Did You Know I Almost....

Keynote, video, and more

So I’m giving the lunch keynote speech at the Erma Bombeck Writers Conference at noon today. Three hours from now. Oh my gosh.

By way of preparation, I’m currently sitting on the couch in my hotel room in the Marriott — the second hotel room in two days that only had a hairdryer from the 1980s. What’s up with that, Bonvoy!?!

But whatever. The conference is treating us! I feel like a VIP. Another note to Marriot: the desk-to-seat ratio is for giants. I sat down to work and the computer was up to my chin. Hence: couch.

Last night I introduced Anna Quindlen, my IDOL. Who doesn’t love Anna?! Here’s the video. I was so nervous beforehand that my palms were sweating and my heart was racing. And I don’t get nervous anymore.

Video here.

I don’t know if it was speaking in front of 400 actual people or the fact that I was the one introducing someone I admire so much, but I had to take some deep breaths. Once I got in front of the microphone, I totally relaxed and did my thing. But beforehand? Panic! It happens. But I was prepared with a quote and some fun anecdotes about the many times I tried to get Anna to come on my podcast and she said no. Haha. Persistence works!

For my keynote, I was planning on getting up and winging it: telling my story of how I started the podcast, how it led to everything else, how I changed my life at 40, blah blah blah. But I’m getting tired of saying the same thing over and over again. And I can’t subject my husband to listening to it for the millionth time.

So I’m thinking of trying something new. Tell me what you think. (Before noon ET if possible.)

I’m thinking of calling the keynote, “Did You Know I Almost…” and discussing the top 30 things I almost did, but didn’t. Big and little things. Like how I almost failed electrical engineering. (Crazy that I even took it, right? So much for science “guts” to fill that requirement.) How I almost named Zibby Books, Time-Pressed. How I almost trained for a marathon. Funny and light mixed with informative and hopefully inspiring.

But it might bomb. (Haha, could call it “Bombing at Bombeck.”) I didn’t have enough time to write the whole thing as an essay first which would’ve been helpful. To be honest, now I want to write it as a book of essays (Did You Know I Almost…: Essays from the Life I Didn’t Live) instead with each chapter another chapter in my life not taken, the “Sliding Doors” of it all. Hmm. Hold on. Emailing my agent.

So the question is: should I try the new format or go with what I know intimately?

I think I’m leaning towards trying it. What’s the worst that happens? No one laughs? At least I’ll entertain Kyle. This is how I make decisions these days: what’s the worst that can happen and how much enjoyment could it possibly bring? Upside vs. downside.

It’s interesting, right? What did YOU almost do… but didn’t? Did you know I almost had brain surgery? See? Now you’re curious, aren’t you?

Speaking of trying things, my podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books has a new and improved logo after six years. Six years! Where did the time go. Like it?

And it’s nominated for best interview/talk show at the Webby Awards!

Could you do me a huge favor and vote for it!? It shouldn’t take more than a minute or two. And if enough of you do it, I get the Webby Award! And go to the party! And feel really amazing about it! It would mean a lot. Just click here. I’m in second place!! Please help! You’re my people!

Okay. I’m off to tour the University of Dayton.

If you happen to be in Nashville, TN tonight, I’ll be doing an event at Parnassus Books at 6:30 pm with Elle Evans, Wedding Issues. Register here if you can come! That’s 6:30 pm tonight, Friday, April 5th.

And if you happen to be in DC area on Monday, please come to my event at the Planet Word Museum (which is AWESOME) with Meghan Riordan Jarvis, End of the Hour. Think: karaoke, drinks, and mingling. Tickets (with book included) here.

Thanks for the pep talk. Just writing this to you all helped. Have a great weekend!