing too hard.
Realizing that it’s been two years also made me realize that it’s been a long time since I’ve posted regularly. Though I will probably never post at that insane level that I did last summer on this blog, I do intend a slow but steady return to doing this more personal site. Plus, I’ve gotten a lot of grief about not putting up a picture in the about us section. We’re in the process of moving to a new site, so I’ll save you from that (not really). Here’s a shot that Bob Farley took for use in an upcoming online magazine article about The Terminal.
Speaking of the hub, this link will take you to a submission form that allows you to submit questions for the 2007 mayoral candidates here in Birmingham. It’s my intention (with my now growing staff) to ask the candidates these questions soon and share them with you. Some will be asked to all of them while others will be asked to specific ones. You get to decide who as well. I’m determined to make this more about using the medium as a tool to inform even if it’s become one that leans towards making sure that one’s opinion will reign down on you and you must agree. I’ll keep you posted.
I’ll also take a moment to thank those of you who’ve still stopped by the check on the site and those that are supporting The Terminal. It’s definitely been an interesting journey so far and I’m looking forward to more adventures in the coming year.
Cheers.
The Ticker: YP Expo is TOMORROW!
June 20, 2007, 12:41 pm
Filed under:
35203,
AL,
Birmingham,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Civic Engagement,
civic/service organizations,
Commentary,
COOL Community Task Force,
The Ticker,
urban issues,
yp events I’m writing here and everywhere else that I can because I strongly believe in what this event can accomplish. More than an opportunity to mingle and take advantage of a cash bar, it is what will hopefully become the first of many times that the young professional community in Birmingham comes together, network, and identify ways that we can move the city forward.
It partially grew out of a white paper I wrote nearly two years ago (and published here) and is the first of two unique opportunities for the YP community this year. It also grew out of the hard work and discussions among those that participated in the Chamber’s COOL Community Task Force and the organizations that have stepped up to make tomorrow happen.
A lot has changed since writing it, most notably the level of communication that is beginning to exist among these organizations and hopefully the rest of the community.
I’m hoping to see many of you out there tomorrow night. It’s a great way to start off a busy weekend of fun…
It’s the first ever YP expo for Birmingham! Come and find out how to get involved with more than 20 young professional organizations from around the Birmingham metropolitan area!
It’s free and open to the public, so come on out and enjoy the networking + The Spots!
Here’s the calendar entry on The Terminal:
http://bhamterminal.com/blog/2007/06/20/yp-expo-innovation-depot/
and here’s the info page for the event:
http://ypnow.org/YP-EXPO-2007_41_ev.htm
Look forward to seeing you there!
& PLEASE REPOST if you can!
Enjoy the day!
Cheers.
City Stages 2007 – Day Two
June 17, 2007, 11:00 am
Filed under:
bhamterminal.com/citystages/,
Birmingham,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
city stages,
Commentary,
Dr. John,
music Right place, right time
I’d heard Dr. John’s songs. I’d seen Earth Wind & Fire play several times at City Stages. So I gave into curiosity and ventured over to what has long been known as the singer-songwriter stage, and I was not disappointed.
It was a great performance and I’m glad I got there early. When I say I got there early, I ended up catching the tail end of Marcia Ball’s performance as well. Both of them were incredible. I did venture elsewhere in the festival grounds but I also checked out Icon over at The Tutwiler Hotel.
The crowds were a bit lighter in the afternoon, but it seemed like everyone that was going to come out did after the sun went down. The Birmingham News is reporting that festival organizers think they can break even based on Friday’s numbers. Friday was quite steady, but not crowded, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens based on last night and today.
I think that day 3 will be the “tipping point” and a test to see what can happen in the future. A return of a gospel stage with top flight acts is great, as is the idea of (maybe coincidence?) booking several bands considered to be Christian alternative throughout the stages today. It will be interesting to see what the numbers reveal afterwards.
Today Betsy performs with the Birmingham Community Mass Choir as part of the festivities. She’s looking forward to it. I’m wondering how fast I’ll fall asleep when I finally head on home later on today.
Cheers, and Happy Father’s Day!
City Stages 2007 – First Night
June 16, 2007, 2:25 pm
Filed under:
B'ham social events,
bhamterminal.com/citystages/,
Birmingham,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
city stages,
City Stages 2007,
City Stages Flickr Group,
Commentary,
Magic City Flickr Group,
music,
Photographs,
street festivals,
The Terminal A little rain (actually, a lot of rain) didn’t seem to keep festival goers away from Birmingham, Alabama’s City Stages festival. Yours truly figured that he’d wait out the storm and then go, and it turned out to be a good thing. Festival organizers delayed the start of performances but that didn’t seem to keep steady, decent sized crowds from showing up.
I’ve been trying to update the online guide I created for The Terminal, so I’ve been a little groggy for most of the day.
But I didn’t want to get too far into the second day without sharing a couple of shots from last night. Continue reading →
Another City Stages is upon us, and the gloves are off
June 15, 2007, 11:14 am
Filed under:
AL,
B'ham social events,
bhamterminal.com/citystages/,
Birmingham,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Blogging,
Charleston,
Cities,
city stages,
Commentary,
cultural institutions,
current events,
music,
music venues,
My Birmingham,
other cities,
The Terminal,
urban issues It’s crazy how much can change in a year. Last year I was squeezing in a trip to the Unplugged stage at the Harbert Plaza between lunch and traveling out to the city’s west side to go to meeting (while I was still on crutches mind you) as City Stages 18 was just getting started.
One year later I’m healthy but sleep deprived and figuring out just when I’m going to find time to actually buy my ticket to what was once referred to as Birmingham’s block party. I’m going this year, more out of sentimentality than anything else, but also because of this site:
http://bhamterminal.com/citystages/
It’s my first attempt to do a “special section” in The Terminal, and it’s sort of a test to see if viral marketing can in fact work. There are some other things that are about to happen that aren’t that viral, but this is a test to see if a site can make even a small difference in a conversation. Pass it on if you have a chance. Or at least check it out yourself.
I realize now that when I started blogging I did it so that my voice could be heard. I also realize that most that blog have something to complain about, thus it provides a great platform since you get instant feedback and a chance to argue your own point. My problem is that I always want to try to provide something positive (or sarcastic to cut down on the cynicism). Makes it a little difficult.
I realized months ago when City Stages began asking for help, I was thinking about the old days as an outsider. I was told recently that I probably shouldn’t consider myself one, but knowing the ways of the South, I will be for some time. I still approached it as someone that sees the potential of a festival like it being “fixed” and “saved”. I also realized that I wasn’t taking that positive approach in part because I was thinking about what my future was going to be. Now that I’ve had a chance to have some things slow down, I realized that I was not necessarily around all sides of an issue like I normally try to be. Now, I’ve got some thoughts: Continue reading →
Dre\'s Ramblings 
Filed under: AL, Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Blogging, Blogroll, Commentary, Where to find Dre
I’m not quite sure where the time’s gone. I really didn’t even realize it until I started making the first major changes to the site in months. Somewhere between beginning to transfer posts from this account to a self-installed version of the site, I was immediately reminded that Saturday was two years since I first decided to join the blogosphere. As always, here’s the obligatory link to the first post.
This year has been a crazy one for me, with the death of my grandmother and the decision to go off on my own and launch a website. Both have definitely affected how I view the world and have made me appreciate those that can continuously burn a candle at both ends. In many respects, I guess I’ve accomplished the intent of the 101 in 1001 list (already moved to the new site), to get out of the comfort zone and push the limits. I just hope I’m not pushing too hard.
Realizing that it’s been two years also made me realize that it’s been a long time since I’ve posted regularly. Though I will probably never post at that insane level that I did last summer on this blog, I do intend a slow but steady return to doing this more personal site. Plus, I’ve gotten a lot of grief about not putting up a picture in the about us section. We’re in the process of moving to a new site, so I’ll save you from that (not really). Here’s a shot that Bob Farley took for use in an upcoming online magazine article about The Terminal.
Speaking of the hub, this link will take you to a submission form that allows you to submit questions for the 2007 mayoral candidates here in Birmingham. It’s my intention (with my now growing staff) to ask the candidates these questions soon and share them with you. Some will be asked to all of them while others will be asked to specific ones. You get to decide who as well. I’m determined to make this more about using the medium as a tool to inform even if it’s become one that leans towards making sure that one’s opinion will reign down on you and you must agree. I’ll keep you posted.
I’ll also take a moment to thank those of you who’ve still stopped by the check on the site and those that are supporting The Terminal. It’s definitely been an interesting journey so far and I’m looking forward to more adventures in the coming year.
Cheers.