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I'm writing this from the Dallas airport!
The reason I use an exclamation point is that I am always THRILLED when my wireless stuff actually works. It happens about one out of every 100 times I try it.
I just finished a wonderfully fun seminar in Dallas. Forty people, all with a good sense of humor, great interaction . . . it was terrific, even if I do have to say so myself.
And a great networking session in the bar, too. As usual, lots of good horror stories that I'll share out here in the next couple of days.
The best story came from one woman who works for an executive who insists on using a PowerPoint slide that features some kind of bell curve or chart or something, that looks like a huge boob. And, to make matters worse, there is a big dot on the chart, right where the nipple on the boob would be.
"I call it the Nipple Slide," she told us. "And he won't stop using it."
That's excellent. From there, the conversation drifted into what a pig Oprah is, whether or not Steadman is a homosexual, the fact that some women actually buy and use FAKE nipples . . . and all sorts of other neat stuff.
This is the kind of professional development that you miss out on when you don't come to one of my seminars!!
Which leads me to my next question: What the hell is the matter with Canadians?
Every time I speak in Toronto, or talk to people from Toronto, they complain that Ragan never sends any seminars up there. Which is true. We don't . . . even though Toronto has the largest IABC chapter in North America.
So this time, I convinced Mark Ragan to include Toronto on the list of cities when we decided to extend the Master Class Seminar.
I thought, based on all the feedback I've gotten from Torontonians on how much they want us up there, that we'd get fifty or sixty people.
We have 15. Where the hell are all the people who e-mail me and corner me at conferences to yell at me for never coming to Toronto? It's a really good seminar . . . lots of fun, great case studies . . .and Toronto is a great drinking city.
So I put the question to my northern neighbors: Where the hell are you?
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Feels like Total Recall. Er, Philip K Dick?
Actually, with Steve's example it's a bit scary --- standing at the urinal...
Comments (18)
It's hockey season, Steve. Nobody in Canada is paying attention to anything else right now. Try it in the summer.
Greg
Posted by Greg Marsh | February 1, 2006 8:37 AM
Posted on February 1, 2006 08:37
You may be on to something, Greg. See, I didn't even know it was hockey season.
Didn't they cancel that hockey league sometime ago? I seem to remember that hockey went away for a while. Is it back?
I don't know, because ever since the White Sox won the you know what, I haven't been able to read the sports page or listen to sports talk radio.
Steve C.
Posted by Steve C. | February 1, 2006 8:55 AM
Posted on February 1, 2006 08:55
We don't have hockey in Cleveland, so maybe I'll drive up. I've never been to Toronto. When is it? (Actually, we have an IHL team, but they got tired of playing to an empty arena so they just announced that they're taking their puck and going someplace else.)
Posted by ShariS | February 1, 2006 1:19 PM
Posted on February 1, 2006 13:19
I grew up near Cleveland and I just got real nostalgic for my old favorite hockey team, the Cleveland Barons, which came in 1976 and left in 1978. A quick look around the Internet reveals their proud history.
CLEVELAND BARONS
Stanley Cup Champions:
None
Stanley Cup Finals:
None
Confrence Finals:
None
Division Champions:
None
Playoff Appearences:
None
Retired Numbers:
None
Hall of Famers:
None
All-Star Games Hosted:
None
All-Star Game MVP:
None
Jack Adams Award (Top Coach):
None
Calder Trophy (Top Rookie):
None
Selke Trophy (Defensive Forward):
None
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman):
None
Vezina Trophy (Top Goalie):
None
Hart Trophy (NHL MVP):
None
Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP):
None
Best Record: 1976/77 (25-42-13, 63 pts)
Worst Record: 1977/78 (22-45-13, 57 pts)
Posted by David Murray | February 1, 2006 1:29 PM
Posted on February 1, 2006 13:29
That's them! They came back. And are leaving again.
Posted by ShariS | February 1, 2006 2:28 PM
Posted on February 1, 2006 14:28
David...it makes sense that you choose Kent State, home of the Golden Flashes. Do they even post their record on the Internet?
Eileen
P.S. Go Zips!
Posted by Eileen | February 1, 2006 3:46 PM
Posted on February 1, 2006 15:46
Back to the original question....
They think Tim Horton's is better than Krispy Kreme?
(ducking---I've heard they really are that good) =)
Posted by Laurel | February 1, 2006 7:22 PM
Posted on February 1, 2006 19:22
Can't help but observe that "Nipple Slide" sounds like the latest new shooter researched by Steve and the Dallas group at the Day One post-seminar bar session.
On a slightly more serious note, though; come on, you Canadians! The Master Class is fantastic! If you're into internal communications, it's the best two-day experience you can have ... you know, without Cialis.
Greg
Posted by Greg Marsh | February 2, 2006 9:04 AM
Posted on February 2, 2006 09:04
With apologies to the few people I know and like in Toronto, it is not the centre of the Canadian universe (is there such a thing?)and perhaps you might consider offering something in Western Canada (i.e. Alberta) where all the cool people are.
I know you're on the agenda for the upcoming IABC International Conference in June, but that's in Vancouver and we're stuck on the prairies - a good 10-12 hour drive from the ocean.
What do you say Steve?
Posted by Kelly | February 2, 2006 11:16 AM
Posted on February 2, 2006 11:16
I am one of the keen 15 -- here's hoping that other TO-ers will be joining us. From what I am reading, I am not sure if 15 of us can afford Steve's drink bill without some support!
Steve, I am a long time fan/blog lurker. Looking forward to your session (please don't cancel!)It was an easy sell to my boss when I told her I would walk away with practical, easy to implement, innovative ideas.
Posted by Andrea | February 2, 2006 1:10 PM
Posted on February 2, 2006 13:10
First, thanks for the endorsement, Greg! And the Cialis reference. Always good to get that in there.
Kelly, where should we go? How about Banf????? I've always wanted to go to Banf!
And Andrea . . . welcome! I hope you can have drinks after Day One. We're not going to cancel . . . we'll have at least 25 people. I just thought it would be a lot more.
But 25-30 is actually a nice little size, and we'll have time to go off on some good tangents.
See you in two weeks!
Steve C.
Posted by Steve C. | February 2, 2006 2:45 PM
Posted on February 2, 2006 14:45
Banff (two Fs).
It's February in Canada, and unseasonably warm in most places - especially around the Toronto area. We're all stunned. Like deer in headlights. Or a teenager after his first real night of drinking. Or a Liberal prime minister that just got booted in the Federal election even though nearly every riding in Toronto voted for his party. (Maybe that's why people in Toronto are stunned - the world stopped moving around them).
Folks in Toronto are also well known for bitching but no action (*as I duck and cover*).
Lots of love my TO friends.
Posted by G. Warten | February 2, 2006 3:06 PM
Posted on February 2, 2006 15:06
My husband is Canadian, originally from Toronto, and anytime anything comes up about Vancouver or Calgary or something, he always says the same thing: "Western Canada doesn't count--it isn't really Canada." (Ducking for cover.)
He does love the hockey though, so I can see why Torontonians are distracted and not signing up. He lives and breathes it 24/7.
I just went to the Dallas session and it was fantastic (the class and the bar afterwards). We brought home probably 10 great ideas we plan to implement in the coming year. You definitely get your money's worth. Sign up today!
Posted by Sonya | February 2, 2006 3:48 PM
Posted on February 2, 2006 15:48
Banff is OK (well, it's gorgeous, but it's way too overcommercialized). Jasper is better and you still get to bask in the glory of the Rocky Mountains while all the "townies" make fun of you because you're a tourist.
And Toronto isn't the only place without winter - we have had virtually no snow here in Edmonton and today it was plus 8 (that's about 50 degrees for those of you in the US). Time to break out the shorts and margaritas!
Posted by Kelly | February 2, 2006 5:51 PM
Posted on February 2, 2006 17:51
O CANADA, OUR HOME AND NATIVE LAND....
All this talk of Canada has me waxing nostalgic for all the fun times, places, people I used to experience in the mid-90s. Although I have a hunting cabin in southern Ontario, my memories are overwhelmingly positive of all the places I visted, both East and West.
Montreal...Toronto...Vancouver...Galgary...Regina...Saskatoon (how many Yanks can claim they have been there? ) and parts in-between were all marked by beautiful scenery, fun people and lots of distilled spirits!
My one, true regret about that time is not being able to pull together my Whistle Stop conference tour for the "Communicating In A Wired World" seminar series. My vision was to corral some of my speakers (Shel, Charles Pizzo, Tudor Williams, Michael Rudnick, etc.) and set off from Ottawa on a 2-week tour on the CP ending in Vancouver, stopping along the way to conduct the seminar in cities that were on the railway line.
I actually spent about 4 months planning it before I had to give up the idea, but it would have been a grand adventure.
Posted by Craig Jolley | February 3, 2006 8:00 AM
Posted on February 3, 2006 08:00
Steve,
As a Canadian who attended your Master Class in San Francisco (and loved it by the way), I'm sorry to hear you're disappointed in us.
I think there are two problems. No one, not even a Canadian, wants to go to Toronto in February. Okay, we don't really want to go there at any time of year, but February makes it a lot less appealing, even if it is for you. Secondly, Canadians are smart enough to take advantage of a trip to somewhere like San Francisco or Chicago. You're the added bonus!
So, I'm sorry you're getting such a lame response for the Toronto session. It's not you, really.
Coral
P.S. If you would have picked Calgary, then you'd have a full house.
Posted by Coral | February 6, 2006 12:11 PM
Posted on February 6, 2006 12:11
THanks, Coral. I feel better. I have a raging desire to be liked and accepted, and the Torontonians are wrecking havoc with that.
I keep hearing that all the money in Canada is in Calgary, not Toronto. My pal Ron Shewchuck told me they have special street sweepers up there to move the hundred dollar bills out of the way.
We'll have to go there next time.
Steve C.
Posted by Steve C. | February 6, 2006 1:17 PM
Posted on February 6, 2006 13:17
Steve,
When I found out your Master Class was coming to Toronto, I was delighted, because I live on the outskirts of town and planned to attend - until I saw the date. I'll be out of town starting that day, so how could I attend knowing I would miss what everyone seems to think is the best part: the famous gathering in the bar afterwards??
I'm close enough that weather wouldn't stop me from attending, but really, what were you thinking booking the class in February? Come on, you're in Chicago, you know what it's like. How about April, or maybe May?
Waiting for the next Canadian Master Class and saving up my money. Oh not for the class itself, for the bar!
Sue
Posted by Sue H. | February 9, 2006 1:45 PM
Posted on February 9, 2006 13:45