Sorry Paul - just couldn't get to you through the hoards of fans surrounding you!  Next time, try to leave them with Alex ...  You did a great job - thanks for sharing your insight with us.  See you in May - Calie

My day is complete.  Now I've seen the back of Paul's head and received confirmation that he does, indeed, carry a man purse.

Paul,

Great pics. Thanks for the summary and props. 

I agree Candace is the Queen of Gilbert, AZ

She's totally completely AWESOME. 

Was good to spend some time with Alex.. Overall, it was quite the star studded day.. Looking forward to the 29th (rumor has it, the date has been changed) I should be over the fact that you posted that hideous "NyQuil" shot by then. :-)

Paul, Sure looks like you guys had an outstanding event!!! It even looks real official and everything:) Where's the booze and dancing girls?

Calie:  I didn't even know you were there until the very end.  Quiet as a churchmouse!  I'll seek you out next time so we can discuss staging all of my listings to sell. :)

Lisa:  I have been laughing for the past hour.  Do you really want me to respond to your comment?  The only appropriate response is inappropriate, so I'll just continue laughing in private for the time being.

Shailesh:  Happy to pass along props when they are deserved.  I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to getting together at the next one of these.

Nick:  Figures I'd be the last one to know, but I'm not convinced that the date change you mentioned isn't just the Nyquil talking.  I'll need corroboration.

Bryant:  We had a great time!  You touched on two key components that will be addressed for the upcoming meeting.  Candace actually wants revolving leadership with the planning, so it will eventually fall to me ... good times.

Paul (and by extension, Candace), it was a very nice event to get things started.  I've been wracking my brain to think about a possibly quieter location.  All I came up with was Chino Bandinos at Dobson & Chandler Blvd...they have wireless, plenty of space, but no ability to support a projector/screen.

Also, since most of the gathering was Active Rain bloggers, the discussion was Active Rain centric.  I have to wonder for the future if this will be more of an Active Rain user's group or is it really a broader blogging meet-up.  For future meetings, I think it would be good to attempt to identify who the audience is for the meetings, and have topics that make sense for that audience.  Of course, that's not easy.

Still, way cool first step.  Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

Paul,

Looks like the blogging event was a huge success!!!  Lots of information & fun with new friends & colleagues.

Paul, finally you got your post up!!! GREAT job!!! Loved the photos of the back of our heads though. You do know, don't you, that Candace might just screen any photos of her.

It was great fun. Thanks for the kind words.

I think discussing Active Rain was a "good thing."  It is so easy to help those first beginning to blog to branch out somewhere else if they want too. You got a better shot (or someone did) of Shailesh. I was trying to get him while his hands and arms were quiet. ;-)

Looks like I owe Lisa 20 bucks.  The check is in the mail.

Paul, Where is my picture?

Great summary Paul (nice photos too)...

BB asked, "Where's the booze and dancing girls?" It was 10:00 in the morning... I know, I know, it was noon somewhere.... Looking forward to Paul's hosting! :)

I can't beleive Doreen missed your singing.......

Thanks, Paul, I enjoyed it.  I am surprised at how normal you look in your photos.

I wish I had gone!

Sounds like it was a success and fun day.

Paul, thanks for the posting and yes, I agree it was a great day. Great people, great fun!! Where is that photographer of yours, I think I could strangle him right now!

Paul - I didn't get the invite...you know Fort Worth is right down the street! LOL

You all had a wonderful time it looks like!

I can't wait to go to an Active Rain or blogging convention. Just the free exchange of ideas, the free dialogue of strategies -- and in your case, Slaybaugh -- the free haircut.

Hope to be at the next one, it seems like everyone had such a good time!

Take Care & Good Luck in '08!

Hey sneaky Paul,so are yall going to have a mascot and a wedding on AR from your get together like our wild Texas bunch?  This one looked a little more structured than ours was, and I sure hope you had as much fun as we did getting to know each other.  What were yall talking about with all the serious expressions?  Gotta get all the scoop, tell more about what you did?  Gotta get over and check on how the wedding plans for Mr. Tex Rain & Miss Molly Blogger are going and make sure you have not created any more evil plans for our lovely wedding couple.  You are coming to the wedding of the century and you are going to behave yourself, right?  By the way I can't decide on my dress, I have them all posted so let me know which one you like best.  I'm kinda leaning towards this one.

Your Texas connection, Liz

I have to say that's a good looking group of bloggers... I heard Nick say something on his blog about a sparkler presentation.... bet that opened a few eyes.

Paul- Thanks for sharing all about the event and especially the photos. It is so fun to see all the Active Rainers and it must be like meeting old friends once again when you meet in person. 

What's wrong with my haircut, Lenza?  I thought they did such a nice job that I would use my blog to showcase the talent over at "Cliff's Lawn and Hedge Trimming."  Thank you for the motivation to use my profile as a billboard for their services.

Besides, Lisa likes it.

Oh Man, I keep missing you sing.  It was so fun to meet everyone!  If you think I was late, Willman didn't show up til noon.   Great photos!  

What a power house group of bloggers. Amazing!  It is so much fun to meet fellow bloggers in real life!

Paul, love it, looks like a good time was had by all. I hope to meet everyone someday !

Paul, looks like everyone had a great time and I am sure lots was learned by all!  

Paul, You are a class act. I awoke in the middle of the night with some trepidation. Man, I was rough on Paul's blog last night. He's going to think I'm a jackass.

Wait. I am jackass! So I went back to sleep. The haircut suits you. No fluff. No nonsense. Now about the piercings ;)

I just noticed your new Profile photo. Nuts! I'm wetting my chair. Oh, damn. Honey, I need another Depends. Too late.

LMAO, PAUL!!!! 

Part of me didn't think you'd do it, one of my other personalites knew that you would. 

Paul, you've never looked better ;)

It's easier to see the sparklers, too.

Quite the improvement on the profile pic... you could have left the purse in though. :-)

I added a couple of pics to my post.. do you mind if I "steal" any of yours for future use?

Paul - Having heard your rendition of "Easy like Sunday Morning" on the phone many times, including on Tuesday morning, Thursday morning, Wednesday evening, et al, I can honestly say that Doreen missed a great performance.

Mike doesn't look that big to me - I can take him.

Nick - Are you coloring your hair?

Paul - you're insane man. Love the profile pic, love your writing. It's a freaking Paul love fest around here.

I can't display a photo of the back of my head. The glare off the bald spot screws up the exposure.

Jason.. It's au natural round here.. lol.. watch out for Mike, he might surprise you with a big ol' bear hug that would be impossible to escape from..

Jay.. the glare comment is pretty funny! Thanks so much for joining us as it was good to finally meet you.  Your blog rocks, we can all learn so much from your expertise. I am looking forward to future meetings.

Steve: A fair enough criticism, but I think it went as well as could be hoped for an initial foray.  Sure some of us were a little ActiveRain-centric, but bear in mind that this is the only platform that many of us know.  Considering that 2/5ths of the panel maintain a larger presence outside of AR (Shailesh and Jay), I thought it was pretty well balanced to be honest.  If I had to guess, I'd hazard that the next one will focus more on specifics of blogging than the getting to know you type stuff that we dealt with at this one.  Hope you don't let a little disdain for the ActiveRain brand keep you from the next one!  I'd really like to learn more from the Wordpress bloggers. 

Harold:  Good to see you, buddy!  It was a great time.  So many influential bloggers in one place!

Teri:  You'll notice that that pic was magically cropped a little bit in the time since you left that comment ;)  I agree that focusing on AR was good for the beginners because it is a great place to learn the basics.  I think most people need such an environment before branching off to do their own thing, if they ever decide to go that route.  I kind of like the strength of the pack for now, but wouldn't mind launching my own at some point.

Amanda:  If you owe Lisa $20 for that, I want $50 for the new profile pic!  That'll buy me haircuts for like two years!

Mana:  Sorry, we had to crop you out of all of them.  Try to be a bit more appropriate at the next gathering if you don't mind!

Jay:  Doreen really missed out, huh?  Admittedly, I'm a little shaky at the bridge, but I really bring it home at the end.

Virginia:  "He always seemed like such a nice, quiet normal boy ..."

Alan:  Next time, bud!

Neil:  It was the real deal!

Candace:  I see nothing wrong with the photos.  What on earth are you talking about?

Linda:  You didn't get an invite?  Oh wait, now I remember.  I was worried that Amanda would catch wind of it and try to carpool with you.

Sylvie:  Would love to see you there!  Best wishes for your 2008 as well.

Liz:  The dress is stunning, but the only bovine functions I attend include tongs and barbeque sauce.

Jesse:  The fire marshall was not amused!

Sorry, I've just been so distracted by the new pic...

Katerina:  It really is like meeting old friends.  I felt like I already knew so many in attendance.  Now I'm really excited to follow a few that blog outside of AR as well.  I'm usually so swamped keeping up with my subscriptions here, but I need to venture out more often as these folks have some amazing insight.

Doreen:  It's okay, the accoustics weren't great, rendering my performance a bit pitchy anyway.  I'll knock DMX's "Who We Be" out of the park in May.

Ginger:  You need to visit your mother.  Why not make it late May so you can attend the next one?  Great, see you there!

Missy:  You will.  I'm looking forward to a large get together as well to meet bloggers from all corners (and islands) of the country.

Jeremy: Nick didn't learn a thing.  Nyquil hangover and all.

Lenz:  Well, it is my best side ...

Amanda: I think we share one of our multiple personalities, so it was inevitable.  You knew I'd do it ;)

Elaine:  I still think I'm going to use Lisa's old profile picture next.  It really captures the true me.

Nick:  Steal away, buddy.  Maybe I need to rethink the picture of Lisa for my next profile pic.  Just the man-purse, what do you think?

Jason:  Mike is bigger than he looks in that picture.  Of course, I am also taller and much more attractive.  Can you take him?  Hmmm.  I'll get back to you on that.

Jay:  Thanks, my man.  I just signed up for an email subscription to your blog yesterday.  I've been missing some great stuff!  I don't venture out of the AR nest often, but I am realizing that there is some great content out there that I need to dial up.  See you at the next meetup!

Nick:  I think Jason and Mike would lock up in a mutual bear hug of attrition.  Big lugs with big hearts, the both of them.  It would devolve into a nice-off.  "You're great." "No, you're great."  "No, your great." ...  Blech.

Lisa:  For a dollar fifty, I'll shave the message of your choice into the back of my head.  Ooh, supplemental income possibility alert!  I'll lease "back of head" space to local grocery stores, auto dealers ...

I'll give you $10 if you can fit "Why You Should Blog About Neighborhoods" on the back of that noggin :)

What, do you think my head is Sputnik or something, Heindel?  Maybe Waldman could fit that on the back of his dome, but I'd get to about "Why You Shou"

Paul, I wasn't actually trying to criticize, but instead answer one of the very first questions every blogger should ask themselves before they write: "Who are we writing for?"  Or in this case, "Who should attend?", which leads to "Knowing my audience, what should the topics be?"

If we assume those in attendance have a blog, and we are meeting as a group of bloggers, we don't need to consider the topic, "How do I create a blog".  Instead, we can focus on discussing, "How do I improve my blog". 

That topic, in all of its manifestations, would be something that I would strongly support being involved in.

Thats cool that you guys are all doing this all over.  ITs like online dating but for professionals. lol  I think its cool...Utah hasnt had one...we need to read and learn from you example setters.

oh man.. did you hear that? We are looked at as examples? What is this world coming to? Hey Paul, Jay.. Wait till they see the video from when we put you two in charge.. Bloggers gone wild!

Nick - Put away the Grecian formula, my friend. 

Paul - I am going to challenge Mike to a cage match.

Paul - you are a great sport! Hey, been going over my budget this year and was thinking that if you shaved "AZ RE Blogging Network" in the back of your head, I would give you $55.00 bucks! We have a deal?

Steve - Yes, I didn't anticipate the noise level, but overall the event went off brilliantly if I say so myself. I had some amazing people with such great knowledge speak and I know that many went back to the office to start up their blogs.  As for the objective for this Network group, we are not aiming to generate business for Active Rain (unless they want to pay me), I have hopes to surround myself around other like-minded individuals that want to learn the basic fundamentals of blogging, AR gives that, but now it's time to kick it up a notch and focus on outside blogs as well. We will cover everything from SEO, Blog content, keywords, coaching, online presence, you name it, we will work through it. Please know this is NOT an AR event. With that said, keep in mind that many can start with AR and develop a quick and easy blog, we all have to start somewhere!! Come join us and tell me more about this restaurant in Chandler!! Sounds good!

Whaddaya mean I might have carpooled?  You're gonna freak when I land a helicopter in your backyard at one of these events someday.

Steve:  Therein lies my core problem, I never ask those fundamental questions.  I just sit down and bang out crap when I blog.  I bet we'll see something along the lines of what you suggest in the coming events.  That's what I expect the group will evolve to, though it's Candace's baby.  I'm just along for the ride.  I know we had a blend of total neophytes and veteran bloggers so there might be a few growing pains in learning how to satisfy each demographic.  I'm with you in spirit.  One of the key benefits of such a group is to learn from the best, and I know that the more accomplished bloggers don't necessarily want to cover old ground.  We'll see where it goes, but I know Candi will shape this into something for everyone.  I look at this first one as a getting-to-know-you kind of deal.  Expecting more technical tips, etc in the future.

Dave:  It is like online dating a little bit.  I do not wish to go steady, however.  Please return my senior ring.

Nick:  There will be no video of that event ... except for the exclusive footage I try to hawk on late night cable for $9.99 per DVD.  Hey, it's a tough market!

Jason:  Sounds like we have the lineup for the next event set then.  9-9:30 AM meet & greet with coffee and scones.  9:30-10 AM is shadow puppets. 10-10:30 AM is reserved for me thumb-wrestling all comers while whistling "Rocky Mountain High" and never missing a note.  10:30-10:32 AM is you and Mike in the cage.  10:32-? is the EMT team working on you both with the paddles.  It will be like Rocky 2.  First one's heart that restarts is declared the victor.

Candace: "AZ RE Blogging Network?"  Are you kidding?  What is it with you ladies today?  Manuel Noriega himself would be hard pressed to fit all of that onto his legendarily gargantuan cranium.  I have a small to medium sized cranium.  You people have to be more succinct if you are going to be able to take advantage of this revolutionary marketing platform.  A very average sized platform, mind you. 

Amanda:  You'll have to avoid my toddler's missile defense system.  Kid is a dead-eye with lemons and gravel.  Land your chopper in my yard at your own indiscretion.

"I have a small to medium sized cranium."   That explains a lot.

Yes it does, Lis.  Yes it does.

Paul, Thanks for this write-up and all the pictures!  It looks like you all had a great time.  I would have loved to hear that line-up of speakers.  Your New Profile Picture is interesting. :)

I had been told that the last one didn't really look like me, Lola, so I opted for this more recent shot.  I believe in transparency and keeping things up to date. 

Got anything you want me to advertise on the back of my dome?

LOL...what a relief. I was dying to know what the back of your heads looked like. I will be able to sleep well tonight....thanks!!!

It fits even a small to medium sized head. 

Dude - What gives with the new picture?  I thought for a second Mr. Potato Head had taken over. 

Oh, and you left some drivel on the rug yesterday.  No worries though, I'm still trying to get Cameron to clean up those ^$*#@ skidmarks he left in the corner.

Paul- I am willing to cut back my offer to $50.00 this morning and downsize the logo to "AZ RE BN 2008" since your average sized cranium won't hold the entire logo! In support of your fantastic cranium capture, I have posted a new picture too!

Doreen - You are cracking me up! Great job, laughed so hard this morning!

$50. Paul.  I saw over there where you were double dog dared.  Are you gonna let that go???

Bob - Long time no see.  It was great to see a new post from you, buddy.  When are you coming to one of our Texas gatherings?

Nice picture.

Paul, stop looking at me with those Crazy Eyes!  How come I never noticed that before? 

BOOGA BOOGA!

Bob - Are you going to take that from these insubordinate members?

PAUL - You do understand that to "post and toast" you should actually show photos of eating and drinking, right?  You're the one that coined the phrase.  You'd think that you would know the rules!!!!

Paul - I am glad to see you are back to your old picture (and I mean old!).

Just because Crouch looks younger in his new photo doesn't mean you have to complete with him...

Sandra - Did you see my new new picture?

Howdy Paul

Ms. Liz said me and the Texas Rangers should saddle up

and ride over to pay ya a visit.

I see my friend Mike from Tucson was at Y'all's Gathering.

He is a real fine guy, for sure. As Ms. Liz said hope Y'all had a lot of fun. It looks like Y'all where and did.

Awwwww!

What a cute little boy.  What did he do with Paul? 

Hi Paul, This sounds like you all did yourselves proud and I was delighted to hear that Teri was there to talk as well. I haven't met here in person, but I have never had any doubt of what she could bring to a meeting like this. She is remarkably committed to excellence in everyone and goes out of her way to help people when they are getting started. I know because she was there for me when I started.

The event sounded very interesting and something that will continue to grow and become the recognized voice for professional bloggers in Arizona. I loved the photos and from your discussion, I could easily imagine being right there.

Well done as always Paul!

Okay...not going through all the comments.

I laughed once when I saw the line Home Inspection sponsor dude without sufficient credit supplied here by me.

Then when I saw Jason Crouch's old photo as your avatar I snorted.

I could tell that that was Teri Ellis.... if you look at the picture... she's the Lady in Red!

Paul,

Looks like everyone had a Great time, thanks for keeping us updated!

Christopher