I'm in Monterey this week for TED 2006. I think I'm ready. Let's review the list:
1. Remember Last Year - Be Inspired
One of the newest events at TED is the TED Prize. Last year was the first year it was awarded. One of the winners was Ed Burtynsky, an extraordinary photographer from Toronto whose urban landscapes are deeply moving and deeply troubling as they show the profound impact humanity has had on our planet.
The winners were granted three wishes. One of Ed's wishes was to find a way to use his photography to make people think harder about our planet's (and our) future. Ed has partnered with WordChanging.com, an organization that believes in sustainability for our planet and that we have the means to create a positive future for our planet NOW. To that end and to spread the message, there is a campaign running on WorldChanging that shows the future that Ed has photographed and proposes ways to alter that future.
Visit the campaign and see the incredible slideshow of Ed's images. Also, donate.
2. Get a new Moleskine notebook
Even though I'm a gadget girl, for note-taking there is nothing better than an old-fashioned notebook. And nothing is more old-fashioned than a Moleskine. The notebook of legends: Picasso, Hemmingway, Chatwin. For TED 2006, I have chosen the large squared (graph paper) notebook.
Now, I didn't think I could love my Moleskines anymore than I do, but they have a current campaign - the Writing Project - a promotion where they include stickers or postcards with your notebook. The stickers and postcards have quotes about writing on them, for you to use or share. Now, I may be 37, but I still love a good sticker! I have the second series; my favourite one is by Osip Mandelstam "It is in the margins that poetry is found" Describes blogging perfectly.
3. Get Roro her "TED Widow" shirt
Roro has accompanied me on this trip, though not as a TED attendee. She's spending her time working on a couple of new plays. She suggested to me that she form the "TED Widow's Club" because surely there are other spouses here in the same position. I said "They'll likely be golfing." She said "Hmmm .. maybe I'll call it the TED Lesbian Widow's Club. Then it will be just me, in the coffee shop with free wireless, writing."
Good call. I'm going to ask if we can make it an official event next year.
So, I think I'm ready. I hope to blog more of it this year than last year. Also, more photos. TED has its own blog where you can likely follow it as well.
This morning is TED University ... a new event where TEDsters teach 15 minute seminars on random interesting dear-to-their-heart topics. I'm attending sessions on the following diverse topics:
- History & Impact of WWII Radar Research
- How to Create an Origami Napkin Rose
- How to Change Your Life by Joining a Commune
- Standards and Tyranny of Qwerty
- What's a CO2 Diet and how to Do It in a Cool Green Way
- How to make those you encounter believe they're the most interesting people in the world
Stay tuned!
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