A full day of mental preparation, pre-trip checks, packing, typing, texting, route planning…..exhausting. I cannot imagine what it is like to put on a conference of this magnitude, as I struggled alone just to get there.
I left my family behind for what was supposed to be a 4 day adventure, turned into just a couple due to some other opportunities that arose, nothing major, just some momentum for ourselves in our personal lives, that will make for another great blog upcoming….I promise!
I hopped on my Trusted Harley and headed from our rental to go to Michigan.
I am not a fan of highway riding typically, no safety zone and no bubble, but it is faster. Backroads yield a slower speed limit and moving obstacles, such as deer, raccoons, turtles and roadkill. Really depends on the type of rider-I grew up on a dirtbike, in the dirt….I have “aged” into a motorcycle guy, because I can ride a bike, but cannot take the beating. One hand washes the other.
Day one, Four amazing hours smelling cow shit and marijuana farms as I travelled north into Michigan. I followed the sun, instead of a map, because I knew pretty much where I needed to be. I had the map on, you know….just in case. My face hurt from smiling all the way up there, I knew I would see some amazing people and meet some new friends. Make some opportunities with myself, and advance the Society to another level. The team works hard, I work hard.
I arrived at the campsite, yep-campsite. I stayed in a Yurt. Not only was the trip amazing on the way up. (By amazing I mean I now know what it is like to wear a bra-but it was worth it). A backpack with a few days of clothes, my trusty tablet and a handfull of stickers. Toss in my excitement and a speaker badge-and the world was mine for the day. I dropped my gear off at camp, made a Tik Tok (yep-you can go watch it, Link In Bio) and made my way further north for the dinner and some commaraderie.
I left camp in time to chase the sun the rest of the way down. I came to the US 96/196 connection up the ramp, only to audibly say “WOW!” to the beautiful sunless sunset over Holland. The entire trip, I marvelled at how beautiful our world is. I wide eyed the entire experience, as it was a long journey, solo-and had little intervention while I travelled.
No children, no wife, no text messages. Only the frenchie giving me directions on the map, and “Your Wildest Dreams”The Moody Blue’s playing in my headphones when this happened.
I gave myself permission, to be happy. I gave myself permission to not feel guilt, I gave myself permission to enjoy myself without worry. I gave myself permission, to have this experience for myself. I did not want to rob myself of joy in this experience. I thank pastor Tony for that mindset.
Life, in this exact moment-was what it needed to be. I needed to be where I was, and I was comfortable in the experience. I leaned into it, I allowed it. I succumbed to what I needed at this time. A new journey is inbound. I also thank Tony for that mindset.
I made it to the venue, texted my wife, and headed inside. I still don’t drink in social settings, and I haven’t drank a full beer in ages. I cook with it.
Everyone was full of life, and hugs were abundant. I love hugs, its a great way to connect souls and vibe. Grown ass men who hug-are fucking awesome. This group overall, is awesome. I remembered a TON of the people from previous , and even remembered most of their names. I screwed up one or two, but it has been a year-for the most part, I did well.
Said my farewells after a visit, and made my way to the parking lot. It was thirty dollars for two hours. Not a huge deal, should have seen me messing with my wallet with full riding gear on. I also had something in each pocket, as I didn’t realize I would be heading home with a pirates booty of loot.
Chris takes care of the people that surround him. I love that man, and he has been there no matter what for 40 years. I think hes a pretty alright dude…..as in one of the best.
I rode home in the dark, ahem….pitch black darkness. Just my Hi-beams….and a hi alert. Back roads to where I stayed for the night….was the only way to get there. I was okay with it, a little nervous-but okay with it…..the day was long-I was saddle sore….I wanted to sleep.
I called my wife when I returned to camp, while I set myself up for the evening. I plugged my phone in, but forgot to turn the accessory switch off on my Harley. I used the headlight to find a spot for my kickstand in the dirt. It shut off while I used the flashlight on my phone….I forgot about the bike.
I woke up the next morning, after sleeping in a yurt.
Yep!! A yurt, a tent, a sweet spot for the night, without anyone bothering me.
I slept like a king for those 4 hours. I spoke to my wife, and slept a little more. My bike battery was dead….trickle charge and a jump for the win. I learned my lesson. Dammit! I ran late…
GrrCon 2024 was a great experience. I will post the speech on the Podbean, as well as Youtube. I love that some of the bigger named people that were there….remembered me.
Chris either made an inside joke, or a nod to me: I don’t know his true intention, because it is Chris…..but he said he got the VIP beer “Gumballhead” by Three Floyds Brewery for the conference.
It didn’t last long-why would it, it is great beer. I enjoyed it when I used to drink, I enjoyed the tour of their facility, and I enjoyed the sentiment-even if he did it to be funny. I don’t negate alcohol. I don’t negate anyone’s choice to drink-I am also not affiliated with the brand, nor do I endorse it.
They have their own thing happening……keep it going.
This blog is not so much about the event, it is about MY experience. I will write about the event as well this weekend. I wanted to express the power of mindset from going to this.
The conference was a networking opportunity for me. That is the idea of it-this was the first year I took to the event as such. I made great connections, and learned even more about hacking.
Did you know you can hack a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer?
You see, the absolute best thing about this adventure, were the sunsets. Figurative and real.
Everyday being able to see the sun go down as I wrapped up another experience, was an opportunity to reflect on all of the things I have missed out on in the past. 700 miles in 2 days, of thought and reflection. Of writing inside my head…of burning images into my folds so as to one day reflect on them again.
As I started my return home, with a backpack now strapped to the bike instead of me, I watched the sunset.
The change of the day….the golden hour, then darkness again.
That night was different.
I said quietly to myself “pink at night sailors delight”. Arnie used to say that….so did my dad. This one was different, It was pink skies…..until I got 5 miles from home. The sky has been replaced with neon signs and street lights. I miss riding already.
It only took a minute for me to realize that the pink sky leading me home, was possibly the Aurora Borealis that I have been trying to catch.
It isn’t as whimsical as the full spectrum LED sky light show that I see bullshit photos of on Facebook and news websites…..it was pink-and it was beautiful.
I came home to crying and whiney kids, a wife who did not feel well, and a mother in law, only to depart the next day. Life is wild, I don’t mind. I miss them when I travel.
Remember to give yourself permission to enjoy life, otherwise it will rob you of your joy.
Stay Strong; Stay Focused; Stay Sober
Much love.
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