Been there. Done that. Doing it again.
I’m amazed at the people and opportunities that have come into my life in the short time I’ve been in the Bay area. I’ve worked with some of the most amazing people in the industry and have learned numerous things from them. Pete Cashmore, Adam Hirsch and an all-star team have built Mashable from a ‘blog’ to a news source, recognized around the world. Brian Solis is a total powerhouse in branding and thought leadership. He is one smart dude. And Stephanie Agresta has not only been a friend and mentor, but gave me a great opportunity to work with Porter Novelli, one of the best PR agencies in the world, teaching me how digital and social media can be a strategic force for every brand.
While my time at Porter Novelli has been a great learning experience, I realized that it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do. As I thought more and more about this, my passion for creating and producing events and conferences became crystyl clear. I mean, that’s how I got my start in this wonderful world of the interwebz through my work with Community Next and it only made sense that I try to get back to a place where that passion could soar.
I’m very excited to share the news that I am officially back with Mashable as Events Director.
Excited to join the fine looking team of Jolie O'Dell, Pete Cashmore and Ben Parr. Photo credit: Lisa Bettany http://mostlylisa.com
Two years ago when I worked for Mashable, I was impressed with what was in store for Mashable. Those plans have become reality. While I can’t tell you much about the recent discussions I’ve had with Pete, Adam, Brett Petersel (my brother from another mother), Ben Parr & Jolie O’Dell (the fabulous SF team) and the rest of Team Mashable, I CAN tell you that we’re all in store for some amazing things.
Hold on to your hats…because I’m ready to rock!
YouTube – Aqualung – Brighter Than Sunshine
I <3 this song and will stop what I’m doing to take it in.
The importance of IRL and F2F
A few weeks ago it hit me…I’ve been hiding. I haven’t been out to many tech events lately, am much more comfortable at home, and am being selective in the people I’m hanging out with. This surprises me as I score extremely extraverted on Myers-Briggs (I’m an ENTP) and have been a social butterfly for many years.
But something’s changed lately…
I feel like my social media life and my real life are becoming more and more separate. Wait, that’s not true. I think I’m putting more of an importance on my real life instead of my social media life. I don’t share everything on Twitter like I used to, even though I do share completely random things. I’m getting more and more annoyed when people are tweeting/texting or whatever when we’re sitting together at a meal.
I honestly think I have a bit of an addiction to social media and what’s going on ‘out there’. Don’t judge…you know you have the same addiction to a certain degree. 67%
What’s funny is that by being addicted to ‘what’s out there’, we’re missing so much of what’s going on RIGHT HERE…in front of our faces…in the same room…with the people sitting next to us. There are things that happen and conversations you have when you’re F2F and hanging out IRL that could never be communicated in 140 characters or less.
Don’t interpret this as I hate social media, because that’s far from the truth. Social media has allowed me to meet some of the most amazing people. I’m reconnecting with friends who knew me back in Oklahoma, keeping up with those I love deeply but only see every now and then, getting news updates and even doing business via social media. It’s great.
But I’m ready to take it back to the old school a little more often. Unplugging and just having good ol’ fashioned hanging out time, just like it used to be before we all had computers and smartphones.
Who’s with me?
My #themeword for 2010: LOVE
As 2009 came to a close, I was reminded that it was time to start thinking about my #themeword for the new year. I then asked myself, “Why should I do this again. I don’t feel like I really gave 2009′s #themeword, CHANGE, a good shot.” But the more I thought about it, the more I really wanted to commit to this year’s theme of Love. It’s one I’ve avoided in the past and have really tried to embrace. I saw a tiny glimpse of what could be possible with Love earlier in 2009 and it was enough to make a year commitment to it.
Now, Love has many meanings. For me, as my #themeword, it means:
- to love myself–this has been something that I’ve been working on the past few years via my private blog.
- to love my work–which is a true life theme for me, so much so that I have the word PASSIONATE inked on my body…for life!
- to love others–as they are, to encourage them to love themselves, to be a good friend.
- to allow others to love me–again, something I’ve struggled with for years. I’ve built many walls and have torn them down. I’m hoping to retire my wall-building skills in 2010.
- to find someone to love who loves me just as much–yes, this means what you think it means. No, the goal is not to get married in 2010, but to find someone who truly loves me, which in the past I have convinced myself will never happen. Now I’m trying to convince myself that by doing the things listed above, maybe this too will happen.
I have a lot of love to give…I always have, but have held back in doing so. Why? Because of the fear of rejection and because I want to avoid the pain that comes along if things don’t work out; if I’m not loved back…whether it’s by friends or someone special in my life. After some experiences last year, I’m ready to face the fear and possibility of what may (or may not) happen head on. (Confession–that sentence totally just struck fear in my heart and a little bit of nausea in my stomach.)
Please know that if I tell you “I love you”, it doesn’t mean I want to have your babies…it just means that I care very deeply for you and appreciate you helping me achieve my personal goal of Love.
What’s your #Themeword for 2010? Check out @ericaogrady’s post and @missrogue’s post for more thoughts on themewords.
