a peek inside the fishbowl

12 Aug, 2010

Ottawa Brain Drain

Posted by andrea tomkins in: Ottawa

ETA: if you’d like to view the invite and RSVP online, do check out our Tweetvite for this event. Thanks!

This is something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time.

Many moons ago I was the co-director of an Ottawa-area women-in-tech group called DigitalEve. DigitalEve has long since gone the way of the dodo, but the core idea still resonates with me: the sharing of information between like-minded people can be very effective, powerful, and even fun. 

At DigitalEve we hosted a couple of really interesting tech-related events. One was a speed networking night, the other we just called Coffee Talk. Although the time/location/theme of our Coffee Talks always differed it was always one of the most successful events. The talks were great: really informative, and dare I say, fun. (If you know me IRL you’ll know that I’m not that good at socializing with strangers, but seriously, even if you’re shy, it is FUN. Besides, you get to meet people just like you!)

There is already a post BlogHer recap being planned for Irene’s on the 18th. I would have liked to attend but can’t make it. But I’d like to offer up my brain anyway (as well as fellow blogger/BlogHer attendee Shannon/@zchamu’s brain) on the evening of the Wednesday August 25th. We’re calling it the Ottawa Brain Drain. Maybe there will be more Ottawa Brain Drains in the future? Who knows. Let’s start with this one and see where it goes.

Here’s what you need to know:

  1. 1) It’s totally informal. Bring yourself, and maybe some questions/ideas to share.
  2. 2) Men and women are both welcome. This isn’t just about BlogHer, in fact, it doesn’t even matter if you attended BlogHer. Shannon and I both did and have plenty to say about it and are ready to answer any questions you may have. I like to think of this as an information exchange for all levels, no matter where you’re at…
  3. 3) … so let’s try to keep to the subject of blogging and social media.
  4. 4) It’s free. But I won’t say no if you offer to buy me a drink. ;)

This is an additional opportunity to ask questions and learn from people who’ve been to BlogHer and are active in the blogging and social media world. I hope you take us up on our offer, because Shannon and I love to meet people like us who are passionate about social media.

Who’s in? Leave your info below and/or check out our Tweetvite for this event

Ottawa Brain Drain!
Date/Time: Wednesday August 25, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. (Lots of time to read all the BlogHer recaps and gather your thoughts!)
Location: The Fox & Feather on Elgin St.
Hosts: Shannon and I.


19 Responses to "Ottawa Brain Drain"

1 | sassymonkey

August 12th, 2010 at 2:23 pm

Avatar

I should be able to make it. Put me down as a yes and I’ll let you know if I can’t make it.

2 | DaleAndAl

August 12th, 2010 at 2:26 pm

Avatar

OK so I have seen you IRL and think you are a great at socializing with strangers – you fit right into our spinathon!! :)

Would love to join your evening event, I look forward to it!

Cheers!

3 | Mel Gallant

August 12th, 2010 at 2:34 pm

Avatar

Please count me in! Looking forward to it. :)

4 | spydergrrl

August 12th, 2010 at 2:39 pm

Avatar

Darn, sounds great. Raincheck for the next one! {please have a next one ;]

5 | Dennis Van Staalduinen

August 12th, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Avatar

Sign me up! We were supposed to be at the cottage that week, but since we’re not, I’d love something to do that evening.

6 | Christine LaRocque

August 12th, 2010 at 3:44 pm

Avatar

Sounds good! I’d love to attend.

7 | Brie

August 12th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

Avatar

Sounds good to me.

8 | Kelly Rusk

August 12th, 2010 at 5:05 pm

Avatar

Sounds like a good time!! I’ll be there!

9 | Thomas P

August 12th, 2010 at 5:37 pm

Avatar

Great initiative! I look forward to attending one soon.

10 | Annie @ PhD in Parenting

August 12th, 2010 at 6:51 pm

Avatar

I’d love to attend one in the future, but can’t make it on the 25th.

11 | Lara

August 12th, 2010 at 7:31 pm

Avatar

I should be able to make it, but will likely be late (8ish)

12 | Rae

August 12th, 2010 at 9:33 pm

Avatar

Dang. Hubby works nights that week :( I would have loved to go.

13 | Christine

August 13th, 2010 at 7:36 am

Avatar

Oh, I remember digitalEve! This sounds like a great idea!

14 | Lynn

August 13th, 2010 at 8:45 am

Avatar

Sadly, we will be out of town that week. Looking forward to the next one!

15 | Judy

August 13th, 2010 at 9:22 am

Avatar

If my friends from TO have gone back I will be there. Not sure if she is staying for part of or the whole week.

16 | Laura

August 13th, 2010 at 10:56 am

Avatar

Sounds great! I’d love to attend – thank you. :)

17 | LO

August 15th, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Avatar

put me down for future dates-can’t make this one:(

18 | Kerry

August 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am

Avatar

The Elation ladies are very interested, but unavailable that night. Please let us know when the next evening is planned.

19 | Neeroc

August 25th, 2010 at 8:22 am

Avatar

Please add me to the list of next timers, can’t make it tonight but would love to know about future events.

comment form:

Archives

Me and my pet projects

Ottawa Bucket list

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


  • Gretchen Humphrey: I had a beautiful bee& birdbath filled with a solar fountain and dozens of antique marbles that were suddenly disappearing. At first I thought my
  • Jinjer: I am sobbing reading this post. And you're right, companion is not enough. Little furry treasured gifts that they are. Thanks for sharing cutie-pi
  • Karen: Dear Andrea, Mark and your daughters I am so very sad for your family xxx Piper was/is my favourite Instagram post. You shared with us so intimately
  • Christina Banuelos: Thank you for sharing Pipers life with us. Your posts of Piper brought me joy. Every time I see your post and see what kind of mischief Piper was gett
  • Carla Slocum: I am sitting here yet again crying at your loss. We have known that loss with Asta the WFT our first pup but now have the enormous gift of Stryker the
  • Janelle Brown: Dear Andrea Thank you for sharing Piper’s story with her followers. I empathise with your grief and emptiness as I lost my 14 year old Westie last
  • Natasha McReynolds-Nicholl: My god reading this is heartbreaking. December 1st was the as you describe longest day of my life, we lost out beautiful WFT hazel. Pipers final momen

The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Piper who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. We also have two human offspring: Emma (24) and Sarah (22). During the day I work as a writer at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

If you'd like to contact me, please use this form. If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here. Thank you for visiting!

 


Connect with me at these places too!

Still calling it Twitter