Posts What is my “so what?” from the weekend of library conferences in Perth?.
For me it was all about energy. Transfer of energy, feeling supportive energy and observing what happens when a group of whirlwinds meet.
It was about having an opportunity to stand in front of a crowd of bright, open new professionals and transfer some of the gifts that I had received from the bosses that I won in my boss lottery. It was about trying to make them feel more able to forgive when they misinterpret what is happening, or when they are being misinterpreted.
It was watching my home viewed through Kim’s eyes as she travelled to places familiar to me, and with her camera made me look again at what I had assumed was ordinary. It was seeing Matthias and Ghylene flitting around groups of engaged and involved people – people thinking, laughing, talking and doing – and then using their cameras to capture that involvement to share with the rest of us. Involvement like Fiona, dressed as a pirate and telling us to fuck Google, doing an interpretive dance to Molly’s words during the powerpoint karaoke.
gigglesigh. (2011). IMG_8361. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/52594745@N03/6162293305/
It was seeing the oversized rainbow buttons that Suzie had printed appearing on lanyards around the conference room in support of the GBLTQ community. It was seeing many nervous presenters sit in the audience with a slight rabbit-in-the-headlights look , then sweep up on to the stage and own the space and communicate their enthusiasm for what they do each day.
It was skipping out from a session to nip to the loo – and only returning an hour or so later because I had a spontaneous unconference session with Garry under huge windows that were bowing and flexing as the storm outside ruffled curtains somehow, even though the windows were not the type that could open. It was knowing that it was fine to leave my tech gear and bag on my seat because someone kind – Theresa as it turned out – would look out for me and let me know where they were.
It was seeing how two of the people I mentor have grown and developed and are really stepping up professionally. It was one of them seeing where she was a couple of years ago in the behaviour of others, understanding how she has moved closer to where she wants to be, and clicking to understand what I have been saying all along – it is about co-mentoring.
It was taking some down time with Kate for a couple of hours in the speakers’ room as she prepared for her keynote, because we both needed some time without so many swirling words and people. It was feeling the calm comfort of Teresa and Jo when we went to dinner at the sushi train and really understood why it was great to just sit and have quiet adult conversation. It was spending a quiet day before the conference with snail across my kitchen table, studiously avoiding looking at the powerpoint karaoke and feeling not at all comforted by Sue’s confirmation that the slide sets were, in fact – “mean”.
It was hearing from David that someone had told him that he was so glad that he was a dynamic speaker – because during the conference he had seemed so calm, relaxed and laid back that they were concerned that he may be subdued on stage. It was the fabulous five minute interlude during the last session of the unconference where people who have suffered name-butchering from the rest of us let us all know EXACTLY how their names were pronounced.
It was me really testing the waters of “no” to try to push people a little further than they thought they could go. Several times when someone wanted me to step up, or lead or take charge I deliberately said “no, you can do that”. It was a conversation that went something like “why aren’t you leading more sessions, we need you there, you know so much”, with me answering “you know stuff too and you can do it just fine”… and really meaning it. It was seeing how senior and wise Mal and Con are considered by their colleagues and the delightful mix of amusement and stepping up to the mark that they both show in the role.
It was seeing my imaginary online friends in pyjamas, behind cocktails, with headcolds, strutting their professional stuff, on trains, exclaiming over the beauty of the Grove Library, laughing together and reminding each other intensely why it is that we all cluster and flow together each day whether we are in the same space or not.
gigglesigh. (2011). IMG_8301. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/52594745@N03/6162216297/
I can feel the energy, just from your post!
Wonderful.
I wish I’d managed to stay to the end for the name-butchering bit! It’s probably just as well I didn’t, though, given I might have been a tad ranty on the subject….