My Experience Presenting at Oracle Openworld [Illustrated Journey Map]

I presented at Oracle Openworld 2015, and loved it.  The content about commerce strategy and digital marketing was amazing, the people were absolutely wonderful, and between the entertainment, food, and grandeur of the event... well it just blew my mind is all.  It was an absolute privilege to have been a guest at the event, and I'm beyond thankful to Oracle for allowing my team to speak there.

Now, this was my first time presenting at a conference.  As such, there was a whole range of emotions that I was not prepared for.  I had no idea what to expect, and I was on one crazy, emotional roller-coaster.  I thought, "What better way to illustrate this amazing emotional ride, than with the very topical 'journey map.'?"

I hope you enjoy my 'Presenting at Oracle Openworld' Journey Map:

(Just to note, in case it's not clear - this is just my own experience and is not to convey the emotional journey of all presenters.)  

[Click to Enlarge]

Every Great Couple Has a Great Story - Here's Ours (Brett's Edition)

The first time I saw her, I couldn't even believe how pretty she was.  I remember her asking me, "Is that your girlfriend?" but it was my twin sister.  I remember being a little upset but happy at the same time (why would she ask me something like that - obviously she doesn't know me, but I guess it means she's somewhat interested).

I knew she had to be interested after I went to lay down for a bit and she followed me upstairs.  After we made out for a little bit, my friend was pissed off about it, so that was basically the end of it.

Fast Forward

I was still young and cocky and still thought she was really hot when I saw her at the Upper Deck (our local bar) years later.  I was in no mood to even consider 'settling down' - I was living with my two buddies and we called our place the [______] palace, and I never even thought about having a girlfriend.  But I don't know - there was something about her that made me want to hang out with her - I needed to hang out with her.

I remember the whole, "You take my number. "No, you have to take mine."  I don't normally do that kind of stuff, but I just... I don't know why I did it to be honest.  It's just what I said at the time, and I guess it worked out.  Normally when a girl asks me to write down her number, I handed her my phone.  I have no idea why I refused to do it.  It was probably the sternest I've been with any girl to tell you the truth.  I also am kind of oblivious to those things - there have been times when girls put their tongue in my ear, and I had no idea they wanted to have sex with me.

We decided to do 'Rock paper scissors,' which was probably pretty stupid - what am I like two years old?  Rock paper scissors.  She took my number because she lost.  From that day on, Patty realized I always throw Rock. Good old Rock, nothing beats that.

She called me and left a voicemail while I was camping with my family in Atwood, Ohio. She texted me after that, and I told her I was out of town.  She didn't believe me, which either makes her nuts or... nuts.  Why wouldn't she believe me?  What did she think I was doing?  If I was blowing her off I would have said, "This isn't going to happen," and that would have been it.  I stayed up late, laying next to cousin, texting Patty and my family yelled at me for keeping the lights on.

I remember telling my Aunt Joan about it when I got back, and she listened to the voicemail she left. She told me I should call her back because she sounded like a nice girl and all that horseshit.

I called her.  We set something up for the following weekend.  I had two beers while I was getting ready.  My roommate, was pacing back and forth.  He asked what I was doing, and I told him I was going to the bar.  He asked if he could come and I said, "Yeah."  So I brought him.  I didn't actually know it was a date.

Every Great Couple Has A Great Story - Here's Ours (Patty's Edition)

When I was 17, I was infatuated with the captain of the Berea High School football team. Even though I went to Holy Name High School, my girlfriends and I would watch the Berea High School boys play on Friday nights for two main reasons: 1) Each of us had a crush on at least one of them and 2) They were actually really good.

My crush - well I had a few - but my main crush was the Captain, Brett Parobek. He was absolutely gorgeous, an amazing athlete, cool and really... kind of a bad ass.

I, on the other hand, was none of those things.  I was awkward, nonathletic, shy, and studious... so not very cool at all.  I didn't have a chance with Brett, so I wasn't even going to try to approach him - even when my cool older brother let me tag along with him to parties where the football boys were going to be.

As we went through our junior and senior year of high school, some of my girlfriends started dating some of the Berea football boys.  When there were parties, I would tag along, and became friends with quite a few.  Brett, however, I was still too intimidated to approach.

Before I left for college, there was one last summer party one of Brett's best friends was throwing. Everyone would be there, and I still even remember what I was wearing: tight jeans, black sparkle flip flops, and a tight black V-neck t-shirt.  I remember sitting with my girlfriends at a picnic table, and Brett approached with another girl close by him.  My heart sunk because I figured that this was his beautiful girlfriend.  He introduced himself to us and started to chat with my best friend.  I quickly shoved the idea that he might be interested in me out of my head, and no longer nervous, asked him how long he and his girlfriend had been together.  They both started laughing, "No, we're twins - this is my sister, Elizabeth."  I remember blurting out, "Oh! I love twins!" and mentally slapped myself across the forehead for how stupid of a thing that was to say.  They walked away to meet with other friends.  Damnit.

Having thought I embarrassed myself in front of my absolute crush after meeting him for the very first time, I drank a few more beers.  At that time in my life, my girls and I called beer, 'courage in a bottle,' because it made cute boys less intimidating to flirt with.  Well, after a few beers, I was feeling particularly courageous.  I went inside the house looking for Brett and found him upstairs alone.  Without hesitation, I walked right up to him and kissed him!  Right?! Can you believe that?  And he definitely kissed me back - until his friend walked upstairs and saw us - then I was off!  I ran downstairs, now confused and slightly embarrassed, but giggly.  I grabbed the girls and we left, and I remember looking back beaming.  I was very proud of myself.  I would not see any of the Berea boys again for years.

FAST FORWARD

It's 2007, and I'm a college graduate back in Berea to live with my folks until I can find a job and figure out how to rent an apartment.  My girls and I are still in touch - in fact a few of us went to college together, and came back to Berea together.  We go out to celebrate being home and run into the Berea boys -- er, now Berea men I suppose.

College had taught me a lot of things, and confidence was definitely one.  When I saw Brett ordering a drink at the bar, I did not hesitate to walk up to him.

I said, "I bet you don't remember me."
He said, "I remember you."

"Oh, well good!" I smiled widely at him and said, "You should take me out some time."
He just shrugged his shoulders as if to dismiss the idea.  (Gasp - what an ass, right?!)
"Well, you should at least take my number." I retorted.
"Maybe you should take my number."  He said without hesitation. (What?! Are you serious?)
"Umm... I'm the lady, you should take my number."   (I was actually getting pissed).

His twin was also there at the bar, and decides that this is a good time to walk over.  She asks us what we were doing, and I explain to her that her dick brother won't take my number, and insists I take his number and call him.  "Why don't you play rock, paper, scissors?" was her suggestion. (What, are we 12?!).

Alright, fine.  We play, I lose, I take his number.
I wait until the next weekend to call him.  He doesn't answer, and I leave a message, and I'm crushed.

ALL THE WHILE

Brett stares at his phone before he calls the missed number back.  He had been waiting for me to call because since his friends' party four years before, he had not forgotten about that cute, crazy girl who kissed him out of nowhere.  He had played coy at the bar, but was actually just - well - nervous (and let's be honest - probably at the bar to drink and not to be hit on by crazy girls). He calls, and also gets voicemail, and doesn't leave a message.

He has his mom & aunt call to listen to, "Hello this is Patricia Price, I am not available right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!"

"Oh Brett, you should call her back - she sounds like a good one."
He calls back, and leaves a message, "Hi Patty, it's Brett Parobek - give me a call back."

THE REST IS HISTORY

Never in my wildest dreams did I think when I was a teenager that the boy I was head-over-heels for, watching almost every Friday night from the stands, would end up being my husband of now almost four years (after being together for nearly eight).  But sometimes the girl does get her dream guy, and that's why our story is a Great one.

[READ Brett's version of the same story is here: http://pattyparobek.blogspot.com/2015/09/every-couple-has-great-story-heres-ours.html]