Behind the Scenes

Is it just me, or do some of you experience a secret thrill with being behind the scenes of something? I have always gotten a kick out of knowing the "insiders" view of things, whether it was being part of the set crew of a musical in highschool, knowing the organizers of an event, helping out my mom when she sold stuff at the farmers market and craft shows, that sort of thing. Along with this excitement came a fear of being too much in the spotlight. Like I would never want to be the lead in that musical! Why do I bring this up, you ask? Well, I got offered an opportunity this week that fit with my idea of being part of the insider crowd, but not by too much. Not yet, anyway.

Kelly Lovejoy, who is the organizer of the Live and Learn Conference, emailed me, after reading and liking my articles in Live Free Learn Free, and offered me a chance to host what she calls a Fireside Chat at the conference. I could pick the topic and it would be a small discussion group, 20-30 people at most, with me answering questions as the experienced unschooler. I said yes before I got cold feet! She also asked if I would be interested in writing an article about the conference for the e-zine Connections. Wow. Yesss! When it rains, it pours, huh?

Anyway, my topic for the Fireside Chat is going to be the spirituality of unschooling. My beliefs as a jumping off place and hopefully lots of exciting discussion of everyone else's spiritual take on unschooling. I'm so excited! I would so love to write a book about this stuff and this will give me a chance to see how it might be received. How cool is that?

Kelly said she would be looking to recruit for future years conference speakers at these chats. This is the too much in the spotlight part. At least for now. I would be lying if I told you I would never want to speak about my passion at a conference. Just not yet... The universe is so good to me. God never gives you more than you can handle and this year I've got just what I can handle in what I have signed up for. Yay!

We are, as a family, starting to get really excited about the conference. I was telling the girls about some of the funshops tonight and they thought it all sounded cool. They were also talking about what they might want to do for the talent shows. E might want to join her friend S and do a hula-hoop act. A wants to do something, but she can't figure out what yet. I suggested imitating animals and having the audience guess what she is. She might go for that! I think this is going to be such a wonderful experience!