This is the weekend...

... the Rowdy Region goes up in flames.

To the ParadWest we go!

Impact Navidad!

Do you

realize?

A commercial break

We weren't going to go public with this, but decided it should be shared. We talked of leaving it just for those who experienced it live, remembrance of the feeling being more important than the exact recorded steps we walked. But alas, the amount of work put in insists this Dream be relived and shared with all. Here's the video entrance to the last ever Traineeship Power Hour. Yea, we showed up. Somehow, the secret was kept and all gears turned smoothly. I almost started believing in miracles as we strolled in to sounds of surprise.
We added new elements each time, and this time we took it to The House with nearly all types of media: recorded audio, recorded video, streaming YouTube video, and pictures. Echo Tap was well known by the next day.



And so, that concludes this form of my AIESEC chapter. I can't think of a better way of parting ways, per se. The amount of energy and emotion we put in, and then received, was incredible. For several days after I found myself devoid of emotion, unsure of where to direct the energy it had always required prior to delivery. But now, I can only hope the message was provided properly, and that it also was held on to. The emotional drain following each session actually makes it hard to remember parts of them, and that reigns true with this last one. But, I'll always remember the Feeling, and that's what matters most. Hopefully the eyes and ears will as well. Infinite thanks are due to those who helped us. For now, the Dream has been passed on to the hands of the Next. Godspeed, and don't fuck it up.

feeding back

2 @ers from Wisconsin gave a fanstastic presentation promoting traineeships, despite my initial wish for them to drop dead when they made me move to the floor, which there apon resulted in avery sore ass. However, their sense of humor and presentation skills definitely got the conferencers motivated, excited and off to a great start. The split session I went to on member engagement was also fantastic. Met some people, did some great problem solving, and also came to the realization that we have the ideas and parts that we need to succeed in retaining members, we just need to follow thru and put it all together. Which was encouraging. I also learned alot just from watching them facilitate. And the way they kept people involved and promoted participation. (Jloverly)

Not bad.

knowing the evil, feeling the good

It is said the best leaders have an all-encompassing understanding of that which they lead. They've been everywhere in the entity, know the little tricks in every corner.

Thus, I know these two bitches across the table from me are IMing to each other. One of them looks like Bagel Dunkelburger.


Newark came and went, but the feeling will be with me for qutie some time. Together we achieved more. I felt a togetherness unfelt in other regions, even nationally. The presentation went well, if it is its last iteration it will have gone out with guns blazing. I wish we could measure the results, and hope the money was well spent.

firing on high

Ahh.. the open road. We take it out east this time, to the apparent city of Newark. If you can't come to The House, let the House of Mixology come to you. Alas, we'll be Mixing it up with some Messiah for pleasure. Let the souls be warned.


Here we go again. Newark Navidad!

Revisiting

Bringing Them Back Hosted on Zooomr

Dudes Hosted on Zooomr

Dudettes Hosted on Zooomr

The Move Hosted on Zooomr

I was unsure Hosted on Zooomr

Traineeship Power Hour Hosted on Zooomr

Just Got Vibed Hosted on Zooomr

be not afraid to feel

For some intellectual weight-lifting, Malcolm Gladwell takes asks a few questions on exactly what Enron did wrong, and points out the difference between a puzzle and a mystery. Find it over at the New Yorker.

It it was personal weight-lifting I was looking for this new year, the past 2 weeks have provided a year's worth.
Allow me first to talk about this past conference in general. The first conference of one's career is, more often than not, quite moving. The scope of, understanding of, and alignment to the organization generally blow the hell up. You make a lot of friends, you learn a good deal. After that, somewhere in the 2nd to 4th conference, you go from giddy with awe at what we're doing, to truly in control. You control the destiny now. Don't let it out of your hands.
I've experienced that. I thought that ended the conference evolution of my mind. I was wrong.
This conference was not focused on the organization and how I relate to it, but on my life and how I relate to it. Given the circumstances I should have predicted that. I've never gone through as intense an internal experience as the four or five days when I was really blowing up inside. First and last thoughts of the day were on the task at hand. So was everything inbetween.

Many people express a desire to join the Madison LC. I usually chuckle and say "yeah... things are pretty cool here. We have a good group." I know that to be true. I encourage 'us' to maintain that.
This too, was different.
This time, I felt it. Like, Really Felt. Vivid memories provide clear examples of when it was happening. I'm no longer talking a little bullshit when I agree with aspirations to transfer to our homestead. Yea, you sure do want to transfer here and experience what 'we' 'are.' The support my partners in crime built put my head above the hazy clouds of my mind.

About 17 hours before my speech I began rewriting it. Another thing I should have foreseen. I usually don't write speeches, why did I do it more than a day before? Can't fool around I may have thought. Cat called shortly before and reminded me this was all fun and games. Brought me back to reality, the overall picture. It went OK, not my best, but it was from the heart. And that's what I wanted. Question and Answer was not the overall rigor I expected. I failed to gauge the audience to a detail I like, but later research showed solid resonance.
I have an interview sometime in the next 3 weeks. This is intense, but a few rays have shone through the clouds, reminding me that life is fun, that it was ok to laugh as I walked to the room for my speech. I'd have it no other way. Let this be like sledding down a hill, not climbing a mountain.