My first SXSW

- Mel

Going to SXSW was on my 30s Life List (aka Bucket List), which I had basically thrown out the window because, um… I’m now in my 40s. BUT I finally had an opportunity to spend four days in Austin, Texas for the infamous SXSW conference.

SXSW 2019

Being that it’s my first time visiting for the conference (my second time in Austin), I don’t really have a lot of “advice” for doing your first SXSW. I can tell you some of the things I enjoyed and would likely do more of in the future. Because, yes, I am DEFINITELY going back! We had an unfortunate series of flight delays and reroutes that had us landing in Austin around midnight – causing us to miss the entirety of the first day we planned to get there, settle in, get our access badges before the conference started, and meet up with friends. It ended up feeling like a long weekend, which felt like both long enough and not enough time at all.

SXSW Austin conference

I should probably state this before getting super into my experience that I am the type of human who LOVES conferences. If I ever have the opportunity to travel for one, even better. Love of Learning is my top character strength, and SXSW sincerely brings value if you want to learn about something new. Technology is my jam. I don’t work in the industry – but there are events and sessions at SXSW geared toward both the industry professional to the novice nerd who is obsessed with the intersection of wearable tech and sports industries (hello, I’m a sport psych student!). There is so much to interact with!

SXSW LG interactive sign language wall

And this is the kind of conference where you could make it what you wanted. SXSW is both a conference and a series of festivals. If I return, I would like to take part in either the film or music festivals. Unfortunately, since I was there during the first weekend, the music festival wasn’t to start until the following week.

SXSW houses rainey street austin

Being there on Day 1 of the conference allowed us to explore some of the SXSW Houses on Rainey Street – before many of them closed for private parties and before the bulk of the crowds came in for the weekend (I could never figure out how to get Twitter House access, whomp). I was initially freaking out a little bit about the possibility of crowds. Look, I like to socialize but I get overwhelmed pretty quickly at events with a lot of people. I was nervous about waiting in lines (yes, it will happen – but for the most part, they move quick!) and being crammed into spaces with people only looking to gain entry for free booze (have money, will travel to the next place without a line where I can purchase my own, thankyouverymuch). Whatever your method of self-care is – meditation (we did that at the lululemon sweat house!), naps, eating a bunch of street tacos… make space to recharge.

SWSW lululemon sweat house

We also had an access badge that provided a quiet retreat (and guaranteed entry) from the crowds. Admittedly, our group was having a BLAST and we hit the day-long party opportunities often. And honestly? That is something I would definitely do differently when I go back.

SXSW austin happy hour

For the most part, we started our days at a big session – the first day was Jonah Peretti of Buzzfeed (his session was #presentationgoals), the second day was a session with Malcolm Gladwell about autonomous cars. For the follow-up sessions of our day, our group split up.

SXSW jonah peretti session gifs

I was really interested in the women in sports sessions – I found one that had the executive director of roller derby on it! And another with women athletes talking about their experiences as being part of The Body Issue of Sports Illustrated (the editor was also on the panel!). I was super bummed that I didn’t know about the earlier WWE sessions of the day until I arrived at the conference space (WWE also had some really interesting topics surrounding women in sports entertainment). Hey, at least I got to GIF myself with the championship belt!

Collectively, we seemed to tap out at 3 sessions and then sought entertainment (and food… and some of us, naps). Despite not being there for the music portion of the festival, we saw awesome live music every night! (I mean, it IS Austin.)

SXSW drink vouchers

So, yes, on to my “advice”…
WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. I cannot emphasize that enough. If you’re not walking, you’re taking super awesome (and convenient!) scooters all over the place. I was partial to Lime. I would also recommend a backpack if a) you enjoy taking scooters everywhere and b) you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to return to the hotel room in between every session and c) you are also the person who seems to pick up swag everywhere you go, and d) duh, hands-free to play with all the interactive stuff! Also, bring a refillable water bottle, please?

SXSW Lime scooters austin

Our trip allowed us both to experience the conference and explore a bit of the Austin hangs. Late nights and early mornings… man, it takes a special person to do that for a 10-day conference. Have you ever been to SXSW? What advice would you give to someone attending for their first time?

SXSW LG interactive

Farm Report: 3.29.19

- Mel

Picked up my bike from its fresh tune-up at Rassy’s (newly-outfitted with a sweet new rack and pack for extended outings and insulated storage for Farmer’s Market picks) – and I am ready for warmer weather outdoor adventures. I am a huge fan of winter, but this one really bummed me out. Conditions were often not fun (or safe) to be out and the amount of snow and ice we received held a lot of barriers for outdoor access. Last weekend, I was FINALLY able to do one of my long training runs outside for the first time in this half marathon plan. I am SO READY to be outside more regularly: more skating, more running, more biking, more hiking, more general adventuring without 18 layers of clothing.

MOOtube

I’m a little obsessed with live animal cams PARTICULARLY around birding breeding season. I was pretty excited to learn of a live cow cam from Iowa Dairy Center… until I attempted to log-on and error boxes screamed all WRONG BROWSER (only compatible with Internet Explorer, which… who uses that besides work organizations and what workplace is going to allow you to watch live cow cams?). So, if you’re at your work computer reading this, let me know how it is!

Cow Cam selfie
Feeling cute. Might delete later.

come to the corn

I recently celebrated my third anniversary of moving to Iowa. And while I’m not originally from here, moving away from a larger city was… a relief. We can endlessly argue whether Ohio – where I am from originally – is actually the Midwest (FWIW, I don’t). But one thing’s for sure, I am positively in love with this state I call my new home.

extra credit: Moving back to the Midwest {via Vox}

midwest shenanigans

80/35 announced their festival line-up for this summer, and I. Am. PUMPED.

Farm Report: 2.15.19

- Mel

Iowa is firmly in a winter storm cycle, with seemingly every Wednesday and weekend adding to the accumulation. I have read about where some of that snow goes (I mean, aside from the ONE day we had when it was 45 degrees and melt happened), but also is there a company that will come and remove these feet of snow from my roof? Also: Did you know it is IMPOSSIBLE to buy a snowblower in the middle of winter? Like, nobody has them for sale in the metro. It’s like when summer hits and you want to buy a bathing suit but they were sold out in February. (So, suffice to say, if you are looking for a bathing suit, NOW IS THE TIME PEOPLE!)

corn syrup bud light super bowl commercial
Gimme that sugar, baby.

oh the corntroversy

Iowa corn farmers are PISSED. Don’t mess with the corn industry, man. Also, your shitty commercial was dumb, Bud Light.

More: Corn farmers are not amused {via Fortune}.

midwest (meat) shenanigans

adding to the midwest bucket list: MEAT RAFFLE. Sadly, I missed this year’s Amana Freezer 5K again, which includes meat bag swag. Yes. A MEAT BAG.

Race Report: Training starts soon!

- Mel

I have no idea how the bulk of the year will unfold as far as running this year, but I have settled on two races to train for: Drake Road Races half marathon (in April) and DAM TO DSM 20k (in June).

I am 0 for 2 on Drake. The first time I was supposed to run it, I took a DNS because of weather. Last year, I took a DNS because I injured my Achilles during training. Will the third time be the charm this year?

I’ll start a 10-week half marathon training plan in early February for Drake. Follow me on Instagram if you’re interested in that journey.

Dam to Dam was the first race I did after moving to Iowa. (DAM TO DSM, is the fka: Dam to Dam, now under new management.) There is a lot of history and heart eye emojis surrounding the original Dam to Dam. For me, however… I won’t sugar coat things: it was awful. The uncomfortableness of summer temperatures and humidity here was unexpected, and I was ill-prepared to thrive in those conditions. Read my 2016 race report of Dam to Dam. I volunteered at the race the following year and downright swore off ever participating in it again because standing in the heat serving tacos was just as miserable as running through cornfields and streets smelling of stale beer (*puke*).

I like eating words, however, so here I am registered (thanks, DSM Hummingbirds!). With a few Iowa summers now under my belt, I’m hoping that I will be able to manage whatever weather conditions are thrown my way.

Bee tee dubs: if you’re interested in running DAM TO DSM, I have a $5 discount! Use promo code HUMMINGBIRD at registration (before February 1, 2019). Thanks again to DAM TO DSM for providing me entry to check out their inaugural race event.

Farm Report: 1.20.19

- Mel
electric cow iowa
Plug it in, plug it in.

nothing to do about corn

I’m so used to agricultural vernacular now that I referred to a power grid substation as an “electrical farm.” Which… is not technically a thing. Wind farms, however, are definitely a thing. And I am endlessly fascinated (and geeked out) over living in a state poised to become a leader in wind energy.

Oh yeah, if you visit here: It’s windy AF.

midwest shenanigans

On New Year’s Day, this year, I learned about the weird-but-amazing Iowa food preference for chili with cinnamon rolls. Yes, I wrote that correctly: CHILI WITH CINNAMON ROLLS. I love learning about regional quirks, like use of the word “kybo” for the portable toilet.

That’s why I was positively gleed (though simultaneously disappointed – thanks, gluten) at finding out that there is an Ames restaurant that has created a chili burger with cinnamon rolls for buns.

Have Volvo, Will Travel

- Mel

One of my favorite things is a road trip. Being in the heart of the US has offered me the opportunity to visit – ha, LIVE IN – states that sat empty and unloved on my Visited States map. Since moving to Iowa, I have crossed off Minnesota (not where Milwaukee is), Wisconsin (pretty sure this is where Milwaukee is), and Nebraska (I have since traveled there 4x in two years). States where I drove through while “finding myself” (aka running away from all my problems over a decade ago) that I have since revisited: Oklahoma and Missouri. For some reason, me and Illinois can’t break up because I have road-tripped there more than enough for one sane person’s lifetime. Oooh, and I get to cross off South Dakota this fall when I travel for a derby bout.

states I visited road trip blogger

I once went to a rowdy New Year’s Party in Manhattan, Kansas ten years ago (BH = Before Husband) to celebrate the drunken life in this country’s Little Apple. This was before Uber and all I remember is standing in an auto wash waiting for a cab to return us to our creep motel on the other edge of town. In other words, I’ve got Kansas covered and crossed off.

Adventures are fun. And you don’t know fun until you visit the Puppet Museum in Independence, MO.

So where do you consider the Midwest line to end and the Great Plains border to begin? We can argue for eternity about our Eastern cousins. Hahahaha, GET OUT OHIO. I’m pretty certain that Idaho is not in the Midwest… but is that Great Plains or considered the West? West to me is Arizona and California, and Pacific Northwest is Washington (where I FINALLY visited this past summer).

2019 Goals and Reflecting on last year

- Mel

At yoga last week, a friend commented on how much I’ve changed in a year. We attend this weekly community yoga class lead by the awesome Ben Spellman (Good Vibes Yoga, for those not in the know) – and his classes typically start by introducing yourself to others in the room accompanied by a hug.

shirt-back-free-hugs-2
credit: Hugs are Nice

The thought of giving hugs to strangers one year ago made me shiver in ick and roll my eyes at the general woo-woo feelings of it all. I generally stayed around my own mat, hugging a couple friends and awkwardly received a few strangers but ultimately felt really, really uncomfortable. I play a contact sport where I have to actively touch my teammates and they sweat all over me and yet I was wrapped in anxiety over a stranger giving me a hug.

That was last year. If you meet me at one of those yoga sessions now, I am actively seeking out people I don’t know in the room and freely giving hugs. #sorrynotsorry

Doing this small act had a big impact on me. Getting over the weirdness of it was a first step; gaining the happiness and connectedness over doing so was a far greater and deeper soul-enriching benefit.

The theme that keeps coming up for me, when reflecting on this last year and brainstorming on how I want 2019 to go, is: DOING. As in, DOING THE WORK.

Or maybe, likely, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

I’m trying not to have an existential crisis this year, but at times it feels like it. Because I am 41 (howwwwww is my birthday already 4 months away again?!), it is likely sprinkled with a dose of Erikson’s stagnation stage and a dash of a midlife crisis.

By the time I close out 2019, I will be 42 AND done with grad school. Now, I don’t know if that means I’ll have my actual degree yet (because internship hours and completed/approved thesis and what-not), but my actual coursework will be completed. I have to do the work, else I won’t be prepared to present my thesis or pass my oral exam. Or be prepared for any of my upcoming internships. Or to DO THE ACTUAL WORK that comes after completing my degree in sport psychology. What will my consultant business look like? What type of athletes will I be working with? What other state certifications or licensure might I need?

Doing the work also includes incorporating some of the mental skills training techniques into my OWN athletic pursuits. I’m aiming to complete another half marathon this year (Drake Road Races in April) – maybe a marathon in the fall if I stay healthy. And I’m back to playing roller derby in 2019! I’m also doing my first barbell competition this year. And I’m signing up for my first women’s 9-hole golf league. 😬

I think a lot about doing the work, but rarely sit down and take the time to, you know, actually do it.

2018 tested my strength and purpose a lot. When my anxiety is triggered in certain situations — my self-worth in danger — I often relied upon my safety behaviors of avoidance. Like, I wanted to quit everything… including grad school. And not because I didn’t want to learn and pursue this new career, but because it was hard and I was exposed and my intelligence was challenged. Too often in my life I have followed the easy path because of its soft blanket of comfort. And 2018 was finally when I started therapy to change these maladaptive behaviors. I plan to continue this work into 2019. I go to sessions weekly, and together with my therapist we’re challenging a lot of stuff that is uncomfortable (and a lot of times, incredibly sad and defeating when it comes to my core beliefs). Talking about going to therapy and my social anxiety openly – and DOING the work of therapy – has honestly been really helpful. Wrapped in a bow, those ideas summarize what I plan to do more of in 2019 – be more open, more vulnerable…

And give more hugs.

Extra credit:
Want to track your habits? There’s an app for that. But it might not be as effective as you think. {via Vox}
Science says you need more hugs. {via Time}
How to balance Learning and Doing {via For the Interested} for THIS truth gem: “Learning is tempting because it’s hard to “fail” at it. This also makes it an attractive place to hide from the more important work of doing — work that likely will include failure.”

Farm Report: 12.14.18

- Mel

is this where I blog?

Ope, this new editor in WordPress is legit awful. For the love of Corn Dogs, please bring me back a text box. 

Editor update: Using the Classic Editor plug-in to fix this pile of cow pies, thank Baby Jesus.

christmas on the farm

Good luck getting this one out of your head. Be happy that I didn’t share the one about palpating cows sung in the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. 😳

 

extra reading: Farm & Dairy’s 12 Days of Christmas

midwest shenanigans

When I had some family visiting Des Moines last week, they asked if we had a town square that is decorated for Christmas. I kinda just figure that Capitol Hill is our “town square” but was otherwise disappointed at its lack of holiday decor. Yes, there’s a tree inside, which… OK, it’s large and decorated and from a farm in Iowa but otherwise is an outlier because nothing else is decorated inside. Is there a section of downtown, outdoors, that gets in the holiday spirit as much as I see in other cities and I have missed in my adventures? Where’s the big OUTDOOR decorated tree? Where are the lighted displays? Where can I see a live manger scene?  Actually, don’t bother on that last one because I saw one in Urbandale last weekend. 😂😂😂

Note: I have been through the housing neighborhoods in Beaverdale, which is just a delight!