photo by technotheory

my blog that is.  i wanted to get more out of wordpress so i’m hosting the blog myself, which allows much of the same great functionality with more flexibility. tonight i’ll redirect jconsalvo.com to my new blog which you can also find at jenconsalvo.com.

please visit, subscribe to my rss feed or sign up for the email updates.

hope to see you there!

from a tech perspective – tech cocktail is an excellent way to learn about new startups and meet lots of interesting people from all aspects of our industry. i always walk away feeling like i met great people who i can continue to connect with online via twitter, linked in and of course the tech cocktail online community. i also thought the new “town hall” eric and frank launched before the event was refreshing – an opportunity to hear from the community their thoughts about tech cocktail and its mission.

from a photography perspective – most of you know i work in the tech industry but i never stray too far from a camera. shooting this event was a perfect mix of my two loves. and since this was my first outing with the new camera, it was a bit like being thrown into the deep end..or, er.. jumping into a new code base.  heh. it was a great excuse to interrupt small groups and jump into conversations.

if you weren’t in chicago last week, no worries – there’s another tech cocktail on february 26th in washington dc.  it’ll be at the left bank in adams morgan. sign up, come for a drink, check out some startups and say hello.  i’ll be there again, camera in hand. cheers!

thanks to zemote for catching me in the act!

see more pictures here…

the inaugural bfg meetup will take place TONIGHT thursday, february 19 from 6-8 p.m. at o’faolain’s irish restaurant in sterling, virginia. if i were in town tonight i’d absolutely be there – it’s sure to be a good time.

the event is free and open to the public so whether you’re a blogger, blog reader, or just interested in this whole bfg concept, stop by. proceeds will benefit loudoun interfaith relief, the area’s largest food pantry.

to be listed as an attendee, join the bfg email list or blogroll, get the graphic, or for more information, join the bloggers for good group on facebook or contact: erin@bloggersforgood.org.

i decided the best way to keep learning and moving forward was to identify a few artists i really enjoy and use their work as inspiration. so, my inspiration right now comes from two people – linda plaisted (many muses studio), an amazing local artist whose work i purchased last year and whom i follow on flickr, and aaron nace (arfotography) who is so creative and talented that i go to flickr everyday to see his daily post.  you may not see their influence, but it primarily came through in playing with layering, texture and color. as always, i’d love constructive feedback. and if you’re not loving the prolonged east-coast winter, enjoy these scenes from kauai.

i lost the detail in the dock…   but i love the highlights on the water

i love it when life suddenly takes you to new places you would never have dreamed of.  last may i was on a panel at the techcocktail conference in chicago, and ended up meeting david gardner, a really great up-and-comer in the tech space. through david, i was able to meet kabir sehgal, and then found myself a guest at his nyc event, “little great night in harlem” hosted by jude law & time warner chairman dick parsons. the event celebrated the mission of the jazz foundation of america, introducing us to some of their members and of course, the music and musicians.

i missed their earlier event in december and decided there was no way i was missing this one. here are a few highlights from the trip…

• forget planes and trains – they got no wifi! i decided to try the bolt bus instead – which has decent legroom, comfy seats and wifi. the trip actually flew by, i got a lot done online and they dropped us off at 33rd and 7th by 2pm.
• dancing in the famous alhambra ballroom in harlem, where billie holiday sang back in the day. i didn’t think i’d dance but after dave pulled me out to the dance floor, i just kept going until my 4 inch heels couldn’t kick anymore.
• sitting next to and chatting with mr danny glover. i didn’t get to talk with blythe danner but she spoke to the group and was stunning. she read a letter from jude law who wasn’t able to make it due to an injury. see pics of them here.
• saying hello to dick parson’s, who didn’t believe i was old enough to have worked at aol for almost 13 years. how very kind of him. that man can dance.
• watching sweet georgia brown get down and dirty (if you don’t believe me – watch her with danny glover in this video clip)!  shes got a voice that just does not stop. i got my very own sweet georgia hug from her after the show.
• all of the talent was amazing – but after the show a few of us got a private concert back at my hotel… we found a vacant ballroom with a piano where jazz pianist eric lewis entertained us until 3am. i can’t even describe what a treat this was. i’ve been listening to these clips nonstop. check out the embedded video below (thanks somewhatfrank for taking them!).
• after a few hours of sleep, i threw on some clothes and joined frank’s tweet-up downtown at the comfort diner. we had great conversations with nate, charlie, mike and ian – and the food made the morning trek worth it.

despite the weather and then the plane crashing in the hudson (our bus was very connected to the news!), i kind of wanted to stay for a few more days. but new york is close and i’ll be back up. MANY THANKS to kabir, dave, and all the great people i met – jeff, brent, eric, wendy and everyone else.

enjoy some pics and videos from the night.