Sadly, I had to cancel my attendance at this years Podcast and New Media Expo. I really want to go and give my talk but I just can't swing it this year. The summer and into the fall has been brutal at the day job and I can't spare the time or the energy. From Myrtle Beach to Ontario CA is a full day of traveling each way so it takes 5 days out of my schedule to do the 3 of the expo. I hung on thinking things would settle down but they never have and now I am kind of stuck. The thought of giving up one of these hotly contested speaking slots makes me sick to my stomach, but that's the way life goes. I committed to this in March and everything was go but things have changed since then.

I wanted to go and represent my position in the field, which is ever more the minority. I think the focus on how to wring nickels out of podcasting is blinding people to its true value: bringing the power of media and expression and creation to individuals. I'm planning on going to Converge South the third weekend of October and maybe I can let a little of it out then. I will give some form of my talk as an episode of the podcast coming up soon to at least get my thought process out there into the podosphere. I fear that with this move I have committed professional suicide as a New Media Thought Leader (such as I ever was) but you know, I can live with that too. One thing playing poker these last few years has taught me is an acceptance of and a willingness to get beat now and then. It's all part of the game.

I will miss all of you. I wish I could see you and hang out. Hoist one for me, jump in the pool naked for me.