First Moments at First Lift

So here we are. Venture Night. Just flown in. I know basically, no-one, although a few lovely people have offered accommodation, dinner, indeed the press pass that got me here in the first place. An old Swiss woman at the airport paid for my bus ticket. So far so good. Feeling cared for.

First thoughts. It’s kind of scary arriving at something like this, on your own, new-ish to Europe, this side of the “industry” – and it does all feel very “industry” tonight. Was a bit challenged by the lack of social lubricants on arrival at the Salle, but lots of fresh fruit always helps.

Venture Night. Looking forward to hearing about Co-comment

Having played with the buddy system a bit on the LIFT website, I’m wondering what kind of synchronicity might take this forward into actual meetings. Hello to all I’ve made intial, online contact with – wherever you are. Still loads of people not registered yet, so I’m pretty sure tomorrow is indeed the main event.

So far I cannot get a sense of the creative, artistic emphasis of LIFT. The walls are covered in complex business model diagrams. Lots of serious looking people in black with edgy glasses. Lots of shaved heads. You know the scene.

Actually, I’m lucky to have even made it. Dear Bea (age 7) had a major wobble this morning. Generally she is very independant and very into Daddy, but there she was this morning, gasping for air, tears throbbing out, “Don’t go Mummy. Please don’t go away”. Next time I’ll plan our goodbyes for a time other than getting ready to go to school.

If you are reading this Bea Bea, I hope you enjoy the little treat I left in bed for you, and remember to give Maxi and Gra a special hug for me tonight. Only 5 sleeps and we wil be back together. I can only imagine being all the closer for the separation.

Conferences hey. Sure hope I chose the right one to spend the jet fuel and heart ache on.

We shall see.

Feeling very brave and a long way from home. Babe in the woods, by the lake at least. Roll on the inspiration, connection, learning and becoming.

As they are setting up for the start-up presentations here at Venture Night, I am now reflecting on what my intention for coming to LIFT was.

Hmmm… I guess it’s partly about being in the world, seeing what people are doing in this expansive, ever-changing field of technology and society. Making the most of living in Europe, so far from hometown Perth (Western Australia) now that we live in Brighton and Gatwick / Newhaven offer such riches at our doorstep.

It seems a good chance to get away from normal life and reflect on where things are at with Authentic Blogging, life, the universe and everything.

It seems a good chance to learn how to be just me, without my little family to surround me, day in, day out. I had a feeling on the plane, seeing and hearing children all around going away on skiiing holidays, that the next time I travelled with Bea and Gra, I would be much more grateful for their chirruping comments, excitement and assistance.

Blogging at LIFT08

Next week I will be dedicating some time to a few long lost passions.

1. Eating fondue.

2. Inviting time, space, stimulation, reflection, dialogue to motivate my curiosity for how we learn and create

3. Learning, creating (well, not so long lost)

4. Blogging at the level we encourage others to.

Actually, they gave me a free ticket to attend, so I really HAVE to blog it. Do unto others and all that.

Since things took off for Authentic Blogging last year, I have to admit to feeling a bit of a fraud. Every week we talked with people about the potential of reflective blogging – and barely found time to walk the talk. No excuses now. Time to put down some real stuff for the Authentic Blogging book.
From 6-9 Feb I will be at LIFT08 in Geneva, then taking a train around the alps to just kind of be in the world, gaze in awe, maybe stop somewhere and yodel. Write. Breathe. Write.

It’s a rawther special happening by all accounts, gathering together the likes of speakers Andy Reisinger (Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore), Naked Scoble, Bruce Sterling, Cory Doctorow and many other lovelies besides. In so many ways the LIFT folk model the way we want to see people coming together in the shared, co-construction of higher thinking, feeling and creating. Hyperlinks subverting hierarchy all the way… I cringe as I name drop the big guys we all respond to (or not), as I espouse the more egalitarian wisdom of the crowd.

Sure it will get a bit techy at times and I will wish my uber-geek Gra was sitting in my ear like a babelfish from time to time. It will be strange being away from my little family, Gra, Bea and Maxi the Cat. But I am guessing that the people, the novelty, the conversations, giggling at the Svizz-ness of it all will keep the baying wolf of homesickness at the door for a few days at least.

There are still some tickets available if you want to join up. It’s going to be amazing.

More to come…

Any offers of somewhere to stay in Geneva or advice on which train journey to take are most welcome indeed!