Being Amber Rhea

Still not feeling up to writing a post of my own, and things are basically shit; but, here’s a repost from BlogHer:

If you can’t make it to BlogHer ‘08 in San Francisco this year, maybe you can join us in one of our SIX “Reach Out Tour” cities this fall? We’ll be condensing our annual event into one-day extravaganzas in Boston, DC, Nashville, Greensboro, Atlanta and New Orleans. And you can register now for any or all of them!

We’re still finalizing the various agendas, but you can expect each city’s sessions to feature fantastic speakers, relevant sessions, and a lot of local flair. Plus, we’ll have a track just for beginners (so if you know someone — your friend, sister, mother, grandmother, neighbor — who should be blogging if she just had the right tools and motivation, send her over!).

Read more about the Reach Out Tour on our official Conference Blog, or simply click on the city below to learn more about where, when, how much and how to register:

October 11 - BlogHer BOSTON

October 13 - BlogHer DC

October 16 - BlogHer NASHVILLE

October 18 - BlogHer GREENSBORO

October 21 - BlogHer ATLANTA

October 25 - BlogHer NEW ORLEANS

As of now, I’m on the fence about whether I’ll go. BlogHer ‘07 was a lot of fun, but I just haven’t decided about this Atlanta version. Not sure if I want to pay $100 to hang out with a lot of the same people I hang out with anyway. Fortunately, there’s plenty of time to decide.

This event is being put on by one of the instructors at PoleLaTeaz, who also happens to be president of Helping Home Foundation. I’d say it looks to be on par with Sex, Wine and Chocolate - that is, not your typical boring, solemn charity event (buffet, silent auction, guilt-inducing presentation) by a longshot.

You can download a PDF flier here.

Who doesn’t want to come to a charity event that has pole dancing??

Sex 2.0 was last weekend, and I think people are finally starting to come down from the post-orgasmic bliss state that characterized last week’s tweets, blog posts, emails, etc. (On a less pleasant note, I have yet to shake this case of con crud.)

A few days ago, I posted a big round-up of what other people had to say about the conference; but I have yet to post my reactions. So here are a few.

First of all, simply the fact that all of last week seemed like a post-orgasmic bliss-like state - and Twitter was a downright lovefest - is testament to Sex 2.0’s huge success. I had hoped for it to be successful, bring people together, foster community, blah blah blah… but it really did all that and more in a way that exceeded my wildest dreams. I am so pleased!

The only complaint I heard was that there were too many interesting sessions going on at once! I lost count of the number of people who told me they wished it had been two days.

Dacia and I were talking about how one thing that was unique about Sex 2.0 was that people seemed to be more interested in actually talking and interacting face-to-face, rather than obsessively documenting the event via liveblogging, photos, Twitter, etc. Don’t get me wrong, all of those things were going on; but it definitely was a different vibe than any other social media-related conference I’ve been to. People were so interested and engaged in the discussions, that they couldn’t be bothered to stop and pick up their iPhones. And to me that’s what it’s all about! Social media should foster the social, after all.

Also - and this might seem paradoxical to the last point, but it’s really not - instead of just talking about the various social media tools available, people were actually using the tools to create original content and do cool things. Whether it was showing people how social media can help sex workers form an online community for real-world activism, or role-playing the ups and downs of being internet famous (I’m still annoyed with myself for not going to Melissa’s session), this conference was about doing and not just being meta. Several people were inspired to create new blogs or other social media projects last weekend, and I look forward to seeing how they develop.

Overall, I believe it was the combination of strong content, the energy of the people there, and the comfort of being in a judgment-free space that created Sex 2.0’s unique heights of awesomeness. There are already plans in the works for next year; I love to see this excitement! The consensus seems to be that it will be in DC next year. Sounds good to me… I’ll see y’all there!

Two more posts about Sex 2.0 went up yesterday…

From Fleshbot:

Because we can never have enough opportunities to get together with like-minded geeks online experts and talk about sex, several members of the Fleshbot Collective are considering a trip to Atlanta later this month for Sex 2.0, a one day conference focusing on the “intersection of social media, feminism, and sexuality” which is also quite possibly the only event of its kind in the world to be held in a 10,000 square foot, fully equipped dungeon. Plus, we hear there are lots of Waffle Houses in Atlanta. Mmm, Waffle House.

Heh. Yes, for all who are interested, there can indeed be a Sunday Morning Waffle House Excursion.

And from Metblogs Atlanta:

Unless you’ve been trapped on a deserted island for the past decade or so, the intersection of sex and technology is very prominent. The past five years or so have only built upon that with the popularity of social networks. Orkut, Friendster, MySpace, Facebook…social media is changing the landscape of how we interact. Moreover, we’re also seeing the real-life implications of showing your sexuality online, such as former Arlington, OR mayor Carmen Kontur-Gronquist and her MySpace photos which cost her job.

Until now, there hasn’t been a real chance to discuss how social media, sexuality and the world today all work with each other! That is, until Sex 2.0.

Thanks, Jonno and Karsh!

…because I’m too tired* to do anything else. Sometimes cop-outs can work, though.

• As you may have seen if you follow my Twitter updates, I got into a little fender-bender yesterday morning. To be specific, I freakin’ backed into a parked car. :P Oh well… not much damage was done to either vehicle. Mine is getting repaired Thursday, and it costs less than my insurance deductible, so no need for a claim on my part. If the other driver has an issue, my insurance will take care of it. J. put a silver lining on the situation by pointing out that my new car would inevitably get dinged up at some point anyway, so at least I’ve gone ahead and gotten it out of the way - actively!
• We’re going to court Thursday. That’s all I’m going to say right now, but I’ll say more afterward. It should certainly be interesting, one way or another.
• This is also happening on Thursday, and Rusty and I will be there. I’ll need to remember to bring my “I’m Blogging This” T-shirt with me to change into, in case we don’t have time to go home after court. Other ATL bloggers, come on out! It should be a rollicking good time, especially if Susan Capaluto (sp?) shows up. (And is it just me, or does anybody else wonder why the Equifax guy is on the panel? That seems random.)
• On Friday I’m heading to Boston (well, Cambridge) for the Women, Action & the Media conference. The keynote speakers are Helen Thomas and Haifa Zangana. I’m excited! I’ll get to meet some bloggers I’ve read for a while, and Dacia and I will be sharing a hotel room so we can be shut-ins when the socializing gets too overwhelming. And I’m looking forward to Dacia’s session on sex workers and media representation; after the past couple weeks, she should have plenty to talk about! (Not as if she didn’t already!)
• Apparently my site, like a lot of Dreamhost sites, was down for a few hours today. One of these days I’ll actually switch hosts, I swear. Anyway, this means my del.icio.us links didn’t get posted today, which annoys me, because I had some good ones. I’ll probably post them manually tomorrow, but in particular I wanted to point out that this post really resonated with me, and I might have more to say on it later.
• I cross-posted my “Why I Quit Download Squad” treatise on BlogHer.
• Be sure to register for Sex 2.0 by Friday if you want to pay $40 instead of $50! Meanwhile, I will try not to freak out too much between now and April 12.
• I swear I’ll blog about the manicure thing one day. I have lots to say, oh yes. Dacia and I are getting manis and pedis Friday night in Boston. So maybe I’ll blog about it then!

* I’m a naturally sleepy person, but the Lexapro has made me feel downright fatigued. I don’t like that one bit. So this morning I cut the pill in half, and it seemed to help a bit. Hopefully that’ll be the way to go.

PodCamp Atlanta was one year ago. It was a rollicking good time, and a hell of a lot has happened since then! At the moment, it doesn’t look like there will be a 2008 installation of PodCamp Atlanta, because no one has stepped up to organize it yet. So if you think there should be one, don’t just sit there and complain… organize one!

Some photos from last year:

Many more here.

Technically yesterday was the one-month-out mark for Sex 2.0, but I was too wrapped up in day job work and Spitzer madness to write about it. So, we’re less than a month out. *gulp*

Sessions are scheduled. Someone is bringing a wifi router. Someone else is bringing a digital projector. I’ve ordered chairs, tables, and a projection screen from a rental place and arranged delivery. I know where I’m going to order lunch from. We’ve reserved a van for transporting people to/from the hotel/venue. People are registering. I’ve been sending out reminder emails for registration and hotel rooms. I’ve got promotional postcards that I’m putting everywhere I can think of, and giving to other people to put places. Promotional condoms should be here next week. I’ve got one day-of volunteer, maybe two. I’ve got two reliable women working with me to help me be less crazy (especially when it comes to nudging sponsors to actually pay).

But yeah, I’m feeling nervous. Even though, rationally, I feel like I’ve done the best I can possibly do with this - I’ve worked super hard on it, tried to be a responsible and responsive organizer, tried to cover all possible bases - still, my stomach is doing flip-flops when I think about it actually happening. And then the What-Ifs start:

• What If not enough people show up? (Only ~45 people are registered now, but I know from PodCamp experience that registration doesn’t really ramp up until 3-4 weeks beforehand. And I know there are several people who are coming who haven’t registered yet.)
• …and What If the sponsors are pissed off because of that?
• …and, for that matter, What If we (I) end up in the red because of that?
• What If we don’t use up all the hotel rooms we’ve got reserved?
• …What If the hotel tries to screw me over and say people didn’t use all the rooms even though I know they did?
• What If sessions don’t stay on schedule, it turns into herding cats, and I’m not able to enjoy the event I’ve worked for almost a year to put together?
• What If something goes terribly horribly wrong and everyone hates me? (Wifi doesn’t work, food doesn’t show up, run out of food, people are pissed that it’s not easily accessible via public transit, etc. etc. ad nauseum)

I just try to push those thoughts out of my mind. Because, at this point, it will happen, one way or another; that’s the truth. And if some things go wrong, well, they go wrong; but I have to keep reminding myself that I’ve done the best I can do, and it’s impossible to foresee every possible problem or to please everyone.

And first and foremost, our line-up of sessions is awesome, and if content truly is king, then this conference will kick serious ass even if there’s no wifi, no food, nowhere to sit, and whatever other logistical disasters could happen!

If you want to come to Sex 2.0, register by tomorrow in order to take advantage of the $10 early bird rate. On Monday, registration goes up to $40.

For those who were wondering, there will be a few volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested in one of them and have already registered, I’ll refund your money when you commit to the spots. I just need to wait a couple weeks until some of the money situation (as in, do we have any) gets sorted out before I’ll know how many and what type of spots there are.

If you’re looking for something to do tomorrow night, come to this!

—

DATE: Thursday February 7, 2008
WHERE: Defoor Center, 1710 Defoor Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
TIME: Doors Open at 7:30p
COSTS: Free
CHARITIES: Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Helping Home Foundation
PARKING: Free of charge and plenty of parking spaces.

We are excited…our 2 year anniversary. And of course we want to share it with everyone! We will be having an awesome fashion show, prize giveaways & pole/exotic dance performances. Bring those dollar bills and throw it on stage because all proceeds will go towards the two charities listed above. Bring lots of people!

Here is some more information about our charities and their mission statements:

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
The mission of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) is to support its member programs to achieve safety and justice for domestic violence victims. To Inform and mobilize the general public on issues of domestic violence through workplace trainings, public presentations, involvement in statewide and local task forces, statewide conferences,and a quarterly newsletter.

Helping Home Foundation:
To help Atlanta’s more than 5,000 homeless families by finding them a safe place to call home and providing rent for a year. At the same time, to help local Realtors and real-estate investors struggling on today’s housing/leasing market by matching them with these families.

HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR THESE VERY IMPORTANT CHARITIES. BRING JUST ONE DOLLAR , 20 DOLLARS, OR MAKE IT RAIN! EVERY PENNY COUNTS.

—

Please feel free to repost!

Sex 2.0 has lost its venue. Spring4th has been forced to close its doors due to the meddling of the Midtown Neighborhood Association (the same people responsible for the appalling harassment of street prostitutes) and the arcane hoops through which the City of Atlanta has forced them to jump. We are currently seeking a new venue. We need all the help we can get - time, energy, MONEY, resources, everything.

If you can help, please join the Google group ASAP.

More details to come soon.

[Cross-posted on the Sex 2.0 blog]

I won’t be there this Saturday because I’ll be in Augusta, but here’s all the info…

On Saturday, January 26, 2008, Atlanta, host city of the first U.S. Social Forum, will be the venue for a statewide People’s Assembly, beginning with a caravan and rally at the State Capitol. SPARK! is leading the reproductive justice contingent and will be at the GA State Capitol from 11:30-12:30 as our site of struggle where we will speak truth to power FOR OUR BODIES, OUR LIVES, AND OUR FUTURE!

At 11:30 join us for drumming by Cakalak Thunder, Puppets, Teach-ins, an Art Exhibit, Giveaways, and MORE.

At 12:30 the entire caravan will converge at the Capitol for a dynamic Action and Rally where SPARK! will be met by other movements, issues, and hundreds of activists.

From the Capitol, SPARK! will have flatbed trucks and vehicles for activists to join the caravan as we continue through the streets of Atlanta, chanting REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE NOW! The caravan will end at the Hunger Coalition where hundreds of activists will exchange views, plan ongoing actions, and continue to build our movements!

This year, let’s show our power in numbers and send the message that reproductive justice is not a wedge issue!

Instead of solely Walking for Women’s Lives, help make a BOLD reproductive justice contingent happen on January 26 as we march as movements united for power and action.

Date: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Georgia State Capitol
Contact: (404) 656-2844

Visit legislatethis.org for more info.

—

Local folks who are into the whole citizen journalism thing? I recommend you get all up in this.

Now that it’s 2008, Sex 2.0 seems like it’s just around the corner.

I have posted the schedule, showing the times and locations of sessions, on the Schedule page. You can check it out here.

Session leaders, if any of you need to move your session to a different time for some reason, please send a message to the Google group and we’ll shuffle things around.

And, of course, if it turns out anyone who’s listed as a session leader is no longer able to attend (wah!), let us know so we can take your name off the schedule.

[Originally posted on the Sex 2.0 Blog]

The IDTEVASW event at Charis last night was a success! We had a great turn-out, some inspiring conversation about local action that we can take, and only one technical difficulty. ;)

I was really happy to see how many names were on the contact list by the end of the night! Soon we’ll be putting together some kind of Google group or listserv or something. By this time next year, we should be able to put on a huge, bad-ass event that will get tons of people’s attention!

Thank you to everyone who came out last night and participated. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

And of course, thank you to Caitlin and Tabby for all your hard work leading up to yesterday!

I hope all you ATL folks will be able to make it to Charis tonight at 7:00! As a reminder, here’s the pertinent info…

What: 5th annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers - film screenings, open mic, and roundtable discussion
When: Tonight, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
Why: To draw attention to the global struggle for sex workers’ rights and discuss concrete strategies at the local level!

For more information, please visit www.swopusa.org/dec17 or www.chariscircle.org.

Films we will be showing:

• Measure Q: A Brief History of Sex Workers Outreach Project
• Sorry Your Grandmother Was Mugged, But I Was Busy Arresting A Hooker!

There will be yummy vegan desserts from La Dolce Lulu! Anyone who was at Sex, Wine and Chocolate last month can attest that Lulu makes some delicious cupcakes. See photos here.

More on…

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Upcoming

Hope to see you all tonight!!

December 17, 2007 7:00-8:30pm at Charis Books and More (1189 Euclid Ave NE in the Little Five Points Business District)

December 17th is the 5th annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This event was created to call attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the globe. Please join us as we celebrate this important day of action with a sex worker open mic, a few brief video screenings and inspiring conversation on the movement for sex workers rights, dignity and decriminalization! This event is free and open to everyone; however, to participate as a performer in the open mic, the organizers request that you be a current or former sex worker.

For more information, please visit: www.swopusa.org/dec17 or www.chariscircle.org.

ATL peeps, please spread the word and please come on the 17th if you can make it! I also created an event on Upcoming.

For any of y’all who will be in town Friday night, two of my photos are in the latest Atlanta Photography Exhibit at The Granite Room. The exhibit is part of the Castleberry Hill 4th Friday Art Stroll. I’m excited but also nervous about having my photos in the same exhibit as a bunch of professional photographers! (And I’m still pissed about the shitty frame job on one of my photos, thanks to Hobby Lobby not knowing how to cut a mat correctly. But theoretically if anyone buys the photo, they’re not buying it for the frame anyway.) I hope to see some of you there Friday night. And yes, it’s free!

I’ve been trying to decide whether or not I want to be the main organizer of PodCamp Atlanta again in 2008. Lately, I’m leaning toward ‘no.’

Being in charge of the first PodCamp Atlanta was exhilarating and I wouldn’t change anything about it. But I think this time around, someone else should be in charge and put their own spin on it.

Since I scheduled both of them, I’ve known for months about PodCamp Atlanta ’08’s proximity to Sex 2.0. People have asked, “Can you do that?” Sure, I can. But the more important question to me now is, do I want to? Because if PodCamp starts to feel at all like an obligation instead of something fun, then I know I shouldn’t be the one leading the effort.

When PodCamp Atlanta ‘07 was in the planning stages, the social media climate (god, did I just use the phrase “social media climate?”) in the Southeast was different from what it is now. It was very nascent at that time (in terms of events, that is; not in terms of how many people were blogging or whatever). SoCon07 was being planned at the same time, and was held in February 2007, as Atlanta’s first social media conference. Since then, there have been tons of other events and gatherings. There’s no shortage of people in this city who could easily lead the PodCamp effort in ‘08.

One thing I know about myself is, I have a history of taking on too much and cleaning up the mess if other people drop the ball. And it takes a toll on me, physically and emotionally. I don’t want to be put into high-stress mode come April of next year, when what I should be doing is celebrating and having fun.

Sex 2.0 is where my heart and soul is, and that’s where I want to focus my energy. Obviously, I will happily be involved with PodCamp, just as I will happily be involved with any social media coolness in the Atlanta area. To whomever ends up taking PodCamp and running with it, I’ve got a collection of great quotes about PodCamp ‘07 that can be used on promotional materials for next year, including Julie Squires saying, “PodCamp Atlanta changed my life.” That’s sure to rope in some sponsor dollars! :)

…that Sex, Wine and Chocolate was a huge success!!

Apparently the emcee took her top off, but Rusty and I had already left by that point.

I loved watching people throw money on stage for the burlesque troupe and the pole dancers. Heh. And it all helped us reach out goal, which meant everyone got the free panties we worked so hard to iron for y’all.

We’ll be doing it again next year!