Well this is unexpected. I'm going to Atlanta for the first ever conference for Women Podcasters. SHE PODCASTS LIVE, 2019!
Can I get an Amen? A hallelujah ?
That's okay, I get it. Big whoop. But in all honesty, for me, it really IS big whoop. I only DREAMED of going. I bought 2 tickets thinking I could go with a friend. Now, my friends are totally awesome and would do almost anything for me, but I just couldn't ask. They have full, busy lives themselves, and no one was into podcasting or anything tech related, so I gave up on the idea of going. Which is ironic because my motto is, “Keep looking up and never give up.” Before I had health issues I would have gone solo and had a great time, but not anymore.
Meanwhile, my hubby got some time off so we could visit the grandkids. Visit the grands? Turns out they're already quite busy being awesome teenagers, “So maybe you and Dad could come another time?” said my darling daughter. So that's out.
There's only one thing left to do: my hubby turns and asks me if I would want to go to “that women's podcast conference thing”……. Well, YEAH!
So things have been flying around here, Airline tickets, Hotel reservations, packing, cleaning the house. Okay, maybe not so much that last one…
I'm hoping this conference will get me back on track with my podcasts again. I have several “in the can” but have lost the confidence (yes, I'll admit it) and the focus to finish their production. Fingers crossed this conference will be the laxative to get things moving again. Because I really want my life back. I love the researching, recording, editing, and learning new things. It gets my heart racing.
And that brings us to the reason why I won't travel alone. My health. Or lack thereof. Lately I've become an armchair expert in pain management, physical therapy, micronutrients and nature walks, and all the effects of hEDS. All just to make it through each day. I have a condition called hypermobile elhers danlos syndrome, or hEDS for short. It's a genetic connective tissue disorder that affects the joints, blood vessels and organs, skin, eyes, teeth, pretty much the whole body tries to fall apart. My son lovingly refers to me as, “A hot mess.” Gee, thanks, child of my loins. I joke, but it's a pretty painful condition. (You can see cute memes about living with hEDS from A-Z at My Stripy Life.)
I can't believe we're taking this trip. My happily hot mess self and my dazed “What have I done?” husband. So if you happen to be in Atlanta at the She Podcast Live Conference and you see an older man looking like he lost his wife to technology (again), just show him to the nearest coffee shop or sports bar and he'll happily chill.
And me? I only hope I have enough time and energy to get to all the amazing sessions! If I do I'll be falling apart with joy!