Dec 2

Written by:
12/2/2011 7:57 PM 

We have all heard the old saying; “it is better to be silent and let people think you are ignorant, than to open you mouth and prove it beyond a shadow of doubt”.   However many ways I have been taught this truth, I still seem to have a problem learning the lesson.  Thus it is that my friends seem to find great amusement when something happens that renders me speechless.  As amusing as it is to my friends, it usually marks a very humbling event in my life.  So it was at DNN After Dark at DotNetNuke World 2011.

DNN After Dark is the traditional social event at the DotNetNuke Conferences.  It is a great chance to meet and talk to people from all over the world who have one thing in common; DotNetNuke.  I enjoy listening to what people are doing with DNN because, inevitably, I learn something new.  And oh! did I mention the prizes?  The conference sponsors always give-a-way great prizes and this year was no exception.  DotNetNuke Corp also gave prizes for the four contests which they had sponsored: Site of the Year, DotNetNuke Super Fan 2011, DNN User Group with the most referrals, and Orlando DNN User Group Member with the most referrals. 

I knew I had won the Orlando DNN User Group contest because I had been invited to the “VIP” dinner the night before.   So when Will Strohl called my name out, I was not surprised.  I even had a couple comments I wanted to make.  Then Will handed me the “DotNetNuke Bowl”.  I was dumbstruck!  Will had posted some pictures earlier in the month and made a comment that someone at the conference would win it, but I had no idea…  I am still stunned… and humbled… and thankful.  Someone later asked me if I would not have rather received an xBox?  I replied quickly “NO WAY! I can buy an xBox.”  You see, this is a one-of-a-kind piece of art.  It was obviously no just thrown together, but painstakingly crafted (each one of those dots are an individually drilled hole!). Even above that, it was created by someone I respect and consider a friend.  Someone who, through the years, has been a stalwart member of the DNN community: Joe Brinkman – The Accidental Geek. 

So… my grateful thanks go to all the people at DNN Corp, but especially to Joe, for giving me something that can be displayed with honor, and will forever remind me of the very first annual DotNetNuke World!