I got called to a last-minute meeting in Stamford, CT last week. Such trips from where I live in Ottawa usually necessitates a stopover in New York city due to airport transfer schedules. It just so happens that this trip coincided with the taping of “On The Verge“, the video talk show produced by the folks at The Verge, and it also just so happens that the headline guest this week is none other than Geordi Effing LaForge.
 |
I learned 3 things at the taping:
- LeVar is cool with people stopping him on the straight and addressing him as Geordi. If you run into the guy, I suggest trying it out. Chances of being decked or police called on you is apparently miniscule.
- The folks at The Verge put on a pretty tight production. It’s downright professional, with the exception the binge drinking on the part of the host.
- Speaking of the host, Joshua Topolsky, may not be a raging alcoholic, but he is a pretty down-to-earth guy. Upon finding out a small group of fans were waiting for him at the exit of the venue, he promptly made an appearance and chatted us up.
The highlight of the night was being seated beside Russ Pitts at the taping. We had a pleasant chat about the “up-scaling” of gaming journalism. Russ has some grand ideas of elevating the discourse of gaming, and while I think those ideas are noble, my argument is that playing by someone else’s rules of what is “Pulitzer quality” may be fruitless.
I ended up meeting Josh after the event and getting a bunch of Verge and Polygon folks to sign my iPad. Overall, it was a pretty cool night.
 |
 |
