TEDxTriangleNC

Last weekend I had the opportunity to and Independently organized TED event. My first introduction the Technology Entertainment and Design conference was this Josh Prince-Ramus speech. I’ve compiled a short list of my favorite speakers, and thoughts:

Conversing with Kyran before the first speaker.

Hugh Hollowell: Love Wins Ministries

Hugh Hollowell is founder of Love Wins Ministries. Hugh makes a compelling argument about chronic homelessness, and the root cause of this tragedy being a lack of relationships. This concept is the basis for his work, Love Wins Ministries. Their work with the chronically homeless is based upon forming long-lasting relationships with homeless individuals. By building trust, support structures, and the kinds of relationships most of us take for granted, Hugh assures that when his friends do work their way up from homelessness that they never return.

Christopher Gergen: Life Entrepeneur

Christopher Gergen is coauthor of the book Life Entrepreneurs. Gergen gave a quick synopsis of ideas covered in his book, Life Entrepeneurs, which takes a look at life as an entrepreneur. Instead of blindly living our lives, Christopher advocates a planned-out and willful approach to ones entire life. Taking calculated risks and moving through every aspect of ones lives in a more intentional way. The book is a series of interviews and stories of successful entrepreneurs focused on what they all have in common, and what we can learn from them about living our lives with greater willfulness.

Joel Wiggins: Men Standing in the Gap

Joel Wiggins is founder of Men Standing in the Gap. Joel’s presentation was one of the most inspiring speeches I’ve heard in my life. He speaks as a man who has had tremendous business success, and yet found himself at a turning point in his life not knowing how to be a father and husband. Joel found a calling in leading other men in the process of learning himself how to be a man.

Lunch outside at the RTP Headquarters

After a wonderful lunch catered by Whole Foods, Kyran and I stayed for a couple more lectures before leaving for the day. All in all, it was an exciting morning filled with great speakers. I’ll leave you with this mind map, courtesy of Andy Hunt. Andy gave an early morning talk on the importance of keeping a notebook of ideas.

The next great idea that changes the world could be yours! Write it down before you forget!

Mind Map by Andy Hunt

One of the many wonderful things that has come my way thanks to my friends at NewRaleigh.

Today We say Goodbye, to a Dear friend

Mr. Coffee Pot died at approximately 6:30 A.M. Tuesday morning. Mr. Pot leapt to his death in the Land of Pantry, giving no warning and leaving no note.

Other members of the Braun family state that Mr. Pot was, “Worried about that Bodum lady…” Coffee was referring to recent speculation that Mrs. French Press would be taking over Mr. Pot’s position within the Pantry Cabinet. Recent accusations of poor taste and incompetency, have not been formally addressed by the current Administration, but there have been several recent closed-door meetings between the Bodum family and the President of Pantry.

Due to the nature of the accident, there will be no public viewing. However, friends and supporters of Mr. Pot are encouraged to make donations, in his name, to the ‘No Architect Without Coffee’ campaign. The nonprofit was a favorite of Mr. Pot’s, and he was known to volunteer many hours of public service to the institution. He leaves behind two cousins, Mr. Food Processor, and Mrs. A. Blender.

No word on a time frame for the filling of that Cabinet position at this time, and the Executive branch could not be reached for further comment except for this press release issued earlier today.

The Executive is deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Pot, and our hearts are with the Braun family in this difficult time.

Today, we’re all Coffee Pots.

Recovery

I joke a lot about coffee, and my love for the stuff… but on a more serious note, I really do love my morning cup, and the occasional fellowship that comes with going out and having a cup with a good friend. So, what is a guy to do after such a thing? This $30.00 coffee maker had a really good run, but it’s time for an upgrade.

Before we get to that, I’d like to take a moment to revel in my temporary solution, a Bodum travel press purchased for a camping trip a couple years back. This wonderful device lets you make a great cup of press coffee  anywhere that you can get a hold of some hot water.

I love it dearly… and in  fact, had forgotten just how great a cup of coffee this little gem puts out! With that said, I plan to move onward, and upward toward a full eight cup Chambord French Press by Bodum. Hopefully, at, or around Christmas.

I’m still weighing the pros and cons of this versus other models. It’s not the cheapest press on the market. IKEA, for example, sells one for $12.99. Also, I’ve heard some horror stories about these being easily broken. Bodum puts out several other designs, but there is something about the original that I just can’t shake. I think it’s the simple, functional, clean lines. It’s everything it needs to be, and nothing more. No hi-tech impact resistant rubber surround, no polycarbonate outer shell to keep you from breaking the glass… Just glass, steel, and the perfect cup of coffee.

I’d also like to throw in a milk frother to match if possible.

Alas, for now these are just dreams. We shall see how holiday budgets shake out, and if these tasty little indulgences fit within said budget. If not, I will continue to thoroughly enjoy every cup of coffee made in my little travel press…

Right now all the photos are together in one gallery, but you can see they break down into four categories… Architecture, Landscape, People, and Texture. (Though, I must admit, there’s only one photo in the ‘People’ category.)

Soon enough I plan to set up a way to order prints directly from the webpage of a handful of my photographs, if all goes well, that will be expanded over time.

Cheers!