I've been accused of photo-shopping the extremely good weather into my pictures but it isn't so. I'm just not that good at image editing! Today yet another "photo-shopped day" but I had a bit of a lazy one compared to the last few days cycling.
I woke surprisingly early for me, time zone or what?, and caught up with my Feeds, Email and Twitter before breakfast. I even had breakfast which is rare as usually can't cope with food that time of the day, an apple or something on the way to work is about it. The plan was to wander along the Embarcadero, waterfront, and catch the Larkspur Ferry to meet Michael Scherotter.
It's the third time I've been to Larkspur to see Michael S. (you'll see why the "S." later). It started when he was with Mindjet, their offices were there, but has become a regular journey when I visit San Francisco. He met me at the ferry and it was great to catch up over lunch. His current role with Microsoft involves evangelising media and communication platforms, like Silverlight, showing how they can solve business problems. It's apparent he loves it, a perfect fit with his personal "brand": Synergist - Combining Software in Amazing Ways.
If you're a developer interested in learning more he is speaking this Thursday (5 Feb 09) at the new Silverlight User Group in San Francisco, details and RSVP here.
I had planned to visit Mindjet (MindManager) at some stage and Twitter, which I only recently started using, helped organise that. Michael Deutch, their Chief Evangelist, saw my Tweet* about biking San Francisco and Tweeted that I should call in. After I got off the Larkspur ferry and consumed a "small", which meant about a litre, Gelato Berry Smoothie I wandered back along the Embarcadero to the Mindjet Offices in Battery Street.
As with TypePad the other day, I met more "previously only virtual" people. It was great to see Gaelen O'Connel, Michael D. (see why the S. earlier) and some of the Asia Pacific Team. Michael D. gave me tour of their offices which are much larger, and nicer, than the old Larkspur ones. They are arranged like a MindManager Map in plan with a cafe area as the "central topic". No sign of Manuka Pekerangi here!**
I have some more bloggy meet-ups in the next few days, lets hope the foggy weather stays away!
* A new platform, a new vocabulary! ** Those at work will understand.
