All the Things She Said

I never wrote an article about the comments page from 2023's No Longer Virtual. The way I was treated that time it would not have surprised me if there were pictures of erect penises and raised middle fingers.

I said that before the worst day of 2023. You remember- I was told my experience was "Lackluster." How belittling. Empathy died that day. Some hid behind that concept. Trent was right.

I saved both sheets with statements from guests. I noticed the phrase "When he cares, he really cares". That is nice to hear. Some of the solopreneurs used it against me.

There was a lot of white space on the page. I told it you the group was indifferent. There are less comments from this year. There were less guests so proportionately, there were more. I am reading these for the first time.

"Always funny". They didn't see me the year before when my statements fell on deaf ears. When I am allowed to speak my mind- it's not like I am talking about religion or politics. I describe facets from work- things flow.

It can be a live reading of my articles. My reputation does not precede me. In the old days this conference was a place whose posts and comments were enjoyed. Some act like I came to No Longer Virtual on the short bus.

That's their problem. Get in the van! "Fun, loving honest guy who inspires conversation." The comma makes all the difference. I would rather be fun and loving than fun loving. Anyone can do it.

"Funny, versatile, relatable." Alright. I cover a lot of ground and cannot limit myself to one topic forever. Maybe that's why I never started a newsletter. I would probably need ten and then I would come up with an eleventh topic. Don't worry about that.

"Committed and clear. Heart of contribution." Maybe I have a committed and clear heart of contribution. There are many interpretations. It is important to contribute. It is what made America great- you have ideas, I have ideas and we come to an understanding. Amy wasn't at this conference so the legacy of clarity continues.

"I appreciate your sense of humor. Todd" I don't recall a Todd at this conference. Might have been TJ. Could have been LL Cool J. James Todd Smith was not the Black guy in Montana. I played "Find the Black guy in Montana" at Sarah's concert.

There are people of color in Missoula. Not enough Latinas. Mercedes filled that void. I wouldn't know if she wrote one of these. I sat next to her and that was a joy. "Full of new perspectives."

The year before many thought I was full of something else. This conference is turning me into Johnny Carson. I listen a lot more, letting the panel riff. It's my show. If Don Rickles and Bob Newhart are in their element- what could I say that would enhance the affair?

I could talk about how the previous night's audience was a tough crowd. Someone asked "Why don't you talk about a tough crowd during the show? The sensible response "Because they would boo."

If I can do this conference for thirty years- I'm ready to grow old with Sarah and Hannah and hopefully others who show up repeatedly. Last one: "Memory keeper- especially for true friends."

Recently I theorized the afterlife is how you are remembered. It can happen while you live. Many former guests are recalled fondly. I love name dropping with Sarah. She's the only one who knows everyone. Hannah knows everyone from the second conference forward. Not everyone is memorable. Everyone can make a positive impact.

I did not write a message on everyone's page. At this moment I cannot recall what I wrote specifically to the ones I wrote to. That is for them to recall. Just like comments and face to face conversations- there is a lot that can be said. Keep it positive.

Any artist can tell you two hundred nice comments do not resonate like one negative comment. Don't respond to the bad ones. People in Chicago said rude things to my face. They did not write it as well. Onward and upward- I need to prepare for next February. There is a lot to do between now and then.