The Apartments of Left Bank at K Station
Posted by DaveMurr | Filed under property management, travel
Last week I was in Chicago for the fantastic SOBcon conference lead by Liz Strauss and Terry Starbucker.
I’ve always enjoyed visiting the windy city. Back in my college days we used to take the train from Ann Arbor to Chicago to visit our friends. At the time a round trip ticket would cost anywhere from $25-$50. This was in the mid nineties. Those were the days.
Living in a large city never appealed to me. Too much hustle and bustle. One wonders how someone could find sanctuary in such an environment.
So for this trip I was surprised to find that I would be staying directly downtown at Left Bank K Station Apartments. Apartments? That’s right, not a hotel, but a loft in a building where many other occupants call home. Curious, I looked up some pictures. My immediate impression of the space was that most of the apartment buildings I have lived in didn’t look anything like this. City living I suppose.
When it comes to travel lodgings, I’m pretty easy. I can sleep just about anywhere. Just as long as things are clean, I don’t need much.
The apartments at Left Bank K Station are definitely clean… and then some.
As soon as I rolled up, I was greeted by the staff who went out of their way to make feel welcome. I was given the keys to my room and a run down of the amenities that included an indoor resistance pool, sauna, exercise room, lounge, and business center. My room was on the 35th floor and the view was amazing. One wouldn’t think that a cityscape view could classify as majestic, but looking down on Chicago, you get the sense of its magnificence and the history that continues to resonate through the street lights and buildings.
I was under the impression that most city apartments were cramped with little elbow room. The largest apartment I ever called home was in Scottsdale, AZ which was just over 1200 square feet. This room far exceeded expectations. A one bed room apartment with plenty of space. The bedroom was spacious and the walk in closet could have served as a second bedroom. The kitchen was great, with lots of space for cooking or leaving carry out Chinese containers. Perhaps the best part of the room was the in house washer and dryer. A big plus in my book.
When I wasn’t busy with the conference, I would stroll around the area. The building has a large patio and lawn for it’s residents. The recreation room is a two fold room full of exercise machines and free weights. The neighborhood is in a developing area. So there is a bit of construction, however the noise was minimal and the surrounding neighborhood is beautiful with it’s share of restaurants and shops.
Needless to say, I enjoyed my visit. But the icing on the cake, was that on the day I was about head back home, I lost my car keys. By the time I had realized my predicament, the main office was already closed. Fortunately, there was always someone at the front desk. I explained my situation and the gentleman on staff said that the room was still available and he would alert the office in the morning. He gave me the number for a reliable locksmith to take care of my key situation and told me to enjoy another night in Chicago. Class act.
Despite that little snag, I truly enjoyed my stay. People were friendly and helpful. The location was perfect. And when I visit Chicago again, I can’t think of a better place to stay.
My sincere gratitude and thanks to Left Bank K Station Apartments and the staff. You’ve made this country yokel reconsider city living.
Feel free to check out pictures I took of Left Bank here.
Tags: apartments, chicago, conferences, futuremidwest, hotels, lofts, midwest, sobcon, travel
Destination Royal Oak – what draws you back?
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, life, travel
As much time as I’ve spent working or wandering around Royal Oak, I can’t help but notice how vastly the landscape has changed in this downtown destination. In the ’90s, I was drawn here by hip resale shops like Cinderella’s Attic and dark independent coffee shops like Java or Brazil. I fraternized with punks sporting sky-high mohawks and piercings. We all flocked to the same corner of Main and Fourth streets. It felt like no place else.
Today, the streets are still filled with people but the area has become known more for its array of restaurants and walkable downtown. One thing that hasn’t changed – I still love spending time here.
It’s more than a popular place to live, work or visit, it’s a magnetic center for the region. Journalists Maureen McDonald of Southfield and John Shultz of Royal Oak managed to chronicle the city’s and growth in a new book, appropriately titled Royal Oak.
The 128-page book is part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. C & G Newspapers published this interesting piece about the book and it’s authors. In it, reporter Jeremy Carroll details highlights – from the fear that building I-696 would negatively impact Royal Oak and neighboring communities to the national attention Royal Oak’s Shrine of the Little Flower earned under the guidance of Father Charles Caughlin.
Ultimately, the story and the book it details proves that Royal Oak has long been and remains an important destination in metro Detroit. In the story, McDonald calls the city an “epicenter” and that’s true.
I’d venture even further to say it’s one of the most vibrant, creative cities Michigan has to offer. From it’s farmer’s market to art galleries to coffee shops, comedy clubs to music venues and movie theaters, Royal Oak has managed to maintain a relevance and atmosphere all its own.
Outside of Detroit’s geographic boundaries, it’s the area I’m most likely to introduce to out-of-state visitors. I’ve lived in cities surrounding this area for the past 12 years – from Troy to Ferndale. I’ve worked as near as Royal Oak’s downtown and as far as Livonia, but I’ve always been drawn to this section of Oakland County for nightlife and more.
What draws you to Royal Oak time and again? Do you have favorite shops or activities that keep you coming to the area? How does it differ from other vibrant metro area cities?
This post brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and the Urbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on twitter at @UrbaneLife.
Tags: C&G Newspapers, Downtown Royal Oak, ferndale, Jeremy Carroll, Livonia, Royal Oak, Royal Oak book, Royal Oak restaurants, Troy, Urbane, urbane apartments
Do you text and drive? After July 1 it’s gonna cost you
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Clawson Neighborhood, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, UrbaneApts, events, life, people, politics, technology, travel, trends
In a lot of ways, Michigan is just following suit. Twenty-two other states have already made it official and banned texting while driving. Tomorrow, on national television, Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to sign a bill that will ban Michigan drivers from doing the same. As of July 1, texting while driving will be illegal across our state.
The signing – set for 9:30 a.m. at Detroit’s GM Renaissance Center Wintergarden – will be televised for an upcoming Oprah Winfrey special titled No Phone Zone.
What does this mean to drivers who can’t put down a Blackberry while behind the wheel?
If you’re lucky, it will hit your wallet first. Violators can be fined up to $100 for a first offense or up to $200 if caught again. The ticket doesn’t involve points or become part of a driver’s record.
The law prohibits reading, typing and sending text messages on a wireless device while driving. And police officers are going to be on the lookout. They don’t need another reason to pull you over. Dash-mounted navigation systems are still A-OK according to this law, but if you use cell phone navigation features – like I have – you may be at risk.
The law makes a lot of sense. Texting is a serious distraction for drivers. But I can’t say I haven’t done it. At a time when we’ve become so attached to our cell phones, it’s hard not to reach for them when we receive a message. I’ve been known to peek at or return a text while paused at a stoplight.
Have you read or sent text messages while behind the wheel? Have you ever been involved in an accident with someone who was distracted or using a cell phone? What are your thoughts on the ban?
This post brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and the Urbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on twitter at @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Blackberry, Detroit, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, michigan, Michigan law, Oprah Winfrey, texting and driving, texting ban in Michigan, texting while driving, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lobby, UrbaneLife
Meet Johnny Cupcakes, May 1 in Royal Oak
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Cool People, Detroit MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, design, events, life, marketing, people, travel, trends
Who is Johnny Cupcakes?
That’s what I wanted to know the second I opened a gift from a friend tagged with the brand. It was a black T-shirt with a pirate logo that featured a cupcake in place of a skull. I fell in love with it in an instant and wanted to know everything about Johnny Cupcakes.
I’ll finally get my chance. At 8 p.m. Saturday, May 1, the Johnny Cupcakes Suitcase Tour: Back to Basics 2010 makes its stop at 323East gallery in Royal Oak. But this is about much more than the sweet stuff. Johnny Cupcakes makes shirts and merchandise, not baked goods. Thankfully local sponsors like Just Baked will be on hand to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Johnny Cupcakes’ story is an inspiring one. Founder Johnny Earle started out with his first T-shirt design around 2001. What began as a joke based on his nickname, caused a sensation. All he had to do was wear the shirt to work to find out he’d stumbled onto something people wanted to wear.
Earle began printing and selling his T-shirts to friends, then strangers. He took them on tour with his band, On Broken Wings, and sold them out of a suitcase. He’d approach boutiques in the cities he visited to see who might carry his brand.
Earle grew Johnny Cupcakes by word-of-mouth. With an eye for something simple that resonated and a method for releasing limited edition T-shirts that kept demand at a premium, Johnny Cupcakes has grown into a beloved brand. The brand is headquartered in Massachusetts and has shoppes stretching from Boston to Los Angeles. In 2008, Earle was voted America’s No. 1 Young Entrepreneur by Business Week magazine. He’s expanded from T’s to a variety of wearable merchandise.
Of his Back to Basics Suitcase Tour, Earle said: “My favorite part about my brand is building a community. Whenever I have an event, release, or opening, many people who share the same passion for this brand come together and meet new best friends and even significant others! It’s a pretty magical thing, if you ask me.
“Throughout the tour, we will be documenting these memories and uploading a video Webisode every single day. All of the extra footage will be turned into a full documentary which will be released at a later date.”
I can’t wait to hear his story first-hand and hopefully add a few new Johnny Cupcakes additions to my wardrobe.
This post brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and the Urbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on twitter at @UrbaneLife.
Tags: 323East, building a brand, community building, cupcakes, John Earle, Johnny Cupcakes, Johnny Cupcakes Suitcase Tour: Back to Basics 2010, Just Baked, Royal Oak, Urbane, urbane apartments
140 Characters Conference: Using the social web to do good
Posted by ericafinley | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Cool People, Detroit MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, events, life, people, technology, travel, trends, uncategorized
I think that one tweet says it all.
The 140 Characters Conference in New York City this past week brought together more than 140 speakers who discussed topics ranging from education to comic books, and everything in between. But all of them shared a common thread: questioning the status quo and pushing entire industries forward using the social web.
A large majority of the sessions opened my eyes to new uses for sites like Twitter, and it was refreshing to see so many people in one room who really want to use social media to do good things.
Take Alon Nir, for example. He founded TheKotel movement, which allows users to direct message prayers to @TheKotel Twitter account, where they are then transferred to a sheet of paper and placed inside the Western Wall in Jerusalem, also known as The Kotel. On a recent trip, Nir visited the Western Wall with 3,812 prayers in a box. He’s changing lives, but his message is simple:
Or how about George Haines, director of technology at Sts. Philip & James School in St. James, New York. Instead of simply reading the book “Animal Farm” and quizzing his students on the major themes, he chose to bring it to life by having them tweet on behalf of characters in the book. By talking about the characters in the first person, the students were able to dig deeper into their motivations and also have fun at the same time. He took a chance on an unconventional project on the social web, and his classroom is better for it. For a clip of their appearance at #140conf, including a parody of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” click here.
How about going digital to revive a California neighborhood that was fading fast? The Social Strip describes itself as a “collection of businesses on the Sunset Strip that are using social media to collaborate and create a new community on the legendary boulevard.” Once thought to be the epicenter of music discovery, residents started to neglect the historic area, seeing it as old and outdated. Businesses regarded their competition as enemies, instead of fellow community members.
Roxy Theatre owner Nic Adler saw the writing on the wall and knew he needed to do something. The theater launched a blog and adopted what they call a “social personality.” Staffers and customers began sharing photos and videos of their experiences, and the theater started offering Twitter contests and focusing on fan outreach. When theater neighbor The Viper Room joined Twitter, The Roxy encouraged its fans to follow them and The Viper Room returned the favor. Soon the Andaz Hotel and Book Soup were joining in and all of the businesses began promoting each other’s shows. They were building a community.
Their most successful collaboration to date is the Tweet Crawl – a night of free entertainment at venues up and down the Strip. A music festival, attended by more than 10,000 people, and a “Strip Joint” followed. The neighborhood has again become a “socially relevant and thriving music community.”
But none of this greatness happened overnight.
And that’s an important thing to keep in mind, especially for us here in the Detroit area. I think Nikki Stephan said it best when she talked about slow and steady progress, or “baby steps,” during the #tweetea discussion before FutureMidwest. Two events that are great examples of such progress. So are #dogup, Positive Detroit, Brand Camp University, Ignite Detroit, Detroit Moxie and all of the other wonderful things we’ve done thus far with the goal of bringing people together and bucking the negative stereotypes about our region.
What’s something else we can do right now? Bring a friend to one of the upcoming events who’s never been before. I met Jerry Paffendorf, a resident of Detroit, during the 140conf, and he didn’t know FutureMidwest had taken place or even what it was. I’m positive our digital community could have benefited from his input and feedback about the event because he’s excited about the city and its possibilities, too.
New people. New ideas. The future looks bright, Detroit!
This post brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and the Urbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on twitter at @UrbaneLife
Tags: 140 Characters Conference, 140conf, alon nir, Brand Camp University, dogup, futuremidwest, george haines, ignite detroit, jeff pulver, nic adler, nikki stephan, positive detroit, roxy theatre, social media, social strip, social web, sts. philip & james, the viper room, thekotel
Will you pay-to-park in Royal Oak on Sundays?
Posted by s_casola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Birmingham MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, travel
The question at hand – does free parking impact whether or not you drive into Royal Oak on a Sunday afternoon?
City officials are currently considering a change that would put downtown metered spots into effect on Sundays. I was quite surprised by the news.
Parking in Royal Oak is already a challenge for those of us who drive into the downtown area. I personally consider the situation a deterrent in its current state. I’m not a fan of driving aimlessly in search of a parking spot on a weekend night or digging around for spare change so I can park at a meter to drop into my favorite shop or meet a friend at a restaurant. As someone who rarely carries cash, I’d like to eventually find meters that take credit cards.
Parking was one of the considerations I made when I opted to move to downtown Ferndale. While we have our own parking issues too, it’s never been quite the same kind of hassle.
I realize other options are available – from riding a bike to taking the bus. I’ll even walk into downtown Royal Oak when the weather cooperates and I have enough time. Maybe that’s the behavior the City Commission means to enforce should this proposal to charge for metered parking on Sundays become a reality?
It may seem like a small change now, but for those of us who enjoy brunch at Cafe Muse or coffee at Bean & Leaf, and often stick around to shop boutiques like Scout and browse at Barnes & Noble, those leisurely Sundays could quickly be cut short. Visitors might instead opt for lunch and a movie in downtown Birmingham – where quarters for the meter are not required.
That’s simply my reaction. What are your thoughts on the possibility of paying to park at Royal Oak’s metered spots on Sundays?
Tags: Barnes & Noble, Bean & Leaf, Cafe Muse, City Commission, Downtown Royal Oak, paying for meters on Sundays, Royal Oak, Scout
Reporting live from New York City
Posted by ericafinley | Filed under Cool People, Detroit MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, events, life, people, technology, travel, trends, uncategorized
As a lot of you already know, I am currently knee-deep in my very first trip to New York City. The experience is one-part business as an attendee of the 140 Characters Conference, and one-part pleasure because a few extra days here has afforded me the opportunity to explore.
New York City is everything everyone says it is, and then some. A few things I’ve learned so far:
- All New Yorkers are thin. This is because they have to walk EVERYWHERE and do a lot of stair climbing in the subway.
- Speaking of the subway, it’s tough to design a more terrifying situation than taking this mode of transportation for the third time in your life, and having your boyfriend hop on the train just as the doors are closing, leaving you on the platform. “Deer in headlights” doesn’t adequately articulate my reaction to this situation, but it is survivable.
- New York drivers use their horns like it’s going out of style. Pause even for a second at a green light or otherwise, and you will feel the wrath.
- Times Square is brighter than the surface of the sun. I get that it’s a tourist trap, but it’s an absolute must-see if you’re in the city. It’s truly unreal.
- Columbia University is a stunning campus. Every building is a work of art, and there are a lot of really smart people walking the halls.
And I’m sure the lessons won’t end there. I’ll be blogging and tweeting here at The Urbane Life throughout the 140 Characters Conference, as well as from my personal Twitter account. I can’t wait to build off of the success of FutureMidwest and share the story of the Detroit community with attendees who maybe think they already have us figured out.
Jeff Pulver bills #140conf as the “largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the effects of the real-time Internet on both business and ‘we’ the people.” More than 140 people will speak over the course of 2 days, discussing “The State of NOW” – how social communication platforms are affecting industries from the media to public policy.
Long story short, I’ll be in a room with a lot of really smart people, and I hope some of their insight rubs off on me. And I hope you’ll come along for the ride!
Tags: 140 Characters Conference, 140conf, columbia university, fmw, futuremidwest, jeff pulver, new york, new york city
Don’t pay your rent – let strangers do it for you
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Birmingham MI, Clawson Neighborhood, Cool People, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, life, people, property management, travel, trends
As a longtime renter myself, it never occurred to me that my own little Ferndale apartment could be an income generator. I’ve been more concerned with getting that check over to my landlord by the first of the month since as long as I can remember, at least since college. That all changed when I read the provocative post How I Generate Extra Income by Letting Strangers Pay My Rent, by Rebecca Rosenfelt on GetRichSlowly.org.
As a founder of her own site, RealSavvyRealEstate.com, Rosenfelt details how she’s managed to go years without paying her rent – or mortgage – in its entirety. And no, she’s not breaking any laws or in danger of being evicted.
As she writes: “I’m able to keep my condo and apartment because I let strangers pay my bills for me. I’ve created a situation where my home generates income.”
Rosenfelt details her tactics, which proved successful even in a high-rent New York City neighborhood. There’s no reason this process couldn’t work in metro Detroit or across Michigan.
From the concept of a seeking out a part-time roommate, with an opposite commuting pattern, fit to “share” her East Village apartment, she managed to save enough to buy a condo in Portland. She now rents out that space for longer stretches or extended vacations, using the services of a management company to make the process easier.
Rosenfelt is confident her methods would work anywhere. It takes a touch of creativity, an open mind and the discipline not to obsess over your space or the items you own. She does recommend homeowners and renters look into lease, zoning laws and condo bylaws before trying out her concepts.
Here are four ways to use your apartment or home to generate income:
- Vacation Rental – When you know you’ll be out of town for several days, post an ad for your home in the vacation rental section of Craigslist. Other great resources are AirBnB.com and SecondPorch (This could be a great opportunity for Detroit or Grand Rapids city-dwellers or those with homes Up North).
- Home Exchange – Consider doing a home exchange when you take vacations. A great place to start is HomeExchange.com, a vacation swapping website. (You never know when you’ll find the chance to trade your Royal Oak digs for a vacation house overseas)
- Room for Rent – If you have an extra bedroom in your home, consider listing it on a site like AirBnB.com, where travelers all over the world look for inexpensive accommodations. (Imagine your Birmingham bungalow as a B&B)
- Part-Time Roommate – If you travel regularly for work, find someone with the opposite commute pattern who needs a place to stay in your home city. Craigslist and social media like Facebook and Twitter are great resources for this.
For Rosenfelt’s complete story, click here.
Tags: apartments, Birmingham, condo, ferndale, filming location, GetRichSlowly, home exchange, let strangers pay my rent, Michigan Film Industry, mortage, part-time roommate, RealSavvyRealEstate, Rebecca Rosenfelt, renters, room for rent, Royal Oak, vacation rental
One of our own sets her sights on NYC’s 140 Characters Conference
Posted by s_casola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, events, life, people, technology, travel
You may know Erica Finley as a journalist-turned-PR professional and one of our bloggers here at The Urbane Life. You might also know her as an avid animal lover - her anticipated Detroit Dogup event is just around the corner. I first crossed paths with Erica on Twitter. Whether it was our similar professional backgrounds, personal interests or close proximity here in the metro Detroit area that encouraged our first contact on the site, I’m just not sure. I do know she’s making serious waves in our digital community.
As she packs her bags to head off to Jeff Pulver’s 140 Characters Conference next weekend, I’ll be virtually and vicariously experiencing it too. If you’re interested in the latest social media news, you won’t want to miss out. I’ll let Erica explain why:
UrbaneLife: When did you become familiar with The 140 Characters Conference and what drew you to the upcoming New York City event in particular?
Erica Finley: “I always have my eyes peeled for opportunities to learn more about social media, specifically, how it’s used in a business setting. I learned of the 140 Characters Conference last year because I was following its founder, Jeff Pulver (@jeffpulver). Unfortunately, I found out about it too late in the game, but I vowed to try to go at the next available opportunity. I try to pick and choose which events I attend because often they end up being a Social Media 101, and after looking at the speaker roster for 140 Conf, I knew this was much more than that. And I was attracted to the NYC event in particular because I’ve never been to the city and wanted to work a mini vacation into my plans!”
UL: Are you doing anything special to prepare for the conference?
EF: “I’m doing a lot of tweeting about the conference and trying to connect with others who are attending. I’m also hoping to steal a few minutes with conference founder Jeff Pulver to fill him in on both the accomplishments and future goals of the Detroit digital community. I think a lot of people have started to take notice of us after Team Detroit’s big win in the Chevy South by Southwest Road Trip Challenge, and it’s important to talk to more people about what we’ve been doing here.”
UL: Which speakers you are most looking forward to learn from or connect with during this event?
EF: ”I’m looking forward to hearing from Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu), an NYU journalism professor, because my background is also in journalism, and I’m fascinated by how that field and social media intersect. Twitter especially has revolutionized the way people report and receive news. There will also be a Twitter and News Gathering session with Andy Carvin (@acarvin) of NPR and Ryan Osborn (@todayshow). Ann Curry (@AnnCurry) is a high-profile journalist that has really embraced the social media space – she’ll be talking about Twitter and the Evolution of Emergency Communications.
“I can’t miss Gary Vaynerchuk’s (@garyvee) 140 question-and-answer because he’s Gary V, and I’ve never seen him speak but have heard great things. Same with Liz Strauss (@lizstrauss).”
UL: Briefly describe your personal experience with Twitter - how long have you used it and in what ways has it impacted your life and your work?
EF: “I’ve been on Twitter since 2008, and it wasn’t love at first sight by any means. I tried it out for a few weeks, wasn’t really seeing the value in it, and then left it alone for awhile. I jumped back in it a few months later when I was working for the Michigan Business Review and was amazed by the direct connections I could make with people, not only as sources for stories, but simply people in the field of journalism, PR and beyond. It became an essential tool later on in my job hunt, and I was even offered a full-time internship with benefits as a result of my presence on the site. Soon I began learning as much as I could about how businesses were using it to connect with customers and improve their bottom line. It’s hard to fully articulate the positive impact it’s had on me and how many relationships it’s helped foster, but one thing is for sure: I’m hooked, and I don’t see it going away anytime soon.”
UL: Is there anything you’d like to add?
EF: “I’m very thankful to Eric Brown and Urbane Apartments for giving me the amazing opportunity to attend this conference and use it as a way to learn and build on my current skill set. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about social media, it’s that it’s constantly changing, and the right and wrong way to go about it isn’t always black and white. I also hope to connect with people who maybe don’t know all of the amazing things happening in the Detroit digital community every day, and start a dialogue about how much we have to offer.”
Follow Erica’s updates from New York City and the 140 Characters Conference between April 17-21. She’ll be tweeting @ericafinley and blogging right here.
Tags: 140 Characters Conference, Detroit, Detroit Dogup, Detroit SXSW, Eric Brown, Erica Finley, new york city, social media, Twitter, Urbane, urbane apartments
The Madness of the Hilton Lobby and the SXSW Backstroke Competition
Posted by Henry | Filed under events, life, people, travel
If 6th street is the spine of SXSW, then the Hilton Lobby has to be its bowels. Never have I witnessed such a rush of frenzied and untamed behavior. This was truly where the beasts came to play.
The Hilton is steps away from the convention center. This makes for a convenient late night stagger. In all fairness, the hotel caters to the participants by offering them food and beer. One gets the sense that any way to pacify the mob is in their best interest.
The evening I experienced the lobby was on the last night of our trip. The hours before we spent consuming BBQ, Tech Karaoke, and riding the ride. Everything was closed, and our troupe headed back to our room. My friends, who had experienced the Hilton lobby festivities the night before, immediately began their descent. I, however, needed a few moments of decompression. Plus I wanted to finish my cigar. The bellman at the door wouldn’t let me in unless I threw it out. Not an option.
I recall finding a bench outside and proceeded to have deep conversations with a friend I had just made. She was taking pictures of us that night, and no doubt had documented the evening well. Perhaps some small talk would persuade her to remove any revealing photographs of myself. I pretty much held it together right? Immediately I went through the foggy rolodex of the evening’s events. But I was distracted as the conversation required my full attention.
It’s funny how the eye of the 2 A.M, hurricane leads one to let their guard down.
As we talked, cabs and cars were pulling up. Some folk were headed back home. I recognized a few faces and envied them as they left to catch their planes. It was time to switch gears. My companions had been swallowed by the lobby, and I wanted to make sure they were okay.
I entered just in time to catch of glimpse of Ashton Kutcher. I wasn’t alone. Others had already shouted his name. With my flip cam in hand we made a mad dash towards his direction. I can only imagine the fear he must have felt witnessing 20 or more social media freaks rumbling his way, all shouting his name, and all hoping to catch his face on camera.
But again I was curtailed. The momentum had switched once again, and I was pushed to the press core to witness The Annual Hilton Lobby Backstroke.
In some circles this is a prestigious event.
Having been invited to be part of the press box, I immediately felt a sense of responsibility. It was time to get grounded and get some work done. Rarely does one get to witness this close a moment in sport. Two of my companions entered the race. I’m not sure how they qualified, but I assumed they had their practice runs while I was outside. I knew they were up to the challenge.
The competitors placed themselves at the back of the lobby. Laying on their backs on the hard cold lobby floor they awaited the signal to start. Suddenly they were off. In a mad display of flailing limbs and contortions they made their way down the lobby. From a distance I could see some had been training all year for this. Others were hopeless. All I felt were thankful that they were somewhat intoxicated as they slammed their bodies desperately heading towards the finish line.
Some spectators weren’t aware that the race had started or that there was even a race to begin with. They immediately became obstacles. Closer they came. As the competitors passed our way, we felt obligated to cheer them on with slander and vulgarity. Such motivation was only appropriate.
Finally the finish line. One of my companions took third. A brave attempt for her 1st race. The other companion was lost and had to be pulled across the finish line by one of the volunteers. The press moved towards the winners to collect their thoughts. Many were all too eager to share their experiences.
Suddenly a pull on my shoulder. One of my friends wanted to take a moment to gather #DetChevySXSW together for a moment of reflection of all that we witnessed. Though noble, this was a vain attempt as by that time we had all thrown ourselves against the wall. A fist bump signaled the end of the night.
Not for me. I was hungry and I decided I would find food. The rest of the team headed back to our hotel room.
As I walked down 6th street, the noise of the frenzied mob was long gone. Only the hum of the street cleaners and the last of the bartenders accompanied me. The streets were damp from booze and rain. Everything was closed. There was nothing. No food. Only silence.
A faint flicker of green light caught my attention. Like a moth to flame I had to investigate. To my joy, the light was home to a pizza shop. A little oasis off the main drag open to those who were deserving. Those who had made the long walk home. Those who had survived SXSW.
With pizza in hand, I headed back to my room. My mind was beginning to clear up. The haze was lifting. Only a few more steps until bed. Only a few more hours before the long drive home.
Written by David Murray ~@DaveMurr
Tags: #DetChevySXSW, austin, Detroit, hotels, life, mcihigan, SxSw, texas, travel
6th Street is Decadent and Depraved
Posted by Henry | Filed under events, life, travel
If the Blogger Lounge is the heart of SXSW interactive then the spine has to be 6th street.
This is a stretch of road where the majority of the parties and events take place. There is no end to the choices of bars, pizza vendors, and polish hotdog stands. And at any given moment something is happening.
For some 6th street is where SXSW happens. It’s the opportunity for those who cage in their primordial urges for the year, to unleash into a flurry of untamed binge drinking and decadence. Such behavior is accepted and encouraged.
6th street is not unique in of itself. Just about every town has a similar landmark. But for this particular stretch of time, the freaks come out in mass to parade reeking of alcohol and giving off unpredictable vibrations.
People will stumble forwards. Lurching blindly as they attempt to reach their next destination. Drinking wells are in abundance here, so they don’t have far to go. Others lean against the vomit stained architecture cursing themselves and others for the abuse they put themselves through. Many simply give up. Collapsing in the bathroom of the bar they have occupied for the majority of the day. Their only sign of life, the slight flinch and involuntary movement as other patrons move their bodies to relieve themselves.
Many people refuse to accept the fact that a conference can not be enjoyed without going through such ritualistic punishment. And neither have I for that matter. Ten years ago, this would have been the standard. An Olympic swan dive into the cesspool of the depraved.
However, for this run, it would only be the wading pool.
Not that I don’t enjoy a good time. Those who know me would be somewhat surprised that I would exhibit such control and moderation. The truth is that the energy level required for the 6th street marathon was simply not available. Moderation. I had been in a car for four days and with five days of SXSW in front of me, I knew I had to pace myself. Stay calm. Breath and let the winds of the great magnet take me to where I needed to be.
This strategy would serve me well. Some nights were late, some not so late. But I never woke to a morning regretting my previous night’s indulgence. And I always made it to any required destination in the following day. Sure I was tired. But I wasn’t abused.
The most enjoyable events this blogger took part in where 1) The Social Media Club House, 2) Firefly Fandango, and 3) the Pre SobCon party. All of which were contained just enough to make the evening enjoyable. Not too crowded, not too loud. Conversations would take place that provided stimulation. Connections were made and friendships built. This would be the true value.
As the week continued the crowds would get bigger and louder.
Two more weeks remained for SXSW. The film and music animals were still yet to come. Let them come. They were welcome to reclaim their spot. Property value was high only to the observer. The participant would be better off renting. Just a simple drinking oasis in the freak kingdom that is 6th street.
Written by David Murray ~@DaveMurr
Tags: bloggers, blogging, blogs, community, Detroit, events, michigan, parties, sobcon, social media, SxSw
The #SXSW Blogger Lounge
Posted by Henry | Filed under Detroit MI, events, travel
For those who don’t know, South by Southwest is a conference and depending on your interest and endurance, it can last over three weeks.
There is Interactive, Film, and Music. All of which tend to meld and mix into each other as time progresses. For me it was about the interactive. In this stage of the game, I don’t have the interest or the tolerance to punish my mind and body for such a long period of time.
There are always side hubs of activity and refuge happening at every moment.
The Blogger Lounge is one of these hubs. Open all day, it is an oasis where the traffic of who’s who stops in to refuel. At any moment you can connect with the social media elite and with people you never knew existed. Either way is value.
As I write this, I have yet to attend a panel. Instead I have been spending most of my time here. There are many faces I want to meet, and there is work to be done. Depending on the time of day, the lounge can be a silent sanctuary or a rumble of noise.
The first day here I was bombarded by a wave of of individuals clambering behind me. Elbows and knocks to the head. Annoying. With an edge of bitterness, I swung around to see why I was being physically abused. Then I realized the reason for all the noise.
Chris Brogan was behind me.
This made sense. Chris’s presence demands ravenous attention. All were forgiven.
I know Chris, and I am fortunate enough to consider him a friend. So I had no immediate surge to rush forward and stick my hand in his face. Instead, Chris recognized me and embraced me with a large hug. Good people.
We joked for a moment, and then he went back into his curtain of fans.
A quiet and shy girl next to me began to approach Chris with flip camera in hand. I immediately sensed she was hesitant about how to ask for Chris’s attention. I suggested that she simply just go up to him and smile. Chris is incredibly approachable and will always take the time (when he has it) to meet new people.
But Chris Brogan wasn’t the only high life social media star to enter the lounge. Many faces of the web would enter: Jeremiah Owyang, Brian Solis, Darren Rowse, Amber Naslund, Shannon Paul, Terry Starbucker, Guy Kawasaki, Stephanie Agresta, and many more.
All approachable. All accessible. All friendly.
They have to be right? Maybe not, but it is probably in their best interest to be so. Today’s glass house now encompasses everything. Few can hide. Fewer still can pretend the force smile. Today the acceptable sign for dismissal is the immediate flash of the business card. A gentle reminder that your presence is appreciated but not wanted for an extended period of time.
That is fine.
Engagement doesn’t exist between 3.5 x 2 card stock, and most of time after meeting someone you have built a pedestal for you find that there is very little to talk about. Best to leave quickly than drag on false conversation.
But these are isolated incidents.
The blogger lounge is where the true communication happens. It’s here that you get a sense of how these online faces interact and participate in their engagements offline. It is the true revealing mirror of this conference.
Written by David Murray ~@DaveMurr
Tags: bloggers, blogging, blogs, communication, conversation, Detroit, engagement, michigan, networking, South by Southwest, sxsw. #detchevysxsw, transparency
