My blog n'at

Since the Pittsburgh Magazine article came out I’ve had quite a few notifications of new followers. Most times I’ll follow back because I’m always up for a good conversation and try to keep up with everything going on through the day but lets be honest, you can’t follow all the time (just like it can’t rain all the time).

This morning I tweeted that I was psyched to see Anthony Bourdain was coming to Pittsburgh to talk. This is a must for me so I told Lushie we need to make plans for it. Shortly afterwards I had a reply from TwinmamaTeb saying “@douglasderda clearly you missed all my tweets about the presale and gettting 8th row seats. heh.”. That’s when I thought, how many conversations am I missing?  Granted most tweets are people spewing random nonsense (I’m guilty myself) but what else have I missed out on? I decided it was time to checked my stats.

As of right now I have 1,250 followers, I’m following 987 back and I’m on 112 lists. Those 112 lists can be summed up in the following categories: beer, hockey, Pittsburgh.  If I were to die right now that is how I could be summed up in 3 words. I love craft beer, I love hockey and I love Pittsburgh.

The most popular question I get from people obsessed with Facebook is “Why do you tweet?”  I gave it some though and here’s the deal on how/why I use Twitter. I’m connected to every user. Because of tags such as “craftbeer” I have been introduced to a community of people that I may have never had the chance to meet besides the degrees of separation on FB. I use Twitter because it’s about the conversation. Over the past day I finally started watching the #craftbeer tag on Twitter with TweetDeck and have met some incredible bloggers, fans from all over the world and a few brewers.  I’m able to buy and sell hockey tickets and chat with other Pens fans during games. I have been invited to events I may not have known about before and helped plan a few of my own. All in under 140 characters. I can ask questions and people, while sometimes smartasses, answer. I can get traffic updates from not just the networks but from people out on the roads.

From the 1250 I’m not following 263. Odds have it you’re selling me a service I don’t want, you’re a spammer or I really have no clue what your deal is. Now there is the margin of error since Twitter is notorious from un-following people without warning and if you’re one of those let me know.

So now I’m reaching out to you. If you’re in the rest of the 987 and read this blog (which hopefully you do because you follow me on twitter and obviously wanna get to know me ) leave me a comment. I can say that I know MAYBE 2/5 of you personally from beer events or social media but if we’ve never met before I want you to say hi. If you wanna keep it personal then shoot me a message on my contact form.  Spoon wants know who you are! If you’re in the Pittsburgh area and want to meet others check out Pittsburgh tweetup!

I should probably tweet this…

You’re seeing that correctly. In what could be labeled as our worst kept secret ever, we grace the pages of the March 2010 issue of Pittsburgh Magazine. I was flattered when I first learned that Jonathan Wander wanted to talk to me about the show and since it was around Podcamp Pittsburgh time I figured he was a curious fan. That’s when I found out about his intentions to write the article which left me stunned. We’re talkin USA scores with 26 seconds left in regulation of gold medal game Canadian stunned. I’ve done many interviews with beer trade magazines but never with anyone outside that realm and I honestly didn’t know how their readers would take to us.  We do carry an explicit tag but also we’re genuine on there and not some corporate bullshit. People tell me they dig that so that has to put some odds in our favor. This past January Jonathan and I talked over the phone for a solid 2 hours about the show, my life, growing up in Erie and followed it with a photo shoot at Bocktown on a Sunday afternoon. The rest was up to his creative hands.

The article is incredible and I admit, when I first saw it in print at Giant Eagle, I blushed.  Oh hell I was glowing. Only a few select people know how much work I really put into this show behind the scenes and to see it on a stage like Pittsburgh Magazine just blows my mind, even more than when we appeared in national publication DRAFT. In a way it seems like the show was validated. When you hit local there’s something even more meaningful about it. Now if someone back in my hometown of Erie calls, oh lord I’ll never shut up.

The magazine will be seen by over 250,000 readers in 10 counties (Erie included). If you can’t find it at your local Giant Eagle, Borders or Barnes & Noble you can read the online version here

Thankfully with the show I have been able to develop skills that I never thought twice about and it turned into getting my butt employed. Should I Drink That has treated me well and with the plans that I have in mind for this year, should make the experience even more amazing.

Creatively I know where I want this to go and how the whole process should flow. Does it happen that way? Hell no. In fact getting an episode of SIDT together is a huge pain in the ass but one I like to have. When we started it was “lets go to the store and see what we can buy” and now there is a dry erase board that I plan out the next few shows on. Multicolored markers too cause I’m spiffy like that. I think once Studio B is purchased and wired I’ll have a better understanding of what it is I want but until then we’re going with what’s worked.

I want to thank everyone who has supported the show.  When I was starting college I wanted to get into radio and that dream was quickly shot down by my fam. Then again they also said I would never make a living in computers and look how that turned out  Without you, my kickass friends, I would never have moved forward with long lost dream and this thing would have been over with years ago.

Thanks everyone!

cheers!

July
Began the month with recording at the BeerDependence Day celebration at Bocktown. Attended the Penguins Stanley Cup DVD Release Party. Started a contracting job at EDMC that would become the longest month of my life and that’s all I’m going to say. Enjoyed my first ever bowl of Pho. Rocked the Beer on the Bay festival in Erie which the videos are epic and may never be released. End the month being interviewed by KDKA for the Craft Beer Summit.

August
Won a 2009 Mustang! Bees invade our bathroom (landlord still has yet to remove the dead bodies). I got a full-time job in social media/web dev that has turned out to be freaking cool plus I’m on a rockstar team. Threatened Lushie with divorce after she gets rid of the Back to the Future marathon channels.

September
Attended “Best of the Burgh” at the Warhol with sickpuppy, PittGirl, Woy and Rachel. Go big time and hosted Beer School at the Cabaret downtown to a sold out crowd. Teaspoon hits 17lbs.

October
Hosted 2 sessions at Podcamp Pittsburgh 4. Should I Drink That passed 500,000 download mark. Pens start defending the Stanley Cup. Revised Google Maps errors. Celebrate 4 years of marriage with Lushie. Lay the smackdown on poor fact checking by the Post gazette about Erie. Teaspoon goes pumpkin farming.

November
I blogged the whole month. Seriously. Bought a X-box. Teaspoon’s first Thanksgiving. Wonders of fatherhood and a kid who grows like a weed. Craft Beer Dinner with Lew Bryson, Education on the Pittsburgh Potty. Making your own Bacon. BEER AT GIANT EAGLE! Yinz Bowl 2.o

December
Still living it for 5 more hours. Remembering dad on his anniversary. Hosted a Christmas beer sampling at Bocktown. Saw KISS in concert. Teaspoon’s first Christmas. Finished the school year with a 3.65GPA. SNOW!

So what do I have to look forward to in 2010?  Come back tomorrow and find out!

I have to admit that this has been the most life changing year of my life. Some good, some bad and some mind blowing kickass. Here’s a quick recap as I reflect before tonight’s festivities start. I’m splitting this up into 2 sections because lets be honest, no one will scroll through 12 months.

January
Reflected on the first beer I EVER drank and yes, I kept the bottle. Prepare for the end of my 10+ year employment at ForeSystems/Marconi/Ericsson. Bitched about the weather and yinzers inability to drive in snow plus dumb ass snow removal by my neighbors. Both of those still hold true today. Got ready for an unbelievable run to the Super Bowl

February
Steelers won the Super Bowl and became the first ever 6 time champ thus giving every knock off t-shirt maker starry eyes at the potential of “6 pack” shirts. Punxy Phil said 6 more weeks of winter. I was officially laid off, was interviewed for a Post Gazette story on unemployment moments after i was laid off (that never was published), Pens started to turn it around and the biggest shock of them all… Teaspoon arrived 2 months early making me the happiest and most terrified dad. Came in at 4.1lb, dropped to 3.2lb and would leave at 5 in March.

March
It was the month of Teaspoon. Lushie and I spent every minute we could at the Mercy NICU while he got healthy in an incubator. 28 days later he came home. Also witnessed the stupidity of some Hill District parents who think its a hotel in there and the joke that is unemployment system in PA.

April
Went to my first ever Rugby match and got addicted to watching Claire and the girls kick ass. Missed my first opening day of Pirates baseball since 1984 (watched it on TV with Teaspoon and started a new tradition with my boy). Bought a Wii. Enjoyed the greatest comeback in Pens Playoff hockey that I have witnessed as the Pens turned the series around with 1 fight and the Max Talbot shhhhhhh! Saw Beer Wars the Movie with hundreds of other craft beer fans around the world and baked an incredible beer ham for Easter.

May
Should I Drink That turned 3. Pens defeated Washington and Carolina to earn a second trip to the Stanley Cup Finals for a 2nd year. Bought a Blackberry. Joined Sadie’s Soldiers and took some Great Strides. KDKA reads my “tweet of the day” which I WISH they would bring back. The great personalized jersey debate. Meatshield welcomed his first child (i swear it was the year for kids to be born) and we had a cookout with some family. Bowling league ended and we were the undisputed champs.

June
Teaspoon’s first trip to the ER. Coming out of golf retirement after 3.5 year for a day with Yinz Teamer’s Woy, Lokay and Shireman at Cranberry Highlands. The Clarks release Restless Days after 5 years. Pens win the Stanley Cup in 7 games vs Detroit. Pittsburgh floods… again. Unemployed Utensil makes his first appearance as a way to help me get through not working. My first Father’s day and Pirates waste of talent Ian Snell cant take negative people.

up next… July through December.

The first week of December is always tough for me. Correction, it’s fucking tough. 3 years ago as I type this we were burying my dad and I think that its this anniversary that I’m having the most issues with it. Not because I’m going all mental or anything along those lines but its more of the anger phase. I think of everything that has happened over the last year and that he wasn’t around for it. Most importantly he never got to hold his grandson whom I know would be spoiled beyond belief. I guess I’m more upset that Teaspoon won’t get to know him but the ironic thing, I think he does. I wont go into details and freak all yinz out but I know dad is around. I can fell when he’s in the room and even creepier, I can smell his cologne. So even with my anger comes some peace. Teaspoon has a guardian angel and there is no one else better for the job.

Quite a few key life events happened this week that I’ll share and why I usually drop off the world for a bit.

• December 5, 1998 – Moved from Erie to Pittsburgh and into my first solo apt in beautiful South Oakland. damn smelly hippies.
• December 5, 2006 –  Dad has massive heart attack while snow blowing for 3 hours so the shut-ins could get visitors. Rushed to ER and put on life support.
• December 6, 2006 – Dad officially passes around 7:21am. My world becomes simply a huge can of wtf
• December 7, 1998 – Started my first day at FORE Systems. I expected it to be a 3 month internship, not 10 years of employment
• December 9, 2006 – Dad is buried on a day of freezing cold temps and a majestic snowfall. Ceremony concluded with military gun salute and mom is presented with an American Flag.

It was also during this week in 2005 that I first toyed with the idea of starting this new thing called a podcast. I wouldn’t record anything until Jan 20, 2006 in what became the first recording of Father Spoon. We all know what happened from there…

That’s Creation Rex. He sits outside the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and attended Podcamp Pittsburgh 4. Where were you?

Once again this gathering of social media minds was a huge success and for the first time ever the event was sold out! How do you sell out a free event? Easy, you can only fit so many people into one area

You’re probably going to ready many many many recaps of the weekend so here’s my short short version.

Meet n Greet

Erie Brewing was the beer sponsor with myself, sickpuppy and Paradox as your lovely bartenders. Beers for the evening were:

• Railbender
  (2008 Bronze/2009 Gold at GABF)
• Presque Isle Pils
• Mad Anthony APA
• Misery Bay IPA
• Derailed Black Cherry Ale

10.5 cases of beer and a case of wine was kicked in 2.5 hours. Attendance was packed but enough room to breathe. After Party was Jekyl and Hyde where Dox fell into a DFH120 coma and did shots of  Crystal Head Vodka with sickpuppy. Sometime around 12am we made it back to the hotel.

Day 1 – Podcamp sold out at 500 people. (VIP’s and free guests)
11am – Grassroots Podcasting
This is the session that has become a staple of Podcamp Pittsburgh. Hosted by Should I Drink That and the Wrestling Mayhem Show, the premise of the talk is to discuss inexpensive ways to start and then promote your podcast. Oh yeah, and people get chopped, chopped, chopped and chopped. The tradition continued of another packed room of people with fantastic audience interaction. A few questions came up about how to make money doing what we do. And while some left as soon as we said this is a hobby (that’s right biatches, I saw you get up and bolt. you were there to find out how to get rich quick and leave. We heard you were floating through groups. Next time we chase you with a chair.), we saw the glow in the eyes of our people when new ideas were presented. I have to give Sorg a lot of credit he really knows how to promote and market a show. When he speaks you need to listen.

The plus side for myself and sickpuppy was the new business opportunities which arose from the talk for us. I decided to let it out that SIDT is expanding and well… you’ll have to wait. We’re gonna redefine media whores

Papuga Porch
This is the smokers lounge aka, porch outside AIP cafeteria. We have renamed this in honor of the great Dawn Papuga who was unable to attend this year because her pussy was hurt. Serious, her cat was in the ER.

1pm – Yinz Cam
Priya Narasimhan was on hand to present quite possibly the greatest sports app developed and it was created here in Pittsburgh. Yinz Cam will allow your cell phone the ability to watch replays, different camera angles and see things that not even the TV’s will show you all for FREE on your phone. Currently this technology is available in the Mellon Arena for Pens. I have seen it used and its hella cool. Also talked about was the iBurgh app (also free) which allows you to complain to the city electronically.  Have a pothole that needs fixed? Take a pic with your phone and send it to the city. The built in GPS of your phone will help tag the exact location. Yinz Cam/iBurgh are prime examples as to why Pittsburgh is a leader in technology and “e-democracy”.

2pm -  “We do a radio show… but not really.”
Mikey and Big Bob from the 96.1fm Freakshow hosted what turned out to be the funniest session of the day. I’ve hated Pittsburgh morning radio, that’s why I got XM, but from talking to these guys online and seeing how they’ve taken to social media I’m now a faithful listener. They showed 3 of their videos and what seemed like 45 minutes of self promo turned into a kickass education on how local media needs to accept and embrace the future. Through social media they’ve been able to create and host events that would never have been possible with the traditional phone calls and announcing on air. Its about instant media, feedback and reaching as many as possible in the shortest amount of time and cost.

3pm -Shutting down your blog “A case study of the Burgh Blog”
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this session going in. Most Pittsburgh bloggers and social media folk have been friends for awhile so we knew parts of the story and I had talked to Ginny a few times but never knew exactly what was involved with closing down the most popular blog in Pittsburgh history. Jaw dropping is cliche but true. Hearing how well executed Woy and Ginny did this was not just amazing but genius. This is a session you need to watch for yourself and watch you can do, soon.

Podcamp Pittsburgh broadcasted every session live thanks to the team at Vivo and will shortly be available online for you to watch. That’s right, you can watch Podcamp if you weren’t able to make it!

Day 1 After Party
Went to Red Star. Food was decent, beer was OK (best on tap was Sam Adams Oktoberfest) but Chris from Bocktown saved that and brought some growlers for us to drink (Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot infused with dates and other glorious flavors) and did the now traditional 649 shot which that night it was Tequila, Vodka and Razzmatazz.

(thanks to DahCheet)

Left there for Jekyl and Hyde where we stayed the rest of the night and closed the place. Drank many DFH120, Victory Wild Devil and, per sickpuppy’s request, all did multiple flaming Dr Peppers. Couldn’t find a taxi so the 3 of us had to walk from south side, across a river, through a tunnel and go downtown to our hotel. Stopped at Holiday Inn Express on South Side to use the bathroom, crashed a bachelorette party, told the desk clerk that we were staying there (we weren’t) so we got a shuttle back to the Marriott downtown. Dox went to sleep so sickpuppy and I took a 6 pack down to the front lobby and hung out outside. I think it was around 4am by the time we got back to the room.

Day 2

Got to Podcamp around 11:30am, just in time for free lunch. Stayed for 2 sessions and went home. We might have been a LITTLE tired.

So where can you catch all of the excitement online in pics and video? Easy, search your favorite sites for the tag #pcpgh4 or:

• Official Podcamp Pittsburgh Flickr group
• pcpgh4 on Flickr
• pcpgh4 on You Tube

Thanks for a great weekend everyone now take a couple weeks off then we can start planning Podcamp Pittsburgh 5!

Hey yinz! It’s time for the 2009 Podcast Awards and this year we’re pushing the Pittsburgh party. The city is already home to the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup champs so its time to add to the trophy case!

This year, along with SIDT, we ask that you nominate friends of ours who produce top notch shows out of Pittsburgh. It’s easy and only takes like 1 minute. No lies. 1 minute.

Go to http://www.podcastawards.com/ (or click that nifty Podcast Awards banner above) and enter the following

Entertainment:
Podcast Name: Wrestling Mayhem Show
Podcast URL: http://sorgatronmedia.com/wrestlingmayhemshow/

Food & Drink
Podcast Name: Should I Drink That
Podcast URL: http://www.shouldidrinkthat.com/

GLBT
Podcast Name: The G Spod
Podcast URL: http://www.thegspod.com/

That’s it. Fill in whomever else you want or leave the other blank.
Nomination Period closes @ 2359 October, 18th

You get 1 nomination per email address.

Pass along to your friends and spread the love!

cheers!

I got word this afternoon that only a small handful of tickets for Beer School are left! Don’t miss out and be part of a live Beercast with Pittsburgh’s bad boys of craft beer!

Presented by: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Venue: Theater Square Cabaret
Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 6:15 PM
Tickets: $25

Order NOW at: http://pgharts.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=19481

I’m pretty stoked that we have the chance to do this. I’m still writing the show notes/program for the night so we’ll see what makes the cut. We only have an hour so 4 beers and bullshitting in that time plus yinz guys eating, oh yeah I’m already trying to shorten the list. This is part of that whole “holyfuckingshitihavenofreetime” breakdown I’m having.

breathe spoon… breathe…

(l to r) – Rachel McGregor (thatnight.net), sickpuppy (shouldidrinkthat.com & shouldibrewthat.com), Ginny Montanez (thatschurch.com), Mike Woycheck (wearpittsburgh.com) and myself

Quick summary of the Best of the Burgh reception wednesday night at the Andy Warhol Museum – Free bacon, free beer, free vodka and swag bags. Oh yeah and some winners were announced but you can read about that in the latest issue of Pittsburgh Magazine.

Here is my recap from last year so you can get an idea of all that happens at these parties. Next year, SIDT is winning something, I just havent figured out what yet. Guess it should be legal though.

cheers!

Sickpuppy and I will be teaching the first class of the fall edition of Beer School. You may recall I hinted towards this previously well now you can order tickets!

Enjoy and discuss quality craft beers with Tony “The Beerman” Knipling and Should I Drink That. Includes light fare from Café Zao. Beer-related door prizes. Craft beer 6-packs available to go.

The hour-long Craft Beer School is held at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave. between 6th and 7th Streets, downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District. Craft Beer School begins at 6:15pm on September 15th; doors open at 5:45pm. Tickets: $25; order all four and save $10

Beers are still TBD but we will be recording the session live for a future broadcast!

Come join us for a night of great craft beers and good times!

(testing the beds while at Beer on the Bay 2, Erie PA 2009)

Craft Beer Fest Road Trip Season is here and 4 more are on the calendar. Being a craft beer podcaster is a tough job.

Things are changing which is why I haven’t been blogging lately and you’ll find out shortly.

Very very soon… this is gonna be great!