I spent most of last week and weekend in Dallas at a blogger conference. Not because I blog about the topic, mind you, but because some of the work I do is with a foundation that helps the financial media community. And also friends. And drinks.
Despite the fact that I’ve attended this conference for each of its 7 years, this year was different for reasons that maybe don’t belong in this post (because they’re either way too personal or way too boring). However, since I am permanently on a mission to better understand myself, I did some reflections while my flight was delayed and those do belong in this post. So I’ll share them.
- New people and situations don’t necessarily scare the shit out of me. Certain TYPES of new people and situations scare the shit out of me
- Public speaking is way outside my comfort zone but only because I prefer to be in the background. Not because I am a terrible public speaker
- Cider gives me heartburn #oldladyproblems
- Watching the World Series with people who love baseball like you do is spectacular
- I am perfectly capable of functioning on a steady diet of vodka and sleep deprivation
- Finding a place where you can be yourself 100% of the time, no matter how weird you might be, is my type of place
- I can and will find bookworms and corral them into hour long conversations #booknerdsunite
- I don’t believe in the single bullet theory #sorrydrkelly
- Sightseeing makes me incredibly happy, particularly if there’s history involved
- There are a lot of people doing a lot of amazing things and I’m thrilled to know some of them
- My master’s degree was not entirely a waste of time and is actually relevant to my life now
- I’m really bad at recapping trips
And now, here’s an eyeball statue that hangs out in Dallas for some reason unknown to me:
P.S. While I did a bunch of pretty fun things, my favorite conference relevant event was sponsored by The Center for Financial Services Innovation. It involved working in randomly assigned teams to conduct financial transactions as an unbanked person. In the 7 years of attending FinCon, it was the most eye opening activity I’ve done. While my master’s is in Public Policy and many of the nonfiction books I read revolve around this types of issues, living it was something I’ll not soon forget.
Sounds like you had a fun time at the conference! I am all about a place where you can fully be yourself.
A giant eyeball…very interesting. haha I’m glad you had a nice time at the conference, especially since you’ve been going for so many years!!
Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Two M/M Book Reviews: Wheels Up + Lace-Covered Compromise
OMG DALLAS HAS THE EYE OF SAURON; that’s amazing! LOL. if that’s not a #booknerd referenced, i don’t know what is.
kathy@more coffee, less talky recently posted…Skin SOS { 1 }: Blood deficiencies and blood nourishing foods
I love finding quirky things while traveling – makes it more memorable. As someone who’s always had a bank – I think I got my first savings account when I was in elementary school – the number of unbanked persons amazes me. (I work in payroll/HR and we require direct deposit – so many new hires sign up for their first bank account or check card after getting a job with us.)
What’s a single bullet theory? I feel like I need to look this up now.
Yep… I’m the same way – I’m good at public speaking but I prefer to just be alone in the background. I so get that.
It sounds like you had a great time at FinCon overall. I’ve always been curious about it but since I really never blogged personally in finance for more than a few months, I’ve never gone. Dallas has been a city I’ve traveled to work for several times but never got to explore, which bums me out.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…I Scream. You Scream. We All Scream. And Let’s Chill Out and Be Happy Instead.
i think i could be okay at public speaking if it was about something i really wanted to talk about or something i knew a lot about – but i never actually have done any public speaking because i like to be in the background too. anywhere you can be yourself, 100% yourself, sounds like an amazing place. that eyeball is freaky.
Agreed about finding a place you can be yourself! I love that also!
I dont mind public speaking if im prepared (its part of my job). Impromptu speaking though? nopes
I think attending a blogger conference would be so fun! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.
I never get to speak publicly but it’s actually something I really enjoy. Haha. It’s like one of the few social interactions of life that doesn’t make my anxiety skyrocket.
Audrey recently posted…Waitress in Cleveland
Same: “I am perfectly capable of functioning on a steady diet of vodka and sleep deprivation”
Travel teaches us so much about ourselves and how we act and react. Loved reading this.
Also in disagreement with Dr. Kelly.