It's a small world, after all.

#nexttime!

So there is nothing like attending a conference with many people you know, and finding out that your shenanigans have proceeded your arrival.

Last Wednesday I was in San Marcos for a couple of days, attending a conference and scheduled to speak.  When I arrived, I was quickly reminded of just how many people I knew from across Texas that were also attending. Those were not the ones I needed to worry about.

You have all heard the saying "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".  Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for cruises.  As I walked up to the first group of people I needed to say hi too, I was greeted back with "oh, we were just hearing about your cruise".  Seriously...Terry was NOT in attendance and neither were the kids.  And just what part of the cruise was Tom (I will call him Tom because that's his name) referring to.

As introductions were made to those I didn't know, I quickly found out that my new friend Gary (also his name) was on the SAME CRUISE!  Apparently...specifically....he enjoyed my performance as a contestant (winning I remind you) on Game Show Mania.  I forgot that I had been asked what I did for a living, forever branding myself with the Commission I work for.  As luck would have it, he was very familiar with my occupation, and even more familiar with those who already knew me.  Sigh.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, when we were entering the theater for the show, Madison told me she had taken the liberty to put my name in the hat for the "opportunity" to be a contestant.  Even as I was saying "Madison, you know I don't like stuff like that"...my name was called.  Talk about a Jekyll and Hyde personality, as soon as my name was mispronounced, I threw my arms up in the air, screaming like a contestant on Price is Right and made my way to the front.  Unfortunately, I had failed to high five everyone on my way down, so I was sent back to take care of unfinished business.  I ran back to where I started but NOOOO, I again was redirected to start at the BACK of the theater, making my way forward.  Which I did, with much enthusiasm and energy.  (WHO AM I?)  After all this, I was up on stage with two other contestants.  Some of you might find this a little surprising, but I am no stranger to a microphone, and I am slightly competitive.  So much so that when I was still in Kansas, I could no longer play team building games at work (I may have taken it a bit too seriously).

All this to say, there was a witness (outside of family) who saw this type of behavior.   Actually, there were MANY witnesses, but this one in particular knew who I was.  Before the conference was over, I had attained what I call "celebrity status".  Over the two days I was there, I had more people come up and say "Hey, I heard about your cruise".

I was originally scheduled to speak Thursday afternoon but was moved up to "lunch speaker" status. Some people assumed it was because I took notice of who did not stay for my presentation last year (I have a long memory) but I believe it was to recognize my newfound celebrity status.

The main question regarding all this was "how many margaritas were you operating on at that moment in time?"

I don't remember everything but I can say this.  I WISH I could blame it on alcohol, but this is just a part of my personality that is generally revealed to only those who know me well.  Because they love me, anyway!

Until next time,
#shipsailsagaininNovember

your pal,
Kari