I’m back!
Did you miss me?
Probably not, huh?
Well, we had a fun time in Chicago. I’m working on a post about our trip. I know you’re all on pins and needles waiting for it.
Probably not, huh?
Right now it’s way too long, and would totally put you in a coma. So I need do a little editing or split it up or something.
Festival Dé Stouts is officially over. No more birthday celebrations in this house for a quite awhile now. Thanks goodness! That’s exhausting.
I’m thinking of volunteering to move my birthday to another month just to make things easier. Of course Wade is only a year old. We could tell him his birthday in August, and he’d never know the difference until he finds his birth certificate someday.
Which won’t happen because after an entire year I have yet to order the official copy from the county clerk.
I know. Bad Mommie.
Hmmm…I wonder if he’s even really ours then?
Probably is, huh?
Better get that piece of paper.
Dave had a couple weeks off, but he’s back in summer classes now. He was going to take the summer off, but decided to cram in another semester’s worth of classes so he can graduate sooner.
Life will resume it’s usual uneventful pace after this weekend. Saturday and Sunday I’ll be at Gleek Retreat, a blogging conference right here in West Michigan.
Honestly I have to tell you I don’t quite get the name either. I thought Gleeks were fans of Glee. But I’m pretty sure Gleek Retreat doesn’t have anything to do with Mr. Shu and the Lima Loosers. And by the way while the Lima, OH on the show is fictional, there is a real Lima, OH. I lived there until I was eight.
Is that cool or what?
Probably not, huh?
Anyhow, I’m even speaking on a panel at Gleek Retreat. A job I really am honored to have, but pretty much completely unqualified for.
I’m excited, but getting nervous.
Oh, not about the speaking on a panel part. I can handle that. Public speaking, when I’m prepared, is easy for me.
It’s the being in a group of complete strangers that I’m worried about. I have a big mouth on my blog, but in real life I’m shy and reserved. Especially around people I don’t know.
I’m horrible at making small talk. I usually just stand there and smile and nod. People either think I’m just kind of dumb or I’m aloof. When really I’m trying really hard to think of anything — anything at all — to talk about besides the weather. And coming up with nothing.
It usually ends with me putting both feet in my mouth.
Maybe I should wear a T-shirt that says:
Hi. I’m CeeGee.
I’m socially awkward.
But if you can get through, like, the first three months,
which is how long it will take me to feel comfortable around you,
I’m actually kind of a fun person.
What do you think?
Probably not, huh?
oh my word!!!! i so get this…i am so that person too. i hate meeting new people for the very same, exact reason!!!! i am HOOOORIBLE at small talk. it can be excrutiating. i am sure you will do fine. you’ll find someone to hang with. we found each other! 🙂 good luck. i’ll be thinking about you. can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Hi! I’m going to Gleek Retreat too. I’ve never even been to anything like that so I’m a smidge nervous just to GO. So here is what you do: we can make sure to meet at some point before you speak, and I’ll sit in the front row and smile really nice and nod at you calmly if you look nervous. I don’t mind public speaking – if you can find one person to kind of be your ‘home base’ it helps.
And – I’m sure you’ll do fine 🙂
So…now we know where David gets his shyness from . . . Ha! Ha! Yes…Grandpa Stout.
Well, I think you are great and am so excited about this opportunity! Have fun!
.-= Deborah´s last blog ..Draw Near . . . =-.
We would totally be friends in real life. I am convinced of it! I am socially awkward. My husband says I’m tragic! HA!! There are some people that I have known for years that I still manage to make a fool of myself in front of!
I hope you have fun at your conference. You’ll do great; I just know it! I am the same way. I can speak in front of a huge crowd and be fine, but if you put in a room with three people, I’ll shake like a leaf. I’ve never been to a blog conference. You’ll have to provide lots of twitter updates and a full blog post about it. 🙂