TEDx Martha’s Vineyard
I’m back from the TEDx event at the Vineyard. It was an intense couple of days and was really interesting. Aside from my usual anxiety about presenting the project to people, my biggest concern was how to get 10 20 x 24 inch framed prints from my house to the venue. It all worked out, but it was a bit nerve wracking.
I was really happy that I was only showing prints, and not doing a formal presentation. I travel around and talk about the suitcases quite a lot, but mostly in give and take type of situations. The idea of standing up and delivering a 15 minute presentation still seems a bit intimidating. It was really helpful though to watch how others talk about their work in this type of format, and I learned a ton about how I want to refine my presentations.
Here’s Jon Ronson giving his talk. I had read “The Psychopath Test” and seen “The Men Who Stare at Goats” and was happy to get the chance to hang out with him. So many creative and stimulating people were a part of the event, and the organizers did a great job setting up time for the participants to relax and talk about our work. It was an honor to be asked to a part of it and I am really grateful to all involved, especially Katy Decker who is an amazing bundle of energy and sweetness. It was also fantastic that my dear friend Sue Jackson, her husband Rick, and their friend Joanie made the trip over from the Cape. It meant so much to me to have familiar faces there.
The Vineyard is a really lovely place and as I hadn’t been there in years, it was great to be back.
It was only slightly weird that since the President was in residence for his vacation, the Coast Guard was out in force. I would guess it was just for training purposes, but there were three chase boats that shadowed us back to Wood’s Hole and it felt a bit strange to see a manned 50 caliber machine gun so near to the ferry.
I am hoping to post more here over the next week. Thanks, as usual, for following.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
Jon, not sure if you caught my posting from Sunday that linked to your project:
http://sanslartigue.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/shake-off-the-dust/
Yes David, I saw it. Thanks so much. Best, Jon
Hey, aloha Jon!
So glad to hear the TED gig went well–sure do miss the Vineyard and all the great things happening back there! And how cool is it to meet Jon Ronson, right? (If you’ve never read “Them: Adventures with Extremists” I totally recommend it. I recall that of all the whacked situations he found himself in while researching the book, the only place he actually felt in peril for his life was Northern Idaho. Yikes. Guess that makes two of us.)
BTW, that Coast Guard display is pretty common here on Puget Sound–last time the big guns followed our ferry as it escorted one of our Bangor-based nuclear subs home. Wild.
Thanks again for the GREAT prints! What treasures. They’re being framed as we speak.
Big aloha from Seattle!
I am annoyed at myself because I would have loved to see that talk you gave and I know I was there because I live on MV during the summer. It is a lovely summer isn’t it? My favorite place.