The Stage Is Where?

Back in Seattle again. I was just here a little over two weeks ago. Last time it was for the Microsoft Start! conference.

This time, it's for the Microsoft Tech Ready 10.

Next month I'll be here again, although only for three days for a Janeane Garofalo comedy special. That's a lot of trips to the great northwest in the first quarter of 2010. Good for business.

Here's a photo taken from the lighting console. Again, I have to be careful of what I take pictures of and what I talk about since the material being presented at these meetings are classified. So I won't tell you about all the things they talk about while I sit here and write this blog. But let me tell you this, it's pretty boring. Although the Q&A part of the day has been pretty entertaining so far, with the employees airing their grievances to the VP's and then being applauded by 3500 of their compatriots. It's funny to watch VP's squirm and then talk like a congressman.

Aside from the Q&A The only real technical highlight of this show, is the distance from the console to the stage. Basically, the stage is at one end of two exhibit halls (halls E and F) and Front of House is at the other end. I'm thinking easily 450 feet. One and a half football fields. If it wasn't for the big screens you see hung throughout the halls left and right, I'd never know there was someone onstage speaking, and if they were lit properly. That big bright blur in the middle of the picture, that's the stage.

Easy show. I like when the production company builds in enough time to get the job done. We did have a few days of overtime at the start, but we've been in and out on show days. Not to mention I have a day off on Thursday. REI, here I come.

Perhaps more pictures from this lovely city on Thursday. Until then, I have to get back to napping on the console.

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