---
title: 'What if we could get Wil Wheaton to show up for Open Source Bridge?'
date: '2009-06-16T10:42:00-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 687
char_count: 4111
tokens: 894
categories:
  - Conferences
  - Events
  - Leverage
  - OpenSource
  - OpenSourceBridge
  - Oregon
  - Portland
  - Serendipity
tags:
  - Leverage
  - 'open source'
  - 'open source bridge'
  - OSBridge
  - Serendipity
  - 'wil wheaton'
  - wilw
---

# What if we could get Wil Wheaton to show up for Open Source Bridge?

Every so often, we’re struck by some interesting serendipity here in Portland. It’s part of what makes this town so amazing. Now, I’m wondering if we can take advantage of some of that serendipity—yet again.

You see, this week we’re experiencing a little happenstance with [Open Source Bridge geekiness](http://opensourcebridge.org "Open Source Bridge") and [Wil Wheaton geekiness](http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/wwdnbackup/2009/06/leverage-day-zero.html "Wil Wheaton shooting Leverage in Portland") all happening at the same time.

What if…? What if we could combine the two?

Open Source Bridge—the entirely volunteer run open source conference launching this week—is drawing some extremely impressive speakers into town.

Like who? Like [Rasmus Lerdorf](http://lerdorf.com/bio.php "Rasmus Lerdorf"), without whom we may have never had PHP, the code that runs Facebook, this blog, and millions of other Web sites. Like [Brian Aker](http://krow.livejournal.com/ "Brian Aker") who has been critical to MySQL development—another open source project that makes much of today’s Web possible. And of course, like hometown favorite [Ward Cunningham](http://www.aboutus.org/Ward_Cunningham "Ward Cunningham"), father of the Wiki. And that’s just a smattering. There are tons of others like them descending upon Portland for OSBridge.

Meanwhile, actor [Wil Wheaton](http://twitter.com/wilw "Wil Wheaton on Twitter")—himself, the worthy recipient of a great deal of geek cred thanks to [his books](http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/books/ "Wil Wheaton's books") and, of course, his work on [Star Trek: The Next Generation](http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TNG/cast/114117.html "Wil Wheaton bio on StarTrek.com")—[happens to be in Portland this week](http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2009/06/15/wil-wheaton-is-here-in-portland-right-now "Blogtown: Wil Wheaton is here in Portland right now"), as well, filming a part for [Leverage](http://www.tnt.tv/series/leverage/ "Leverage").

It’s rare to have this many techie rock stars in town all on one occasion. What are the chances? Better yet, what are the chances that we could mix all of that geeky goodness together by convincing Wil to make an appearance at Open Source Bridge?

Is it possible? Who knows?

I do, however, know this: Portland loves open source. And Portland loves Wil Wheaton. And that sort of Reese’s peanut butter and chocolate kind of moment can’t be ignored.

We’re trying to see if we can convince him to show up on our favorite news show, [KGW The Square](http://kgw.com/thesquare "KGW The Square"). And if that happens, it seems like an Open Source Bridge appearance is possible. Doesn’t it? I mean, can you imagine how cool it would be to have Wil Wheaton at OSBridge being interviewed by [Strange Love Live](http://strangelovelive.com/ "Strange Love Live")? What kind of techie Portland moment would that be?

One thing is for sure: Portland folks always seem to make the most improbable things happen—and this could be yet another one of those opportunities to prove it. I bet we could do it if we put a little energy into it. Don’t you?

How do we do it? I don’t know. Maybe [drop @wilw a tweet](http://twitter.com/wilw "Wil Wheaton on Twitter") with a polite and not-too-crazy fanboi or fangrrl invitation? Maybe write a blog post or two? Maybe see if the Leverage folks—like [our favorite casting director Lana Veenker](http://twitter.com/lanaveenker "Lana Veenker on Twitter")—can work a little magic?

You’re creative. I’m sure you’ll come up with something.

I mean, if you can [make #seriously trend on Twitter](http://www.flickr.com/photos/waj/3348056631/ "#seriously trending on Twitter"), you can do anything, right? I mean, right?

So, go get ’em tiger! I’m confident you’ll make it happen. And I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for Wil at Open Source Bridge.

Stranger things have happened.

*([Image courtesy tararebeka](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tararebeka/3230353298/ "Wil Wheaton"). Used under Creative Commons.)*

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