I really did it.
I boarded a plane and flew to a different country.
Those who’ve known me longest will tell you what an unlikely development this is. For my entire life, since I was a small child, I’ve had nightmares of plane crashes and a deep-rooted fear of aircraft in general. For me to actually make a plan that involved air travel and then go through with it – well, let’s just say it’s a momentous occasion.
Well, I survived. And we are having a great time in Toronto!
The Steem Creators Conference has made the stress of overcoming the fear well worth it. I’m here now, Day Two, reaping the benefit of being stronger than my own self-sabotage. Yes, the flight made me anxious. I had no idea I’d be ensconced in a cigar 40,000 feet above the ground, feeling every dip and sideways tilt of a large jet wallowing all over the air. I just expected the ride to be more stable and less like…well, an amusement park ride.
But I survived. And today, I’m here with some of the hottest innovators on the Steem blockchain, including Rick Miller, CEO of Block21 and developer behind the new exchange FreedomEX, Joe Savage, developer of the SBI, and the folks with Steepshot, Partiko, and many others. I’m here to represent The Writers’ Block and our vision for the future with our new front-end site and publishing house. The opportunity to stand in front of these people and present a business model on equal footing just blows me away.
One of the things that makes this trip wonderful is the people here in Toronto with me. @GMuxx, @Jasonbu, @Shadowspub, and I are here representing @thewritersblock. We really are a team. I’ve spent time in person with Muxxy, but this was my first time meeting Shadows and Jason face to face. Instant chemistry. It’s the same chemistry that makes The Writers’ Block work, and we know now that regardless of our backgrounds, nationalities, writing experiences or even life experiences, we connect on a very solid level.
Jason is not only our project coordinator for the IT side of our new publishing enterprise, but he is a Toronto native. We’ve enjoyed the royal treatment this week as he tours us through this beautiful city, bails us out of “tourist” traps, and assists us in numerous ways. Writers’ Block members, he is a tremendous asset to our group and we’re lucky to have him.
I also got to meet a lovely new Steemian who was here as a result of the ticket giveaway by @anomadsoul and @coruscate. When Shadows won the tickets, she offered one to another Toronto local who jumped at the chance to attend. It has been a joy meeting and getting to know @lifesacircus. She brings an energy and vitality into every interaction that is difficult to find these days. Steemiverse, we need her!
It was almost surreal, getting to meet and interact with some of the brightest minds on the platform. @steembasicincome founder Joe Savage and his wife Katy, along with wee Raven, are as down-to-earth and real as anyone you could hope to meet. There is absolutely no pretense with them, and that is the guaranteed way to my heart.
I also treasured the chance to meet @anomadsoul face to face. He and I have chatted quite a bit recently about Steem business, and folks, let me tell ya—as warm and real as he is on Steemit, he’s every bit as warm and real in person. I feel like I’ve made yet another IRL friend, and I look forward to meeting up again in November at Steemfest 3.
I’ll write more about our second day here at the Steem Creators Conference another time. It’s just too much for one post. But I did want to touch base here on the blog and make sure our TWB family knows how much we appreciate their confidence sending us here, and that two days in and one presentation later, we definitely think it was the right move to come.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://www.authordianeryan.com/uncategorized/steem-creators-conference-toronto-day-one/
Awww loved reading this! So happy to meet you- even though I feel like I’ve known you forever!!! 💓
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It was great to meet you in person. We are glad you got here safely.
I love your passion for the Steem writing community and would love to see how that unfolds with all the work you guys have put into it!
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This warms my heart. Tell @shadowspub to take you all to the Big Apple.
I would @profanereviews but they aren’t leaving the TO area this trip. I hear a rumour that a certain raccoon lady has fallen in love with our part of the world, so who knows
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Oh that's great news. There's a lot of raccoons around there that are just crying for some affection. If she likes Toronto, just think of how much she'll like the rest of the province.
Well @rhondak can’t or won’t tell you, she’s pretty damn cool herself. She’s pushed past some nasty heat and humidity which complicates personal challenges to make sure this visit has gone well. BTW Ms Rhonda when I head home, I’m still with you, just not within reach of the cane.
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RFLMAO!!!! Gonna miss you terribly, but now we’re IRL friends and not just voices on the internet. Love you bunches, lady!
So is this the equivalent of texting each other in the same room? Leaving comments to each other while in the same room?
Always has been IRL we just added the visuals — and survived.
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Awesome @rhondak. Thanks for posting this. Looks like a great time by all.
And yes I had the same fear of flying. But no more. Just takes a couple of times to do it and you wonder why you didn't do it sooner :)
Interesting update thanks for writing this
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Gaaaah, I wish I was there with you guys right now. It's just not fair. If you run into the Partiko guys again, tell them they have a fan in me. Love their app. Glad you're having a great time, Rhonda!
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I really wish you were here, too. And Chelsea. I got to talk about her art a bit yesterday on stage. :-)
Maybe soon it will get easier for us to travel as a team.
Gaaaah, I wish I was there with you guys right now. It's just not fair. If you run into the Partiko guys again, tell them they have a fan in me. Love their app. Glad you're having a great time, Rhonda!
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Yay! Reading your post made me happy. I was at the first Steem Creators and it was an amazing experience. Looks like you're having an equally awesome time. :)
Sounds like a great time... wish I was there
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What is IRL ?
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Ok ... found it... IRL (which stands for "in real life") is an app that makes it easy and fun to send and receive invites to hang out with friends in real life.
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I know nothing of the app. LOL. “IRL” just means “in real life.”
Wow - you're so brave for overcoming your fear of flying and then flying (as far as I know ;-)) two times in one year, and all the way to Poland nonetheless!
You should be extremely proud and I for one cheer on people who fight their battles this way :D
Seems like you're having a lot of fun and oh my impatience for November is growing every day now!
Oh what fun! I would love to attend a conference one day. I too hate flying and have had way too many dreams of planes crashing from the time I was a child.
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