I didn’t mention that Jessamyn West was here, in Perth, last week, did I? She was here as a guest of the Loclib conference. I didn’t get to hear her speak at the conference itself but my friends Kathryn and Sputty were there, and Sputty reports that she “wasn’t disappointed” in Jessamyn’s talks (which are available at her blog, if you’re interested). Jessamyn graciously agreed to have drinks and meet folks at a pub (the Northbridge) afterwards, which is where I got to meet her.
Over a middy of Heineken, I asked Jessamyn how she handles the frustrations of being a technology evangelist. (Although technology evangelist wasn’t the term I used.) I described a couple of scenarios, e.g. folks wanting to know how to embed Microsoft Word into a wiki – gaaaaaah!! I asked her how she handled this sort of situation and how she coped with the constant frustrations of trying to show people how “new” technologies like blogs and wikis might make a difference in the workplace. Jessamyn’s answer: “be a smiling Buddha”- i.e. don’t let it get you down, just keep at it, be patient. I guess I wanted her to give me a magic panacea, but, on reflection, I’m glad to know that she’s experienced the same situations (it’s not just me!).
We also talked briefly, about the ALA and ALIA, “clean” jobs in rural Vermont, the Australian love of sport, which led on to how cricket is incomprehensible to Americans (silly mid on? huh?), and do Americans play rugby? (do they?) Followed by what to do in Perth (the consensus was the beach), and the weather (of course).
I think Jessamyn and Kate (her sister, who is accompanying her on this trip) are now in Adelaide. Fortunately for them, they are missing out on a forecast top temperature of 39°C/102.2°F today (tomorrow and Wednesday: 40°C/104°F). They’ll also be going to Sydney and meeting up with Fiona, I think. I hope you enjoyed Perth, despite its severe lack of wifi, and the rest of your trip, Jessamyn and Kate!
4 Comments
A middy? That’s no was to introduce somebody to Australian culture.
Tom, I can’t drink pints. They go warm halfway through and I don’t like warm beer. Besides if I had a pint I’d feel compelled to just have one. This way I can have a couple of drinks.
You shoulda been there. Jessamyn is very good to talk with 🙂
Ha,
See that Tom? CW had a dig at you about warm beer. Oh the English hahahah
Although, I actually wanted to say, that the Americans do play Rugby. Indeed they have a team in the world cup (well, they did last time and I think they qualified again).
I wasn’t trying to have a dig, actually, adhd, cos I forgot all about the English + warm beer thing.
And thanks for clearing up the question on the Americans and rugby. I’d never know, seeing as don’t follow it (and lack the motivation to find out – beyond asking about it 😉 ).