1st Conference Call with the Crew!

    For lack of a better term, conference calls are bizarre.  You can't see the people you're talking to, you're not sure when to jump in and say something, you never really know how long they are going to last. Yesterday was the first call I got to be on with my expedition team.  We're ladies from all over the world, so I was on the phone at 2pm while others were just waking up at 6 am, and some folks were winding down their day at 8pm.  It was really cool to hear what's going on with the PEAKS FOUNDATION (more on this soon!) and how everyone is coming with their fundraising.

 

I wonder if the can phone was invented before AG Bell invented the real thing?

   I always find myself trying to figure out what other people are doing while on the call.  Lunch break? Driving to a meeting somewhere? Eating dinner? Watching TV?  You never know. Personally, I was in my email trying to match voices with names and places while trying to got down as much information as possible.  And I did venture over to ESPN.com a few times...to check on really important things.  Like who is airing the Arsenal vs. Barcelona game today (Fox Soccer, if you care to watch).  What can I say, I'm a good multi-tasker.

Prediction: Messi gets dirty and assists/scores

    All important soccer games aside, I learned a lot about the people I'll be trekking with in East Africa.  I can hear the passion in their voices when they talk about why they want to climb. The curiosity when they ask questions about conquering 3 mountains.  Hopefulness when they talk about the people and causes that the money we raise will go to support. Commitment when they discuss fundraising ideas.  While I might not meet them in person until January 2012 in a Kenyan airport, I already know I have a stellar group of women to train alongside and collaborate with for the next year.

Endnote: Never ever ever EVER image search for the word "bizarre" on Google.  Too many weird/creepy things show up. Lesson learned.