Random Observations From Last Night’s NBN Blogger’s Conference
Aussie Dave | Aug 21, 2008 | 9 comments
Many have already posted about it, and I am really too exhausted to post something lengthy and articulate, so I’ll instead post some random thoughts and observations.
- For me, the highlight of the evening was meeting the various bloggers present, which invariably turned out to be a gigantic game of Jewish geography. Included was the wife of an ex-teacher of mine, two Aussies with whom I attended seminary, and a friend of my wife. I also met a number of bloggers with whom I have online discussions.
- None of the anonymous bloggers I met for the first time in person conformed to the image of them I had in my head.
- Only after the conference did I realize how many bloggers there I did not meet.
- The journalist of the infamous (dishonest) Ha’aretz article was there, wearing a skullcap. In other words, looking like his own worst nightmare – all right wing and religious. He also happens to bear a striking similarity to an ex-child star of a cheesy 90′s American sitcom that sounds like Raved by the Hell. I had my picture taken with him, so I could possibly then publish a Separated at Birth post. But that could be unethical – like his article.
- I wonder how he’ll portray the conference in his next article, given that the panel discussions indicated the diversity of religious beliefs and political views (although the vast majority of participants were identifiably religious).
- You could tell it was a Jewish conference by the fact most of the bloggers walking in made a beeline for the buffet table. That, and the fact most participants looked all right wing and religious (I know, I am milking it for all it’s worth)
- While Bibi is a great speaker, and I agree with much of what he says, I took exception to the fact that his speech seemed to be more a campaign speech than anything else. He was also more about telling the bloggers in attendance how to accomplish effective Habara than listening to them.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
I’m not a huge fan of Bibi, but the man definitely knows how to hasbarah. I’d cut him some slack on the campaign speech thing as any candidate campaigns 100 percent of the time when he is running for a high office.
Stan
I was there and was totally shocked!
Frum women in tiny sundresses, frum women in pants, frum men in shorts, frum men with invisible yarmulkas, frum Bibi Netanyahu preaching frumminess, mixed seating…
Appallingly frum.
But on the upside, most of the men were carrying their pistols openly so we got to talk guns!
And the motorcycle ride home through Judea and Samaria with an almost full moon was breathtaking.
DoubleTapper
DoubleTapper@gmail.com
DoubleTapper, blogging on Guns Politics Defense from Israel
I didn’t realize that “Aussie Dave” and “Isreallycool” were one and the same. I’ve seen you commenting on other blogs and just came over to read the blog. I like it. Maybe I’ll get to meet you at next year’s conference.
Doubletapper,
I definitely noticed you there. Was it my imagination or were you carrying TWO guns? I wanted to photograph all the neshek there, and post about it, but well, couldn’t ask strangers to pose for me. Sounds like you had fun.
Aussie Dave and Israellycool are not the same thing, since I am flesh and blood, not a blog. But seriously, sorry I did not get to meet you. We definitely needed more meet-and-greet time and possibly less Bibi time.
It was really cool meeting you.
Likewise Carl. Sorry we did not get more time to talk.
Maybe next year we can do lunch/dinner with tables, and have more time to talk in small groups? I spent the hour before the first panel wandering around and staring at name tags, meeting people I read and people I didn’t read until after the conference. I’ve always read you, but like Trep, you’re too much of a Legend for me to just walk up and say “Hi” to…so, belatedly, “Hi” and I’ll do it in person next year, okay?
Oh please! I also spent the evening looking at name tags and introducing myself to people, whether or not I recognized the blog name. I am sorry we missed each other.
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