Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Dad 2.0.4-- San Francisco, Here I come!


I'll be taking my show on the road (alright, not my actual show, just myself) to San Francisco this week to attend the Dad 2.0 Summit.  I've been attending Dad 2.0 since it started (Austin/Houston/New Orleans/San Francisco) .  In case you don't know, it's a great gathering of some of the best bloggers who are dads and some of the best dads who are bloggers that come together, along with brands that are interested in this niche, to talk about the business of blogging, the art of fathering, and the unholy mess that comes from mixing business and art.  My cup of tea.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE:  It's a really great chance to meet the community of dad bloggers, guys who I read and know a lot about from their blogs and social media, but don't really get that much chance to hang out with in person except at conferences like this.

It's also a great chance to meet up with brands who are interested in the Dad community, and may be interested in sponsoring my writing, my brand, and striking up a mutually beneficial partnership.

And they always have inspiring speakers, and great events.  (One year I learned swordfighting.  Another year I met up with the guy who did Friday Night Lights. This year, we're going to LucasFilms for a party in the Presidio, courtesy of +LEGO )  I am very much looking forward to that.


I've done a little bit of business from this conference (not as much as I'd like, and I haven't pursued "Blog as business" as much as I could anyway) As you know, you loyal tens of readers, I'm not in the blogging for the money.  If I was, I'd be blogging 7 times a week, giving away oodles of stuff I don't care about, and you might not be quite as loyal as you are. (if you are!)    It's something I do because I like to write down my thoughts about culture, about parenting, about my life, and about being a dad. (in no particular order)  I started sharing my stories online in 1990, and it's something I still like to do.

What I really like about this conference is seeing a bunch of guys just like me, my community, from all around the country (and a few other countries as well, Australia, Canada, and Portugal) who love to write about their ideas and their families and their experiences, and figuring out how I can share my stories in a better way.  I always leave inspired.


ALSO, San Francisco! It's been a long time since I've been to San Francisco.  I performed there a bunch of times in the early 90's, including a 3 month stint with George Coates Performance Works, and came through a few times more in the late 1990's, early 2000's, but I haven't been there since around 2005 or 2006.  My first big flea circus fringe success was there.  I'm sure it's changed somewhat.  I won't have much of a chance to see that, as I'll mostly be at the conference, although I have half a day to hang out before the conference, and the day after the conference (also get to see two of my cousins, who have moved to San Francisco, and I haven't seen in a few years.)  San Francisco has always been one of my favorite cities, so I'll be happy to be back.  I'm also hoping to see some old San Francisco friends, as well as lots of my dad blogger friends.

It won't be particularly hard to leave the Chicago weather, although leaving my family behind is always a little sad (and being honest, a little nice.  Not having to answer to anyone for a few days will be good, but I will miss wife and child, and be a little worried for them, especially if it snows.  Hopefully the upstairs neighbor will shovel!)

Dad 2.0 is sold out for this year, so if you are interested, you should get on the radar, and buy a ticket for next year when they come around.  It will be worth your effort and money and time.


3 comments:

Unknown said...

Have a great time! Take in a little extra sunshine for me!

DADAPALOOZA said...

Thanks Christina! I will. Then I'll mail you the sunshine back. Sadly, with today's mail system, it should arrive around June!

Unknown said...

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