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Mar
28
puttin’ on the glitz
Filed Under Doin's
So, here we are - hubby, chiclets, and me - at a conference in Vegas. Yesterday was nothing but one would-be informercial after another, slick willies all who used material and exercises peers and I used when I was on the professional speaker circuit back in the late 1990s. (I unpacked my bags to stay home with a dad who was ill. Best decision I ever made.) Today, thank goodness, has been filled with personable, approachable, real people delivering steak AND sizzle.
It’s been a whirlwind of a week. I’m not even sure what day it is right this very, and while it’s been more enjoyable than not and while I’ve thoroughly loved being together as a family, I have really missed posting here and reading/commenting there.
Which is kinda’ funny because when I first started the blog (was it last year?), it was almost a dreaded, obligatory item on my to do list. But now, having gotten to know so many of you, it’s a joy and a treat. Plus it brings focus to my day, helps me tune in to the important things while letting other things fall away. I don’t seem to get so caught up in all anything that’s not big enough to write about on my blog. It also keeps me on track with my creative projects - it’s like there’s some accountability. But not really accountability because while I thoroughly love the comments and emails, I also thoroughly enjoy what I’m working on and for the first time in a l-o-n-g time, the personal satisfaction is enough.
Does that make sense ’cause my brain is pretty much f.r.i.e.d.
Stitched my way through the sessions today, so I’ll have something to show tomorrow. It so helps me focus on what’s being said when my hands are busy. I have a friend who draws mandalas as a way to tune in to group meetings and gatherings. My daughter finds that knitting helps her focus (sadly, she used the last of her yarn yesterday, and let’s face it: yarn is not something they sell in the hotel gift shops.) Hands in motion = paying attention, though it probably doesn’t seem like it to the untrained eye.
If it’s a small group, I usually find a way to work it into everyone’s ears (especially the facilitator) that I mean no disrespect, it’s just that keeping my hands in motion helps quiet my racing brain and allows me to actually pay closer attention to what’s being said. This is a larger business-oriented conference, so I just whip out the fabric and stitch without explanation or apology.
Isn’t it the oddest thing: we’re applauded for multi-tasking because it allows us to get so much more accomplished, but when we’re in a classroom setting, we’re supposed to switch to an all-eyes-and-ears-on-the-one-in-the-front-of-the-room mode because of the ole’ you-can’t-listen-and-do-anything-else mindset? What’s with that?
We went to see Ka last night (Cirque du Soleil) and it was nothing short of fabulous. Oh, those costumes. I just kept wanting to ask couldn’t I pretty please just snip a wee bit from the hem or seam allowance. The lighting, sound, and acrobatic feats were pretty amazing, too. Tomorrow night we’re seeing Blue Man Group and on Sunday night, we hope to see another Cirque show, Mystere. Maybe I’ll take my little fold-up scissors, just in case.
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I like the back side of the star too - more contrasty. its funny, my brother and sister just came back from New Mexico via Las Vegas and saw the Blue Man group on Tuesday night. My husband and I were there in January - Vegas really isn’t my cup of tea, should have brought my sewing!
hey heather - we just got in from the blue man group show. what fun that was - especially since a friend of my daughter’s got us free tickets. (he works for the blue man group, but i declare i think it would’ve been just as much fun if we’d've had to pay.) after the show, i walked right out the bathroom and into a blue man. as in smack dab into him. didn’t realize it, though, since being short/vertically challenged, i seldom see anything above chests. he just stood there, so i looked up, saw blue, and said what any woman would’ve said in my position: “oh, hey.” then later when taking a picture of one blue man and my daughter, i snapped the picture, looked at it and said, “oh no. he turned out red.” there was this momentary hush from the crowd and even the security guard - blue man’s eyes even looked startled - then everybody laughed and all was swell again.
You always seem to go past the surface to get meanings. and they are always so interesting. I go there and imagine meanings. and they are always way off! But sometimes it’s fun. Maybe you write non-fiction and I think fiction!?