Into the Unknown

So tomorrow I’m getting on a plane to go to our Tampa office to help with a project. I’ve never really done that before and I’m not really sure what to expect. I mean I’ve been to other offices in a bid to try and get them to utilize a new piece of software but not to actually work on something with them. See we have a client who requires that our firm “prequalify” to do work with them and this year that office is taking that task over from me and my office. It probably should have been theirs from the beginning, but I won’t bore you with that. The point is they now want to “run the show” when it comes to this task and it was suggested I come “down to help them” since it’s their first time. I took this task over from a coworker when she retired about 5 years ago. So I’m not a novice but I wouldn’t call myself an expert either. 

 

Instead of spending last week preparing for this trip and these Prequals I spent it doing a submittal in literally 4 days. Technically I did the submittal in a day and they ignored it for 2 then we finalized it on the 4^th day. I spent the week before that helping another office with their submittal while finishing up another submittal that was mine. Last week I also got another draft out that’s due the week after I return but we also have a holiday in which I plan to do not a damn thing and then at the end of that week I’M GOING TO SEE GOLDEN OR I’M GOING TO GO INSANE AND START FLICKING PEOPLE IN THE EAR! I’ll start with the Ear then flick other things should the need dictate. Either way I’m going, and people just need to be ok with it. I digress…I think that submittal is in good shape which is good cause it’s going to need to be sent out early. There’s another one that my boss will need to finalize and submit while I’m going but we don’t have a snowballs chance in haties of getting but I sent out the 2^nd draft of that one on Friday so it is in good shape too. My boss might feel differently but that’s his problem now ha! 

My point….i haven’t just been siting on my duff.

My second point …. At this point in the month we have typically spent about 3-4 weeks working on this prequal project. 

My fear is that the office is waiting on me to get there to START anything and that’s just not going to fly. They want to run this thing so I’m going to let them, we’ll see how it all shakes out in the end. The good news is that we have enough people that if we don’t add anything we are still a-ok in our pre-qualifications, so that’s taken some of my stress away but for the last few years we have picked a category and focused on it to “beef up” and that’s not happening this year. A lot of things at my place of business is changing and it gives me a great deal of anxiety … the not knowing the plan stuff. In the past I’ve also not really known the plan but I was too dumb to realize it. I liked those days. These days where I know there’s something going on but there’s nothing I can do about it stresses me like you’ll never know. The next year and a half will be a big eye opener for me and several of my coworkers …. Even if they don’t know that yet.

I spent today doing laundry and packing and getting ready to go on this trip. I’m going to try and enjoy it. I like the people I’m going to work with. They want to take me to dinner Monday night which is nice. I don’t really need them to babysit me all week so I hope after that we all just chill after work and not necessarily together. I’m used to working 7:30-6pm but I don’t know what their work days look like. Do they work through lunch ? Do they go to lunch? Will I be expected to go with every day? I mean I might need some getting away and dealing with my anxiety so I can walk back in to the office for the rest of the day. Lots of unknowns for the week ahead. I am taking my head phones and a charger for my phone cause when I need to I’ll just plug in, check out, put my head down and get to work. At the end of the day that’s what I’m best at.

I’m also kind of excited to get out of the office for a while. I’ve never been to Tampa before I wish I had a little more “play time” to wander around and see what the place is all about but I don’t think I’ll have a lot of play time. I do get in pretty early tomorrow (Sunday) but I won’t have a car. Thankfully god created Uber for that reason. I hope to explore some tomorrow if nothing else I’ll need to venture out for food. I’d like to stop at a wallgreens or CVS and get rations of the week, drinks snacks etc, but I think I’ll wait on that for when I have the car Monday night. 

 

It will be a fun week, and the mantra will be as soon as it’s done I can start planning my trip to see Golden cause she and I are going to see her soulmate Godzilla and I will actually be spending her actual Birthday with her, something I haven’t done in years cause I usually take advantage of the holiday but this year I’m going for her actual birthday and I’m super excited. I see really stupid stuff in her future, we’ll see if I can pull it off.

Wonder what kind of cake she wants? I like chocolate so yeah that’s likely what’s going to happen cause it’s about me as much as her right?! 

Oh hey, while I’m at it … check out my super awesome Cousin Ryan Bergenty and his NASCAR blog via Yankee Racer, he’s the Car Chief for the #1 car (see dude on far right above)… which just happens to be on my TV right now …. He’s a pretty good behind the scenes tell it like it is kind of guy. It’s a fun read so check it out. He married my cousin Ashley and they produced the cutest little person earlier this year. They are a cute little couple and I’m proud to call him family. She I’ve called family or years so I’m proud to say that too.

http://yankeeracer.com/category/ryan-bergenty/

That reminds me i still owe you guys a recap of my NC trip after I left the SMPS conference .... it's coming .... ha! :D 

Anyway … hope everyone is having a good week . . . . . what are your plans for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend?!

Marcy

@beaslma

He has risen!

Happy Easter !!!!!!

To my fellow readers I hope you have a wonderful day filled with happy memories being made with family and friends. I remember when I was little Easter being a huge deal. We'd get up on Good Friday and if Dad didn't have to work we'd head to one of the grandmother's houses and have an Easter Egg hunt with the cousins and play and play and play. Sometimes yard work was involved but I mostly remember the "playing." I missed our church's Easter Egg hunt this year cause it took place while I was in Birmingham with a friend to see Kiss. More on that in my next post.

Sometimes there was a new dress and if I were lucky a hat, which meant mom didn't have to spend hours on my hair. She was a big fan of bows, braids, etc., and I was a big fan of well ripping them out of my head the second she was through so it was a headache neither needed. 

I remember a lot of laughter, sometimes crying, and lots of sweets and candy. My family knows how to cook, something that must have skipped my generation. I'm too impatient for cooking. I'm far patient enough for the eating however. 

This morning we woke up just before the crack of dawn to attend Sunrise Service. Due to some late parishioners the service started well after sunrise but was nice and peaceful just the same. It was also cold, tho not nearly as cold as last years service which consisted of wind coming off the lake cutting right through you. 

. 

The Easter Bunny was good to me this year. He brought me chocolate and Wild Cherry Pepsi, I'm ashamed to admit i'm on my 3rd as I type this. It's coyingly sweet and frankly the 2nd one almost made me sick but I'm not a quitter. I fear I've forever altered my taste buds but I can't go the rest of my life drinking sweet tea or juice only. I just can't. It was a long 40 days yall. 

After the Sunrise service I reached out to Sam Cerio, relogged into all my random accounts and have reconnected with a few people that I truly missed during my 40-days of Lent. I like my social media break don't get me wrong but after the last few years it is the connections that I miss the most. It's nearly time for lunch and then hopefully a nap. 

Have a fantastic day everyone and may you all have a blessed week ahead, don't get a tummy ache from all the goodies in your basket. 

Marcy

@beaslma 

Jumping onto my soap box

So I still owe everyone a post about the end of my North Carolina trip which consisted of family fun time and NASCAR shops with a friend before heading back home and back to the real world.

I'll get to it I promise. However, I need you guys to give me a minute cause there are some things happening out in the World that I feel needs my two cents added to the conversation. So here I go. 

Lent is stupid
So….I am not Catholic, yet I participate in Lent. It’s not just a Catholic thing but they are way more strict about it. However Lent is stupid. Not the actual process of Lent mind you, I still fully believe in giving up something for 40 days as a sacrifice and in an effort to better yourself even if it’s not for religious reasons. Golden for one has spent the last some odd 20 days or so giving back as her Lent acknowledgement. She has paid the bill of people behind her in fast food lines and in other ways and I commend her for that. As you know dear reader I gave up both Social Media and Soda for Lent and.... guys … it’s been hard. Thus Lent is stupid. I can live with the social media break, actually I enjoy it but since Lent started my AU Gymnastics team has had three meets, went to the SEC Championships and I have had to watch it all from the sidelines.  

However all of that aside one of my favorite Gymnasts Sam Cerio had a horrific accident during her Floor Routine during the first night of the Regional at LSU, in which my team advanced to night two thank you very much. She broke both her legs and dislocated BOTH her knees. It was a horrific thing to watch do yourself a favor and NEVER WATCH IT. I was watching live on the internet and almost threw up on my keyboard. The coolest thing is that the next day the President of LSU visited Sam in the hospital. I thought that was really cool and shows the support and love that the SEC has for each other off the playing field or Matts in this case. 

It’s been awful not being able to reach out to Sam and give her support at this time. She graduates in May and I understand is getting married in June. She has stated she plans to walk down the isle and if anyone can do it … SAM CAN! She’s amazing. I have a message board on my desk, that I try to update at least once a week, this was the board the week after the meet.  

In addition to all of that my beloved Auburn Tigers got to the freaking FINAL FOUR!!!!!!! That’s never ever ever in life happened and watching it from a far was super hard. Not checking in with the team or watching the various fan events that happened during the tournament but not being able to connect with anyone about it was really hard. Like for reals hard. It was also difficult to find scores and times when the games would be without seeing spoilers. It was a damn fun run to the Final Four and I couldn’t be more proud of those guys. I can’t wait until the 22^nd to hit up Bruce Pearl and thank him for leading these young men in such a positive wonderful way. They all made me very proud to be an Auburn Tiger. It also cracked me up that this team caused a TP shortage in the Auburn/Opelika area, if you don't know the ways of Toomer's Corner, well I'm sad for your very sheltered and horrible upbringing.  

However social media woes aside the hardest part has been the missing of SODA in my life. This year I decided a full ban on all things soda. If I NEVER drink another glass of sweet tea again it will be too soon. My plan is the Friday before Easter I’m going to buy a 6 pack of Wild Cherry Pepsi and I plan to drink all 6 on Easter Sunday. I have missed soda every time we went to lunch and they woud ask “what would you like to drink” all of me wanted to say a COKE give me a freaking COKE ASAP! I’m proud to say that as of the 10^th I’ve held strong but it’s not been easy. Not easy at all. My family keeps saying you aren’t Catholic just drink a coke (I’ve been a little cranky) already but I’ve come this far I can go another 14 or so days.

My plan for Easter …. wake up, go to sunrise service and while there drink a 2 liter of coke by myself as the preacher talks then on the way home hit up Sam Cerio as my first tweet and my second tweet a picture of my nearly empty coke with a countdown of sodas to follow throughout the day. 


Harry and Megan, the Royal Baby and Rumors on top of Rumors
Ok let me start by saying STOP IT. Leave this damn couple alone. Granted they have squeezed in all the things into a single year, the marriage, the kid, all of it before the 1^st anniversary and so that’s on them but my goodnees they can’t do anything without it being a major controversary. I don’t blame them for not wanting to do the “photoshoot” on the stairs of the hospital like 7 hours after the kid pops out. The last two times Kate did that she got flack for it but now everyone is acting like Meghan is personally whipping her new kid's butt with the unwritten Royal Protocol. I mean from the moment this couple became a couple they have been scrutinized at every step. From how she dresses to how his face looks when they are together, to other media woes with her super stable and loving family. He has always been a very private person and it kind of cracks me up how the entire focus is now on her when they are together and it's almost like he is allowed to relax cause he is very conscious of that fact. He also seems to turn into her security officer when they are out and about which I think is adorable. You can very clearly see him scanning the crowd for trouble and mentally preparing a plan for should it arise. 

How dare they get an Instagram without me, not being able to follow or see their pictures. No before you ask, cause I know you will, I don't believe she is running it. Is she sending in captions to the person running it … maybe … but I don't believe she's sitting at Fogmore with phone on her giant belly deciding what to post on Instagram. Sigh …… that was so rude. I also think that this backlash where people are creating a KP VS the Sussex is just dumb. The “Fab 4” can and will do amazing things if people would just back off and let them have the space to breath and do it. If anything this might force William and Kate to step up their game as a solo unit now. I really hope the stories of the boys drifting apart are not true but more two busy people leading very busy lives. I mean my goodness William has three kids for Christ sakes, their lives are separating cause it's the natural order of how life  happens between normal family members. If I see one more headline about William missing the birth I'm going to scream. Last time I checked the brother didnt have to be there not to mention Harry was out of the country for all but Louis (and for that one he was in full wedding mode) so people just need to stop it already. Not to mention that their public life focus is very different and that's ok. That's what made the Royal Foundation work. I hope it stays in tact cause its definitely sheading light on some areas that deserve to be highlighted. The good that this 3 some did can only be better now with 4 voices and focus behind it. I look forward to watching. 

The truth is they can do it now or do it in a few years when Charles becomes King and everything HAS to shift. Do it now and it will allow the focus to stay on Charles when he becomes King, as it should be. Let's be honest they weren't going to be joined at the hip forever. People keep forgetting that William also took his little family out of the limelight moving away from KP for a while when George was little. Of course in my opinion that was during the time that William was still kind of running from this role.  This couple deserves the time and space to start their family and I pray that the media, the “fans” and the rest of the world allows them the space to do so. Everyone needs to back off and just let them be and I don’t want to hear that they knew what they were getting into when they walked into this party. May we all be so lucky to fall hard in love with another human being like they seem to have. She seems to make him really happy and if people would just back off I think they just might make it work. Tho maybe that's the issue there are those that dont want this couple to make it and that's just sad and pathetic.

Let me also add that I don't believe the Queen gives a flying Corgi if they raise this child vegan or vegetarian or feed it well Corgis every day for breakfast, ok in that instance she might step in. As long as the kid is taken care of she will likely let them do whatever they want with the kid, in reason of course. The kid is going to be so far away from the throne it really isnt as big a deal in that instance. I am not saying that the kid doesn't matter I'm simply stating that it's not quite as stressful for this kid as it would say George who will eventually,  God willing, reach the throne. Even Charlotte and Louis will just be sideline players, again assuming God takes care of this little family. If Harry and Meghan were smart they would be pushing for the kid to not have a title opening up the path that kid can take in the future. Sure it could take on private life or continue the works of Mum and Dad, or frankly both, but the bottom line is that Babby Sussex could have choices that Harry and Will never had dreams about having  However that's just my opinion, I have often though Harry had the better deal. All of the fun of Royal life with a fraction of the pressure. I also think that once he decided he could use this role given to him for good he jumped in with both feet. I often think William still just has a toe in the water but that his pool is much deeper so I kind of understand that.

Last point I’m going to make on this …. If they have a girl if anyone on the planet is dumb enough to think Harry is going to name said girl Diana they haven’t been paying attention at all. I can’t imagine a world in which he will be able to physically say Diana for the rest of his life. I’m not saying one of the 7 names they give a kid might not be Diana but it will be buried deep into the name. I personally hope for a boy (tho I’m not 100% sure why I even care) cause I want them to name the boy Phillip and I'm sure they care what I think about that. 

College Scandal – LEAVE AUNT BECKY ALONE 
I am so sick of this story, this scandal, and the fact that of all the parents involved two “celebrity” parents are getting the brunt of it. I love how every story talks about Lori Laughlin like she’s personally responsible for this entire thing. Then in the second breath they mention the “Desperate Housewife” AKA Felicity Huffman (who in my world will always be Dana Whitaker - RIP Sports Night) as an oh yeah she’s also involved. Why the hell is that ? 

I feel Lori Lofton is being treated really unfairly in the stupid thing. Dont get me wrong what she and the other parents did was wrong on so many levels but they are just the tip of this. What about administrative people who looked the other way. Coaches who gave up scholarships to really talented kids why aren't they in trouble??? Its like prosecuting the drug pushers when the main dealer is sitting next to them at the table.

I mean honestly is this the biggest issue in the world?! Is it really necessary to ruin the careers of these two ladies and why aren’t their husbands being drug through the mud? Why isn’t William H Macy being black balled left and right? It all seems really stupid that these two ladies are looking at 20 years in prison OVER THIS?! I’ve seen people who have done far worse who have gotten far less. It’s just majorly stupid!

Politics … specifically Trump Vs Democrats

Ok guys I've talked about Trump on here before and while Golden and I said early on that we wouldn't get political, I think what I've said so far straddles that line, cause I gotta open that door one more time. I need the Democrats to move on. I typically vote Blue unless the Red race will affect my every day world and needs my attention. Living in a Red state that happens more than I'd like to be honest. However I need the Democrats to move on. There are like 75 people running on the Democratic ticket and while I know it's early in the game, I'm not sure any of them can beat Trump. The Dems have done exactly what they didn't want the Republicans to do from day one, not concede this election. I get it, he's not the President you wanted, he's not the guy you voted for, but suck it up buttercup he's who we have. Instead of fighting him every step of the way or continuing this collusion BS or think about impeachment proceedings how about you guys pull on your big boy and girl clothes and get to work. Force him out the right way, give people someone they can vote for instead of him. Right now I'm confident he'd get a second term and that's not ok. That's not acceptable and that's entirely on the Democrats head if he does. They talk so much about what he has not accomplished but they can't point to their own accomplishments either. It's a giant cluster either way you look at it and our Nation isn't in a great place right now so let's all be adults, the Mueller report is out, if you must … read it... learn from it.... then move on. 

One more thing about this Biden has give his time to this Country, he's made a very positive impact along with Obama and frankly needs to step aside. This is NOT his fight. I'm not saying he can't help whomever makes it through the pack of crap running but I just feel it shouldn't fall on his shoulders. He's an amazing man, a loving man, a man that cares about the Veterans and a man that deserves to do whatever he wants at this stage in his life. I'm not sure President is something he needs to add to his resume. However he can do whatever he wants … and likely will. 

Jessie Sommelet - Chicago PD 
Ok just no. Here's what happened. Some asshat actor made up some BS story to get his name in the papers and up his reputation and the social media community pounced on it before they even knew what happened. The public support was so great and he was so high profile that the Chicago PD jumped in with both feet too and put the full force of well the force on this case. They wasted a TON of money, time, efforts, and manhours on this case. The end result being that it was all crap and now they want him to pay for it … no. Good police work will show it's BS from the beginning. You don't throw money down a hole, which is what they did. When they saw it starting to go south you pull back, put less on it and move on. They also dropped all the charges about false statements so they couldn't even get that right. If dude isn't guilty then he shouldn't have to pay. That was on them for letting the public outcry dictate how they ran their department. It was fun to watch it play out while I could cause the wave of social media on this case proved just how messed up social media can be. The support was huge, then the disappointment after learning the "truth" was a dull roar followed by silence. The world moved on long before the Chicago PD did and now that dude can't catch a break yet he still pops up in my news feed from time to time. It's going to be interesting how this plays out to be honest. 5 years from now he'll pop up in some random movie and blow everyone away then he'll be the huge start he wanted to be when all this started. That's my guestimate but first he'll have to endure a Lifetime or BET movie about the entire situation in which they won't even allow him to play himself. 

Ok I’m climbing down now … thank you for letting me get some of this off my chest, I admit I feel better. 

Thanks 
Marcy 
@beaslma

SMPS SERC – Day 2 & 3 Tue. and Wed.

It’s Tuesday….ok it’s really Sunday but I’m gonna take us back to Tuesday to talk about day 2 of the SMPS SERC Conference. Then we’ll get into Day 3, AKA Wednesday. I’ll admit once the conference started it was a whirl wind. It was sessions, then more sessions, then lunch and afternoon sessions before a meet and greet and the nights activities. I will also add I didn’t sleep well Tuesday which didn’t help with my not feeling like I’m in a whirl wind throughout this conference. So let’s take it day by day. 

 

Day 2 Tuesday: 
Day 2 started early, after a very easy going Monday Tuesday hit the ground running. The Opening Keynote/Breakfast was very interesting … Breakfast was kind of blah. It was basically granola, bagels, and some fruit in this weird sauce. I didn’t partake. I did drink some juice while the Keynote speaker was talking but by lunch I was very hungry. I hadn’t run into my group from the Emerald Coast chapter yet this morning, I knew they were in the room but I didn’t know where. I was one of the last in the room so I just grabbed a seat near the front so I could see and hear what was being said.

The Opening Keynote if I had really been paying attention set the tone for not only the day but the next few days as this conference seemed to be about keeping emotions in check, finding creativity and using it, and setting yourself and message apart from the pack. Lots of what I call Cheerleading sessions in which it sounds good and is very inspirational but not so practical. Then again I’m a pessimist so there’s that.

The worst part of this conference was the overlapping sessions that I wanted to attend and having to choose between one vs the other. For the most part I chose well, I think. Only once did I feel that I chose wrong. They had a session about how to read Construction Documents for use in proposals, but the description made it sound like they were going to focus on architectural construction documents, which isn’t at all what I do. However for 2 days all I heard was how amazing and awesome that session was. I can’t wait to download that session. That’s the coolest part of this entire conference, sometime next week SMPS will put all of the presentations and handouts online for us to download.

One session I really enjoyed was about Thematic Interpretation. In which they focused on developing a theme for the proposal and allowing it to take over every piece of the submittal. I wish I had been to this session two weeks ago cause my last submittal could have really used a theme or well anything to make it better than what it was. My issue with these plans is that they assume you have the time to actually build these things into the submittal. I guess one day I will but so far I haven’t see that happen yet.

In the afternoon session I’ll be honest I’m still surprised I didn’t fall asleep. I don’t know if it was a combination of being hot, and not being able to sleep The topic was really interesting it talked to things I think I really need to know but I think it was over my head. I did also enjoy the one about Branding. Our company recently went through kind of an overhaul and it talked about how you can take those elements and use them as a way to make your proposal really pop as opposed to being boxed into something. 

That night we had a social at a local Brewery called New Belgium Brewery. It also happened to be the birthday of one of the girls in our Chapter. So we joined everyone for dinner and drinks at the Brewery. I’m not a beer drinker so I had a glass, and everyone else had 2 then we were told the Bus was going back early if anyone was interested. We jumped on the buss and hit the hotel bar for shots and chatting with others who headed home. I thought for sure I’d sleep great that night but I went back to my room, packed up everything for leaving the next day and then laid there for far too many hours with an Advil PM in my belly. 

Day 3 Wednesday: 
First off let me say if you are hosting a conference at your hotel for a group of people, most of whom had flown in for the conference….how about you allow for late checkouts? I mean the check out time for the hotel was 11 am … the conference didn’t end until nearly 2 so the Wednesday sessions were filled with people lugging around luggage and just made and already packed room even more packed. Just a thought for next year. Which btw will be in Tampa next year! We have an office in Tampa …. Just saying! :D

So first thing first was packing the car since i'd have to checkout after the breakfast/announcements. I really almost skipped breakfast after yesterday’s lame breakfast but was soooooo happy I didn’t when I got there to bacon, eggs, biscuits … everything was yummy. My first session was about mentorships. My boss is definitely a mentor to me, I’d like to be that for my team, or the ladies who work with me. I like to think I am but some days I think I’m just a crutch for them. Often they come to be for advise but sometimes I worry that I’m giving them the answers instead of showing them the process to get the answers. This session was especially interesting to me but I wish it had gone more into how we can be mentors to others as opposed to determining who your mentors are. Then again that’s exactly what was advertised.

My last session of the conference was about infusing creativity into your pursuits which was frankly just fun. The ladies were all dressed like Bob Ross (with a big afro wig on – it was red so it was more Annie than Bob Ross but they were fun, informative, and entertaining so I wasn’t going to split hairs with them). This one also gave me some things to think about for upcoming proposals. I think this was my favorite session of the entire event. I almost went to a different session but went to this one at the last minute instead and that was the greatest decision I made during the entire conference. 

 

Then we had lunch and the close out of the conference with the closing keynote with Danielle Gray talking about how to ignite and sustain passion. I could sit at the feed of Ms. Gray for the rest of my life and live only on the soaking up of her being and be forever fulfilled. She was definitely perfect for the closing keynote. Apparently she’s also an SMPS member and is featured in their new branding that was rolled out late last year. I know a good number of people skipped the closing keynote and those guys really did themselves a disservice cause it was fantastic. After that I took off to Charlotte for a few days of R&R before heading home. However that’s another post.

Have a great week ahead!

Marcy 
@beaslma

SMPS SERC – Day 1

Day 1 was fun, relaxing but fun. Registration started at 9 but the first session wasn’t until 1. So I slept in a bit and took a little extra time getting ready just cause I could. Then I registered for the conference then went and got some lunch. At that point I ran into some of the ladies from my chapter but they weren’t planning to go to any of the events this afternoon so they went left and I went right. It was nice to not have to rush ...rush...rush. 


The first session was about obtaining certification known as CPSM. There’s a test that has to be taken to get it. I was hoping that the course would spend more time talking about the actual test not just why getting the certification was important. The two giving the course were very knowledgeable about the process and the reasons behind getting the certification. It was a nice first event don’t get me wrong but it wasn’t really what I was expecting. 


From there I came back to the room for a bit then decided to go to the 2^nd session which was about how you can get more involved in SMPS and in your own chapter. That was a spur of the moment decision but I'm glad I went. It was very interesting to see the time, effort, and thought that has gone into this organization. It was given by the CEO of SMPS so that was cool. All of the speakers were from Headquarters and they spent a lot of time about how HQ could benefit the various chapters. 


My office is hosting a webinar next week for possible members to attend and they gave me some good ideas and conversation starters to use. Our chapter is considered a “developing chapter” cause we don’t meet the member requirements yet. We are about 10 shy but hope to get there within the next month or so. Five other members are attending the SERC so that’s been fun getting to know them a little better. We all went to dinner tonight and swapped stories and networked a bit with others there. I have so many business cards but can’t put a name with the card at the moment. It’s crazy how many people you can meet in the span of 5 minutes. 


Tomorrow is the first full day of the conference and starts up at 7:45 with a breakfast and the opening key note speaker then a full day of sessions. Several I’m very excited about others that I’m interested in but would be ok with if it were full and I had to bail. Ha! I’m glad I got to come to this event, I think it will be very beneficial and it’s definitely giving me the break I needed.

Marcy 
@beaslma

SMPS SERC – Travel Day

 

So on Sunday I woke up earlier than normal, grabbed my bag, and headed to the airport for my first ever SMPS SERC (Society for Marketing Professional Services Southeast Regional Conference). Last year my boss got to go in Atlanta and this year is my turn. As I walked out the door the handle on my bag broke and I thought well aint that a bitch. I hoped it was not an omen for the trip. I soldiered on cause I wasn’t repacking that bag into another bag at that point. I mean come on bag that wasn’t cool at all. 

The plane ride was uneventful which is just how I like em. It was my first time traveling American Airlines and no I wasn’t in the 737, I checked that last week. The plane however seemed really really really small. Like stupid small.  I’m usually a Delta girl, I like the brand, the people are always friendly and I just feel comfortable in their planes. However upon booking this flight I realized that my connection in Atlanta to Charlotte (cause you can’t do anything with Delta without it involving Atlanta) would have been taking off in Atlanta at the same thing that American would have been putting my luggage on the carousel for me to pick it up in Charlotte. AKA this time a direct flight won.

Upon arriving in Charlotte I went to find my rental car, another first for me, I chose Avis instead of Hurts my usual go to. Why did I choose Avis …. Cause one that’s what American Airlines was affiliated with, two I was able to get the car I wanted. See dear reader I’m in the process of thinking about my next car. My current Sonata is about 6 years old and while I’m like it to last a few more years I’m starting the process of thinking about it now. I’m ready for something different. I’m thinking Hyundai Kona (cause I love the look of it and the fact it’s kind of a newer car), but have also looked at the Santa Fe (I’d like to stay in the Hyundai family. I’ve also thought about the Honda CRV as an option. So I’m using this trip as a “test drive” of a vehicle of this type. I ended up renting a Hyundai Santa Fe. I do like the car, I liked the way it drove. I spend 90% of my time in my car alone so it’s hard for me to justify a car like this but I think I’m past just having a sedan. I do need to make sure mom could climb into it.  My conference is in Asheville, NC but I have friends who live in Charlotte, NC. So I’m going to spend a few days after the conference ends hanging out with them. I do kind of hate having to rent a car on Sunday so that I can use it Thursday and Friday it’s just chilling in the parking lot for a few days which seems like a waste. Oh well ….that’s adulting.

Upon arrival in Asheville, NC (about an hour and a half from Charlotte) I drove into the hotel resort and was blown away cause it’s kind of tucked away and like crossing a portal to another kind of world. The resort lobby was beautiful, the detail they put into the place was amazing. Walking up to the front desk the guy could have ben a little nicer but whatever maybe he was near the end of his shift ….whatever. He definitely could have told me how to get to my room with a little more detail but I’m sure he’s giving that speech a billion times and just doesn’t think the complex is very hard to navigate cause he does it daily. This resort has different areas that you could be staying it each with a fun different kind of name. However there are ZERO signs, I take that back there are signs but they are very hard to see. I finally found my room and realized that they spent the majority of their money on the lobby. The room is nice don’t get me wrong but this room could have been at any hotel. None of the charm or love that the lobby has was also utilized in the rooms.

At this point I was starving, it was after all close to 3pm and I hadn’t eaten anything yet. So I decided to jump back into the Santa Fe and drive around the area. I was disappointed. As beautiful as the complex around the resort is the area around it left some to be desired. I did make a stop at a local convenience store for some snacks and drinks for the next few days.

Day 1 was just a travel day. The actual conference starts Monday am with registration and some events in the afternoon. So I worked some on Sunday just to put my mind at ease. A few things I needed to get done so that others could do their part while I was around. This made me feel better about sleeping in Monday morning and just chilling a little bit. I think I might need professional help.

This is my first conference I’m looking forward to how it goes, I’m also looking forward to meeting some new people.

I’ll check in a few times this week to tell you how this is going for me …. Giving up Social Media and Soda for lent has been hard. I love getting an Icee on road trips, couldn’t. Just about every drink I like has soda in it. So no drinking. Every event talks to sharing this or that on Social Media. If you are interested they are asking people to use #SMPSSERC in any of their posts.

Marcy  @beaslma

AUBURN GYMNASTICS

Before I shut down my Social Media for Lent I have to give a shout out to my Auburn Gymnastics team and let them know that while I’m not going to be cheering them on online I’ll be thinking about them daily, sending them positive vibes, watching from the sidelines and wishing them the best SEC Championship ever cause this team deserves all of it.

It’s been a fantastic season for the Auburn Tigers …. 4-0 at home … 3-2 away … 7-2 overall. Their only losses in the SEC coming at the hands of Florida (the eventual SEC Champions) and Alabama, whom they came within like 3 toe point points and a stuck landing of taking down in Tuscaloosa. Read that again .. I’ll wait. As a matter of fact if Auburn had gotten the score they put up against Florida in Tuscaloosa they would have tied the meet with Alabama. It was their second highest road score of the season and gave them a 2^nd place finish in the SEC Regular Season. Just saying this team is capable of taking the entire tournament. 

This does not come as a surprise to me. I have seen this coming. As I think I have said before on this Blog, my dorm for all 4 years at Auburn was the closest dorm (at that time) to their practice facility so they would put the Freshman Gymnast in our dorm. In an effort to support these ladies we formed a group that would go to all the home meets and cheer the girls on. We'd put up things in their hallway with positive thoughts and encouragement for the weeks they had away meets. Heck I often drove them to practice so they wouldn't have to walk it. Gotta save those legs, they might have also been running late ha! During my 2nd or third year the group of girls in our dorm (cause I lived in the dorm all 4 years at Auburn (my last two years in a room by myself) since I had a job in the dorm that basically paid me to do my homework) came to the front desk one day while I was working and said that they really appreciated my support and loved that I came to the meets but politely asked that I go to get a drink or a snack during beam cause I could be distracting.  

Jeff Graba, pictured, and his staff have been building to this for years. He joined this program in 2010, I believe, and had a vision from his first day in the gym with these ladies. They have been planning for it, recruiting for it, and preparing these ladies for this shot, this chance and now they are going to grab it and hold it high. Graba has given them the tools, the coaches, the drive, the determination and the belief that they can win it all. Or completely fall on their faces … that’s how Gymnastics works. It’s not what you have done it’s what you are doing right this second that counts. No matter what happens this year has been so much fun to watch and this team can only build on this moving forward. I've said it before and will say it again. The FUTURE of Auburn Gymnastics is strong. 

There are 6 freshmen on this team, several that have already made their mark on the events this season including the amazing Derrian Gobourne who is so much fun to watch. If you haven’t seen her perform yet you really need to treat yourself and look her up, she’s won several all-around titles this year and I can’t wait to watch her evolve over the next few years. She can only get better which should scare the rest of the teams out there.  She’s powerful, talented and just a joy to watch work. Then you have 5 Sophomores on the team ready to take over leadership roles when asked including my home town favorite Allie Riddle an excellent Beam walker who does the other events pretty well too. I can't wait to watch her over the next few years too. She's from my hometown so I have a special place in my heart for her. GO UMS Bulldogs.  

Our Seniors include Sam Cerio (Engineering), Taylor Krippner (Human Sciences), A’Miracal Phillips (Science and Mathematics), and the always consistent Abby Milliet (business). I’m gonna miss these ladies but look forward to seeing what’s in store from them off the mats. Each of these ladies have served as leaders on this team and are a large reason why this team is in the place they are in right this second. They have helped build the foundation that the rest will build upon moving forward. 

Auburn has two more meets before the SEC Championships (in New Orleans March 23^rd BTW). One with Alabama, this weekend March 9^th in Birmingham and another with Air Force Academy in the Auburn Arena on the 15^th. Both events are great and fun events and allow Auburn to get that Bama monkey off their back before the SEC Championship which sets you up for the NCAA Championships which will be in Texas in April. I have no doubt in my mind that they can and will beat BAMA before this season ends. It's gonna happen. 

I tell you all of this because these young ladies deserve your love, support and respect. They put in the hours in the gym, more so during the off season. Their hard work is definitely paying off and it’s showing. Now we as fans need to continue to show up for them. 

War Eagle Ladies …. FINISH STONG!!!!!

Marcy (@beaslma)