An unsanctioned Active Rain Meet-up hampered by Technological Challenges still became a success…
For the old timers on this platform, you will recall that Active Rain loved sponsoring ‘Meet-ups’ by giving lots of Active Rain Points to the person who would coordinate a Meet-up. Then points were given to those who attended. What a brilliant concept. Active Rain differentiated its platform from the other platforms by developing relationships with its membership.
Active Rain used to have Community Mangers. Depending on how long you have been on the platform you might have remembered Brad Andersohn one of my favorite Community Managers. He helped us learn about SEO, and the various long and short tail buzz words to help us get up on top of the Search Engines.
Three or four ownerships later the Community Manager Position fell to the wayside, if I might add sadly… There were a couple of Active Rain Members who took on the Community Manager Job at a non-paid status, but clearly they got tired of the ‘Thankless unpaid Job’ of doing it and faded away. Some of you know who I am speaking of…
I am digressing, now getting back to my point of the post. Our member Brian England wanted to have a Meet-up; this has been going on over the past few years. I have been super busy and told him sorry I can not go to Carlsbad CA for a Meet-up. As the years went by, I said well if you ever Meet-up with Michael Jacobs in Pasadena I will have no excuse. Long and short of it Brian coordinated a Meet-up in Pasadena.
He asked when I am available, I said anytime without checking my calendar. So, we set up the time for the 21st of September. Well go figure I had a dental appointment and had to request a change for our meet-up. By now Michael and Brian were amicable to make the change and on a side, note invited John Pusa from Glendale as well.
So here comes the day, September 22nd I cleared my calendar and was heading to meet all three for lunch at the Green Street Café in Pasadena. I told Diane looking on the map it looks very close to New Balance where we get all our sneaker. So, I am driving to be on time, the military background in me believes in 15 minutes early is being on time. I planned enough in advance and I get to Glenarm Blvd 25 minutes early and put in the navigation to prevent any mistakes.
Turns out the Navigation of my Lexus RX350 is sending me on a 25-mile magical mystery tour. I have been stressing the entire trip second guessing maybe there is another New Balance store I didn't not know about as the takes me to Glassell Park, Echo Park, Hollywood and the list goes on. By now, I know I am going to be late but now I am totally depending on the Navigation system. Finally, it puts me on Colorado Blvd. You could fry eggs on my forehead and I am texting Michael that I am 8 miles away…. So 37 minutes late I arrive at our lunch meeting.
They all were very gracious for my tardiness. We ended up having a great Lunch an unsanctioned Active Rain Meet-up. The food was great as well as the company. No Active Rain points awarded, but relationships have been strengthened. There is no substitute for meeting people with whom you have been communicating with on the Internet for years and now get to break bread with them. Michael and I have met more than a handful of times, but this was the first time I met John and Brian. Amazingly in person they were even better than what you see them on the platform.
Now with that said Diane wanted to know what I am going to do with the Lexus Navigation, this is the second time it has happened to me in Pasadena. To make matters worse even the Google Guide that I am on did not ask me “ How was Green Street Café”? Tells me even Google did not know I was there. Hmmm makes me pause.
I guess there must be a technological black cloud over me, and no I will not buy a new Lexus even though it is about nine years old. Michael and I were grousing how good our Laminated Thomas Guide was 20 years ago and we both still have it. So, I am ready to pull it out of the garage for future trips to Pasadena.
On the other hand, John had a better idea, next time we meet in Pasadena meet at Vroman’s the bookstore and we all go from there to the new Restaurant.
Thank you for the great suggestion John and I am looking forward to our next Meet-up, points or no Points from Active Rain. Thank you all for your kindness and friendship.
Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly!! If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 ( m) homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com I contribute a portion of my commission to local animal rescue organizations. Endre Barath, Jr. Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties DRE#01238708
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