I got really lucky last weekend. No, seriously. I'm not sure which magical fairy I made happy in the recent past, but someone up there likes me and made it possible for me to attend the EVO '10 conference at The Canyons Resort in Park City. (The magical wings were worn by the conference founders, the incredibly beautiful Jyl of Mom It Forward and the oh so sassy Rachael of Today's Mama, but as neither one of them really KNEW me before last weekend, I just have to kind of believe that some of my other magical fairies must have been sprinkling that famous naked glitter around somewhere to make it all happen!).
I have gone to a lot of tech conferences, as we all know. I've hosted them, I've been the booth babe, I've stood in hotel ballrooms in foreign cities and blah, blah, blah, Mr. CEO of course you want this fabulous new software product that will give you a ROI you just can not possibly believe. I'm also the girl who burned out in the BOOM that was Silicon Valley in the late 90's and early 00's and said enough is enough. It takes a lot these days to even get me to a conference much less make me happy about it.
EVO '10 blissed me out! Because I'm a natural born blogger and can't seem to shut up and because I use a lot of words and I seem to always find that I have a lot to say, I'm going to give you some of the kernels I gleaned that led me down that blissful path. Perhaps they'll make you want to join us on the mountain top next year.
a. I am living the first draft of my authentic life. There is no second draft. This is it. And I will make no apologies for it or for the muddy paw prints that sometimes make it a bit messy. Life is messy. Especially when it is yours and when it is truly authentic.
b. It is especially lovely to be ordinary. I'm beautiful when I'm ordinary. Ordinary is absolutely okay.
c. No slagging. Remember that you are always just one Google click away from the last words you published on the Internet. Everything is archived. Just be nice. It's not that difficult.
d. If you don't ask, you will not get. I've been saying this for years, but it is still true. You need to truly ask for what you want. Be clear and be direct and ask nicely.
e. You know how to be gracious. As Emily Gilmore has said since your monogrammed birth on this planet, REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS.
f. Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes will make you very high. Like crazy high. It's best not to eat them if you're sensitive to sugar. Also, they're not vegan. Why are you eating the non-vegan cupcake ANYWAY?!
g. If you do eat the cupcake, it might be best to refrain from calling the concierge at the very lovely resort "DUDE". Not everyone is from California. Especially in Utah.
h. However, you may also end up the evening MARRIED to the concierge. Collecting husbands can be quite confusing to those who really love you. Make certain that everyone understands this is NOT A REAL MARRIAGE.
i. When in doubt about the location of the SEX TOYS, it is best to just trust your spidey sense. It has never let you down, it is never going to let you down. Especially when it comes to free stuff.
j. Life is too short not to be beautiful. Take the time and the effort to make it beautiful for others, too. The joy and the smiles are worth it.
k. Write thank you notes. Always.
l. Ziplines down the sides of mountains in Utah are excellent for teaching you that you really are fearless. Seizures? What seizures??
m. Not everyone understands "naked". That's totally okay.
n. Share your passion generously.
o. Your laugh is really loud. It sometimes wakes up half-naked men half way down the hall wearing towels.
p. Never apologize for being blissful.
q. Stop, shut up and really listen.
r. Your numbers are never a measure of your value or your impact.
s. Bacon, muffintops and farts.
t. It's just a house and it doesn't matter. LIFE MATTERS.
u. Storytelling is a political act.
v. Odd Molly really is your best designer girlfriend.
w. There is always a kindness to be celebrated every day.
x. Sharing a suite with seven strangers can sometimes result in more blessings of kindness, love and friendship than you could have possibly ever imagined. You are one very lucky naked girl.
y. Joy, grace and gratitude.
z. Lead with your heart. Your mind can always follow.
