Monday, November 15, 1999

Nerds, nerds, everywhere!

Sporting his first rented tux and brand new running shoes, Bruce Bernstein, president of the New York Software Industry Association, was a befitting example for Nerds Night Out. There were plenty of nerds out too, which was an odd contrast to the evening's entertainment. Hsaioping Jao organized a line up that included jazz and blues by Master Flat, a traditional Chinese celebration Lion Dance, an excruciatingly piercing string instrument performance, more Chinese Opera dancing and break dancing! Between these acts of glory there were acts of glorification and honor for six reputed men who really made an impact for Nerds everywhere.

Omar Wasow, executive director of BlackPlanet.com and correspondent on MSNBC, and I were the Emcees for the night. We had the opportunity to introduce some noted fellows, who then introduced the honorees. There was sage Tom Watson (@NY) who introduced enterprising Bill Rudin (Rudin Management), seasoned Bob Fish (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) who introduced industrious Murray Alter (PriceWaterhouseCoopers), sharp Charles Millard (Prudential Securities) who introduced savvy Jerry Colonna (Flatiron Partners), lead-Nerd Bruce Bernstein (NYSIA) who introduced legendary Irving Wladawsky-Berger (IBM) and vivacious Hsiaoping Jao (Mnet) who introduced the essence of Nerdom, Jay Sulzberger (LXNY). Oscar Schacter (attorney-at-law) made some special remarks on the Guest of Honor, Rudy Crew (NYC Schools Chancellor) as this guest was detained on a runway in Atlanta, GA.

The fundraiser for the Thomas Edison HS's robotics team to go to a national competition brought out other top nerds in this town like Larry Aronson, who's done more for the development of WWWAC and HTMLers everywhere, in addition to many other noted accomplishments (http://www.laronson.com/) and Jen Runne, a renegade WWWAC-list admin. Ben Segal of ITAC was looking sharp and snappy this night and JP Frenza (IBM) was reveling in the good will his company is enjoying with all its decades of developments.

James Hedges of PWC and I chatted for a bit and I met Oscar Teunissen of PWC near "da bar." Wendy Dubit and Leslie Chow of HEAVEN were milling about and Jeffrey Weingart of Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner introduced himself to me. After all the awards had been handed out, I met Nigel Wright of Shift magazine, which just one the gold Invision99 awards for best online magazine. Next to him was Bob Felsenthal of Crains and we all chatted for a bit till the break dancing began. After a head spin or two, this Nerdette gathered her things and headed home after a heady night.