Vidoop troop #2: Portland by way of Tulsa

I can’t tell you how great it was having the first wave of Vidoop employees in Portland last week for Beer and Blog. And I have to say, the response from all the Portland tech types who showed up and people who responded to the Vidoop’rs’ questions really made Vidoop feel welcome. It was a true representation of what makes Portland great, through and through.

So you missed it? There, there, gentle reader. There’s another chance! That’s right. The second round of Vidoop visitors have made the sojourn for the tour of their new hometown. And they’re looking forward to hearing all your hyperbolic insight about our fair city.Like their predecessors, Vidoop troop #2 be at the Vidoop-sponsored Beer and Blog, this Friday. (NOTE: Location change folks. Beer and Blog will be at Plan B, this week. Plan B. Did I say “Plan B”?)

So, who’s going to be there? And what’s their deal? Let’s take a few moments to meet this collection of Vidoop’rs (Bonus points if you can figure out what all of these folks have in common—besides being employed by Vidoop and the fact that they’re moving to Portland):

Chad Blomquist, Software developer

What? I help design and implement various products. Recently, I’ve spent most of my time working on our IE and Firefox browser plug-ins, and let me just say, we have some exciting new features in the next release (coming soon).

How? Born in Missouri, raised in Oklahoma. I got a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and stuck around for a master’s in computer science at Tulsa University as a member of the ‘Cyber Corps’. Post graduation I worked for a couple of years at the computer security division at NIST in DC. Two years ago I was recruited back to Tulsa by company President and co-founder Luke Sontag (who I befriended while at TU).

Links? World of Warcraft, NIST

Questions about Portland:

• How’s the snow skiing?
• Where are the best places to camp/hike?
• What is the best restaurant in Portland?

Jennifer Blomquist, Lead Program Manager

What? Product development planning, project management, and general cat herding.

How? Though I’m moving out from Oklahoma, I’ve only actually lived there for about ten months (followed my husband, Scott out after he was recruited to Vidoop). Prior to that I lived in Bellevue, WA working for Expedia and Microsoft. This is my first go ’round with a start up and it’s been quite an adventure! Having spent much of my life in Washington, I’m looking forward to being back in the Pacific Northwest but now exploring a new city! When not working, I dig viewing and participating in theater, dance, puzzling, crafting, and flying (and if you promise to keep a secret, I’m a reality tv and celeb gossip junkie too).

Links? Um… http://twitter.com/nightimp, guess that’s it for now 🙂

Questions about Portland:

• What’s the best way to get involved in local theater (performing/crew)?
• Any good teriyaki joints in downtown?
• Any awesome spots for some pinball madness?
• Do The Shins play locally very often? (very cool to hear they are from Portland)

Scott Blomquist, CTO

What? Figure out how to ship Vidoop’s crazy ideas and other feats of magic that, to sufficiently advanced civilizations, appear indistinguishable from useless overhead.

How? Born in Missouri; grew up in Oklahoma; studied electrical engineering in Missouri; learned the art of software development at some software company in Seattle’s East Side suburbs; fell in love with the Pacific Northwest; was recruited by my brother Chad (see above) to Vidoop in Tulsa; thrilled to be moving to Portland, although Seattle still feels like home to me; love my wife, my 3 cats, technology, puzzles, and games; I’m also an unapologetic Microsoft advocate.

Links? Puzzle Hunters, Scott Blomquist, Scott Blomquist on Twitter

Questions about Portland:

• How is Portland cooler than Seattle? [Editor: Um, Microsoft isn’t headquartered near here? Oh, I kid. I kid.]
• Are there any puzzle fans reading this blog? (@sparckl, you should be if you’re not; any others?)
• How about puzzle events in Portland? (In the style of Michael J. Fox’s totally-B breakout Disney Movie “Midnight Madness” or otherwise)
• Best gathering place for a pick-up board game or two?

Now, it’s your turn

There they are! Have some Portland insight that would answer these questions? Please comment. Or, come on over to Plan B on Friday afternoon at 4:00 for Beer and Blog.

As always, I’m looking forward to seeing your bright and shining face there. As is Vidoop. Who is buying.

Oh I see. Now you’re going. I see how you are.