Aquila Online

27dinner Jozi Roundup

// July 29th, 2007 // 12 Comments » // Geek Dinners, Photos

It’s good to be back in the swing of things. Last night’s 27dinner was just the thing I needed to take a break from the hectic work schedule and the recent palaver around some tests I had done (they came back clean and all is fine thanks).

As i was saying, last night’s 27dinner was a slighly low-key event, judging by the number of people and the evident lack of familiar faces in attendance. That being said, the July 27dinner Johannesburg held at the M&A in Sandton was still a decent networking event.

Of course, Victoire was by my side, and it was good to see Mike, Scott (great presentation a-la-Dick Hardt style), Lantz, Armand, Thea, Andre SC, Andre O, Craig, Nikki, Paul, Gina, Ivo, Duncan (from the clan McLeod), Tyler, Deshanta and all the others I chatted to. If I missed your name and/or I forgot to take a card I’m really sorry, my short-term memory is shot at the moment.

Another highlight for me was of course the fact that I had won a Sony DVD video camera, sponsored by Zoopy, and was supposed to receive it at the event. Mike unfortunately left it at home, but handed over a pack of writable DVDs in the meantime.

As per usual, I took a plethora of pictures and they can all be viewed on my flickr account, in the 27dinner July photoset. Additionally, as promised, I created some content for the guys and gals at Zoopy and you can check out a video montage of the 27dinner July pictures over at my profile. I have provided the video in the post, after the jump below.

The music used in the video clip is called Lovely Days by DJ Webster, which is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license.

(more…)

Lucky Number 27

// June 28th, 2007 // 9 Comments » // Blog Stuff, Geek Dinners

Awesome, cool, funky, beauty, shweet, happy, joyous - I’ve run out of words to describe how stoked and delighted I am.  One could say even euphoric.  

Why you ask?  Well, thanks for that excellent question.  You see ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, geeks, jeeks and a special shout out to my Mom, it turns out that the folk at Zoopy have made their decision.

Huh? I hear some of you say?  Let me explain.  For some time now, Zoopy ran a competition - post a picture or video of any 27dinner event, upload it to Zoopy.com and voila you are entered to win one of two Sony DVD video cameras for the trouble.

As it happens the first of the two cameras were given away at the Cape Town 27dinner event and I am lucky number 27.  Yes folks, I was called by Gerry and Jason earlier this week to let me know that I had won the first video camera.  Awesome stuff.

Unfortunately due to a scheduled overnight visit to the local hospital this week, I was unable to attend the Cape Town chapter of the 27dinner event held last night.

However I was able to record a short acceptance speech prior to the event, which can be viewed on Zoopy of course.

Now you can really see and erm hear what I sound like.

*Note to self: remember to check the background “props” next time I record something…

27Dinner Cape Town Photos

// May 4th, 2007 // 2 Comments » // Geek Dinners, Photos

Yes, yes, I know I’m late with the actual link to the photos of the 27Dinner held in Cape Town recently. The video was up in a flash, but the pictures took way longer than expected.

Many other bloggers have mentioned the link to the photos already, so thanks to each and every one of you, even those who used the pictures without a link or passing some credit this way. Nice.

This time I made use of South Africa’s first video and photo sharing social network, Zoopy for my 27Dinner Cape Town pictures and video.

Enjoy.

PS: Turns out Bru and Boegie also made an appearance, evident only after the digital film was developed. Shot to the artist for this one.

27Dinner Cape Town Video

// April 28th, 2007 // 5 Comments » // Geek Dinners

Another 27dinner has come and gone and it was awesome. Apart from the rain and miserably cold weather, it was hot and happening at the Cape Town Hotel School. Excellent speakers, fantastic company, great food and Stormhoek!! Need we say more.

Victoire and I are going to make the most of the sun today, so no time for posting all the pictures. However, here’s a little something to whet the appetite a bit.

A video montage of some of the pictures taken last night is available (after the jump) at the home grown video sharing site, Zoopy for your viewing pleasure.

**Updated: had to include the jump as the video was eating a lot of visitors’ bandwidth… Enjoy!

(more…)

Brace Yourself Cape Town

// April 24th, 2007 // 7 Comments » // Geek Dinners, Photos

Gosh, 27dinner Cape Town is almost upon us and we haven’t even packed our bags yet. Yes, yes, Victoire and I will be flying down to Cape Town to represent Jozi at the next meeting, and in the process have a bit of a holiday as well. So if you’re keen to meet up while we’re down in the Mother city, drop me a line and we’ll arrange something.

Due to the overwhelming response, Dave mentioned that the venue has been moved to the Cape Town Hotel School (pictured above) in Mouille point. Luckily I hosted a corporate launch function there last October, so I definitely won’t get lost. Obviously I’m not taking chances, so the Garmin Nuvi is coming along in any event.

Just a few notes on the Cape Town Hotel School though. The view is absolutely stunning. I mean where else do you find a car park with a view of the ocean on the one side and a view of Table Mountain on the other? Certainly not in Jozi, that’s for sure.

If your timing is right, you may just spot a whale or two, guarded by research vessels such as the Sardinops, while paddle ski maniacs enthusiasts tear up some waves, under the bright light of the moon. Maybe you’re just wishing that you could sail away into the sunset.

So full steam ahead to Cape Town for what is going to be a whirlwind experience.

Oh and Graham if you’re reading this. Put some of your finest on ice for us, we’re on our way.

PS: The full set of pictures taken at the Cape Town Hotel School in October is up on my Flickr page.

**Cue cheesy credits music from Chantal Kreviazuk…“We’re leaving on a jet plane…”