As Mike mentioned, I had a trip scheduled this past weekend to speak at the Mom 2.0 Summit. I didn’t want to leave when Jackie! was having her surgery in Los Angeles. And yes, as Mike said, I cried a lot, thanks for telling everyone and ruining my street cred, Mike. But I was convinced to keep my commitment, not only because of Mike but because I’d already told Jackie! I’d drink a hurricane for her.
I’d never been to New Orleans, and I instantly fell in love with the music culture.
You guys, seriously? I should be a professional washboard player. Washboarder? Whatever. I am GOOD at it. Mike needs to get me one for my birthday.
New Orleans is also a really beautiful city that I wish I’d had more time to explore.
The conference was at the Ritz Carlton, which meant I got to stay in a room there. I was GIDDY with excitement about that. The Ritz lived up to my expectations. The service was phenomenal, the rooms were amazing and comfy, and I was treated to an AMAZING mani/pedi in the Ritz Spa by BodyLogicMD.
Saturday morning was my panel with Jenny and Brittany. It was titled “Breaking Out of the Box: How Creating Versatile Content Empowers Your Voice and Reach.” The three of us were like, “uh, what?” Because that sounded really official and smart.
Being the super-professional people we are, the three of us met about 30 minutes before our panel started to figure out what we were going to say. Brittany and Jenny were off and running with amazing ideas. For those of you who don’t know, they are both humorists. And then there’s me. I knew they were going to be effortlessly funny during the panel. So while they figured out the structure of our panel, I tried to think of a joke I could open with.
“Hey, Jenny. Hand Grenades or Hurricanes?”
“Um. The disasters or the drinks?”
“Exactly! I’m going to ask the room if they like hand grenades or hurricanes, and they’ll think I mean the drinks, and then I’ll be all, ‘trick question! They both kill.’ It will be so funny!”
Brittany and Jenny: blank stares, while Brittany shook her head at me ever so slightly.
Jenny started the panel by talking about her dead dog. Then Brittany, completely dead-pan, goes, “well, my dog is still alive, sorry.” And everyone is laughing and I’m like, “Mine too!” but I sounded like the little sister tag-along trying to be cool and it occurred to me that I was probably just rubbing it in at that point. RIP Barnaby Jones.
Also that morning, I put my contacts lenses in the wrong eyes, but of course it took me an hour of blinking and trying to focus my eyes before I figured it out, and by then it was too late to do anything about it. So I told everyone at the panel my contacts were in the wrong eyes…you know, because that’s helpful for people attending a writing workshop. Then I got distracted by the sound of the Windows operating system starting. Oh, and I told everyone about Gwyneth Paltrow’s head in the box at the end of the movie Se7en. I was basically a poster child for ADD.
But! People actually retweeted things I said and made me sound like I was smart:
After the three of us were done giving our little presentations, we opened to questions, and there were some amazing ones that made us think, and gave us time to truly articulate our passions and share ideas.
You can tell I’m talking in this picture because my hands are moving. I’m a hand talker.
In all, an awesome experience. For me, at least…hopefully everyone that attended the panel had a good time and learned something valuable (other than Kevin Spacey cut off Gwyneth Paltrow’s head).
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like an awesome weekend! I can’t wait to hit New Oreleans some day soon to see all of the history and culture.
Heather´s last [type] ..This
Yeah during a moment of very uncomfortable silence I decided to talk about a movie, I told a date that the Usual Suspects was a great movie and who could have guessed that Kevin Spacey was Kaiser Sosay. Haven’t seen it? UGH I did it again, Don’t bother now.
I was going ot say something, then I saw that the last twitpic referred to me as BEARfootfoodie….and I am contemplating changing my name.
Bwahahaha… Does this mean you have huge hairy feet with scary claw like toenails? Sexy.
I am sitting in a very quiet waiting room and literally LOLed at the ADD poster child line. Then I quickly fell like the insanity poster child.
Oh how I wished I could have been there. I bet it was a hilarious panel. So glad you went, had fun, and conquered the washboard
I need one of those so I can say I have washboard abs. Only way it’s going to happen 
Love it:
“If you don’t like the box you’re in, write yourself out of it.”
Rumour Miller´s last [type] ..Adios- Soosies
Wait. Kevin Spacey did what? Gwyneth’s head where? Drat.
A friend of mine is the worst about ruining movies. Every time he starts in about a movie, he blurts out the ending. Now, when he starts, I rudely interrupt and beg him not to ruin the movie. He tries, but it’s like he honestly can’t help but explain the ending. Now when he talks about movies I want to see I just try to zone out.
Sounds like you had a blast. I hope to visit New Orleans someday. And I’m glad your panel went well. See — you can improvise with the best of them.
Heather, I would have loved to have been there. Just to hear you speak in person. And I am sure your participants felt inspired.
Hugs, Lady…I am a teacher and have facilitated trainings for teachers, and I totally get what you mean.
looks like you ladies had an amazing time
Wish I could have been there. I Can’t wait to make it to New Orleans someday. And I too am a hand talker. LOVE the pictures. And I also have the ADD, and have also given away the head in the box story line don’t remember why though.
Kristin (MamaKK922)´s last [type] ..Car Shopping
I like it when I ride the trolley to the garden district and see all those patio’s adorned with flowing petunias….lots and lots of flowers…so beautiful.
Rebecca´s last [type] ..Colorful Stuff
So glad you had fun! I saw all the tweets from the mom2mom summit was sad I could not go. But glad ya’ll had fun and could connect!
Jodee´s last [type] ..Restaurant Game
I think you are underselling yourself here.
And, Se7en is an old enough movie that it doesn’t count as spoiling it.
Kristin´s last [type] ..Perfect Moment Monday- Appreciating My Kids
I did NOT know Kevin Spacey cut off Gweneth Paltrow’s head. WAY TO RUIN IT. I also didn’t know they were in that movie and I didn’t even remember that the movie existed til you mentioned it, so I guess you actually did me a favor….sort of?
New Orleans is amazing! Be sure and hit Cafe du Monde next time you are there.
Tricia´s last [type] ..Relationship Advice
I’m always getting spoilers to movies and shows, because I’m always so late in watching them. Good thing I saw Se7en though, so no spoiler there!
I’m sure everyone loved you, jokes and all. <3
Love your last two photos of New Orleans. What a beautiful place! =o)
I have always wanted to visit New Orleans. Thanks for posting the pics.
Holli (B’s Mom)´s last [type] ..OVERCOME
Sounds like a fantastic time.
sarah´s last [type] ..Tasty Tuesday- Italian Pizzaiola
I want that second picture made into a poster. For real.
I think if I were on a panel with Jenny I would probably just sit and drool, waiting for her to say something funny, which would make me really lame. So it sounds like you did an AWESOME job. I love the quote of if you don’t like the box you are in, write yourself out of it. Very wise!
The Mommy Therapy´s last [type] ..Heres a Helpful Tip Ladies
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