If anyone is in the technology industry or has a data center, you have to attend an Emc² Technology Summit. ETS offers customers and potential customers the opportunity to attend many presentations about technology at a high level or bit level during the day; but, more importantly, affords the opportunity to interact with Executive and Senior Management, Engineers, Technology Solutions Group, and many partners and vendors. And once the day is over, we party. Everyone has heard of the term work hard, play hard, and that is exactly what this page is all about.

On Wednesday, the last night of ETS, EMC² and MCDATA co-sponsored a Mardi Gras / concert at the House of Blues that rocked the French Quarter of New Orleans. Anyone who attended the conference was invited to attend, so needless to say, after the day was over, I raced back to the hotel, showered, changed, and headed over. Upon my arrival, I noticed the line, and what a line it was! And then I noticed that the line was not to get into the House of Blues; but, rather the street. Only then did I realize they shut down the street and fenced it off just for us. I couldn't wait to get in.

The line moved quickly, and once in the venue, I noticed on the other block, there were people on a float tossing beads. I bypassed all the free food and drink, and went right over to the massive crowd. On the float, I noticed people in costume throwing beads of all sizes, colors, and shapes out to a very enthusiastic crowd. Truth be told, I had wondered what it must be like to be up there seeing the crowd in a frenzy over the beads. Little did I know, I would find out soon enough. It was then my cell phone rang. It was Theresa and company who were inside the club, asking me if I would join them. I left the bead tossing boat, and headed into the club where I eventually found them. It was great to see everyone, and I was glad they called; but, my heart was back in the crowd, and I decided to go back and get it.

Once back outside, I immediately headed to the float and noticed there were different people on the float than before. Instead, Tim of MCDATA was up there along with a blonde woman whom I never met. The crowd was still pumped about the beads, and the DJ was cranking some good tunes. I decided to change location within the crowd and ran into Kyle from MCDATA. I had know Kyle from working with him in the past, and earlier, he was kind enough to provide me a special Mardi Gras style t-shirt at the conference. We talked a bit, and then I asked him how I could get up on the float. Both EMC² and MCDATA have been very kind to me over the years, and this night would be no exception. Within two minutes, Kyle led me to the door on the side of the boat, and said, "Head up the stairs, and have fun." I was psyched. I could hear the crowd yelling and screaming, and the adrenaline began to pump through my veins.

Once up on the main deck, I saw Tim from MCDATA and talked to him as Tim and I had worked together in the past, and it is always a pleasure to see him and his team. I then introduced myself to Leslie of Lescopro Productions. It was talking to Leslie that I learned that her company had been hired to help put on the party. She is a phenomenal woman, a pleasure to talk to, and I was really happy to meet her. While talking to her, I picked up some beads to toss out the crowd, and it was then I realized how big it had become.

After seeing the crowd, I became energized and immediately began tossing beads to the crowd along with Leslie and Tim. What an experience to have thousands of people screaming, yelling, and cheering every time a bead was tossed. I threw them to every angle of the crowd to ensure all had a fair chance of taking home some souvenirs.

I had the opportunity to talk to Tim and Leslie as we were tossing the beads to everyone below, and it was great talking to them. Tim is a class act, as I had know him from before, and Leslie was so easy going to talk to, I felt like I had known her for years. I also noticed the crowd was getting larger and more enthusiastic. The music was cranking, the beat was thumping, and everyone was getting into the whole event. Oh yeah, it was time to kick this party into overdrive.

I began to notice in a short time that the crowd liked not only the beads with other items on them (for example, crowns, alligators, glasses, etc.); but, certain colors as well. Naturally, I decided to play with the crowd, and get them really going. I held up the beads, and started pointing to the crowd getting them to yell and scream even louder. It was then I finally understood why so many musicians keep going on tour. To be able to have a crowd of thousands yell, scream, and cheer while you are up there is a great feeling. Unfortunately Tim had to leave, so it was just Leslie and I. The crowd was still on overdrive, and both Leslie and I were certainly having fun. It was then she came up with an excellent idea. The crowd was definitely in full swing, and she pulled a box over, and said "This will really get the crowd going." Inside the box were items that were sure to put this party at warp speed.

The crowd went absolutely nuts over the voodoo dolls, and listening to the crowd was like standing next to a jet engine. And we both knew to keep the crowd in the frenzy, we sparingly threw them out mixing them in with beads. The crowd hit MACH 4. Leslie and I had an absolute blast doing this, and sadly, like all good things, everything must end. We looked at our watches, and realized the party had to come to an end due to time restrictions. I looked around and saw the crowd, still yelling and screaming, and then looked at the float. What was once filled with racks upon racks of beads, and boxes of voodoo dolls was now completely empty. After surveying the float, I turned to Leslie and thanked her and her staff for such a great time. Her company certainly knows how to throw a party. I was sad to be leaving, as it was truly a great night; but, I had to smile. Where else in the world can you have a great time like that at a non-sporting event? I looked back at the float and stared at for some time. What a night. In the end, we threw over a staggering 2000 voodoo dolls and a massive 22,500 beads to the crowd in less than three hours. Oh yeah, it was one great party.

I