Purple Wren

SOBCon09 is Next Week!

Can you believe it's almost May?

SOBCon is next week. If you're serious about blogging - or want to be - you have to attend this event. Check out all the people who are already signed up. Look at all the opportunities to learn and socialize with other bloggers.

I still am unsure if I can attend. It's been a scary year so far for me and I have not been working as much as I would like. So my reasons for not attending have been based on finances. And then today a fellow blogger, Deb at debworks told me that Naomi from IttyBiz is unable to attend and is giving away tickets. You can be sure I went right over and signed up. And I told Jim about it because he really enjoyed SOBCon08.

I figure "if it's meant to be" we'll get tickets. It was a "meant to be" event that brought Deb and me together just as I am contemplating my future as a blogger.

Time is running out! Sign up today.

I'm sorry Naomi can't make it though. Be sure to check out the IttyBiz blog.

Blogging in Person in Fairfield, Iowa

Recently we had a chance to blog in person. Mike Sansone (business partner) and I took a road trip to Fairfield, Iowa to visit fellow bloggers, Zane Safrit and his wife, Dawn.  Zane is CEO of Conference Calls Unlimited where you'll find him blogging, as well as at Business Life at Duct Tape Marketing. Dawn is just getting started blogging and as soon as she is set up and says the word, I'll link to the site.

A highlight of the day was coffee (tea for me) at Zane's favorite coffee spot - Cafe Paradiso. It's housed in a converted industrial space with a stage for live music. When you're in Fairfield, don't miss it. We happened to be there just before Halloween (has time passed this quickly?) and got a first-hand look at their unique decorations. If the barista has a break in the line, she can stir up a design in your latte cup, too. Where have I been? Didn't know there was coffee art. I need to get out more.

Anyway, it was a great trip. Blogging is a great way to create community.

How many new friends have you met because of blogging?

Where's your favorite place to meet?

Oh Yeah, Work Life Balance

While driving across rural Iowa today, I was pleased to see a 18-wheel truck with a Trek bicycle mounted on the back of the tractor cab. Now that was a first for me. Glad to see someone who drives truck has a way to get around when he gets to his location and a chance to fit in some exercise. Very important after driving all day and a great stress reliever. It seems like this person works to have balance in life, something I need to work on these days.

It's been difficult for me to start up a new business (or two) and fit in all the other priorities in life, most of all exercise. Maybe I'm just using that as an excuse, so I looked for inspiration in the blogosphere...

The posts below are both "must reads" IMHO.

Discovering Work Life Balance at Feld Thoughts: This post is over a year old, but the content is great and includes tips to add a bit of structure to life. Check out the comments, too.

Work Life Balance at Zoli's Blog: I've heard the story before about putting rocks in the jar followed by pebbles and sand, but this version has a different twist. (I would probably substitute tea though.)

How do you make sure you have balance between work, play, family, spiritual, exercise, etc.?

photo on flickr by David Cowie