The future scares me sometimes... and currently because I am responsible for helping to shape it!

Last night, for the 3rd year in a row, I spoke at my friend Becky Carroll's New Media class at UCSD. This year's class is the largest one she's had to date- with 34 students learning about New Media/ Social Media. Whether she's told the class or not- teachers sometimes don't (wink)- she also says this is the best class she's had to date...

Once again, Becky had me in the class to speak about the experiences I've had with resurrecting Masi via Social Media. I shared my passion for SM (and Masi) with the class and then we had an excellent Q&A period. In the excitement of it all, I forgot to snap any pictures; I had planned to snap a few during my presentation and post them to Twitter while in the class... but my arms were flailing too much (and my gums were flapping).

The class was great- just as Becky told me- and the Q&A time was a blast for me. Those who know me know that I am nearly as passionate about SM as I am bicycles and Masi, so getting into a great conversation about SM was really a blast. Previous years were really a lot of fun too, so I can't really say this class is any "better" than the previous two years- but there was a lot of engagement and the discussion period probably could have gone on for another hour... well, I could have gone on for another hour on my own.

So, if you're among the students from the class- thank you again for letting me come speak to you and share my humble bike nerd experiences with you. And Becky- I am forever indebted to you for the continued experience of being a part of this great class you are so lucky to get to teach (and they are lucky to get to be in).

Tim

My friend Becky Carroll is a very smart and savvy Marketer and blogger. So smart, she's actually teaching about the topic at local university, UCSD, in the class Marketing via New Media. Becky was very kind and sincerely flattered me by asking me to come speak to her class as somebody "in the trenches" who is utilizing blogs and other forms of Social Media in a business. It's no secret that I'm pretty passionate about the topic... and it's no secret that I am a rambling talker. I prepared a small PowerPoint presentation last night (and we all know how much I love PowerPoint) in hope that I would ramble less... but it didn't actually work, of course.









The class itself is 3 hours long, but I spoke at the beginning of the class and was supposed to talk for about 30 minutes... and ended up speaking for an hour instead. I mean... this is ME we're talking about. And yes, for the curious, I did have the usual arm flailing enthusiasm working. I mean... this is ME we're talking about.

The best part; after my presentation, the class had several great questions and some excellent discussion followed. I love that! Second best part; the class itself is comprised of students from countries in Asia, Europe, South America, students from the greater UCSD campus and people from local businesses. That diversity was really exciting to see and to get to speak to.

Thank you again to the class and to Becky for graciously asking me to share my experiences in Social Media.

Tim