YAY! i'm first!!! i also love macs, been a user since i was 6. that is so totally exciting! i was already planning on heading up to frisco for the expo anyways, but now i'll have to be SURE to go. :) congrats wil!

That is awesome - I heard about it the other day and was wondering when you would post :)
I wish I could go - my fiance is an apple rep and he gets to go if he wants :(
Good Luck!!! I'm sure it will be an amazing experience :)

YAY! i'm fir... Damn!
hehe

Yay! for Wil's contentment tho.
And Yay for the Royal Albert Hall in London which is right next door to my university where I'm sat now.

That is all :)

Good for you Wil!

It sounds like things are coming together for you! Don't forget that you've EARNED every good thing that has come to you. And it's all because you have been so honest and generous with your time, and have chosen to do the things that are close to your heart.

Take care!

Soooo, when are you going to come to the East Coast? HHHmmmmmm Dragon

Congratulations! =D I think it's like you said about Star Trek opening doors, although it's not necessarily Star Trek for the rest of us: we can all be known for something we once did, but that only gets our foot in the door. After that, it's up to us to keep going, to keep GROWING, and maybe one day we'll finally get where you are.

At least, we can hope. =)

How dare you let your blog go untouched for so many days. What you're doing in life could not possibly be more important than my need to read about it. I was forced to read OTHER PEOPLES BLOGS while you took your little happy hiatus. You go and build something up, and then neglect it, letting it settle quietly into the dust. Make up some more stories, damnit! Poker stories, family stories, pet stories, horrible neighbor stories... anything! I don't want to read how great things are going, I need conflict in my entertainment! Now get back to work!

I know what you can share in your blog that couldn't be too personal. What are your Thanksgiving plans with the family?

And here I thought you were just down for the count playing Halo 2 like the rest of us...

C

Dude! Thousands! That is SO COOL!!

Its funny I was just watching The Ellen show yesterday and she mentioned how she gets more nervous in front of 8 people than she does in front of 5000 because she figures that the odds are that 1200 of them will laugh at the right parts and she won't notice the rest and feel as self conscious.

You could think of it that way, although I know the odds are good that there won't be a single person in the audience that isn't With You. Once you start, your natural charm and humor will shine through as it has every time I've seen you and you will RAWK! \m/

I am so happy to hear the awesome news, you'll do great and keep up the good hard work wel done Mr. Wheaton, God bless.

Very Cool! I used to drive down from Spokane to the Bay Area every January to visit friends and go to Mac World. Didn't make it down this year since I moved from Spokane to Seattle in January, but this is my perfect excuse to make sure I'm there this year. Looking forward to it.

Oh sure, you got invited to speak at MacWorld, but the rest of us Gnomedexers got those cool folding frisbee's flung at our heads! :) I really enjoyed your performance at the 'Dex, and I'm sure the Macheads will enjoy it too.

The Mac thing (can you see how not-techno-savvy I am?) sounds great, Wil...if you've got butterflies, some Inderal should do the trick. ;-)

come to the east coast! we want to see you read from your book too. *pout*

A Macintosh 128? I still have printouts from my old (yet still working) Apple IIGS. Gotta love those Dot matix printouts.

Congradulations on the invite from MacWorld. Is there a chance that this is an Open attendance conference? I would love to fly up to San Francisco to attend.

Well Done Man!

Dont worry about being nervous or excited in front of all those people.If you do,just hold your laptop over your crotch and they will never know! ;7) heh *mOjO*

That's great news. I wish that 1) I could come see you in Las Vegas on Monday and 2)that I could attend MacWorld. I've never been able to hear you read live. Don't get me wrong. I've heard you speak via the web, but it would be so much better to hear you in person. Ah well...have a great time at both! We all know that you'll be the best one up there!

Funny. I was just blogging about your entry from last year. Lamenting over my own 27th birthday a week ago, I decided to look back at your 31st birthday entry and see where I was at with regards to your friend's theory.

You posted, and I read, that entry when I was 25. Not quite at 30 at the time, but still not getting any farther from it, either. And back then, that entry made me feel a bit better about the whole age thing.

She was right, Wil. Look how far you are now. You've earned alot more than just a trip to speak at MacWorld, or Gnomedex, or Linucon, or DCC, or any convention you speak at. You've earned the respect and admiration of quite a few people, and not because you were Wesley, but because you're Wil. Nothing to sneeze at.

See? You've passed 30, and now, you're using the stuff you gathered. And holy heck, ain't it paying off in spades! Go Wil :D

I feel like I spent the first thirty years of my life building this complicated foundation, and now I'm living in a wonderful house atop it.

Have you been watching a little too much "Six Feet Under" recently? Don't forget to put up the scaffolding.

They say that your 20's are a period of self-discovery. You are six bits old now. I think that means you are firmly in full adulthood now.

Hey Wil, don't sweat it. You totally earned it! You are a natural public speaker and it's obvious you like to do it. Now, I have to go beat down on that "Voice of Self-doubt" for you, don't need him coming along on that trip with you.

Congratulations, Wil!

I will admit that for a while, I just saw you as Wesley, but now that I've been on your site, it's easier to see you as the smart, funny guy that you are (instead of the button pusher who says "Yes, Captain!"). I must say that you've done quite a bit since then that is, in my opinion, worth more. Keep it up!

Sure, the year after my husband stoped working on the Mac your performing.
Hmm...well i might just have to send my copy of JAG with some other attendies.

Congrats!!!!

LOL. Well, glad nothing bad happened to prevent you from posting. Indeed, I, too, was forced to read other people's blogs just for something to do. Even *gasp* the blogs of people I know! (Shame! I shouldn't have had to do that! ;) jk)

My usage of Macs vs PCs comes and goes. But I do remember with fondness spending endless hours in my jr high's computer lab which had nothing but Macs, so I learned everything about computers from Macs. :) I staunchly supported the Mac users when my H.S. went to PCs. (Though I have a PC at home now b/c I *need* to play games. :) )

Of course you earned it! :) Many congrats! Have a great time at both cons. Do con reports this time, too! (Hey, Linucon report anyone? LOL)

Damn right, you earned it! Congratulations, and knock 'em dead.

This post brought to you via the home office iMac. ;)

How sweet of you not to post until I finally had time to check the blog! ;)

Congradulations, Wil! You have earned it. Have fun and goodluck in Vegas. I was actually watching Family Guy on TiVo when I started reading this entry. Hilarious!

i was about to buy "JUst a A Geek"
but i didn't
i should have
it was either that or al franken's book

oh well

Glad to see you back Wil. I hope you're doing ok even though you won't get into detail. I don't blame you for wanting your privacy....
Glad you're alive!

So very full of the awesomes. Congrats :)

Btw, i've been checking the blog like 20 times a day in the hopes of seeing as SOON as you updated ;)

I'm a recent Mac convert and am completely in love with my PowerBook. I only wish that I could play the Sims2 right now with everyone else...

Good to hear that things are going well for you. I have only been to one MacWorld, even though I only live a few blocks from the Moscone Center, but I will try to make it so I can see your show.

FYI, some of my favorite postings are about everyday events -- maybe what you refer to as your boring life. :-) My favorite story in "Dancing Barefoot" is about your aunt's house.

Glad to hear that you're alive and kicking, and back to posting!

I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one obsessively checking your blog to see if you'd updated. I'm so happy for you! Congrats on getting the chance to speak. I wish I could offer some advice on dealing with a crowd that big, but I know I'd be a mess if I were in that situation. So I'll just wish you luck, and tell ya I think you'll do a great job.

Its great that you seem to have everything in order, but they say that if you have to always reaffirm how happy you are, you're only trying to prove it to yourself. Not that its any of my business, but it seems like you're trying too much to convince yourself and others of your happiness. Let your life's work speak for itself, you have a lot to be proud of!

Will!

Mac su.... rocks! :-)

Seriously...MAC's come a long way in recent years especially. That conference would be a blast to be at. There's surely a whole load of new crap that's coming out! Go and enjoy the experience!

I just have to ask - any of those writings on a LaserWriter?

I hope to see you there! I'll be up there for a tea expo and hope to be able to stop by macworld and see if there will be any more product announcements.
woohoo!

dude. you rule.

It's a nice feeling, isn't it Wil, to be recognized for the work you really want recognition for? Congratulations! I shall quote Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi here and say "You've taken your first step into a larger world." Quite literally, in fact. Good luck with the multitudes. You'll do fine. Just picture them all in their underwear. On second thought, don't. It'll just make you laugh.

Hugs,
Ayla

A fellow programmer I know used to tell me, "There are only three numbers in the world: 0, 1 and n." 500, 5000, what's the difference? It's just more people sitting there naked as you talk. Just pick out a few and talk to them. Maybe I'll drop by. Good luck!

That's awesome, Will. I'll be in San Francisco over the hollidays. Maybe I'll see you at the convention. And maybe, just maybe, I will switch from being a loyal PC user.

Don't be nervous. You're an actor- think of it as just another performance. And also, have a great time in Las Vegas. *hugs*

-Vanessa Nichole

Macs rocks, Wil Wheaton rocks, Macworld+Wil Wheaton = awesomeness

Wow, Wil, that's going to kick so much ass! Congrats!

Also, I just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying "Just a Geek." I really appreciate how open and honest you are. Thanks for such an awesome book! :o)

I wanna go to Mac World to see Wil....wait, I am available to go...I'm gonna go! *Happy Dance*

I figured you were off playing GTA.

Or mudding again.

glad to have you back again, Wil!

Excellent Wil!
I'm pleased to have such an outstanding guest speaker for the show! You've done well using a Mac and this is a good way to pay it back. Break a leg kid.

Enjoy your trip, and fold a few for me. :)

P.S. My posting code started off with The Hammer...hehe...

My God! If I had to speak to that many people, I'd barf all over the front row!!!

That's a pleasant thought!

;-)

Well, you don't have to worry about it, Wil, You're so easy and friendly that people will love you immediately!

Good luck!

Scott

Wow wil, what an honor. Dude you earned it, how's the view from atop of that foundation? I wont be there this year I'm in Japan till Jan 2005 . Have a good time!

Lynx

Nice to know your still with us Wil.

The Royal Albert Hall eh? Was that when you were on TNG?
I think I remember seeing you on a Saturday morning kids TV show in the UK sometime around 1990 called Going Live. Remember that?
I hadn't seen any Next Generation then but I was already a big fan of Stand By Me.

Take it easy W.

P.S. Looking forward to the audio book.

*claps and cheers fill the...uh...room (pretend with me) as Wil Wheaton, blogger extraonaire takes the stage...panties and...BOXERS? litter the stage as the cheers grow to deafening level* See, it will be great! Help the nerves any? Love the Family Guy quote and you did make sense...a little...er, be glad you're beautiful, Wil.

How do I know you are a fellow Mac User? You said Eep.

dude. that rocks.

spam!

Ahh! I'm jealous! I've always wanted to go to Macworld, let alone be invited to speak! Good on you!

(Sorry so exclamatory - just excited!)

Here's to hoping a)is wonderful/great
b)is also wonderful/great and soon to be unclassified ;) and c) well we all have c

Break a leg at ApacheCon!

And cograts on the MacWorld speach. :)

01/13/2005, 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

THIS SUCKS!!!!!! The one time your gonna come perform near me and I have to be at SFO to catch a flight at that same time *pouts and stomps foot throwing a tantrum*

hmmm, Hey Wil, you gonna be driving up? LOL you'll need to stop in Salinas (Monterey area - right on Hwy 101) and give us our own reading of Just a Geek !!!! LOL

Yay! I'm last. Good for you. Give 'em heck!

Hey, great news! I work at the Borders in Union Square, just up the street from the MacWorld convention. Come by and sign your books and say hello! Just ask for the stacey who's obsessed with Bollywood, and my co-workers will know exactly who you mean. (there's more than one stacey at the store) We usually get free passes to MacWorld, but I think it's only the display part, not the program part. Still, I'll do my best to come and be part of the multitude...

Hey, I don't suppose you'd like to do a real event at my Borders? That would be so neato!

This is for the politics department. If you're still disturbed by the results of our recent elections (even if you're not), please go look at blackboxvoting.org, and then continue clicking through the internet to see what people are trying to do to investigate the many voting irregularites that have been reported. The word needs to spread and people need to be made aware of what's going on that the news isn't reporting or telling people about. Thank you so much!

All the cool kids use Macs!! :-)

Now that our lab finally upgraded the Macs to OSX, they arent so bad anymore. Used to have major compatability issues with everything else. But we upgraded, and everyones happy.
Congrats and good luck on the upcoming MacWorld gig. You'll do great

Hey Wil,

Dont know if you ever read these comments, but I found this and thought you might get a kick out of it.

Your audience won't be captive so that means they are sitting there to see you 'coz they want to. Congrats Wil and I hope you enjoy every minute.

Cheers
Paul S

Wil:
Congrats on the Mac show. I've been in front of thousands, and I can offer ya what works for me:
Pick out three people you can see in various areas of the audience (Right, Center, Left). If you can, pick them from different levels of the auditorium so that your head and eyes are not only moving left to right, but up and down as well. The audience will definitely respond to your obvious willingness to "connect" and will love you more, regardless of what you say. If you say something eternally memorable, even better. But usually, that don't happen. The audience will remember the entirety of the experience, and not just one moment.

The only criticism I have of your post is when you say that you finally feel as though you "earned" the recognition. I guess when I read it I got a feeling you really meant it.
You earned your reputation portraying Wesley's character, too, ya know. And that isn't such a bad thing. Although you may wish to be known these days in a different realm, please never forget the work and sacrifice that you expended to make that wonderful young man a treasure to us all. There's so much of you in him, he deserves his rightful place too.

Good luck in Vegas. Let me know how it goes.

Live yer bliss!

Bud

I'm glad you feel you deserve your fame this time. :) It's good when we can be happy with what life brings us. :)

Wil,
In the business you are in I can understand why you just can't share everything. You know what they say about loose lips.
I know your mac thing will go fine. It seems that all of your presentations do.

FG

Wil--

This is AWESOME news!! Now I'm even more excited about going to MacWorld!!

Eric

I know what that's like to not post a blog entry for one of those three reasons. Those are the only reasons I miss entries in my own blog. Glad I'm not the only one! *lol*

Awesome!!! speaking at Macworld. You are well on your way to being more than the Star Trek , dude ( which you already are)

As always enjoy reading your blog.

Kevin

You mean you haven't been in hiding because the internet is abuzz with talk of what's going on at G4 (you know, where TechTV went to die...)

Well, ok. Maybe not ALL abuzz. Just some noisy chatter.

Wow major flash back reading this entry...

I was one of those 5000 people sat in the Royal Albert Hall all those years ago. Between you and Avery Brooks singing I had a brilliant time!

Anyway good luck with all your projects and I hope you don't get too nervous thinking about all those people listening to you...its just the recognition you deserve for all you've accomplished in your life!!

Alexandra, UK

A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours!!!

Will, love the Smiths references!!!

Did you see Morrissey on his current Tour???

Hello there!
Glad to hear that not only do you feel like you're where you want to be in life (a rare thing, IMHO) but that you're going to have the opportunity to present/perform at MacWorld.
Best of luck, I'm sure you'll do fine! :)

I hate to change the subject, but we all know that someone does it occasionally (and it's already happened in these comments). Colin Powell is resigning from the cabinet. I know that most of us disapprove of President Bush, but I thought I might be able to handle the next four years as long as someone sensible is in the Cabinet. As far as I can tell, Colin Powell is it, and he's leaving. We are so screwed...

i once had to sing the national anthem at a soccer game in front of 17,500-ish people. i didn't throw up until well after i was off the field. you'll be fine, wil. :)

Good Luck with this MacWorld appearance and happy belated anniversary to you and Anne.:)

best of luck, Wil. I enjoy reading your work these days, and I agree with you on your point that you've earned this whole bit as more than just a used-to-be. Your writing here, day-to-dayy, is interesting 'cause it's real life, not Hollywood Hogwash (you quote FG, I can quote Simpsons). Best of luck.

Nice talk at ApacheCon today! Very interesting and entertaining. Are you planning to play any poker while in Vegas? I've been itching to get to the tables, but have to wait until the conference is over. Hope to see you across the felt.

Congrats!!! By the way, I have to say you are looking FINE these days. Way better than the "Wesley" days would have led me to believe.

Trolls pretending to be Wil are totally uncool. I tend to believe that most of Wil's fans are smarter than the average bear, so I don't think anyone is going to believe the post by "Wil Wheaton" up there was real. I felt I had to say something about it anyway, especially since Wil probably doesn't want to spend his days policing his blog. Anyway, please note that when the real Wil Wheaton posts here, it's always under the name "wil"

Wow! That is so freaking awesome! In the immortal words of Strong Bad, "Holy Crap!" Congrats and good luck. I know you'll kick ass...er...speak well...lol

And good for you on being content with your life as it is. I know reaching that place in your life can be hard and some of us never do, so relish it! =-)

With regards to the above: OoooooooooooK...

Another week with no posts. Hmmm. Methinks Wil be a busy guy. Hopefully it's the good kind of busy.

/goes back to checking the RSS at least twice a day

You know, whoever this person is that keeps acting like Wil...i feel really sorry for them. Think about it, most of us that come here are here because we appreciate Wil's work (acting or writing)or maybe we never knew who he was and simply appreciate him as another average joe who keeps a pretty amusing, smart, and fun blog. This person is here for different reason....simply becuase they have nothing better to do with their pathetic life. You know even if Wil was a washed-up has been who only laments over his past, that person pretending to be him would still be more pathetic.

ps. Hes probably sitting at his computer right now (because he never parts from his baby), with a space suit on that has a "shut up wesley" button pinned proudly to his chest. (sorry, i couldnt resist pointing out the obvious...you were thinking it too!)

How did I know you would be back? And, yes i do apologize to Wil, but not for what you said.

I want to apologize for continuing this and giving you exactly what you wanted. Oh well, have your fun...i have other responsibilities.

Kudos on the speaking opportunity. Planning to speak about the exploding motherboard on that Mac? Sure, it's got the reliability record of a 12 cylinder Jaguar with a missing timing belt, but at least it's not from Microsoft.

:) Have fun in Vegas! Watch out for the river.

eric

You know what they say: Once you go Mac you never go back! :)

I'm a Mac addict as well, and I live too far away to ever make it to the Mac expos without a lot of planning. I'm super jealous. You'll have to tell us all about the fancy new products we can expect. *wipes drool*

I deleted and IP-banned the genius who thought he could get away with impersonating me while I was AFK.

Incidentally, the offending comments came from 64.107.1.239.

Have a nice day.

Welcome Home, Wil Wheaton!!
Nice to hear the apache.con went well, but a question:
Which Hotel did they raze this time? Isn't it just wilder'n snot now that they've gone jumped across the highway? Man, that town will double in size in like 10 years! It's gettin too busy for me there. I'm about ready to declare Laughlin home, whatcha think?

Sorry Wil, i apoligize for the posts.