So what do YOU do?

So there was a TEDx conference here in Austin this weekend.  http://www.tedxaustin.com/  It was $100 for a ticket PLUS more importantly you had to apply to attend and more folks get turned away then accepted....it ain't always so easy to be a hipster here in Austin!  Hey but it was FREE to volunteer!  They even accepted this waddling preggers lady!

On Saturday I worked the "I thru O" registration table with 2 other ladies.  We just giggled at the silliness of "Austin's elite" crowd......"What do you  mean you need to see my ID, I don't carry one, EVERYone knows who *I* am!" OR the girl (early 20s) who complained about how 'low-tech' this conference was compared to ALL the other conferences she had been to (I guess we should have had retinal scanners at the door instead of asking for her licence & ticket), I handed her a cute little pencil they were giving away that said "Write Now" on it (a pun on the conference theme o "Right Now!") and said "Here's a pencil to add to your low tech experience" (she didn't laugh!  Come on, that was funny!).  WE had a good time checking in the peoples even if THEY didn't think we were funny!

I meet a bunch o random folks and was asked a lot "So what do you do?"......a simple enough question for small talk among strangers but I didn't have an answer.  The first time I was asked I replied "Do for what?".  I need to figure out what my answer will be sooner than later.  

As far as volunteering goes, I've never had such a "cake" job.  I kept checking back in every couple speakers but they'd just say to go back, enjoy the conference and they'd text me if they needed me and they had so many volunteers that they didn't.

It was my first for reals TED conference......like a lot of us, I've watched dozens o videos o incredible speakers in places all over the world discussing global issues and brilliant ideas and ground breaking technological advances and amazing performances all in 18 mins or less.  To be honest, I was kinda disappointed in Austin's speakers....just because you wrote a really prophetic book does NOT mean you're an engaging public speaker.  Some speakers were just full of themselves.  Some didn't really say ANYthing.  BUT in retrospect, I think I set my expectations WAY toooo high.  I went to have my mind blown and I got an semi-interesting all day conference which is fine.  Would I pay $100 to go next year?  Shit, would my application be "accepted"?  Probably not, on both fronts, but I'd totally volunteer again.  All in all, it was a lovely day.

Just in case you've never heard o TED conferences....... http://www.ted.com/

A Rat and 2 Bunnies.......

Gung Hay Fat Choy or Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Growing up in the Bay Area this is a phrase you learn in grade school.  You also learn which Chinese Zodiac animal you are because unlike sun signs....the zodiac signs go by year born, so EVERYone in your class is the same animal.  *I* am a rat.  I think I even remember making colored construction paper rat face masks.  Growing up next to one of the oldest & biggest Chinese neighborhoods in North America, you learn things like red envelopes have money in them and stacked up steam baskets are full o lots o delicious dumplings, oh and how to eat with chop sticks!  

Actually you learn about all sorts o Asian cultures growing up in the Bay.  Your friends go to school on weekends to learn their family's language.  You have to take your shoes off at the door.  They eat different food then you do at home.  There's an alter in the living room you're not allowed to play with.  You pick up how to say "white girl", "shut up & listen" and or course swear words.  You know, important things!

We'll be having a baby born in the year of the Rabbit which is awesome since it's considered the luckiest of all the signs.  A rabbit is talented and articulate, affectionate yet shy, and seeks peace throughout it's life.  As I'm looking up what a rabbit child is like, I asked Bustin which animal he is and he didn't know.  It turns out he's also a rabbit, which I found HIGH-larious when I read this......."Remarkably observant, a Rabbit can calculate his chances for getting his way.  Instead of directly resisting rules, the subtle Rabbit will carefully devise ways around them.  In short, this polite little angel is going to bargain for a better deal every time."  Oh THAT's Bustin to a T.....even Bustin's Mom would agree with that statement!

So NOW I had to look up how Rats and Rabbits get along.  I mean if I'm going to be ganged up on by TWO evil bunnies, I have to prepare myself somehow, right, RIGHT?  After some serious in depth internet research on compatibility that required "Cosmopolitan-esque quizzes" and fill in the blank list generators, turns out that everything will be alright in the universe.  Rats & Rabbits get along famously, both seek a home filled with love, children, and have an innate sixth sense to know when something is a-miss with the other.  DEEP sigh o relief!

If you want to look up your zodiac sign traits or compatibility, here's a fun & silly site:

http://www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/zodiacs/love_compatibility/rabbit.htm