Northern Voice: The Moose I Almost Missed.
Feb 24th, 2007 by jenzug
I have to admit that I wasn’t all that excited about coming to Northern Voice this weekend – but only because it’s been a busy month of traveling, and I was feeling overwhelmed. On the way to a party on Thursday night for friends who were in town I said to Bryan, ‘Would you be disappointed if the kids and I stayed home this weekend? I just don’t know that I have it in me.’
Bryan was great, and he talked me down from the ledge. He assured me that he wanted this to be a fun experience for me, and that he would do whatever it takes to make it work for me.
And man, did he deliver on that promise!
On Friday morning he was up early to pack for himself, let me sleep in, make me breakfast, and help me get the rest of the family going. I was so exhausted going into the weekend that I completely lost all my brain power and ability to make decisions as we approached each meal time, but he kicked into gear, found food like the cave man he is, and brought it to me.
Every. Single. Fucking. Time.
God, I love that man.
I was also skeptical about going to another blog/technical conference. I mean really, after 2 or 3 of these in a year is there REALLY anything new to say? I think I know so much. I think two years of blogging earns me a gold star on my sticker chart. But I don’t know jack, because there was definitely fresh information for me.
I learned something about myself in the process as well. I learned that I no longer want to hear what blogging is all about because I’m interested in what this new fangled web thingy is, but I want to hear what blogging is all about so I can teach OTHERS what blogging is all about. I wasn’t learning, as much as I was researching, and learning a new language, and gaining the tools to communicate my vision. Who knows, maybe next year I’ll be inspired to submit a session proposal! Regardless, I know now that there will likely always be something fresh to hear at a conference because my blogging experience will continue to evolve over time.
[Bryan is going to think that is so sexy.]
It was a full day, and the schedule worked out perfectly so Bryan and I could each attend the sessions we wanted while the other watched the kids. I had my big bag ‘o’ toys for them, a room had been set aside for kid activities, and there was a perfectly situated handicap ramp on which to run, roll, and throw balls down.
By the end of the day, without naps, the kids were drunk with exhaustion (but not with alcohol – that was just a play on words), but they were so amazingly good and fun and friendly throughout everything. Ruthie was a big hit as she ran down the hall in her dress-up heels like a true Charlie’s Angel, and Thomas drew chuckles for his ‘ladies man’ t-shirt.
I am still really tired, but this was a great way to spend a Saturday with my family – learning, loving, and playing. Thanks to the people at Northern Voice for a great time, and to my loving husband for keeping the train running.
I will post notes and thoughts on sessions this week as I have time.
Be warned: what you see here is not my best work. It is what Anne Lamott describes in Bird By Bird as a series of “shitty first drafts.” Blogging dragged me kicking and screaming out of creative constipation by getting me to actually write. So I do that. A lot. Without worrying about every word choice or comma placement.
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