Before I drove my old Scout to the Drake Hotel to pick up Joan Hope, Kristen Ridley and Susan Cellura for dinner Tuesday night—the ride home would include Eileen Burmeister and Colleen Hawk home (Amy Gooen values her life)—I thought of the lead in the newspaper:
"CHICAGO—A blogger died yesterday evening in a fiery one-car crash on Lake Shore Drive. But the tragedy was lessened because his most faithful readers also perished in the crash."
Thanks, Women of Like Minds—and women of unlike minds, too, Jane Greer. And you too, Robert Holland. It was a great week in Chicago.
Comments (17)
Hey, I wasn't invited to this fab dinner!
I don't get to go to conferences anymore, but I am in Chicago.
(insert smiley)
Posted by Diane | May 9, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on May 9, 2008 11:24
Diane, let us have a fab dinner of our own one of these days, eh?
Posted by David Murray | May 9, 2008 11:27 AM
Posted on May 9, 2008 11:27
But I need a crowd of chatty extroverts to hide in!
Posted by Diane | May 9, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on May 9, 2008 11:35
These gals would have filled the bill. Next year, then.
Posted by David Murray | May 9, 2008 11:42 AM
Posted on May 9, 2008 11:42
David (Gonzo),
You have no idea how much fun it was to ride in the Scout. I loved the whole event!! And I would be happy to relive the experience - Diane, would love to meet you!!
Posted by Susan Cellura | May 9, 2008 5:18 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 17:18
Can I be a Man of Like Mind?
Posted by Robert J Holland, ABC | May 9, 2008 8:03 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 20:03
I do value my life. Perhaps too much. Next time I'm in Chicago - if the invite still stands - it's Scoutsville for me.
Posted by Amy | May 9, 2008 8:09 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 20:09
Hey, I didn't mean to sound like an antisocial ingrate. Any time!
I wondered if Robert was a Woman of Like Mind as he was included, but didn't want to ask.
Posted by Diane | May 9, 2008 8:33 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 20:33
Unlike whom and in what way? I had a lovely time meeting everyone and you, David. Thanks for being so hospitable. :-)
Posted by Jane Greer | May 9, 2008 9:12 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 21:12
The ride in the Scout was a rush, no joke! And I really don't think we were in any especial danger, since I don't believe we ever actually got going any faster than around 25 mph. Susan, Eileen, Colleen, your recollection??
If we'd had to, I'm pretty sure we coulda jumped out and not even mussed our hair. As it was, David you got us there AND back unscathed, and it was a fun ride.
It was also GREAT to get to meet you and talk to you in person. Thanks for your wonderful hospitality!!
Posted by Kristen | May 9, 2008 10:51 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 22:51
I'm most assuredly a male, Diane. However, in a profession dominated by women, even we guys should know how to be Women of Like Mind.
David's inclusion of me, however, is just the lastest in his string of veiled jabs at me that also include references to age. We're really very lucky that he and I didn't resort to fisticuffs in the panel session we shared, although walking to dinner on Thursday night he did challenge me to a boxing match. I believe he backed down once he saw my moves.
Posted by Robert J Holland, ABC | May 10, 2008 8:30 AM
Posted on May 10, 2008 08:30
Actually, Diane, one of our topics of conversation was how so many of us (corporate communicators) are introverts.
The ride wasn't THAT terrifying but then again, I was riding shotgun instead of being smushed in the backseat. And to Kristen's point, the breakneck speed wasn't - my hair was barely mussed.
What the ride and the evening - and the following evening and the evening after that - were, were great opportunities for conversation, spirited discussion and frequent gales of laughter. Those evening activities were the frosting on the cake known as the CCC (and I savored every crumb of my slice).
Posted by Colleen | May 10, 2008 4:35 PM
Posted on May 10, 2008 16:35
David, the Scout ride is among my favorite memories of Chicago. (Though perhaps my very favorite was sitting between you and Cindy Crescenzo, surrounded by some of the people I admire and enjoy most of any I have ever known, and laughing and learning and finding friendships that will last our lifetimes.)
Ah, but that Scout--what a treat! I grew up four-wheeling in vehicles just like that, but you gave me a whole new experience, four-wheeling down busy city streets. I'll never forget those kids who pulled up next to us, looked up at me and said, "Is this some kind of tour?" They had no idea, eh?
And you--I honestly didn't expect to find that you are more delightful in person than in print (if that's what we can call what we type online), but you are, and I am so glad for the time we were able to spend together.
Posted by Joan H. | May 12, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted on May 12, 2008 10:14
True story, all: Moments after we took off in the Scout from the Drake, we heard a hissing sound over the rumbling engine that was immediately accompanied by an alarming flammable smell.
We were relieved to learn a bit down Lake Shore Drive that it was Joan's foot, on the nozzle of a can of Starter Fluid that I, along with every other Scout owner, keep under my seat.
Oddness yielding to belly laughing relief, the incident foreshadowed the rest of the week.
Thanks, Joan, thanks all. Yes, our friendships do feel lasting.
Posted by David Murray | May 12, 2008 10:24 AM
Posted on May 12, 2008 10:24
I used to own a Scout so I can confirm the line about the starter fluid. But the real personal question I simply must ask is: Did you name your daughter after the beloved car? Or was it more of a Harper Lee homage?
Posted by Friendly | May 13, 2008 3:06 PM
Posted on May 13, 2008 15:06
Dear Friendly--
Simply a happy convergence of the two, I'd say.
David
Posted by David Murray | May 14, 2008 7:46 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 07:46
Dear Friendly--
Simply a happy convergence of the two, I'd say.
David
Posted by David Murray | May 14, 2008 7:46 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 07:46