Neon Clocks and NTEN Sonnets

Gavin Clabaugh — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 23:03:48 +0000

The NTEN NTC (Nonprofit Technology Conference) has come and gone. This year’s was in D.C. As was true for the two previous NTC’s, there were surprises all around for me; all around. If you work bending technology to serve the greater good, and you missed it; well, shame, shame, shame. For me, as usual, I learned more in the hallways than in the sessions, much more. Sleep deprived by a three-day trip to Ireland and back, I will admit that much of it was dreamlike, a pleasant dream nevertheless.

Much to my surprise, Gavin’s Digital Diner (this pitiful blog) earned some accolades. More amazing was the company we’re apparently keeping. The Diner was honored along with two other blogs, and their respective bloggers. These two are mavens both: Beth Kanter from Beth’s Blog, and Jason Zanon from Democracy In Action. It was an honor. I’m embarrassed by the comparisons. Those two manage to do, in a week, what I’ve barely managed in a year. Beth is, without a doubt, absolutely amazing. It’s no wonder she won the “Fantasticness Award” as well. And Jason, well, Jason’s downright poetic. (I think that Jason is the only person in the world that read my strange metaphorical missive comparing network security to the battle of Thermopylae — and I think he actually liked it; got to love him for that alone!)

In addition to the recognition for the Diner, I was forced up on stage to receive a “lifetime achievement” along with Bill Lester from EngenderHealth. Bill’s a wonderful fellow. It’s been a pleasure to know him, and work with him over the years. The recognition wasn’t a total surprise, as I had received instructions from Holly to:

Sit close to the stage, and get up, when called, in seven seconds
Limit my remarks to a haiku – meaning I had a total of 17 syllables.

True to my chumpness, I’m never that good at following instructions, and never, ever, able to limit my tendency to ramble, I ignored the requirements and instead wrote a sonnet. I figured I was close enough. It’s a poem, has a five beat measure, and is [supposedly] seven verses. I tried for both inner rhymes’ and outer rhymes. I wrote in on a plane when I should have been sleeping.

Digital Diner Official Diner Clock

I received a clock – a very fitting clock – that I love, and have hung, with honor, in the world headquarters of Gavin’s Digital Diner, otherwise known as my home office.

Digital Diner World Headquarters & Staff

A couple of folks asked that I post sonnet, so here it is:

In this place, with warm embrace, we gather one and all.

We talk of tech, we make connects; and raise ruckus in the hall.

Of Plone we moan and Joomla too, with Penguins wall to wall.

But for me, it’s years I see, since that late Montana night.

It was there, the thought we dared, that brought NTEN to the light.

And so the trail, from that dark veil, at ‘puter camp that night,

Did, in fact, set the tack, that brings me here tonight.

Ten years gone by. My how they fly; in measures, more than years.

Now, term expired, from the board, retired, a twinge I feel, some tears.

So far we’ve come, yet still not done. Let’s raise a glass in cheer.

For rest assured, to conference lured, I’ll see you all next year.

[Before you say it; I know. I lied about there being seven verses.] Just to prove that I actually can follow instructions, here is the real haiku that I wrote. I just couldn’t resist the sonnet. It was so much more fun to read.

To fight battles, just.

Bend tech to our will, we must

From my heart, thank you.

Digital Diner » NTC07

Neon Clocks and NTEN Sonnets