Clean Face

Last September, after so many years of blogging, I thought it was time to ask you, my beautiful readers, what you thought of the blog you so have been kind enough to read. Thank you so much to those who replied to the survey by leaving comments on that post and by sending email. I've taken the points on board, and this new layout and structure is in response to that feedback. I wanted more than a blog, and I think that is exactly what has been achieved. There is now room for pages that aren't strictly blog posts, and a beautiful blog structure and back-end that are an absolute pleasure to use.

The blog has been brought back to the front page replacing the pointless home page I had implemented with the last design. With that, links to RSS feeds for posts and comments are at the top on the sidebar so they're easy to grab if you need them. Between the change in size, and line spacing, reading should be easier - let me know if it's not.  

The design of the blog isn't set in stone, and there is plenty room to change things. The layout is super-simple, old-school, and very blog - back to the basics and a nice fresh start.

Also with this change in design has brought some content that was promised for so long. Through Projects > Gallery - David's Death Machines are finally up and online again. They really are simply gorgeous drawings from a young boy's brain. Lomo photos from the USA trip are up too, as are photo projects in one spot instead of hogging the whole month of August, for instance.

I have an apology to anyone who has left a comment since the last design - due to the limitations of the previous CMS and my skills, I was unable to pull those out easily to implement them here. Good news though, all the old, old comments are now part of the blog again. I've removed the captcha on the comments so you can just comment away to your heart's content without having to prove you're human.

My plans were grand with my last design but my time was poor. Moving to this new design and to the Squarespace platform, I have freed my brain from having to cope with technology to make changes, updates and modifications - and need really only to create the content. Not that there is any "only" when it comes to content, but I will be working on with more focus in the coming months.

Thank you for your patience. I hope you enjoy this new space - it sure does make me really happy about blogging again.

Webstock: Day Two

I love Webstock.

Every year I love it more.

But I can't capture the words to describe my experience and do it any justice whatsoever.

From the lollipops on the tables, to the plethora of power points. The speakers oh the speakers. The bar is very high and they clear it every time. The attendees are so open and friendly and talkative. It's not about 'networking' it's about sharing - stories and joy - meeting and laughing and all for one and one for all. But the best, of the best, are the organisers.

Webstock is built with love, by love, for love.

All I can say is go. Go to Webstock. But don't go. Don't tell anyone how great it is. I don't want it ruined by too many more people knowing about it so shush, it's our secret.

Collaboratively created notes for all the speakers at Webstock 2012

The sign language translators at Webstock were mesmerising. Such graceful hands and expressive facial expressions:

Webstock 2012: Day One

Collaboratively created notes for all the speakers at Webstock 2012

The Lost Notes of Webstock: all that remains...

I'm sitting in reception, opposite the Registraion desk. One of the Webstock helpers is practicing her ballet at the counter; the beautiful Tash is sipping champagne and being conversational. A gaggle of ushers have giggled through, their mouths full of snaffled treats.

It's quiet.

The far off applause signals another of the startup finalists have finished their presentation for the Start Up Alley competition in the Ilot Thearte. Someone is going home with ten thousand dollars and two tickets to San Francisco tonight. A real helping hand to a newly formed idea in the shape of a potential business.

The mumbles and the mumurs file out of the theatre - mingling and loitering waiting for the results. Everyone is in their own form of black and variations there of.