Blogher Food Conference

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

~ Mark Twain

I bumped into an old business associate the other day who asked what I've been up to.  Thoughts raced through my mind.  I thought of the career hats that I've worn; building product inspector, catastrophe insurance adjuster, project manager & mining company executive secretary. Thoughts of past achievements, accomplishments & successes in my former careers. It's like they all flashed before me & I needed to push the memories aside quickly so I could talk intelligently about my current going on's.  You see, when I explain that I'm writing a food and family blog I usually I get the glazed over look.  I know what they are thinking...go out and get a real job....you are successful. You climbed ladders. You did big things.  Put long hours in, drive to work in the dark and get home in the dark. Sacrifice and do things that you don't like to do with some that you don't like.  That's the expectation.  I get that point of view. I've been doing that for many years & did a mighty fine job at it.

What does this have to do with a Food Conference?  I applied to be a volunteer at the Blogher Food Conference in Seattle.  This is where all the somebody's of the blogging world will be. They are stars of the industry; speaking, networking & sharing their expertise.  I thoughtfully filled out a volunteer application answering questions about what I could offer the organization and why I should be chosen over others.  I clicked "send" and thought to myself I have a good shot at this.

A few weeks later I received the standard rejection email thanking me for my application.  I was crushed! I unfollowed Blogher Food from Twitter (gasp!). My motivation ebbed and flowed  for days and weeks. Until one day I received a most unexpected email, acknowledging that an additional space opened up, they would like me to volunteer if I was still interested. Of course I will volunteer.  I picked myself up, shook off the self pity and replied  "YES Please" immediately.  I know, I was a second choice.  I get that.  I'm new at this. Self-teaching along the way.  Making mistakes and fumbling around a bit.

What I know for sure is that I love writing, cooking, baking, family time, being a mom, entertaining, taking photos, learning, sharing and connecting with folks. I enjoy replying to the ones who care to leave a comment on the blog or on my Facebook page. The ones who tweet or talk about a blog post at a party. Because at the end of the day isn't that what life is all about? Doing what you love & feeling connected?  I think so.

My goal is to make a career of food and family blogging.  But if I can't, that's o.k.  I have a meaningful hobby that will one day be a treasure for my children and hopefully grandchildren, and that is all that really matters.

So today I am following Mark Twain's advise and exploring, dreaming and discovering as I drive to Seattle with a friend to volunteer Blog Her Food Conference training at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Curious? Click here for the schedule: BlogHer Food 2012

PS- I woke up at 5am today to a double rainbow & glowing back light on Chuckanut Mountain. It inspired me to be real with you.

                                   What inspires you?