You take a job in technology, you are just happy because your colleagues are so smart and your work is usually pretty interesting. But no one would ever say a job in technology is glamorous. Then why did I find myself deep in conversation last night with Courtney Cox at an exclusive party at Eva Longoria's new restaurant, Beso? By definition just being in the room with Ms. Cox, her BFF Jennifer Aniston, her husband David Arquette and a long, long list of other A list celebrities is pretty darn glamorous. So how did a nice girl with a tech industry career find herself amid all the glitz?
It's the Oprah factor.
Oprah's spinoff reality-slash-charitable giving show, "The Big Give", inspired frequent contributor and good friend, Ken Paves (also known as a celebrity hair stylist) to host a 'Big Give" party on behalf of a crippling skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (or EB for short.) Symantec was honored to be able to help raise funds for this worthy cause. We donated $75,000 and a very special voice-activated laptop featuring Norton 360 software. One of the concerns with the EB disease is that victims are injured by the slightest physical contact. So a child with the illness is unable to use a computer with a traditional mouse. This donation will enable one of these children to freely communicate online with their peers. Pretty wonderful, really, how technology can improve lives!
Here's a link to my Flickr page so you can see some of the few photos I have of the event. Also, the party was featured on InStyle magazine's website. You'll hear more about the details of the party, the amount of money raised in total (it's incredible impressive) when Ken visits with Oprah on her show. Other donated items will be included in an Ebay auction starting on March 31st. Some of what I saw on the tables included autographed jersey from David Beckham, a gorgeous Dior purse, and diamond jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels.
Original posting date: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 | 1:00 PM |