Road To Steemfest: The Time Is Now!
It's 6 a.m. and in a little under five hours I will be on a plane to Krakow heading on my way to Steemfest! As usual before I travel I am nervous about trains going wrong, unusually heavy traffic and eventually missing my flight. Which often leads to me getting to the airport several hours before my flight.
In fact I've just been staring at train times from my house, and try as I might, I can't imagine taking the train that gets me to the airport an hour and a half before my flight, it just seems like I'm cutting it too fine.
I've missed one flight in my life, I don't intend on ever adding to that tally.
[sigh]
Looks like it's the airport diner for me then.
Something To Say
As some of you may have realised by now, I will be talking at Steemfest. A couple of weeks ago I asked for your help on what subject I should talk about.
After much agonising, and about twenty half finished drafts, I finally settled on Life on The Blockchain. The talk will focus on stories, my story, your story, our story.
Hopefully I have made it entertaining enough to keep your attention, and I can't wait to be there up on stage talking to you all.
Somewhere To Stay
I've gone for an Air bnb apartment situated in Kaziemierz which is the old Jewish quarter of Krakow and where the two Steemfest hotels are situated.
I prefer staying in apartments these days for a few reasons. First and foremost it's a price issue, the apartment is costing me roughly 50% of the cheapest single room and of course I get much more space.
Secondly when you stay in an apartment it forces you to sample the local culture in a way that you probably wouldn't bother to if you're staying in a hotel.
Seeing as there is no hotel bar, room service, or free meals, you have to go shopping almost as soon as you arrive. This of course forces you to find shops to buy food and perhaps learn a few words in the local language.
Connections
I have made many connections in the 2.5 years I have been on Steemit, and I'm looking forward to making many more. I have ideas for projects on Steemit and hopefully the people I meet will somehow come into play.
At the end of the day we're all early adopters of what is proving to be a disruptive and innovative platform. When I look back on these early days in a few years time, I want at least one Steemfest to remember. Though I'm fairly sure this won't be the only one I attend.
Fellow Londoners
I'm flying out of Luton airport on the 11:30 flight, I've already hooked up with a couple of you in Steemit chat. So if anyone else is on that flight, then please message me on Chat and let's all hook up!
Last Minute
OK, I'm off to make last minute packing checks, have a shower and generally panic about missing my flight!
See you in Krakow!!
Title image: Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash
I'm the same as you, I've missed one flight and I'm always at the airport 3 hours before... My wife is completely lax about it, and will take her time getting out the door whilst I'm sitting there getting more and more nervous!
Enjoy steemfest!
@cryptogee,
Hey mate. I'm glad to see you're finally off. I'm sure the trip will be great fun and I have high expectations for your speech.
Indeed, knowing that you Brits are trained as orators, I decided to do a post featuring your speech. Given the momentous nature of the occasion, I corralled two guest commentators: The first is a Professor of Linguistics who runs The Center for Excellence in Elocution at the University of Florida; and, the second, is an ex-FBI Instructor in Body Language.
I've set up a small video studio at my place and we'll be streaming LIVE both before and after your speech.
I asked them if they had any advice for you. Here's their recommendations:
1.) Ignore the fact that there will be tens-of-thousands of people WATCHING YOU, judging your every move and uttered syllable. The fact that the video of your performance will remain on the blockchain, forever, and publicly accessible by everyone, including your grandchildren ... ought not even enter your mind.
2.) Remember to "project power" with your body language. No matter how brilliant your speech, looking like a "wet rag" will DRAMATICALLY diminish the effect of the performance. Be particularly cognizant of your facial expressions, body posture and hand gestures.
3.) Humor is a very potent oratorical skill ... but it is EXTREMELY easy to screw up. Even the slightest misstep in timing or delivery can turn an otherwise hilarious quip into an utter debacle. So ... make sure you get it right.
Well, other than that, I guess I don't have much to say.
Good luck Ol' Chap ... and have fun.
Quill
Haha! No pressure then!!
Thanks for the support, have been a bit awol lately :-)
Hopefully I won't disappoint!
Cg
@cryptogee,
What are friends for?
Quill
Man CG I am feeling the anticipation just from reading this. I think your trip will be so cool!
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Hope you are settling in gee!
Cool, enjoy your week there and do not stress out for your speech.
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Thank you!
Cg
nice presentation :)
I hope you will enjoy it very much !
I wish I could have gone but money was scarced this year :)
Have fun !
Yo buddy how are you doing? It's been long since the last ending of your novel series. We share the love for local apartment while travelling overseas and you almost stated all the benefits staying in one compared to the expensive hotel which I mostly do not use their services.
This is the single most powerful motivation to attend Steemfest I've seen these days as someone who have not yet been to one before(not even the current one). If I'm still around on the platorm when next Steemfest is available, I couldn't find any reason to skip it anymore.
All the best and enjoy your time over the event!
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it was really nice meeting you!!! Glad to find likeminded people who love MMA and languages =) Hope to see you at the closing dinner!
Great meeting you too! Indeed see you at the dinner, and maybe the salt mines too?
Cg